There is an observation of increased competition in the petroleum market, which has made it challenging for petrol station owners to attract more customers to their business and generate more revenue.
Petrol stations are an essential part of the infrastructure in East Africa, providing fuel to support various sectors of the economy. From agriculture to manufacturing to the transport sector, petrol stations play a crucial role in ensuring that businesses and individuals have access to the fuel needed to power machinery, vehicles, and equipment. In order to stay ahead of the competition, it is essential for fuel station owners to have effective strategies to attract more customers and make the gas station more profitable.
There are several tactics that petrol station owners can employ to increase customer footfall and establish a loyal customer base. By implementing these strategies, fuel station owners will not only increase their revenue but also enhance their reputation and brand image in the market.
In this blog, we share insights of innovative ideas which gas station owners can use to attract more customers to their business.
A loyalty program can incentivize customers to choose your petrol station over competitors. Customers can earn rewards for purchasing fuel or by making purchases in your convenience store. Pesapal Forecourt Management Solution (PFMS) has a loyalty program that enables onboarding customers and issuing them with RFID-enabled cards with unique identification. Thereafter, every time they fuel at the station, the volume consumed, and the amount paid is captured and the corresponding reward is allocated. The reward can either be cash back or points accrued per liter. The customer can then access the reward via our Pesapal Mobile application.
Creating an inviting environment can attract customers and keep them coming back. Ensure that your petrol station is clean, well-lit, and properly maintained. PFMS has streamlined activities at the forecourt ensuring petrol station managers have total control. This has eliminated the confusion that existed before ensuring they offer the best service to customers. For instance, pump attendants can now accept card, mobile money and cash payment with ease and account for every coin.
Ensure that your petrol station offers high-quality fuel and and extensive variety of convenience store products. Use high-quality gasoline, and offer a range of convenience store items such as snacks, drinks, and automotive supplies.
Marketing campaigns can help you reach new customers and encourage existing customers to visit more often. Consider offering special promotions, discounts, and contests to drive traffic to your petrol station.
Leverage social media
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can help you reach a wider audience. Use these platforms to promote your petrol station and offer exclusive discounts or promotions to your followers.
Partnering with other businesses can help you increase your customer base. Consider partnering with nearby restaurants or car washes to offer joint promotions or discounts. Offering car wash services can attract customers who are looking for a quick and convenient way to clean their cars. You can offer basic washes or more extensive detailing services.
Excellent customer service can help you build a loyal customer base. Train your staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Address any customer complaints promptly and professionally. Providing additional services such as cleaning windscreens and performing engine checks can make a significant difference in the customer experience. In this context, it is important to understand the various services that petrol stations can offer beyond just providing fuel, and how they can contribute to a positive customer experience.
Running a petrol pump can be a lucrative business, but like any business, it requires effort and strategy to increase sales and profits.
Modern customers now have a variety of payment options available to them, and they have certain preferences when it comes to making payments. Providing your customers with more payment options makes it easier for them to make a purchase, which can help increase sales and customer satisfaction. One payment option you could consider using is the Pesapal Sabi POS machine. The Pesapal Sabi POS machine is a secure, reliable, and easy-to-use point-of-sale system that accepts both mobile money and card payments on one machine. This will ensure you don’t lose a sale despite the preferred payment method by the customer.
The gas station has been saddled with cases of fraud including fuel adulteration, fuel theft, and card skimming. Governments across the globe suffer considerably from the negative impact of fuel theft and adulteration causing an estimated loss of $133b annually. A report by the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) indicates that the Kenyan government loses $340 million annually to unscrupulous businesspeople, who sell adultered fuel. PFMS comes in handy to prevent fraud as it can track fuel levels in tanks and monitor fuel dispensers to ensure that the correct amount of fuel is dispensed. This helps to prevent fuel theft and fuel adulteration by ensuring that the fuel sold at the gas station is of the correct quality and quantity. Through the Pesapal Sabi POS machine, PFMS offers secure payment options to prevent card skimming and other payment fraud. These payment solutions are often encrypted and secure, making it difficult for fraudsters to steal credit card information. PFMS also provides real-time monitoring and alerts for suspicious activities, such as sudden drops in fuel levels or excessive dispensing at a fuel pump. This helps to prevent fraud by enabling gas station owners and managers to quickly identify and respond to potential fraudulent activities. Lastly, PFMS uses RFID technology on pump attendants that is able to identify and record all activities carried out by an attendant on the fuel pump.
Having enough stock of products can make a fuel station more convenient for customers. They can easily find the items they need and complete their purchases quickly, without having to visit multiple locations. This can lead to increased sales and repeat business. A petrol station that consistently has enough stock of fuel and other products can gain a competitive advantage over other stations in the area. Customers may choose to visit the fuel station that is more reliable and has a wider selection of products, leading to increased sales and market share.
