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China Singles' Day sales surge to record in first hour China Singles' Day sales near $4bn in first hour
(35 minutes later)
The world's biggest e-commerce company, Alibaba, says it made more than $3.9bn in gross merchandise sales in the first hour of Singles' Day in China. China's Alibaba has made more than $3.9bn (£2.bn) in sales in the first hour of Singles' Day in China, the world's biggest online shopping event.
That compares to $2bn in the same time period of the sales event last year. The figure is almost double the $2bn spent in the same time period of the retail giant's sales event last year.
Singles' Day, also known as "Double Eleven" because its held on 11 November, is the biggest single shopping day in China and the world's largest sales event on the web. Singles' Day, also known as "Double Eleven" because its held on 11 November, is the biggest single shopping day in China.
Alibaba said almost 130 million users visited its marketplace app Taobao. Alibaba said $1bn was spent within the first eight minutes.
The online sales event has grown tremendously since it was started by Alibaba in 2009 and now includes many retailers such as rivals JD.com that stage sales promotions. It said 130 million users visited its marketplace app Taobao.
Read more: What is Singles' Day? Read more: Why China's big brands are cashing in on singles
'Power of Chinese consumption'
Singles Day has grown tremendously since it was started by Alibaba in 2009, and now includes many retailers such as rivals JD.com that stage sales promotions.
Alibaba reported a record $9.3bn in sales on its platforms in 2014.Alibaba reported a record $9.3bn in sales on its platforms in 2014.
In comparison, sales on Cyber Monday, which the biggest online shopping day in the US, hit $1.35bn, according to comScore.In comparison, sales on Cyber Monday, which the biggest online shopping day in the US, hit $1.35bn, according to comScore.
Alibaba chief executive Daniel Zhang said over the course of the 24-hour shopping marathon, consumers will have a new surprise every hour, especially targeting mobile users.Alibaba chief executive Daniel Zhang said over the course of the 24-hour shopping marathon, consumers will have a new surprise every hour, especially targeting mobile users.
"The whole world will witness the power of Chinese consumption this November 11," he said in a statement."The whole world will witness the power of Chinese consumption this November 11," he said in a statement.
More than 27 million buyers were using mobile phones in the first hour, the company said.More than 27 million buyers were using mobile phones in the first hour, the company said.
The tech giant accounts for over 80% of China's internet sales market.The tech giant accounts for over 80% of China's internet sales market.
Economists will be looking for clues about domestic consumption in Wednesday's sales as the world's second-biggest economy heads for its slowest growth in nearly a quarter of a century.Economists will be looking for clues about domestic consumption in Wednesday's sales as the world's second-biggest economy heads for its slowest growth in nearly a quarter of a century.