The North West Co., Inc. engages in the retail of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighbourhoods. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently employs 7,003 full-time employees. The firm operates through two geographical segments: Canada and International. The Canadian segment consists of subsidiaries operating retail stores and complimentary businesses to serve northern Canada. The International segment consists largely of subsidiaries operating retail stores in the continental United States, Caribbean, and South Pacific. The firm operates approximately 229 stores under the trading names Northern, NorthMart, Giant Tiger, Alaska Commercial Company, Cost-U-Less and RiteWay Food Markets. Its stores offer food, family apparel, housewares, appliances, outdoor products and services such as post offices, income tax return preparation, quick-service prepared food, commercial business sales, money transfers and cheque cashing.