If you thought Black Friday was the ultimate shopping day, think again. Singles’ Day, the largest online shopping event globally, has spread to the world through Alibaba’s e-commerce platform AliExpress, and it’s packed with offers that rival traditional American sales. For savvy shoppers, this early holiday shopping festival, running from November 11 to November 18, offers a chance to grab deep discounts and deals weeks before Black Friday. As shoppers dive into the wave of Singles’ Day deals, using the AliExpress tracking but also other universal tracking solutions can simplify the process, allowing them to monitor multiple orders in one place.
What is Singles’ Day?
Originally launched in China as a celebration of singlehood on November 11 (or “11.11”), Singles’ Day has evolved into a massive shopping event that eclipses even Black Friday and Cyber Monday in terms of sales volume. The event generated over $84 billion in sales last year alone across Alibaba’s platforms, such as Taobao and Tmall. Now, AliExpress, Alibaba’s international branch, is bringing Singles’ Day, allowing consumers to enjoy the discounts and benefits usually reserved for Chinese and Asian markets.
What U.S. Shoppers Can Expect
Starting with a presale on November 8, shoppers can preview discounts, add items to their carts, and get a head start on holiday shopping. Once the event kicks off on November 11, AliExpress is offering discounts of up to 90% on a broad range of products, from tech gadgets and home essentials to fashion and beauty items. The sale period will extend until November 18, giving shoppers ample time to explore deals and make purchases without the rushed frenzy that typically accompanies Black Friday.
AliExpress has also introduced some creative and engaging promotions to attract worldwide shoppers. For example, their “$1 Challenge” offers lucky participants the chance to buy selected items for just $1 by shaking their smartphone. Additionally, a TikTok dance challenge allows users to win daily prizes of up to $100 in AliExpress credits, merging entertainment with the shopping experience.
Local Sellers and AliExpressDirect
Singles’ Day also marks AliExpress’ launch of AliExpressDirect the U.S, a platform feature that lets American retailers sell directly on AliExpress without paying commissions or onboarding fees during a limited introductory period. This approach benefits both consumers and local businesses, as shoppers can now find unique, locally-sourced items on the platform while enjoying the perks of a global shopping festival. It’s an opportunity for U.S.-based sellers to reach an international audience through AliExpress, tapping into a new customer base with minimal initial costs.
Competing with Black Friday
AliExpress’ move to introduce Singles’ Day poses direct competition to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two well-established shopping events. However, with the sales scheduled earlier in November, Singles’ Day gives consumers a head start on holiday shopping, potentially easing the financial and logistical pressures that come with last-minute purchases. According to an AliExpress survey conducted with Censuswide, 55% of shoppers are interested in major sales that occur before Black Friday, indicating that Singles’ Day may fill a desirable gap in the holiday shopping calendar.
Singles’ Day’s emphasis on high discounts aligns well with consumer expectations, as another survey showed that nearly 80% of respondents prioritize sales and promotions during the holiday season. With rising inflation and tightened household budgets, many shoppers may find the early access to deals beneficial for stretching their dollars and buying gifts ahead of time.
Navigating Shipping and Tracking
One of the challenges with international shopping events like Singles’ Day is tracking multiple orders from different countries. AliExpress is making strides to simplify this, and universal package tracking solutions offer a convenient way for consumers to monitor multiple deliveries across various carriers and countries. Such tools consolidate tracking information into a single dashboard, providing updates and estimated delivery times so that shoppers are less likely to face delays or missed packages.
This is particularly useful given that AliExpress products can originate from a wide range of countries, which may lead to longer delivery windows. With universal tracking tools like Ordertracker or 17track, shoppers can shop confidently knowing they have clear visibility into their orders, avoiding the frustration that sometimes accompanies international shipping.
Why Singles’ Day Matters for Shoppers
Singles’ Day has the potential to become a fixture on the shopping calendar, especially if shoppers find value in AliExpress’ discounts and promotional events. As Chinese e-commerce platforms like AliExpress and Temu enter the global market, consumers are beginning to enjoy more choices and increasingly competitive prices.
For those interested in joining the shopping festival, a few strategies can help maximize the experience. First, take advantage of the presale period by previewing discounts and adding desired items to your cart. Second, utilize universal tracking solutions to manage orders and avoid delivery headaches. Finally, make use of AliExpress’ engaging challenges and prize opportunities, which not only offer additional discounts but also make the shopping experience fun and interactive.
With deep discounts, an earlier shopping window, and unique engagement opportunities, AliExpress’ introduction of Singles’ Day to the provides a fresh and exciting option for holiday shoppers. As competition in e-commerce heats up, this could be the start of a new tradition for consumers seeking deals and discounts outside of the Black Friday rush.
