Big Lots stores in Baltimore County are part of the closeout retailer’s growing list of announced closures taking place nationwide as part of its bankruptcy process. Due to declining sales, stores in Catonsville and Parkville Shopping Center are set to close their doors.
No date has been announced but employees at Westview’s Baltimore National Pike location say they were told Dec. 31 is the last day, and that the percentage-off sales will gradually increase to move the inventory of furniture and decor, household goods and pantry items throughout the holiday season.
Baltimore County locations in Middle River and Dundalk are remaining open at this time. Elsewhere in Maryland, Big Lots stores in Laurel and Lexington Park have closed and the Bowie and Glen Burnie locations are pending closure with no official timetable.
The closings, first reported in July in multiple announcements, follow the Columbus, Ohio, retailer’s Sept. 9 bankrupting filing. Big Lots first announced it would close more than 340 stores in 27 states, then other locations were added to the chopping block. In total, 496 stores are to shutter nationwide, trimming Big Lots’ original footprint from nearly 1,400 stores.
According to a corporate press release, since the pandemic Big Lots has taken steps to improve sales and boost its long-term performance and profitability. Like many other retail businesses, officials say, Big Lots has been “adversely affected by recent macroeconomic factors such as high inflation and interest rates that are beyond its control.” Additionally, the retailer found that its core customers curbed their discretionary spending on the home and seasonal product categories, which represents a significant portion of its bottom line. Big Lots stocks its inventory from liquidations, overstocks, and private labels.
