COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported second quarter retail sales for fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2008 increased 1.9% to $1,095.9 million, compared to $1,075.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year increased 2.8% for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO ) For the twenty-six week year to date period ended August 2, 2008, retail sales increased 2.0% to $2,234.9 million, compared to $2,191.4 million for the same period in fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales increased 3.1% for the year to date period. Comparable store sales in the second quarter were driven by an increase in the value of the average basket as the Company's "raise the ring" strategy continues to deliver positive results. From a merchandising perspective, consumables, seasonal, and furniture were the best performing categories. Consumables' comps increased in the low double digits with strength in all classifications. The Seasonal category, primarily lawn and garden and summer, experienced comp increases in the high-single digits. Furniture continued to be a leading category with comps up in the mid-single digits with particular strength in mattress sales. Additionally, as anticipated, sales from a drugstore liquidation deal and the Company's home event essentially offset a large closeout deal from a major home furnishings retailer from a year ago. The Company expects to report results for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Big Lots, Inc. is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer. The Company currently operates 1,354 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states. Wholesale operations are conducted through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, WISCONSIN TOY and with online sales at http://www.biglotswholesale.com/. The Company's website is located at http://www.biglots.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" 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 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. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Big Lots, Inc. CONTACT: Timothy A. Johnson, Vice President, Strategic Planning and Investor Relations, +1-614-278-6622, Big Lots, Inc. Web site: http://www.biglots.com/ http://www.biglotswholesale.com/

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