The 12.12 Taobao Year-End Sale is only a day away. If you’re an avid online shopper, chances are you’ve already begun scouring the Chinese shopping site for bargains. A few dozen clicks later, you’re at the checkout page, basket filled and ready to make the purchase. But then you hesitate — what if the items don’t turn out as they look in the pictures?
Enter NomadX — a multi-label concept store in Plaza Singapura (#01-67, #03-65 to 96) that lets you test – yes, test, in person, with your hands – Taobao items. So now, you can know exactly what to expect when the brown parcels arrive at your doorstep.
If you’re FOMO-ing because you didn’t learn about this earlier, know that you didn’t miss much — the store opened only a month ago on 9 November.
The 2-storey store houses 18 “e-tailer” (electronic retailer) brands, including Taobao. While the items on display can’t be bought on the spot, you can easily make your order on each brand’s website. For Taobao, you can simply scan the QR code tagged to the item and slide it right into your digital cart.
From electronic gadgets to clothings to cooking pots, NomadX features an array of Taobao items waiting to be tested and picked for purchase. Let’s start you off with 5.
With a 960FPS video mode, you might forget you’re looking at a screen
Untangling wires was so last year
A light setting for every look
With this, anyone can be a good cook
Just five more minutes, please!
The good news doesn’t end just yet. On the big day itself, Taobao will be giving away a slew of promo codes. The catch? You’ll have to “hunt” for them. Join the hunt by hopping onto Taobao’s Facebook page on 12 November. The promo codes will be released at 12am, 10am and 2pm. We’re not sure how the hunt works just yet, but it wouldn’t hurt to be ready for the instructions and to fish out those furtive codes.
If the hunt proves unsuccessful, all is not lost. You can still enjoy a 20RMB (S$4) discount for every 200RMB (S$40) spent on Taobao products. Or for those who prefer established brands, you can enjoy a 30RMB (S$6) discount for every 300RMB (S$60) spent on Tmall products.
In addition to the freebies and promo codes, there will also be other perks to make your 12.12 experience even more satisfying. For one, using the Taobao or Taobao Lite mobile app for your purchases will waive transaction fees, which are usually at 3%. And if your items happen to be among a special selection, your shipping fee will be waived too.
While you’re on the app, you can try using the promo code: TS100, which will give you a 100RMB (S$20) discount on Tmall Signature products for a minimum spending of 500RMB (S$100). We said ‘try’ because the code can only be redeemed a fixed number of times. So don’t be dilly-dallying with your purchases.
Like many apps, referrals are rewarded. Taobao is no exception. You can refer up to 3 friends and win a 50RMB(S$4) “Hong Bao” for each referral. So if there’s anything you should do immediately after reading this article, it’s to stop all those friends from downloading the app before you invite them.
See you on the big day!
This post was brought to you by Taobao.
Photography by Yeo Yuanning.
Shop brands endorsed by Chinese celebs like Zhang Linghe and Hou Minghao.
Hit the slopes without breaking the bank at these affordable ski resorts in China.
From how the date is selected each year to the symbolism of the lamps, here…
The exhibition runs daily from 11am to 8pm until 20 December 2026.
Save more than a couple of bucks!
This is your sign to visit Batam for your next getaway.