Online merchants, ERA form an alliance to address legislative issues

Several major multi-channel retailers, including eBay Inc., Shop NBC and the Home Shopping Network, have formed an alliance to develop strategies for dealing with legislative and technological issues facing web merchants.

The Online Retail Alliance, which initially will be funded by the Electronic Retailing Association, will have its first meeting Tuesday in Washington, D.C. About 30 representatives of 15 multi-channel retailers with web sites are expected to attend, an ERA spokeswoman says.

The group will address issues related to privacy, sales taxes and Internet neutrality that are expected to be the subject of Congressional and consumer group actions this year.

“We all know this will be a very active legislative year for our industry, as there are so many issues that stand to affect our ability to sell products and services to consumers online,” said Barbara Tulipane, ERA president and CEO. “ORA is the answer we are looking for to help the online retail industry continue to move forward.”

The alliance will operate under the umbrella of the ERA, which has a lobbying arm, the ERA spokeswoman says.