SHIFT Group CEO Joy Alvarez Discusses Qatar Living's Growth and Expansion

Joy Alvarez, CEO of Qatar Living and Group CEO of SHIFT Group, has outlined plans to strengthen the platform's digital services, deepen its community engagement and prepare for expansion into Saudi Arabia. She discussed the company's direction in an interview with The Business Year published on 12 October 2026.

Alvarez described Qatar Living's evolution from a community forum into a digital platform bringing together news, events, local information and an online marketplace. She said its social media channels have more than 4 million followers, helping the platform connect with people across Qatar.

The platform's services span properties, vehicles, classifieds, services, deals, and jobs, allowing residents to find everyday information and take practical steps, from searching for a home or car to finding a service provider or employment opportunity.

Discussing the marketplace's business model, Alvarez explained that agencies, showrooms and other business customers can subscribe to the platform, while individuals selling an item or vehicle can choose a one-time paid listing. She said this structure creates opportunities for both users and businesses by bringing buyers, sellers and service providers together.

She also highlighted the introduction of Qatar Living Deals, which connects merchants offering discounts and bundled deals with people looking for value. The new service forms part of the company's efforts to expand the ways residents and local businesses interact through the platform.

Alvarez said Qatar Living's role extends beyond online transactions. By connecting people with housing, employment, services and community information, the platform aims to make everyday life easier and help smaller businesses reach customers. She linked this contribution to the diversified, knowledge-based economy envisaged by Qatar National Vision 2030.

Reflecting on the company's development, Alvarez pointed to the launch of a redesigned website and mobile app in February 2025 and the restructuring of the organisation around users' needs. She identified trust, built over two decades of community engagement, as central to Qatar Living's long-term direction.

Over the following 12 months, the priorities she outlined include improving the user experience, introducing a platform-wide search feature, developing existing marketplace categories and growing revenue sustainably through listings, advertising, promoted placements, deals and subscriptions.

Alvarez also confirmed that preparations are underway to bring Qatar Living into the Saudi market. The company is laying the groundwork for the move and intends to share further details later. No launch date was announced in the interview.

Looking ahead, she said Qatar Living's ambition is to become the most trusted everyday living community platform, with reliable information, accessible services and continued engagement at the heart of its growth.

Read the full interview on The Business Year.

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About Qatar Living:

Since 2005, Qatar Living has been the trusted destination for everything Qatar. As the country's largest online community and marketplace, Qatar Living connects people with opportunities through jobs, property, vehicles, services, classifieds, events, local insights, and breaking news. Trusted by residents, newcomers, visitors, and businesses alike, Qatar Living brings Qatar together in one place.

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