COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported fourth quarter retail sales for the fiscal quarter ended January 30, 2010 increased 6.9% to $1,451.5 million, compared to $1,357.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year increased 5.1% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, exceeding our most recent guidance which called for an increase in the range of 3.5% to 4.5%. The variance to the high end of our comparable store sales guidance is directly related to the outperformance of the business in the last three weeks of January as a result of: 1) better than expected results from our mid-January ad circular event, 2) strong response to our semi-annual Buzz Club/Buzz Club Rewards promotion sent out to over 5.5 million customers, and 3) less unfavorable weather compared to last year. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO ) For the fifty-two week fiscal 2009, retail sales increased 1.5% to $4,667.7 million, compared to $4,598.4 million for the fifty-two week fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales increased 0.7% for fiscal 2009. Commenting on sales for the quarter, Steve Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We recorded our largest fourth quarter comp sales increase in the last 10 years. Our merchants delivered great values, our stores executed more consistently, and we believe we are beginning to see some early benefits from our new Buzz Club Rewards program. Additionally, we believe the improvement in consumer discretionary trends first experienced in the September/October timeframe continued through the holiday season and benefitted our results." Mr. Fishman continued, "From a merchandising perspective, our sales performance was positive across all major merchandise categories with home, furniture, and hardlines as the best performing categories comping up in the high single digits for the quarter. Our business in consumables, seasonal, and toys was also quite good and comped up in the low to mid-single digits." Mr. Fishman concluded, "Exiting the holiday quarter and beginning 2010, our inventories have been well-controlled which has enabled us to chase opportunities in a deal environment that continues to improve." We expect to report results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 on Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Big Lots is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer. Currently, we operate 1,361 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states. 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, Big Lots, +1-614-278-6622 Web Site: http://www.biglots.com/

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