What is Singles' Day and why has it become a must-attend event in Switzerland?
Singles' Day 2025 falls on Tuesday 11 November this year, and believe me, it's no longer a Chinese copy of Black Friday. In Switzerland, the event has grown enormously in recent years, especially when it comes to online bargains. If you're looking for great deals even before Black Friday 2025 and Cyber Monday, now's the time to get organised.
Singles' Day was originally created in China to celebrate singles on 11/11. But since the giant Alibaba turned it into a mega commercial operation, it has become the biggest online sales day in the world. In 2023, Alibaba recorded more than USD 135 billion in sales volume over the entire event.
And here in Switzerland? The movement has clearly gained momentum. Retailers such as Manor, Clarins, Galaxus, Sunrise, Interdiscount and Fust are now launching promotional campaigns around 11 November, well before Black Friday. It's the perfect opportunity for you to grab a bargain before anyone else.
Swiss retailers taking part in Singles' Day 2025
Singles' Day 2025 is now a well-established part of the Swiss shopping scene, and a number of major local retailers have got into the habit of marking the occasion with their first special offers, kicking off their Black November.
Among the most active are mobile phone operators such as Sunrise, yallo, Lebara and Salt, with offers on mobile packages and internet boxes. The beauty sector is also very dynamic, with offers from Clarins, Yves Rocher, L'Occitane and Estée Lauder. As for department stores, Manor is attracting interest with discounts for loyalty cardholders on fashion, stationery, multimedia, beauty, and even home decoration. As for Fust, it's a safe bet for household appliances, gaming, and computer equipment. Even specialist retailers like Douglas are getting in on the act, slashing prices on beauty sets, top-of-the-range skincare products and perfumes in the run-up to the festive season.
In short, Singles' Day is the perfect opportunity to scour the digital shop windows of these Swiss stores, as each goes its own blitz. And sometimes, the best offers appear unannounced just a few hours before midnight, making it a strategic watch for bargain hunters.
Tip: some retailers only announce discounts a few hours before 11.11. So keep your eyes peeled!
Our tips and tricks for taking advantage of online promotions
To make the most of Singles' Day 2025 in Switzerland, the best thing is not to wait until the last minute. Start by identifying the products that interest you at the beginning of November.
Many Swiss retailers allow you to create a wish list or add items to your shopping basket, saving you precious time on the big day. You can also scout around to check for price changes and find out if the offer is really good value. Another tip is to sign up for our email alerts to find out about special offers as soon as they are published. Finally, don't forget to set up a loyalty card with your favourite retailers before 11 November: this will allow you to take advantage of extra discounts at stores such as Fnac and Manor.
Singles' Day often works on an emergency basis, with stocks going fast. Good preparation, a few simple tools and a little forethought can clearly make the difference between a good purchase and frustration.
Singles' Day vs Black Friday: should you wait or go for it on 11.11?
It's a real question of strategy. The advantage of Singles' Day 2025 is that it takes place before Black Friday, so you can start your end-of-year shopping without the frenzy of the last Friday in November. In Switzerland, more and more brands are using this day to highlight tech, beauty and ready-to-wear products with targeted discounts. If you spot a bargain on an item you've been eyeing up for a while, it's best not to wait. Prices are often very competitive, and stock-outs are not uncommon.
Black Friday 2025 remains the biggest event in terms of volume and diversity of offers, but it's also riskier: sites are saturated, quantities are limited, and competition is fierce. So it all depends on your objective. If you want to make sure you don't miss out on a Christmas present or a popular product, Singles' Day is clearly the time to act. If you're prepared to play the patience and stress game, Black Friday may be worth it. But in any case, it's often smarter to combine the two and stagger your purchases to maximize your opportunities.
Our advice: start on Singles' Day, especially for Christmas gifts and beauty products. And save a few cartridges for Black Friday if you're aiming for a big purchase (TV, electrical goods, etc.).
What's next? Think Cyber Monday 2025
If you miss out on a special offer on 11 November, don't despair. Cyber Monday 2025 (Monday 1 December) will offer you new deals, often on digital products, software, streaming subscriptions or video games.
You can already check out our page dedicated to Cyber Monday 2025 in Switzerland and our big report on Black Friday 2025 in Switzerland.
Singles' Day 2025 in Switzerland is a real bargain... if you get it right!
Singles' Day is the kick-off for the big promotions before the festive season. Between well-placed discounts, good deals on fashion, decoration, tech and beauty, and the first gift ideas, you can really find something to win.
Plan ahead, compare, and above all sign up for our alerts so you don't miss a thing. And if you want to go even further, don't forget to check out our pages devoted to Black Friday 2025 and Cyber Monday 2025. We've got plenty of practical content to help you become a bargain hunter!
