Point-of-sale (POS) systems at fuel and convenience stores are pivotal in delivering swift, seamless, and secure transactions. As consumer expectations evolve and retail operations become more complex, modern POS solutions integrate advanced technologies to streamline sales, inventory management, and customer engagement. The year 2025 marks a transformative phase for fuel and convenience store POS, with innovations such as cloud computing, AI-powered analytics, and contactless payments redefining the industry landscape.

According to Straits Research, the global fuel and convenience store POS segment was valued at USD 550.50 million in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 4,438.06 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 26.10% during the forecast period (2023-2031). This substantial growth reflects increased digital adoption, demand for operational efficiency, and shifting consumer payment behaviors accelerated by pandemic-driven contactless trends.

Technological Innovations and Trends Driving the Industry

Cloud-Based POS Systems

Cloud POS platforms offer scalability, remote management, and real-time data access, making them ideal for multi-location convenience store chains and fuel retailers. Cloud systems reduce upfront hardware costs and enable seamless software updates, ensuring stores remain compliant with evolving payment security standards. U.S. initiatives like the FCC's Broadband Equity and Access programs support cloud adoption by expanding connectivity to retail outlets, accelerating POS modernization.

AI-Powered Inventory and Sales Analytics

Artificial intelligence enhances POS functionalities by forecasting inventory needs and analyzing consumer purchasing behaviors. AI tools minimize stockouts and waste by predicting demand patterns, enabling automated reordering. For example, Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority reported a 65% surge in mobile wallet usage, driving POS systems to align inventory dynamically with real-time sales data.

Contactless and Mobile Payment Integration

Consumer preferences for contactless payments continue to rise sharply. Modern POS terminals support NFC (Near Field Communication), QR code scanning, and biometric authentication, allowing fuel and convenience stores to cater to over 78% of contactless card transactions, as noted by the Federal Reserve’s 2023 Payment Study. Mobile wallets, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, enhance checkout speed and safety, essential to modern retail experiences.

Self-Checkout Kiosks

Self-checkout kiosks equipped with AI-driven item recognition and mobile payment capabilities are making inroads into convenience stores, reducing queue times and labor costs. Unlike larger supermarkets, these kiosks occupy minimal space, fitting well within compact store layouts. Companies such as Mashgin drive adoption of AI-enabled self-checkout initiatives amongst major convenience operators.

Omnichannel Integration and Customer Engagement

Fuel and convenience store POS increasingly feature integration with loyalty programs, gift cards, promotions, and e-commerce platforms. This omnichannel approach helps retailers build stronger consumer relationships, boost repeat purchases, and enhance personalized marketing. Real-time data synchronization between online and offline platforms elevates operational visibility.

Key Players and Regional Insights

Verifone Systems, Inc. (USA)

Verifone remains a leader in providing secure, scalable POS hardware and software solutions tailored for fuel and convenience retail. Their cloud-based offerings emphasize payment flexibility and extensive third-party integrations, serving global retail clientele.

NCR Corporation (USA)

NCR offers comprehensive POS solutions with advanced analytics and inventory management, optimized for multi-site convenience store chains. Their robust support ecosystems ensure minimal downtime and faster issue resolution.

PDI Software (USA)

PDI delivers specialized fuel and convenience store POS systems featuring extensive fuel management, loyalty integration, and flexible payment processing. Their cloud-native solutions cater to complex retail environments supporting both fuel and non-fuel sales.

Ingenico Group (France)

Ingenico provides advanced payment terminals with multi-payment capability, responding to growing contactless and mobile payment demands across European and Asian convenience retail markets.

East Asian Players

Firms like Sunmi Technology (China), PAX Technology, and Newland Payment offer innovative, cost-effective POS terminals combining mobile connectivity and AI features, catering especially to Asia Pacific markets experiencing rapid digital commerce growth.

Regional Growth Drivers

  • North America leads with high technology adoption, large retail chains, and government-backed digital infrastructure enhancing cloud POS penetration.

  • Europe emphasizes payment security compliance, environmental regulations promoting eco-friendly hardware, and integration with smart mobility solutions in urban convenience stores.

  • Asia-Pacific experiences rapid expansion driven by increasing smartphone penetration, mobile payments adoption, and burgeoning convenience store networks.

  • Latin America and Middle East show accelerating digital transformation efforts, supported by growing e-commerce markets and modernization of retail networks.

Recent News and Strategic Moves

  • Verifone announced enhancements to its cloud POS platform in early 2025, introducing AI-driven demand forecasting for fast-moving consumer goods in fuel retail.

  • NCR expanded its partnership with major U.S. convenience store chains to deploy AI-powered inventory management and self-checkout solutions.

  • Mashgin secured contracts to roll out AI-based self-checkout kiosks across multiple global convenience store brands.

  • Ingenico launched next-gen multi-functional POS terminals supporting biometric payments and advanced merchant analytics in Europe and Asia.

  • Measures to bolster cybersecurity and fraud prevention in POS systems intensified worldwide, with vendors aligning to PCI DSS version 4.0 standards.

  • Convenience store operators invest in integrated loyalty and digital wallet programs interconnected with POS systems to enhance customer engagement.

Conclusion

The fuel and convenience store POS segment is rapidly evolving, integrating cutting-edge technologies to redefine retail operations and customer experiences. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and contactless payments are central to modernizing POS functionalities. As global retail landscapes embrace digitization and omnichannel strategies, advanced POS solutions empower fuel and convenience stores to increase operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in a fast-paced, competitive environment.