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(Yicai Global) Dec. 13 -- Chinese couriers collected some 243 million parcels yesterday as netizens flocked to snap up deals for 'Double 12' -- an annual shopping festival celebrated on Dec. 12.
The figure was 38 percent higher than last year, the State Post Bureau said on its website.
Prior to the shopping event, major delivery providers made thorough preparations in terms of warehousing, vehicles and manpower, to ensure packages are sent promptly and are not damaged, similar to the famous Singles' Day e-commerce sales day, celebrated on Nov. 11, the bureau said.
Shipments may be delayed in Northeast China, Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang over the next several days due to adverse weather conditions, some couriers warned.
Shipment volumes do spike on Dec. 12, but the annual peak is generally from Nov. 11 through Nov. 16, China's biggest e-shopping season. Some 1,496 parcels were collected during that week this year, up 33.6 annually.