Online retailers in key African markets are stepping up efforts to prevent fraud and gain the trust of consumers in order to encourage online payments in a region where, because of the vast numbers of mobile users, the potential for e-commerce is enormous.

Mobile point-of-sale systems are intended to roam free, meeting and checking out customers wherever they may be, but many merchants are anchoring the devices to the counter as a replacement for traditional POS terminals.

The goal of omnichannel retailing is to create a seamless and transparent experience for the customer that enhances the retailer's brand. To date, the omnichannel retailing focus has been largely on the selling experience and not how the retailer gets the goods into the customer's hands. However, customers measure the entire shopping experience, including delivery. Omnichannel selling is making retailers responsible for home delivery, whether they like it or not, and last-mile delivery performance is the last word about the retailer in the customer's mind.

JCPenney is working to align its stores and e-commerce operation while preparing to do more targeted and personalized marketing with consumers.

House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz has introduced the Remote Transaction Parity Act (RTPA), legislation that would require all retailers that sell products in their state, even those who sell exclusively online, to collect the same sales tax.