The first edition of the month-long Shop Qatar festival concluded on Tuesday night with a mega draw of QAR1 million and a free concert by renowned singer Majed al-Muhandes at Mall of Qatar.

The grand finale saw a winner take home the jackpot prize of QAR1 million while 14 other winners claimed cash prizes. The final draw was witnessed by hundreds of shoppers and mallgoers around the Oasis stage.

Shop Qatar's finale also showcased ardha and dabke performances. A number of mascots and roving performers also greeted visitors while al-Muhandes entertained the crowd with heart-warming songs after the mega draw.

The last weekend of the festival witnessed a surge in footfall at different participating malls, as well as a substantial increase in sales at retail outlets.

"The success of Shop Qatar has given us a great start for 2017, and we look forward to maintaining this momentum with the eighth edition of the Qatar International Food Festival which will take place later this quarter," Qatar Tourism Authority's (QTA) chief marketing and promotion officer Rashed al-Qurese said in a statement.

Al-Qurese expressed confidence that Shop Qatar will continue to expand in the next editions aimed at reinforcing the country's position as a top destination for shoppers and families.

From January 7 to February 7, the festival featured shopping promotions, outdoor activities, live entertainment, beauty and fashion events, musical performances and comedy acts to provide residents and visitors with a diverse offering.

QTA introduced the annual shopping festival following the notable recent growth of Qatar's retail sector, matched by its strong contribution to tourism spending.

To know more, visit www.shopqatar.qa