A woman receives her pre-sale parcel just an hour after making her final payment at 8 pm on Oct 21. [Photo/yilantop.com]

The 2024 Tmall "Double 11" sale kicked off at 8 pm on Oct 21, with the first batch of packages already delivered. A woman surnamed Su from Guangzhou in South China received her first "Double 11" parcel just an hour after making her final payment, exclaiming, "It was faster than food delivery!"

Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba, launched a night delivery for pre-sale express service in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. If consumers completed their payments by 8 pm, delivery couriers, with permission, ensured that parcels arrived before 10 pm.

This rapid delivery is made possible by a coordinated supply chain and advanced digital systems. Popular items were pre-packed and moved closer to distribution points before the sale, allowing for faster delivery once payments were made.

Major brands such as P&G, Unilever, and Purcotton have integrated this service, with over 300 cities across China set to benefit from accelerated logistics. Many consumers will receive their parcels the following morning.