Waikato's top supermarket checkers

The Waikato's top three Foodstuffs checkers were (from left) Rebecca Brosnan from New World Matamata, Megan Hay from New World Hillcrest, and Hannah Parsons from PAK'nSAVE

This week, 78 checkout operators from New World and Pak'nSave stores across the region went till-to-till in Foodstuffs North Island's 70th annual Checker of the Year competition.

The Waikato region's top three checkers were Rebecca Brosnan from New World Matamata in first place, Megan Hay from New World Hillcrest in second place, and Hannah Parsons from Pak'nSave Mill Street in third.

The checkers competed on stage against one another while being judged by a team of eight senior Foodstuffs staff. Checkers were assessed on their speed, presentation, customer service and accuracy as they scanned 30 items as quickly as possible, while also staying friendly and composed.

Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin said this competition celebrates the skills of those who are at the front-line of the public's experience of their local supermarkets.

"Our checkout operators are the face of our business, and this event is an opportunity to shine the spotlight on them and show our sincere appreciation for the contribution they make every day to our success in meeting customer expectations."

When it began in 1948, it was known as the 'Listing and Adding' competition, and was a maths-based challenge requiring checkers to add the prices of items manually.

The winner received an HP Sprocket Printer, while the second placegetter won a bluetooth speaker and the third placegetter won an Omen headset.
Rebecca will go on to compete against the winners of the nine other regional heats.