Grocery retail chain Aldi has purchased a small handful of Big Lots locations less than a year after Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to close hundreds of stores.
Several companies bought the leases of closed Big Lots locations following the bankruptcy filing in September 2024, including Tractor Supply, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Burlington. Discount grocer Aldi is the latest on the list, having purchased a small number of locations across three states.
Big Lots sold leases to more than 460 stores to Boston-based asset liquidation firm Gordon Brothers Retail Partners in late 2024, after which the buildings were put up for sale. More than 200 locations were acquired by Variety Wholesalers as part of the deal, which began reopening stores in April.
The company reopened an initial wave of nine locations on April 10, followed by a second wave of stores on May 1, and 70 more set for May 15. Another round will follow in June, at which point the retailer will prepare a nationwide “grand opening” event for the fall.
Big Lots locations purchased by Aldi
Here’s which Big Lots locations were purchased by Aldi., according to bankruptcy documents dated May 9.
2354 S Range Ave., Denham Springs, Louisiana
23351 Eureka Road, Taylor, Michigan
4919 North St., Ste 101, Nacogdoches, Texas
Aldi opening over 225 new stores: See list of new locations already open
Other retailers purchase Big Lots locations
According to bankruptcy records, a handful of other retailers have purchased Big Lots locations. Variety Wholesalers acquired 219 Big Lots stores and two distribution centers, while Rhode Island-based Ocean State Job Lot announced in March it would be buying 15 Big Lots locations in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont.
Earlier in February, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet said it would be buying 40 former Big Lots stores, while Burlington Stores, Inc. acquired 12 Big Lots locations in eight states. Tractor Supply also confirmed to USA TODAY in early May that it purchased 18 Big Lots leases in 15 states.
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aldi buys Big Lots locations in three states amid bankruptcy: See list
