The Rise and Fall of Singles' Day: What Changed the Consumer Behavior in China?

Singles' Day in China

• As midnight approaches on November 11th every year, large Chinese online shopping companies gear up for the biggest shopping event of the year.

• Originally started as an 'anti-Valentine's Day' for single people in China, Singles' Day has evolved into a massive online shopping extravaganza, similar to Black Friday in the United States.

• E-commerce giants like Alibaba and JD.com offer huge discounts, special promotions, and entertaining activities to attract consumers during this 24-hour shopping frenzy.

• In recent years, Singles' Day has surpassed Black Friday and Cyber Monday in terms of sales, making it the largest online shopping day in the world.

• The shopping spree reflects the changing habits of Chinese consumers and the growing influence of e-commerce in the country's retail sector.

Singles' Day in China

Korean Products Sales Triumph

• Korean products have achieved remarkable sales worth tens of trillions of won in just 30 minutes of their release, setting a new record in the industry.

• Cosmetics, particularly Korean beauty products, have consistently secured the top spot in sales during such events, reflecting their growing popularity and demand globally.

Korean Products Sales Triumph

Online Shopping Explosion

• The era of online shopping has brought about a significant shift in consumer behavior, with an unprecedented 800 million people shopping each day.

• The surge in online orders has led to a logistical challenge, with delivery services inundated with parcels and struggling to keep up with the demand.

• Parcel storage boxes are overflowing, and couriers are tirelessly delivering orders to each household, highlighting the immense scale of online shopping.

Online Shopping Explosion

The Decline of Single's Day in China

• The once booming Single's Day sales in China have taken a significant hit this year, marking the quietest reviews in 5 years.

• Consumers are shifting their focus from purchasing high-end international products to buying low-priced domestic necessities.

• This shift in consumer behavior indicates a changing trend in the Chinese market, with a preference for practical and affordable goods over extravagant purchases.

The Decline of Single's Day in China

Impact of Chinese Online Shopping Companies' Singles' Day Sales on Korean Exports

• The first and second largest online shopping companies in China have reported their specific Singles' Day sales figures.

• However, the sales of the second-ranked companies have decreased.

• The longer China's economic recovery is delayed, the greater the burden will be on Korea's exports to China, which have been declining for 17 consecutive months.

Impact of Chinese Online Shopping Companies' Singles' Day Sales on Korean Exports

Conclusion:

The decline of extravagant purchases and the shift towards practical and affordable goods have reshaped the Chinese market. This change in consumer behavior presents implications for Korean exports, especially as the economic recovery in China is delayed. Understanding these shifts is crucial for businesses and policymakers alike.