Countdown shoppers to learn Te Reo while they shop

Countdown shoppers to learn Te Reo while they shop

4 July 2011:

Countdown customers will ‘shop smarter’ this week as the retailer encourages their customers to learn a little bit about the Māori language as part of Māori Language Week 2011.

Managing Director of Countdown Supermarkets, Dave Chambers, said the retailer was proud to celebrate Māori Language Week and the use of Te Reo for the second year in a row.

“We are delighted to support Māori Language Week and to be celebrating the theme of manaakitanga with New Zealand,” Mr Chambers said.

“Nau mai ki Countdown or Welcome to Countdown will be the first message our customers will see when they walk into our stores over the next week.

“With 159 stores nationwide and more than 18,000 employees, we play host to Kiwi shoppers every day. We believe our part in manaakitanga is to help our customers show hospitality to their friends, family and colleagues. One of the ways we know they do this is through serving up delicious food when they gather together and this is where our stores and our team come in.

“Whether our customers are reading our mailer, watching our ads or shopping in our store, they will have the opportunity to improve their knowledge and understanding of this unique and beautiful language.

“We have translated 20 different food categories and provided our customers with some unique phrases to learn. Countdown’s presenters and resident smart shoppers, Richard Till and Jacquie Hudson, will also provide translations and tips for viewers in their daily national TV segments.

“In addition, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori phrase books, based on the Māori Language Week theme ‘Manaakitanga’, are available for free at all Countdown, Foodtown & Woolworths supermarkets across the country,” Mr Chambers said.

Countdown’s support of Māori Language Week follows the launch of its first Te Reo store at Tokoroa on 21 June which features English and Te Reo category signage across eight of the stores departments.

“Through this support we look forward to fostering greater understanding of Te Reo into the future,” Mr Chambers added.

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