Petrol stations across South Africa are rapidly reinventing themselves, swapping fuel pumps for baristas, grocery aisles and coworking spaces as fuel sales continue to nosedive.
While demand for fuel is slowing both globally and locally, the forecourt is undergoing a full-blown makeover, with convenience and comfort now fuelling its future, as reported by the Daily Investor.
According to Bloomberg, South Africa’s quick transition to being a net importer of fuel raises supply issues that necessitate the installation of infrastructure to store and transport the fuel.
South Africa’s refining capacity has fallen due to a combination of industrial mishaps and the impending implementation of new low-sulfur fuel requirements, which demand increased investment in ageing plants.
The closing of South Africa’s Engen oil refinery in 2021, as well as a lack of feedstock for state-owned Petro SA’s gas-to-liquids facility, have reduced the country’s fuel production.
According to Nedbank’s retail services lead Karen Keylock, there’s a clear shift in the industry, driven by changing lifestyles, tech-driven travel habits and a global push for cleaner mobility.
By 2030, fuel retail is projected to tumble by over 9%, but non-fuel forecourt services are expected to surge by more than a third, creating an entirely new business model for the industry.
Locally, fuel sales have already dipped nearly 8% over the past five years. But despite this decline, the number of forecourts keeps climbing, thanks to booming revenue from their convenience offerings. South Africans still frequent petrol stations an average of 10 times a month – but it’s no longer for petrol. Stats show that 74% grab groceries, 68% pick up fast food, and plenty swing by for banking or a coffee hit.
Fuel stations are starting to function more like lifestyle hubs than vehicle service points. The idea is no longer about just topping up your tank – it’s about meeting every need on the go.
The Fuel Retailers Association has backed this transition, highlighting the need to focus on people, not petrol. Globally, countries like Japan, Brazil and Thailand are leagues ahead in redefining forecourts as social and retail hotspots.
One shining example is Thailand’s Café Amazon, which began inside fuel stations and now ranks as the sixth-largest coffee chain worldwide. At a recent industry summit, retail expert Mark Wohltmann stressed that successful stations must nail design and create spaces where people actually want to hang out.
Think plush seating, strong coffee, co-working setups, and warm interiors in colder climates – or bright, airy designs in sunnier locations. Wohltmann’s informal research revealed that while many stations offer filter coffee or quick eats, only a handful are leaning into the full café experience with barista-style drinks and sit-down comfort.
He believes South Africa can thrive in this space – but only if fuel retailers start thinking beyond petrol pumps and more like lifestyle brands. As cities grow denser and homes shrink, fuel stations are now perfectly placed to fill the gap left by disappearing corner stores and old-school cafes.
The new rule of thumb? If you’re not selling coffee, groceries, or high-speed internet – you’re probably selling yourself short.
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