Big Lots to close up to 40 stores, including Centereach location

Big Lots has announced plans to close up to 40 stores by the end of this year and two Long Island locations are on the chopping block.The Centereach location at 231 Centereach Mall and the Carle Place location at 260 Voice Road are slated for closure and currently have sales of up to 20% off.

The announcement, made in a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said the discount retailer would be shuttering 35 to 40 stores as its financials worsen in a tough consumer market. The company currently operates over 1,400 stores nationwide. The other five locations on Long Island — Bay Shore, West Babylon, Hicksville, Copiague and the newly opened store in Holbrook — appear to be safe for now.

“In 2024, the U.S. economy has continued to face macroeconomic challenges including elevated inflation, which has adversely impacted the buying power of our customers,” the filing from Big Lots said. According to the financial disclosure, sales dropped 10.2% between the first quarters of 2023 and 2024, equating to a loss of about $114.5 million.