Friday, the Picayune City Council heard a presentation from a retail consulting firm with plans to grow the city’s economy through the recruitment of retail companies.

Retail Strategies, a firm based in Birmingham, Ala., focuses on retail market analysis, strategic planning, retail recruitment and development to help cities achieve economic success, Charles Branch, who deals with business and client development for Retail Strategies, said to the council.

“We’re hired by the city to help increase sales tax revenue and provide more jobs in order to promote a positive economic impact and quality of life,” Branch said. “We do this by reaching out to retail companies and attracting them to the city.”

Christy Goss, Picayune’s special projects manager, said they met Branch previously at an association conference and he showed interest in the Picayune area.

“He called our city and chamber and that’s how we got to here,” Goss said.

During the presentation, Branch said he saw potential for economic growth in Picayune.

“You’ve got good retail synergy near Walmart off of exit four for new development,” Branch said. “There’s also opportunities for restaurants.”

Branch previously met with the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce, who was pleased with the firm’s plans for Picayune, Goss said.

After hearing the presentation, Councilor Wayne Gouguet said this is a positive step for the city.

“We’ve always recognized the leakage of sales tax to Slidell so this might be a good step in the right direction,” Gouguet said.

Currently, the retail consulting firm has 100 clients in 22 states. In the past, Branch said the firm has partnered with cities to help recruit companies to their area like Dunkin Donuts and Chick-Fil-A.