What is Singles’ Day? China sales celebration, when is it in 2021, UK discounts - and how to celebrate

As we enter the festive shopping season, big sales events seem to be popping up all around us - but none come any bigger than Singles’ Day.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas and New Year sales might be just around the corner but Singles’ Day trumps the lot in terms of purchase volume.

Here’s all you need to know about Singles’ Day, from where it originated from and how to what it is now and when it is being celebrated in 2021 - and how to take part!

What is Singles’ Day?

Singles’ Day is an unofficial holiday and shopping season which celebrates people who are not in relationships, dating back to 1993 when it was known as Bachelors’ Day.

It originated from China where folklore has it that four single men at university arranged lots of activities and games to break the monotony of not being in a relationship.

It has morphed into the largest retail shopping day of the year, both in physical shops and online, as word spread through the social media age, with $38.4 billion spent in 2019.

When is Singles’ Day 2021?

Singles’ Day can be celebrated each year on 11 November.

This date was chosen as it can be written 11/11 which represents four singles and is internet slang for four unmarried men who haven’t added any branches to their family tree.

How do you celebrate Singles’ Day?

Singles’ Day has been seen as an anti-Valentine’s Day holiday where single people treat themselves and others to gifts.

As word spread and more and more people joined in the celebration, companies have jumped on the bandwagon to target younger consumers.

Many restaurants and bars offer Singles’ Day discounts as well as numerous retailers in China and beyond. The event is now four times bigger than Black Friday.

Singles’ Day UK discounts

In the UK, Singles’ Day is often referred to as National Singles’ Day and takes place on 11 March each year.

According to an article on Global Dating Insights, the day was initiated to encourage singles to embrace their single status or ‘do something about it’.

Singles’ Day can still be celebrated on 11 November with hotukdeals.com offering a wide range of discounts from gaming headsets, Motorola phones and laptops.

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