Big Lots has made a surprising turnaround, reversing plans to close more than two dozen stores, including locations in California. Initially, the discount retailer had slated nearly 550 stores for closure, starting in July, federal filings showed. Many of these locations were marked with orange “closing this location” banners online, offering savings like “save up to 20% off,” according to loyal shoppers.
However, in a turn of events, the banners were removed earlier this week, and new messages of optimism—such as “Share your big ideas!”—have appeared on the affected stores’ webpages, according to shoppers. Notably, stores in La Canada Flintridge and Redding, California, are among those now back in operation, shoppers suspect. While the fate of other locations remains uncertain, the decision signals a shift in Big Lots’ closure strategy for the time being.