COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Big Lots Inc. said Thursday that a key sales figure dipped 0.2 percent in the fiscal third quarter, hurt by lower sales of seasonal items and furniture.

But the discount retailer said its results were in range of its prior forecast for sales at stores open at least two years to be flat to down 2 percent for the period ended Oct. 31.

This sales figure is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

Big Lots said third-quarter retail sales rose 0.9 percent to approximately $1.02 billion.

Among its strongest sales categories were consumables and home items, while sales of toys and electronics also improved during the quarter.

Year-to-date sales at stores open at least two years fell 1.1 percent, with retail sales down 0.8 percent to about $3.22 billion.

Big Lots currently operates 1,367 stores in 47 states. The company expects to report its third-quarter results on Dec. 4.