8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 3, 2017

BIG LOTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	1-8897	06-1119097
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

300 Phillipi Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(614) 278-6800

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth companyo

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 4, 2017, Big Lots, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or “Company”) announced that David J. Campisi, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, and a Director of the Company, will be on a temporary medical leave of absence, effective immediately.

In connection with Mr. Campisi’s temporary leave of absence, on December 3, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors assigned Mr. Campisi’s executive responsibilities to Lisa Bachmann, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising and Operating Officer, and Timothy A. Johnson, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer. During Mr. Campisi’s absence, Ms. Bachmann and Mr. Johnson will work in consultation with James R. Chambers, the non-executive Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Bachmann, 56, was promoted to her current position in August 2015. Prior to that, Ms. Bachmann was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer in August 2012 and Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Management and Chief Information Officer in March 2010. Ms. Bachmann joined us as Senior Vice President, Merchandise Planning, Allocation and Presentation in March 2002.

Mr. Johnson, 50, was promoted to his current position in August 2015. Prior to that Mr. Johnson was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in March 2014. Mr. Johnson was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in August 2012. He was promoted to Senior Vice President of Finance in July 2011. He joined us in August 2000 as Director of Strategic Planning.

Attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K is a copy of the Company’s December 4, 2017 press release with respect to the foregoing.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)	Exhibits
	Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are furnished herewith.
	Exhibit No.	Description
	99.1*	Big Lots, Inc. press release dated December 4, 2017.

Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	BIG LOTS, INC.
Date: December 4, 2017	By:	/s/ Ronald A. Robins, Jr.
		Ronald A Robins, Jr.
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel
		and Corporate Secretary

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Andrew D. Regrut
	Vice President, Investor Relations
	(614) 278-6622

BIG LOTS CEO, DAVID CAMPISI, TO TAKE TEMPORARY MEDICAL LEAVE

LISA BACHMANN AND TIM JOHNSON ASSIGNED EXECUTIVE

RESPONSIBILITIES DURING LEAVE

Columbus, Ohio - December 4, 2017 - Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) announced today that David Campisi, its president and CEO, took medical leave after he was hospitalized on Friday, December 1st, shortly after the Company’s third quarter earnings call. Mr. Campisi is now recuperating at home. In connection with Mr. Campisi’s temporary leave of absence, the Big Lots board of directors has assigned Mr. Campisi’s executive responsibilities to Lisa M. Bachmann, Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising & Operating Officer, and Timothy A. Johnson, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative & Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Ms. Bachmann and Mr. Johnson will continue to work closely with the other members of the Company’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the board during Mr. Campisi’s medical leave. In addition, James R. Chambers, the Company’s non-executive chair of the Board, intends to spend additional time in Columbus with the leadership team during the duration of the medical leave.

“We have complete confidence in Lisa and TJ and the rest of the leadership team at Big Lots to continue the Company’s strategic initiatives. David Campisi is an inspirational leader, and we look forward to his return to good health and to leading the Company again,” said Mr. Chambers.

	Shareholder Relations Department
	300 Phillipi Road
	Columbus, Ohio 43228-5311
	Phone: (614) 278-6622 Fax: (614) 278-6666
	Email: aschmidt@biglots.com

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a community retailer operating 1,428 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states, dedicated to friendly service, trustworthy value, and affordable solutions in every season and category - furniture, food, décor, and more. We exist to serve everyone like family, providing a better shopping experience for our customers, valuing and developing our associates, and creating growth for our shareholders. Big Lots supports the communities it serves through the Big Lots Foundation, a charitable organization focused on four areas of need: hunger, housing, healthcare, and education. For more information about the Company, visit www.biglots.com.

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.

	Shareholder Relations Department
	300 Phillipi Road
	Columbus, Ohio 43228-5311
	Phone: (614) 278-6622 Fax: (614) 278-6666
	Email: aschmidt@biglots.com