Petrol stations in South Africa are rapidly expanding the services they offer, which now include courier services, licence disc renewals, and backup power rentals.
As a result, the traditional role of refuelling stations is changing into something broader that encapsulates the “convenience store” label, thanks to a growing range of services and readily available daily essentials.
The recently published Forecourt Retail Report 2025/26, compiled by Trade Intelligence and Nedbank, found that 46% of visitors to a fuel station in South Africa are not buying fuel.
Many shoppers are instead shopping for other items, like barista coffee from in-house cafés, late-night convenience food or takeaways, grocery staples, and other daily 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,” notes Domnick Nkhatu, Senior Manager of Convenience Trading at BP Southern Africa.
He explained that the evolution of local forecourts is unlikely to stop here, noting that, thanks to round-the-clock, value-adding personalised services and EV charging, petrol stations are set to keep broadening their role.
“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,” Nkhatu says.
“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.”
Getting more done while refuelling
BP is one of the service stations in South Africa, revolutionising its product and service offerings, which have extended beyond the traditional role of merely refilling cars with petrol and diesel.
Some forecourts now host The Courier Guy PUDO lockers, allowing customers to send and collect parcels at any time of day or night.
“If you have a busy schedule, it offers a practical alternative to waiting at home or visiting a courier branch during business hours,” the fuel station chain explains.
Another service offered by BP, which would likely appeal to most motorists, is the renewal of vehicle licence discs, which can be done through RenewOnline, instead of waiting in long queues.
“You can either pay for your new licence disc online, from the comfort of your home, or by visiting a BP service station,” it says.
“Within a few days, your new disc will be couriered to your chosen destination, which could be your home or a BP service station.”
At some BP sites, fuel station kiosks stock products made by entrepreneurs from their surrounding communities.
This creates a space for local small business owners, while helping meet customer demand and supporting the local 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,” says BP.
Finally, BP’s bPOWERd backup power rental aims to address some local power supply uncertainty for the fuel station chain’s customers.
“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,” BP notes.
“Instead, rent a portable low-carbon battery at your local BP fuel station.”
The bPOWERd battery rental option at selected BP forecourts allows customers to rent either a 300W or 1,000W battery – enough to power lights, a TV, a fridge, and charge cellphones or laptops.
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