De-branding gas stations: what happens next? - Mina Gorgyos

Why are gas stations de-branding?

Typically gas stations have long-term contracts in place with major petroleum brands, and there are often good reasons for doing so. These include increased consumer recognition and trust, and sometimes more economical access to fuel.

However, the introduction of the EMV liability shift left both parties considering their options when the gas station is yet to convert its at-pump payments authorisation to EMV. Many brands simply do not want to be liable for at-pump fraud, and this discomfort is only going to grow with fraudsters increasingly targeting these vendors. The result is that many brands are strongly considering terminating the contracts of gas station owners that haven’t installed chip and pin terminals for being in breach of its terms and conditions.

And where they haven’t ended their relationships with gas stations that are yet to implement EMV-enabled at-pump payments altogether, it is becoming increasingly common for brands to charge a monthly non-compliance fee. And in many cases this fee is increasing every month. With the cost of non-compliance escalating, but the industry remaining backlogged by a lack of technicians and months of hardware orders that haven’t been fulfilled, gas stations’ only choice to is pay the fees or consider an alternative future separate from the brand. 

Partnering with a payment provider with expertise in the sector

Gas stations that are de-branding may be thinking about how they accept payments for the first time, as brands often manage the partnerships with payments providers directly. This, coupled with the ongoing dilemma of navigating the at-pump EMV requirements, means that partnering with the right payments provider is going to be key to running a successful business once the de-branding has been completed.

Payments companies that specialise in the petroleum industry can provide support and advice to gas station owners to navigate through a complex landscape. And there are other questions gas stations will need to answer once they have de-branded, most notably (but not limited to) where they will now buy their gas in the future. But again, payments providers with deep experience in the sector can also offer support through their extensive partnerships throughout the industry.

There are payments companies that are experts in merchant services for gas stations that can take a significant amount of stress from the shoulders of owners. Companies such as PCS have ongoing partnerships with other services such as technicians that should reduce much of the worry surrounding de-branding.

Does de-branding mean I don’t have to become EMV compliant?

Although the reason gas stations may be considering de-branding is to avoid the heavy fees brands are charging for not being EMV compliant, this shouldn’t be viewed as an alternative solution to the issue of at-pump fraud liability.

As we have already discussed, fraudsters are increasingly targeting gas stations without EMV-enabled payment terminals at their pumps. So even where gas stations haven’t seen a spike in fraud costs post the liability shift to-date, it is an inevitability that this will happen.

And while it is true that there remain delays in the supply chain for gas stations that are trying to replace their existing terminals to becoming EMV compliant, that isn’t a reason to not take immediate action. Payments specialists within the petroleum industry can provide options to gas stations that are looking for temporary or less costly solutions than full replacement of all their at-pump payment terminals.

Next steps

While de-branding is sure to be a stressful time for gas station owners, it is important to know that there are experts to help them navigate through these unchartered waters. But engaging with the right payments partner is a critical element of running a profitable unbranded gas station.

For gas stations that are in the process of de-branding, or strongly considering de-branding in the near future, there are plenty of options on how to move forward and success stories to emulate. Reaching out to a payments industry leader in the sector is the start of that journey.