The role of the fuel station is changing. What was once a straightforward stop for petrol and diesel is evolving into something broader and more convenient, with a growing range of services and everyday essentials on offer.
The recent Trade Intelligence/Nedbank report (Forecourt Retail Report 2025/26) found that 46% of visitors to a fuel station in South Africa are not buying fuel. Instead, many are stopping for items like barista coffee, late-night convenience food, grocery staples and other everyday essentials.
“What customers increasingly value is the ability to do more in one stop — whether that’s picking up an essential item, accessing a useful service or earning rewards on everyday purchases,” says Domnick Nkhatu, Senior Manager, Convenience Trading at bp Southern Africa.
Send and collect parcels 24/7
Some bp service stations now host PUDO lockers, serviced by The Courier Guy, allowing customers to send or collect parcels at any time of day or night. After registering on the PUDO website or app, users receive a PIN to access a secure locker. If you have a busy schedule, it offers a practical alternative to waiting at home or visiting a courier branch during business hours.
Renew your licence disc without the queue
Motorists can renew their vehicle’s licence disc at a bp service station, instead of waiting in long queues. Through RenewOnline, you can either pay for your new licence disc online, from the comfort of your home, or by visiting a bp service station. Within a few days, your new disc will be couriered to your chosen destination, which could be your home or bp service station.
Buy local, right on the forecourt
At some bp sites, fuel stations stock products made by entrepreneurs from surrounding communities, creating space for small local businesses while helping meet customer demand and support the local township economy.
For customers, that can mean access to distinctive, locally produced items while on the go. For local businesses, it creates a retail opportunity in high-traffic locations.
Rent backup power when the lights go out
National load shedding has ebbed, but local power outages are still a reality. You don’t have to sit in the dark or invest in a full solar and battery system. Instead, rent a portable low carbon battery at your local bp fuel station. The bPOWERD battery rental option at selected bp forecourts lets you rent either a 300W or 1,000W battery at a modest daily fee to power your lights, TV, fridge and charge your cellphone or laptop.
The next stop for convenience
That evolution is unlikely to stop here. From round-the-clock convenience to more personalised services and, over time, EV charging, forecourts are set to keep broadening their role in everyday life.
“As customer habits change, the sites that stand out will be the ones that make everyday life simpler, more convenient and more useful for customers. Technology, including AI over time, will help make those experiences faster, easier and more responsive, but human connection will remain central to meeting customer needs in meaningful ways,” Nkhatu says.
INFO SUPPLIED
