In Bahrain’s winding suqs and along Qatar’s lively streets, small businesses bring colour and character to daily life.
They are the cafés where the aroma of freshly baked bread drifts out into the alley, the workshops where an artisan’s skill transforms raw materials into something unique, and the corner stores where a simple purchase is accompanied by a familiar smile.
These small businesses are not just places to shop. They are spaces where craft and commerce meet, where stories are exchanged, and where communities connect.
American Express (AMEX) Middle East is committed to supporting small businesses.
The American Express ‘Shop Small’ initiative was launched in Bahrain in 2021 and later in Qatar in 2023 as part of a global movement to connect American Express Card Members with the small businesses that are at the heart of their communities.
The idea is simple: spotlight small businesses, encourage people to spend with them, and create meaningful rewards.
In Bahrain and Qatar, Shop Small runs from December 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, coinciding with the holiday season, an important time for small businesses. By increasing visibility through tools such as the merchant map on the Shop Small website, and distinctive campaign branding, Shop Small helps customers easily find and recognise participating small businesses.
This includes cafés serving traditional breakfasts, family run boutiques in Bahrain’s old districts, artisanal shops in Doha’s busy markets, practical everyday services like electronics repair or veterinary care, and more.
For shoppers, the rewards make choosing small businesses even more attractive.
In Bahrain, Card Members get BD2 back when they spend BD5 or more at participating small businesses.
In Qatar, the return is QR2 for every five or more spent.
Shop Small returns to Bahrain for its fourth year and to Qatar for its third.
American Express Middle East expands the initiative to the United Arab Emirates for the first time from January 12 to March 12 2026, further broadening its reach and delivering benefits to more small businesses in the region.
● For details on Bahrain Shop Small, visit americanexpress.com.bh/ar-bh/shop-small/
For Qatar Shop Small, visit americanexpress.com.qa/en-qa/shop-small/
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