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Big Lots Reports Third Quarter Comparable Store Sales Decrease of 0.2%

		Big Lots, Inc. logo. (PRNewsFoto/Big Lots, Inc.) COLUMBUS, OH UNITED STATES

    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.