Business

Big Lots to reopen 132 stores across 14 states after bankruptcy

Thursday, 1 May 2025 12:14AM UTC

Following bankruptcy and ownership changes, discount retailer Big Lots is set to revive 132 locations in the US South and Appalachian regions, signalling a major comeback for the brand.

Big Lots, a discount retail chain in the United States, is reopening more than 100 locations it had previously closed, marking a significant turnaround in its business following bankruptcy and ownership changes. The company’s new owners, Variety Wholesalers, announced plans to reopen 132 stores that had been shut down last year during Big Lots’ bankruptcy proceedings.

The reopening will occur across 14 states, primarily concentrated in the U.S. South and Appalachian regions. Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, expressed enthusiasm about the development, stating, “We’re excited to bring an additional 132 Big Lots locations back to life.” The stores are scheduled to reopen in two phases, with the first group launching on 1 May and the second on 15 May.

Variety Wholesalers acquired more than 200 Big Lots stores earlier this year after Big Lots filed for bankruptcy in September and closed approximately 1,000 stores nationwide. The bankruptcy and subsequent store closures occurred before Gordon Brothers Retail Partners acquired the company. Gordon Brothers described their acquisition as a “going concern sale,” which aimed to preserve the Big Lots brand, keep hundreds of stores operational, and prevent thousands of layoffs.

In addition to acquiring Big Lots, Gordon Brothers transferred ownership of certain stores and distribution centres to other companies, including Variety Wholesalers. Since the transfer, Variety Wholesalers has already reopened nine Big Lots locations, receiving positive feedback from customers. Seigies remarked, “The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The reopening locations span a wide geographic area, including numerous cities and towns in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Some of the cities include Athens and Mobile in Alabama; Jacksonville and Panama City in Florida; Augusta and Marietta in Georgia; Jasper in Indiana; Campbellsville and Somerset in Kentucky; Flint and Port Huron in Michigan; Southaven in Mississippi; Greensboro and Fayetteville in North Carolina; Columbus and Toledo in Ohio; Erie and New Castle in Pennsylvania; Rock Hill and Spartanburg in South Carolina; Knoxville and Johnson City in Tennessee; Chesapeake and Fredericksburg in Virginia; and Charleston and Beckley in West Virginia.

This reopening marks a significant effort to revive the Big Lots brand and restore its presence in communities affected by the previous closures. The Independent is reporting on this development.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://apnews.com/article/06626070d719d639fecd199079146cec - This article reports that Big Lots filed for bankruptcy in September 2024 and reached a deal to keep hundreds of its stores and distribution centers open, with Variety Wholesalers planning to acquire between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores and operate them under the Big Lots brand.
https://www.axios.com/2024/12/27/big-lots-sale-variety-wholesalers - This piece details how Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2024 and struck a deal to save hundreds of its stores via a sale to Gordon Brothers and Variety Wholesalers, with Variety Wholesalers set to acquire between 200 and 400 locations.
https://startingbusinesseasy.com/business/retail/gordon-brothers-and-variety-wholesalers-step-in-to-save-some-big-lots-stores/ - This article discusses how Gordon Brothers Retail Partners agreed to buy all Big Lots assets, including stores, distribution centers, and intellectual property, which it plans to sell to other retailers and companies, with Variety Wholesalers acquiring between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores along with two distribution centers.
https://www.statesman.com/story/money/2024/12/28/big-lots-closing-stores-gordon-brothers-deal/77288692007/ - This report covers how Big Lots, which filed for bankruptcy in September 2024, reached a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners resulting in the transfer of 200 to 400 Big Lots stores to Variety Wholesalers, Inc., with plans to operate the stores under the Big Lots brand.
https://www.hometextilestoday.com/financial/its-official-gordon-brothers-completes-big-lots-purchase/ - This article confirms that Gordon Brothers completed the purchase of Big Lots, with Variety Wholesalers acquiring at least 200 stores that will operate under the Big Lots brand name and retain the employees needed for continued operations.
https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/big-lots-sale-variety-wholesalers-gordon-brothers-20007276.php - This piece reports that Variety Wholesalers Inc., which owns more than 400 discount stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, plans to acquire between 200 and ... .
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/big-lots-reopening-stores-bankruptcy-furniture-b2742386.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative reports recent developments (reopening planned for May 2024, ownership changes in early 2024) without obvious signs of outdated references. Specific reopening dates (1 May and 15 May) suggest timely reporting. However, without confirming the current year, potential ambiguity exists regarding whether dates refer to past or upcoming reopenings.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: Quotes from Lisa Seigies are plausibly original, as no prior identical statements were found. The lack of dated references to these quotes in external sources limits confirmation but increases likelihood of originality.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The Independent is a reputable UK-based publication, though not specialised in US business reporting. Ownership details align with bankruptcy filing norms, but cross-referencing with press releases would strengthen reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: Claims align logically with standard bankruptcy proceedings (store transfers, phased reopenings). Specific locations and timelines enhance credibility. No evident contradictions in the corporate narrative.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative demonstrates strong plausibility and freshness, supported by a reputable source. Minor uncertainties about quote originality and date specificity are offset by logical consistency with bankruptcy recovery patterns.

Big Lots
retail
store reopenings
bankruptcy
Variety Wholesalers