Twinkies, Ding Dongs at a discount: Big Lots in deal with Hostess

Ohio-based retailer Big Lots will soon sell Twinkies, Ding Dongs and other Hostess brand snacks at steep discounts.

The closeout chain announced Monday it will become the official discount retailer for Hostess snacks, filling a gap left by the closure of the snack maker’s Hostess Thrift Outlet stores, which were not reopened by the brand’s new owner.

“The thrift outlets were extremely popular,” David Campisi, Big Lots’ chief executive, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to team up with this iconic brand and give customers a new destination to find outstanding savings on the products they know and love.”

Big Lots locations, the company said, will receive weekly shipments, with assortments will vary each week and by store.

“Customers who want the best selection will need to get there early and often,” said Andy Stein, Big Lots’ chief customer officer.

The old Hostess company filed for bankruptcy and began liquidating its assets in 2012. Eventually, Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm, and C. Dean Metropoulos & Co. bought the Twinkies brand and reintroduced the snacks last July.