Countdown St James

I recently visited Woolworths St James in Rototuna, Hamilton, NZ, during the evening, and I was really impressed with the quality of the chilled and meat sections. I had a specific list of items I was looking for, and I ended up spending quite a bit of time in these areas, and I’m glad I did!nnThe chilled section was exceptionally well-organized and stocked with a wide variety of fresh products. From dairy items like milk, cheese, and yogurt to fresh deli products, everything was easy to find, and the shelves were neatly arranged. I was particularly impressed by how well-maintained the section was, with everything from fresh salads to frozen meals displayed with great care. The staff was visible in this area, arranging items and making sure everything was in its proper place, but what stood out most was how friendly and helpful they were. Even though they were busy restocking and organizing, they still took the time to greet me and offered to assist when I had questions.nnMoving on to the meat section, I was equally impressed. The variety of cuts and types of meat was excellent, from premium steaks to sausages and fresh poultry. The staff in this section were very knowledgeable and approachable, offering me guidance on some of the best options for the meal I was planning. They were genuinely welcoming and made me feel comfortable asking questions, even as they were actively arranging the fresh meat on the shelves.nnOverall, my visit to Woolworths St James was a pleasant experience. The friendly staff in both the chilled and meat sections made the evening shopping feel personal and enjoyable. I’ll definitely be back for both the quality of products and the excellent customer service.

One of the worst supermarkets I’ve been to in a long time. You’d be forgiven for thinking we were back in Covid times. So many empty shelves, very little fresh food and what was there looked terrible or was packaged together in plastic bags. You’d be fine if you just wanted chips and booze.

I came to Hamilton from Auckland today to get my car serviced. Typically I think this is going to take hours to do. I decided to kill time and go for a walk to tick some things off my list.nnI have separate lists:nn-a monthly checkn-to do this month.nI get paid monthly so have to plan a month ahead.nnI visit your countdown the first time. I went through and checked some things off my list. I use 2 separate transactions so I could draw out the needed cash for the service cash jobnI have eyes on me which is fine as that is part of the role.nnI go outside to tick the things off of my list and find that I haven’t checked the other one and I should go back in to get it all done.nnI go to the entrance and I tie the bag that I’m walking in with in view of the camera. I keep that bag away from me in the store and in the health and beauty area. There were a few things to pick up on that list.nnWhen I go to the checkout the same guy Ravinder is there ok cool that’s fine. I open my bag to put the forgotten things in. He wants to check my bag, also fine.nnThe issue is that he checks it twice and touches the stuff in my bag. This is the part where I feel profiled. Despite him having eyes on me the whole time for all transactions, he wants to check… twice…. Is he looking to have me banned from the store? Why is he doing that despite me having it open for him to look in? I didn’t give him attitude or talk to him directly/rudely but I was just frustrated and annoyed with that behaviour.nnI called the store to make a complaint and he happens to be the supervisor there. I told Ravinder how the situation makes me feel and he literally just kept repeating and talking over me “it’s my job” and he doesn’t give a shit really and was really quite smug.nnI need you to understand that if this man was to ping me for something and load me onto Auror, I WILL lose my job! He doesn’t understand how impactful racial profiling is especially for people of colour.nnThis is the reason for this long winded review. He would literally ruin my life!nnIt’s also my job. I work closely with Auror and CCTV and Loss prevention/profit protection/admin/recruitment/audit/ health and safety etc That is the part he doesn’t know.nThe server for cctv footage will rewrite in a month depending on the size of the server so video evidence of this event will have a limited time on it to review. The receipt is posted for the first transactions and the incident of interest would have occurred in a 10-15 minute timeframe after that. This is to make it easy for you to review what is needed to review if necessary and also proof that I was shopping intentionally.nnIt would be interesting to see if he is actually checking everyone.nnTo Ravinder, I must have just looked like another typical thieving hori despite me having/wearing on $1000+ worth of stuff on me. Headphones/shoes/belt/week old balayage/earrings/perfume/lipgloss etcnnI don’t act erratic, I have a natural fast paced walk. I wasn’t on or don’t do drugs. I wasn’t wearing winter clothes in 20+ degree weather. He watched me draw out all that cash. I wasn’t disrespectful and tried to keep my actions to the store as open as possible. My hair is tidy, I actually had a blowout. I don’t/shouldn’t stink, I was wearing Byredo.nnTaking all the above into consideration: What was it about me that he needed to check twice? I know I don’t look like typical folk from Rototuna, but I don’t think I was exhibiting behaviours to have this man check me twice and I feel like I was racially profiled.nnI really hate how this interaction made me feel. It made me feel like a second class dog.nnStore Manager: I know his job is not to touch my stuff. Please review coaching and training for your Lead Team. Side note: My local stores are Mt Eden and Ponsonby and this type of behaviour for this “job role” did/does not occur there.nnThat being said the next time I’m down there maybe I’ll just go to New World 50m down the road where I have never been treated that way and feel safe to shop there as a person of colour

Profiled my wife with our granddaughter. Claimed the item in her hand was not paid for. It was her cell phone in a pink case! Whixh she was holding when she went in! Hopefully she wasn't singled out because she is Maori.

Clean floors & shelves but good stock levels and friendly staff