Big Lots to Make Overdue Upgrades

Big Lots officials are hammering away at numerous changes they hope will fatten the bottom line, company executives told investors at a recent conference. They're so confident, in fact, that they recently initiated a cash-dividend program for shareholders, a first for the company. Many of the changes are those that have been reported before: making furniture a key part of the business, becoming the Hostess snack-cake thrift outlet, and working harder to appeal to Big Lots’ target customer, nicknamed "Jennifer." But one change that's underway might surprise the industry and customers alike: improvement to the store's electronic security systems.