Tuesday, March 24, 2020

West Marine COVID-19 Update

WATSONVILLE, CA – In response to COVID-19, West Marine has updated its policies and enacted new measures to ensure the safety and health of its customers and associates. West Marine CEO Ken Seipel has communicated these and other company actions to customers in a letter that can be found at https://www.westmarine.com/west-marine-response-to-the-coronavirus. Highlights of West Marine’s actions include:

·Closing stores or adjusting retail store hours in certain markets.

·Closing its Watsonville Service Center for at least two weeks and enabling associates to work remotely.

  • Shipping items directly to customers to decrease traffic to stores and promote social distancing.
  • Implementing increased cleaning policies and making personal cleaning items available to associates in all retail stores.
  • Updating policies to offer flexible work options to associates.
  • Partnering with CDC, state and local health officials to follow all best practices.

In many locations, West Marine stores are deemed an essential business and will remain open on a limited schedule to provide supplies to first responders, U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA and other essential marine businesses.

Based on feedback from multiple customers about their desire to get out on the water for recreational and health reasons, West Marine will still hold its previously planned, annual “Super Sale.” The company will take all appropriate precautions to manage this event and operate in accordance with CDC guidelines. West Marine teams will assist with door pick-up or direct-to-home delivery, and store managers will monitor and limit store access, if necessary.

For changes in specific store hours and openings, customers are encouraged to call their local store or visit www.westmarine.com

For more information, please email press@westmarine.com or respond directly to Renee Harvey atrharvey@rlfcommunications.com.