Big Lots was basically the king of the "treasure hunt" shopping experience for decades. Then, the wheels came off. Following a messy Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in late 2024, hundreds of locations went dark, leaving giant, empty shells in strip malls across the country. But here is the twist you probably didn't see coming: Variety Wholesalers reopens several Big Lots stores under their own brands, specifically Roses and Roses Express.
It’s a bold move.
While most retailers are shrinking their physical footprint to hide from Amazon, the North Carolina-based Variety Wholesalers—led by the Pope family—is doing the exact opposite. They are diving into the wreckage. By scooping up these leases, they aren't just saving buildings; they are betting that the discount model isn't dead, it just needed a different pilot.
The Strategy Behind the Takeover
Variety Wholesalers isn't a household name everywhere, but in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, they are a massive deal. They operate over 400 stores. When Big Lots started shuttering sites, Variety Wholesalers saw an opportunity to expand their Roses brand into territories where people were already used to hunting for bargains.
It wasn't a random land grab.
They focused on locations that fit their specific "hometown" vibe. These aren't the glitzy malls. We are talking about the shopping centers where you go to get your tires changed or buy a gallon of milk. When Variety Wholesalers reopens several Big Lots stores, they are targeting a demographic that feels the sting of inflation more than most. These shoppers need $1.50 dish soap and $10 jeans, not a $4,000 smart fridge.
The economics of this are fascinating. Usually, when a company like Big Lots fails, it's because the overhead is too high or the debt is suffocating. Variety Wholesalers operates on a much leaner model. They don't spend millions on Super Bowl ads. They buy in bulk, keep the lights a little dimmer, and pass those savings directly to the person at the cash register.
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Why Big Lots Failed Where Roses Might Win
You've probably walked into a Big Lots lately and felt... confused. Was it a furniture store? A grocery store? A toy shop? It tried to be everything to everyone and ended up being a bit too expensive for a liquidator but too messy for a department store.
Roses is different.
They know exactly who they are. They are a deep-discount department store. By taking over these former Big Lots footprints, they get a "turnkey" retail space. The shelves are often already there. The loading docks work. The local community is already conditioned to drive to that specific parking lot for a deal.
Honestly, it’s a brilliant way to scale without the massive risk of new construction.
Real-World Impact on Local Economies
When a big box store closes, it’s a death knell for the surrounding small businesses. The "anchor tenant" gone means foot traffic drops by 40% or more. The local pizza joint suffers. The nail salon suffers.
By stepping in, Variety Wholesalers is effectively reviving these micro-economies. In towns where Big Lots was the only place to buy affordable home goods, the reopening of these stores under the Roses banner is a lifeline. We aren't just talking about cheap towels. We are talking about jobs. Each reopening usually brings back dozens of retail positions that were vaporized during the Big Lots bankruptcy proceedings.
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- Job Retention: Many former Big Lots employees have found a second life with Variety Wholesalers.
- Tax Revenue: Empty buildings don't generate sales tax. Reopened stores do.
- Community Stability: An occupied storefront prevents the "broken window" effect in suburban shopping centers.
What Shoppers Should Expect
Don't expect a one-for-one replacement. If you loved the specific high-end patio furniture sets Big Lots used to carry, you might be out of luck. Roses leans much harder into apparel, basic household consumables, and seasonal items.
The "treasure hunt" is still there, though.
Variety Wholesalers uses a high-volume purchasing strategy. This means you might find a name-brand shampoo one week and a completely different one the next, depending on what they bought from a manufacturer's overstock. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s exactly what discount shopping used to feel like before everything became a sanitized "experience."
The Logistic Edge
How does a company like Variety Wholesalers manage to stay profitable when others are sinking? It comes down to their distribution center in Henderson, North Carolina. It’s a massive facility that feeds their entire network. By keeping their expansion relatively regional—concentrating on the Southeast and Midwest—they keep shipping costs low. Big Lots struggled with a massive, spread-out national footprint that made logistics a nightmare. Variety Wholesalers is staying in its lane, and that lane is profitable.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Discount Sector
The fact that Variety Wholesalers reopens several Big Lots stores tells us a lot about the state of the American economy. We are seeing a massive "K-shaped" recovery. While luxury brands are doing fine, the middle and lower-income tiers are struggling. This has created a vacuum.
Dollar stores are everywhere, but they don't sell everything. Department stores are dying. Roses sits in that sweet spot in the middle.
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Is it a guaranteed success? Nothing is. Retail is a brutal, low-margin business. But Variety Wholesalers has been around for over 100 years. They've seen recessions, depressions, and the rise of the internet. They know that as long as people need socks and laundry detergent for a few bucks, there will be a place for a physical store.
Actionable Insights for the Savvy Shopper
If your local Big Lots just turned into a Roses or a Roses Express, here is how you should handle it.
First, sign up for their loyalty program immediately. Unlike the complicated points systems at big-box retailers, these often provide direct, "dollars-off" coupons that actually matter.
Second, check the "Buy the Case" options. Variety Wholesalers is unique because they often allow customers to buy bulk quantities of consumables at prices that rival Costco, but without the $60 annual membership fee.
Finally, watch the seasonal clearance. Because they need to move inventory fast to make room for the next truckload, their markdown schedule is aggressive. If you see something you want, don't wait three days. It will be gone.
The retail landscape is changing, but it’s not disappearing. It’s just being recycled. The reopening of these stores is proof that there is still plenty of life left in the bargain bin.
Keep an eye on the store circulars in your local paper or online. The transition happens fast. One week it's a boarded-up Big Lots, the next, the "Grand Opening" banners are flying. It's a win for the company, but more importantly, it's a win for the people who just want to make their paycheck stretch a little further.
When you head into one of these new locations, bring your own bags—many of these high-efficiency retailers are moving away from providing them—and keep your eyes peeled for those limited-run "buyouts" that never make it to the website. That is where the real money is saved.