BP convenience stores are upping their game, bringing some serious convenience to South Africans. According to Nokwanda Khumalo, GM: Mobility & Convenience at bpSA, BP shops will now offer ready-to-eat meals around the clock.
Khumalo was speaking at the opening of one of BP Express’s newly revamped stores in Silverlakes on 1 August 2024. After launching its popular Swipe Swipe campaign, the BP team took the show on the road, where it delved into details around why its new offerings were a real game-changer.
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Late night munchies
Too many food outlets go offline around 10 or 11pm, leaving those who often find themselves hungry late at night, with grumbling stomachs.
But BP has said that it is stepping up and stepping in with hearty soups, ready-made salads, heat-and-eat pasta dishes, and even whole cakes from Chateau Gateaux, available for purchase at any hour at its convenience stores.
There is even added changes to its WildBean coffee offering.
Recently, Wild Bean Café has upgraded its coffee to deliver a creamier and more pronounced flavour, enhancing the rich coffee notes. The coffee is crafted from 100% Arabica beans, sourced from Africa and South America, and blended and gently roasted to Wild Bean Café’s exclusive recipe.
This upgrade represents a significant innovation for the rebranded Wild Bean Café, which launched new sites at bp Monte and bp Radiokop in 2023, with additional locations opening at bp Bara and bp Silverlakes this year.
With over 15,000 cups of coffee sold daily, Wild Bean’s coffee is available 24 hours a day.
Khumalo says this move is just one part of BP’s big plan to keep up with what customers want. “Our investment in new convenience offerings, in the year BP SA celebrates 100 years of doing business in South Africa, shows our focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and local relevance,” she explains. “The forecourt has become an essential, thriving retail experience. Our research shows that customers value instant and personalized rewards, great customer service, and quality ‘Food For Now’ that’s just as good as what you’d find in supermarkets.”
Swipe swipe
On top of the new food options, BP is rolling out its own loyalty program, allowing its customers to earn points on both their PnP smartshoppers as well as the new programme. This is why it is known by its ‘swipe swipe’ name, referring to customers having to swipe two cards.
Khumalo explained that customers will need to scan a QR code to join and start racking up points. “By swiping both your Smart Shopper and BP Rewards cards, you can earn up to 30 cents back per liter on fuel and get 1% cashback when shopping at BP Express,” she said.
Battery rental service
Khumalo also announced a new battery rental service, called bPOWERd, to help during loadshedding. “We know how tough power outages can be, so we’re piloting a battery rental service at a few forecourts,” she says. These low-carbon batteries provide 4-6 hours of power and can be rented on a pay-as-you-go basis. Whether you need to keep your phone, laptop, lights, TV, or a small fridge running, BP’s got a solution. Currently, this service is available at BP Kyalami, BP Ebony Park in Tembisa, and BP Empire in Parktown, Johannesburg, with plans to expand to more locations in October.
Jenny Heyes, Marketing Director for Castrol Africa, added that Castrol’s premium car oils are now conveniently available at BP forecourts across the country. “We’ve put a lot of thought into these new offerings and believe they’ll make a real difference in South Africa’s competitive forecourt convenience market,” concludes Khumalo.
