Many of the major grocery multiples have already adopted pay@pump on their forecourts, but for smaller, dealer sites it seems this technology would need very careful consideration. However Andrew Banks, head of petrol and unattended at Verifone, reckons the payment solution can work almost anywhere: "Some forecourts might want to try one pay@pump first as a fast lane or a queue buster to give their customers a choice at very busy times of day like 5pm or 7.30am," he says.

Gone are the days when petrol pumps were simply about dispensing fuel. The technology fitted to dispensers has moved on considerably in the past decade, with manufacturers continuing to bring new technology to the UK market.

The hot topic in the pumps sector this year looks set to be Stage II Vapour Recovery(VR) - and the deadline is approaching fast.

With all the talk about profits that can be made from the shop side of the business, it could be easy for the forecourt retailer to lose sight of the one thing that sets his operation apart from all the convenience stores in his vicinity. And that of course is the fuel, and the reason why most of his customers set foot on his site in the first place. And that fuel is no good to anyone without the pumps that dispense it. But just how much attention do you pay to your pumps? Are you certain that they are all working properly and that they are not coughing and spluttering and splattering your customers in fuel? And, more importantly, not over-dispensing and giving away your precious profits?

Pumps are the backbone of the forecourt business and advances in technology mean that a retailer's options are ever-increasing. The advent of Chip & PIN-enabled outdoor payment terminals means that unmanned or day/night operations and fast-fuel lanes are now secure possibilities. New fuels such as bio-diesel and LPG offer further choices. And imminent government legislation on Stage II Vapour Recovery is also set to have an impact on the decisions retailers make when installing new equipment.

Pumps are at the heart of the forecourt business and the choice of pump is crucial if business is to prosper. Inevitably, as technology improves, pumps become ever-more sophisticated – consumers are already getting used to seeing screens and hearing audio instructions as they fill up as well as using pay-at-pump facilities.

As site numbers continue to dwindle and more oil company sites move to the independent network, the pumps market will see a flurry of investment from forecourt retailers, according to pump supplier Dresser Wayne UK.