Tmall's Double 11 to Open Oct. 20 With Record 1 Million Brands

AI and flagship stores are the two keywords for this year's Double 11, according to the report. Tmall President Jialuo said at the press conference: "No matter how times change, business comes from users, from demand. The greatest value AI provides is that it understands consumer demand more deeply and over a longer term. Before consumers think of it, you have already prepared it for them. Moving from meeting demand to creating demand is a brand's irreplaceable core competitiveness." He added that Taotian's AI capabilities are continuing to upgrade, and that Tmall flagship stores are not only the main battleground for brands today but will also be their main battleground for embracing AI and seizing future opportunities.

Headline brands are bringing their strongest offerings. Apple's iPhone Duo foldable phone, long awaited by Apple fans, chose Tmall's Double 11 for its first release, and the iPhone 18 Pro series will also take part in platform discounts, Leiphone reported. Apple expanded its cooperation with Tmall last month, adding more than 20 authorized stores and placing more goods on Tmall for sale. During this year's Double 11, brands are bringing 50,000 super single products and 2,000 "surprise gift box" items that are available only in Tmall flagship stores. In the month before the start of Tmall Double 11, the number of merchants launching new products on Taobao and Tmall increased 64% year on year.

Some 60,000 new merchants are participating in Double 11 for the first time and will challenge industry rankings. ALO, a yoga apparel brand that has just entered China, has confirmed it will join its first major promotion in the country. ALO opened an exclusive Tmall store in August and formally entered the Chinese market. In its first week, transaction volume reached nearly 200 million yuan, producing two products with sales of 10 million yuan or more and 24 products with sales of 1 million yuan or more.

Tmall also allows users to stock up on tokens ahead of this year's Double 11. Before the event, large model companies including Zhipu and MiniMax have opened stores on Tmall, according to the report.

On the channel side, Haier has connected its official flagship store on Tmall with offline stores, coordinating 33 regions nationwide in advance to offer an integrated online and offline experience. Fifteen major series and more than 170 new products from the flagship store will enter Tmall Youpin stores at the same time, with the same goods, same prices and same rights. Consumers can try products at nearby stores while using Tmall discounts.

The supply chain has also been positioned in advance. More than 100 million imported goods from over 80 countries and regions have entered more than 100 warehouses in China's bonded zones and overseas that are operated for Tmall Global.

"The AI understands consumers better and also understands merchants better, and can bring us distinctive value," Jialuo said. Taotian will fully use AI capabilities to move forward with brands and jointly welcome a new Double 11 and a new consumption era, according to Leiphone.

Editor's Summary

Tmall's Double 11 will begin on Oct. 20 with record participation of 1 million brands and 72 million products, according to Leiphone. The platform is emphasizing AI and flagship stores, while Apple's iPhone Duo foldable debut, 60,000 first-time merchants, large model vendors, Haier's online-offline integration and imported goods inventory show the scale of the event. Tmall President Jialuo said AI and flagship stores will be central to brand growth and future opportunities.