Running a successful retail store means finding every opportunity to boost your bottom line. One often overlooked source of steady income? Your tire inflation program. While it might seem like a small addition to your business, a well-managed air pump can deliver consistent retail profit throughout the year.
Think about it from your customers' perspective. When faced with buying a $20 air compressor or paying $2-3 a few times per year for tire inflation, most people choose the convenient option. They'd rather stop at your store and use your air pump than invest in equipment they'll rarely use.
However, the way customers interact with air machines is changing rapidly. Consumer payment habits are shifting, and smart retailers are adapting their tire inflation programs to match. Here are three compelling reasons why adding credit card acceptance to your air pump will future-proof your investment and keep the money flowing.
Coins Are Becoming a Thing of the Past
The writing is on the wall for those round bits of change here in America. The US Mint recently announced it has made its last order of penny blanks and will phase out the penny over the next several years. Most news outlets claim the demise of the one-cent coin is a minor change. However, this could signal a broader trend away from coin-based transactions, as most countries that have phased out a one-cent coin have gone on to phase out additional coins.
If that wasn’t enough, Americans across all age groups are using coins less frequently. According to recent research, people aged 18 to 29 are the least likely to carry coins in their pockets or purses. This demographic shift has serious implications for any business that relies on coin-operated equipment.
Your current coin-only air pump might be turning away potential customers who simply don't have quarters on hand. Every person who walks away because they lack exact change represents lost retail profit. By accepting credit and debit cards, you eliminate this barrier and capture revenue from every customer who needs tire inflation services.
Younger Generations Want Speed and Convenience
Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, represents about 20% of the US population – roughly 69.31 million people. The majority of this massive demographic is already driving, and they have very different payment preferences than older generations.
Gen Z consumers are budget-conscious and, as such, greatly prefer using payment methods that are both fast and pull directly from their current funds. Hence, they tend to use debit cards for most purchases. For them, debit cards offer the closest thing to spending cash without the hassle of handling bills and coins. They appreciate avoiding the interest charges that come with credit card purchases while maintaining the convenience of electronic payments.
Meanwhile, Millennials have their own payment preferences. Over half (65%) of Millennials prefer paying with credit cards, primarily to earn loyalty perks. They leverage credit card rewards to maximize travel benefits and retail discounts, making every purchase work harder for them.
Neither generation wants to dig through their car's cup holders looking for quarters when their tire pressure warning light comes on. More importantly, they might not have coins available even if they're willing to search. By offering credit card acceptance on your air pump, you cater to the payment methods these customers actually use.
Capture Revenue from Today's Primary Drivers
Your retail profit depends on appealing to these demographics both inside and outside your store. When you make it easy for them to use your air pump with their preferred payment methods, you're not just providing a service – you're building customer loyalty and generating additional revenue.
Consider the customer experience: a young driver notices their tire pressure is low, pulls into your parking lot, and discovers they can quickly pay for air using their debit or credit card. This positive interaction makes them more likely to use other services, such as gassing up at the pump and even entering your store for additional purchases, creating multiple revenue opportunities from a single visit.
The Bottom Line: Future-Proof Your Investment
Upgrading your tire inflation program with credit card acceptance isn't just about keeping up with trends, it's about maximizing your return on investment. Every quarter someone doesn't have is money you're not making. Every frustrated customer who drives away represents lost retail profit and potential damage to your store's reputation.
Modern air pump systems with credit card readers often cost more upfront, but they pay for themselves through increased usage and customer satisfaction. You'll capture revenue from customers who would otherwise be unable to use your services. And you'll provide the fast, convenient experience that today's drivers expect.
The shift away from cash and coins isn't slowing down. By future-proofing your tire inflation program now, you ensure this revenue stream continues growing alongside changing consumer preferences. Your air pump can remain a steady source of retail profit for years to come, but only if you make it accessible to the customers who need it.
Don't let outdated payment systems cost you money. Upgrade your tire inflation program with credit card acceptance and start capturing the full potential of this often-overlooked profit center.
TLDR: Adding credit card acceptance to your tire inflation system is an important way to stay relevant with the growing number of Gen Z and Millennial drivers on the road today.
