Big Lots Names Andrew Stein As Chief Customer Officer

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG), North America's largest broadline closeout retailer, today announced the appointment of Andrew Stein as Senior Vice President, Chief Customer Officer.

"As we develop our communication strategy focused on Jennifer, our customer, we know our marketing approach needs to evolve from one of traditional advertising means, such as print and television, to the digital age including social media, omni-channel, blogging and viral messaging. We believe these channels which will be new to Big Lots will allow us to efficiently, and effectively, reinvigorate the Big Lots brand with our core customer and reintroduce us to a consumer segment that hasn't been fully engaged recently," said David Campisi, CEO and President. "Andy has been an innovator in digital marketing strategies and multi-channel communications. He brings a wealth of experience integrating e-commerce and omni-channel solutions into brick and mortar retail operations. His analytical approach to creative strategic thinking will add tremendous value to our efforts. We're delighted to welcome him as a member of our executive leadership team."

As Chief Customer Officer, Mr. Stein will oversee all areas of consumer engagement and customer messaging, including marketing, advertising, brand development, and merchandise presentation. His responsibilities will include furthering the Company's brand recognition including: enhancing our internet presence and further development of biglots.com, expanding the use of digital marketing and social media, and integrating the recently enhanced Buzz Club Rewards^® loyalty program. Mr. Stein will report directly to Mr. Campisi.

Prior to Big Lots, Mr. Stein was a marketing executive at Kmart, where he served a number of roles leading up to his appointment as Chief Marketing Officer in August 2011. His responsibilities included building an integrated retail strategy which produced the viral video favorite "Ship My Pants," a campaign which recently received special honors from The Hub Magazine, 4 Cannes Gold Lion Awards, and has recorded more than 29 million views on You Tube. He also made significant contributions to Kmart's multi-cultural marketing initiative. Prior to Kmart, Mr. Stein held senior positions with IBM Global Business Consulting Services, Montgomery Wards & Co., Foot Locker Corporation, and Razorfish.

About Big Lots
Big Lots is North America's largest broadline closeout retailer. We currently operate 1,524 BIG LOTS stores in the 48 contiguous United States, 4 BIG LOTS stores in Canada, and 75 LIQUIDATION WORLD and LW stores in Canada. 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. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although we believe the  expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements that we make herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, our inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on our customers and us, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our public announcements and SEC filings.

SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.