Northernmost Shopping Tour

I traveled to Svalbard last week. Svalbard is an archipelago that lies isolated far north of mainland Norway, between the Greenland Sea and the Barents Sea.

I say “isolated” because it is incredibly far from Norway’s northern coast. If you were to travel by boat from mainland Norway to Svalbard, the journey would take about two weeks. My friends and I flew from Tromsø, in northern Norway, to Svalbard, and even by plane, it took an hour and a half to reach Longyearbyen, the largest town on the islands. That said, despite being the “largest town”, Longyearbyen has only around 2,000 long-term residents.

I initially assumed that, in such a remote northern location, the only grocery store we’d find would be a tiny convenience store, like the ones you see at gas stations. Given the long shipping times, I also expected fresh produce to be scarce. But to my surprise, the supermarket was not only decently sized but also stocked with a selection of goods similar to supermarkets elsewhere in Norway.

As the northernmost supermarket in the world, it certainly takes pride in showcasing its local identity. Above their shopping carts at the entrance is decorated with images of Longyearbyen’s nighttime scenery. Inside, you can find postcards and other souvenirs, along with locally bottled drinking water. Each bottle is claimed to be sourced from melting glaciers, which explains the hefty price tag, but in the end, it tastes just like any other water.

Tap water in Norway is safe to drink, and despite the geolocation, Longyearbyen is no exception. But for those who prefer purified water, there are also affordable large-bottle options.

Fresh food is available on the island, though the selection isn’t as extensive as in other places. Still, you can find the most common fruits and vegetables, as well as chilled meats and seafood.

However, according to our local guide, when something sells out at the supermarket, restocking can take weeks, or even months. We had been craving some sashimi-grade fresh salmon, but the shelf remained empty the whole time we stayed there. Perhaps the salmon was still drifting somewhere on a cargo ship in the Norwegian Sea.

The island also has a small post office that handles mail and packages both locally and internationally. When we arrived, it was just about closing time. Yet, despite the raging snowstorm outside, quite a few residents were still making their way in, sending or picking up letters and parcels as if the harsh weather were nothing out of the ordinary.

Once you leave the town of Longyearbyen, you step into polar bear territory. So, does living here purchase some special means of self-defense?

Well, shopping is finished, and it’s time to go back for some good rest.