MoCI: Display Accepted Discount Cards at Checkout

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has called on retail outlets across Qatar to clearly display the list of discount cards they accept at their checkout counters. The aim is simple: customers should know which discounts they can use before they pay, not after.

The guidance is framed as consumer awareness, but it rests on an existing legal obligation. For retailers, it is also a reminder that MoCI is watching how discounts are communicated at the point of sale.

What MoCI announced

In its awareness directive, MoCI said that clearly showing accepted discount cards at checkout helps consumers understand the benefits and offers available to them before completing a purchase. It also reduces confusion over which discounts apply.

The Ministry asked stores to:

Display the discount cards they accept clearly and prominently at payment points
Make sure customers can see this information before the transaction is completed
Present it in a way that is easy to read and understand

MoCI linked the directive to its wider work on consumer protection and transparency in commercial dealings, and to building trust between shoppers and merchants.

The legal basis: Decision No. 311 of 2018

MoCI pointed to Minister of Economy and Commerce Decision No. (311) of 2018 on sales at reduced prices. The decision requires commercial establishments to place discount announcements in a prominent, visible location, so that consumers are aware of them before they buy.

Decision 311 is the main rulebook for discounts in Qatar. Among other things, it:

Divides discount sales into special discounts and general (seasonal) discounts
Requires a licence from MoCI before a discount is announced or run
Limits how early a discount can be advertised before the licensed start date
Gives MoCI the power to cancel the licence, suspend the sale and remove related advertising if the rules are broken

The decision was amended by Decision No. (4) of 2025, which now allows stores to apply for licences for multiple discount periods during the year.

What retailers should check now

The directive itself is straightforward, but it is a good moment to review how your store handles discounts overall.

Checkout signage. List every discount card you accept (bank cards, loyalty or membership programmes, partner schemes) at each till, not only at the entrance.
Staff awareness. Cashiers should know which cards are accepted and apply them without the customer having to ask twice.
Discount licences. Any sale, promotion or reduced-price offer you advertise needs prior MoCI approval. This applies online too, including delivery apps and social media.
Consistency. What is advertised in-store, on your website and on third-party platforms should match the licence you hold.

Where businesses get caught

Most problems come from advertising a discount before the licence is in place. In April 2026, MoCI fined a delivery platform QAR 10,000 for promoting discounted offers without approval from the Department of Specialised Licensing and Market Control. The violation fell under Decision 311.

If your business runs frequent promotions, partners with banks or loyalty programmes, or sells through delivery apps, it is worth having a clear process for licences and approvals. [internal link: MoCI price change approval post]

How RCH can help

RCH Qatar supports retailers and F&B businesses with MoCI licensing, discount and promotion approvals, commercial licence renewals and day-to-day compliance. If you are unsure whether a planned offer needs a licence, or how to apply, our team can review it with you before it goes live.

Contact RCH Qatar for a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Do all shops in Qatar have to display accepted discount cards?

MoCI has called on retail outlets to display accepted discount cards clearly at checkout. It ties this to Decision 311 of 2018, which already requires discount announcements to be placed prominently before the customer buys.

What is Decision No. 311 of 2018?

It is the ministerial decision that regulates sales at reduced prices in Qatar. It covers discount types, licensing, how and when discounts are announced, and penalties for violations.

Do I need a licence to offer a discount in Qatar?

Yes. Discount sales require prior approval from MoCI. Advertising a discount without one can lead to fines, as in the April 2026 case involving a delivery platform.