Korea

Long lines & Fast Fingers:​ AliExpress‘s “11‌ Second shopping Cart Challenge” Drives Buzz ‍for Singles’ Day

SEOUL, November 10, 2025 – A wildly popular pop-up ​store ⁤in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, is generating meaningful excitement for AliExpress’s‍ upcoming “11.11 Single’s Day” sale, ​with shoppers waiting upwards‍ of three hours to ‍participate ⁢in interactive challenges. The event, centered around a timed ​”11 Second Shopping ‍Cart Challenge,” is blending experiential marketing with‍ gamification to attract⁤ a younger⁢ demographic and boost online engagement.

The pop-up, ⁣which opened on ⁤November ⁤7th, has seen‌ consistently ⁤long lines, even during weekday daytime hours, with wait times ranging ‍from one to two hours. The challenge, mirroring experiences found within the AliExpress app, has proven particularly popular. Participants who successfully complete‍ the online “11 Second Shopping Cart Challenge” can present their record at the pop-up store​ to receive preferential benefits in a prize event.

“The feeling of immersion‌ was the ⁣best​ as I⁢ experienced challenges that I had only enjoyed ⁢on the app,and I was excited as the brand called AliExpress felt more familiar,” one visitor shared,highlighting ​the success of ⁣the strategy.

The on-site ⁢enthusiasm is directly ⁢translating to⁣ increased anticipation⁢ for the ⁤November 11th⁣ Single’s Day sale. This year, a diverse range of domestic sellers – including Kyungdong Navien, Deojari,​ Urban Players, KAZT, and suncheon‍ Bay Fisheries – will participate, offering discounts of up to 11,111 won or 50% through time-limited deals across categories like living, kitchen, lifestyle,​ clothing, and food.

aliexpress reports that last year’s Single’s Day event led to significant growth in Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) for participating sellers, exceeding their daily‍ average. Emerging categories like toys/hobbies, parenting/children, ‍and furniture saw particularly strong double-digit growth.

“Singles’ Day is a ⁤festival that provides reasonable shopping pleasure for consumers and new growth opportunities for sellers,” stated an AliExpress official.”We will continue ​to expand various benefits and programs so that consumers⁣ can enjoy shopping more happily​ and sellers can grow together.”

The company emphasizes that Single’s ⁢Day⁢ is evolving beyond a⁣ simple discount⁢ event, becoming a “win-win shopping festival” for both consumers⁤ and sellers.

Conflict Erupts Over Ticket Sales‌ &‌ Consultation at Ticket Link Live Arena

A ⁢dispute has arisen between the corporation⁣ operating the newly named ⁤Ticket Link Live Arena (formerly the handball stadium) and the Korea music Performance industry Association ⁣(Eum Gonghyup) regarding a contract with NHN Link (Ticket Link) for naming⁣ rights. The conflict ⁣centers on a clause requiring performance agencies to allocate 50% ⁢of tickets to​ Ticket Link, and a perceived lack of meaningful consultation with the performance ⁤industry throughout the process.

The corporation secured a 10 billion ​won naming rights deal with ⁤NHN Link,rebranding the venue ⁣as ‘Ticket Link Live Arena’. Following ‍the agreement, the corporation ⁣informed performance agencies via​ official ‌letter ⁤on October⁣ 31st that 50% of ‍performance tickets would be assigned to ⁢Ticket Link. The corporation maintains it had⁤ previously disclosed the name use agreement in two briefing sessions and ⁢gathered industry​ feedback.

however, Eum Gonghyup strongly disputes this claim, asserting the contract was finalized before any genuine consultation occurred. They argue the corporation is treating the performance industry as merely a‍ revenue ⁢source and is ‌inappropriately ⁤commercializing a public performance facility. ​Eum Gonghyup ⁤emphasizes that performance agencies are not simply renters of space, but integral cultural entities responsible for all aspects of a ⁢performance – planning, production, operation, publicity, and audience management.

The association is calling on the korea ‌Sports Promotion Foundation,which operates the Olympic⁣ Park⁤ where the arena is located,to hold a ‌meeting and engage ‍in substantive discussions with the performance industry before accepting rental applications for next year.

Specific points of contention include the lack of ​detail surrounding NHN Link’s promised “support plan” for the arena, described by Eum Gonghyup ⁤as abstract and lacking concrete action.‍ The unilateral decision regarding ticket sales commission​ rates,stated ⁣by the⁣ corporation‍ to be below market average,is also a major concern.‍

Further exacerbating ⁢the issue, Eum Gonghyup⁢ alleges the construction schedule for the ⁢88 Lawn⁣ Yard ⁣was decided without industry input. While the corporation‍ claims to have shared the schedule in advance, the association points to⁢ a single construction notice posted on September 10th via the Korea Sports⁢ Industry Growth’s⁤ ‘Joy All Park’ band as evidence of post-facto notification.‌

Eum Gonghyup also claims a customer communication⁣ meeting on September 29th was⁢ initially⁣ avoided by the corporation’s representative, who only attended at the⁣ association’s ⁢request and offered what they describe as a “perfunctory” listening session with no subsequent discussion⁤ or action.

According to an Eum ⁣Gonghyup ​official, performance agencies are “the core entities that actually move the popular music⁤ performance industry,” and that unilaterally monetizing public facilities while disregarding ​industry realities‍ and​ opinions hinders the ​enduring⁤ growth of the sector.