Payments security is a core area of concern for retailers, according to new research from ACI Worldwide.

Principle findings of the survey included:

• EMV Readiness: Although nearly four months have passed since the October 1 EMV liability deadline, the majority of respondents are not compliant. Of the retailers surveyed, only 8.5 percent indicated that they were already compliant and 14 percent are not prepared. 48 percent are prepared or somewhat prepared, but still have work to do and/or are still evaluating their options for EMV.
• Mobile Apps: Payment security (72 percent), integrated loyalty options (71 percent) and seamless ordering (55 percent) were highlighted as the top three features that all respondents want their mobile app to deliver.
• Mobile Wallets: 75 percent of respondents prioritize payment security as the most important feature of a mobile wallet offering, followed by integrated loyalty/rewards (55 percent) and mobile ordering (46 percent).
• Digital Channel Sales: Although it was not surprising that 70 percent of all survey respondents cited online/domestic as the top channel their retailer sells through today, online shopping in-store (via a tablet or other device) ranked as the second most popular digital channel (45 percent), followed by online/international and cross border (44 percent) and mobile/in app (38 percent); social media payment has not been widely adopted yet, but remains a trend to watch (11 percent).

“The proliferation of retail digital channels demonstrates the trend that ‘clicks upstage bricks,’ but even consumers shopping at traditional brick and mortar stores are increasingly using in-store browsing capabilities, which puts the power of information in sales associates’ and consumers hands,” said Lynn Holland, vice president, Product Line Manager, ACI Worldwide.