Press Releases

Click here to see photos of the new Farmers and Home by Farmers store, at The Palms.

Farmers Trading Company is looking to the future with the opening tomorrow of a new store at The Palms. The building features a stylish new look and a brand new concept store representing a strong commitment to Christchurch and the eastern side of the city. The previous Palms store was seriously damaged following the devastating February earthquake with structural damage, uneven floor surfaces and liquefaction damaging stock and destroying fixtures. Farmers managing director Rod McDermott says the reopening of the store is an opportunity for life to return to normality.

“It has been a challenging time for our company and our 450 staff in Canterbury - we worked with every employee to offer them meaningful employment following the earthquake - not one staff member was made redundant. “It has taken only two and a half months to rebuild The Palms with the very latest in retail design and merchandising. It’s a world-class shopping facility that demonstrates our total commitment to Christchurch.”

Exciting new shopping experiences

The new department store embodies two distinct shopping experiences.Upstairs is the brand new ‘home by Farmers’ concept store - the second of its kind in New Zealand and the first in the mainland, providing an entirely new ‘cash and carry’ shopping experience.

‘Home by Farmers’ manager Paul Cromarty says the concept has been inspired by leading international homeware stores. “Whereas previously many items needed to be ordered in by the store, shoppers can now take them home then and there, or have them delivered locally for free. For a small fee we can also assemble items in the home for customers.”

All ‘home by Farmers’ staff are product knowledge trained and available to provide customers with as much specialist help as they may need. “In addition, information cards throughout the store help customers compare product types and features so they can be sure of choosing the option that best suits them,” he says.

Full range
The ground level of the beautiful new store leads with one of the best women’s and men’s fashion floors you’ll find in Christchurch, as well as childrenswear and toys. Farmers’ The Palms store manager Brent Richards says the ground floor has been designed with beautiful new fixtures and bigger changing rooms and stocks a wider selection of fashion brands.  A large health and beauty department provides self-select products or personalised service, depending on customers’ needs, and a large fragrance bar offering the very best range of designer and celebrity perfumes.

Opening celebrations
With opening day only 24 hours away, all staff are ready and waiting with some great early days specials.  “We are celebrating the store opening with a national discount day, followed by three days of grand opening deals. Customers can look forward to some great bargains.” Demonstrations and in-store events will take place on both floors along with face painting and balloons for the kids. “We can’t wait to welcome shoppers once again,” says Mr Richards.

Hamilton Centre Place Redevlopment - The Trust today announced a $39.9 million redevelopment of Centre Place Shopping Centre in Hamilton to reposition the centre as a competitive CBD specialty centre, which will be anchored by a new, two-level, 7,000 sqm Farmers department store.

The Farmers Hamilton city centre store will relocate into the expanded and refurbished Centre Place Mall.

“A new full range Farmers department store will complement our specialty retail offer and the recently completed foodcourt and dining lane developments.  Centre Place will be firmly back on the map as a major retail destination offering fashion and entertainment in the heart of Hamilton city,” said Mr Gudgeon.

In the interests of customer safety, Farmers are conducting a voluntary recall of the Jolly Jumper Elite Convertible
3 Wheel Stroller. The stroller has been available at Farmers stores since January 2011.

Farmers are voluntarily recalling these strollers as there has been an issue in a small number of cases with the part that holds the rear wheel in place.

There is potential for the wheel to come loose from the axle. Customers should cease using the stroller immediately & return it to any Farmers store for a full refund.

Farmers apologises for any inconvenience.

Contact Farmers
Phone 0800 533 030
Mon – Wed: 7am – 6:30pm
Thurs/Fri: 7am – 9pm
Saturday/Sunday: 9am – 6:30pm

In the interests of product safety, Farmers is conducting a voluntary recall of this garment, Teeny Weeny Infants' Corduroy "Monkey" Overall, available at Farmers stores from January 2011.

The press studs have not been securely attached and may come apart when used. The small parts of the press stud present potential choking & ingestion hazards if swallowed by a child.

Customers should cease using the overalls immediately & return them to any Farmers store for a full refund. (These overalls have already been removed from all stores).

Farmers apologises for any inconvenience.

Click here to contact Farmers.

UPDATE: Both stores are now fully operational

The Farmers store in Albany’s Westfield Mall was significantly damaged by the tornado that hit the North Shore this afternoon. Farmers CEO Rod McDermott says the tornado has removed sections of the roof and ceiling from the store.“All of our team members have been evacuated. We have had reports of some injuries to team members and customers and we are working to assess the nature of the injuries right now,” says McDermott.

“There is water damage from rain entering the store through the roof and damage has also been caused by store water sprinklers and broken mains.”

The ‘Home by Farmers’ store is also located in the vicinity. While the tornado swept through the adjacent car park causing damage to cars, staff and customers are all safe and the building is unaffected.

You probably didn’t make the guest list for the royal wedding, but do not fret. You can still get an up-close and personal regal experience at Farmers St Lukes the weekend of the royal couple’s big day.

On April 29 as eyes are glued to television sets across the nation, famed NZ bridal wear designer Jane Yeh will be re-creating Kate Middleton’s highly anticipated wedding gown – all in the space of 12 hours. Jane Yeh and her team of seamstresses will work tirelessly through the night examining broadcast images to produce the perfect replica of the dress.

“I’m looking forward to finally see what Kate will step out in. It’s going to be a long and busy night, but we are excited for the challenge and I feel honoured to recreate what I’m sure will be a beautiful gown,” says Jane.

The result will be modelled by a Kate Middleton look-a-like at a right-royal unveiling at Farmers St Lukes in Auckland and L’Oréal Paris make-up director Lisa Matson will re-create the blushing bride’s beauty look. Store manager Josie Jonkers says the staff at the branch are looking forward to the hustle and bustle of the occasion. “We’re used to being a very busy store, but we know April 30 will be one of our biggest days yet! We can’t wait to welcome the crowds who want to see Kate’s dress up close.”

The public can also look forward to a glimpse of some authentic full-size replicas of the crown jewels at the exhibition, including a replica of Kate Middleton’s engagement ring made exclusively for the tour by Goldmark Jewellers.

“Farmers has a long history in New Zealand and over the years we have seen our customers delight in the pomp and ceremony of royal occasions,” says managing director Rod McDermott. “We are thrilled to be able to bring New Zealanders a royal experience of their very own at Farmers St Lukes.”

Farmers has engaged Napier-based Paris Magdalinos Architects to design the company’s new store planned for the centre of the town. The final design will be subject to a resource consent application. Working with the Napier City Council, Art Deco Trust and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Farmers has insisted the heritage aspects of the development should be considered.

“Today Farmers is lodging a resource consent application to begin construction on the site,” says the company’s chief financial officer Michael Power. “We acknowledge the significance to the community of the city’s unique design and have briefed the architect to consider this in the development.”

In early 2010 Farmers bought a number of sites running between Hastings St and Marine Parade with the intention of developing a new two-level department store.  The new store is designed to provide more space than the existing store and to cater for an increased range of brands and products.  Once it’s completed, current staff will transfer to the new store. Customers can look forward to the very latest in retail store design along with more fashion, beauty and Farmers’ home brands according to Mr Power.

“Internally the store features the very latest in department store design and will offer a world-class shopping experience,” he says. The two levels of shopping will be linked by an escalator and with more space and an improved layout the store will be both spacious and conveniently stocked, Mr Power says.

Hastings customers can look forward to the very latest in retail store design along with more fashion, beauty and home brands with the announcement that Farmers is opening a new state-of-the-art department store in early August 2012. Farmers says its two current Hastings Stores are going to be amalgamated in to one major 6,500 sq.m department store on the corner of Heretaunga and King Streets in the heart of the city’s retail centre.  .

The new Farmers will provide more space than the existing two stores. Current staff will transfer over to the new store. Shoppers will encounter “a whole new department store experience” in the two-level store says Farmers Chief Executive Rod McDermott.

“The store will feature the very latest in department store design for a world-class shopping experience,” Mr McDermott says.

“To our product selection, we are adding prestige cosmetics and fragrances, more international apparel brands and more roomy serving and fitting areas.  Also the Home range will be significantly expanded, plus there will be a Stevens Homewares store within Farmers.”

Two levels of shopping are linked by escalator and an improved layout and more space will ensure departments are both spacious and conveniently stocked, Mr McDermott says.

“All in all shoppers can expect an exciting and comfortable shopping experience and bigger product range.”

Leading department store Farmers is taking new season fashion to the masses with the launch of a Facebook App that enables customers to style outfits online.

Once a look is complete, users can share their creation with friends, providing for instant feedback on the combination of clothing and accessories - and doging possible arrest by the fashion police! “We recently launched Farmers Autumn Winter range, which combines essentials with fashion forward winter pieces to create a stylish individual look,” says Farmers marketing director Dean Cook.

“We know a lot of our customers are dedicated Facebook users so the App is another way we can showcase our great range of fashion to our customers,” says Dean Cook.

To celebrate the launch of the App, Farmers is asking the online community to submit a stylish look for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards. (update - competition is now closed.)

Four looks have been uploaded as inspiration – work, weekend, night out and fuller figure.

www.facebook.com/farmersyourstore.

A 24 hour toll-free 0800 number has been set up for all Farmers, Stevens, Pascoes, Stewart Dawson and Goldmark staff in Christchurch, to help them access support and get information about their stores.

 “Before the stores reopen we must be assured we have full teams. Many team members are tending to family and home matters and we understand this will remain their top priority for some time yet,” says Farmers CEO Rod McDermott.

Farmers management has had no reports of serious injury from team members in the region however many are yet to be contacted due to power and telephone lines being down. It’s hoped the 0800 number will help team members gain reassurance about their jobs and get in contact with store management which has confirmed staff will continue to be paid for their normal hours of work.

“Many team members have been seriously affected by the earthquake. We want to reassure our staff that their jobs are safe and they will be paid. We have no doubt the spirit that exists in the Christchurch community as well as the immediate Farmers community will help get them through this trying time.
“Our thoughts continue to be with each and every person in Christchurch and the wider community as all New Zealanders feel the impact of this disaster,” says McDermott.

Regular updates are available on www.facebook.com/Farmersyourstore.