BLI Big Lots

Just in time to stock up for the school year, Big Lots is recognizing teachers with a chance to win great prizes for themselves and their classroom COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Believing that teachers deserve to be rewarded for their hard work, Big Lots (NYSE:BLI), the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer, is sponsoring a sizzling summer sweepstakes for teachers across the country. Between July 17 and August 10, 2006, teachers can register online or in their local Big Lots store to win one of over 120 prizes, including a six-day, five-night trip to a destination of their choice in the United States or Caribbean. The Big Lots Teacher Appreciation Sweepstakes prizes include: 1. Grand Prize - Trip for two to winner's choice of destination in the U.S. or Caribbean, includes roundtrip air transportation, five nights (double occupancy) hotel accommodations, ground transfers to and from the airport, three meals per day per person on the resort property, plus two spa treatments per person during the six-day period (four total spa services). Maximum retail value of the trip: $8,500.00. 2. 5 Regional First Prizes - $100 Big Lots Stores Gift Card. 3. 115 District Prizes (one per Big Lots Stores designated store district) - 21-inch rolling luggage filled with school supplies, a $75 value. The Teacher Appreciation Sweepstakes kicks off the introduction of Big Lots' newest online community, The Teachers' Lounge. While registering online at http://www.biglots.com/, teachers can join this exciting new program and opt in to have the opportunity to preview upcoming promotions, clip special savings coupons and learn about Teacher Appreciation Days at their local Big Lots. Additionally, the site offers teacher tips, class project ideas complete with shopping lists and step-by-step instructions, links to online teacher resources and access to the Big Lots online community where teachers can share ideas with their fellow educators. "We recognize and appreciate that teachers often use their personal funds to provide supplies for their classrooms, and that many look to Big Lots as an affordable source for these essential items," said Rob Claxton, senior vice president of marketing for Big Lots. "We wanted to create a fun way to reward these dedicated professionals and also offer them additional resources to incorporate throughout the school year." No purchase is necessary to enter or win. The Teacher Appreciation Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the United States who are 21 years of age or older at time of entry and who are currently employed as teachers or individuals that perform a teaching function in a classroom with students at an accredited school or college. See official rules at http://www.biglots.com/ for more details. Big Lots, Inc. (http://www.biglots.com/) is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer with annual revenues exceeding $4 billion. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots operates more than 1,400 retail stores serving 45 states. Four regional distribution centers throughout the country, ranging in size from 1 million to 3 million square feet, provide the company's stores with brand-name products from more than 3,000 manufacturers. Big Lots offers merchandise at 20 to 40 percent below most discount retailers and up to 70 percent below conventional retailers. Founded in 1967, the company employs more than 45,000 associates across the U.S. By creating excitement with brand-name closeouts and bargains through a unique shopping experience, Big Lots meets the needs of customers by providing an assortment of merchandise including consumables, seasonal products, furniture, housewares, toys, and gifts. Big Lots is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BLI. Contact: Patrice Sadd, Fleishman-Hillard, 216.928.3459 This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/. DATASOURCE: Big Lots, Inc. CONTACT: Patrice Sadd, Fleishman-Hillard, +1-216-928-3459, for Big Lots Web site: http://www.biglots.com/

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