UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2004

or

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From __________ to __________

Commission File Number 1-8897

BIG LOTS, INC.

(614) 278-6800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No o

The number of the registrant’s common shares, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of September 3, 2004, was 112,386,871 and there were no preferred shares, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of that date.

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except par value)

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

All references herein to the “Company” are to Big Lots, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 2004, and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Cash Flows, and Shareholders’ Equity for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, and August 2, 2003, have been prepared by the Company without audit. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows for all periods presented have been made. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been omitted or condensed. The Company believes the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is recommended that these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Segment Reporting

The Company manages its business on the basis of one segment, broadline closeout retailing. At July 31, 2004, and August 2, 2003, all of the Company’s operations were located within the United States of America.

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions which affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of significant contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use and which have an original maturity of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value. When the intended holding period of a liquid investment exceeds three months, the Company will classify the cash equivalent as a short-term investment. The Company’s policy is to invest in investment-grade instruments.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the average cost retail inventory method. Market is determined based on the estimated net realizable value, which generally is the merchandise selling price. Under the retail inventory method, inventory is segregated into departments of merchandise having similar characteristics. Inventory retail values are converted to a cost basis by applying specific average cost factors for each merchandise department. Cost factors represent the average cost-to-retail ratio for each merchandise department based on beginning inventory and the fiscal year purchase activity. The retail inventory method requires management to make judgments and contains estimates, such as the amount and timing of markdowns to clear unproductive or slow-moving inventory, which may impact the ending inventory valuation and gross profit. These judgments and estimates are based on historical experience and current information.

Factors considered in the determination of markdowns include current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, age of the merchandise, and seasonal trends. When a decision is made to permanently mark down merchandise or a promotional markdown decision is made, the resulting gross profit reduction is recognized in the period the markdown is recorded.

Shrinkage is estimated as a percentage of sales for the period from the last physical inventory date to the end of the fiscal year. Such estimates are based on experience and the most recent physical inventory results. While it is not possible to quantify the impact from each cause of shrinkage, the Company has loss prevention programs and policies that it believes minimize shrinkage.

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Due to the nature of the Company’s purchasing practices for closeout and deeply discounted merchandise, vendors and merchandise suppliers generally do not offer the Company incentives such as slotting fees, cooperative advertising allowances, buy down agreements, or other forms of rebates that would materially reduce its cost of sales.

Intangible Assets

Trademarks, service marks, and other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of fifteen years. Where there is an indication of impairment, the Company evaluates the fair value and future benefits of the related intangible asset, and the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows from the related intangible asset are calculated and compared to the carrying value. The Company’s assumptions related to estimates of future cash flows are based on historical results of cash flows adjusted for management projections for future periods taking into account known conditions and planned future activities. The Company’s assumptions regarding the fair value of its intangible assets are based on the discounted future cash flows. At July 31, 2004, the fair value of the Company’s intangible assets was $0.67 million and the related accumulated amortization was $0.06 million.

Property and Equipment

Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Service lives are principally forty years for buildings and from three to fifteen years for other property and equipment.

Impairment

The Company has long-lived assets that consist primarily of property and equipment. The Company estimates useful lives on buildings and equipment using assumptions based on historical data and industry trends. Impairment is recorded if the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows. The Company’s assumptions related to estimates of future cash flows are based on historical results of cash flows adjusted for management projections for future periods taking into account known conditions and planned future activities. The Company’s assumptions regarding the fair value of its long-lived assets are based on the discounted future cash flows.

Computer Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain computer software costs after the application development stage has been established. Capitalized computer software costs are depreciated using the straight-line method over 5 years.

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Stock Options

The Company measures compensation cost for stock options issued to employees and directors using the intrinsic value-based method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”

If compensation cost for the Company’s stock options had been determined based on the fair value method under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” the Company’s net (loss) income and (loss) income per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts as follows:

The Company changed its fair value option pricing model from the Black-Scholes model to a binomial model for all options granted on or after February 1, 2004. The fair value of stock options granted prior to February 1, 2004, was determined using the Black-Scholes model. The Company believes that the binomial model considers characteristics of fair value option pricing that are not available under the Black-Scholes model. Similar to the Black-Scholes model, the binomial model takes into account variables such as volatility, dividend yield rate, and risk-free interest rate. However, in addition, the binomial model considers the contractual term of the option, the probability that the option will be exercised prior to the end of its contractual life, and the probability of termination or retirement of the option holder in computing the value of the option. The assumptions used in the respective option pricing models were as follows:

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Insurance Reserves

The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to general liability, workers’ compensation, and employee medical benefit claims, and the Company has purchased stop-loss coverage to limit significant exposure in these areas. Accrued insurance liabilities are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. Such amounts are determined by applying actuarially-based calculations taking into account known trends and projections of future results. Actual claims experience can impact these calculations and, to the extent that subsequent claim costs vary from estimates, future earnings could be materially impacted.

Income Taxes

The Company’s income tax accounts reflect estimates of the outcome or settlement of various asserted and unasserted income tax contingencies including tax audits and administrative appeals. At any point in time, several tax years may be in various stages of audit or appeal or could be subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. This requires a periodic identification and evaluation of significant doubtful or controversial issues, both individually and in the aggregate. The results of the audits, appeals, or expiration of the statute of limitations are reflected in the income tax accounts accordingly.

The Company has generated deferred tax assets and liabilities due to temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company has established a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the balance that is more likely than not to be realized.

The effective income tax rate in any period may be materially impacted by the overall level of income (loss) before income taxes, the jurisdictional mix and magnitude of income (loss), changes in the income tax laws (which may be retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year), changes in the expected outcome or settlement of an income tax contingency, changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance, and adjustments of a deferred tax asset or liability for enacted changes in tax laws or rates.

Pension Liabilities

Pension and other retirement benefits, including all relevant assumptions required by GAAP, are evaluated each year. Due to the technical nature of retirement accounting, outside actuaries are used to provide assistance in calculating the estimated future obligations. Since there are many assumptions used to estimate future retirement benefits, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to pension expenses and obligations. Certain actuarial assumptions, such as the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return, have a significant effect on the amounts reported for net periodic pension cost and the related benefit obligations. The Company reviews external data and historical trends to help determine the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return. The Company’s objective in selecting a discount rate is to identify the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations would be settled on the measurement date. In making this estimate, the Company reviews rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits. This process includes a review of the bonds available on the measurement date with a quality rating of Aa or better. To develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets, the Company considered the historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the current or anticipated future allocation of the pension portfolio. The following table represents components of net periodic benefit cost:

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Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost were:

The Company’s funding policy is to make annual contributions based on advice from its actuaries and evaluation of its cash position, but not less than the minimum required by applicable regulations. The Company expects no required contribution during fiscal year 2004. Additional discretionary contributions could be made upon further analysis of the pension plan during fiscal year 2004. No contributions were made during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004.

Fair Value

The carrying value of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of the relative short maturity of these items. The fair value of the long-term obligations is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the sale of similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for obligations of the same remaining maturities. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations at July 31, 2004, and January 31, 2004, were $214.7 million and $218.0 million, respectively, compared to the carrying value of $204.0 million.

Legal Obligations

In the normal course of business, the Company must make continuing estimates of potential future legal obligations and liabilities, which require the use of management’s judgment on the outcome of various issues. Management may also use outside legal counsel to assist in the estimating process; however, the ultimate outcome of various legal issues could be materially different from management’s estimates, and adjustments to income could be required. The assumptions that are used by management are based on the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” The Company will record a liability when it has determined that the occurrence of a loss contingency is probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated, and it will disclose the related facts in the notes to its financial statements, if material. If the Company determines that a loss contingency is probable (but the loss cannot be reasonably estimated) or the obligation is reasonably possible, the Company will disclose the nature of the loss contingency and the estimated range of possible loss or include a statement that no estimate of loss can be made, if material. The Company makes these determinations in consultation with its attorneys.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes retail sales in its stores at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise. All sales are net of discounts and returns and exclude sales tax. The reserve for retail merchandise returns is based on the Company’s prior experience.

Wholesale sales are recognized in accordance with the shipping terms agreed upon on the purchase order. Wholesale sales are predominantly recognized under freight on board origin where title and risk of loss pass to the buyer when the merchandise leaves the Company’s distribution facility. However, when the shipping terms are freight on board destination, recognition of sales revenue is delayed until completion of delivery to the designated location.

Other Comprehensive Income

The Company’s comprehensive income is equal to net income, as there are no items that qualify as other comprehensive income.

Investments

Any unrealized gains or losses on equity securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded in other comprehensive income net of applicable income taxes. At July 31, 2004, the Company held no available-for-sale equity securities.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise (including related inbound freight), markdowns, and inventory shrinkage, net of cash discounts and rebates. The Company classifies purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, and other distribution network costs as selling and administrative expenses. Due to this classification, the Company’s gross profit rates may not be comparable to those of other retailers that include costs related to their distribution network in cost of sales.

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Selling and Administrative Expenses

The Company includes store expenses (such as payroll and occupancy costs), distribution and transportation costs, advertising, buying, depreciation, insurance, and overhead costs in selling and administrative expenses. The Company classifies purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, and other distribution network costs as selling and administrative expenses. Due to the classification of distribution and transportation costs in selling and administrative expenses, the Company’s selling and administrative rates may not be comparable to those of other retailers that include costs related to their distribution network in cost of sales.

Advertising Expense

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of print and television advertisements. Advertising expenditures were $24.4 million and $28.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004, and August 2, 2003, respectively, and $45.2 million and $52.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, and August 2, 2003, respectively.

For the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, advertising costs were below fiscal year 2003 principally due to lower advertising circular distribution costs, national advertising cost savings (from the purchase of national television advertising time earlier in fiscal year 2004 than in fiscal year 2003), and the related advertising savings from a lower number of store remodels.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the additional dilutive effect of stock options, calculated using the treasury stock method. There are no adjustments required to be made to weighted-average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing basic and diluted earnings per share, and there were no securities outstanding at July 31, 2004, and August 2, 2003, which were excluded from the computation of earnings per share. Fully diluted shares are not presented for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004, and August 2, 2003, and the twenty six-weeks ended July 31, 2004, as the Company incurred a loss from continuing operations and to include these shares would be antidilutive. For the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004, and August 2, 2003, and the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, an aggregate of 779,545, 545,481, and 898,273 common shares subject to unexercised stock options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Store Pre-opening Costs

Pre-opening costs related to new store openings are expensed as incurred.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Note 3 – Discontinued Operations

On January 14, 2004, KB Acquisition Corporation and affiliated entities (collectively, “KB”) filed for bankruptcy protection pursuant to Chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code. KB acquired the KB Toys business from the Company pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of December 7, 2000 (the “KB Stock Purchase Agreement”).

The Company analyzed the information currently available regarding the effect of KB’s bankruptcy filing on the various, continuing rights and obligations of the parties to the KB Stock Purchase Agreement, including: a) an outstanding note from Havens Corners Corporation, a subsidiary of KB Acquisition Corporation and a party to the bankruptcy proceedings (“HCC”), to the Company, and an accompanying warrant to acquire common stock of KB Holdings, Inc., the ultimate parent of KB (“KB Holdings”); b) the status of KB’s indemnification obligations to the Company with respect to guarantees of KB store leases by the Company and guarantees (relating to lease and mortgage obligations) for which the Company has indemnification obligations arising out of its 1996 acquisition of the KB Toys business; and c) the status of the Company’s and KB’s other indemnification obligations to each other with respect to general liability claims, representations and warranties, litigation, taxes, and other payment obligations pursuant to the KB Stock Purchase Agreement. When and to the extent the Company believes that a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, the Company will record a liability. As discussed below, the Company recorded a $3.7 million charge (net of tax) in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003 related to the estimated impact of the KB bankruptcy, which was comprised of a $10.5 million benefit (net of tax) related to the partial charge-off of the HCC Note and KB Warrant (as each is defined below) and a $14.3 million charge (net of tax) related to KB guarantee obligations.

In connection with the sale of the KB Toys business, the Company received $258 million in cash and a 10-year note from HCC in the aggregate principal amount of $45.0 million. This note bears interest, on an in-kind basis, at the rate of 8.0% per annum (principal and interest together known as the “HCC Note”). The Company also received a warrant to acquire up to 2.5% of the common stock of KB

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Holdings for a stated price per share (“KB Warrant”). At the time of the sale (the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2000), the Company evaluated the fair value of the HCC Note received as consideration in the transaction and recorded the HCC Note at its then estimated fair value of $13.2 million. The estimated fair value of the HCC Note was based on several factors including fair market evaluations obtained from independent financial advisors at the time of the sale, the Company’s knowledge of the underlying KB Toys business and industry, and the risks inherent in receiving no cash payments until the HCC Note matured in 2010. During fiscal year 2002 and until KB’s bankruptcy filing, the Company recorded the interest earned and accretion of the discount utilizing the effective interest rate method and provided necessary reserves against such amounts as a result of its evaluations of the carrying value of the HCC Note. As of February 1, 2003, and February 2, 2002, the carrying value of the HCC Note was $16.1 million. For tax purposes, the HCC Note was originally recorded at its face value of $45.0 million, and the Company incurred tax liability on the interest, which accrued but was not payable. This resulted in the HCC Note having a tax basis that was greater than the carrying value on the Company’s books.

The HCC Note became immediately due and payable at the time of KB’s bankruptcy filing. The Company engaged an independent investment advisory firm to assist the Company in estimating the fair value of the HCC Note and KB Warrant for both book and tax purposes. As a result, the