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Getting on-line, rather than in the ute will be the path to this year’s Ruralco Instore Days held 2-8 July.

For the past 25 years the Ashburton based farmer co-operative has run its popular Instore Days through its three retail outlets in Canterbury, offering significant discounts to its farmer members.

“Covid-19 has changed how Ruralco will run its Instore Days for 2020, as it has changed many things. However, it has by no means meant the event won’t happen,” says Ruralco Group CEO, Rob Sharkie.

Over the lockdown period Ruralco’s staff have worked hard to set up the virtual equivalent of the Instore Days. Through Ruralco’s website platform all the deals in this year’s Instore Days will be online, with the same variety and quality Ruralco members have become familiar with over the years.

The opportunity to participate in this year’s Instore Days will run from July 2 to 8 and extend well beyond Ruralco’s three stores in Methven, Rakaia, and Ashburton. The new format now means Ruralco’s deals are open to farmers throughout the country.

“We have combined the best of both worlds in this year’s Instore Days celebrations. The digital format sits alongside our traditional catalogue so our team can take orders by phone, email or online through the Ruralco website,” says Rob Sharkie.

This year the Ruralco catalogue will be going out to farmers across most of the South Island, and members even further afield will also be able to enjoy the deals, with delivery to the farm door.

Ruralco members wishing to pick up their bargains first-hand at any of Ruralco’s three stores will be able to do so, subject to Covid-19 distancing protocol at the stores.

Farmers who may not yet be Ruralco members who want to enjoy the Instore days still have time to sign up to the Ruralco family.

The Instore Days countdown kicks off on June 1 with every $250 spent with Ruralco Instore Days participating suppliers from then to July 8 enabling members to enter the draw to win a new Ford Mustang.

Those members who purchase their Meridian electricity, Ballance Fertiliser, Allied Petroleum Bulk Fuel or pay for their fuel at the pump through Ruralco will also be able to enter the draw with every $250 spent.

Any purchase made using the Ruralco Card at any of the 90 participating Instore Days suppliers throughout the country will also qualify for the draw. “This year we also have some new participating suppliers, adding even more variety to the goods and services on offer,” says Rob Sharkie.

The $65,900 Mustang promises to be only the first of many prizes offered, with a total of over $100,000 worth of prizes up for grabs this year. The other prizes will be announced by participating suppliers in the weeks ahead.

“For Ruralco the silver lining in the Covid-19 cloud has been the opportunity to really turn our Instore Days into something even bigger and more accessible. At this tough time, they can now benefit an even wider number of our valued members who appreciate Ruralco’s focus on getting the best deal possible for their farming business,” says Rob Sharkie.