Bay of Plenty’s top checkout operators

From left: Shannon Smith, Nerissa Thorburn, and Ashley Mather. Supplied photo.

Two local women have come second and third in a competition to find the Bay's best checkout operator.

Checkout operators from New World, PAK'nSAVE and Four Square stores across the Bay of Plenty region took to the tills onstage at Baycourt Theatre on Wednesday night, to compete for the chance to be named Checker of the Year in Foodstuffs North Island's annual competition.

The 95 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 quickly as possible, while also staying friendly and composed.

The top three checkers were Nerissa Thorburn from PAK'nSAVE Whakatane in first place, Ashley Mather from PAK'nSAVE Cameron Road in second place, and Shannon Smith from New World Mt Maunganui in third.

Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says the company has run its Checker of the Year competition for decades, and it is an annual highlight for staff right across the business.

'It's a great opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the contribution our checkout operators make on the front-line of our business every day.

'Our checkers are the face of our business and their customer service skills are crucial to our success in meeting the expectations of our customers. The annual Checker of the Year competition is about acknowledging their skills and creating some friendly rivalry between stores.”

While the competition is taken seriously by the competitors, the event also provides an opportunity for them and their supporters to have some fun.

With a ‘rock star' theme this year, competitors' colleagues, family and friends donned rock star outfits 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 dressed team, best supporting teams and best air guitar solo.

As the winner of the Bay of Plenty region heat, Nerissa Thorburn will go on to compete against the winners of the nine other regional heats held over June-July.

Each regional winner will be mystery shopped three times between August and November to determine the overall North Island Checker of the Year winner and two runners-up, which will be announced at the Foodstuffs North Island Excellence Awards in November.

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2 comments

Well done

Posted on 29-06-2017 19:04 | By lpm67

Well done ladies, especially my beautiful daughter who's also placed third previously. You represent your stores well and demonstrate a high level of professionalism.


golly gosh

Posted on 29-06-2017 19:49 | By old trucker

the bad attitude with one worker,maybe a 2ic) at a super market, near by (BULLYING one of the checkout girls) when i said this was unfair she let rip at me,never seen any thing like it, followed me out to car park and still layed into me,gosh bringing this to her notice she did not like it,anyway it left me shocked at my age,Sunlive Thankyou, 10-4 out. CONGRATULATIONS WOMEN ABOVE well done you deserve this, wish more people like you step up.


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