Big Lots Uses Solution to Plot Growth

By adding a new IT infrastructure, Big Lots, Columbus, Ohio, is primed to improve its pricing and replenishment operations.

Big Lots’ more than 1,350 stores feature discounted merchandise, including brand-name closeouts, consumables, seasonal merchandise, furniture, house-wares, toys and gifts. When the chain was ready to optimize pricing and automate ordering and replenishment chain-wide, Big Lots tapped modules within the SAP for Retail architecture.

“The IT infrastructure will support our profit goals while continuing to provide our customers with what they have come to expect—an ever-changing assortment of merchandise at great value in a treasure-hunt atmosphere,” said Steve Fishman, the retailer’s chairman and CEO.

Besides managing event pricing and automating integrated ordering and replenishment, SAP will also track the retailer’s payables and inventory processes. By tapping the vendor’s ERP Financials solution, Big Lots will streamline data integration and reporting. By using a single data stream, executives can respond to consumer demand, and supplier and market changes, in a more timely, accurate manner.

Big Lots is currently implementing the solution. SAP declined to reveal when it will be live.