A delivery company is busy handling parcels on Nov 10, 2014, one day before the Singles' Day shopping fever. [Photo/IC]

2000s: E-commerce

Purchasing all kinds of goods and services from e-commerce websites became an integral part of Chinese life since the first online purchase took place in Nov 1996.

E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd reported more than $9 billion in sales on China's Singles' Day on Nov 11, 2014, illustrating the buying power of the Chinese consumer and the importance of the event in the retail calendar.

A vendor dozes off during prime business hours at Zhongguancun e-World Mall, at Zhongguancun, China's Silicon Valley in Beijing, Jan 22, 2015. The mall announced recently that it decided to stop leasing its booths to individual businesses. [Photo/IC]