Big Lots closing Kent location as part of widespread cutbacks

Big Lots is offering 20% off at its only Kent location, 1301 W. Meeker St., because the store is closing.

The Ohio-based company is closing about 12 of its 26 locations in Washington as well as other locations across the nation. Reports of the closures were first released last week.

The Big Lots website for Kent lists the sale discount and closing. Other stores closing in Washington include Bellingham, Burien, Covington, Everett, Lacey, Lynnwood, Olympia, Port Angeles, Renton, Tacoma (72nd Street) and Vancouver (SE 164th Avenue), according to the company’s store websites.

Big Lots sells an extensive assortment of brand-name items and quality products, including food, furniture, seasonal items, electronics and accessories, home décor, toys and gifts.

“Like many other retailers, Big Lots has been struggling with a drop in sales due to inflation, higher prices, and consumers cutting back on spending,” business magazine Fast Company reported, according to an article in The Herald of Everett.

In particular, sales of furniture, home goods and seasonal items have fallen off, the report said.

“In 2024, we currently expect to open three stores and close 35 to 40 stores,” the company said.

The company closed 52 stores in 2023.

In 2019, Big Lots remodeled the Kent store along with 12 other locations in the Seattle area.

Big Lots currently operates about 1,392 stores in 48 states, including 26 stores in Washington state, according to The Herald.

Big Lots in Kent lists store hours as 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The store’s inventory includes furniture, mattresses, milk, eggs and grocery.

The company has not provided a closing date for Kent or other locations.

Prior to Big Lots, the building in Kent housed a QFC grocery store.