Abstract
This paper discusses e-commerce adoption trends in the Zimbabwean retail sector. Data
were collected using questionnaire and interviews of 170 retailers and 73 customers selected in Harare. Zimbabwe’s retail sector lags behind in e-business adoption. Key application areas are in administration, accounting, management and controlling. Barcode driven systems and debit card swipe technologies are
most common. Mismatch between the demand for ebusiness solutions by customers and the supply of such solutions by retailers and a pronounced digital divide
between multiple store and single store retailers in the areas of network technologies were identified. The impact of e-business on business processes and
company productivity is positive for multiple store and minimal for single store operators. Internal work organisation, procurement costs of supply goods and
quality of product and services impacts are minimal. Scope exists for improved adoption and development of e-business for Zimbabwean retailers through better
policies and supportive legislation.