Singles' Day

Singles' Day and Black Friday are both major sale events but differ in timing, origin, history, and what they are best known for. Below, we explore the major differences between the two holidays and what the key takeaways are:

Timing and Origin

Singles' Day takes place on November 11th each year and started in China, when Alibaba turned the university tradition into a 24-hour online shopping event. Black Friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving in late November and has since become a major international retail event.

Scale and What They are Known for

In terms of scale, Singles' Day is said to generate higher total sales worldwide compared to Black Friday. Many global retailers participate in Singles' Day, while Black Friday is more established amongst Western retailers.

Singles' Day is known for electronics, beauty, fashion, and home goods, while Black Friday is traditionally known for big-ticket items such as TVs, laptops, and appliances.

Key Takeaways

For Canadian shoppers, the key takeaway is as follows: Singles' Day is a great time to look for deals on Asian-market brands and platforms like AliExpress, Shein, and Temu. Black Friday is usually better for larger items from Western retailers.

Singles' Day isn’t just a single 24-hour deal anymore; many retailers tend to roll out deals in phases. Knowing this timeline can help you maximise your savings throughout the month of November. Here is how the sale event tends to roll out:

• Early-bird deals and offers (late October to November 1st): During this period, many retailers tend to release teaser discounts and early access deals to newsletter subscribers or app users. Our advice is to sign up ahead of time to unlock these early deals.
• Pre-sale period (November 1st to 10th): Leading up to the big day, brands often run daily flash deals, bundle offers, and discounts. This is the best time to grab items you want rather than waiting and risking low or no stock.
• The main event (November 11th): The largest discounts will be released on 11.11. Tiered or stacked discounts can be found on November 11th. Check voucher terms, flash sales, and stock levels throughout the sale event, as promotions can change or sell out.
• Post-sale period (November 12th to 13th): After 11.11, some retailers may extend the sale or popular deals to clear remaining stock. If you missed a deal on the 11th, it may be worth checking again in the days after to see if it is still available.

Here are the categories worth focusing on Singles' Day:

• Electronics: Smartphones, headphones, smartwatches, phone accessories, earbuds, tablets, and accessories are often heavily discounted items on Singles' Day, especially from Asian brands. If you are looking to upgrade electronics, now is the best time to do it.
• Beauty & Skincare: K-beauty and Asian skincare brands often run bundle deals and discounts on November 11th. If you wish to try Asian skincare and beauty products or want to stock up on the essentials, Singles' Day is the day to do so.
• Fashion: Clothing, shoes, and accessories are often marked down during this major sale event.
• Home & Lifestyle: Small appliances, kitchen gadgets, bedding, and home decor are often discounted. This makes Singles' Day the perfect time to refresh your living space without overspending.
• Toys & Hobbies: Toys, gaming accessories, and hobby supplies are often featured in Singles' Day sales. It’s a good idea to stock up now before the holiday season approaches.

1. Always check the final price after shipping, taxes, and any applicable fees, especially if you are buying from an international retailer.
2. Check delivery estimates, as international retailers may have longer estimated delivery times.
3. Read the voucher terms, as some 11.11 codes require a minimum spend, apply to selected products only, or have other terms and conditions that need to be fulfilled first.
4. Check return policies, especially when purchasing from an overseas brand.
5. Create a wishlist early as this makes it easier to track price changes and identify real deals.
6. Check if they provide CAD pricing so you can see how much the product is in your currency.
7. Look for potential duties, taxes, or import fees if you are purchasing from international Asian marketplaces.

11.11 is another name for Singles' Day because the date consists of four ones. The four ones look like four single people standing together, which is a reference to the holiday’s origins of celebrating single life.

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We centre our entire brand around saving money, and what better way to do so than with a free discount code? Our business model is commission-based, which means you get to save money without spending anything, and this allows us to keep our service free. Happy saving, and thanks for choosing our Love Coupons to help you save money!