Big Lots to reopen more than 100 shuttered stores after bankruptcy filing

Big Lots is about to reopen 132 stores that it had closed last year due to its bankruptcy filing, the chain’s new owners announced.

The shuttered stores that will reopen in May are in 14 states, mostly in the south, including Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

“We’re excited to bring an additional 132 Big Lots! locations back to life in May,” said Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, which acquired more than 200 Big Lots stores this year.

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The discounter filed for bankruptcy in September and closed all of its stores – approximately 1,000 – before it was acquired by distressed asset advisor and lender Gordon Brothers Retail Partners.

Variety Wholesalers, owns and operates some 400 stores and brands, including Big Lots, Roses Discount Stores and Rose’s Express and Maxway.

The Big Lots stores that are coming back are being phased in next month and in June, the company said.

It has already reopened nine store this month.

“The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overwhelmingly positive,” Seigies said in a statement.

Columbus, Ohio-based Big Lots sells furniture, home decor and other items, and said last year that high interest rates have hurt its business as consumers have pulled back on their home and seasonal product purchases, two categories the chain depends on for a significant part of its revenue.

The company has stiff competition, Neil Saunders managing director of GlobalData noted at the time.

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“Big Lots operates in a very crowded and competitive market where other value players do a far better job of delivering on low prices and compelling bargains. It needs to step up its game if it is to succeed post-bankruptcy,” he said.

Big Lots! stores will reopen in May in two phases, on May 1 and May 15. The Locations include:

Alabama: Athens, Decatur, Dothan, Guntersville, Jasper, Mobile, Northport

Florida: Crystal River, Jacksonville, Marianna, Ormond Beach, Panama City

Georgia: Augusta, Brunswick, Buford, Cornelia, Dallas, Fort Oglethorpe, Marietta, Smyrna, Valdosta, Vidalia, Waycross

Indiana: Jasper

Kentucky: Campbellsville, Danville, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Hazard, London, Middlesboro, Richmond, Somerset

Michigan: Burton, Flint, Port Huron, Shelby Township, Southgate

Mississippi: Southhaven

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North Carolina: Belmont, Burlington, Clemmons, Dunn, Elizabeth City, Elkin, Fayetteville, Gastonia, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory, Kinston, Lexington, Lincolnton, Mocksville, Mooresville, Mount Airy, Newton, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Selma, Shelby, Southport, Statesville, Wake Forest, Wilkesboro, Wilson

Ohio: Alliance, Boardman, Bridgeport, Columbus, Elyria, Fremont, Grove City, Kettering, Lancaster, New Philadelphia, Reynoldsburg, Toledo, Warren, Wintersville

Pennsylvania: Bloomsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Du Bois, Dunmore, East Stroudsburg, Erie, Eynon, Franklin, Lehighton, Lewisburg, Meadville, New Castle

South Carolina: Easley, Greenwood, Lexington, Rock Hill, Seneca, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, West Columbia

Tennessee: Alcoa, Cleveland, Greeneville, Jefferson City, Johnson City, Knoxville, Morristown, Murfreesboro, Rogersville, Sevierville

Virginia: Chesapeake, Chester, Fredericksburg, Front Royal, Martinsville, North Chesterfield, North Prince George, Waynesboro, Winchester, Yorktown

West Virginia: Beckley, Bridgeport, Charleston, Elkins, Fairmont, Martinsburg, Oak Hill, Princeton