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Running a gas station isn't easy—tight margins, fraud risks, and outdated systems are a daily challenge. The last thing you need is a payments system that slows you down. That's why more fuel retailers are turning to integrated payments: to save time, protect revenue, and meet rising customer expectations at the pump and in-store.

Already, fuel station and convenience store owners have an uphill climb. According to Ipsos' Petro-Convenience Experience Study, just 47% of people are satisfied with their fueling experience. While other factors beyond checkout are at play, upgrading that part of the experience could be an opportunity to leave a positive impression on customers.

If you run an unbranded gas station, offering fast, secure, and speedy payment processing can give customers the sense that your fuel station is a modern, safe place to fuel up and shop. Setting up an integrated solution can have multiple perks for you, too.

What do integrated payments look like for fuel retailers?

You may be used to seeing integrated payments in the restaurant or grocery store if you've ever checked out on a payment terminal in location. Your dining-out experience might include some combination of terminals at the front desk, servers walking around with tablet devices, or self-service ordering tablets on each table. All these devices talk to each other, accept several payment options, and collect valuable customer information.

Taking that concept to fuel stations can offer the same easy checkout experience for customers. It can also provide gas station owners with customer and transaction data and advanced reporting tools. As a fuel retailer, your business is unique because it often includes a convenience store component. In fact, 58% of people say they purchase snacks or beverages from the gas station store when they stop for gas.

With purchases taking place at pay-at-the-pump terminals, in-store checkout, and even self-service kiosks—plus multiple payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, fleet cards, and mobile wallets—it's important to have a system that can handle all kinds of transactions.

The challenges of upgrading

While it's the norm in other industries to use integrated payments, fuel stations have been slower to make the transition. One of the key sticking points is that fuel stations often operate every day of the year, 24 hours a day. This makes it a challenge to move forward with a system overhaul that might require downtime.

Upgrading to a new system also costs money. However, vendors will often provide incentives and special pricing to help encourage fuel stations to make the leap to point of sale (POS). This is because moving forward sooner rather than later may reduce pain at the pump. For example, integrated systems can improve efficiency and security, speed up transactions, and take on a lot of the back-end responsibilities that owners usually perform manually.

How integrated payments can upgrade fuel station transactions   

Upgrading your payments system can have a positive snowball effect for both you and your customers.

Stay connected, even at peak times

Fuel stations and their stores need to stay connected given their high transaction volume. Customers stopping by are usually on their way somewhere and will become frustrated if systems are down, causing a delay. Integrated payment processing can deliver more reliable connectivity since everything works on a unified platform.

Save time with seamless payments

In an older system, the POS function is separate from the payment processor. This can slow down the process since it includes more steps for the fuel station owner, such as having to reconcile transactions. An integrated system can combine these functions and free up more time for you.

Simplify support with one call

With an integrated system, fuel stations no longer have to work with different vendors for their software, network, payment processing, and POS system. Instead, there's one dedicated point of contact that can provide service and technical support, eliminating the confusion about whom to call if you need assistance.

Keep lines moving with faster checkouts

About 73% of people say fast payment is an important feature when making purchases at a gas station or convenience store. People are so used to lightning-speed checkouts that standing at a lagging payment terminal could reflect poorly on the business, making it seem outdated.

Protect your business and customers

Nearly 79% of people also say that payment security is a high-value feature. Over time, fuel station transactions have developed a reputation for being targets for fraud, with reports of skimming devices and other concerns making headlines.

Fuel stations can make customers feel more confident at checkout by offering more sophisticated payments systems that allow contactless options, including digital wallets. On the merchant end, less potential for fraud can help reduce and prevent costly chargebacks.

Ensure compliance effortlessly

Managing compliance can be a constant source of stress for operators. With older payment systems, the burden of proving PCI DSS 4.0 compliance—the latest Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard—falls entirely on the business owner. For many fuel station operators, this process is confusing, time-consuming, and overwhelming from a technology perspective. The result? Many end up paying unnecessary fees or taking shortcuts simply to avoid the headache.

Upgrading to an integrated system with a reputable payments partner removes that burden. PCI DSS compliance is handled automatically, freeing operators to focus on running their business instead of wrestling with complex security requirements.  

Tailor technology to fit your business

Having the ability to build a custom package of hardware and software that's tailored to your business needs and can grow with you will last for a long time. For example, fuel stations may need more durable devices that can withstand high-volume use compared to a professional office setting, where a delicate tablet has less risk of damage.

Reduce errors, improve accuracy

Mistakes are common when you're punching in your own numbers. Taking manual entry and reconciliation out of your hands can help improve the accuracy of your financial records.

When put together, these benefits—which help create a speedier, safer, and more streamlined experience—can improve customer satisfaction, increase brand loyalty, and bring back repeat customers.

Industry trends driving the need for integration 

Fuel station owners know the upgrades are tough—24/7 uptime, tight budgets, and legacy systems make change feel risky  . But the reality is, payment regulations and customer expectations are moving fast. Here’s why integration matters:

• Don’t lose customers to slow checkouts: It's becoming the exception rather than the rule that customers encounter clunky and slow payment technology. Fuel station owners should want to avoid being that exception. With so much competition, it's important for small and medium businesses to do what they can to offer a great experience so they can compete with larger brands. Improving your checkout system across all your points of sale—pump, app, and online options—can help.
• Take compliance off your plate: Being PCI DSS compliant will always be necessary for businesses that accept payments. If your commerce provider can take care of the compliance requirements for you, it's one less thing on your plate.
• Scale up and connect with customers on their terms: Fuel stations must meet customers where they are and keep up with technology. Integrated payment processing is the future. Plus, the information you can access from your system will help you make better business decisions.
• Adopt digital and contactless payments: Visa announced that more than 50% of its payments were contactless in the U.S. in 2024. Mobile wallet usage is also more popular than ever. In 2024, about 61.3 million Americans were using Apple Pay, for example. Swiping and inserting cards are on their way to feeling outdated.

While it may seem intimidating to upgrade your current system, doing so can offer many positive features to both you and your customers.

Drive your business forward and lean on guidance from a dedicated payments advisor with an integrated payments system from Verifone.  

Contact Verifone today to see how our all-in-one solutions can transform your operations.