Latin America's version of the Amazon marketplace is thriving. Linio, which positions itself as the 'Amazon of Latin America,' is soaking up $50 million in new funding to continue its growth. The e-commerce platform features a wide range of electronics, jewelry, toys, health and personal care, clothing, books, sporting equipment, and more. People buy online at discounted prices, and the items are delivered to their door. The Rocket Internet-backed venture claims to be the largest online store in Latin America and recently released a mobile app to capitalize on the popularity of mobile devices.

NTT Docomo, one of the largest telecommunications and mobile network operators in Japan, has been working to enter into the mobile commerce field for some time. The company has taken note of the rising demand for mobile commerce services. More consumers are becoming interested in mobile commerce because of the simplicity and convenience that it represents. NTT Docomo is set to launch a new NFC-driven mobile commerce service with the help of MasterCard, and the companies plan to launch this service globally on February 5, 2014. The new service will allow Japanese consumers with NTT Docomo iD accounts to use …

Mobile games are beginning to play a larger role in the lives of people around the world. Mobile analytics firm Distimo and mobile commerce firm MEF have released a new report concerning the trends that have emerged worldwide concerning the use of mobile application. The report shows that mobile games have come to represent a significant percentage of all application downloads. These games also make up the majority of the revenue that the applications sector is responsible for. According to the report, mobile games represent 31% of all application downloads around the world. While this may seem like a small …

While quick-service restaurants including McDonald's, Arby's and Wendy's invest heavier into mobile with loyalty-based programs, challenges around in-store infrastructures that are not set up for digital are stalling investments for ordering, an area that pizza chains are already dominating. In the past year, more big casual dining and fast-food chains have been pushing into mobile to primarily incentivize users with rewards and loyalty for coming into stores. On the other hand, Domino's, Pizza Hut and Papa John's continue to tout mobile and digital ordering as some of their biggest digital efforts on the ordering front.

To mark five years in Internet retailing, Groupon has unveiled updated versions of its iPhone and Android smartphone apps and iPad tablet app and a redesigned e-commerce site for PC shoppers, all with new features aimed at making it easier for customers to shop Groupon's large selection of deals, goods and travel excursions. In short order, Groupon has become a mobile commerce powerhouse. 50% of transactions at Groupon, which now sells merchandise as well as the daily deals that made its name, occur on mobile devices, and mobile customers spend 50% more than web-only customers, Groupon says.

UK mobile commerce outfit Zapp is targeting 20 million users by 2017, promising to rival traditional payments giants such as Visa and MasterCard by the end of the decade. Set up by VocaLink earlier this year, Zapp is aiming to bring real-time mobile payments - in store, online and through apps - to millions of Brits by integrating its system into bank apps and tapping into the Faster Payments rails. The firm is on the verge of closing deals with up to three major high street banks, which will then invite customers to opt in to the service when it …

Sionic Mobile, an m-commerce company that recently rolled out its Ion Loyalty mobile platform for merchants and consumers, has inked a deal to provide the solution for customers of Pine State Trading Co., a New England company that markets and distributes convenience and beverage products. Sionic said the cloud-based ION platform connects merchants with nearby, ready-to-spend consumers and saves fuel retailers 75 percent on credit card fees. ION Rewards for consumers offers 3 percent in free fuel, the company said, and instant rewards of up to 2 percent for paying inside with their phones. The program also awards bonus IONs …

Leading mall operator Simon Malls is partnering with mobile shopping application Zoomingo to help shoppers save money during the 2013 holiday shopping season. Zoomingo enables users to find sales at local retailers and earn points that can be redeemed for rewards. Simon Property Group will be promoting the app to shoppers in select markets via in-mall posters, banners and other signage encouraging shoppers to download the app.

As Google Wallet ramps up its efforts in loyalty programs, it is slowly inching towards the ranks of Passbook and giving the Apple alternative to mobile payments a run for its money. Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet and Passbook all offer significant opportunities for marketers in terms of engaging consumers via mobile loyalty programs. However, while marketers ought to look into each of the three offerings, Passbook integration would probably be a good first step in the space, according to industry experts.

Prezence has partnered with Leisure Books in Media24 Books' first foray into m-commerce, marking the first step in the phased digitisation and mobilisation of Leisure Books with a retail app. In this first phase, it has applied its expertise and knowledge of South Africa's mobile economy to develop world-class Android applications for phone and tablet device along with a mobile site. "With a unique, interactive and compelling mobile offering, the company is looking to blow the South African book market away with the features packed into the app and mobile site," says Lana Barnett, CEO of Leisure Books. "Our experience …