New DFS and NACS Research report looks at industry uncertainty
The report points to a series of incremental changes retailers are making to remain competitive.
Fuel and convenience retailers across North America are leaning heavily on data, technology and upgraded customer experiences to stay afloat amid economic pressures, according to a new industry report from Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS) and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).
The Retail Rewired: 2026 Fuel & Convenience Trends Report, based on a survey of 73 retail leaders in the U.S. and Canada, suggests that operators are navigating a mix of rising costs, softening fuel demand and increasingly demanding consumers. Rather than large-scale transformation, the report points to a series of incremental changes retailers are making to remain competitive.
One clear message is that cost control has become central to survival. Almost two-thirds of surveyed retailers (62%) said that using data to cut waste was their most effective cost-reduction tactic over the past year. Preventative maintenance and operational streamlining also emerged as common responses to inflation and high operating expenses.
The report highlights how profit growth is now closely linked to experience-led investments. Expanding foodservice (60%), upgrading facilities (47%) and deploying tech-enabled loyalty and promotions (36%) were cited as the most successful ways to boost in-store margins. The trend reflects a wider shift in the sector: fuel-only visits no longer pay the bills.
Technology upgrades also reshaping day-to-day operations. More than a quarter of retailers plan to replace their point-of-sale systems, largely driven by the need for simpler, more intuitive tools for frontline staff in an industry where annual turnover routinely exceeds 100%.
NACS researcher Jayme Gough said the findings reveal a sector “focused on controlling expenses where they can, using data to optimize operations, and making smart investments in loyalty, foodservice or easier-to-use POS systems.”
The report lands at a time when retailers are also weighing new revenue opportunities, from digital media networks to EV charging, though uptake remains uneven. While retailers broadly agree that electric vehicle charging will matter in the long term, uncertainty around return on investment continues to slow deployment.
