11 Great Shopping Deals Not to Miss on Singles Day

Singles Day (known in Chinese as 双11) may have started off as a simple celebration of singledom at Chinese universities in the 1990s, but since Tmall started using it as a marketing ploy a couple of year's ago, the "holiday" (we use the term loosely) has exploded into a rampant celebration of consumerism, with all the major online shopping platforms – Amazon, Jingdong etc. – getting involved. Online sales on Alibaba alone reached USD 9.3 billion on Single's Day last year. If you and your credit card feel like getting in on the action, we've rounded up some of the top deals on Tmall.

Tips:

• Some items will simply be marked down on 11.11 – add them to your shopping cart and check out on November 11
• Most shops also offer a "spend RMB 1,000, get RMB 100" kind of arrangement
• For some deals, you'll have to be waiting with your finger on the buzzer to grab one of the lowest priced items, or enter a lucky draw in advance to win shopping coupons
   

Uniqlo women's down waistcoat, RMB 199.5 (was RMB 399)
Because, let's face it, even when the heating finally comes on, you're going to need one.
 

Xiaomi air purifier, RMB 799 (was RMB 899)
Xiaomi's air purifier is a bargain anyway, so don't miss the chance to snag one for a lower price, even if it's just a RMB 100 saving.
 

12 295ml bottles of Ocean Spray cranberry juice, RMB 59 (was RMB 85)
Hey, I just really like cranberry juice, but Ocean Spray's recently launched Taobao store also has a lucky draw for a nine day trip to the US, so that's neat.
 

Fitbit Charge HR, RMB 1,298 (was RMB 1,698)
Good for monitoring the jump in your heart rate when you look at your credit card statement after 11.11. First 100 Fitbit Charge HR's sold on the day will be half price.
 

Changdi 32L countertop oven, RMB 399 (was RMB 1,988)
Get ready for all that Thanksgiving/Christmas baking.
 

6 bottles of Penfold's Bin 128, RMB 868 (was RMB 2,270)
If a voice inside is telling you you don't need six bottles of red wine, ignore it.
 

64GB iPad Air 2, RMB 3??6 (was RMB 4,288)
That's right, the price of this one will only be revealed on 11.11 itself, but you'll still make a considerable saving.
 

Bose Soundlink Mini, RMB 1??9 (was RMB 1,880)
Another one where the price will be revealed on the day (they do this a lot with electronics). Still, a great bluetooth speaker (I know, I own one).
 

Secret Garden coloring book and 24 colored pencils, RMB 33 (was RMB 87.9)
Just go ahead and give in to the adult coloring book trend already.
 

Forever 27 speed mountain bike, RMB 777 (was RMB 1,999)
It's no Giant, but this is a good deal on a sturdy bike for a recognizable brand.
 

ASOS Men's skinny jeans, RMB 159 (was RMB 265)
Admittedly I don't know much about men's clothes, but this seems like a bargain to me.

More stories by this author here.

Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
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