The North West Company Announces Expansion Plans in Nunavut

Press Release –

Retailer will invest approximately $11 million in three Northern new store/renovation projects to be completed in 2015;

• The three projects will add new retail space, including a wider assortment of healthy foods;
• The projects plan to create more store, trade and construction jobs in Nunavut;
• The projects represent the first phase of a larger expansion plan in Nunavut.

Winnipeg, September 15, 2014 – The North West Company (“North West”) is pleased to announce plans to complete three major capital projects in the Nunavut communities of Clyde River, Hall Beach and Pond Inlet in 2015.

The plans include the construction of a new Northern store, and the expansion and remodeling of two existing Northern stores, representing an investment of approximately $11 million in the Nunavut economy. These expansion plans are expected to create more jobs in the retail, trade and construction sectors in the territory.

“At Northern we are committed to the residents of Nunavut and strive to offer the best, most memorable shopping experience we can. The new and remodeled Northern stores will better serve the needs of the community. We will be able to better meet the growing demand for fresh, healthy foods and believe this represents a significant growth opportunity for us.” stated Christine Reimer, Vice President, Canadian Sales and Operations at North West. “With roughly $11 million of capital investment in our Northern stores, we continue to invest in the future of Nunavut. These projects represent the initial phase of our longer term expansion plans in Nunavut, details of which will be announced as projects are finalized.”

The three store expansion projects are as follows:

Northern Clyde River- The newly remodeled store will have over 6,100 square feet of retail space and will offer a broader range of products and services. This will include an expanded grocery department which will feature a variety of fresh and healthy foods, a larger selection of general merchandise products, a post office and financial and tax services.

Northern Hall Beach- The brand new retail and grocery store will offer over 4,600 square feet of retail space, with the existing Northern store converted into additional warehouse space. The Northern Hall Beach store will offer a new shopping experience for community members including revamped services and a new self-serve prepared foods section.

Northern Pond Inlet – The expanded Northern Pond Inlet store will offer an additional 3,900 of square feet of space, providing over 8,400 square feet of retail space. Northern Pond Inlet will include an expanded grocery department to include a broader assortment of produce and fresh foods, a self-serve prepared foods section, additional general merchandise products, post office and financial and tax services.

All three projects are expected to be completed by the summer of 2015.

Each of the Northern stores will have a dedicated space for on-site staff training as part of their initiative to employ local community members in general and management positions. The three stores currently have a combined 45 total employees.

Upon completion, the three Northern stores are estimated to make a net annual economic contribution to the community of $12.8 million, a figure which includes capital, payroll, and other economic benefits. In addition, Northern continues to provide community support, including sponsoring local sports teams, school fundraisers and a local breakfast program.

“On behalf of Northern, I would like to thank the communities for their support of these projects and look forward to continuing to work closely with each community in the future.” added Reimer.

Notice to Readers

Certain forward-looking statements are made in this news release, within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements reflect North West’s current expectations and are based on information currently available to management. The words may, will, should, believe, expect, plan, anticipate, intend, estimate, predict, potential, continue, or the negative of these terms, identify forward looking matters. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of North West to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. North West undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law.

About Northern and NorthMart

Northern and NorthMart are divisions of The North West Company LP, the largest private employer of Inuit and First Nations people in Canada’s North, with over 3,100 employees and an annual payroll exceeding $65 million. Northern and NorthMart stores in Nunavut employ over 500 local community members and have invested over $44 million in capital infrastructure since 2004 in 21 communities in addition to the current capital projects.

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For more information contact:

Christine Reimer
Vice President, Canadian Sales & Operations
P: 204.934.1339
E: creimer@northwest.ca

Derek Reimer
Director, Business Development
P: 204.934.1469
E: dreimer@northwest.ca