Which annual shopping event did Alibaba popularize in China beginning in 2009?

Alibaba popularized Singles’ Day as a major annual shopping event in China beginning in 2009.

Singles’ Day is held on November 11, written as 11/11 because the date contains four ones. The occasion originally developed among Chinese university students as an informal celebration of single people. Alibaba turned it into a large online shopping promotion in 2009, initially involving a small group of merchants.

The event expanded rapidly through discounts, advertising, livestreaming, and coordinated logistics. It became one of the world’s biggest annual retail-sales occasions, although the way its sales figures are reported differs from ordinary revenue comparisons. Gross merchandise value can include the total value of orders placed rather than the company’s net revenue.

Singles’ Day is sometimes called the Chinese equivalent of Black Friday, but its origin and calendar date are different. It is also known as “Double 11,” a reference to the four numeral ones in November 11.