All PA Big Lots Stores Could Close, State Attorney General Warns

PENNSYLVANIA — With the fate of Pennsylvania's 64 Big Lots stores up in the air after the chain's acquisition last month by another company, state Attorney General Michelle Henry is advising shoppers to protect themselves in the event the stores close.

A federal bankruptcy court had authorized Big Lots to conduct going-out-of-business sales at all of its remaining stores. But that was before the discount retail chain last month announced that its assets would be transferred to Variety Wholesalers Inc., which operates more than 400 discount stores under various names across the country.

Variety Wholesalers plans to keep between 200 and 400 Big Lots locations open, but that's a small percentage of the more than 1,300 stores the chain had as of last March. There has been no announcement yet of which stores will close.

Warning that Pennsylvania soon could be left without any Big Lots, Henry on Friday issued the following guidance for consumers:

• Make purchases by credit card, so purchases can be disputed if needed.
• Check the store’s return and refund policies.
• Check the store’s gift card and rewards policies.
• Prior to purchase, confirm inventory if making a “buy-online-pickup-in-store.”

Henry said that consumers who have been negatively impacted by any Big Lots closure should submit a complaint to the Bureau of Consumer Protection online or they may call the consumer protection hotline at 1-800-441-2555. The attorney general's office will update consumers who have filed a complaint on the status of the bankruptcy.