Northern and NorthMart quickly implemented new policies, to help with the drastic changes in demand and ensure maximum product availability for everyone.

Like every essential service across Canada, The North West Company (NWC) is taking rapid actions to accommodate the skyrocketing demand at our stores to reassure our customers that they will be taken care of during this new challenge called Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

As a leading retailer serving northern Canada, all of North West's banner Northern and NorthMart stores understand that our customers need our support now more than ever. North West has quickly implemented rigorous safety measures to protect the health of everyone in the communities that we operate in.

Almost immediately, cleanliness and sanitizing of check-out areas and shopping cart surfaces were implemented in the stores. The stores are also being extensively cleaned several times during the day as well as after closing. All store staff and visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing, washing their hands often and be courteous of personal hygiene to others.

"It's really important that our entire workforce stays healthy so that we're able to maintain service to our communities," said Michael Beaulieu, Vice-President of Sales and Operations, Northern Canada retail.

In order to continue providing the quality service that our customers deserve, Northern and NorthMart are offering free grocery delivery to customers who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, including elders, people with compromised immune systems, and customers who are quarantined or self-isolating. Some high demand products have customer or household purchase limits until supply stabilizes.

"We felt [that] was important to ensure there was a fair access and fair opportunity for the entire community," Beaulieu said. “Our front-line staff are fantastic and step up when they need to step up," he added. 

We have a specific phone number to take delivery orders for each community, and this information has been shared through social media. Delivery orders are typically taken from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday, and payments must be made with credit card or WE Visa during the order placement or by having a friend or family member that pay at the store. To facilitate the phone-in process, we have developed order forms which contain the most important and popular items we sell. 

Once the order has been placed, we will deliver as soon as possible and no later than the following day. It is essential that the customer be at home upon delivery, as all deliveries will not be left outside unattended. We want to make sure that the order is received.

Every Northern and NorthMart store has been adapting countinuosly to provide service in the safest and most convenient way for each community, so please keep in mind that store hours and delivery service may vary from one community to another.

We appreciate your co-operation in helping to keep our stores, and our communities, safe.