Petrol Stations Are Ditching Fuel For Flat Whites And Fast Wifi

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 the demand for petrol 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 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.