Shoppers get bigger ranges with more space

Taranaki consumers are promised a vastly improved shopping environment in a state-of-the-art store with the re-opening of Farmers Trading Company’s newly refurbished New Plymouth store today (29 August).

They can also expect to be well served by the addition of 14 new part time staff, bringing the total number of jobs in the store to 90.

Farmers has added 700 sq. m. of new space to the City Centre Mall store’s top floor to better showcase its manchester, children’s and infants’ clothing, nursery and homeware.

The 5,500 sq. m., two-level store features the very latest in department store design providing substantially more room to provide extra choice and more spacious viewing for customers, Farmers says.

Managing director Rod McDermott is delighted not only with the refurbished store which he says is world class but also by the fact the refurbishment has enabled the company to provide new jobs in New Plymouth.

“We are a family business and our shoppers are mostly family shoppers so we are very pleased to be able to bring new employment to the region,” says Mr McDermott.

“And of course, it is of utmost importance to us to provide our shoppers with a modern, comfortable and safe environment in which to make their purchases or simply to browse with plenty of room to move.”

Farmers has occupied the site for the past 25 years but store manager Herman Petrick is a relative youngster on the team after only 18 months in the city.

However, Mr Petrick is well versed in the ways of Farmers and the needs of its shoppers after managing the Lambton Quay store for more than two years. An American by birth from Portland, Oregon, Mr Petrick has worked for 25 years in retail.

“I am enjoying New Plymouth after the hustle and bustle of Wellington – I love the area and everyone’s so friendly. It’s just great”.

“We’re all really looking forward to working in our new store and providing the service and environment that shoppers want and enjoy.”

Mr Petrick says the re-opening represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by many staff and others in the Taranaki community. “I take my hat off to everyone who has helped make this store refurbishment possible.”

To celebrate the official re-opening of the extended New Plymouth store, Farmers is going in to sale mode for four days from today (29 August) and will remain open for extended hours.  There’s also a range of demonstrations and in-store events on offer, including new season fashion styling tips and home demonstrations.