Although “digital transformation” on forecourts is predominantly glamourized for marketing purposes (media, loyalty, payment) and enhancing the overall consumer journey, many don’t realize it can also be leveraged to improve the safety and security of retail systems, both indoors and indoors.

In the first instance digital transformation can help efficiently measure and monitor fuel. Today’s technology allows for real-time analysis in case any fuel loss occurs, meaning the smallest of losses can be automatically picked up and sent to specialists for evaluation. Subsequently, providing the highest level of forecourt protection. Secondly, forecourts can utilize digitization to facilitate a secure managed network. With a new and improved forecourt structure derives new challenges and security risks. Whether it’s theft or breach of data, neither are acceptable, and should be protected with a secure network, which ideally connects c-stores, fuel dispensers, site controllers, Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers and more. A strong and secure network can quickly transmit large amounts of data, informing the station’s owner or operator of any potential concerns around the customer and business-sensitive data. A connected forecourt – whether wired or wireless – can not only enhance consumer experience, but help a forecourt become more safer and more efficient.

New Forecourt Infrastructure

You could say, the future of fuel retail is looking clean, and with that, the fuel retail industry can expect a new forecourt infrastructure to come into play. The scale to which a service station will change will vary, as this will depend on individual fuel retailer capabilities, partnerships, market needs, as well as their personal and professional willingness to adapt to the changing times. Not only will fuel retail businesses need to follow and keep up with the ever-changing patterns in consumer behaviour, they will also have to align with government and environmental policies as they become more prevalent and the world moves towards decarbonization and global sustainability and energy targets are set in place.

On a global scale, the proliferation of clean energy offerings such as hydrogen, electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) differ from region to region. Nevertheless, as consumers become more conscious about their carbon footprint and look for ways to reduce it, fuel retailers have no choice but to modify their traditional forecourt structure and provide energy offerings to meet this demand.

Further Collaboration and Partnerships

Digital Transformation will continue to stimulate collaboration and partnerships. Whether the goal is to deliver powerful real-time analytics; create a connected forecourt; establish solutions that allow for remote management; or offer cleaner energy options for motorists, the best practice in achieving such targets will very often be through collaboration, and combining technology from two or more companies that have the same objective. With great partnerships, comes great results. Partnerships could make all the difference between delivering something new and useful to the end user, the motorist, and standing out from the competition or being left behind as the world, and your competition, continues to advance.

Greater Focus on Consumer Experience

From easy-to-use dispensers, contactless payment, self-checkout kiosks, personalized ads and loyalty schemes, it’s fair to say many fuel retail owners and operators have established a solid way of delivering an outstanding customer journey and a way for creating digital conversations between themselves and their customers. While none of that is expected to change – at least in the coming years – fuel retailers do need to be prepared for consumer habits suddenly changing. Expectations of the future forecourt could have a lot to answer for. Thus, the need for products and solutions which provide convenience, and safety and security, to the everyday consumer – alongside alternative ways to powering vehicles – is more important than ever before.