Source GetElastic.com[/caption]

According to this, DHL, a global company in the logistics industry has announced its partnership with the Nigerian social commerce platform 3AL.

"The partnership, which is part of DHL`s contribution to the evolving ecommerce industry, is a result of the extension of broadband access availability and mobile data which grows in reliability and affordability, and of more people in Sub-Saharan Africa choosing to shop online."

"3AL allows businesses to communicate directly with existing and potential clients in a virtual community, post their various products and services to their market and close a sale. The platform is a business community which provides a platform for individuals and corporations to interface, network and exchange goods and services promoting retail through interactivity and convenience."

"The platform has been integrated with a dynamic payment settlement solution in partnership with a financial institution, and it offers a subscriber payment module. The payment solution is currently integrated with all switches recognised in Nigeria, which means it accepts all the credit and debit cards issued in the country. Under the terms of the agreement, DHL will provide courier services and, at the same time, ensure security, tracking, signature, specialization and delivery of items ordered by the customers."

According to this, ReD, a global provider of fraud prevention and payment services, and Alpha Payments Cloud, (APC) a cloud-based payments solution provider, have partnered to support acquirers and merchants in their ecommerce growth.

"As a result of the alliance, Alpha Payments Cloud clients across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America will gain access to ReD’s fraud prevention service, ReD Shield, via the APC Product Hub."

"According to Oliver Rajic, CEO at APC, with cross-border ecommerce already exceeding USD 300 billion, and global online trade expected to hit USD 1.4 trillion by 2015, it is important for merchants to become more agile and offer international services, in order to remain competitive and drive continued revenue growth."

"ReD Shield is a fraud prevention solution that includes proprietary screening databases, a dynamic rules engine, pattern recognition software, patented PRISM neural network technology, BIN identification, “gibberish” filters, an analytical engine and IP geo-location technology. ReD Shield uses an unlimited number of transaction variables and a global database of ‘hot’ cards to detect and prevent online fraud across the retail, banking, travel, gaming, telecom and broader ecommerce sectors."

According to this, Ecommerce Europe’s President, François Momboisse, addressed the European Commission and Council to propose a one-stop-shop for better policy coordination and asked for an integrated perspective on key business factors in the ecommerce industry.

"Ecommerce Europe, in order to get rid of fragmentation and separation, proposes the creation of a one-stop-shop for ecommerce by having an integrated and coherent approach covering consumer trust, security, privacy, online payments, e-logistics and sustainability. In the following months Ecommerce Europe will outline its suggestions to facilitate the establishment of a one-stop-shop on these five key elements for the industry."

"Last year, the e-commerce industry in Europe had a total turnover of EUR 358 billion and it was one of the few industries that grew with double digits. It has huge potential for further growth and creating jobs in Europe. However going cross-border is still a big challenge for web shops in Europe today. With the one-stop-shop Ecommerce Europe asks the European Commission for better policy coordination for online sales issues. Today, a patchwork of policies is spread over various departments of the Commission: They are all dealing with different aspects of our business. A one-stop-shop would be a viable solution for merchants and policy makers.”

“It is clear that the e-commerce market is a major opportunity for years to come. The next President of the European Commission must be a digital President. Digital needs to be his or her priorityand that of every other member of the College.”

According to this, UK retailers are expected to reach online sales up to USD 75 billion (GBP 45 billion) in 2014, up by 16% on online consumer spend compared to the previous year.

"The study indicates that in 2014 online sales will grow by 16% in the UK, with the average shopper expected to spend more than USD 1.662 (GBP 1000) online. Results point out that the UK, France and Germany will be accounting for 81% of the online sales in the eight European markets expected in 2014. The UK is expected to account for more than a third (34%) of all online retail sales in the eight European markets surveyed in 2014."

"The survey reveals that currently, 46% of European consumers and 55% of American consumers shop online. Out of Europeans, 71% of Swedes and 67% of Brits use the internet to shop. Research also shows that in the UK, the internet accounted for 12.1% of all retail sales in 2013 and that it is expected to grow to 13.5% in 2014. The same source unveils that online shopping is less popular in Southern Europe, although it is growing. Therefore, one in five people shop online in Italy (20%), while one in three (32%) use the internet to shop in Spain. Around half of people in France (52%), Poland (51%), Netherlands (49%) and Germany (45%) shop online."

"On average, European shoppers will make 15.2 online purchases in 2014 with a typical basket size of USD 81.45 (GBP 49), while US shoppers will make 15.6 online purchases, with an average spend of USD 118 (GBP 71). In the UK, shoppers are expected to make 18 purchases online in 2014, spending an average of USD 98 (GBP 59) each time."