Big changes are coming to the UK fuel market. With the launch of the Fuel Finder scheme in January 2026, fuel retailers will soon be required to report prices and outages in real time or face steep penalties. 

In this video, PDI’s Mark Evans explains what the regulation means, how it compares to regulations in other international markets, and why PDI is uniquely positioned to help UK retailers stay compliant from day one. 

With over a decade of global experience in supporting fuel pricing mandates from Germany to Australia, PDI’s Fuel Pricing platform delivers more than just compliance. It offers real-time visibility, automated reporting, anomaly detection, and the peace of mind that comes from working with a trusted global partner. 

Speak with Mark’s team about PDI Fuel Pricing Solutions and the Fuel Finder scheme implementation today.

Download “2025 Pulse of Convenience Report” 

Convenience stores were the fastest-growing retail channel in the US from 2023 to 2024.

Despite this success, industry challenges remain. Inflation continues to be a concern, along with the potential impact of tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and other macro-economic factors. 

Inside c-stores consumers are increasingly seeking healthier choices and expanded foodservice, and younger generations are prioritizing digital payments over credit cards and cash. 

These challenges make it clear that convenience stores need to continually evolve. The question is, how? 

In our new report, we provide insights on the state of the convenience retail industry to help you understand: 

Key c-store facts

Current consumer trends

Opportunities for growth

Download the report, then connect with PDI experts to learn how to maximize your technology investment. 

Streamline, Scale, Succeed: A Digital Roadmap for Optimizing Your Wholesale Operations

Transform your petroleum wholesale operations with proven strategies used by industry leaders. This best-practices guide reveals how successful wholesalers are leveraging digital solutions to: 

• Overcome key market challenges 

• Streamline their operations and supply chain 

• Drive sustainable growth 

Learn how the right technology ecosystem can help you reduce costs, improve customer relationships, and position your business for long-term success. 

Complete the form to download your free guide. 

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year! Yes, Tax Season is almost here, so let’s dive into some big changes in regard to how you can leverage our ERP product, PDI Enterprise, to file your 1099 forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

Reduce filing time with a new shortcut 

In the past few years, you’ve needed to upgrade to the “Year End Version” of PDI Enterprise in order to file with the IRS. This year, we’ve compiled the year-end changes required for filing into a SQL script that you can run on PDI Enterprise Version 12.1 or greater. This low-impact SQL script can be a great alternative if you’re just trying to complete your tax filings rather than access all the new features of a full Enterprise release. 

To request the SQL script, simply submit a case through PDI Connections. If you’ve already submitted a case through PDI Hosting Services to upgrade to the Enterprise “Year End Version” but are only looking for the 1099 changes, you can change your case request to the SQL script. That step will significantly reduce the amount of post-upgrade testing required for your system. To learn more about this update, check out this announcement. 

Don’t forget about these upcoming deadlines 

One general reminder: If you haven’t upgraded your system to the “Year End Version” or run the SQL script, be sure to do so ASAP. As always, those tax filing deadlines are going to be here sooner than you think. If you’re ahead of the game and ready to begin your e-filing process, note that the IRS Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) production system is slated to go live after its annual upgrade on January 13, 2025. 

You can visit the IRS website for the most up-to-date version of the filing deadlines. And, if you need to file an extension, you can upload Form 8809 through the FIRE system online. 

Check out these additional resources 

If you happen to be the lucky person filing 1099s for the first time and are feeling a bit lost, don’t despair! PDI has a wide variety of resources to help you navigate the process. 

First, make sure you download the Year End Guide from PDI Connections on the Enterprise Solutions Page. This step-by-step guide explains how to generate your 1099 files. You can also access helpful classes through a PDI University All-Access Pass on PDI Connections. 

If you still find yourself looking for help, it’s time to call in the PDI experts—our team of experienced financial consultants can get you through this process. Just be sure to submit a consulting case as soon as possible and we’d be happy to discuss your unique situation. 

In the meantime, here are some useful links for tax season: 

• PDI Connections Year End Announcement: Information on the year end changes to Enterprise 

• IRS E-Filing with FIRE System: Information for electronic filing of 1099s 

• About Form W-9: Instructions on requesting tax information 

• About Form 8809: Instruction on filing for extensions 

• About TIN Matching: Resources for using the TIN Matching service 

• PDI All-Access Pass: Information on PDI University training and resources 

A dream of Spring 

Yes, I realize 2025 has only just begun, and we’re already experiencing some turbulent windfall. Tax processing doesn’t have to be something that adds to your stress levels. I encourage you to reach out to us via PDI Connections if you need any assistance. Good luck preparing for Tax Season! 

Position your business for continued success 

By “Connecting Convenience” across the industry ecosystem, PDI can help you and your business succeed throughout the year. Contact us today to learn how we can help you transform your business. 

Download “Best Practices for Independent Operators”

Want new ways to make your business more profitable?

Download the “Best Practices for Independent Operators” guide to explore the latest convenience retail trends, tools, and insights that will impact your business in 2025 and beyond.

This information-packed guide is specifically designed for independent operators like you! You’ll discover:

1. Emerging c-store trends
2. Insights on identifying the right technology solutions
3. Tips for collaborating with CPG brands

Get the guide, then connect with PDI experts to learn how to maximize your technology investment.

Interested in other convenience reports?

Find more PDI reports here.

You’re looking for compelling ways to engage with customers inside your store, so you’ve decided to get rid of paper shelf tags and go digital.

First of all, smart decision! Second, you need to think about ways to maximize your ROI and make a splash with your customers. In the rapidly evolving retail landscape, Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) can help you unlock significant operational efficiencies while enhancing the customer experience.

Here are five essential tips to get the most value from your ESL implementation.

1. Keep it simple and prioritize essential information

The primary function of your ESL system should be clear, efficient communication with a clean layout that shoppers can process at a glance. While it’s tempting to pack displays with information, less is often more:

• Focus on price, unit pricing, and promotional details
• Include competitor price comparisons (when advantageous)
• Reserve more detailed product information for interactive displays or shelf talkers

2. Strike the right balance between information and promotion

Create a clear distinction between informational and promotional displays:

• Use standard price tags for straightforward price communication
• Strategically deploy enhanced graphical displays for high-margin items or special promotions
• Consider implementing rotating displays that alternate between price information and promotional content

3. Leverage dual-purpose functionality

Modern ESL systems should serve both your customers and your staff effectively. PDI Electronic Shelf Labels integrate directly with Pricebook so you can make real-time inventory and pricing updates across store locations. To manage these updates from a store perspective:

• Use ESLs to streamline inventory counts and reduce manual scanning time
• Train staff to utilize inventory management features during restocking
• Update tags remotely to speed up store resets and product rotations

4. Future-proof your approach with 2D barcode support

With the industry moving toward 2D barcodes by 2027, now is the time to refine your ESL strategy for both traditional and 2D barcodes:

• Use this transition to test customer engagement with 2D codes
• Track customer scan behavior to test and refine your display strategies
• Implement inventory management functionality for staff-specific barcode displays

5. Optimize visibility through smart design

Ensure your ESL displays are easily readable for all customers, including under different lighting conditions:

• Prioritize high-contrast display options (black text on white backgrounds works best)
• Select appropriate type sizes based on viewing distance and shelf height
• Use color strategically—reserve it for highlighting sales or special promotions

Start building your ESL strategy today

Electronic shelf labels are a powerful tool for modernizing your retail operations and staying competitive in today’s dynamic market. By implementing these best practices, you can maximize ROI while improving both operational efficiency and the customer experience.

Want to explore ESLs further or connect with an expert? Visit our PDI Electronic Shelf Labels product page.

If you’re part of the convenience world, you’ve probably heard a lot about Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) lately—for good reason. And, if you’ve been in a c-store recently, there’s a good chance you’ve seen ESLs in action. For retailers, the potential benefits of ESLs are extremely compelling. 

Replacing old paper tags offers a wide variety of advantages that can enhance your operations, improve your margins, and create a better shopping experience for your customers. I had a fun time getting some hands-on experience with PDI Electronic Shelf Labels at the recent NACS Show as part of our “Connected Convenience Store” exhibit. 

The ESL display attracted a lot of attention from attendees. I answered a lot of questions about how ESLs work, but most people wanted to know what kind of ROI was possible. 

The most common benefits that resonated with NACS attendees were the ability to efficiently deploy price updates, product details, and even promotions or images directly to store shelves in real time. These modern labels not only streamline in-store operations but also give your store a sleek, high-tech look—especially with those eye-catching digital v-rails! 

However, what really differentiates PDI ESLs from other vendors isn’t just how they look—it’s how seamlessly they integrate with your existing systems. 

The PDI Enterprise ecosystem advantage 

Unlike standalone solutions from other vendors, PDI Electronic Shelf Labels are fully integrated with PDI Enterprise and Pricebook, making them a natural extension of your back-office infrastructure. This integration allows you to maximize the value of your existing technology investment while reducing operational complexity. For example, you can update prices, product details, and promotions in just minutes—and because the system is synchronized with your POS, everything stays automatically updated and accurate across the board. 

Not only does this level of integration make price changes seamless and efficient, it also enhances your in-store digital media ecosystem. That gives you a fast and easy way to launch targeted pricing and promotions that can elevate the overall shopping experience. This integration also lays the foundation for a future-ready retail media network strategy, positioning your store for long-term success in an increasingly digital world. 

Why PDI ESLs improve efficiency and profitability 

If paper-based pricing updates are eating up too much of your team’s time and resources, PDI ESLs can significantly boost operational efficiency. Automating this labor-intensive process not only frees up your staff to focus on what really matters—customer engagement—but also delivers a quick return on investment. Moreover, the ability to update pricing and promotions instantaneously leads to more accurate pricing, improved margins, and a smoother in-store experience for your customers. 

If you’re looking for new ways to modernize your c-stores while building on technology you already know and rely on, it might be time to explore how PDI ESLs can give your business a competitive edge.

In today’s fast-paced convenience and fuel retail industry, your business is constantly facing changes and new challenges. From shifting consumer behaviors to breakthrough technology and stiffer competition, the effort to maintain your business edge can feel like an uphill battle. 

That’s why “Connecting Convenience” is more than just a tagline for PDI. To us, connecting convenience means providing you with the solutions and tools to boost productivity, make smarter decisions, and engage more effectively with your customers. 

We’re continually investing in innovative solutions and services that streamline core business operations to further increase your profitability—whether you’re running a single location or managing a national retail chain. 

Today, much of the industry recognizes PDI for our Enterprise solution, which has provided a reliable technology foundation for fuel and convenience retailers across the decades. But did you know that we deliver a lot more than ERP software? You can now go well beyond ERP with over 30 different PDI solutions designed to help you secure your business, engage consumers faster, enhance your customer experience, and unlock the full potential of your data. 

More than ERP: A fully integrated retail ecosystem 

If you’re like many convenience retailers who already know and use PDI Enterprise, the good news is that these additional offerings integrate seamlessly with it! 

You not only get the benefits of each solution—you benefit from the collective advantage of working with a single vendor, leveraging systems your IT team already knows, and building on a rock-solid technology foundation. 

The result? Greater efficiency and higher productivity to streamline your operations while opening new growth opportunities for your business. For instance, with PDI Retail Site Management, you can leverage enhanced capabilities like PDI Enterprise Foodservice and Next-Generation Lottery Tracking. 

Or, if you’re thinking about upgrading to Electronic Shelf Labels, PDI offers the only solution that’s fully integrated with both Enterprise and Pricebook. This level of integration creates exciting new ways to expand your in-store digital media, strengthen your loyalty program, and create a good base for your retail media network strategy. 

There’s a PDI solution for each business goal 

No matter the size of your business or your progress on your digital transformation journey, PDI helps convenience retailers succeed in a variety of ways. We’ll help you: 

• Secure your business: Strengthen security for all aspects of your business to protect your key assets and customers. 

• Engage consumers more effectively: Use targeted tools to connect with your customers at every touchpoint on their own terms. 

• Elevate your customer experience: Create seamless, engaging experiences in-store and beyond. 

• Turn insights into action: Unlock the value of your data and analytics to build impactful engagement strategies. 

• Expand your brand: Amplify your brand and solutions to reach new markets and customers. 

• Supplement your team: Leverage PDI professional services expertise to fill gaps and enhance your operations. 

Leveraging PDI’s powerful, integrated solutions as the backbone of your convenience ecosystem, you can feel confident that your business will be ready for whatever comes next. 

Explore Now or Connect with an Expert

Contact our experts to discuss how PDI can help your business far beyond ERP—today and well into the future.

Explore now

Streamlining Fuel Deliveries

Stringer Oil and LP Gas deployed the PDI ERP (legacy Blue Cow Ignite) solution to:

• Modernize its technology foundation
• Consolidate forecasting, ordering, and delivery operations on a single solution
• Increase efficiency and save money it could reinvest in the business

Business Challenges

• Outdated technology that was causing delivery and backtracking issues
• Complex, manual processes that consumed valuable time, resources, and money

Solution Overview – PDI Propane and Commercial Fueling

To help reduce costs, boost your team’s productivity, and elevate your customer service, turn to PDI Propane and Commercial Fueling solutions (heritage Blue Cow Software Ignite products). Our propane and fuel oil enterprise solutions can help you simplify your operations with a single source of truth everyone on your team can rely on.

Read more about PDI Propane and Commercial Fueling

Customer Results

• Simplified processes by automating tasks and minimizing the need for phone calls
• Improved customer service by empowering drivers with easy-to-use tablet-based solutions
• Reduced backtracking by 90%

The last time I was in Australia while visiting customers a couple of months ago, I couldn’t help but notice the increased emphasis local operators put on establishing themselves as more than a place for “gas, smokes, and Cokes,” as we used to refer to retail stations way back when I was studying in the United States.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it back to Australia to attend the very interesting APFI Forum 2024 and see my friend Mark McKenzie. However, my team was able to attend, and they came back reporting the same sentiment about broadening the choices of what c-stores offer.

While fuel is still what brings customers to sites, there’s an increased need to understand consumer behavior to optimize offerings in such a highly competitive business climate. The main goal is to drive traffic from the pump to the store, where the margins are higher. I’ve found that the most effective way to make this evolution is to deploy the right tools for collecting, optimizing, and analyzing data.

Emerging thoughts and responses to industry shifts

Understanding data better helps you identify key trends faster and make sure your business can respond quickly. For example, the proliferation of foodservice offerings combined with petroleum and convenience has created higher expectations from consumers that you will continuously adapt your offerings.

To accomplish that, you must keep up with the latest technology. Here are just a few ways to get ahead of the technology curve in today’s dynamic marketplace:

1. Use loyalty to drive pump-to-store conversion: According to data that PDI has seen across a wide range of customer segments, loyalty members exhibit much more lucrative behavior patterns, with 57% purchasing gas and visiting the store compared to just 33% of non-loyalty members. On top of increased pump-to-store conversion rates, loyalty members also spend on average 30% more than non-loyalty members with each visit.
2. Leverage an intelligent fuel pricing strategy that translates to sustainable margins: Your fuel pricing strategies have the power to make an enormous difference on your bottom line. Finding the fuel pricing sweet spot—that delicate balance between volumes and margins—is tough. Forward-thinking retailers are using artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities in their fuel pricing to set the optimal price. With this advanced technology, they can compare volumes across price points, predict competitor pricing positions, and better utilize site data. The result: achieving volume and margin targets while pricing in a competitive and consumer-oriented manner.
3. Optimize your fuel supply chain to reduce operating costs: Data-backed fuel logistics solutions simplify management of complex deliveries across the entire fuel and petroleum ecosystem. Having real-time visibility into every aspect of your operations helps increase transparency and compliance throughout your organization. Leveraging that transparency and your data can add multiple layers of optimization—helping you deliver the right amount of product, at the right time, at the lowest possible cost.
4. Turn data into income: Chances are, you have enough data from your operations. But after talking to my peers in the region, I’ve observed different levels of maturity in getting the full value out of that data. It all starts by breaking down the data silos in our industry, making data actionable to optimize decision-making that translates directly to the bottom line. Turn your data into insights that generate income!
5. Don’t forget about cybersecurity: With an ever-expanding threat landscape, highly distributed businesses like yours are increasingly at risk. And while there are many security service providers who want to help, it’s always better to have someone at your side who thoroughly understands the intricacies and specific needs of the fuel and convenience industry.

A general theme throughout APFI Forum was the continuing need for focus, health, and resilience. A focused offering with targeted customers is required. Employee health and avoiding burnout is vital to continued success. And resilience is mandatory for surviving in a difficult economic climate.

Looking beyond one’s “fence”

As we navigate the latest convenience store industry trends, it’s important to look beyond regional boundaries and embrace global knowledge exchange—just like a dear friend and customer of mine from Australia did a few weeks ago when visiting the PDI Connections Live event in Washington, DC. By sharing knowledge and resources across regions, we can collectively transform the fuel and convenience industry on a global basis.

Want more industry insights?

To explore additional industry trends and insights, download the latest reports from PDI and GasBuddy.

Position your business for continued success

By “Connecting Convenience” across the industry ecosystem, PDI can help you and your business succeed regardless of what market dynamics you face. Contact us today to learn how we can help you transform your business.

Pre-register for PDI Connections Live 2025

Following an information-packed Connections Live 2024 event, you can now pre-register for Connections Live 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Don’t miss your chance to experience the industry’s premier training and networking event in person.

Pre-register Today