BigBrother International’s Watch-it Redefines Forecourt Visibility at UNITI expo 2026
Published on: May 6, 2026
Advertorial
As forecourt retail evolves at pace, visibility alone is no longer enough. In this article, discover how BigBrother International is helping operators turn everyday site activity into actionable insight at UNITI expo 2026, from EV charging challenges to payment models, performance and loss prevention. Read on to see how intelligent analytics are shaping the future of fuel and convenience retail.
From 19–21 May, the fuel and convenience retail industry will gather in Stuttgart, Germany, for UNITI expo, Europe’s leading trade fair for service station and car wash operators. As the industry continues to evolve, this year’s event arrives at a pivotal moment for site operators navigating rapid change across both fuel and non-fuel retail.
BigBrother International will be showcasing its intelligent security platform, Watch-it designed to give retailers far more than traditional surveillance. By combining video, data, and AI-driven analytics, Watch-it transforms everyday site activity into actionable insight, helping operators improve performance, reduce risk and adapt to a fast-changing landscape.
The need for clear, actionable insights has never been greater. The rise of EV charging, increased drive-offs linked to rising fuel prices and a growing emphasis on a shop first format are reshaping the modern forecourt. Visibility alone is no longer enough, retailers need a deeper understanding of what is happening across their sites, and crucially, why.
This is particularly evident in the growing shift between pre- and post-payment models. As drive-offs increase, many operators are reconsidering their approach as they seek to balance loss prevention with customer convenience and in-store conversion. Having clear visibility into site behaviour is critical to making the right strategic choice and to managing whichever model is deployed effectively. Read our latest article about how retailers can design payment models that protect revenue and unlock retail growth.
At UNITI expo, BigBrother International will highlight five key themes that reflect these challenges and demonstrate how intelligent insights can unlock new opportunities.
1. EV Operational Visibility
A major focus will be EV operational visibility. While most systems indicate whether a charger is available, they often fail to reflect real-world conditions. Chargers may appear free, yet be blocked by petrol or diesel vehicles, occupied beyond charging time, or otherwise inaccessible. Watch-it combines video intelligence with IoT data to detect issues such as ‘ICEing’, overstays, and physical obstruction - giving operators a true picture of availability, improving customer experience, and maximising utilisation.
2. Site Functionality
Understanding how sites function in practice is another critical area. Queue formation, for example, is often poorly understood, with traditional data offering only a partial view. By analysing charger status alongside vehicle movement and physical site conditions, Watch-it provides insight into why congestion occurs. This enables operators to optimise layouts, reduce bottlenecks, and make more informed decisions about future site design and expansion.
3. EV Cable Theft
Security remains a growing concern, particularly as rising copper prices drive an increase in EV cable theft. These incidents are often only discovered after significant damage has been done, leading to costly repairs and downtime. Watch-it addresses this through real-time detection of suspicious behaviour, such as individuals interacting with chargers without vehicles present, enabling intervention before damage occurs and helping to protect valuable infrastructure and revenue streams.
4. AI-powered Analytics
Importantly, these capabilities do not require significant new investment in hardware. Watch-it’s AI-powered analytics are designed to work with existing camera infrastructure, unlocking the value of systems already in place. Through features such as metadata search and anomaly detection, operators can gain faster insights without the cost and complexity typically associated with AI adoption.
5. Managing Multiple Locations
Finally, as operators manage growing networks of sites, the need for centralised control becomes increasingly important. Watch-it’s cloud-based platform allows users to monitor, search, and manage multiple locations from a single interface, breaking down data silos and enabling faster, more effective decision-making at scale.
Together, these themes reflect a broader shift within the industry, from reactive management to proactive, insight-led operations. At UNITI expo, BigBrother International will demonstrate how retailers can harness this shift to not only address today’s challenges but also position themselves for the future of forecourt retail.
Visit us in Hall 5, C15 or book a demo slot
