| BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Kontoor Brands, Inc. ("Kontoor," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") is a global lifestyle apparel company headquartered in the United States ("U.S."). The Company designs, produces, procures, markets and distributes apparel primarily under the brand names Wrangler ® and Lee ® . The Company's products are sold in the U.S. through mass merchants, specialty stores, mid-tier and traditional department stores, company-operated stores and online. The Company's products are also sold internationally, primarily in Europe and Asia, through department, specialty, company-operated, concession retail and independently operated partnership stores and online. VF Outlet ™ stores carry Wrangler ® and Lee ® branded products, as well as merchandise that is specifically purchased for sale in these stores. Spin-Off Transaction On May 22, 2019, VF Corporation ("VF" or "former parent") completed the spin-off of its Jeanswear business, which included the Wrangler ® , Lee ® and Rock & Republic ® brands, as well as the VF Outlet TM business. The spin-off transaction (the "Separation") was effected through a pro-rata distribution to VF shareholders of one share of Kontoor common stock for every seven shares of VF common stock held on the record date of May 10, 2019. Kontoor began to trade as a standalone public company (NYSE: KTB) on May 23, 2019. On May 17, 2019, the Company incurred $1.05 billion of indebtedness under a newly structured third-party debt issuance, the proceeds of which were used primarily to finance a cash transfer to VF in connection with the Separation. The Company entered into several agreements with VF that govern the relationship of the parties following the Separation, including the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Kontoor Intellectual Property License Agreement, the VF Intellectual Property License Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement. Under the terms of the Transition Services Agreement, the Company and VF agreed to provide each other certain transitional services including information technology, information management, human resources, employee benefits administration, supply chain, facilities, and other limited finance and accounting-related services for periods up to 18 months, which may be extended subject to the mutual agreement of both parties. The Company also entered into certain commercial arrangements with VF. Revenues, expenses and operating expense reimbursements under these agreements are recorded within the reportable segments or within the "corporate and other expenses" line item in the reconciliation of segment profit in Note 3 to the Company's financial statements, based on the nature of the arrangements. Fiscal Year The Company operates and reports using a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31 of each year. For presentation purposes herein, all references to periods ended December 2019 , December 2018 and December 2017 correspond to the 52-week fiscal years ended December 28, 2019 , December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively. Basis of Presentation - Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements The Company’s financial statements for periods through the Separation date of May 22, 2019 were combined financial statements prepared on a "carve-out" basis as discussed below. The Company’s financial statements for the period from May 23, 2019 through December 28, 2019 were consolidated financial statements based on the reported results of Kontoor Brands, Inc. as a standalone company. The consolidated and combined financial statements and related disclosures are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). The Company’s consolidated and combined financial statements for all periods presented are referred to throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K as “financial statements.” Basis of Presentation - Prior to the Separation Through the Separation date, the Company's combined financial statements were prepared on a carve-out basis under GAAP. These accompanying combined financial statements reflected the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented, through the Separation date, as historically managed within VF. The combined financial statements were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of VF. The combined statements of income included costs for certain centralized functions and programs provided and administered by VF that were charged directly to the Company. These centralized functions and programs included, but were not limited to, information technology, human resources, accounting shared services, supply chain and insurance. In addition, for purposes of preparing these combined financial statements on a carve-out basis, a portion of VF's total corporate expenses were allocated to the Company. These expense allocations included the cost of corporate functions and resources provided by or administered by VF including, but not limited to, executive management, finance, accounting, legal, human resources and related benefit costs associated with such functions, such as stock-based compensation and pension. Allocations also included the cost of operating VF's corporate headquarters located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Costs were allocated to the Company based on direct usage when identifiable or, when not directly identifiable, on the basis of proportional revenues, cost of goods sold or square footage, as applicable. Management considered the basis on which the expenses were allocated to reasonably reflect the utilization of services provided to, or benefit received by, the Company during the periods presented. However, the allocations may not reflect the expenses that would have been incurred if the Company had been a standalone company for the periods presented. The combined financial statements included certain assets and liabilities that were historically held at the VF corporate level but were specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. VF's third-party long-term debt and the related interest expense were not allocated to the Company for any of the periods presented as the Company was not the legal obligor of such debt. All intracompany transactions were eliminated. All transactions between the Company and VF were included in these financial statements. For those transactions between the Company and VF that were historically settled in cash, the Company reflected such balances in the balance sheets within "due from former parent" or "due to former parent." The aggregate net effect of transactions between the Company and VF that were not historically settled in cash were reflected in the balance sheets within "former parent investment" and in the statements of cash flows within "net transfers to former parent." Subsequent to the Separation, the Company continued to service commercial arrangements with VF, which included sales of VF-branded products at VF Outlet ™ stores, as well as sales to VF for products manufactured in our plants, use of our transportation fleet and fulfillment of a transition services agreement related to VF’s sale of its Nautica ® brand business in mid-2018, none of which will continue in 2020. Income Taxes — Prior to the Separation, the Company's operations were included in VF’s U.S. federal consolidated and certain state income tax returns and certain foreign tax returns. For periods prior to the Separation, the income tax expense and deferred tax balances presented in the financial statements were calculated on a carve-out basis, which applied accounting guidance as if the Company filed its own tax returns in each jurisdiction and included tax losses and tax credits that may not reflect tax positions taken by VF. Certain tax attributes reported by the Company on a carve-out basis were not transferred to the Company as part of the Separation. These attributes primarily related to losses in certain Central America and South America ("CASA") jurisdictions. Use of Estimates In preparing the financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions The financial statements of most foreign subsidiaries are measured using the foreign currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Resulting translation gains and losses are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). The Company accounted for Argentina as highly inflationary from July 1, 2018 through the Separation as the projected three-year cumulative inflation rate exceeded 100%. At the Separation, the Company transitioned the Argentina market to a licensed model, which transacts in U.S dollars. Foreign currency transactions are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of a particular subsidiary. These transactions typically result in receivables or payables that are denominated in the foreign currency. Transaction gains or losses arise when exchange rate fluctuations either increase or decrease the functional currency cash flows from the settlement of the originally recorded transactions. As discussed in Note 14 to the Company's financial statements, the Company enters into contracts to manage foreign currency risk on certain of these transactions. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses reported in the statements of income, net of the related hedging gains and losses, were a gain of $5.6 million in 2019 and losses of $3.4 million and $0.8 million in 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Cash and Equivalents Cash and equivalents are demand deposits, receivables from third-party credit card processors, and highly liquid investments that mature within three months of their purchase dates. Cash equivalents totaling $30.5 million and $24.2 million at December 2019 and 2018 , respectively, consist of money market funds and short-term time deposits. Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Trade accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts, less contractual allowances for trade terms, sales incentive programs and discounts. Royalty receivables are recorded at amounts earned based on the licensees’ sales of licensed products, subject in some cases to contractual minimum royalties due from individual licensees. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that will result from the inability of customers and licensees to make required payments. The allowance is determined based on review of specific customer accounts where collection is doubtful, as well as an assessment of the collectability of total receivables considering the aging of balances, historical and anticipated trends, and current economic conditions. All accounts are subject to ongoing review of ultimate collectability. Receivables are written off against the allowance when it is probable the amounts will not be recovered. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out method. Existence of physical inventory is verified through periodic physical inventory counts and ongoing cycle counts at most locations throughout the year. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is initially recorded at cost. The Company capitalizes improvements to property, plant and equipment that substantially extend the useful life of an asset, and interest cost incurred during construction of major assets. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over each asset's estimated useful life, ranging from three to ten years for machinery and equipment and up to 40 years for buildings. Amortization expense for leasehold improvements is recognized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term and is included in depreciation and amortization expense. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Computer Software Expenditures for major software purchases and software developed for internal use are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over a five to ten-year period. The Company's policy provides for the capitalization of external direct costs associated with developing or obtaining internal use computer software. Capitalized computer software costs are included in the balance sheet within "other assets." Costs associated with preliminary project stage activities, training, maintenance and all other post-implementation stage activities are expensed as incurred. During 2019, the Company capitalized $27.1 million related to our recently initiated implementation of a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, of which $23.6 million is reflected in "other assets" and $3.5 million is reflected in "property, plant and equipment, net" at December 2019. Intangible Assets Intangible assets include trademarks, trade names and customer relationships. Trademark intangible assets represent individual acquired trademarks, some of which are registered in multiple countries. Customer relationship intangible assets are based on the value of relationships with wholesale customers in place at the time of acquisition. Intangible assets determined to have indefinite lives, consisting of major trademarks and trade names, are not amortized. Other intangible assets include customer relationships and trademarks determined to have a finite life, and are amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from 15 to 16 years. Amortization of other intangible assets is computed using straight-line or accelerated methods consistent with the timing of the expected benefits to be received. Depreciation and amortization expense related to producing or otherwise obtaining finished goods inventories is reflected in the Company's income statement within "cost of goods sold" and all other depreciation and amortization expense is reflected within "selling, general and administrative expenses." Impairment of Long-lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Intangibles Property, Plant and Equipment and Finite-lived Intangible Assets — The Company’s policy is to review property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If forecasted undiscounted cash flows to be generated by an asset are not expected to recover the asset’s carrying value, the estimated fair value is calculated, and an impairment charge is recorded to the extent that an asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets — The Company’s policy is to evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for possible impairment as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of each year, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of such assets may be below their carrying value. The Company may first assess qualitative factors as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative impairment testing. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of an asset or reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. Otherwise, the assets must be quantitatively tested for possible impairment. An indefinite-lived intangible asset is quantitatively tested for possible impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the asset with its carrying value. An impairment charge is recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value. Goodwill is quantitatively tested for possible impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including the goodwill assigned to that reporting unit. An impairment charge is recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. Leases and Rent Expense The Company enters into operating leases for offices, operational facilities, retail locations, vehicles and other assets that expire at various dates through 2031. Leases for real estate typically have initial terms ranging from 2 to 15 years, generally with renewal options. Leases for equipment typically have initial terms ranging from 3 to 7 years. Most leases have fixed rentals, with many of the real estate leases requiring additional payments for real estate taxes and occupancy-related costs. Contingent rent is owed when sales at individual retail store locations exceed a stated base amount, and is recognized when the liability is probable. Rent expense for leases having rent abatements, landlord incentives or scheduled rent fluctuations is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term beginning on the lease commencement date, which is the date the underlying asset is made available to the Company. Lease terms may include optional renewals, terminations or purchases, which are considered in the Company’s assessments when such options are reasonably certain to be exercised. For retail real estate leases, the Company does not typically include renewal options in the underlying lease term. For non-retail real estate leases, when renewal options are reasonably certain to be exercised, the Company includes the renewal options in the underlying lease term, up to a maximum of ten years . Renewals for all other leases are determined on a lease-by-lease basis. Upon adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the new lease standard, which allowed the Company to carry forward its historical assessment of whether a contract contained a lease, how the lease was classified, and if initial direct costs could be capitalized. The Company elected to combine non-lease components with the related lease components for real estate, vehicles and other significant asset arrangements and aggregate the combined items as a single lease component for accounting purposes. For leases with a lease term of 12 months or less for all classes of underlying assets, the Company elected not to recognize a right-of-use asset and related lease liability. Certain of the Company’s leases contain fixed, indexed, or market-based escalation clauses which impact future payments. Certain arrangements contain variable payment provisions, such as payments based on sales volumes or amounts and mileage, or excess mileage. The Company’s leases typically contain customary covenants and restrictions. The Company determines whether a contract is a lease at inception. This typically requires more judgment in storage and service arrangements where the Company must determine whether its rights to specific physical or production capacity may represent substantially all of the available capacity. The Company measures right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities based on the present value of remaining lease payments, including in-substance fixed payments, the current payment amount when payments depend on an index or rate (e.g., inflation adjustments, market renewals), and the amount the Company believes is probable to be paid to the lessor under residual value guarantees, when applicable. Lease contracts may include fixed payments for non-lease components, such as maintenance, which are included in the measurement of lease liabilities for certain asset classes based on the Company’s election to combine lease and non-lease components. As applicable borrowing rates are not typically implied within our lease arrangements, the Company discounts lease payments based on its estimated incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement, or modification, which is based on the Company’s estimated credit rating, the lease term at commencement and the contract currency of the lease arrangement. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied based on the transfer of control of promised goods or services. The transfer of control typically occurs at a point in time based on consideration of when the customer has i) an obligation to pay for, ii) physical possession of, iii) legal title to, iv) risks and rewards of ownership of and v) accepted the goods or services. The timing of revenue recognition within the wholesale channels occurs either on shipment or delivery of goods based on contractual terms with the customer. The timing of revenue recognition in the direct-to-consumer channels typically occurs at the point of sale within Company-operated or concession retail stores and either on shipment or delivery of goods for e-commerce transactions based on contractual terms with the customer. For finished products shipped directly to customers from our suppliers, the Company’s promise to the customer is a performance obligation to provide the specified goods and the Company has discretion in establishing pricing. Thus, the Company is the principal in the arrangement and revenue is recognized on a gross basis at the transaction price. The duration of contractual arrangements with customers in our wholesale channels is typically less than one year. Payment terms with customers are typically between 30 and 60 days. The Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component as it is expected, at contract inception, that the period between the transfer of the promised good or service to the customer and the customer payment for the good or service will be one year or less. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the expected consideration to be received for providing the goods or services to the customer, which includes estimates for variable consideration. Variable consideration includes allowances for trade terms, sales incentive programs, discounts, markdowns, chargebacks and product returns. Estimates of variable consideration are determined at contract inception and reassessed at each reporting date, at a minimum, to reflect any changes in facts and circumstances. The Company utilizes the expected value method in determining its estimates of variable consideration, based on evaluations of specific product and customer circumstances, historical and anticipated trends, and current economic conditions. Revenue from the sale of gift cards is deferred and recorded as a contract liability until the gift card is redeemed by the customer, factoring in breakage as appropriate, which considers whether the Company has a legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed gift card to any jurisdiction under unclaimed property regulations. The VF Outlet™ stores maintain customer loyalty programs where customers earn rewards from qualifying purchases, which are redeemable for discounts on future purchases or other rewards. The Company estimates the standalone selling price of the loyalty rewards and allocates a portion of the consideration for the sale of products to the loyalty points earned. The deferred amount is recorded as a contract liability, and is recognized as revenue when the points are redeemed or when the likelihood of redemption is remote. The Company has elected to treat all shipping and handling activities as fulfillment costs and recognize the costs as selling, general and administrative expenses at the time the related revenue is recognized. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net revenues. Sales taxes and value added taxes collected from customers and remitted directly to governmental authorities are excluded from the transaction price. The Company has licensing agreements for its symbolic intellectual property, most of which include minimum guaranteed royalties. Royalty income is recognized as earned over the respective license term based on the greater of minimum guarantees or the licensees’ sales of licensed products at rates specified in the licensing contracts. Royalty income related to the minimum guarantees is recognized using a measure of progress with variable amounts recognized only when the cumulative earned royalty exceeds the minimum guarantees. As of December 2019 , the Company expects to recognize $27.8 million of fixed consideration related to the future minimum guarantees in effect under its licensing agreements and expects such amounts to be recognized over time through December 2024 . The variable consideration is not disclosed as a remaining performance obligation as the licensing arrangements qualify for the sales-based royalty exemption. Royalty income was included in net revenues in the statements of income and was $32.1 million , $32.7 million and $30.5 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company has applied the practical expedient to recognize incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that otherwise would have been recognized is one year or less. Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold for Company-manufactured goods includes all materials, labor and overhead costs incurred in the production process. Cost of goods sold for purchased finished goods includes the purchase costs and related overhead. In both cases, overhead includes all costs related to manufacturing or purchasing finished goods, including costs of planning, purchasing, quality control, depreciation, freight, duties, royalties paid to third parties and shrinkage. Cost of goods sold also includes restructuring charges. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs of product development, selling, marketing and advertising, Company-operated retail stores, concession retail stores, warehousing, distribution, shipping and handling, licensing and administration. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include restructuring charges and the service cost component of net periodic pension costs related to these functions, along with the non-service components of net periodic pension costs (including settlement and curtailment losses). Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $119.3 million in 2019 , $127.8 million in 2018 and $137.3 million in 2017 . Advertising costs include cooperative advertising payments made to the Company's customers as reimbursement for their costs of advertising the Company’s products, and totaled $5.9 million in 2019 , $7.2 million in 2018 and $9.4 million in 2017 . Shipping and handling costs for delivery of products to customers totaled $66.1 million in 2019 , $59.7 million in 2018 and $56.4 million in 2017 . Expenses related to royalty income were $1.8 million in 2019 , $1.3 million in 2018 and $1.8 million in 2017 . Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value in the Company's balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized as assets and liabilities, respectively, and classified as current or noncurrent based on the derivatives’ maturity dates. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments (i.e., gains and losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, all hedging relationships must be formally documented at the inception of the hedges and must be highly effective in offsetting changes in future cash flows of hedged transactions. Further, at the inception of a contract and on an ongoing basis, the Company assesses whether the hedging instruments are effective in offsetting the risk of the hedged transactions. Occasionally, a portion of a derivative instrument will be considered ineffective in hedging the originally identified exposure due to a decline in amount or a change in timing of the hedged exposure. In such cases, hedge accounting treatment is discontinued for the ineffective portion of that hedging instrument, and any change in fair value for the ineffective portion is recognized in net income. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Hedging cash flows are classified in the Company's statements of cash flows in the same category as the items being hedged. Hedging contracts are further described in Note 14 to the Company's financial statements. Cash Flow Hedges — The Company uses foreign currency exchange contracts primarily to hedge a portion of the exchange risk for its forecasted sales, purchases, intercompany service fees and royalties. The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to partially hedge the interest rate risk associated with the volatility of monthly LIBOR rate movements. Derivative Contracts Not Designated as Hedges — The Company uses derivative contracts to manage foreign currency exchange risk on accounts receivable and accounts payable. These contracts are not designated as hedges and are recorded at fair value in the Company's balance sheets. Changes in the fair values of these instruments are recognized directly in earnings. Gains or losses on these contracts largely offset the net transaction gains or losses on the related assets and liabilities. The counterparties to our derivative contracts are financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, but this does not eliminate the Company's exposure to credit risk with these institutions. To manage its credit risk, the Company continually monitors the credit risks of its counterparties, limits its exposure in the aggregate and to any single counterparty, and adjusts its hedging positions as appropriate. The impact of the Company's credit risk and the credit risk of its counterparties, as well as the ability of each party to fulfill its obligations under the contracts, is considered in determining the fair value of the derivative contracts. Credit risk has not had a significant effect on the fair value of our derivative contracts. The counterparties to our derivative contracts are also lenders under our credit facility. These derivative contracts are secured by the same collateral that secures our credit facility. Self-insurance The Company is self-insured for a significant portion of its employee medical, workers’ compensation, property and general liability exposures. Liabilities for self-insured exposures are accrued at the present value of amounts expected to be paid based on historical claims experience and actuarial data for forecasted settlements of claims filed and for incurred but not yet reported claims. Accruals for self-insured exposures are included in current and noncurrent liabilities based on the expected periods of payment. Excess liability insurance has been purchased to limit the amount of self-insured risk on claims. Income Taxes Income taxes are provided on pre-tax income for financial reporting purposes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities, as presented in the Company's balance sheets, reflect the net future tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Net temporary differences and net operating losses are recorded utilizing tax rates currently enacted for the years in which the differences are expected to be settled or realized. We periodically assess the realizability of deferred tax assets and the adequacy of deferred tax liabilities, including the results of local, state, federal or foreign statutory tax audits and changes in estimates and judgments used. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Accrued income taxes as presented in the Company's balance sheets include unrecognized income tax benefits along with related interest and penalties, appropriately classified as current or noncurrent. All deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as noncurrent in |
