Big Lots is a Fortune 500 closeout retail corporation. Its department stores focus primarily on overstock merchandise and other discount store friendly products. In 1982, Consolidated Stores Corporation opened its first closeout store called Odd Lots in Columbus, Ohio. The drugstore Revco bought the corporation however the company later tumbled in earnings. In 1985 Consolidated Stores entered the American Stock Exchange, became a publicly traded company and Big Lots Stores were introduced. A typical Big Lots sells furniture, clothing, housewares, toys, and electronics. The furniture department is perhaps most popular offering everyone from the first year college dorm student and the stay at home mom furniture for their space.

The upholstered furniture includes sofas, love seats and recliners. There are also lamps, ottomans, desks, nightstands and Serta mattresses. There are both fully assembled and ready to assemble products as well. Most of the items are sold as they become available. It’s predecessor Odd Lots carried the slogan “A Store With Odd Junk” Big Lots has also gone through several slogans including: “A Big Store With Odd Junk”, “The Closeout Store”, “Brand Names, Closeout Prices” and most recently “Think Extreme Value! Think Big Lots!” The Big Lots stores make annual revenues of 4 billion.