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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 N1u6dtReUNy8KQHRI4oNnjP4ZRbnYppbKmjdIKNdh4+geGGly5nKzrhbsHsqC/9d
 we3oCFdPAAoPH37yjAMMkw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000768835-04-000041.txt : 20040913
<SEC-HEADER>0000768835-04-000041.hdr.sgml : 20040913
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040913130055
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000768835-04-000041
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040909
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040913
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040913

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MALLOTT PHILIP E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188614

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08897
		FILM NUMBER:		041027057

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8606 BUTTON BUSH LANE
		CITY:			WESTERVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43082

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BIG LOTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000768835
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331]
		IRS NUMBER:				061119097
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 PHILLIPI ROAD
		STREET 2:		P.O.BOX 28512
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43228-0512
		BUSINESS PHONE:		614-278-6800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 PHILLIPI ROAD
		STREET 2:		P.O.BOX 28512
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43228-0512
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-09</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000768835</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BIG LOTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BLI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188614</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MALLOTT PHILIP E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8606 BUTTON BUSH LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43082</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Purchase Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.17</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-09-09</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-10-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Dates in this column reflect the first of three annual vesting dates upon which 20%, 40% and 40%, respectively, of the Stock Purchase Option becomes exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Option issued under Director Stock Option Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">2 Stock Purchase Options representing 20,000 underlying shares of Common Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Charles W. Haubiel II, attorney in fact for Philip E. Mallott</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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