Bankrupt? Not Anymore—Retail Chain Reopens 78 Stores With More Coming [WATCH]

Variety Wholesalers announced it will reopen 78 more Big Lots stores this week, continuing its phased revival of the discount retail chain following its acquisition of hundreds of locations through bankruptcy proceedings.

The company confirmed that the latest batch of reopened stores will begin operating on Thursday. The locations are spread across Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

These reopenings mark the fourth wave in Variety Wholesalers’ ongoing plan to bring a total of 219 Big Lots locations back into operation.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the fall of last year, citing significant economic pressure driven by inflation, interest rates, and a decline in discretionary spending by its primary customer base.

The retailer stated in its court filings that it had been “adversely affected by recent macroeconomic factors such as high inflation and interest rates that are beyond its control,” which contributed to a drop in sales of home and seasonal goods.

Following the bankruptcy filing, Big Lots reached a sale agreement with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which facilitated the transfer of 219 store locations to Variety Wholesale Partners, a subsidiary of Variety Wholesalers.

Reopenings began in April, when the first nine locations resumed operations under the new ownership. That initial wave was followed by two more in May, which brought an additional 132 stores back online.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

With this week’s 78 additional locations, the total number of reopened stores reaches 219.

According to Variety Wholesalers, the return of Big Lots has been met with strong customer demand. The company credited its “phased reopening strategy” with helping manage operations while ensuring stores are fully prepared for customers.

“This enthusiastic response reinforces our belief that taking Big Lots! back to the roots of what made it a huge success resonates with our customers,” said Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies in a statement. “Providing great value will always be our core mission.”

The company also announced plans for a “grand opening celebration” this fall across all 219 locations now under its management. The event will include promotional deals and in-store events, according to company officials.

As momentum builds, Variety Wholesalers is also evaluating the potential to acquire even more Big Lots store locations.

The company has not specified which additional locations it is considering but indicated that strong customer turnout and sales performance have prompted further interest in expansion.

Big Lots was one of several discount retailers hit hard by changing consumer behavior over the past two years. As household budgets tightened, purchases of non-essential goods such as home décor and seasonal merchandise declined, impacting revenue streams.

The revived Big Lots stores are expected to focus on the chain’s traditional product lines, emphasizing discounted home goods, furniture, seasonal items, and grocery deals.

Variety Wholesalers has not yet provided a complete list of which locations are opening in each state but said updated store details will be posted on the Big Lots website ahead of Thursday’s launch.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs