COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported second quarter retail sales for the fiscal quarter ended August 1, 2009 decreased 2.3% to $1,071.2 million, compared to $1,095.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year decreased 2.4% for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. This result is consistent with our previously communicated guidance issued on May 28, 2009 which called for a comparable store sales decrease in the range of 1% to 3%.
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For the twenty-six week year to date period ended August 1, 2009, retail sales decreased 1.5% to $2,200.6 million, compared to $2,234.9 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales decreased 1.5% for the year to date period.
From a merchandising perspective, the best performing categories during the second quarter were consumables, hardlines, and seasonal with all three categories posting flat or positive comparable store sales results for the quarter. Sales results in our home and furniture categories were below last year.
On a regional basis, comparable stores sales for the quarter were the strongest in the West while comparable store sales results in the Southeast, particularly Florida, continue to be the most challenging.
We expect to report results for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009.
Big Lots is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer. Currently, we operate 1,350 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states. We also sell merchandise via the internet at www.biglots.com. Wholesale operations are conducted through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, and WISCONSIN TOY and with online sales at www.biglotswholesale.com.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of our objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements.
