Today In Payments: UN Says eCommerce 19 Percent Of Global Retail Sales; Uruguay’s Payments Startup dLocal Files For IPO

In today’s top news, eCommerce now accounts for 19 percent of global retail sales, according to a new report from the U.N., and Uruguayan payments startup dLocal has filed for an initial public offering (IPO). Plus, the nonprofit Digital Dollar Project will test use cases of a U.S. central bank digital currency in five pilot programs this year.

UN Report: eCommerce Now 19 Percent Of Global Retail Sales

Fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, eCommerce around the globe surged from 16 to 19 percent of total retail sales in 2020, according to a new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The U.S. dominated the overall eCommerce market, and Korea posted the biggest increase in online retail sales in 2020.

Uruguay’s Payments Startup dLocal Files For IPO

Payments startup dLocal has confidentially filed for an IPO in the U.S., which could happen before the end of the year and could value the firm at over $5 billion. The company provides cross-border payments for global companies like Amazon, Spotify, Booking Holdings, GoDaddy and Uber.

Nonprofit Digital Dollar Project Plans Five Tests For Concept

The U.S. nonprofit Digital Dollar Project, a partnership between Accenture and the Digital Dollar Foundation, said Monday (May 3) it will roll out five pilot programs over the next year to test the potential uses — and advantages — of a U.S. central bank digital currency.

Expensify Submits IPO Draft Registration

Expense management software company Expensify has announced that it confidentially filed a draft registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an IPO. The size and price range of the offering haven’t been determined.

REPORT: 65 Pct Of Consumers Would Abandon Merchant After eCommerce Data Breach

Sixty-five percent of consumers would leave an online merchant for good after experiencing even a single data breach — meaning eTailers can’t afford any slip-ups. In the Securing eCommerce Study, PYMNTS surveys 2,368 U.S. consumers to learn how their data security demands are changing and the five features merchants must provide to meet them.

Flourish Ventures: Embedded Finance Paves The Road To The Super App

The connected economy will, to an extent, be wired by super apps. As Emmalyn Shaw, managing partner at investment firm Flourish Ventures, told Karen Webster, financial services can be part of the movement as they seek to build retention and lifetime value of the consumer relationship.

Amazon And Others Modernize — And Speed Up — The Last Mile

The last mile is being transformed, and it’s not just Amazon that is streamlining and speeding up delivery. Retailers like Kroger are experimenting with drones, and eCommerce players like Shopify are building out their own fulfillment and shipping networks. We want it all, it seems — and we want it now.