Sept 9 (Reuters) - U.S. discount home goods retailer Big

Lots ( BIG ) said on Monday it has secured $707.5 million to

support its operations and sell its business to private equity

firm Nexus Capital, as it has initiated bankruptcy proceedings

under Chapter 11.

Big Lots ( BIG ) listed its assets and liabilities in the range of

$1 billion to $10 billion, according to a filing with bankruptcy

court in Delaware, which showed creditors in the range of

5,001-10,000.

Nexus will serve as a "stalking horse bidder" in a

court-supervised auction process, Big Lots ( BIG ) said, adding that the

deal will close in the fourth quarter of 2024 if Nexus is deemed

the winning bidder.

A stalking horse bid is used as a starting or minimally

accepted offer that other interested bidders must surpass if

they want to buy the asset or the company.

Big Lots ( BIG ) said its second quarter results are in line with

the guidance. The company will release its full second-quarter

results on Sept. 12, after previously postponing from Sept. 6.

Big Lots ( BIG ), a retailer operating around 1,400 stores across

the U.S. and employing more than 30,000 workers, has been

grappling with declining sales over the past few quarters,

putting pressure on its balance sheet.