Copyright euroweeklynews
On November 11, thousands of UK shoppers are joining in on Singles’ Day, the online sales event that began as a light-hearted “anti-Valentine’s” celebration in China and has since grown into a major global discount bonanza now reaching British high streets and online retailers. What is Singles’ Day? Singles’ Day started in the 1990s at Nanjing University in China, where students picked 11/11 (four “1”s) as a day to celebrate being single. Over time, major e-commerce platforms (notably Alibaba Group) seized on the date to create a full-blown shopping festival. When & where it’s happening (and why now in the UK) This year Singles’ Day lands on Tuesday, November 11, and UK sites such as PriceSpy are already flagging it as a key “treat-yourself” day. Retailers in the UK are increasingly joining in, offering flash discounts in tech, fashion, beauty and travel. With consumer budgets under pressure, Brits are more open to early-November deals, making Singles’ Day a timely alternative ahead of the bigger-publicised Black Friday. Why it matters for UK shoppers While Singles’ Day may still be less universally recognised in the UK than Black Friday, its appeal lies in novelty and timing – 11/11 is convenient for pre-Christmas shopping, and the theme of “treating yourself” taps into the self-care trend. UK deals platforms highlight that major Chinese and international e-commerce sites will slash prices on the day. How to spot real bargains As with any sale event, shoppers should beware of inflated original prices and wishlist “fake savings.” Experts suggest checking price-history tools and relying on trusted review hubs (UK-based deal forums, comparison sites) to ensure the discount is genuine. What to expect for 2025 Industry research suggests that Singles’ Day remains the world’s biggest 24-hour online sale event, now spreading globally. Although the UK market is smaller compared to China, this year’s iteration shows increased participation from UK retailers offering dedicated promotions. Bottom line: If you’re scoping out deals in November, 11/11 could be worth a look. Whether you’re single or not, Singles’ Day is now about treating yourself a timely early-holiday shopping jump-start that UK shoppers are starting to embrace.
