Latest news with #BigLots
Fast Company
19 hours ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Can I shop at Big Lots online? Retailer warns of fake websites as stores reopen under new owner
Big Lots has been through a wild ride since the home-goods discount retail chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last September. In December 2024, the company announced that it would hold going-out-of-business sales at its remaining store locations. The following month, however, Big Lots announced that Variety Wholesalers—a retail company based in North Carolina—would acquire and operate hundreds of existing Big Lots stores. After a period of remodeling and restocking, Variety Wholesalers has since reopened 219 Big Lots stores in a handful of states. The openings took place in four waves, starting in April and ending in June. The final reopening phase concluded with the reopening of 78 Big Lots stores on June 5. While the return of Big Lots is good news for fans of the brand, it may be exposing some unsuspecting bargain hunters to scams—particularly, for shoppers who prefer to buy things online. Big Lots warns of online scams Earlier this month, Big Lots took to social media to alert customers about the presence of online scams, explaining that its current website has no e-commerce component. 'BIG LOTS! no longer operates any ecommerce website,' the retailer wrote on its Facebook page. 'These are scam websites using our name and logo. Any purchases made through these websites should be IMMEDIATELY reported to your bank or credit card company. Our official website is The post attracted hundreds of comments, with some commenters saying they had fallen victim to the bogus offers. Indeed, scammers have been targeting consumers with online ads impersonating Big Lots. Links within these ads direct hopeful shoppers to fake websites that are not affiliated with the official retailer. Be aware that any advertisements promoting online Big Lots deals are not legitimate. Some products are still listed on the official Big Lots website A section of the retailer's official website highlights products that Big Lots stores actually sell. Although the official Big Lots site does not offer the option for online purchases, its product listings include photos, descriptions, and prices. Jeff King, vice president of sales and marketing for Variety Wholesalers, told Fast Company that the products advertised on the Big Lots website are meant to illustrate the deals available in-store. 'We do have products listed on our website to show the great values on the large variety of products we carry in our stores,' he said. 'We do this to encourage customers to visit our stores and see what deals they can find.' Bottom line: It's essential to be vigilant against online shopping scams. If you're hoping to shop at Big Lots, you'll need to visit a physical store.
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Big Lots new store openings come with a warning for online shoppers: Don't fall for scam websites
Big Lots has been through a wild ride since the home discount retail chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last September. In December 2024, the company announced that it would hold going-out-of-business sales at its remaining store locations. The following month, however, Big Lots announced that Variety Wholesalers—a retail company based in North Carolina—would acquire and operate hundreds of existing Big Lots stores. After a period of remodeling and restocking, Variety Wholesalers has since reopened 219 Big Lots stores in a handful of states. The openings took place in four waves, starting in April and ending in June. The final reopening phase concluded with the reopening of 78 Big Lots stores on June 5. While return of Big Lots is good news for fans of the brand, it may be exposing some unsuspecting bargain hunters to scams—particularly, for shoppers who prefer to buy things online. Big Lots warns of online scams Earlier this month, Big Lots took to social media to alert customers about the presence of online scams, explaining that its current website has no e-commerce component. 'BIG LOTS! no longer operates any ecommerce website,' the retailer wrote on its Facebook page. 'These are scam websites using our name and logo. Any purchases made through these websites should be IMMEDIATELY reported to your bank or credit card company. Our official website is The post attracted hundreds of comments, with some commenters saying they'd fallen victim to the bogus offers. Scammers have been targeting consumers with online ads impersonating Big Lots. Links within these ads direct hopeful shoppers to fake websites that are not affiliated with the official retailer. Be aware that any advertisements promoting online Big Lots deals are not legitimate. Some products are still listed on the official Big Lots website A section of the retailer's official website highlights products that Big Lots stores actually sell. Although there are no capabilities to make a purchase through the official Big Lots website, product listings include photos, descriptions, and prices. Jeff King, vice president of sales and marketing for Variety Wholesalers, told Fast Company that the products listed on the Big Lots website are meant to illustrate the deals available in-store. 'We do have products listed on our website to show the great values on the large variety of products we carry in our stores,' he said. 'We do this to encourage customers to visit our stores and see what deals they can find.' Bottom line: It's essential to be vigilant against online shopping scams. If you're hoping to shop at Big Lots, you'll need to visit a physical store.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI) on TQI Capital's Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on OLLI. Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI)'s share was trading at $120.8 as of 16th June. OLLI's trailing and forward P/E were 37.17 and 31.75 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Photo by 卓倩 李 on Unsplash Ollie's Bargain Outlet delivered a standout Q1 FY25, translating its aggressive expansion strategy into record-breaking execution. Management opened 25 new stores in the quarter—the most ever for any single period—and is capitalizing on retail industry disruption, especially the closures of Big Lots and other players. These shuttered stores not only provided attractive real estate ('warm boxes') with an embedded discount shopper base, but also unlocked closeout inventory, fueling Ollie's treasure-hunt value proposition. Comparable store sales rose 2.6%, driven by increased transactions, while net sales grew 13% to $577 million. Adjusted net income beat expectations at $46.1 million, and gross margin held steady at 41.1%, despite a mix shift, affirming management's 40% target. Although SG&A costs rose due to store openings and medical claims, Ollie's operating leverage and robust inventory access helped mitigate the impact. Notably, the loyalty program 'Ollie's Army,' already responsible for 80 %+ of sales, saw strategic enhancements—exclusive shopping events and promotions—cementing customer stickiness in a competitive landscape. Ollie's is also absorbing displaced traffic from nearby closed Big Lots, with sustained low-to-mid-single-digit sales lifts, reinforcing its ability to capture share. Inventory flow remains a key advantage, bolstered by supplier relationships and exits from smaller chains, while a clean balance sheet—with $415 million in cash and no meaningful long-term debt—ensures continued agility. Even with looming tariff uncertainty, Ollie's flexible, deal-driven model insulates it from shocks. While the stock's valuation now reflects much of this operational strength, the company's disciplined reinvestment strategy, strong margins, and expanding footprint make it a compelling long-term compounder on its path to achieving its 1,000+ store goal. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Dollar Tree (DLTR) from Tsoh Investment Research, spotlighting its shift toward a multi-price strategy modeled after Dollarama to unlock margin expansion and merchandising flexibility. The thesis on Ollie's Bargain Outlet (OLLI) by TQI Capital echoes this retail evolution theme, emphasizing scale-driven growth and closeout inventory advantages in a disrupted value retail landscape. Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 25 hedge fund portfolios held Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI) at the end of the first quarter, which was 34 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of OLLI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Lowe's rival opening 90 stores by the end of this year
Tractor Supply Company is coming for Lowe's with a whopping new store count. The nation's largest rural lifestyle retailer is set to open 90 new locations by the end of the year. With these 90 stores, the number of Tractor Supply locations will rise to about 3,200 across 49 states. At least 18 of these new locations were former Big Lots stores, which the retailer bought during a last minute rescue deal after Big Lots filed for bankruptcy last year. A spokesperson told USA Today that those locations are strategically positioned in areas to serve the needs of farmers, animal owners, ranchers, gardeners, homeowners, and tradesmen. The openings also occurred just in time for Tractor Supply to launch its new Field & Stream-branded hunting and outdoor gear. The chain is also planning to open 10 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores, crossing the 200 unit mark. As of now, the retailer has already opened 15 new stores in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia. The openings are part of Tractor Supply's 'Life Out Here' strategy, created to help with its growth. 'Over the last five years, we have delivered strong financial performance and enhanced our competitive advantages through the execution of our Life Out Here strategy,' said CEO Hal Lawton. 'Our Life Out Here 2030 strategy continues the momentum of our existing initiatives as well as launches new initiatives such as Pet Rx and Direct Sales.' Tractor Supply initiated the original plan in 2020, which featured a new store layout and remodeling program in half of its stores. It helped the chain land 22 million Neighbor's Club loyalty program members, open 13 distribution facilities, and increase sales by more than 300 percent. With its updates, the chain is now aiming to finish the year with $225 billion in revenue instead of its original $180 billion expectation. The chain started its goal off on a high note after delivering a 2.1 percent increase in first quarter scales amounting to $3.47 billion. The company said that new store openings and the contribution from Allivet pet pharmacy helped make its quarterly goal a reality. Some new locations are strategically positioned in areas to serve the needs of farmers, animal owners, ranchers, gardeners, homeowners, and tradesmen Tractor Supply backtracked on its DEI initiatives following 'disappointment' from its conservative customer base in 2024. Fans have been concerned over the future of home improvement stores long before fears of a looming recession. Home Depot and Lowe's both suffered significant sales drops last year amid high inflation. Home Depot bounced back with a 9.4 percent revenue during the first quarter of 2025 and confirmed there would be no major price changes this year from tariffs. Lowe's was not as lucky with a 1.7 percent revenue decrease, but it did earn the top spot in customer satisfaction among home improvement retailers by J.D. Power. As for Tractor Supply, the chain's abundance of baby chicks has given shoppers a solution on what to do during the egg shortage.
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Burlington plans to open at least 100 stores by the end of 2025: Here's where
Burlington plans to open at least 100 stores by the end of 2025: Here's where As 2025 continues, retailers and restaurants are opening new locations, including Burlington stores. The New Jersey-based retailer has over 1,100 stores across 46 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. The discount department store plans to open about 100 new locations by the end of 2025, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Kristin Kendrick Wolfe told USA TODAY on June 9. So far this year, Burlington Stores, formerly Burlington Coat Factory, has opened 22 locations in both rural communities and major metropolitan areas, Wolfe said. Burlington recently acquired at least 12 former Big Lots stores in Connecticut after Big Lots filed for bankruptcy. Bill Read, executive vice president of commercial real estate firm Retail Specialists, shared a list of the stores in March. Here's what Burlington shoppers need to know about the company's expansion. Where are the latest Burlington stores opening? According to Burlington's website, the company is opening a slew of stores in 2025. Opening June 27: Mesa, Arizona: 2840 E Main St. Suite 109 2840 E Main St. Suite 109 Manchester, Connecticut: 1470 Pleasant Valley Road 1470 Pleasant Valley Road Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania: 713 E Baltimore Ave. Opening July 4: Fajardo, Puerto Rico: 150 Carr. 940 Opening July 11: Tampa, Florida: 2160 E Fowler Ave. 2160 E Fowler Ave. Islandia, New York: 1730 Veterans Memorial Highway 1730 Veterans Memorial Highway Houston, Texas: 516 Gulfgate Center Mall Opening July 25: Tucson, Arizona: 7160 E Broadway Blvd. 7160 E Broadway Blvd. Garden Grove, California: 9661 Chapman Ave. 9661 Chapman Ave. Miami Lakes, Florida: 16000 NW 57th Ave. 16000 NW 57th Ave. Brunswick, Georgia: 197 Golden Isles Plaza 197 Golden Isles Plaza Chicago, Illinois: 1424 W 47th St 1424 W 47th St Milford, Massachusetts: 230 Fortune Blvd. 230 Fortune Blvd. Brighton, Michigan: 8467 W Grand River Ave. 8467 W Grand River Ave. Burton, Michigan: 4153 E Court St. 4153 E Court St. Columbia, Missouri: N. Stadium Boulevard (address TBD) N. Stadium Boulevard (address TBD) Carson City, Nevada: 911 Topsy Lane 911 Topsy Lane Bartlett, Tennessee: 6015 Stage Road 6015 Stage Road San Antonio, Texas: 3143 SE Military Drive 3143 SE Military Drive San Antonio, Texas: 4807 W Commerce St. 4807 W Commerce St. Vancouver, Washington: 7809-B Unit #102 NE Vancouver Plaza Drive Opening July 18: Fort Pierce, Florida: 2011 S US Highway 1 2011 S US Highway 1 Spokane, Washington: 5628 N Division St. Opening Aug. 8: San Antonio, Texas: 11650 Bandera Road 11650 Bandera Road Texas City, Texas: 3405 Palmer Highway Opening Aug. 15: Calumet City, Illinois: 470 River Oaks W 470 River Oaks W Salina, Kansas: 2450 S 9th St. 2450 S 9th St. Garner, North Carolina: 2580 Timber Drive 2580 Timber Drive Amarillo, Texas: 2510 S Soncy Road 2510 S Soncy Road McAllen, Texas: 724 E Expressway 83 So far in 2025, Burlington has opened stores in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. A full list of anticipated openings can be found at What's happening in 2026? Once 2025 wraps up, Burlington plans to expand more in 2026, Wolfe said. "In fact, Burlington is on track to grow to 2,000 stores nationwide," Wolfe said in a statement. "We're excited to keep growing and bringing amazing deals on top brands to shoppers across the country." Each new store will include Burlington's new store layout and the company's new motto that reads "Deals. Brands. WOW!" "The refreshed store layout provides a better and more enjoyable shopping experience, making it easier for consumers to discover deals and savings on their favorite brands," Wolfe said. All new stores have the latest format, while half of the brand's locations have already been converted. The rest of the company's locations will be converted by the end of 2026, Wolfe said. Contributing: Melina Khan Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@
