Big Lots sees Q3 comp sales below expectations

NEW YORK, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Big Lots Inc (BIG.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday it now expects its comparable store sales to be slightly negative in its third quarter compared with an initial forecast of a gain of 1 percent to 3 percent.

Its comparable store sales measure sales at stores open at least two years.

The close-out retailer said that while its sales are tracking below expectations, it expects earnings to be near the high end of its forecast of 9 cents to 13 cents per share.