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Big Lots Shopping Carts
Getty / Justin Sullivan

News about Big Lots hasn’t slowed down for a moment, but right now, the chain is on a hot streak. With many stores back open, you might want to get in there for some deals before they all shut down and get taken from us once again.

Not sure what kind of stuff to stock up on when you hit Big Lots? Here are the 10 best things to buy at Big Lots.

Snacks and Candy

Big Lots Candy
Christine H. / Yelp

You can take advantage of bulk prices on snacks and candy here of course, but the other big draw is just how much stuff Big Lots has. Every cereal, candy, chip, and chocolate you can think of is waiting here, and probably even a few nostalgic favorites that you forgot about.

Cleaning Supplies

A shopping cart with filled cleaning supplies at Big Lots
Big Lots / Instagram

Name brand stuff like Lysol and Clorox often end up a lot cheaper at Big Lots than other major retailers like Target and Walmart.

Toiletries

Big Lots Hair Care
Gabrielle V. / Yelp

Shaving products, tooth care, and other basic necessities are another great thing to check for at Big Lots. I myself have taken advantage of plenty of two-for-one

Baking Equipment

Terri C. / Yelp

We’re talking hand-mixers. We’re talking storage containers. We’re talking cheaper prices on things like Pillsbury and Bob’s Red Mill. And because baking is such a seasonal thing, that leads us right to…

Seasonal Things

Big Lots Halloween
Miatsu K. / Yelp

Seasonal things! Big Lots is stocked for every season. Halloween decorations up the wazoo. Christmas bursting from every inch of the store. Easter egg kits as far as the eye can see. If you’re the type of person to reuse seasonal decorations, get them at Big Lots.

Pet Food

Big Lots Dog Treats
Rosa P. / Yelp

Both dry and wet food are priced well at Big Lots, thanks to generous bulk prices. It’s worth comparing to your grocery store, but chances are high that Big Lots will score you some deals.

Pantry Staples

Big Lots Pantry Items
Suzy Q. / Yelp

Herbs, spices, and other pantry staples like vanilla are classically expensive everywhere. You can often find this stuff cheaper at Big Lots, or at the very least, the same price for a larger quantity. Vanilla Extract is hardly free, people.

Some Furniture

Big Lots Sofa Sale
Cindy M. / Yelp

With rolling deals that are always changing, big furniture purchases are worth considering here at good ole Big Lots. Furniture is one of the most crazy-expensive things you can buy, especially brand new. At Big Lots it’s not uncommon to find something that’s been discontinued for a great price.

Party Supplies

Big Lots Party
Dee A. / Yelp

You stocking up for something? An event? A birthday? An office party? This is why bulk buying exists.

Organic Food

Big Lots Granola Bars
Tiffany G. / Yelp

Organic food is always more expensive, and it often gets out of hand. Looking at you, Whole Foods. At Big Lots you’ll find organic dry food (no more perishable groceries) like granola bars and baking mixes for cheap.

And Also: Everything Else

Big Lots No Credit Needed
Jo Anne S. / Yelp

If the new era of Big Lots is anything like the Big Lots era of the past, we’ll be living in a world of one of the most customer-friendly return policies around since receipts weren’t always required. Information about the new return policy is still unclear, but it’s likely to remain unchanged.

Meet the Writer

Wilder Shaw is a staff writer at Cheapism who has written for publications like The Washington Post