Countdown is creating 600 new roles across the country as part of a strategy to have more face-to-face service during peak shopping times.
The supermarket chain said it will invest in creating the new roles to service departments including checkouts, produce, night-fill, deli and seafood, and general store support roles. A further 200 team members will be given extended hours, to boost the number of people on the store floor.
“While technological efficiencies such as self-checkouts and online shopping are welcomed by customers, many Kiwis still want good old-fashioned human interaction at the supermarket” said Brett Ashley, general manager operations, Countdown.
“We’re shopping differently than we used to, with most people shopping with us two to three times a week so the supermarket is really becoming an extended pantry these days. Customers are increasingly recognising our great range and low prices every day, and now we’re improving the in-store experience by increasing our team numbers. It’s about ensuring we tailor the shopping experience to make things easy for the 2.7 million Kiwis who shop with us every week,” he said.
The move is aimed at boosting personalised service in-store by putting more people on the checkouts during peak shopping times and having more people on the store floor to ensure shelves are stocked and provide customers with product advice, from what produce is in season to what wine matches the meal they’re cooking.
The reinvestment will see a raft of changes in store operations across most of Countdown’s 184 stores, including, more team on the floor between 4-7pm, the supermarket’s busiest time; and the introduction of dedicated produce trainers who will travel New Zealand training all in-store produce teams to best advise shoppers on product, seasonality and give advice on how to best store fresh produce.
Countdown is New Zealand’s second largest employer with 6500 team members under 25 and 2700 over 55 years old. The supermarket giant recently employed full-time specialised food and wine experts at its Ponsonby store, with the former chefs and sommeliers on hand to provide culinary advice and tips to customers in store.
