The company helping Big Lots through its bankruptcy process is selling the leases of more than 460 Big Lots stores across the U.S. – a sign those stores are among those likely to be closing.

NEW YORK, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Retailer Big Lots on Tuesday received a bankruptcy judge's approval for a last-minute sale that would allow 200 to 400 stores to remain open under new ownership.

Big Lots, which is in the middle of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, said in a press release that the deal sets up the transfer of its assets – stores, distribution centers and ...