Big Lots to Close 27 Stores in Florida Amid Bankruptcy
Big Lots, the discount retail giant, is set to close 27 stores across Florida as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. This marks the highest number of closures in any state, highlighting Florida’s central role in the company’s financial struggles.
The closures are part of a larger plan that will see 295 Big Lots stores shutting down immediately nationwide, with an additional 250 set to close by early 2025. This move signals significant challenges for brick-and-mortar retail in Florida’s diverse markets.
While Big Lots’ CEO frames the bankruptcy as a strategic restructuring, industry experts view it as an inevitable result of ongoing revenue and profit pressures. The closures will likely impact local communities and employment across Florida, from Miami to Jacksonville.
As Big Lots fights for survival, Florida’s retail landscape faces a notable shift, raising questions about the future of discount retail in the Sunshine State.