Big Lots stores closing nationwide. What we know about Oklahoma stores

Big Lots closing dozens of stores in 2024

Declining sales and plummeting stock prices are forcing Big Lots to close stores nationwide this year.

At the start of 2023 Big Lots operated 1,425 stores. That number fell to 1,392 at the beginning of 2024.

Now the company says it will close 35 to 40 more, though it did not disclose the location of those stores publicly.

The company operates 20 stores in Oklahoma- three in Tulsa and 2 in Oklahoma City. One store is located on Washington Blvd. in Bartlesville.

Find your nearest Big Lots location: Store search

Because of its financial struggles, Big Lots last year suspended its dividend and said it will sell its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and lease it back.

Local business news: Retail expansion in the works again where Academy Sports backed out

Other major grocery retailers closing stores nationwide

Albertsons', a grocery store with locations widely in the West is closing 579 stores it announced last week.

Oklahoma has no Albertsons locations, but neighboring Texas, New Mexico and Colorado each have dozens of stores among the closures if a planned merger with another grocery giant materializes.

The planned merger with Kroger, valued at $24.6 million, was announced in October 2022 but the Federal Trade Commission sued to stop it in February 2024.

What about Red Lobsters in Oklahoma?

Red Lobster operates seven locations in Oklahoma - two in Tulsa.

Three locations closed earlier in the year when the company announced bankruptcy plans.

Ninety-nine restaurants were listed as temporarily closed by the company in May in 28 states. Those stores are now closed.

Search for a Red Lobster near you: Store locator

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Big Lots stores closing nationwide. What we know about Oklahoma stores