Big Lots opens international buying offices in China, Vietnam

Big Lots has opened international buying offices strategically located in Shanghai, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to enhance the company’s competitiveness in sourcing products, including closeout deals and extreme bargains. The initiative is expected to yield significant operational cost savings beginning in FY2024 and will bring the company’s long-time, exclusive third-party agent’s sourcing team in-house as Big Lots’ Asia sourcing team. The new international buying offices will also create a stronger platform for overseas procurement and assortment optimization, as part of Big Lots’ strategy to reclaim its bargain heritage. The offices will be under the leadership of Kevin Kuehl, senior vice president and general merchandising manager at Big Lots’ out of the corporate headquarters in Columbus, OH. According to Kuehl, the company’s buyers will be strategically situated near significant manufacturing facilities and vendor partners in Asia. This move also aims to help the organization expand its sourcing network for critical categories such as furniture, seasonal items, and soft home goods to developing markets in Central and South America, Africa, and other regions.