COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported third quarter retail sales for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2009 increased 0.9% to $1,015.6 million, compared to $1,006.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year decreased 0.2% for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. This result is consistent with the better end of the range of our previously communicated guidance issued on August 25, 2009 which called for comparable store sales for the third quarter in the range of flat to a 2% decrease. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO ) For the thirty-nine week year to date period ended October 31, 2009, retail sales decreased 0.8% to $3,216.2 million, compared to $3,241.1 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales decreased 1.1% for the year to date period. Commenting on sales for the quarter, Steve Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, "After a challenging start to the quarter and the back to school selling season, our sales trends improved after the Labor Day holiday as we posted positive comps in both September and October. From a merchandising perspective, our sales performance is becoming more consistent across major merchandise categories. Consumables and home were the best performing categories comping up in the low single digits for the quarter. Our toys and electronics departments also comped positive for the quarter which is encouraging as we move towards the holiday selling season. In contrast, sales comps were down in the low single digits in the seasonal and furniture categories, with the furniture softness directly attributable to mattress sales that were below last year levels." Mr. Fishman continued, "As we enter the holiday selling season, our inventories are well under control with sufficient open to buy dollars to chase compelling deals, and I am confident we are well positioned for the holiday selling season with a more branded merchandise assortment at better values than this time a year ago." We expect to report results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 on Friday, December 4, 2009. Big Lots is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer. Currently, we operate 1,367 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/BIGLOTSLOGODATASOURCE: Big Lots, Inc. CONTACT: Timothy A. Johnson, Vice President, Strategic Planning and Investor Relations, +1-614-278-6622, or Shareholder Relations Department, Phone: +1-614-278-6622, Fax: +1-614-278-6666, Web Site: http://www.biglots.com/

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