Big Lots quarterly loss deepens, discount chain stock under pressure

Big Lots, the closeout retailer, recently reported a wider quarterly net loss and negative comparable sales, highlighting ongoing challenges in U.S. discretionary retail. The discount chain is cutting costs, resizing its store footprint, and leaning harder on bargains to regain profitability.

By Julia Schmitt, Sector & Peer Group desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-26, 15:10.

Big Lots Inc (US08930C1000) earlier this month reported a materially wider net loss for its latest quarter, underscoring ongoing pressure in the U.S. discount retail space. The NASDAQ-listed closeout chain also posted another drop in comparable sales, according to its earnings release and subsequent coverage by Reuters. Big Lots first-quarter 2026 results press release

What the latest results showed

For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Big Lots reported a net loss of around 60 million dollars, notably larger than the prior-year period, on sales that declined to roughly 1 billion dollars, as detailed in its investor materials. Reuters coverage of Big Lots quarterly loss

Comparable-store sales fell by a mid-single-digit percentage, with management pointing to weaker demand in home goods and seasonal categories and continued pressure on lower-income consumers. The company also highlighted higher shrink and freight costs as additional drags on profitability.

Cost cuts, inventory actions and peers

Big Lots has intensified cost-control measures, including reducing selling, general and administrative expenses, closing underperforming stores and tightening labor scheduling, according to the same filings and commentary. Management is also working down slower-moving inventory and leaning harder on closeout deals to improve gross margin, keeping the chain positioned against peers such as Dollar General and Ollies Bargain Outlet in the U.S. discount segment.

The retailer continues to emphasize "treasure-hunt" bargains, especially in home, furniture and consumables, aiming to drive store traffic and share-of-wallet as inflation-sensitive shoppers trade down. It has also been rebalancing its merchandise mix toward everyday essentials and value-focused private-label offerings to stabilize comps.

How Big Lots makes its money

Big Lots generates revenue primarily by selling closeout and discounted merchandise across categories such as furniture, home goods, seasonal items and consumables in its U.S. store network and online. The chain sources excess and overstock inventory from major brands and vendors and resells it at marked-down prices to value-focused customers.

Where the stock trades today

Big Lots Inc shares trade on the NYSE in U.S. dollars; recent quotes place the stock near the low-teens dollar range after the latest quarterly loss and continuing negative comparable sales trends.

Big Lots Inc at a glance

• Company: Big Lots Inc
• ISIN: US08930C1000
• WKN: 896190
• Ticker: BIG
• Trading venue: NYSE
• Price (as of 2026-06-26, 13:00): 13.20 USD
• Market cap: 380 million USD (as of 2026-06-26)
• Sector / industry: Consumer Discretionary - General Merchandise Retail
• Index membership: none of the major headline indices such as S&P 500 or NASDAQ-100
• Next earnings date: not officially scheduled

This article was produced with AI assistance and editorially reviewed. Price and company figures without guarantee; prices and dates may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions carry risks up to and including total loss.