Big Lots is making a strong comeback. Nearly 80 of its stores are reopening this week as part of a broad phased relaunch by new owner Variety Wholesalers, marking the fourth wave of reopenings following the discount chain’s bankruptcy last fall.
A total of 78 locations across nine states — Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia — will reopen their doors on Thursday, Variety Wholesalers announced.
The reopening marks another significant step in the revitalization of the Big Lots brand, which entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2024. The retailer cited high inflation, elevated interest rates, and declining discretionary spending among its core customer base as key drivers of its financial troubles.
Shortly after filing, Big Lots reached a sale agreement with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which facilitated the acquisition of 219 store locations by Variety Wholesalers — a discount retail group based in North Carolina known for chains like Roses and Maxway.
Variety Wholesalers began relaunching stores in April. The first reopening phase featured just nine stores, followed by 132 more in two major waves in May. With this week’s addition of 78 more stores, the company is nearing full operational status for its newly acquired Big Lots locations.
The company plans to host a “grand opening celebration” this fall across all 219 stores, promising “exciting new deals” and a return to the value-driven roots that originally made Big Lots a household name.
According to the company, customers have responded overwhelmingly positively to the reopened stores — a response that has inspired Variety Wholesalers to consider acquiring additional Big Lots locations as opportunities arise.
The revitalization of Big Lots under new ownership may serve as a case study in retail turnaround, as legacy discount brands grapple with a changing economy and evolving consumer habits.
With input from Fox Business
