China's largest online sales festival, dubbed Singles' Day, is getting longer as retailers try to entice frugal shoppers to spend more. During this year's five-week festival, which will end later this week, analysts expect shoppers to focus on good deals on necessities and other more affordable goods while avoiding big ticket items. Singles' Day, launched by e-commerce giant Alibaba, has expanded outside China. Back home, it gradually has been losing its importance as families cut back on extras due to a prolonged property downturn, lagging wages and economic uncertainty. It remains to be seen if the appetite for spending may finally be recovering
