Americans can't even afford Big Lots these days

[marmar]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Discount store chain Big Lots Inc. said Thursday that second-quarter revenue at its stores that had been open at least two years fell 1.5 percent compared with the same period in 2010.

The comparison is an important indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes stores that recently opened or closed.

Total second-quarter revenue rose 1.8 percent to $1.15 billion. The results don't include Liquidation World stores, the Canadian chain that Big Lots bought last month. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44017420/ns/business-personal_finance/#.Tjqj6GFvC7s

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

2. I've never been to a Big Lots... can't imagine the need will ever arise.

From the outside, it looks like a Target combined with Bed Bath & Beyond all with the class of a Dollar Tree to top it off. Just another big name store selling imported crap no one really needs.

[sammytko]

3. If you dig around, you can get some good deals at Big Lots, but

the general food and cleaning products can be purchased for less at a regular store.

[drpepper67]

11. I found a great deal on address labels at Big Lots

Address labels for printers.

They were $1 a pack. The same pack at Office Depot cost $6.

I bought every pack they had. I will never need address again.

[Cirque du So-What]

5. AFAIC, it's not worth the trouble to go there

I don't even bother going when they advertise a 'too good to be true' sale price in their flyer, as I've gone more than once only to find they're already sold out of the 'teaser' item.

[tridim]

12. It's better than Dollar General, but not much

I buy green tea there, and dish soap, advil, throw rugs (made from old recycled t-shirts) and plastic containers.

[Lorien]

20. Not so. Just bought about three months worth of organic grains from Bob's Red

Mill there for less than half the price at the grocery. Bob's is employee owned.

[Kablooie]

16. Most of the products are those that didn't sell and the manufacturers want to get rid of.

You can get a lot of weird snacks from major manufactures very cheap there.

[sammytko]

17. Yes! Also at Ross Dress for Less

Love to look at all the little tidbits for sale at Ross. Can also pick up great deals on high end shampoos, soaps and other cosmetic items. Shoes, underwear all sorts of things.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

19. I had a Big Lots a block down the street when I was in college. I have to admit, I loved it.

Basically anything I needed super cheap within walking distance. It was a starving college student's dream.

[udbcrzy2]

4. Good deals on mattress and box springs n/t

[Dappleganger]

8. yes

[Dappleganger]

6. We go there regularly, especially their f&f sales.

We buy juices, energy drinks, bottled water, bread and a few boxed items. Ours is very close by so we don't spend much in gas to get to it.

[gauguin57]

7. I've gotten some great bargains at Big Lots.

Got a lot of stocking stuffers there last Christmas.

One year, Big Lots had Coleman-brand double-decker blow-up beds on sale for $30 bucks. Every household in my extended family ran right out to buy a set (so we can all sleep on each other's floors when all the beds are full during holiday seasons!). We've used those extensively... and $30 was a great deal!

All that said ... there are so many discount retailers out there now ... I shop at whichever's closest to where I'm doing errands.

[madmom]

9. I got a name brand vacuum cleaner there for $75 originally $200 at other

stores. It said on the box it was "rebuilt" but hubby and I figured if it was rebuilt it must be right now. Have had it for 2 years and no problems.

[chill_wind]

13. Me too madmom. So far, very pleased with it.

Also a small rolling kitchen island after pricing them at many online sites and other places, and a "fireplace" enclosed electric heater at a terrific bargain price, even though they went so fast after the ad that we had to drive to a second store to get one.

I was into scrapbooking and other paper-crafting stuff for a while, and while their selection of that stuff was small, it was nice stuff at a fraction of the price I would find anywhere else.

Ours is just minutes away and in the same plaza as a grocery store, dollar store, hardware store and another discount store. I would really hate to see it go out of business.

[uponit7771]

10. Dam...this is bad, I worked in finance...when Big Lots, Dollar Tree, Wal Mart start see REVENUE drop

...drops that's not a good sign...like smelling a bad smell after pealing off a bandage.

[eleny]

14. We shop there even though it's hit and miss

They don't always have what I want but I often find surprises. Last time it was imported whole wheat spaghetti for $1.20 a package. And it's excellent.

I poke around the store and always find deals. Thankfully, the store is 5 minutes from the house and also right next to a dollar store and Gordman's.

If their sales are dropping off it's a bad sign.

[dgibby]

15. Shopping is also down at Walmart.

Maybe this is what it's going to take to wake up Congress. Shoppers' holidays + general strike would send a very pointed message, I think.

[LibertyLover]

18. Slate.com has an article

that even dollar stores are feeling the pinch as consumers simply stop purchasing all but the basic necessities. 2 of the 3 biggest dollar store chains didn't make estimated profits in the 2nd quarter IIRC.

[chill_wind]

24. OK. That is scariest of all. n/t.

[Tabasco_Dave]

21. I liked it better when it was Pic n' Save

They had better bargains.

[Tallulah]

22. I used to go there often

lots of junk to look at. I bought very few things, it got boring so I stopped going.

Their holiday stuff is cool.

[trackfan]

23. I think they should not have changed their name from Pick N Save.

That was a much better name than Big Lots. I find the 99 cent store to be a better place for cheap stuff these days.


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