BEIJING, (Xinhua) -- E-commerce and logistics companies across China are operating at full capacity during the annual 'Double Eleven' shopping festival, held from October 21 to November 11.
One of the most significant factors changing purchasing trends during the festival is live streaming, as it is unlocking rural markets. Influencers are directly connecting farmers with online consumers, selling local products and supporting rural revitalization.
There is also a surge in cross-border e-commerce. For example, the city of Yiwu reports a 47 percent increase in exports to Southeast Asia this year, highlighting the festival's growing global reach.
According to data released on Wednesday by the State Post Bureau, China's postal and express delivery companies handled a record volume of 1.394 billion parcels since the peak of the 'Double Eleven' shopping festival began on October 21. The average daily parcel volume reached 634 million, 1.18 times the normal daily volume, while the single-day peak surged to 777 million, setting a new record for daily parcel processing.
Postal adjustments for the festival For this year's 'Double Eleven' shopping festival, China's postal sector implemented multiple measures to ensure smooth operations.
These efforts not only helped improve the sector's capacity but also its efficiency. China Post experienced very heavy parcel traffic at its branches: in Tangshan city in Hebei province in the north; in Jingning district of Pingliang city in Gansu province in the northeast; in Xiayi district of Shangqiu city in Henan province in the center of the country; in Jiangning district of Nanjing city in Jiangsu province in the east; in Longli district in Guizhou province in the southwest; in Rongcheng city in Shandong province in the east; in Suixian district in Henan province in the center; in Zhenjiang city in Jiangsu province in the east; in Yangzhou city in Jiangsu province in the east; in Licang district of Qingdao city in Shandong province in the east, and in Shijiazhuang city in Hebei province in the north.
Held for the first time in 2009, 'Double Eleven' has continued to stimulate solid consumer spending in one of the world's largest consumer markets.
The big novelty of the year This year's online shopping festival is about much more than just lowering prices. New trends are fundamentally transforming China's largest online shopping festival. Additionally, national policies are boosting consumption. Government subsidies for trade-in programs are combined with festival discounts, creating the best deals this year on major home appliances. And finally, instant retail is redefining consumer expectations. The shift is from buying wholesale for the future to consuming immediately, with deliveries now measured in minutes. This sector is on track to become a two-trillion-yuan market in China within five years.
In summary, Double Eleven is evolving into a smarter, more connected, and more immediate shopping experience.
