The Big Lots application is your entry point into one of the most recognizable discount retail chains in the country. Big Lots went through a major transformation in 2024 and 2025. The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024. However, Variety Wholesalers acquired 219 locations in early 2025 and began reopening stores under the Big Lots name starting in April 2025. Today, Big Lots is actively hiring at reopened locations across more than a dozen states. This guide explains the current status, available positions, pay rates, and exactly how to apply.
Big Lots Store Status Update
Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024. The company had accumulated approximately $3.1 billion in debt. Inflation, higher operating costs, and 16 consecutive quarters of declining sales drove the filing. Most original Big Lots locations closed during the liquidation process in late 2024 and early 2025.
However, the brand did not disappear. Variety Wholesalers — which also operates Roses Discount Stores, Roses Express, and Maxway — acquired 219 Big Lots locations. They also acquired two distribution centers. Reopenings began in April 2025 and continued through the summer and fall. By late 2025, more than 200 Big Lots locations were back in operation. The chain is actively hiring at open and newly opening stores across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Check the official careers portal to confirm whether a location near you is open and hiring.
Why Work at Big Lots
Big Lots offers a no-nonsense discount retail experience that many employees find genuinely enjoyable. The stores carry a wide range of merchandise. Furniture, seasonal decor, home goods, food, clothing, and electronics all share floor space. That variety keeps the work interesting. No two trucks bring the same inventory. The treasure-hunt nature of the store translates into the job itself.
The employee discount is one of the most cited reasons people enjoy working at Big Lots. Associates receive a 20 percent discount on almost everything in the store, including food. An additional 30 percent discount applies to indoor and outdoor furniture. Same-day pay access is available for hourly associates, which is a meaningful perk for workers who need flexibility in how they access their earnings. Big Lots also offers discounts on Apple products, Verizon, and AT&T services through its employee benefits program.
The work environment at Big Lots is fast-paced and physically active. Associates regularly unload trucks, stock shelves, and move heavy merchandise. If you enjoy staying active during your shift and working in a team setting, the environment suits you well. For help budgeting your take-home pay from a retail job, visit financebyclaude.com for salary tools and budgeting guides designed for hourly retail workers.
Big Lots Positions Available
Big Lots hires for several roles at the store level. Most positions are available in both part-time and full-time formats depending on the store’s needs.
Customer Service Associate
The Customer Service Associate is the most frequently posted role at Big Lots locations. Associates greet customers and assist them with product selection. They process transactions on the POS system. They also unload delivery trucks, organize merchandise, stock shelves, and recover the sales floor between shipments. The role requires no prior retail experience. Physical stamina matters because the job involves frequent lifting, walking, and standing throughout the shift. Pay for Customer Service Associates typically starts between $12 and $15 per hour depending on the state and local wage laws.
Cashier
Cashiers focus primarily on the checkout experience. They greet customers, process transactions accurately, handle cash and card payments, and assist with the store’s loyalty program sign-ups. Cashiers also help maintain a clean and organized checkout area between customers. Starting pay is comparable to the Customer Service Associate rate for most markets.
Stock Associate and Freight Team Member
Stock associates specialize in receiving, organizing, and stocking incoming merchandise. They unload delivery trucks, break down pallets, price items, and transport merchandise from the stockroom to the sales floor. This role is physically demanding and often involves early morning or overnight shifts when trucks arrive. Pay for stock associates tends to run slightly higher than cashier roles, typically $13 to $16 per hour depending on the shift premium and market.
Lead Associate and Shift Supervisor
Lead associates and shift supervisors take on additional responsibilities beyond standard associate duties. They open and close the store, supervise the floor in the manager’s absence, handle customer escalations, and coach newer team members on procedures and standards. Most leads are promoted internally. Pay typically runs $14 to $17 per hour at most locations.
Assistant Store Manager
Assistant Store Managers support the Store Manager in all operational functions. Their responsibilities include scheduling, inventory management, loss prevention, team training, and financial reporting. Prior retail management experience is preferred. Compensation shifts to a salaried structure, generally ranging from $38,000 to $48,000 annually depending on the market.
Store Manager
Store Managers carry full operational and financial responsibility for a single Big Lots location. They hire and develop the team, manage the store budget, control shrink and inventory, and drive sales through the store’s closeout and value merchandise model. Store Managers typically earn between $45,000 and $60,000 annually, with performance incentives available at most locations.
Big Lots Pay Rates
Pay at Big Lots under Variety Wholesalers’ ownership is consistent with the broader discount retail market. Entry-level Customer Service Associates typically earn $12 to $15 per hour. Stock associates earn $13 to $16 per hour. Lead associates and shift supervisors earn $14 to $17 per hour. Management positions shift to a salary structure. The same-day pay option adds flexibility that straight hourly pay schedules do not provide.
State and local minimum wage laws influence starting rates significantly. Associates in California, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest start at higher rates than the national average due to state wage floors. Always check the job posting for the specific rate at your target location before applying.
How to Apply to Big Lots
There are three main ways to apply. First, visit the official Big Lots careers portal at careers.biglots.com. Search for openings by location, department, or job type. The application takes about 15 minutes. You will provide contact information, work history, and availability. Uploading a resume is optional for most store-level positions.
Second, text “BIG LOTS” to 97211. This mobile shortcut schedules an interview directly from your phone. It is a fast and convenient option for candidates who prefer not to navigate a full online form.
Third, visit your local Big Lots store during a slow period. Mid-morning on weekdays works best. Ask to speak with the Store Manager or Assistant Manager. Express your interest directly. In-person introductions make a strong impression and often move applications to the top of the review queue faster than online submissions alone.
After submitting, most candidates hear back within one to two weeks. Big Lots hires year-round but ramps up significantly before the holiday season and during major inventory pushes.
Minimum Age to Work at Big Lots
Big Lots hires team members as young as 16 years old for most store-level positions. Management roles typically require applicants to be at least 18. Some state labor laws impose additional restrictions on hours and duties for minors under 18. Confirm requirements at your specific location before applying if you are under 18.
The Interview Process at Big Lots
The Big Lots interview for entry-level positions is informal and brief. Most candidates complete a single in-person interview with a Store Manager or Assistant Manager. It typically lasts 15 to 25 minutes. The conversation covers your availability, your experience with customer service or physical retail work, and your comfort level with tasks like truck unloading and heavy merchandise handling.
Common questions focus on how you handle a difficult customer interaction, how you stay organized during a busy freight night, and what motivates you to deliver consistent effort during routine tasks like stocking and recovering the sales floor. Many candidates receive a conditional offer at the end of their first interview, followed by a background check before the start date is confirmed.
Big Lots conducts background checks on all candidates who receive an offer. The company does not conduct drug testing for most store-level positions. For a full guide to what appears on retail background checks, see our background check guide.
Tips for Getting Hired at Big Lots
A few targeted preparations will improve your results. First, emphasize your physical availability and stamina. The job involves real physical work. Managers want candidates who are honest about their ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, and keep pace during a busy freight night. Second, highlight open schedule availability. Big Lots stores receive deliveries at various times and need coverage across mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Candidates who can cover multiple shift types are significantly more valuable to a manager filling a full schedule. Third, mention any prior retail, warehouse, grocery, or food service experience. Big Lots does not require it, but relevant experience signals that you can handle the physical and customer-facing demands of the role from day one. Fourth, follow up after applying. A brief phone call or in-store visit a week after submitting your application shows initiative and keeps your name visible with the hiring manager.
Managing Your Money at Your New Job
Landing a job is just the first step. Visit financebyclaude.com for budgeting guides, saving tips, and personal finance resources to help you make the most of your new income.
Related Application Guides
Our guides cover the full hiring process at similar discount and general merchandise employers. Read our guides to the Family Dollar application, the Dollar General application, the Walmart application, the Five Below application, and the Stop and Shop application. Also see our first job interview guide and background check guide.
What to Expect on Your First Week at Big Lots
Your first week at Big Lots focuses on orientation and hands-on training. You will complete onboarding paperwork and review safety and loss prevention procedures. A manager or lead associate will walk you through your core duties. You will learn the POS system, the freight flow process, and the store’s recovery and stocking standards. The physical demands of the role become clear quickly. Come ready to move. Wear comfortable, supportive footwear. Your coworkers are your best resource during the learning period. Ask questions early and often. Managers at Big Lots expect new hires to need guidance and value team members who engage actively with the training process.
Related Salary Guides
Understanding pay before you apply helps you evaluate offers with confidence. Read our Dollar General salary guide, Amazon salary guide, Home Depot salary guide, and Starbucks salary guide for detailed pay breakdowns at comparable retail employers.