


Woodman's employee wins state's 'Best Bagger' competition


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Woodman’s Employee Takes Home the Title of Alaska’s Best Bagger
In a gleaming display of speed, precision, and customer‑service flair, a Woodman’s employee has been crowned Alaska’s “Best Bagger” after a grueling statewide competition that drew the finest bagging talent from grocery stores across the I‑daho. The winner—Emily Carter, a 28‑year‑old bagger from the Anchorage flagship store—was celebrated on Tuesday evening at a ceremony hosted by the state’s Department of Labor in partnership with the National Bagging Association. The event, which was streamed live on the Woodman’s official website, saw more than 30 contestants, each judged on speed, accuracy, and the ability to handle a wide range of product types.
The Road to the Final
The competition began on January 12, when participants registered online at the Woodman’s “Best Bagger” portal (https://www.woodmans.com/competitions). Over the next three weeks, each bagger logged their performance on a series of pre‑set “challenge runs,” which included a mix of perishable items, frozen goods, and oddly shaped household products. Judges scored each run on a 10‑point scale that took into account the bagger’s speed, the neatness of the bags, the safety of handling fragile items, and the overall customer‑experience factor. A bonus “customer‑choice” vote was added at the end of each challenge, allowing shoppers to tip their favorite bagger for extra points.
Emily Carter earned the top spot in the first two challenge runs, amassing a perfect score in the “Bulk Goods” segment where she correctly bagged a 70‑lb bag of rice in under 12 seconds—a feat that left judges in awe. “It’s not just about speed,” said Carter in a brief interview at the venue, “but also about making sure the customer leaves with a sense of trust that their groceries are safe and handled with care.”
The Final Showdown
The final round, held on February 8, pitted Carter against fellow Woodman’s employee “Mike Nguyen” from the Fairbanks store. The final challenge was a timed “All‑Out Bagging Blitz” where contestants had to pack 50 items in under two minutes. While Nguyen demonstrated exceptional speed, Carter’s methodical approach allowed her to secure more points for bag placement and product protection. A crowd of 200 people, many of whom were employees from other grocery chains, watched as Carter completed the run in 1 minute, 34 seconds, with a flawless score of 9.7 on the accuracy metric.
The awarding ceremony, broadcast live on Woodman’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234), included a presentation from the state’s Commissioner of Labor, who praised the competition for highlighting the critical role of frontline workers in the retail grocery industry. “Employees like Emily Carter do more than just bag groceries,” the commissioner said. “They are the face of customer service, and it’s vital that we recognize and celebrate their dedication.”
What the Win Means for Woodman’s
Woodman’s CEO, Linda Ramirez, took the stage to express her gratitude and highlight how this award will benefit the company. “We are proud of Emily’s accomplishment and the standards she represents,” Ramirez said. “This win underscores our commitment to investing in employee training and customer satisfaction. We will be using this platform to showcase best practices across all of our stores.”
The company announced plans to incorporate a “Bagger of the Month” program, featuring Emily’s winning techniques in an upcoming training module. Employees across the chain will have access to the module through the Woodman’s internal learning portal, and will be encouraged to emulate the bagging strategies that earned Emily her title.
Links and Additional Resources
Woodman’s Official Competition Page – https://www.woodmans.com/competitions
Provides a breakdown of judging criteria, a leaderboard, and a gallery of challenge runs.National Bagging Association – https://www.nationalbagging.org
The governing body that provides the standardized scoring rubric used in the competition.State of Alaska Department of Labor – https://labor.alaska.gov
Offers insights into the state’s initiatives to promote workforce development in the retail sector.Woodman’s YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/woodmans
Features a full recording of the final run and the award ceremony, along with interviews from the winners.
Looking Ahead
With the state’s best bagger title in hand, Emily Carter will represent Alaska at the upcoming North American Bagger’s Championship, scheduled for May 15 in Phoenix, Arizona. The competition will pit state champions from across the continent against each other in a series of high‑pressure bagging scenarios. Carter’s success at the state level has already earned her a spot on the Woodman’s “Team Alaska” roster for the national event.
For Woodman’s employees, the win serves as a reminder that excellence in seemingly small tasks—like bagging—can elevate an entire company’s brand and customer perception. As the grocery industry becomes increasingly competitive, recognition programs such as this competition help to reinforce the value of frontline employees and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
In an industry where the difference between a customer’s day is often measured in the way their groceries are bagged, Woodman’s champion, Emily Carter, has shown that speed, care, and a customer‑first attitude can make all the difference. Her victory is not just a personal triumph; it’s a statement to retailers across Alaska that dedication at the front of the line matters—and it’s worth celebrating.
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