ALDI, the German private-label grocery company, has found a home in a portion of the old JC Penney space in the Uptown McComb mall and held a soft opening Wednesday, allowing customers to shop ahead of today’s official opening.
Doors officially opened at 9 a.m. today. Store hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
The first 100 customers will receive a gift bag with ALDI fan-favorite products and a gift card between $10 and $100. Shoppers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a $500 ALDI gift card and a free eco bag through opening weekend.
Heather Moore, a divisional vice president for ALDI, said the company is best known for its simplicity and low prices.
“Our company is purposefully designed to save people money,” she said. “We do this by offering shoppers a curated selection of ALDI-exclusive brands. More than 90% of our store consists of ALDI-exclusive products and one in three ALDI-exclusive products are award-winning. We have also established great relationships with our suppliers and partnerships, which help to keep costs low.”
The company uses a few different methods to continue providing customers low prices and savings.
The first thing shoppers may notice is that a deposit of a quarter is required to use a shopping cart. However, the quarter will be returned once the cart is returned.
Moore said the procedure negates the need to hire additional staff, which allows the store to pass those savings on to the customers.
“It’s simple and easy to use once you get used to it,” Moore said.
Secondly, customers are not required to bring their own shopping bags, but are encouraged to bring their own reusable grocery bags or buy some at checkout. That, in turn, saves money because they no longer need to add the cost of non-reusable bags to its prices.
If someone walks in without a bag, there are some reusable bags for sale for $1 to $2, as well as brown paper bags, which are 12 cents each.
While 90% of ALDI’s store consists of exclusive store brands, popular regional brands also are in stock. One display featured Tony Chachere’s seasoning, Blue Plate mayonnaise, Zatarain’s crab boil, Tabasco and Crystal hot sauces and cans of Blue Runner red beans.
“We make sure that regional-specific food brands are available in every store we open,” Moore said.
ALDI also offers a weekly rotating section of “ALDI Finds,” where almost 100 unique items — ranging from food to household items — are featured for a limited time.
“ALDI is like Whole Foods, but less expensive,” said a customer who only offered her first name, Mechell. “I’m so happy ALDI is opening a store here in McComb. I have been a long time fan of the grocery store since shopping at one in my hometown back in Florida.”
Linda Stockskill said she moved to Centreville a year ago, and satisfying her admittedly picky diet — almond milk instead of traditional milk, for instance — has been difficult. She said she regularly shopped at ALDI in Slidell, La., before she moved.
ALDI is one of America’s fastest-growing retailers, with more than 2,200 stores across 38 states.
Moore said it just “makes sense” to bring ALDI to McComb.
“McComb was the next piece of our puzzle,” she said. “We have already received a great reception here from locals and we are all really excited to bring ALDI to McComb. Stores in Hattiesburg and Flowood will also be opening this year.”
All job positions are filled, but Moore encourages people to apply via their website.
“We have 12 employees, 10 of them are full time,” she said. “When job opportunities become available, you can apply via our website.”
Curbside pickup and delivery is available through the ALDI app.
