A few months after seeking bankruptcy protection, national retail chain Big Lots has announced its plans to revitalize the brand with the opening of nine stores this week. This relaunch follows the acquisition of Big Lots’ intellectual properties by Variety Wholesalers in December.
As part of the transaction, Variety Wholesalers has committed to purchasing between 200 and 400 Big Lots locations, planning to reopen them under the Big Lots name.
“We’re excited to resurrect the Big Lots! brand by offering more incredible deals than ever, a plethora of well-known brands, and a new apparel section for the whole family,” stated Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers. “We are opening stores swiftly to serve our communities. While we acknowledge that the stores may not be flawless initially, we are committed to introducing new products each week as we gear up for a grand opening celebration in the fall. We want every visit to Big Lots! to be an opportunity for customers to discover something fresh and exciting!”
The first nine stores are set to open on April 10 at the following locations:
- KENTUCKY: 1342 Indian Mound Dr, Mount Sterling, KY
- LOUISIANA: 755 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA
- MISSISSIPPI: 2605 W Main St, Tupelo, MS; 5778 Hwy 80 E, Pearl, MS
- NORTH CAROLINA: 1432 E Dixie Dr, Asheboro, NC
- TENNESSEE: 1041 S Riverside Dr, Clarksville, TN; 744 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN; 220 Dickson Plaza Dr, Dickson, TN
- VIRGINIA: 2911 Hershberger Rd NW, Roanoke, VA
On May 1, a second wave of openings is expected with 55 additional locations relaunching. The final series of openings will occur in June, culminating in grand opening festivities in the fall. In total, Variety aims to reopen 219 Big Lots stores in the coming months.
Stores are anticipated to reopen in states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and others.
While specific details remain sparse, Variety Wholesalers has indicated that customers can look forward to “renovated stores, a vast array of closeout deals, and new product categories, including family apparel and electronics.”
Related story: Bargain retailer acquires leases for 63 former Big Lots locations, intending to reopen them in 2025
This initiative marks a significant turnaround for the brand following a challenging end to 2024. In September, the company publicly declared its intention to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. After a potential asset purchase agreement collapsed, the company revealed in December that it would begin “going out of business” sales at all locations.
However, shortly afterward, the company announced it had secured agreements with several partners, including Variety Wholesalers, to sustain the brand and halt the liquidation process.
