A brand new concept in rural retail has opened with a bang in Ashburton, hoping to cater to farmers, growers and lifestylers like never seen before.
The new Farmlands store is the first of its kind in the country, with new and innovative spaces aimed to offer a more valuable shopping experience for shareholders and cash customers with something for everyone.
Regional retail manager for Central South Emma Hinton told Rural Exchange it was great to try new innovations.
"It's really a chance for us to come back and focus on our core reason for existing, which is to be the go-to for everyone that is connected to our land and supporting our core farmers," Hinton said.
"I think we just needed to step back to what we were good at, why we were formed and start delivering some returns to our shareholders."
Farmlands Business Manager Ashburton Kane Chambers also told Rural Exchange the store was about three times bigger than the old site featuring its own feed barn, chem-shed, clothing space and much more.
"We've got our own coffee machine so people are more than welcome to come in and grab themselves a free coffee and sit down and have a chat with the team, talk through not only just farming and rural climates but general chit-chat, it's a great space to be in and free coffee's always a bonus," he said.
"There's also plenty of experience within our team in Ashburton Farmlands, people who have been in the industry for thirty-plus years and they've got that knowledge and they're more than happy to share that."
The opening was being celebrated with the ‘Farmlands Big Weekend’ this weekend, featuring giveaways and chances to win a brand-new motorbike or an all-expenses paid trip to Fiji to watch the Crusaders with every purchase.
Multiple companies had also come on board with prizes, games giveaways, demonstrations and displays such as Repco, FMG Ford, Allflex, Stoney Creek and Agrecovery.
"There's plenty of other bargains throughout the store, you name it, in every category that we have some chemical specials, some animal feed specials, plenty is happening."
Santa would also be on site for the weekend for photos with kids and pets, as well as a BBQ lunch and some fantastic deals.
The store was a trial run to see what worked and didn't and if it were to roll out to new stores it would be tailored to each location.
Listen to the full interviews with Kane Chambers or Emma Hinton and Rural Exchange above.
This article was produced in partnership with Farmlands and TodayFM.
