News and media releases

New research has highlighted a huge gap in New Zealanders’ understanding of the role foodbanks play in the community, including what triggers the need for help.

The research, conducted ahead of Countdown’s Winter Appeal to help stock The Salvation Army’s foodbanks this winter, aims to better understand attitudes and perceptions of foodbanks and the people who use them.

Last night at the Annual PRINZ Gala Awards Dinner, Countdown won the award in the internal communications category for its hugely successful launch of Workplace by Facebook.   

Countdown was the first business in New Zealand to adopt Facebook’s innovative internal communications tool which is designed to make it easier for our people to connect, and that is exactly what it has done for more than 8800 of our store team who have joined so far.

Countdown has today launched a new transgender transitioning policy aimed at supporting transitioning team members across the country.

The policy outlines Countdown's responsibilities as an employer and commitment to providing an inclusive environment, as well as the practical assistance available to team members who are transitioning genders.  It is underpinned with information and support for managers to ensure transitioning team members feel comfortable, can be themselves and perform at their best while at work.

Countdown’s much anticipated new Beachlands store has been officially opened today by Andrew Bayly, MP for Hunua and has created 70 new jobs for many in the local community.

As part of the celebrations, students from Beachlands School performed a kapa haka. Locals were also excited about the opening, with hundreds eagerly checking out the new store.

At Countdown we know a thing or two about bananas. They have been Countdown’s number one purchased item across the aisles for years. To celebrate International Banana Day (19 April) we thought we would share some fun facts about Kiwis favourite fruit from our produce experts.

New Zealanders around the country are preparing for the Easter holidays and Countdown anticipates customers will munch their way through 12.5 million individual hot cross buns and we’re set to eat the equivalent of 23,200 chilly bins full of chocolate eggs, with marshmallow eggs Kiwis’ clear favourite.   

From tomorrow, Countdown customers can donate to the NZ Red Cross Bay of Plenty Floods Appeal 2017.  All funds raised go to the Red Cross for their work to support communities affected by last week’s terrible floods.

Countdown stores across the country have donated clothes, food, toys and grocery items to Women’s Refuge as part of a team challenge to consider what you would need if you had to leave home in a hurry with one box to fill.

Today Countdown has announced that General Manager of Merchandise Chris Fisher will leave the business, and take up the role of Group Manager of Merchandise at Mitre10, based in Albany.  Mr Fisher will stay with Countdown for the next six months while a successor is appointed.

Countdown has today announced it is targeting to be 100 per cent cage-free in retail eggs by the end of 2024 in the North Island and by the end of 2025 across the rest of New Zealand. Countdown is the first national retailer to make this move. This extends Countdown’s earlier commitment to transition to free range and barn only in its own brand eggs by the end of 2022.