Our Response to Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19)
In response to the spread of novel coronavirus COVID 19 ) within Canada, Northern and North Mart have undertaken a series of key actions to help protect the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities and to ensure continuity of the essential services we provide on a daily basis.
As part of this action, we are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus across Canada and consulting with governmental authorities and health organizations on a frequent basis to ensure that our response is coordinated with local directives and priorities.
Our Store Environment
Our Northern and North Mart stores are committed to being a safe and reliable source of everyday products and services throughout this period. Store cleanliness and sanitation standards are being elevated to include sanitizing all checkout and shopping cart surfaces after every use. Other surface s are being cleaned several times during the day with extensive wipe downs during closed hours. All stores are beginning to practice social distancing to help provide for a safe working and shopping experience. Employees who may become sick, even with the common cold, are being requested to stay home and seek medical attention if needed.
Product Supply
Over the past several weeks Northern and North Mart have increased orders of essential food and other grocery products to ensure we have an adequate supply for our customers. As of today, we are meeting our customer demands with the exception of a few items. Going forward, our priority is to continue to meet their shopping needs working closely with our suppliers' transportation partners and government officials. To assure customers further, prices will be frozen for 60 days unless they relate to increases beyond our control.
Travel and Other Workplaces
We have stopped non-essential travel to and from the communities we serve and any approved travel is subject to health pre-screening. Where our employees have travelled internationally, we are following the recommended health practices of a 14-day self-isolation period. Our office employees have been instructed to work from home and avoid using the office unless it is essential to be there, following local health guidance. We have requested employees, suppliers and business partners to utilize safe hygiene to reduce risk during this time and to meet via video and teleconference rather than travelling for face to face meetings or attending public events, to avoid potential exposure to the virus.
Contingency Planning
All business teams have begun considering and developing plans for alternative operations, should they become necessary, as part of the company’s business continuity plans.
For further information please contact:
Alex Yeo
President Canadian Retail
ayeo@northwest.ca
204 938 8811
