Farmers

Farmers is definitely a well-​known NZ brand. For some reason this location for ‘Farmers’ store is slightly odd-​ball: independent/​remote department store without being in a shopping mall that unfortunately fails to deliver. Farmers took over this space when ‘Levenes’ moved out/​closed down a few years back. The interior is tired and the merchandising is chaotic — so much to look at in one space: overwhelming. They have an extensive lingerie & beauty section, which is their ‘saving grace’. They stock all the inexpensive makeup brands (Rimmel, Maybelline, Revlon, Max Factor etc) and the fragrance is very limited. Marc Jacobs is the best they offer. However the skincare range: Trilogy, Dr Hauschka, Snowberry gets them some brownie points. You receive free parking if you provide a shopping receipt within 2hrs… If you want Viktor & Rolf or Estée Lauder, you will to need to go to another Farmers peeps!

I like this Farmers because it is not in a mall. I only come here for the stuff from the Beauty Department because I have a loyalty card, if not for that then I’d go elsewhere. This Farmers is a bit different, despite the fact it is in a more affluent area of Auckland it does not have a beauty department reflective of this which I have always found odd. Albany and St Lukes have all the good counters like Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome and so forth and yet this Farmers is devoid of any at all and just stocks cheaper brands. What they do have though is a lot of what I would describe as basic beauty needs. If you buy it all here and it does add up, then you get $ 20 when you reach $ 200, so worth getting a beauty card.
Keep in mind this Farmers is not like the majority of other Farmers stores, similar to Queen Street it is devoid of a few departments. You will not find electronics or furniture here but there is a decent bedding department and a small homewares department. Mostly this Farmers is clothing, underwear, toys and beauty and is more relaxed compared to the other Farmers stores which are usually a lot busier due to the foot traffic they get in malls.