11 Aug, 2021 05:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Does your time in the supermarket threaten to derail your healthy eating efforts too? Photo / Getty Images
Does your time in the supermarket threaten to derail your healthy eating efforts too? Photo / Getty Images
Trying to eat well is tough. Rebecca Blithe investigates which supermarket makes it the most difficult to stick to your healthy shopping list. It began with a $1000 bet. My partner and his brotherdecided they needed to slim down this year. In January they shook on a deal whereby whoever fails to lose 10 per cent of their weight by Christmas has to pay the other $1000. (If they both reach their goal, their mother has agreed to pay them both.) For my partner, the transition from swimmer to 36-year-old dad-in-a-desk-job has meant he just can't eat the way he used to (his Weetbix record is 30 in one sitting). These days a beer after mowing the lawns, a block of Whittaker's sitting in the fridge (usually hoovered over a couple of days), a packet of Twisties for the car ride to the beach, seems to all add up. Not big on takeout or drinking, he finds weekly supermarket trips present the greatest challenge. Recently, armed with a grocery list that was all fruit, vegetables, meat and the basics, he came home feeling that his will had been tested like never before. Salivating as he recalled the experience, a visible dichotomy of regret and pride in his resilience, he shared that he was accosted not once but five times by displays of shiny-bagged permutations of extruded cheese. You know the ones: Rashuns, Twisties, Cheezels, or as he likes to refer to them, "little packets of salty cheesy joy". To his credit, he left them on the shelf. But his experience has led me to conduct an unofficial survey of the supermarkets in our area – a Pak'nSave, a New World and one of two Countdowns, to determine which is the most challenging for someone trying to stick to their list of healthy groceries every week. Pak'nSave
At the entrance to this behemoth bargain supermarket, I find a range of items displayed on special. Big bins of seasonal produce - shiny apples and bulbous pumpkins, mottled orange and green - are flanked by shelves of discounted cleaning products, 99 cent cans of baked beans, "Extra Low" priced toilet paper and jumbo bags of rice. A mix of discounted groceries. Heading through the non-return entry, I hit a picked-over display of store-packed cakes and slices. The walls on either side are high and packed with specials, indicated by the giant signs at the tippy top of each stand: pink packets of biscuits are $1.89 each, shouts one sign. Bottles of energy drinks, $1.99, exclaims another. The row continues with bottles of Coke, Sprite, mini-Coke, Just Juice, chips and bags of lollies. A display of tuna cans has squeezed in among the sweet stands and the long row of glistening foil packets and bottles of fizz ends in a large display of Ceres Organics canned goods. If you can make it through here, you're onto the fresh produce. Phew. Pak'nSave signs seem to be the same for all products: an Extra Low banner above the price, printed in yellow on black. You'll find this on sweet treats and seasonal fruit and vegetables alike. But this is not quite the case at the next supermarket I visit. Countdown
If you're looking for "Hot Specials" on L&P, Coke and Sprite, Doritos, chips and chocolate bars, you could stand in the entrance of this supermarket, hold your arms out and spin and you'd gather up the lot. You'd also collect a bag of firewood and a giant bottle of water on your way. And even though you're swiftly into the fresh produce section from there, temptation is all around. Dizzy from your junk food spin, you'll have to stumble around a bin of discount Oreos to get to the fruit and vegetables. Then do your darnedest not to notice the wall of pick-and-mix lollies to the left and a corner fridge of energy and fizzy drinks to the right. Advertisement
Progressing through this supermarket, I note those "Hot Special" signs don't seem to feature on fresh produce, but this store does seem to have the cheapest junk food specials popping up, including $1 bags of Cheezels, Twisties and Rashuns. And a "More than 50 per cent off" sign for 1.5L bottles of L&P. Under another giant "Special" sign, big bottles of juice and packets of coffee sachets are stacked at the end of aisles too. New World
There's a small florist at the door, a made-to-order sushi stand, and a display of microgreens and plants for sale. There's a small bank of shelves by the florist with lollies, Coke, juice, chips and washing powder on special. As I clack through the metal-barred entry I pass a display of avocados, grapes, kiwifruit and mandarins. The fresh produce appears to be just that. And it's not until I weave past the seafood section and into the aisles that the bad food bargains hit again: under big Super Saver and Club Deal signs I find biscuits, chips, coffee, Up&Go breakfast drinks, cereal, chocolate and chips. Tempting. By and large, as does Pak'nSave, this store does well to keep the healthy food to itself. The verdict
As my round-up revealed, the Countdown store in my area presented the most frequent displays of sugary treats and discounted junk food. The runner up: Pak'nSave. While the range of shouting discount items here did extend outside of bad food bargains, the towering displays of cheap-as-chips chips and fizz were hard to ignore. Which leaves us with New World. Perhaps it was the ratio of fresh food and greenery (from the sushi stall and the florist) to the small shelf of junk food that sat politely between it all, but New World certainly felt the most manageable of the supermarkets to get through without succumbing to the jazz hands of junk food shimmering in my periphery. I asked Woolworths (Countdown) and Foodstuffs (New World and Pak'nSave) just how they go about selecting the items that get prime positioning in their stores. A spokesperson for Foodstuffs advised they were not able to comment in the given timeframe, but Countdown has provided some insight. They noted each Countdown stocks between 20,000 and 30,000 products, depending on the size of the store. "At any one time we have a variety of promotions, displays and specials. Promotions are agreed between Countdown and our suppliers, and we work together many months in advance." When it comes to what we see on special and prominently displayed, the spokesperson says, "a variety of factors can impact how and why products are on special or featured in different parts of the store". They list possible reasons as "a supplier's own promotional calendar, clearance, the range of products on promotion, customer trends or the season (e.g. soup is mostly widely promoted in winter)." Advertisement
Meanwhile, it's been eight months and 6kg off since my partner began his weight loss challenge. He attributes his success to his sheer willpower to snub those cheap "little packets of salty cheesy joy". But now I see that switching to a new supermarket - and keeping his eye on the cash prize - should take some credit too. Advertisement

Pak'nSave, Countdown, New World: Which Kiwi supermarket is most difficult for your diet?

Nick Hewer stepped down as Countdown host in December after missing several recordings due to Covid
Anne Robinson is the former host of the Weakest Link (Photo: PA)
Former Weakest Link host Anne Robinson has been announced as the new presenter of Channel 4 quiz show Countdown . Nick Hewer stepped down as the show’s host last year after 10 years at the helm, having been forced to miss a number of recordings in the last few months because of Covid restrictions. i's TV newsletter: what you should watch next
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Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. BBC Radio 5 Live host Colin Murray has been filling in for him since December – garnering favourable reviews from fans of the show. And on Monday, Hewer’s permanent replacement was finally announced by Channel 4 after a long wait. Cryptic announcement
News of the changeover was revealed on Monday on another Channel 4 show, Steph’s Packed Lunch, on Monday afternoon. In typical Countdown style, the identity of the new host was teased on social media with a cryptic clue in the form of one of the show’s famous anagrams. In a tweet on the official Steph’s Packed Lunch page, viewers were invited to work out the answer to the riddle. The #countdown conundrum has been set so now it’s over to you – who do you think is the show’s new host? We’ll reveal the answer on #PackedLunchC4 . Tune in now @Channel4 ! pic.twitter.com/E011yTLqos
“The #countdown conundrum has been set so now it’s over to you,” the tweet read. “Who do you think is the show’s new host? We’ll reveal the answer on #PackedLunchC4. Tune in now @Channel4!”
The countdown conundrum letters were “SRIBNAONENON” and social media users were quick to guess that the new host is former Weakest Link host Robinson. Robinson was later confirmed as the new host and is set to make her debut this afternoon at 2.10pm on Channel 4. She becomes the sixth person to host the famous show after Hewer, Jeff Stelling, Des O’Connor, Des Lynham and Richard Whiteley. Hewer ends 10-year spell
Hewer took over from Sky Sports journalist Jeff Stelling in 2011 before his first episode was broadcast in 2012. He announced his resignation on Twitter in December after “considering his future” during the second nationwide lockdown in September. Posting on Twitter, Hewer said: “Delighted to be back in the Countdown studio after another enforced lockdown, but this latest lockdown has given me an opportunity to consider my future life and I’ve decided it’s a good time to step down at the end of my contract in the New Year. “As someone in his 77th year who will be in his 10th year hosting the great British institution that is Countdown, I think it’s time to smell the flowers and get a dog.”
Hewer described hosting Countdown as a “privilege and a pleasure” and thanked his co-hosts Rachel Riley and Susie Dent. He continued: “Let me thank the broadcasters Channel 4, the truly dedicated and unwaveringly professional studio crew and production staff at ITV Studios who make the programmes, all 250 or so a year, my wonderfully talented co-hosts Susie Dent and Rachel Riley but above all, the quirky genius of producer Damian Eadie, who never ceases to amuse and who always demands the best of us. “And a sincere thanks to our loyal viewers and of course the legions of contestants who battle their brains out for the chance of carrying off the Richard Whiteley Trophy or a priceless teapot.”
He concluded with a message to his successor: “And so, to whoever takes my seat, I wish you every success and hope that you have as much fun and reward as I’ve enjoyed.”

Anne Robinson announced as new Countdown host: Latest as Nick Hewer replaced on Channel 4 show

New Zealand supermarket Countdown has started work on building its first Green Star-rated supermarket in Richmond. The 3450sqm store will open mid next year and is part of the Woolworths Australia-owned group’s plan to cut carbon emissions by 63 per cent by 2030. The sustainable supermarket is being constructed with an international rating system for its design and building operation as well as its fit out. “Green Star is a useful tool that has helped us plan, design and build our Richmond store in a completely different way. It has encouraged us to try new technologies and building practices, and we aim to learn from this and apply these learnings to new builds for Countdown going forward,” Matt Grainger, Countdown acting GM, property, said. The Richmond store will have ‘transcritical’ refrigeration, LED lighting, energy and water metering, a connected energy management system, use solar energy, sustainable procurement and materials and water-conservation measures. Countdown took sustainability into account in the parking area design. “We had a blank canvas to explore how we achieve a Green Star rating and this included reviewing our previous builds against the Green Star scorecard as well as working closely with the Green Building Council on our design. We’re really happy with the overall design and hope the local Richmond community loves it too,” said Grainger. He said Countdown worked with building contractor, Gibbons Naylor, to ensure they lessen the amount of waste sent to the landfill during construction and also the recycling demolition waste. There will be a drive-thru Dan Murphy’s and other retail space on the site. The Green Star scorecard measures the indoor environment quality and sustainable transportation. The supermarket considered the visual and audio comfort for shoppers such as glare, lighting, internal noise levels, etc. It also studied its EV parking and put a bus stop outside for the convenience of those visiting the store without cars. “This will be Aotearoa’s very first Green Star supermarket. Great green buildings use less water, have less carbon pollution, and are often better ventilated and lit, helping to make them healthier, nicer places for New Zealanders. We’re really looking forward to seeing Countdown roll out Green Star across even more of their stores around Aotearoa,” said Andrew Eagles, chief executive, New Zealand Green Building Council. The new Countdown Richmond can provide 120 jobs in the community and it will also have an online Drive Thru for Pick up, a Countdown Pharmacy, a cafe and other retail space for lease. Click to share:

Countdown starts work on New Zealand’s first Green Star-rated supermarket

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New Zealand supermarket Countdown has started work on building its first Green Star-rated supermarket in Richmond. The 3450sqm store will open mid next year and is part of the Woolworths Australia-owned group’s plan to cut carbon emissions by 63 per cent by 2030. The sustainable supermarket is being constructed with an international rating system for its design and building operation as well as its fit out. “Green Star is a useful tool that has helped us plan, design and build our Richmond store in a completely different way. It has encouraged us to try new technologies and building practices, and we aim to learn from this and apply these learnings to new builds for Countdown going forward,” Matt Grainger, Countdown acting GM, property, said. The Richmond store will have ‘transcritical’ refrigeration, LED lighting, energy and water metering, a connected energy management system, use solar energy, sustainable procurement and materials and water-conservation measures. Countdown took sustainability into account in the parking area design. “We had a blank canvas to explore how we achieve a Green Star rating and this included reviewing our previous builds against the Green Star scorecard as well as working closely with the Green Building Council on our design. We’re really happy with the overall design and hope the local Richmond community loves it too,” said Grainger. He said Countdown worked with building contractor, Gibbons Naylor, to ensure they lessen the amount of waste sent to the landfill during construction and also the recycling demolition waste. There will be a drive-thru Dan Murphy’s and other retail space on the site. The Green Star scorecard measures the indoor environment quality and sustainable transportation. The supermarket considered the visual and audio comfort for shoppers such as glare, lighting, internal noise levels, etc. It also studied its EV parking and put a bus stop outside for the convenience of those visiting the store without cars. “This will be Aotearoa’s very first Green Star supermarket. Great green buildings use less water, have less carbon pollution, and are often better ventilated and lit, helping to make them healthier, nicer places for New Zealanders. We’re really looking forward to seeing Countdown roll out Green Star across even more of their stores around Aotearoa,” said Andrew Eagles, chief executive, New Zealand Green Building Council. The new Countdown Richmond can provide 120 jobs in the community and it will also have an online Drive Thru for Pick up, a Countdown Pharmacy, a cafe and other retail space for lease.

Thursday, 26 November, 2020 - 07:22
Countdown is enlisting the services of Santa Claus to help raise $100,000 to support families in need this Christmas. From today, as part of its Merry Moments fundraising drive for The Salvation Army, Countdown is asking Kiwis to take a selfie with its augmented reality Santa and post the merry moment on social media. For every Santa snap shared, Countdown will donate $5 to The Salvation Army to support thousands of families in need of food assistance. Kiri Hannifin, Countdown’s General Manager Corporate Affairs, Safety and Sustainability, says they’re confident of hitting the $100,000 target for the Salvation Army in a year when it’s most needed. "The Salvation Army is expecting to need to help more Kiwis than ever this Christmas as people continue to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19 and increased food insecurity. We believe everyone deserves to celebrate Christmas without hunger, which is why each donation, no matter how big or small, can make a huge difference," says Kiri Hannifin. Alongside Santa’s social media snaps, Countdown is encouraging customers to donate non-perishable goods in specially-marked trolleys in store, donate money at the checkout, or donate money, chilled and fresh foods through The Foodbank Project - New Zealand’s only online foodbank and a collaborative partnership between Countdown and The Salvation Army since 2015. "This year, The Foodbank Project has seen a record number of donations from incredibly generous Kiwis, which means The Salvation Army’s foodbanks have been able to maintain a good stock in the lead up to Christmas," says Kiri Hannifin. "But The Salvation Army is already seeing rising demand for food assistance as we lead into Christmas, and the reserves won’t go far without top ups. Any money raised will also help cover some of the crucial operating costs of running a foodbank, like keeping the lights on and fridges running so their teams can focus on their most critical role of helping make sure Kiwis don’t go hungry at Christmas." Santa’s pal Ronnie the Reindeer has also been brought to life using augmented reality for customers who donate non-perishable items at the donation trolley in store. Once a food donation has been made, customers can scan a QR code to unlock something magical. "We've used AR to bring Santa and Ronnie to life, so no matter where our customers are, anyone can help donate money and food to people in our community who need it most. Thanks to some smart technology, and our dedicated team and generous customers, we’re hoping to make a meaningful impact to our communities this Christmas," says Kiri Hannifin. Countdown is committed to serving the community and donates more than $5 million of food each year to The Salvation Army and other food rescue groups and foodbanks. Santa can be found on the Countdown Supermarkets Facebook and Instagram pages on mobile. On Instagram @countdown_nz, customers will find Santa at the tab with the jolly little face emoji. From a desktop computer, customers can scan a QR code to visit Countdown Santa. For more information, check out www.countdown.co.nz/merrymoments
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'Countdown creates magic to fundraise for Kiwis in need this Xmas'

UnionPay International (UPI) (銀聯国際) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost-effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.

UnionPay International

General Manager of UnionPay , James Yang , says `` UnionPay is pleased to be in partnership with Countdown as it allows us to further enhance our customer services to UnionPay cardholders in South Pacific region , and make it easy for people from China as well as other 48 countries and regions when they 're visiting New Zealand '' .

Countdown first supermarket chain to team up with UnionPay nationwide

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Countdown is a planning tool for creating Common Core-aligned instruction that allows teachers and districts to map standards by day across the school year, link curricular resources, share calendars, manage changes and create a record of what is taught.

Date	6/10/2013
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Amount	$0.02M
Investors	LearnLaunch Accelerator
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First funding	6/10/2013
Last Funding	6/10/2013
Investor	LearnLaunch Accelerator
Rounds	1 Seed
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Type	Incubator/Accelerator
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