Chaotic photos show what it looks like when Alibaba sells $38 billion worth of merchandise on China's biggest shopping holiday and breaks records

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Chaotic photos show what it looks like when Alibaba sells $38 billion worth of merchandise on China's biggest shopping holiday and breaks records

singles day chaos

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  • Alibaba says it has raked in more than $38 billion in Singles Day sales, making it the biggest shopping holiday in China.
  • The retailer smashed Amazon Prime Day records, which brought in $5.8 billion in sales this year according to estimates.
  • As the record-breaking shopping extravaganza winds to a close, photos are emerging that show the aftermath of intense shipping demands.
  • E-commerce companies reportedly pulled all-nighters to keep up with orders placed on November 11, and high-speed trains are being used to deliver packages.
  • Photos show crowded logistics bases overflowing with packages as workers begin to send out packages.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Alibaba has reportedly surpassed more than $38 billion in sales as of Monday evening, and photos are beginning to emerge that show the intense aftermath of the world's largest 24-hour shopping event.

In the first hour alone, the retailer brought in an estimated $13 billion in sales.

The Chinese online retailer has already surpassed Amazon Prime Day's record and then some.

Though Amazon has not released official sales numbers, the retailer took in an estimated $5.8 billion during Amazon Prime Day 2019 according to analysts.

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While Alibaba's annual online shopping event is comparable to Black Friday or Cyber Monday in the US, the retailer consistently brings in more money than other worldwide retail competitors.

As Alibaba's record-breaking shopping day winds to a close, workers have reportedly been working around the clock to keep up with intense e-commerce and shipping demands. The retailer is reportedly using high-speed trains to keep up with deliveries, and workers in e-commerce facilities worked overnight to keep up with demand.

Get the latest Alibaba stock price here.

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As Singles' Day came to an end, the growth of the shopping holiday was immediately apparent.

As Singles' Day came to an end, the growth of the shopping holiday was immediately apparent.

Last year, Alibaba took in an estimated $30.8 billion in sales.

Last year, Alibaba took in an estimated $30.8 billion in sales.
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This year, the retailer topped that amount by 26%, earning a whopping $38 billion — even in the midst of worries over a trade war with the US.

This year, the retailer topped that amount by 26%, earning a whopping $38 billion — even in the midst of worries over a trade war with the US.

An estimated 200,000 brands participated in Alibaba's Singles' Day sales, according to the company.

An estimated 200,000 brands participated in Alibaba's Singles' Day sales, according to the company.

Source: Alibaba

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Billions of dollars in sales may create a logistics situation for shipping companies throughout China as workers struggle to keep up with the influx of packages.

Billions of dollars in sales may create a logistics situation for shipping companies throughout China as workers struggle to keep up with the influx of packages.

A large number of packages are already being sorted following the world's biggest 24-hour shopping day.

A large number of packages are already being sorted following the world's biggest 24-hour shopping day.
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Employees have already been pictured sorting packages in Chinese warehouses in Beijing to get them on the way to customers.

Employees have already been pictured sorting packages in Chinese warehouses in Beijing to get them on the way to customers.

This Yangzhou delivery company appears to be overflowing with packages bought during the holiday buying spree.

This Yangzhou delivery company appears to be overflowing with packages bought during the holiday buying spree.
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Workers in chaotic-looking warehouses appear to be struggling to keep up with the large number of Singles' Day orders.

Workers in chaotic-looking warehouses appear to be struggling to keep up with the large number of Singles' Day orders.

Photos show Singles Day packages piling up in warehouses in Beijing, China, and some warehouses look more crowded than others.

Photos show Singles Day packages piling up in warehouses in Beijing, China, and some warehouses look more crowded than others.
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Reports have suggested that the Chinese economy is slowing — perhaps incentivizing shoppers to take advantage of the day of deals.

Reports have suggested that the Chinese economy is slowing — perhaps incentivizing shoppers to take advantage of the day of deals.

Source: Washington Post

“Our goal is to stimulate [consumer] demand and support lifestyle upgrades in China through new brands and products,” Fan Jiang, president of Taobao and Tmall, said in a press statement.

“Our goal is to stimulate [consumer] demand and support lifestyle upgrades in China through new brands and products,” Fan Jiang, president of Taobao and Tmall, said in a press statement.
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As packages of newly-bought goods begin shipping out, it's fascinating to see the lengths that shipping companies are going to in order to send out packages in the shortest time possible.

As packages of newly-bought goods begin shipping out, it's fascinating to see the lengths that shipping companies are going to in order to send out packages in the shortest time possible.

Planes and even passenger trains are being used to transport goods all over the country and abroad.

Planes and even passenger trains are being used to transport goods all over the country and abroad.
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Large amounts of cargo can be seen being loaded into airplanes, like this SF Airlines Boeing 757 aircraft at Nantong Xingdong International Airport.

Large amounts of cargo can be seen being loaded into airplanes, like this SF Airlines Boeing 757 aircraft at Nantong Xingdong International Airport.

The aircraft is packed tightly with packages bought during the chaotic 24-hour shopping marathon.

The aircraft is packed tightly with packages bought during the chaotic 24-hour shopping marathon.
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