Checkout star
Everyone appreciates a friendly checkout operator and Matamata is lucky to have an abundance of them.
New World Matamata staff member Clarice Rigg is one such checker.
Her dedication to exceptional customer service and swift scanning skills have seen her take out the regional Checker of the Year competition.
Clarice competed against about 150 operators from New World, PaknSave, Gilmours and Four Square at Founders Theatre in Hamil- ton and won a large gift basket and $300 pressie card.
She now goes to the finals in Auckland on November 16 where she has the opportunity to win a laptop, iPhone, printer and $1000 pressie card.
The last time New World staff were recognised at the competition was in 2001 when staff took out the top three spots.
New World checkout manager Lucy Huriwaka who helped Clarice with her preparation, said Clarice did extremely well to keep her cool under such pressure.
A total of 30 items had to be scanned in under 50 seconds. There was one nonscan item and the number needed to be keyed in.
Clarice did all this, while ensuring that the best customer service was given, no items were knocked over and they were separated appropriately.
‘‘I’ve been working at New World for four and a half years so I know the drill,’’ Clarice said.
As part of the process, all finalists will have a mystery shopper go through their check outs in the next two weeks.
Clarice will be judged on her performance and her score will go toward her overall score.