Roughly 300 additional Big Lots stores are set to close as speculation that the company could file for bankruptcy looms.
In early July, Big Lots warned in a U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that between 35 and 40 locations could shutter this year. In a new SEC filing submitted on July 31, Big Lots said the total number of closures could reach 315, much higher than the originally agreed number of 150.
Company leaders have pointed to inflation and difficulties in competing, saying they had “a substantial doubt” in their ability to continue. Between the first quarters of 2023 and 2024, Big Lots reported that sales dropped more than 10%.
Big Lots has not released a complete list of stores that will be closed, but signs have already started to appear at affected locations. As of Wednesday, roughly 300 have banners on their web pages that read “closing this location” while alerting customers they could “save up to 20% off.”
In the Sacramento region, the store in North Highlands is among those affected. The closures of these local Big Lots stores come as a blow to the communities that rely on them for affordable goods. North Highlands and Rio Linda residents will need to seek alternative locations for their shopping needs, potentially increasing travel time and expenses.
Big Lots has not said when these stores will close, and a representative did not immediately respond to our request for comment. It’s also unclear why Big Lots selected these specific stores for closure.
Big Lots currently has 1,389 locations across 48 states (only Alaska and Hawaii are without stores). Should it close the proposed 315 stores, Big Lots would lose nearly 23% of its retail locations. The company, based in Columbus, Ohio, began in 1967, but it wasn’t until 2001 that all of its store names switched to Big Lots.
The Ohio-based discount retail chain’s latest batch of closures includes more than 300 stores nationwide. Several are in the Sacramento region:
- Ceres
- Chino
- Elk Grove
- Fontana
- Freedom (Watsonville)
- Fresno (West Shaw Avenue and Kings Canyon Road)
- Gardena
- La Habra
- Lodi
- Mission Viejo
- North Highlands
- Oroville
- Paradise
- Spring Valley
- Torrance
- Victorville
- Whittier
- Yuba City
- Yucca Valley
In a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing on July 31, Big Lots said it plans to increase its store closures from 150 to 315 amid a possible bankruptcy.
In 2024, the U.S. economy has continued to face macroeconomic challenges, including elevated inflation, which has adversely impacted the buying power of our customers,” Big Lots wrote in a recent quarterly report.
The retail chain said it has “substantial doubt” in its ability to survive amid declining sales and high costs.
Which Big Lots stores are closing in the Sacramento area? Big Lots recently updated its website to show upcoming store closures. The Big Lots store in Roseville will remain open, according to its site.
Big Lots joins a list of restaurants and retail chains that have abruptly closed area locations due to financial constraints — including Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Rue 21, and Rite Aid pharmacies.
There are currently more than 1,000 open Big Lots stores across the United States, with 109 in California.
