(Photo/Xinhua)

The annual Nov. 11 shopping festival is around the corner. Businesses both online and offline are busy preparing for the "war of promotions." As a consumer, one has to choose carefully to truly benefit from the carnival. Below are several new trends when it comes to promotions.

According to Zhang Yong, CEO of Alibaba, the "Double Eleven" promotion started by Tmall has the following features:

Buy globally, sell globally

About 98,000 stores will offer more than 10 million goods on the Tmall platform. Consumers can buy commodities from all over the world.

Online plus offline

Over 1 million brands will have promotions both online and offline, including Suning, Intime, TCL, UNIQLO, Sophia and Gap.

Big data plus personalization

Tmall will bring consumers a personalized consumption experience based on big data and information collected from search modules, news sources and wish lists.

(Photo/Xinhua)

Entertainment plus shopping

Tmall will launch the world's first VR shopping mall, the Buy+ channel. Using this channel, consumers can complete a purchase using nothing more than their eyeballs.

(Photo/Xinhua)

JD.com also released its Double Eleven promotion plan. More than 100,000 brands are participating, and the company's warehouses in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou will increase delivery speeds on Nov. 11. Some consumers may even receive their goods in just one day. In addition, JD.com's unmanned delivery drones will be in trial operation.

The China Consumers Association has provided the following advice for consumers to enjoy the best possible shopping experience.

Rational consumption

Make a shopping list before the festival based on actual demands to avoid impulse purchases.

Be informed

Some stores attract consumers with fake sales data and comments. Therefore, consumers should buy goods through proper channels from stores with established reputations, formal certifications and guarantees.

(Photo/Xinhua)

Keep relevant vouchers

Before signing for deliveries, be sure to check packages with the courier as a witness. Keep the orders, invoices and other shopping vouchers.