Singles Day may be relatively new to the UK, but it has been a popular sales event across Asia since 2009. In the UK, massive online retailers like AliExpress and Amazon are joined by many other stores including ASOS, New Look and GearBest, to deliver a diverse range of deals. From savings on clothing to money off electronics and gadgets, there is plenty to look forward to.
Singles Day is a massive online shopping event that takes place in the UK and around the world on 11th November every year. Although it began as an Asian tradition, more and more UK stores are taking the opportunity to boost their sales with a range of attractive discounts.
To understand more about the origins of Singles Day, you need to look back to the 1990s. At that time, being single in China was not considered anything to celebrate, but to make light of their situation, four unattached students at Nanjing University chose to create a special day for people like themselves. The date 11/11 or 11th November was primarily chosen because in Chinese culture it resembles four lone sticks, but also because one is a solitary number. So Singles Day is also often called the 11 11 Sale.
The event may have been launched as a joke between friends, but when Jack Ma the founder of AliBaba stepped in it soon became a worldwide phenomenon. In 2009 his e-commerce company began marketing the day as an opportunity for single people to treat themselves by taking advantage of sizable discounts. The idea caught on quickly with deals offered by huge brands like Siemens, Apple and Nike amongst others. At AliBaba alone, it is estimated that over 15 million products are listed in the sale each year and that number is growing.
Despite the focus on technology, some people use the day as an excuse to search for a new outfit and hit the town. You can treat yourself to some new clothes at River Island or New Look, both of which have advertised savings of up to 20% off women’s clothing in past Singles Day events.
If you’re worrying that we might miss out on all the Singles Day sales action in the UK, then there’s good news! Numerous retailers outside of Asia are getting in on the anti-valentines action, so expect to see plenty of deals as we get closer to the 11th November.
Some online stores have reacted faster to the Singles Day trend than others, providing generous deals on a selection of must-have products.
AliExpress – This online retail outlet is owned by AliBaba and serves the international community. You can shop direct from small businesses in categories which include clothing, electronics, computing and home improvements. In the past, AliExpress has announced 50% off children’s clothing, phones and appliances in anticipation of Singles Day.
GearBest – In recent Singles Day sales, GearBest has slashed its technology prices by up to 60% to celebrate this event. Shipping from China, they are well-down for selling electrical items at extremely low prices, but it’s worth remembering that goods can take a few weeks to reach the UK and you may need to pay customs charges. Nevertheless, many people still use GearBest because even factoring in the extra costs they get a better deal than they could elsewhere, especially on Singles Day.
Amazon – Although Amazon runs its own events like Prime Day, their third party sellers also join in with large e-commerce sales like Singles Day. Two of the biggest names to look for on the day are Gamiss, with its vast collection of colourful clothing and accessories, and RoseGal which sell clothing for men, women and children.
Nike – The sportswear merchant Nike are regular supporters of Singles Day. In past years they have focussed on providing a blanket discount of between 10% and 15% on every online item. This discount includes their footwear, active clothing and swimming categories, along with many others.
Zavvi – Zavvi sell merchandise, clothing and toys relating to games, films and TV shows. Additionally, there is a wide selection of DVDs, along with home audio gadgets like headphones and speakers. They have a page dedicated to Singles Day and add new deals as the sale draws closer.
ASOS – ASOS deliver cutting-edge fashions for men and women, along with beauty products, shoes and sportswear. This British retailer stocks clothing, accessories and more from 850 popular brands, but also design and manufacture their own lines. During past Singles Day offers ASOS have advertised reductions of 20% or 30% across their entire store, just for the day.
Stores slash prices across many departments during the Singles Day UK event and there will be numerous products on offer, but it’s often the electronics which are most sought after. With possible reductions of up to 60% on some of the most costly items, here’s what to look out for on the day.
Phones – Buying a phone can take a bit of preparation but if you are happy to purchase a handset on its own, which is not tied into a contract, there’s less to consider. Apple is one of the most established manufacturers in the smartphone market and participates regularly in Singles Day, but if you cannot find one of their handsets on offer, there are plenty more to choose from. Samsung is another popular choice and tends to be marginally more affordable than Apple. Alternatively, you could go for a handset from one of the best emerging Chinese manufacturers which provide excellent value gadgets, without compromising on quality. Try Vivo, Oppo or Xiaomi, all of which have smartphone collections that range from affordable to high end.
Gadgets – You can find gadgets which are fun and entertaining, or truly useful, depending on your preference. Some of the most worthwhile gadgets have practical uses and you’ll be glad you invested them. We all worry about our smartphones running out of charge when we’re on the go, so on Singles Day, you could look for a power bank to give you peace of mind. If you frequently stay away from home, a Wi-Fi doorbell allows you to see who’s coming and going when you are not there through an app on your phone. On the other hand, a frivolous gadget like a USB mug warmer or a pet snack launcher might make a fun gift for a friend, if you’re buying ahead for Christmas.
Tablets – Apple and Samsung dominate the tablet market, but the slightly less powerful Windows Surface range is a great choice for people who are looking for the full Windows 10 experience in a smaller device. Cheaper versions are available from Huawei and Asus, both of which have an excellent display but are lacking when it comes to performance and battery life.
Accessories – Depending on the technology you own, there are various accessories that you can buy to optimise your experience. From headphones to speaker mountings and memory cards, you can find the right item to pair with your gadget and a bag or case to store it.
Smartwatches – A smartwatch is worn just like an average watch, but it features a touchscreen through which you can access apps, messages, medical data and fitness tracking. They are convenient and robust which makes them ideal for sportspeople, but also provide a quick way of checking your notifications when using a phone is not possible.
To make the most of the Singles Day event it is certainly worth planning ahead. This way you’ll be able to bag some great buys in the sale that could save you money during the rest of the year. It is always exciting to make impulsive purchases, especially if they’ve been substantially reduced, but if you take a little time to prepare in advance, you’ll also remember to buy what you really need. Here are a few ideas for making the most of Singles Day 2022 UK and snagging some genuine bargains.
Write a wish list – It’s often the case that the best Singles Day deals, or those providing the most substantial discounts, are in the electronics department. On the day, however, it’s all too easy to get sidetracked by great offers on other gadgets and gizmos which you may not need. If you want to have more willpower, try writing a list of the things you actually want and stick to it. It may be difficult at the time, but you’ll be proud of yourself in the long run.
Pre-order in stores which offer the facility – According to AliBaba, over 140,000 brands join in to celebrate this event and that means there will be a massive amount of deals to explore. Rather than forcing their customers to race through all of these on the day, this retailer allows them to pre-order items which catch their eye and ensure the discounted price stays locked in. Not all brands will follow suit, but it’s worth checking to see if any of your favourites do.
Fill your basket beforehand – When you are shopping online, few things are more frustrating than scrolling through endless pages of products attempting to locate that one item you really liked and promised yourself last week. During busy sales, goods can sell out fast, but to avoid the disappointment of missing out you can either bookmark specific pages or add the item you want to your basket and create an account with the store. If you also add your payment details, you’ll only need to sign in and click through to the checkout on the day.
Do some research – If you take a look at what is going to be on sale before the event, you’re in a better position to find out whether it is actually a bargain. Some retailers, like John Lewis, will always match prices, even during sales events but this is rare. You can research prices on price comparison websites but also look for previous offers on a product at hotukdeals. Once you’ve established how much the item has been sold for in the past, take a look at the customer reviews. Our community here at hotukdeals is discussing openly the advantages and disadvantages of an enormous range of products, whilst retailers like Amazon provide a large amount of customer feedback on most listings.
Each year hotukdeals brings together a page of news and offers to detail the 11th November bargains on offer for UK shoppers. To be in with the best chance of nabbing a Singles Day discount for cut-price phone, tablet, smartwatch, or even more be sure to check in at our Singles Day page regularly.