Chinese retailers are marking Singles’ Day, the shopping megaholiday that dwarfs the U.S. Black Friday and Amazon’s Prime Day. However, according to Bloomberg, this year the party is subdued due to the absence of many livestreamers affected by Beijing's repression
The event grew out of a 2009 promotion by the online retailer Alibaba, and ostensibly celebrates people who aren’t in relationships — on the 11th day of the 11th month, the number 1s symbolizing unattached singles. Other businesses soon hopped on the bandwagon and last year shoppers spent an estimated $131 billion during the sale period. But this year’s event is tarred, Bloomberg reports, by the absence of many of the livestreamers who drive sales but have been caught up in a crackdown on prominent celebrities.
