Fuel and convenience retail are undergoing a technological and experiential overhaul. What was once a straightforward fuel stop or corner shop is now evolving into a digitally enabled, customer-focused retail hub. For UK grocers, this shift offers huge potential – if backed by the right infrastructure.
Today’s leading forecourt and convenience locations are embracing connected technology, seamless payments, real-time loyalty and data-led operations. They are an integral part of a retailer’s brand presence and customer experience, writes John Tait, TNS’ Global Managing Director for its Payments Market business.
Trend 1: Forecourts as Retail Destinations
In the past, supermarket fuel stations were purely functional: fill up, pay, go. Increasingly, they are becoming miniature retail destinations in their own right. Some UK operators are taking cues from Ireland’s “dashboard dining” trend, where forecourts are food-led, offering barista coffee, fresh bakery goods and hot meals to go.
For grocers, this makes strategic sense. These smaller, high-throughput sites can test new food-to-go formats, premium coffee offers, or seasonal product ranges without the complexity of the main store. They can also capture commuter and lunchtime trade that might otherwise bypass the supermarket entirely.
Delivering these experiences requires more than a good coffee machine. Digital menu boards, self-service kiosks, mobile ordering and guest Wi-Fi are becoming standard, supported by robust, secure connectivity. Without a strong digital backbone, even the best-designed retail offer risks being let down by slow systems or payment issues.
Trend 2: Loyalty Gets Personal
Traditional loyalty cards and static point-collection schemes are losing their shine. Shoppers now expect relevant, personalised rewards in real time – whether that’s an app notification while they refuel or a discount on their favourite snack at checkout.
According to Mastercard, over 70% of retailers say purchase discounts are their top retention tool, with loyalty points close behind at 63%. In the UK grocery forecourt context, this could mean offering fuel-linked coffee discounts, personalised snack bundles, or time-limited offers pushed directly to a customer’s phone or displayed at the pump.
The key is integrating customer data across every touchpoint – pump, point of sale, mobile app – so offers are instant and contextually relevant. Secure, real-time data transfer is essential, enabling targeted engagement without compromising privacy or compliance.
Trend 3: Frictionless, Secure Payments
Payments are now a critical battleground in customer satisfaction. Whether shoppers are using contactless cards, mobile wallets, in-app payments, or even subscription-based fuel services, the process must be fast, seamless and secure.
The UK is already a leader in contactless adoption – 85% of adults make at least one contactless payment each month. For forecourts, this means meeting expectations for instant payment at the pump, inside the store or via a mobile app, while also accommodating emerging payment methods.
However, increased choice brings greater complexity and risk. Fragmented payment systems can lead to inconsistent service and security gaps. For UK grocery retailers operating multiple forecourts, the solution lies in a unified payment infrastructure that is PCI DSS and EMV compliant, supports multiple payment types and offers the same level of security and reliability across every site.
Trend 4: Data and Connectivity Drive Smarter Decisions
Forecourts and convenience stores generate a wealth of operational and customer data – covering everything from fuel volumes and basket composition to promotional performance and footfall patterns.
McKinsey Global Institute estimates that a retailer fully leveraging big data can increase its operating margin by more than 60%. For UK grocers, integrating this forecourt data with wider supermarket analytics can reveal valuable insights, including which offers drive cross-shop visits from fuel to grocery, how seasonal trends differ between main store and forecourt shoppers and which high-margin convenience items perform best in high-traffic commuter periods
The challenge is ensuring that every device – from fuel dispensers to in-store tablets – is securely and reliably connected to central systems and cloud platforms. Without that backbone, data-driven decision making becomes slower and less accurate, blunting its competitive advantage.
From Fuel Stops to Fully Connected Retail Ecosystems
For UK supermarkets, the future of forecourt and convenience retail lies in treating these locations as fully integrated extensions of the main store – not just service add-ons. That means:
• Food-led convenience with strong coffee and fresh offers
• Personalised loyalty driven by real- time customer data
• Frictionless payments that are secure and consistent
• Data-powered decisions enabled by reliable connectivity
The pay-off is significant. Well-run forecourts can become high-frequency brand touchpoints that strengthen customer loyalty, drive incremental sales and differentiate a retailer in a competitive grocery market.
But success depends on infrastructure. Without secure, scalable connectivity, the best loyalty programme, menu board, or payment option risks faltering when it matters most – at the point of service.
UK grocers who invest in the right digital foundations today will be best placed to meet rising consumer expectations, adapt quickly to market changes and turn their fuel and convenience offers into genuine growth engines.
To learn more, visit: tnsi.com/payments
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