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Petrol stations turn to retail as fuel margins stay thin

Published

Forecourts are adding convenience shopping, takeaway meals and premium coffee to attract regular customers. Market research firm Trade Intelligence estimates South Africa's forecourt convenience store market was worth R42 billion in 2025.

Trade Intelligence data shows that 57% of forecourt shoppers visit these stores at least once a week. In its survey, 92% of forecourt shoppers said financial pressure had forced them to change their broader spending habits.

Pantry CEO Greg Solomon discussed the shift in an interview with Stephen Grootes on The Money Show. He said the challenge is to turn quick fuel stops into repeat retail visits.

Solomon said: "I think there's a shift, a big shift, that maybe is even beyond petrol station forecourts. It's convenient shopping."

Key facts

Who
Greg Solomon (CEO of Pantry); Stephen Grootes (presenter, The Money Show); Trade Intelligence (market research firm that produced the estimates and survey)
What
Petrol stations are diversifying into convenience retail, takeaway meals and premium coffee to attract regular shoppers, according to Trade Intelligence data cited in the article and an interview with Pantry CEO Greg Solomon.
When
26 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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