Big Lots! files for bankruptcy, a tale of the Retail Apocalypse for Friday the 13th

Happy Friday the 13th, which is also Blame Someone Else Day! Today's victim of bad luck is Big Lots. Watch as Bloomberg Television reports Retailer Big Lots Files for Bankruptcy.

Discount retailer Big Lots Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection and plans to sell the business to Nexus Capital. But Bloomberg's Eliza Ronalds-Hannon says this could wind up being a positive story.

At least Big Lots has a chance to survive under new ownership. That's what I hope happens to Red Lobster, but didn't happen to 99 Cents Only Stores, the last two Retail Apocalypse stories I covered.

This didn't come as a surprise to Erik of Retail Archaeology, who asked Is Big Lots! In Big Trouble? last year.

In this episode of Retail Archaeology we take a look at Big Lots!

Erik saw similarities to Tuesday Morning, which filed for bankruptcy twice. That's a worrisome comparison that turned out to be apt.

Erik answered last year's question last month, when he uploaded Big Lots is in BIG TROUBLE.

In this episode of Retail Archaeology we take a look at a closing Big Lots store.

Listening to Erik recount how the number of stores closing just kept increasing made me realize how much trouble Big Lots! is in and how much worse its situation was becoming, even before the chain declared bankruptcy.

Other than blaming inflation, Big Lots! isn't doing a lot of blaming others for driving the chain as a whole into bankruptcy, but I did find CBS News Sacramento reporting Homeless, shoplifters blamed for Big Lots closing in Citrus Heights last year.

Big Lots is raising big concerns in Citrus Heights as word got out that the store is closing up shop.

At least it wasn't Big Lots! management blaming homeless people for the closing, but the store's employees and customers. I'm not surprised the claim got amplified on Nextdoor; that site is notorious for its users making racist posts. I'm not surprised they would reinforce other stereotypes as well.

As for what will fill the spaces left by the closed stores, there's always Spirit Halloween. I have a CityNerd video about the seasonal store chain to share for Spooky Season. In the meantime, expect me to cover the limited series and comedy nominees at the Emmy Awards over the weekend. Stay tuned.