Big Lots profit slips in 1Q

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/26/2011 12:45:58 PM

Columbus, Ohio - The home department produced comps in the low single-digit rate at Big Lots during the fist quarter, going up against a strong same-store sales performance in the year-ago period.
The off-pricer's net income from continuing operations for the period ended April 30 was $52.5 million, or 70 cents per share, down 6.25%. The company's gross margin rate contracted by 30 basis points ask consumers pivoted toward lower-margin consumables and Big Lots experienced higher freight costs.
Sales were flattish - down 0.6% to $1.2 billion - with comps down 3.6%.
Chairman and ceo Steve Fishman said of the home department: "We can execute better and we believe this could be one of the better growth opportunities for us."