Celebrating Double Sticks Day: A Unique Shopping Phenomenon

Celebrating Double Sticks Day aka singles day.

Just when you thought that Black Friday or Cyber Monday was the epitome of shopping holidays, hold on to your wallets! Say hello to Double Sticks Day, known as “Singles Day” that falls on the 11.11 and centres around China’s immense e-commerce boom.

China celebrate Double sticks day in a similar fashion to St Valentines day in the west (but more!) So what makes this day so special?

The Origins of Double Sticks Day

Double Sticks Day gets its name from the four ‘ones’ in the date (11.11 or Double 11) that resemble four solitary stick figures, which is why it’s also referred to as Singles Day. Initially, it was a celebration for China’s singles, started by university students in the 90s. However, in 2009, the day got a new direction when Alibaba, a Chinese multinational conglomerate, decided to turn the holiday into a shopping event.

Phenomenal Growth

According to data from Statista[1%5E], in 2020, the Double 11 shopping event’s gross merchandise volume on Alibaba’s platform hit a record height of about $74.10 billion! This figure was up from $38.4 billion in 2019, showcasing the event’s rapid growth. The day is often seen as a barometer of Chinese consumer confidence, showing a bullish mood despite global economic uncertainties.

Diverse Perspectives

Double Sticks Day has its significant share of critics too. Though the day promotes consumerism and devalues the importance of emotional bonding in the pursuit of material satisfaction, many also see this as an impressive demonstration of China’s spending power, bringing substantial economic benefits.

Moreover, the focus has been broadening. It’s not just for the singles anymore. Everyone with an internet connection and a payment method can join in, making this a genuinely global sales event.

Environmental Impact

With over 2.3 billion deliveries made in the 2020 Double 11 shopping event[2%5E], the environmental footprint cannot be overlooked: the packaging waste and the carbon emissions from deliveries. Many environmentalists are concerned about the potential negative impact.

However, to offset this, Alibaba, in their 2020 Sustainability Report[3%5E], committed to work on recycled and biodegradable packaging materials, and collaborated with logistics companies to enhance green warehousing and distribution.

Embracing the Future

As we look to the future, it is clear that Double Sticks Day holds an important position in the global retail calendar, making it a day of opportunities and challenges. It’s a whirlwind of shopping mayhem that stretches far beyond the single celebrated day but one that also ensures businesses, consumers, and the economy truly win.

What to do on Double Sticks Day

Here are some activities that people do:

  • Shopping: Many people take advantage of the discounts offered by various online retailers on Singles’ Day and indulge in some retail therapy.
  • Partying: Some people celebrate the day by throwing parties or attending events organized by clubs or bars.
  • Traveling: Some people take advantage of the holiday and travel to new places, either alone or with friends.
  • Volunteering: Some people choose to spend the day volunteering for a cause they believe in.
  • Pampering: Some people indulge in self-care activities such as getting a massage, going to a spa, or treating themselves to a fancy meal.

These are just a few examples of how people celebrate Singles’ Day. The possibilities are endless, and it’s up to you to decide how you want to celebrate this day!

In the end, whether you’re a fervent shopper or a sceptic, one can’t deny Double Sticks Day is a phenomenon well worth watching!

Sources:

Sources:

  1. Statista: “Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of Alibaba’s Singles’ Day Shopping Festival from 2011 to 2020”
  2. South China Morning Post: “China’s Singles’ Day Shopping Festival sees record numbers”
  3. Alibaba Group: “2020 Sustainability Report”
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