Big Lots quarterly comps up 6%

COLUMBUS, Ohio Big Lots reported first-quarter retail sales increased 8.1% to $1.22 billion, compared with $1.13 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Comparable-store sales increased 6% for the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Commenting on sales for the quarter, Steve Fishman, chairman, CEO, and president stated, "I am very pleased with our first quarter comp of 6% and the continued momentum we are seeing in our business.  We delivered better quality merchandise at extreme values and the improvement in consumer discretionary spending trends, first recognized in the fall of 2009, continued through the first quarter of 2010.  By offering a merchandising assortment that is highly discretionary in nature, we believe our business is uniquely positioned to benefit from an improving economy."