Big Lots buys Living.com inventory

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Big Lots Inc., a closeout retailer that operates more than 1,300 retail stores in 46 states, is making a name for itself as a cleanup guy for bankrupt dot-com inventory. Big Lots announced today that it has purchased the home furnishing inventory of Living.com, which went bankrupt last year. Big Lots says the retail value of the merchandise it bought is $2 million. Big Lots plans to retail the inventory at 50% to 80% off the original retail prices. Last March Big Lots bought inventory from furniture.com, which also went out of business in 2000. The company says it owns 70% of the buyside of closeout retailing.