Earlier this week, Big Lots, a well-known discount retailer, announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of its restructuring, Big Lots is selling its business to Nexus Capital Management. The retailer is also in the process of closing 292 stores across the U.S. These closures are part of a strategy to consolidate and attempt to rescue the business, though many wonder if it signals a broader decline in discount retail.
The Rise and Struggles of Big Lots
Big Lots had long been a destination for consumers looking for discounts on home goods, furniture, and everyday essentials. For decades, the company thrived by offering a wide variety of products at lower prices, appealing to budget-conscious shoppers. However, as consumer preferences evolved and e-commerce giants like Amazon revolutionized the retail landscape, Big Lots faced mounting challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these struggles. While some retailers saw an increase in sales due to a surge in demand for essential goods, others like Big Lots struggled with supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and inflation pressures. With a growing shift towards online shopping, brick-and-mortar retailers found themselves in a race to adapt or perish.
Impact on Communities
The closure of these 292 stores will have a significant impact on local communities, especially in smaller towns where Big Lots might be one of the few affordable shopping options. In these areas, the store served not only as a retail outlet but as a community hub where people could find affordable products. The closures will likely lead to job losses, affecting thousands of employees who may struggle to find equivalent employment in the same areas.
My Take on the Future of Discount Retailers
From my perspective, Big Lots’ fate serves as a cautionary tale for other discount retailers. The industry is undergoing a transformation as shoppers increasingly favor convenience and online shopping. Companies that fail to pivot quickly will find themselves on the same path as Big Lots, especially in a highly competitive market where price is not the only determining factor.
Retailers need to embrace technology and e-commerce while offering personalized shopping experiences to attract loyal customers. While store closures like this are inevitable, the discount sector still has potential if retailers can strike the right balance between physical stores and online presence.
The road ahead for Big Lots is uncertain, and even with Nexus Capital Management’s backing, it’s unclear whether the brand will ever return to its former glory. For now, consumers can enjoy discounts of up to 40% at the closing stores, but the emotional and economic toll on local communities will be long-lasting.
Conclusion
The closure of Big Lots stores is more than just another bankruptcy filing. It’s a reflection of the broader retail environment, where adaptability is key. As traditional retail continues to face challenges, companies that fail to evolve may find themselves in similar situations. Time will tell if Big Lots can rebound or if this marks the beginning of the end for the once-thriving retailer.
Big Lots Stores Closing List – 292 stores
| 199 Franklin Mills Blvd., Philadelphia |
| 940 E. Baseline Road, Tempe, Arizona |
| 18565 SW Tualatin Valley Highway, Beaverton, Oregon |
| 8539 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, California |
| 3735 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California |
| 34940 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin, Florida |
| 1170 Indiana Ave., Saint Marys, Ohio |
| 698 S. Ogden St., Buffalo, New York |
| 3426 Kohler Memorial Drive, Sheboygan, Wisconsin |
| 42 Town St., Suite 1200, Norwich, Connecticut |
| 1608 N Larkin Ave., Crest Hill, Illinois |
| 1601 W Craig Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 3420 Southwest Durham Drive, Durham, North Carolina |
| 5370 Stone Mountain Highway, Suite 300, Stone Mountain, Georgia |
| 209 S. Royal Oaks Blvd., Suite 206, Franklin, Tennessee |
| 1515 Garner Station Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina |
| 1016 Pine Log Road, Aiken, South Carolina |
| 27411 Ynez Road, Temecula, California |
| 304 NE Agness Ave., Grants Pass, Oregon |
| 1085 E. Main St., El Cajon, California |
| 120 31st Ave., SE, Puyallup, Washington |
| 42225 Jackson St., Suite B, Indio, California |
| 1617 N. Main St., Logan, Utah |
| 1551 Sycamore Ave., Hercules, California |
| 3750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, Florida |
| 3900 Sisk Road, Modesto, California |
| 2060 Monument Blvd., Concord, California |
| 15271 Mcgregor Blvd., Fort Myers, Florida |
| 4406 State Route 5 and 20, Suite 129, Canandaigua, New York |
| 18705 S I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, Arizona |
| 56 Turnpike Square, Milford, Connecticut |
| 6145 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa, California |
| 4895 E. Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, California |
| 1875 Oro Dam Blvd E, Oroville, California |
| 31 Hwy 138 W, Suite 150, Stockbridge, Georgia |
| 4420 Mitchelville Road, Bowie, Maryland |
| 2882 Tamiami Trl E., Naples, Florida |
| 4847 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, Florida |
| 616 W. Johnson St., Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin |
| 1321 Second St., Henderson, Kentucky |
| 912 County Line Road, Delano, California |
| 1100 Brighton Ave., Portland, Maine |
| 565 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, California |
| 610 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 300, Roswell, Georgia |
| 16074 Se Mcloughlin Blvd., Suite 8, Portland, Oregon |
| 7025 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, Arizona |
| 21800 N. Shangri La Drive, Unit 20, Lexington Park, Maryland |
| 373 N. Willowbrook Road, Coldwater, Michigan |
| 345 Scarlet Road, Suite 22, New Garden Township, Chester County near Kennett Square |
| 2400 W. International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida |
| 3161 E. Texas St., Bossier City |
| 4645 Commercial Drive, New Hartford, New York |
| 5580 N.W. 167th St., Miami Lakes, Florida |
| 1320 Franklin Road, Yuba City, California |
| 225 Orchard Plaza, Ukiah, California |
| 21697 State Road 7, Boca Raton, Florida |
| 2720 Country Club Blvd., Stockton, California |
| 25191 Chamber Of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs, Florida |
| 4433 Lemay Ferry Road, Saint Louis, Missouri |
| 3900 W. Ina Road, Tucson, Arizona |
| 5625 W Saginaw Highway, Unit 1, Lansing, Michigan |
| 751 Upper Glen St., Suite 2, Queensbury, New York |
| 11854 Us Highway 19, Port Richey, Florida |
| 1702 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, California |
| 2850 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti, Michigan |
| 951 W. Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos, California |
| 665 Fairfield Drive, Merced, California |
| 4201 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri |
| 1401 Spring St., Petoskey, Michigan |
| 2620 Canyon Springs Parkway, Riverside, California |
| 11372 Princeton Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 3105 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut |
| 1020 W. Imperial Highway, La Habra, California |
| 2628 11th Ave., Greeley, Colorado |
| 2236 SE Federal Highway, Stuart, Florida |
| 2240 El Camino Real, Atascadero, California |
| 1840 Countryside Drive, Turlock, California |
| 8533 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, Virginia |
| 2840 E. Main St., Suite109, Mesa, Arizona |
| 687 Main St., Thomson, Georgia |
| 8148 S Cicero Ave., Burbank, Illinois |
| 1650 Birchwood Ave., Bellingham, Washington |
| 2525 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, California |
| 4484 Las Positas Road, Livermore, California |
| 1690 S. Main St., West Bend, Wisconsin |
| 14215 SE Petrovitsky Road, Renton, Washington |
| 1414 72nd St., Tacoma, Washington |
| 5710 196th St., SW, Lynnwood, Washington |
| 151 Easy Way, Wenatchee, Washington |
| 1940 E. First St., Port Angeles, Washington |
| 179 Highland Ave., Seekonk, Massachusetts |
| 2000 14th Ave., SE, Albany, Oregon |
| 19331 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, California |
| 1417 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, California |
| 2121 Newmark St., North Bend, Oregon |
| 2815 Capital Mall Drive, SW, Olympia, Washington |
| 370 Northridge Mall, Salinas, California |
| 216 Washington St., Claremont, New Hampshire |
| 17575 Foothill Blvd., Fontana, California |
| 1470 Pleasant Valley Road, Manchester, Connecticut |
| 11989 Reisterstown Road, Suite A, Reisterstown, Maryland |
| 6275 University Drive, NW, Huntsville, Alabama |
| 2055 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, California |
| 2330 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, Arizona |
| 9500 Greenback Lane, Suite 22, Folsom, California |
| 11230 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida |
| 1500 Oliver Road, Fairfield, California |
| 138 W. Hively Ave., Elkhart, Indiana |
| 1400 US Route 302, Berlin, Vermont |
| 1931 E Main St., Torrington, Connecticut |
| 8265 W Flagler St., Miami, Florida |
| 3960 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin |
| 2000 Avondale Drive, Suite E, Durham, North Carolina |
| 1515 Marvin Road, NE, Lacey, Washington |
| 560 Windsor Ave., Windsor, Connecticut |
| 1410 S. 1st St., Union City, Tennessee |
| 2614 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, Minnesota |
| 17510 N. 75th Ave, Glendale, Arizona |
| 1986 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, California |
| 700 Blanding Blvd., Suite 1, Orange Park, Florida |
| 102. 2020 Grand River Ave., Okemos, Michigan |
| 4727 E. Bell Road, Phoenix, Arizona |
| 9535 S. Blvd, Suite C, Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 14790 La Paz Drive, Victorville, California |
| 303 U.S. Route 4 E, Rutland, Vermont |
| 3557 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, Louisiana |
| 2980 Whiteford Road, Springettsbury Township, York County |
| 52 W. Court St., Woodland, California |
| 8215 University City Blvd., Suite E, Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 471 Green St., Woodbridge, New Jersey |
| 3669 E. Grand River Ave., Howell, Michigan |
| 13241 Whittier Blvd., Whittier, California |
| 316 Cornelia St., Plattsburgh, New York |
| 1650 General Booth Blvd., Suite 200, Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| 8700 La Riviera Drive, Sacramento, California |
| 2681 N. Tracy Blvd., Tracy, California |
| 100. 400 Main St., Dennis Port, Massachusetts |
| 1417 N. Belt Hwy, Saint Joseph, Missouri |
| 1085 Bellevue Road, Atwater, California |
| 2817 S. Market St., Gilbert, Arizona |
| 713 E. Baltimore Ave., Clifton Heights, Delaware County |
| 410 E Perkins Ave., Sandusky, Ohio |
| 3399 Bethel Road, SE, Port Orchard, Washington |
| 2520 S. Harrison Road, Tucson, Arizona |
| 6727 Evergreen Way, Everett, Washington |
| 231 Centereach Mall, Centereach, New York |
| 6540 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, North Carolina |
| 9690 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 1260 Gail Gardner Way, Prescott, Arizona |
| 3615 Elkhorn Blvd., North Highlands, California |
| 1009 N. H St., Suite M, Lompoc, California |
| 1611 E Hatch Road, Suite A, Ceres, California |
| 360 E. 10th St., Gilroy, California |
| 375 Pavilion Parkway, Fayetteville, Georgia |
| 1211 Olive Drive, Bakersfield, California |
| 125. 736 Warrenton Road, Unit 102, Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| 7533 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas |
| 5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia |
| 1030 N. Main St., Layton, Utah |
| 353 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, California |
| 590 Branchlands Blvd., Charlottesville, Virginia |
| 1980 Pavilion Way, Lexington, Kentucky |
| 650 Wolcott St., Waterbury, Connecticut |
| 56865 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, California |
| 14907 4th Ave., SW, Burien, Washington |
| 1139 W Broadway, Centralia, Illinois |
| 6336 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, California |
| 14511 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |
| 47 Fair Lane, Placerville, California |
| 4835 E. Ray Road, Phoenix, Arizona |
| 12550 Central Ave., Chino, California |
| 5516 S. 900 East, Murray, Utah |
| 6839 E. Main St., Mesa, Arizona |
| 2025 Lancaster Drive, NE, Salem, Oregon |
| 7743 Sudley Road, Manassas, Virginia |
| 178 N King St., Northampton, Massachusetts |
| 263 S. Liberty St., Waynesboro, Georgia |
| 10850 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, Illinois |
| 7067 W Broward Blvd., Ste B, Plantation, Florida |
| 2276 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, New York |
| 8401 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 2151 Main St., Longmont, Colorado |
| 400 E. State Highway 260, Suite A, Payson, Arizona |
| 2401 N. Ave., Suite 19B, Grand Junction, Colorado |
| 1960 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene, Oregon |
| 1150a Union Street Ext., West Springfield, Massachusetts |
| 1937 Wilson Road, Newberry, South Carolina |
| 511 N. State Road 7, Royal Palm Beach, Florida |
| 1321 W. Yosemite Ave., Manteca, California |
| 2301 Gallatin Pike N., Madison, Tennessee |
| 2136 E. Markland Ave., Kokomo, Indiana |
| 5085 N Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 710 Academy Drive, Bessemer, Alabama |
| 1617 Eglin St., Rapid City, South Dakota |
| 4025 Poplar Level Road, Unit 102, Louisville, Kentucky |
| 1699 River Oaks Drive, Calumet City, Illinois |
| 4925 Jackman Road, Suite 15, Toledo, Ohio |
| 204 S. Randall Road, Elgin, Illinois |
| 7381 52nd Pl E., Bradenton, Florida |
| 2238 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, California |
| 12601 Citrus Plaza Drive, Tampa, Florida |
| 1440 N.E. 23rd St., Pompano Beach, Florida |
| 2738 Candler Road, Decatur, Georgia |
| 633 Sweetwater Road, Spring Valley, California |
| 1990 S. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 41 Pond St., Ashland, Massachusetts |
| 6623 Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, Maryland |
| 13637 Washington St., Kansas City, Missouri |
| 1670 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, California |
| 5415 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin |
| 3520 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno, California |
| 3958 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| 6207 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, Michigan |
| 2309 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, New York |
| 1416 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona |
| 2900 W. Rosecrans Ave., Gardena, California |
| 7370 N. Blackstone Ave., Fresno, California |
| 3225 Missouri Blvd., Jefferson City, Missouri |
| 339 South Drive, Suite D, Natchitoches, Louisiana |
| 8100 W. Crestline Ave., Unit B5, Littleton, Colorado |
| 2083 NE Burnside Road, Gresham, Oregon |
| 8401 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 1761 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale, Florida |
| 7233 W Dempster St., Niles, Illinois |
| 1743 George Washington Way, Richland, Washington |
| 9612 N. Newport Highway, Spokane, Washington |
| 4525 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, Arizona |
| 1520 N. Clinton St., Defiance, Ohio |
| 17307 SE 272nd St., Covington, Washington |
| 32399 John R Road, Madison Heights, Michigan |
| 901 N Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, Florida |
| 5587 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, California |
| 1327 S. Brundidge St., Troy, Alabama |
| 41306 Us Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, Florida |
| 7779 Tylersville Road, West Chester, Ohio |
| 1482 E. 2nd St., Beaumont, California |
| 2999 N College Ave., Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| 260 Voice Road, Carle Place, New York |
| 10220 N. 90th St., Scottsdale, Arizona |
| 740 N. Main St., Corona, California |
| 40 Boston Post Road, Waterford, Connecticut |
| 4430 Ontario Mills Parkway, Ontario, California |
| 3921 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, Florida |
| 328 E. Sugarland Highway, Clewiston, Florida |
| 699 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah, Wisconsin |
| 1957 Cobbs Ford Road, Prattville, Alabama |
| 27142 La Paz Road, Mission Viejo, California |
| 230 E. Bell Road, Phoenix, Arizona |
| 6626 S. Parker Road, Aurora, Colorado |
| 702 E. State Road, American Fork, Utah |
| 13051 Abercorn St., Savannah, Georgia |
| 1189 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley, California |
| 4254 28th St. SE, Kentwood, Michigan |
| 750 Perry Ave., Big Rapids, Michigan |
| 2353 N. Park Drive, Holland, Michigan |
| 169 Danbury Road, New Milford, Connecticut |
| 6646 Clark Road, Paradise, California |
| 2975 New Center Point, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 3331 Corridor Marketplace, Laurel, Maryland |
| 359 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton, Ohio |
| 5401 100th St., SW, Suite 102, Lakewood, Washington |
| 6630 Valley Hi Drive, Sacramento, California |
| 1391 W. Fort Williams St., Sylacauga, Alabama |
| 30501 Avenida De Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita, California |
| 818 Alamo Drive, Vacaville, California |
| 4930 Christy Blvd., Suite 2, Saint Louis, Missouri |
| 111 Ranch Drive, Milpitas, California |
| 24760 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria, Arizona |
| 1841 J A Cochran Bypass, Suite A, Chester, South Carolina |
| 822 E. Main St., Jefferson, North Carolina |
| 1927 E. 20th St., Chico, California |
| 340 Summit Drive, Lockport, Illinois |
| 2621 Fashion Place, Bakersfield, California |
| 14603 Telegraph Road, Woodbridge, Virginia |
| 380 S. Cherokee Lane, Lodi, California |
| 43 Burnett Blvd., Poughkeepsie, New York |
| 499 W. Orange Show Road, San Bernardino, California |
| 2100b SE 164th Ave., Suite E, Vancouver, Washington |
| 1301 W Meeker St., Kent, Washington |
| 1200 10th Ave. South, Great Falls, Montana |
| 2110 Wards Road, Lynchburg, Virginia |
| 2354 S. Range Ave., Denham Springs, Louisiana |
| 17w714 W 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois |
| 955 Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance, California |
| 568 W. Main St., Suite B, Santa Paula, California |
| 2930 Prospect Ave., Helena, Montana |
| 2450 South 9th St., Salina, Kansas |
| 2820 Gracy Center Way, Moon Township, Allegheny County, near Coraopolis |
| 810 Tri City Center, Redlands, California |
| 3630 W. Baseline Road, Laveen, Arizona |
| 2020 N. 75th Ave., Suite 40, Phoenix, Arizona |
| 201 W. Lincoln Highway, West Whiteland Township, Chester County, near Exton |