Big Lots Board of Directors Joins National Board Leadership Organization

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Demonstrating its commitment to advancing boardroom leadership, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today announced that it has joined the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as full board members.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO )

NACD full board member companies range in size from large-cap to small-cap companies.  Through their membership, these companies become part of a diverse director community and have the opportunity to share and gain insights about current and emerging issues and to take part in NACD's world-class director education programs.

"By joining NACD, Big Lots' Board of Directors show a commitment to high standards in boardroom leadership, as well as increasing investor confidence in their professionalism," said Ken Daly, President and CEO of NACD.   "Big Lots is poised to enhance the skills of its directors and to prepare the boardroom for the future."

"We are honored to join the distinguished and diverse group of directors who comprise NACD's full board members," said Philip E. Mallott, Chairman of the Board at Big Lots.  "The resources, insights, and connections NACD offers will be valuable assets to our Company as we continue to strengthen our corporate governance practices."

About Big Lots

Big Lots is North America's largest broadline closeout retailer.  As of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2013,  we operated 1,514 BIG LOTS stores in the 48 contiguous United States, 3 BIG LOTS stores in Canada, and 76 LIQUIDATION WORLD and LW stores in Canada.  Wholesale operations are conducted through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, and WISCONSIN TOY and with online sales at www.biglotswholesale.com.

About NACD

The National Association of Corporate Directors is the only membership organization focused exclusively on advancing exemplary board leadership for directors by directors.  Based on 35 years of experience, NACD identifies, interprets, and provides insights and information that corporate board members rely on to make sound strategic decisions, confidently confront complex business challenges and enhance shareowner value.  With more than 13,000 members, representing public, private and nonprofit boards, NACD provides world-class director education, director training and proprietary research about leading boardroom and corporate governance practices to promote director professionalism and bolster investor confidence.  Additionally, NACD provides independent board evaluations and custom-tailored in-boardroom education and training programs, as well as director-led conferences, forums and peer-exchange learning opportunities to share ideas about current and emerging issues.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of our objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although we believe the  expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements that we make herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, our inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on our customers and us, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our public announcements and SEC filings.

SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.