Big Lots enhances its competitiveness to source products, including closeout deals and other extreme bargains, with two new Asia-based buying offices.

Big Lots has enhanced its competitiveness to source products, including closeout deals and other extreme bargains, by opening two new buying offices in Asia. These offices strengthen our platform for overseas procurement, assortment optimization and broadens sourcing countries across furniture, seasonal and soft home categories. The move underscores Big Lots’ commitment to reclaim our bargain heritage through adding newness and expanded assortment at extreme value prices and is expected to generate significant operational cost savings beginning in FY2024.

Global sourcing is key to our ability to add newness and expanded assortment at extreme value prices for our shoppers, said  Bruce K. Thorn, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Pop-up distribution center creates adaptable, flexible supply chain to support closeout inventory.

When Big Lots acquired Hearthstrong’s inventory with a plan to sell 500 new stock keeping units (SKUs) at 50-70% off, the supply chain team established pop-up distribution centers near urban centers to increase delivery speed. Using a temporary space means operations can be scaled  up or down to meet demand using the power of advanced technology to accommodate quick turn inventory. The team also integrated technology and advanced industry techniques into the process to automate tasks and adopt cross-docking and palletization practices.

When we quickly and efficiently move product into stores, it’s another opportunity to delight the customer. Juan Guerrero, SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Big Lots.