NACS Show Recap: Technology

ATLANTA -- Incorporating mobile payments into fuel sales and marketing solutions that allow convenience store operators to sell more add-on items at the pump was heavily promoted during the NACS Show earlier this month.

On the mobile payment end, three technology vendors teamed with National Payment Card Association (NPCA) to offer payment at the pump via smartphone. VeriFone Inc., Gilbarco Veeder-Root and Acumera Inc. all announced separate deals that will utilize NPCA's automated clearing house solutions.

"With the largest partnership network in the industry, Gilbarco is expanding further to include payment choice," said Travis Bouck, vice president of marketing, North America, for Gilbarco Veeder-Root. "Our agreement with NPCA brings together our intellectual property to provide Gilbarco retailers with reduced transaction fees and greater payment options to increase loyalty and meet the dynamic needs of today’s consumers. It’s a solid win-win."

As for add-on sales at the pump, several technology providers introduced products that allow consumers to purchase a wide variety of food and beverage items at the pump. Lottery is another pay-at-the-pump item now available, where legal.

These solutions all combine gas, food, beverage and lottery items into one transaction, in an effort to limit interchange swipe fees paid by c-store retailers.