DFS & NACS Fuel Retail Survey Uncovers Strongest Strategies for Cutting Costs and Growing Profits

November 17, 2025

Quick Take (TL;DR)

The Retail Rewired: 2026 Fuel & Convenience Trends Report, developed by Dover Fueling Solutions in partnership with NACS explores how fuel and convenience retailers in North America are successfully driving growth and cutting costs amid economic, technological, and competitive pressures. The report reveals that operators are using data to cut waste, expanding food service offerings, and investing in digital loyalty and promotion solutions to drive profitability. Findings also reveal the technology and equipment upgrades that retailers plan to invest in over the next two years, providing a competitive roadmap for industry decision-makers.

Retail Rewired: 2026 Fuel & Convenience Trends Report

North America’s fuel and convenience retailers are navigating a complex landscape of challenges, from stubbornly high operating expenses and declining in-store sales to steep market competition and persistent economic headwinds. With inflation and high interest rates continuing to shape consumer behavior, many retail leaders are asking the same question: Are we heading toward a slowdown, and if so, are we ready for it?

To uncover where the industry is truly gaining ground during this time of uncertainty, Dover Fueling Solutions® (DFS) partnered with NACS to survey business leaders about what’s fueling their growth, what’s holding them back, and which technology investments are generating the strongest returns.

Here are some of the top takeaways from DFS’ Retail Rewired: 2026 Fuel & Convenience Trends Report to help retailers stay resilient, competitive, and ready for what’s next.

Data Is Retailers’ Number One Cost-Cutting Tool

Nearly half of retail leaders (48%) rank high operating costs as a top business challenge. To address these high costs, retailers are harnessing their data. 62% of leaders say using their data to cut waste or shrink was most effective for cost reduction in the past year. This strategy is even more prevalent among retailers operating more than 10 locations, with 72% confirming they used data to decrease costs.

As DFS’ Kendra Keller explains: “There is so much value in data-driven insights. More and more, we’re seeing fuel retailers unlock that value with advanced software.”

Improved Customer Experiences Are Growing Profits

Retailers are successfully increasing gross profits with three primary tactics: expanding their food offerings, enhancing their sites and facilities, and adopting tech-enabled loyalty and promotion solutions. These types of investments are what create more convenient, personalized, and elevated customer experiences that drive loyalty over time and help fuel retailers stand out from the competition. In past research, DFS found that 50% of consumers would switch gas stations if a competitor offered a better experience.

“Foodservice has been a long-evolving offer in the convenience channel,” commented NACS’ Jayme Gough. “The industry has made a seismic shift from the original legacy model, with many retailers running advanced foodservice offers and/or made-to-order kitchens.”

“I’d remind leaders who are making these upgrades: long-term loyalty isn’t built with one-time promotions, but through consistent, connected service across every touchpoint,” said DFS’ John Morris. “This requires the right technologies to be in place and working well together, from the dispenser to in-store checkout.”

These Site Upgrades Are Coming Soon to a Competitor Near You

Over the next two years, fuel and convenience retail leaders have their eyes on three main technology upgrades: their loyalty and rewards offering (47%), their food service equipment (43%), and their promotion and advertising technology (36%).

Why? Convincing those fueling customers to take a few extra steps inside.

“We’re seeing a shift in retailers thinking about the forecourt as the place where customer engagement and an omnichannel marketing strategy begins,” said DFS’ Scott Negley. “The most successful retailers right now are those who view every fueling moment as an opportunity to influence the next purchase and create an experience that continues inside the store.”

Today’s Insights Will Shape Tomorrow’s Competitive Advantage

Across North America, fuel and convenience retailers are rethinking what it means to compete and grow in a changing and uncertain market. The findings from this research map out a playbook for progress: use data to cut costs, invest in technology that enhances the customer experience, and modernize the systems that drive operational efficiency.

For more competitive insight, explore the full report at: https://info.doverfs.com/Retail-Rewired-2026-Fuel-and-Convenience-Trends-Report-NACS.html

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Retail Rewired: 2026 Fuel & Convenience Trends Report?

Retail Rewired: 2026 Fuel & Convenience Trends Report is a research report from Dover Fueling Solutions in partnership with NACS exploring how fuel and convenience retailers in North America are successfully driving growth and cutting costs amid economic, technological, and competitive pressures.

How are fuel and convenience retailers improving their gross profits?

DFS and NACS found that retailers are successfully increasing gross profits with three primary tactics: expanding their food offerings (60%), enhancing their sites and facilities (47%), and adopting tech-enabled loyalty and promotion solutions (36%).

What technology investments are retailers prioritizing over the next two years?

According to DFS and NACS research, the top equipment and technology upgrades fuel retailers plan to make within the next two years include their loyalty and rewards offering (47%), food service equipment (43%), and promotion/advertising technology (36%).

How can I access the full research report?

Visit https://info.doverfs.com/Retail-Rewired-2026-Fuel-and-Convenience-Trends-Report-NACS.html to download the complete DFS Retail Rewired report.