Big Lots isn't just that place where you find a weirdly cheap patio set or a massive bag of name-brand chips for three bucks. It’s a massive retail operation. Behind the scenes, the Big Lots corporate office acts as the brain for over 1,300 stores across 48 states. If you've ever wondered where the decisions happen—like which closeout deals to grab or where the next furniture gallery opens—it all funnels back to Columbus, Ohio. Specifically, the headquarters sits in a suburb called Westerville.
It’s a big building. Huge, actually.
Most people looking for the Big Lots corporate office aren't just curious about architecture, though. They’re usually job seekers, vendors trying to pitch a new product, or sometimes frustrated customers who feel like the local store manager isn't hearing them. Honestly, reaching the "top brass" is a bit more complicated than just walking through the front doors.
The Physical Footprint of the Big Lots Corporate Office
For a long time, Big Lots was tucked away in a different part of Columbus. But in 2018, they made a massive move. They settled into a brand-new, four-story headquarters at 4900 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43081. This place is massive—about 300,000 square feet. It was designed to bring everyone under one roof, from the marketing team to the folks handling the complex logistics of global sourcing.
They call it the "General Office" or the "GO" in company lingo.
Walking inside, it doesn't feel like a stuffy, old-school corporate environment. It’s got an open floor plan. There are collaborative spaces everywhere because, frankly, retail moves too fast for people to be stuck in cubicles all day. There’s even a mock store inside. This is where they test out displays and signage before sending them to the actual stores you shop in. If a display looks great in your local Big Lots, it probably started its life as a prototype in a hallway in Westerville.
The location choice wasn't accidental. Columbus is a retail hub. You've got L Brands (Bath & Body Works), Abercrombie & Fitch, and Safelite all in the same general area. It makes recruiting talent a lot easier when the city is already a magnet for retail professionals.
Contacting the Headquarters
If you need to get a hold of them, the main phone number for the Big Lots corporate office is (614) 278-6800. Just a heads up: you’re going to hit an automated system.
If you’re a customer with a grievance, the corporate office usually prefers you go through their dedicated customer care channels first. They have a separate line for that: 1-866-BIG-LOTS (244-5687). Sending a physical letter to the Dublin Granville Road address is an option, too. Sometimes, a well-written letter on actual paper gets more eyes than an email that might get buried in a "Contact Us" queue. Just address it to "Consumer Care" or a specific department like "Real Estate" if you’re trying to sell them a piece of land.
Why the Corporate Strategy is Shifting Right Now
Retail is hard. Like, really hard. Big Lots has had a bit of a rocky road lately. In late 2024 and heading into 2025, the leadership at the corporate office has been under a ton of pressure. They’ve been dealing with a "post-pandemic hangover" where people aren't buying as much big-ticket furniture as they used to.
To fix this, the corporate team has been leaning hard into their "extreme value" roots. You might have noticed more "closeout" deals lately. That’s a direct directive from the Big Lots corporate office. They want to be the place where you find the stuff other stores overstocked. It’s a return to form for them.
- Bruce Thorn, the CEO, has been vocal about this "back to basics" approach.
- They are focusing heavily on the "Lot Squad" and "Bargain Lab" concepts.
- The goal is to increase the frequency of "treasure hunt" items that keep people coming back every week.
It’s a bit of a gamble. Some experts think the competition from TJ Maxx or even Amazon is too stiff. Others argue that as inflation stays sticky, people need the discounts Big Lots provides more than ever. The folks sitting in those offices in Columbus are the ones crunching the numbers to see which side of the fence they land on.
Working at the Headquarters
Let’s talk about the culture. If you’re looking at a job post for the Big Lots corporate office, you’re probably wondering what it’s actually like. Based on various employee reviews and local reporting, it’s a mix.
The move to the new building helped a lot with morale. Having a fitness center, a high-end cafeteria, and outdoor walking paths makes a 9-to-5 much more bearable. However, because the retail industry is currently so volatile, the workload can be intense. People there talk about "pivoting" a lot. One day the focus is on expanding the furniture footprint, and the next, it’s about cutting costs in the supply chain.
They value "ownership." Basically, they want people who don't wait to be told what to do. If you see a problem with how a product is being tracked from a warehouse in California to a store in Maine, they expect you to speak up.
- Benefits: They offer the standard 401(k) and health insurance, but the big perk is the 20% to 30% employee discount.
- Remote Work: Like many companies, they’ve struggled with the "return to office" balance. Currently, they seem to favor a hybrid model, but that can change depending on which department you’re in.
- Growth: Because they are a large corporation, there is room to move up, but you have to be vocal about your career path.
The Role of the Board and Investors
The Big Lots corporate office isn't just accountable to customers; it’s accountable to Wall Street. As a publicly traded company (symbol: BIG), they have a Board of Directors that keeps a very close eye on the Dublin Granville Road operations.
👉 See also: Is Jerome Powell a Republican? What Most People Get Wrong
In recent years, there has been some tension. Investors have pushed for better margins. This led to the sale-leaseback of their distribution centers—a move that brought in a lot of cash but changed the company's long-term balance sheet. The corporate office had to manage that transition without disrupting the flow of goods. It’s a delicate dance between keeping the lights on today and making sure there’s a building to come into tomorrow.
Navigating Legal and Vendor Relations
Vendors often have a love-hate relationship with the Big Lots corporate office. On one hand, Big Lots is a massive buyer. If you have 50,000 units of a toaster that didn't sell at another retailer, Big Lots can take them all off your hands in one go.
On the other hand, their buying team is notorious for being tough negotiators. They have to be. To sell a toaster for $15, they need to buy it for way less. The "Merchant" roles at the headquarters are arguably the most important jobs in the whole building. These are the people traveling to trade shows and meeting with manufacturers to find those "oops, we made too many" deals.
If you’re a vendor trying to get in, don't just cold call. They use specific portals for new vendor applications. Most of that is managed through their "Vendor Relations" department within the headquarters.
Impact on the Columbus Community
Big Lots is a major employer in Central Ohio. When the Big Lots corporate office does well, the local economy feels it. They are involved in a lot of philanthropy, particularly with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. You’ve probably seen the donation prompts at the register; a huge chunk of that money stays in Columbus because of the corporate ties to the city.
The "Big Lots Foundation" operates out of the headquarters. They focus on four main pillars: hunger, housing, healthcare, and education. It’s one of those things that doesn't get a lot of press compared to their stock price, but for the local community in Westerville and Columbus, it’s a big deal.
What to Do If You Need Help
So, you’ve read all this and you still need to contact the Big Lots corporate office. Here is the most direct way to handle your specific needs without getting lost in the shuffle:
- For Employment Verification: Don't call the front desk. They usually use an automated service like The Work Number. Ask your HR representative for the specific company code.
- For Real Estate Inquiries: If you want to pitch a new store location, go to the "Real Estate" section of their corporate website. They have specific criteria for square footage and demographics that they look for.
- For Investor Relations: If you own stock and have questions about the annual meeting, there is a specific email: investor_relations@biglots.com.
- For Press and Media: Journalists should reach out to the media relations team. They rarely take "walk-in" interviews at the Dublin Granville Road site.
Honestly, the best way to interact with the corporate office is through their official digital channels first. It creates a paper trail. If you just call and ask for "the manager," you’ll likely end up in a voicemail loop.
Moving Forward with Big Lots
The retail landscape is changing fast. Whether Big Lots thrives or just survives depends entirely on the strategy coming out of that building in Columbus. They are currently doubling down on their "Big Deals" and "Big Furniture" segments.
If you're a shopper, keep an eye on the "Weekly Ad." That's the most direct reflection of the corporate office's current priorities. If you see a ton of "Buy One Get One" offers, you know the team in Columbus is trying to clear out inventory. If you see a push for their credit card, you know they're focused on long-term customer loyalty.
The Big Lots corporate office remains a powerhouse in the discount retail world. Even with the ups and downs of the economy, their central hub in Ohio continues to steer the ship for thousands of employees and millions of customers. If you ever find yourself driving on E. Dublin Granville Road, it’s hard to miss the building. It’s a testament to how a small closeout store from the 1960s turned into a national fixture.
To stay updated on their latest corporate moves, you should regularly check their "Investors" page or follow their official LinkedIn profile. These sources provide the most accurate, real-time data on leadership changes and financial shifts. If you're planning to visit the headquarters for an interview, make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early; the parking lot is huge and the security check-in process at the front desk can take a few minutes. Always bring a valid ID, as the "GO" is a secure facility.