Big Lots to close 6 stores in region

Big Lots plans to close hundreds of stores across the country, including a handful of locations in Southwest Florida. The closures come after the company reported significant losses for the first quarter and the last fiscal year. 

For the fiscal year that ended May 4, the home store that encourages people to “live big and save lots” reported a net loss of $205 million. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 marked a 10.2% decrease compared with the same period last year, according to a statement from Big Lots.

“We missed our sales goals due largely to a continued pullback in consumer spending by our core customers, particularly in high-ticket discretionary items,” President and CEO of Big Lots Bruce Thorn says in a statement about the first-quarter results.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the chain operates more than 1,300 stores in 48 states.

“There are still a significant number of underperforming stores that we are working hard to address,” Thorn says.

Now, Big Lots plans to close up to 315 stores nationwide, according to an SEC filing dated July 31.

Banners have gone up on the Big Lots website announcing store closures, mirrored by signage at the stores themselves. There are 106 Big Lots stores in Florida, where the company plans to close 26 locations.

Here are the Big Lots stores that are set to close  on the west coast of Florida: 

• 7381 52nd Place East, Bradenton
• 15271 Mcgregor Blvd., Fort Myers
• 2882 Tamiami Trail East, Naples
• 11854 US Highway 19, Port Richey
• 3750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
• 12601 Citrus Plaza Drive, Tampa