ADI Advocates for Digital LED Strategies to Boost Forecourt Revenue
Digital display specialist ADI has highlighted the potential for forecourt operators to enhance footfall and retail revenue through the implementation of a comprehensive digital LED strategy across their sites. With over 8,000 forecourt locations in the UK and non-fuel shop sales reaching billions, the forecourt sector is rapidly transforming into a hybrid retail environment that prioritises convenience, food-to-go, and extended customer dwell times.
Mark Burke, Client Engagement Manager at ADI, emphasised the importance of digital LED technology for forecourt operators aiming to adapt to evolving consumer behaviours. “Forecourts today are no longer simply places to refuel,” Burke stated. “They are increasingly dynamic retail destinations where drivers stop for coffee, food, parcels or EV charging. Digital LED allows operators to communicate with customers in real time and influence purchasing decisions in a way that traditional signage simply can’t.”
With more than 20 years of experience in delivering digital display installations across various sectors, ADI has established a reputation for innovation and reliability. The company made history with the UK’s first LED installation in a shopping centre at the Trafford Centre in 1999 and installed a stadium screen at Aston Villa in 1997. Burke believes that this expertise can assist forecourts in adapting to significant industry changes, including evolving EV charging behaviours and new fuel price transparency laws set to take effect this year.
“Digital signage could be the difference between a driver passing by or turning into your forecourt,” he remarked. “That roadside presence is crucial. Once customers are on-site, digital screens help maximise revenue by highlighting promotions, guiding the customer journey and ultimately increasing their spend per visit.”
ADI offers a complete digital ecosystem tailored for the forecourt environment, featuring everything from roadside price totems to in-store displays. The company also educates clients on effectively managing their digital assets, allowing them to control their own content through ADI’s content management system.
Utilising ADI’s expertise, digital price totems can provide real-time fuel pricing, EV charging information, and promotional messaging in high-brightness LED formats that surpass the visibility of traditional boards. Research indicates that two-thirds of people find digital displays attention-grabbing, while digital window displays can boost footfall by as much as 40%. Displays at pumps and EV chargers create valuable engagement moments as drivers refuel or charge their vehicles. With 69% of purchases now unplanned, these screens can effectively promote coffee deals, meal offers, or loyalty promotions at opportune moments.
Exterior wayfinding displays assist customers in navigating the site while promoting services such as food-to-go, parcel collection, or retail offers. Studies show that digital displays can extend customer browsing time by up to 30%, thereby increasing the likelihood of additional purchases. Inside the store, digital ribbon displays and kiosks aid retailers in managing pricing, promoting products, and enhancing customer experience. Screens in queue areas can reduce perceived waiting times by up to 35%, while promoted items may see sales increases of up to one-third.
Through its partnership with digital display manufacturer Kuori, ADI is able to deliver a comprehensive signage package that integrates large-format LED installations with smaller digital assets. Ethan Grice, Sales Manager at Kuori, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Together, we’re able to offer a truly integrated digital signage proposition, combining ADI’s technical excellence with Kuori’s innovative display assets to help operators unlock greater value from their sites. We’re excited to be on the stand together, engaging with the market and demonstrating how this partnership can support the next generation of forecourt retail.”
Burke added, “Being an LED manufacturer means we truly understand the technology behind large format LED displays and signage. Our partnership with Kuori allows us to complement that with other types of digital assets such as totem screens, creating a consistent and effective signage strategy across the entire site.”
Beyond installation, ADI provides a full consultancy and service model, supporting forecourt operators from initial concept and site surveys to installation, maintenance, and repair. “ADI is a one-stop shop,” Burke explained. “From groundworks for large outdoor displays to installing screens inside the retail kiosk, we take full responsibility for the project and ensure the solution is always operating at its best.”
The company will showcase its digital forecourt solutions at the upcoming Forecourt Show, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 13th to 15th April, where it aims to connect with operators seeking to future-proof their roadside retail environments. “We’re seeing huge appetite for digital transformation in this sector,” Burke concluded. “Forecourts are evolving rapidly, and digital LED has a critical role to play in helping operators attract customers, increase revenue and deliver the next generation of roadside retail.”
