Worldpay-as-a-key-partner" class="text-3xl text-deepblue">Asda implements next-generation payments architecture across their UK forecourts with Worldpay as a key partner
With 320 petrol forecourts,
Asda operates one of the largest fuel retail networks across the United Kingdom, processing more than one million transactions each week. Alongside competitively priced fuel, many sites also offer additional services, including convenience retail, car wash and jet wash facilities.
Transforming payments at scale
As part of its separation from Walmart, Asda undertook a strategic review of its fuel payments infrastructure. The objective was to modernize their payments ecosystem to improve resilience, enhance the customer experience and support future innovation.
“In conjunction with our broader transformation program, we took the opportunity to redesign our fuel payments architecture,” explains Head of Petrol Trading and Operations at Asda, Dave Tyrer. “We wanted a solution that could operate reliably at scale, while enabling fast and dependable mobile contactless payments – an increasingly important part of the customer proposition. The solution also needed to integrate cleanly with our existing technology partners, plus give us the flexibility to evolve over time.”
Clear operational priorities
Asda identified several critical requirements for the new platform, including the following:
- High levels of uptime across both outdoor payment terminals (OPTs) and in-store point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Secure, point-to-point encrypted transactions
- Fast and consistent transaction processing
- Reliable settlement and reconciliation into SAP
- Improved reporting and visibility, particularly around pre-authorizations
- Compatibility with existing OPT and POS partners, along with flexibility for future payment types
- Support for fast and reliable mobile contactless payments across both outdoor and in-store environments
Given the intricacy and scale involved in the project, the solution also needed to support a high volume of transactions while maintaining consistent performance.
As Dave notes, “In order to provide an exceptional customer experience, having maximum uptime was our number one priority, and we also needed a reliable settlement process.”
Partnering for delivery
Following a structured selection process, Asda appointed Worldpay as a key partner within their payments ecosystem.
“Worldpay brought strong acquiring capabilities and a good understanding of forecourt environments, including alignment with IFSF standards,” explains Dave. “They worked effectively alongside our wider partner network to support delivery of the program.”
The International Forecourt Standards Forum (
IFSF) is a global community developing technology standards that simplify, connect and futureproof the fuel and convenience retail industry ecosystem via digital transformation.
Effective implementation across a complex environment
Implementation was delivered over an eight-month period, including pilot phases and full estate deployments. Initial pilots began in mid-2024, followed by a phased rollout across standard sites, and later expansion to include more complex hybrid locations.
“This program required extremely close coordination across multiple partners and internal teams,” Dave adds. “It was a significant delivery effort, but one that was executed in a controlled and structured way.”
Delivering measurable improvements
As a result of their new fuel payments platform powered by Worldpay, Asda enjoys a number of operational and customer benefits:
- Faster transaction processing, with reduced authorization times
- Strong uptime performance across the business
- Improved settlement reliability and more consistent reconciliation
- Enhanced data visibility to support performance management
- Significant adoption of mobile contactless payments, helping support a faster and more convenient customer experience
Additionally, the upgraded infrastructure provides a foundation for future enhancements, including expanded payment options and integration with loyalty programs.
A platform for future growth
“With our new Worldpay-based payments platform in place, we now have a much stronger foundation for the future. We’ve improved our resilience and performance today, while also giving ourselves the flexibility to continue evolving our payments capabilities in line with changing customer needs,” Dave concludes.
At a glance
Objective
Partner with a payments leader that would provide maximum uptime, point-to-point encryption and robust contactless and mobile contactless payments – along with fast, consistent transaction speeds.
