Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BLI) With annual sales over $4 billion and over 1,400 stores nationwide, Big Lots is America’s largest broadline closeout retailer. Our stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BLI and is ranked among the Fortune 500. 

http://www.biglots.com

Big Lots Reports Fourth Quarter Comparable Store Sales Increase of 5.1% 
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb 04, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- 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. 
(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." 

Big Lots Reports Record Results 
Record Q4 Income from Continuing Operations of $1.00 Per Diluted Share
Record FY 2008 Income from Continuing Operations of $1.89 Per Diluted Share
Company Provides Initial Guidance for Fiscal 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported net income of $78.8 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. This compares to net income of $92.0 million, or $1.04 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. For fiscal year 2008 ended January 31, 2009, net income was $151.5 million, or $1.85 per diluted share, compared to net income of $158.5 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, for fiscal 2007. Results include both the continuing operations of the business and discontinued operations. Discontinued operations, which are discussed later in this release, for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2008 totaled a loss of $3.0 million and a loss of $3.3 million, respectively, compared to income from discontinued operations of $6.4 million and $7.3 million for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2007, respectively.

Big Lots Reports Fourth Quarter Comparable Store Sales Decrease of 3.2% 
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb 05, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported fourth quarter retail sales for fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009 decreased 3.4% to $1,353.1 million, compared to $1,400.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year decreased 3.2% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Our fourth quarter comparable store sales decrease of 3.2% was in line with our guidance communicated on December 5, 2008 which called for a comparable store sales decline in the range of 2% to 4%. 
For the fifty-two week fiscal 2008, retail sales decreased 0.3% to $4,594.2 million, compared to $4,606.2 million for the fifty-two week fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales increased 0.5% for fiscal 2008. 
Consistent with our communicated guidance, the best performing merchandising categories during the fourth quarter were hardlines and consumables. Sales comps in hardlines increased in the low double digits driven by significant closeout opportunities in our Electronics department. Consumables sales comps increased in the mid-single digits continuing our successful performance in this need-based category. As expected, sales comps in the more discretionary seasonal, home and furniture categories and toys department were below last year. On a regional basis, sales results were fairly consistent across the country with the exception of the Southeastern region which lagged the Company average. 

Big Lots Reports Record Second Quarter Results  Company Raises Annual Earnings and Cash Flow Guidance
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported second quarter fiscal 2007 income from continuing operations of $22.1 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $4.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. Including the impact of discontinued operations, second quarter fiscal 2007 net income totaled $23.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to $4.3 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the prior year.
For the year to date period ended August 4, 2007, income from continuing operations totaled $51.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $19.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the same period in fiscal 2006. Including the impact of discontinued operations, year to date fiscal 2007 net income totaled $52.1 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, compared to $18.0 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the prior year.
    SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
    -- Record second quarter income from continuing operations of $0.21 per
       diluted share versus income from continuing operations of $0.04 per
       diluted share last year
    -- Comparable store sales increase of 5.2%
    -- Operating profit rate of 3.1% versus 0.7% last year
    -- Repurchased $215 million of stock under the Company's $600 million
       share repurchase program
    -- Record second quarter inventory turnover
    Second Quarter Results
Net sales for the second quarter ended August 4, 2007, increased 2.7% to $1,084.9 million, compared to $1,056.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2006. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year increased 5.2% for the quarter on top of a 5.2% comparable store sales increase in the second quarter of fiscal 2006.
Operating profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 was $33.4 million, or 3.1% of sales, compared to last year's operating profit of $7.3 million, or 0.7% of sales. The operating profit dollar improvement to last year was the result of significant expense leverage along with the incremental gross margin dollars driven by the Company's 5.2% comparable store sales increase. Operating expenses as a percent of sales improved by 260 basis points due to store and distribution center efficiencies, lower insurance-related costs, efficiencies in advertising spending, and the leveraging impact of a 5.2% comp. As anticipated, this expense leverage was partially offset by a slight decline of 20 basis points in the gross margin rate due to certain lower margin promotions and a slight shift in merchandise mix towards lower margin categories

Big Lots Reports Second Quarter Comparable Store Sales Increase Of 5.2%
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported second quarter retail sales for fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2007 increased 2.8% to $1,075.4 million, compared to $1,046.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2006. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year increased 5.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2007, above the Company's guidance for a comparable store sales increase in the range of 2% to 4%.
For the twenty-six week year to date period ended August 4, 2007, retail sales increased 3.1% to $2,191.4 million, compared to $2,124.6 million for the same period in fiscal 2006. Comparable store sales increased 5.0% for the year to date period.