20/20 wins Farmers job in NZ

New Zealand’s largest retail group, Farmers, has appointed London consultancy 20/20 Design & Strategy Consultants to develop a new format for its 59-strong department store chain.

The work stems from a tour by Farmers directors of other department stores around the world. Bhs, a previous 20/20 client, was identified as being in a similar market position to Farmers.

The consultancy has completed a review of Farmer’s strategic plans, including the holding of workshops with the company’s board, and is now working in conjunction with the retailer’s in-house design team.

The bulk of interiors work has been completed, with attention now focused on the details. Graphics will be handled by Design Works, a local consultancy with bases in New Zealand and Australia.

Farmers plans to unveil the first new-format store in a 3720m2 flagship site in Auckland at the beginning of September. The chain accounts for nearly 50 per cent of general and department store sales in New Zealand. Stores range from 930m2 to 5580m2.