One Winn-Dixie grocery store in South MS will become an ALDI. What about the others?

The process of converting sprawling Winn-Dixie stores into smaller, speedier ALDI supermarkets has begun in South Mississippi, starting in D’Iberville and likely continuing with other stores on the Coast.

The Winn-Dixie grocery store at 10511 D’Iberville Blvd. will close for renovations in late August, an ALDI spokesperson told the Sun Herald.

“The store will reopen to the community as an ALDI over the next several months,” the company said.

ALDI isn’t saying yet what will happen to the other three Winn-Dixie stores in Gulfport, Long Beach and Ocean Springs, but two of them could be next to rebrand.

“As shared in our March announcement , a significant number of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets will convert to the ALDI format over the next several years,” the company said.

Plans for the Ocean Springs store are less clear.

ALDI recently opened a store in Pascagoula, and already has an ALDI store in Ocean Springs , just a few miles from the Winn-Dixie. ALDI isn’t saying yet if the Ocean Springs store will stay a Winn-Dixie, will convert to another ALDI or if some other option is planned.

The conversion

Loyal Winn-Dixie shoppers said this week they will miss the buy one, get one free sales and other promotions Winn-Dixie features. Employees at Winn-Dixie said they are looking for new jobs rather than moving to ALDI because they can’t afford to be out of work for months while the store is being remodeled.

“We thank our customers for their years of loyalty at this location and look forward to seeing them soon as a new ALDI,” the company said.

Employees at the D’Iberville Winn-Dixie have the opportunity to be the first to apply to newly converted ALDI stores, the company said. “In addition, ALDI is committed to doing its best to minimize the impact and provide support and opportunities to associates at converting stores, including the option to remain with Winn-Dixie and transfer to a neighboring store.”

ALDI is among the fastest growing grocery chains and is on a path to open 80 to 100 new stores across the Gulf South over the coming years, in part because of prices and the smaller store size.

“Customers can expect a quick, easy shopping experience with great products at the lowest possible prices,” the company said.

The stores are smaller — about 12,000 square feet, so the new ALDI will take over just part of the D’Iberville Winn-Dixie.

“Our smaller stores are stocked with only the items customers need so they can get in and out,” ALDI said, “and our award-winning exclusive brands help shoppers save up to 40% on their groceries without sacrificing quality.”

What’s different

The difference in an ALDI compared to a Winn-Dixie or other traditional supermarket starts outside the store. Shoppers insert a quarter into the shopping cart, and get it back when they return the cart to the rack when done shopping. The idea is it keeps carts from rolling around the parking lot and requires no employees to round up carts.

Inside, fresh produce is the first thing customers see. The aisles are extra-wide, with essentials around the edges and staples in the middle. The center aisle of the store is reserved for ALDI Finds, and Wednesday at 9 a.m. the shelves are stocked with the newest seasonal products, housewares and toys.

Among the 1,650 products ALDI stocks, 90% are brands exclusive to the store. Another difference comes when shoppers get to the checkout. Employees ring up the groceries and customers bag them, either in bags or boxes they bring from home or in bags they purchase at the store.

No ALDI membership cards are needed. Customers can download the free app to shop online for delivery or curbside pickup. The store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.