Big Lots to close stores in El Cajon, La Mesa and Oceanside

Discount giant Big Lots has announced plans to close up to 315 stores nationwide as financial problems weigh on the struggling retailer's future.

According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 31, the discount retailer said it could close up to 315 stores as part of an update to its credit terms. That's more than the 150 stores the company had announced two months earlier.

The Columbus, Ohio-based retailer had previously reported a 10% decline in sales in the first quarter ended in June. The company currently operates about 1,389 stores nationwide.

According to Big Lots' website, the following stores in the county have been announced to close:

El Cajon: 1085 E Main St
The Mesa: 6145 Lake Murray Blvd
Ocean side: 1702 Oceanside Blvd
Spring Valley: 633 Sweetwater Rd
Temecula: 27411 Ynez Rd

When NBC 7 spoke to shoppers, a common question asked was what impact these closures will have on people who rely on discount stores to purchase goods.

“I don't like this. This is a store that I really like because they always have good prices and good deals,” said customer Patrick Straub.

Another shopper, Jill Tatman, said she goes to Big Lots to buy “little treats” and “gifts” that are hard to find elsewhere.

“In 2024, the U.S. economy will continue to face macroeconomic challenges such as increased inflation, which has negatively impacted the purchasing power of our customers,” Big Lots said in the statement.

In a June 6 press release on the chain's website, Big Lots states that the company “reported a net loss of $205.0 million, or $6.99 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 ended May 4, 2024.”

The closure announcement comes just three months after 99 Cents Only Stores announced the closure of all of its locations.

The discount retailer is closing all its stores and the closures could have a major impact on local communities, NBC 7's Shandel Menezes reports.

In the meantime, customers are thinking about where to find good deals in the area.

“It's going to take a little while, but you can find something somewhere, and some people are online a lot. But as far as local things go, people may have to walk a mile or two to find something,” Jackson Thompson said.

Big Lots did not respond to NBC 7's request for comment on the exact date some of its locations will close.

Click here to see the full list of closures in California.