Farmers

Passage preview

The chain of stores known as Farmers began one hundred years ago as a mail order company. Today the Farmers chain employs 3,500 staff across 58 branches making it the most venerable institution of its type in New Zealand. 'Coming to Farmers once a week has become woven into the fabric of New Zealand culture,' says business historian Ian Hunter. By 1960, one in every ten people had an account with the company. It was not only a shop but also hosted the largest annual parade in the country, the Santa parade each Christmas time. Gary Blumenthal, whose family have been customers for three generations, understands well the role Farmers have played in New Zealand culture. 'We were on holiday in Auckland,' he explains, 'and I decided that the lookout tower on top of the Farmers building would be a unique place to fit the ring on my new fiancee's finger.' The couple has been married for 50 years.

Answers

1. 14. F
2. 15. D
3. 16. B
4. 17. A
5. 18. E
6. 19. mail order
7. 20. buying offices
8. 21. ["large family","family"]
9. 22. ["sale","annual sale"]
10. 23. E
11. 24. D
12. 25. F
13. 26. A

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