China’s – and the world’s – biggest online shopping event is about to take place on 11 November. Singles’ Day, also known as ‘bare sticks holiday,’ started in 1993 at Nanjing University as a day for students to celebrate their singledom. The date 11:11 was chosen as it resembles 4 solitary bare sticks. It has been transformed by AliBaba-owned platform, Tmall, and is the largest offline and online shopping day in the world, with Alibaba shoppers exceeding USD25.4 billion in spending in 2017. Their rival JD.com entered the shopping festival gathering USD19.1billion bringing the total for Singles Day retail to $44.5billion. Next, we have Black Friday on 23 November. This shopper festival commenced in Philadelphia to mark the day after Thanks Giving when the heavy traffic and pedestrian traffic would mark the official beginning of the Christmas Shopping season.

But before we get any further into November we will take a moment to reflect on the events of October!

Lou xx

TVNZ Energi Marketer of the Year Winner

Simon Jarvis of the NZ Racing Board otherwise known as the TAB took out the prestigious award ceremony held at the end of September. Lew & Lou Bentley as part of the sponsorship package hosted a luncheon with Simon to gain a better understanding of how he achieved this feat. Simon’s philosophy was simple, surround yourself with really great people and unleash them to do what it is they do best.

First Energi Baby!

Oliver Anthony White was born on October 4^th 3:25PM weighing in at 7.5Ibs. Proud Parents Energi Account Director Melissa Ranaldi and her partner Anthony White are naturally over the moon. This event commenced the 12 month period of Maternity Leave for Melissa.

Energi at Work at Play!

Energi client Valspar celebrated with the winners of the ‘Mitre 10 Cup Referee Experience’ at grass roots level. Rugby kids had an energetic and spectacular time as they experienced doing Rugby Drills lead and supervised by the Valspar Referee. A special time made even more special by Energi Account Manager Penelope Blindell rocking up with Pizza and refreshments.

Energi PR heads West

Lou Bentley headed west to Muriwai and the home of essential oil company Absolute Essential ™. With her Bauer Editor for the Health & Wellbeing category, Lucy Slight. Dr. Bo Hendgen assisted us in exploring her world of essential oils and we discovered the unique health and wellbeing benefits of embracing them.

Founded in November 1998, Absolute Essential is about to celebrate their 30^th anniversary. To this day it is the only certified organic range available in New Zealand that sources sustainable, medicinal quality plant oils from artisan producers worldwide. Winners of the Sustainable Business of the Year award for 3 consecutive years and invited as the only health and wellbeing company of 80 companies to bear the prestigious Black Fern, we doff our cap Bo!

Energi Christmas Shopper Study banked by ASB

ASB Business integrated some of the Energi Christmas Shopper study insights into e-DM’s designed to add value to the ASB business customer. Read it here.