Big Lots

Big Lots Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) has reported a 10.4 percent increase in retail sales for the four weeks ended April 30, 2005. Same-store sales increased 4.4 percent in April, with the value of the average basket increasing 7.4 percent and the number of customer transactions decreasing 3 percent.

April sales were above plan, which called for a same-store sales result in the “flat to slightly positive” range.

Retail sales for the quarter ended April 30 increased 7.8 percent and same-store sales increased 2.4 percent, for the quarter with the value of the average basket increasing 5.5 percent and the number of customer transactions decreasing 3.1 percent.

“Sales were above plan in April partially offsetting a disappointing March when unseasonably cool weather slowed sales of seasonal merchandise,” said chairman and ceo Michael Potter. “Strong response to our advertising circulars and improved weather conditions drove the average basket and offset continued softness in customer traffic. Each of our two advertising circulars produced strong results and, as expected, sales trends for seasonal goods improved in April. Sales performance was fairly consistent across most other major merchandise categories with the exception of consumables, which continues to be challenging in light of soft customer traffic.”