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These Are the Top 6 Items Americans Are Buying at Big Lots
By Angela Mae,
10 hours ago
Paul Weaver / SOPA Images / Shutterstock.com
Big Lots has a lot to offer, including groceries, furniture, toys, home essentials, beauty and personal care products, sporting goods and pet supplies. The retailer also regularly has holiday and seasonal deals to fit your budget even better, which you can find by shopping the weekly ad or checking their “Coupon” or “Limited Time Deals” pages.
Survey Says: People Shop at Big Lots To Save Money
As per the survey results, a fifth of respondents said they started shopping at Big Lots this year to save money. This is just ahead of Costco (18%) and Sam’s Club (17%).
More consumers did say they started shopping at other stores — like Five Below (30%), Dollar Tree (59%) and Walmart (60%) to save money. But even so, Big Lots has some decent bargains that savvy shoppers are well aware of and willing to scout out.
But what exactly are people buying at Big Lots? Here’s what the survey found.
Household Essentials: 36.84%
The vast majority of respondents said they shop for household essentials — like cleaning supplies, laundry, toilet paper and trash bags.
“Big Lots may not always offer as wide a selection of items like grocery, home décor, shoes, books and electronics accessories as some larger retailers, but if you find something you like, you’re likely to get a great deal,” said Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of The Money Manual .
Like anything else, Big Lots’ selection of household essentials will vary based on where you live. That said, you can find some decent deals on things like:
Checking the “comparable value” tag on items online can help you find the best deals, but you might still want to do some price comparisons of your own.
Groceries: 28.33%
The next most popular Big Lots item fell in the grocery category — that is, pantry foods, breakfast and cereals, condiments, snacks and so on.
“In grocery, spices, organics and foods geared toward special dietary concerns tend to be well priced, too,” said Stearn. “One thing many regular Big Lots shoppers appreciate about the store is the randomness. You never know what you might find, and that can be especially in true in grocery, where you may find a high-end coffee drink or packaged food item for much less than you’d been paying at your grocery store.”
Nearly a quarter of survey respondents said they shop primarily for home supplies, like bedding, bath supplies, home décor, rugs and pillows. Big Lots also has some bargains on supplies needed for basic remodeling projects.
“If you’re in remodel mode, their paint supplies are known for being a better bargain than those available at home supply or paint stores,” said Stearn.
Here are a few examples:
Basic strength gray duct tape for $5.49 (comparable value: $6.79)
Five-piece comforter set for $39.99 (comparable value: $79.99)
Online, check for items tagged with “Everyday Low Price.” While this won’t show you the comparable value of these items, you could still get some good deals.
Indoor Furniture (21.52%) and Patio Furniture (14.21%)
When it comes to furniture, Big Lots is known for its everyday low prices on basic offerings like sofas, beds, chairs, dining room sets and mattresses. As for patio furniture, which is another fairly popular buy, many shoppers turn to Big Lots for things like outdoor umbrellas, fire pits, rugs, lighting solutions and grills.
“Big Lots tends to have great deals on patio furniture and other outdoor décor and summer fun items like pools and water toys,” said Stearn.
Some Big Lots shoppers — though not as many — also go there for basic household appliances. This includes things like vacuum cleaners, microwaves, coffee makers and air fryers. Some example include:
2.1-quart air fryer for $34.99 (comparable value: $69.99)
Other Goods: 2.60%
Very few of those surveyed said they shop at Big Lots for other types of items. This could include things like seasonal or holiday décor, toys, beauty and personal care items, health and wellness products, pet supplies or baby supplies.
Not Everyone Shops at Big Lots
Of course, not everyone shops at Big Lots. As per the survey results, approximately 39% of respondents said they don’t shop there at all. Considering how many other discount retailers and big box retailers there are to choose from, this isn’t too surprising — even if Big Lots does have a decent selection of fairly priced deals.
Ways To Save Money at Big Lots
If you want to save money at Big Lots, here are some strategies:
Sign up for a loyalty program: “Signing up for loyalty programs is always a good idea — you never know when they might send a coupon for an extra percentage off or buy one get one deals,” said Nguyen Huy, a consumer trend analyst and founder of Kory Threads . “I always check what membership perks are offered, since many times, they give you early access to sales or exclusive savings.”
Check clearance: “The clearance section is a gold mine if you’re patient enough to dig through everything,” said Huy. “Some real gems can be found just waiting to be scooped up for a fraction of the original price.”
Compare prices: Use your phone or a browser extension to make sure you’re getting the best deals.
Check unit pricing. “Unit pricing is also important to consider, especially on bulk items,” said Huy. “You have to make sure the volume discount is actually saving you money in the long run.”
Stack coupons: “If a store is running a sale and I have a coupon, too, that’s when the real deals start rolling in,” said Huy. “Of course, it’s essential to read the fine print on returns and expiration dates.”
Survey methodology: GOBankingRates surveyed 999 Americans aged 18 and older from across the country between July 23 and July 29, 2024, asking fourteen different questions: (1) How much savings do you feel a single person needs to retire rich?; (2) How much savings do you feel a couple needs to retire rich?; (3) How confident are you about retirement?; (4) How much money will you be able to pass down to your children/family?; (5) How would you rate your level of financial stress?; (6) Have you considered withdrawing from your retirement funds early due to financial struggles?; (7) How much money do you have in emergency savings?; (8) How much do you pay for housing every month, either for a mortgage or rent?; (9) Have you had to move in the past year due to the rising cost of living?; (10) What causes you the most financial stress?; (11) If you shop at Five Below, what are your must buys? (Select all that apply); (12) If you shop at Big Lots, what are your must buys? (Select all that apply); (13) Do you think Five Below has better deals than Dollar Tree?; and (14) Did you start shopping at any of these stores to save money in 2024? (Select all that apply). GOBankingRates used PureSpectrum’s survey platform to conduct the poll.
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