APPLE VALLEY – Big Lots is permanently closing its Apple Valley distribution center, effective October 31, and laying off all 349 employees.
According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Report, the notice went out on September 4.
The layoffs come amid closure of at least 74 store locations in California and 315 stores nationwide.
In 2019 the Apple Valley distribution center replaced the Big Lots facility in Rancho Cucamonga as one of the five in the US. Big Lots invested $120 million dollars into the Apple Valley facility which included streets and infrastructure improvements.
The discount retailer announced in early September that they are filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an effort to reorganize its debts and continue operating. They have plans to sell its assets to Nexus Capital Management LP.
High inflation and interest rates
Big Lots says like many other retail businesses, they have been adversely affected by recent broad economic factors such as high inflation and interest rates.