Big Lots posts 2Q sales increase

COLUMBUS, Ohio Big Lots reported second-quarter retail sales for the fiscal quarter ended July 31 increased 5.7% to $1.13 billion, compared with $1.07 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Comparable-store sales increased 3.8% for the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Commenting on sales for the quarter, Steve Fishman, chairman, CEO and president, stated, "Second quarter results represented the third consecutive quarter of comp-store increases against a challenging economic backdrop.  As expected, furniture, home, and seasonal were our best performing categories and we continue to experience growth in our electronics department.  Each of these areas of our assortment provided the large dollar savings and extreme value consumers were looking for."