New grocery store coming into Picayune market

A new supermarket chain is headed for South Mississippi.

The Picayune Item is reporting that Aldi will be setting up shop in Picayune.

The announcement was made Friday at the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee With the Mayor-elect, according to Picayune-Item staff writer Jeremy Pittari.

The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Website shows the company has been registered and in good standing with the state since 2001

The Mississippi Job Department website has open positions listed in Picayune, Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian on a search for the Picayune zip code. However, no opening date is listed on the store’s website.

The grocery store will be located between the McDonald’s on Memorial Boulevard and the northbound ramp of Interstate 59. Access to the lot is expected to be established along the road between McDonald’s and Walgreens according to Code Enforcement Officer Tom Milar, who made the announcement at the request of Mayor-Elect Jim Luke.

Aldi, which has nearly 2,000 stores in 36 states, differs in the way it operates from other stores, including “renting” carts and not providing grocery bags.

You have to “rent” a cart for a quarter, but get the coin back when you return the cart to the corral.

According to Aldi’s website, these cost-saving measures help keep prices down in the store and cuts down on waste.

Aldi also stocks 90 percent of its own brand, which also keeps costs down.