Manawatu’s top checkout operators recognised

Media release

10 June 2015

Manawatu’s top checkout operators recognised

Last night, more than 80 checkout operators from Manawatu New World, PAK’nSAVE and Write Price stores tested their skills onstage at the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North in the hopes of taking out the title of Foodstuffs North Island Checker of the Year.

The checkers were judged by a team of eight senior Foodstuffs staff on their speed, presentation, customer service and accuracy as they scanned 30 items as fast as possible, while also staying friendly and composed.

The top three checkers were Ashley Hurunui from New World Levin, Toni Oakly from PAK’nSAVE Masterton and Megan McKenzie from New World Levin.

“Our Checker of the Year competition has being going for over 40 years, and is a fun night for checkers to demonstrate their fantastic customer service skills and engage in a bit of friendly competition with other stores,” says event organiser Kristie McGregor.

“Checker of the Year is a great way to recognise and reward our checkers for the value they add to the customer experience.”

New World Levin has been entering the Checker of the Year competitions for over ten years, with checkout manager Deborah Feary saying there’s a buzz in the store around event time.

“Our competing checkers will do a couple nights of training at the till to hone their skills, but the main thing is that it’s a fun event for both competitors and supporters from all departments of the supermarket to look forward to.”

The competitors’ colleagues wore costumes in the “Kiwiana” theme of the night and cheered them on with banners, chants and store mascots.

The top twelve checkers each received a $50 gift card, with the top three finalists winning extra prizes. There were also prizes for the best decorated banner, best support team and the best team of checkers overall.

There are 10 regional Checker of the Year competitions across the North Island throughout June and July, with mystery shoppers testing each region’s winner to determine one overall North Island Checker of the Year winner and two runners-up, which will be announced at the Foodstuffs North Island Excellence Awards on 14 November.

ENDS

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