Whangarei Countdown foursome reach 100-year milestone

The Whangarei Countdown staff members who have between them worked almost 100 years at the store, from left: Monte Hopkins, Sue Wakelin, Martha Matthews and Denise Patricia Bliss. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Four locals are heading into their combined 100th year working for Countdown Whangarei.

Starting back in the age of using a foot pedal to control the food conveyor belt, the four team members - Susan Wakelin, Denise Patricia Bliss, Monte Hopkins and Martha Matthews - have seen the once 'Big Fresh' supermarket transformed into a Countdown store with new technologies and systems.

Big Fresh stores vanished from the supermarket scene in the early 2000s when Progressive Enterprises rebranded. Big Fresh Whangarei became a Countdown store in June 2003.

"We are all one big family and are always looking out for each other," Ms Hopkins said.

"I have customers who I first met in the 1990s who used to come in with their kids, now their young kids come in with their own families and remember me. It's amazing to see the generations of loyal customers coming through our doors and getting recognised when I am out and about in the community."

Ms Hopkins said there have been major changes over the years.

"Online shopping was launched in Whangarei about three years ago and has made a massive difference especially to older people and parents with young children," she said.

"We now have a dedicated online team and online shopping pickers who have learnt exactly what each customer usually orders and what day/time they want it delivered.

"Looking back to when we first started nearly 25 years ago we would have laughed at the thought of online shopping, but it is so convenient for older people who cannot drive or families with young children. The customers love it!"

Ms Hopkins said another big change was the Free Fruit for Kids programme which she said was the best thing ever.

"Children look forward to coming to the store and we hear them say 'ohhh can we get our fruit!?'. It has been a win-win. Children are now occupied with a healthy snack while the parents can do the shopping without the stress of screaming hungry kids."

Changes in systems have also been significant.

"When we first started we had to use a foot pedal to control the food conveyor belt, which is now all electronic. We also had to remember the codes to each fruit item, compared to now where you simply have to click on the fruit picture - it's so simple!

"More than 20 years on and I still remember all the codes to the most popular produce like bananas."

Another major change has been how customers pay.

"We used to deal with 80 per cent cash and 20 per cent cards, that has now been flipped and customers predominantly use cards."

But one thing has always remained the same - the people, not just in the team but also the customers.

"We have helped each other through family tragedies and also seen each other's kids grow and some become grandparents. We are always there to help each other no matter what."

With so many years of experience between them Ms Hopkins said there were many memories.

"I'll never forget a couple of older ladies who used to come in every Friday between 10am and 11am. Every time they would come and say hello and I'd ask how they were. We would always have a good chat and laugh," Ms Hopkins said.

"One Friday they didn't come in and I found out one of their husbands had passed away. It was terribly sad, and just shows one example of how close we do get with our customers and through routine always know when something has happened. As I said, we really are one big family.

"It all comes down to the people and our customers. We are given many opportunities to change stores but we all love it here so much that none of us ever do."