Leading rural supply chain store Farmlands to switch to call and collect

Farmlands now have a call first, then collect policy in all its stores.

A leading rural supply chain store will switch to a call and collect system as New Zealand switches to Level 4 to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Farmlands in Levin is like all 82 stores nationwide - flooded by customers in recent days, with farmers, horse trainers and pet owners stocking up on supplies.

As of Thursday morning, all Farmlands stores will operate on a call and collect system, coinciding with change in the Government's response to the coronavirus.

As an essential service to the primary sector as a supplier, all Farmlands stores will continue trading, but it will be a through the new process from Thursday.

Farmlands customers will need to email or call their local store to organise supplies.

Farmlands Chief Executive Peter Reidie said staff were aware of the behaviours needed to protect each other, their families and the 70,000 store shareholders nationwide.

"Each of our people recognise the importance of their role, both as a service to shareholders and as a team trying to play their part in combating the spread of Covid-19," he said.

"We have implemented strict protocols that eliminate physical interactions while still providing the primary sector with the goods and services they need to continue feeding our country and contributing to the world's food needs.

"Farmlands has outlined their trading process in a letter to shareholders earlier today."

"This message coincides with an open letter from the CEOs of Farmlands, PGG Wrightson and FarmSource, pledging to harness their collective supply chain to maintain productivity."

"Covid-19 is bigger than business. It's about the wellbeing of our entire country."

"We have seen an increase in purchases this week and just like the supermarkets, our message is that we will be open, we will have supplies and we will ensure that people get what they need to keep their businesses running."