COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported second quarter retail sales for the fiscal quarter ended August 1, 2009 decreased 2.3% to $1,071.2 million, compared to $1,095.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year decreased 2.4% for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. This result is consistent with our previously communicated guidance issued on May 28, 2009 which called for a comparable store sales decrease in the range of 1% to 3%. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO) For the twenty-six week year to date period ended August 1, 2009, retail sales decreased 1.5% to $2,200.6 million, compared to $2,234.9 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales decreased 1.5% for the year to date period. From a merchandising perspective, the best performing categories during the second quarter were consumables, hardlines, and seasonal with all three categories posting flat or positive comparable store sales results for the quarter. Sales results in our home and furniture categories were below last year. On a regional basis, comparable stores sales for the quarter were the strongest in the West while comparable store sales results in the Southeast, particularly Florida, continue to be the most challenging. We expect to report results for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. Big Lots is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer. Currently, we operate 1,350 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states. We also sell merchandise via the internet at http://www.biglots.com/. Wholesale operations are conducted through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, and WISCONSIN TOY and with online sales at http://www.biglotswholesale.com/. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of our objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although we believe the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Forward-looking statements that we make herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the current economic and credit crisis, the cost of goods, our inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on our customers and us, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our public announcements and SEC filings. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Big Lots, Inc. CONTACT: Timothy A. Johnson, Vice President, Strategic Planning and Investor Relations of Big Lots, Inc., +1-614-278-6622 Web Site: http://www.biglots.com/

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