| Basis and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | BASIS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES As described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic led to significant market disruption and has impacted various aspects of our operations, directly and indirectly. Throughout these notes to the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and comparable prior periods have been identified to the best of our ability under the respective sections. For a discussion of trends that we believe have affected our business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, see Item 2. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", including the "Recent Developments and Operational Measures Taken by Us in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic," "Results of Operations" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources", below, and Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Current Report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2021 (the "2020 Annual Report"). Description of Spin-off Transaction On October 16, 2020, management of Aaron’s, Inc. finalized the formation of a new holding company structure in anticipation of the separation and distribution transaction described below. Under the holding company structure, Aaron’s, Inc. became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of a newly formed company, Aaron’s Holdings Company, Inc. Aaron's, Inc. was subsequently converted to a limited liability company ("Aaron’s, LLC") holding the assets and liabilities historically associated with the historical Aaron's Business segment (the "Aaron's Business"). Upon completion of the holding company formation, Aaron’s Holdings Company, Inc. became the publicly traded parent company of the Progressive Leasing segment ("Progressive Leasing"), Aaron’s Business, and Vive segment ("Vive"). On November 30, 2020 (the "separation and distribution date"), Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc. completed the previously announced separation of the Aaron's Business from Progressive Leasing and Vive and changed its name to PROG Holdings, Inc. (referred to herein as "PROG Holdings" or "Former Parent"). The separation of the Aaron's Business was effected through a distribution (the "separation", the "separation and distribution", or the "spin-off transaction") of all outstanding shares of common stock of a newly formed company called The Aaron's Company, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("Aaron's", "The Aaron's Company" or "the Company"), to the PROG Holdings shareholders of record as of November 27, 2020. Upon the separation and distribution, Aaron's, LLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Aaron's Company. Shareholders of PROG Holdings received one share of The Aaron's Company for every two shares of PROG Holdings' common stock. Upon completion of the separation and distribution transaction, The Aaron's Company became an independent, publicly traded company under the ticker "AAN" on the New York Stock Exchange. Unless the context otherwise requires or we specifically indicate otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," "the Company," and "Aaron's" refer to The Aaron's Company, Inc., which holds, directly or indirectly, the Aaron’s Business prior to the separation and distribution date. References to "the Company", "Aaron's, Inc.", or "Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc." for periods prior to the separation and distribution date refer to transactions, events, and obligations of Aaron's, Inc., which took place prior to the separation and distribution. Historical amounts herein include revenues and costs directly attributable to the Company and an allocation to the Company of expenses of the Aaron's Business related to certain PROG Holdings' corporate functions prior to the separation and distribution date. We describe in these footnotes the business held by us after the separation as if it were a standalone business for all historical periods described. However, we were not a standalone separate entity with independently conducted operations before the separation. Description of Business Aaron's is a leading, technology-enabled, omni-channel provider of lease-to-own ("LTO") and purchase solutions generally focused on serving the large, credit-challenged segment of the population. Through our portfolio of approximately 1,300 stores and our Aarons.com e-commerce platform, we provide consumers with LTO and purchase solutions for the products they need and want, including furniture, appliances, electronics, computers and a variety of other products and accessories. In addition, the Company's business includes the operations of Woodhaven Furniture Industries ("Woodhaven"), which manufactures and supplies the majority of the bedding and a significant portion of the upholstered furniture leased and sold in Company-operated and franchised stores. The following table presents store count by ownership type: Stores as of September 30 (Unaudited) 2021 2020 Company-operated Stores 1,084 1,086 Franchised Stores 237 308 Systemwide Stores 1,321 1,394 Basis of Presentation The financial statements for periods prior to and through the date of the separation and distribution, November 30, 2020, were prepared on a combined standalone basis and were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of PROG Holdings. The financial statements for the period from December 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, and three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, each of which is wholly-owned, and is based on the financial position and results of operations of the Company as a standalone company. Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated. These condensed consolidated and combined financial statements reflect the historical results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). The historical results of operations and cash flows of the Company prior to the separation and distribution presented in these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements may not be indicative of what they would have been had the Company been an independent standalone entity, nor are they necessarily indicative of the Company's future results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The condensed combined balance sheets for periods prior to and through the separation and distribution date include the assets and liabilities associated with the historical Aaron’s Business and certain assets and liabilities where Aaron's, Inc. is the legal beneficiary or obligor. The combined statements of earnings for periods prior to and through the separation and distribution date include all revenues and costs directly attributable to the Company and an allocation of expenses related to certain PROG Holdings corporate functions. These allocated costs and expenses include executive management, finance, treasury, tax, audit, legal, information technology, human resources and risk management functions and the related benefit cost associated with such functions, including stock-based compensation. These costs and expenses have been allocated to the Company based on direct usage or benefit where specifically identifiable, with the remaining expenses allocated primarily on a pro rata basis using an applicable measure of revenues, headcount or other relevant measures. The Company considers these allocations to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services or the benefit received. The preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated and combined financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Generally, actual experience has been consistent with management's prior estimates and assumptions. However, as described above, the extent to which the normalization of business trends since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting measures taken by the Company and federal and state governments, will impact the Company's business will depend on future developments, which are uncertain and cannot be precisely predicted at this time. In many cases, management's estimates and assumptions are dependent on estimates of such future developments and may change in the future. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated and combined financial statements do not include all information required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated and combined financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2020 Annual Report. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation. For all periods prior to September 30, 2021, the Company presented the additions to lease merchandise and the book value of lease merchandise sold or disposed as separate lines within operating activities in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of cash flows. Effective with the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company revised its presentation of changes to lease merchandise to separately present the provision for lease merchandise write-offs, and combine the remaining operating activity-related changes in lease merchandise, with the exception of depreciation of lease merchandise, in a single line under changes in operating assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of cash flows. This revised presentation and the related adjustments to the prior period presentation do not have an impact on cash provided by operating activities. Accounting Policies and Estimates See Note 1 to the consolidated and combined financial statements in the 2020 Annual Report for an expanded discussion of accounting policies and estimates. Discussions of accounting estimates and application of accounting policies herein have also been updated as applicable to describe the uncertainty associated with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic described above. Earnings Per Share Earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The computation of earnings per share assuming dilution includes the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), restricted stock awards ("RSAs"), performance share units ("PSUs") and other awards issuable under the Company's employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") (collectively, "share-based awards") as determined under the treasury stock method, unless the inclusion of such awards would have been anti-dilutive. The Company's basic earnings per share calculations for the periods prior to the separation and distribution assumes that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding was 33,841,624, which is the number of shares distributed to shareholders on the separation and distribution date, November 30, 2020. The same number of shares was used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the periods prior to the separation and distribution, as there were no equity awards of The Aaron's Company outstanding prior to the distribution date. The following table shows the calculation of weighted-average shares outstanding assuming dilution: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (Shares In Thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 32,485 33,842 33,513 33,842 Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Awards 703 — 703 — Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution 33,188 33,842 34,216 33,842 Approximately 0.2 million and 0.1 million weighted-average shares-based awards were excluded from the computation of earnings per share assuming dilution during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, as the awards would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. Revenue Recognition The Company provides lease merchandise, consisting of furniture, appliances, electronics, computers and a variety of other products and accessories to its customers for lease under certain terms agreed to by the customer. Our stores and e-commerce platform offer leases with flexible ownership plans that can be renewed monthly up to 12, 18 or 24 months. The Company also earns revenue from the sale of merchandise to customers and its franchisees, and earns ongoing revenue from its franchisees in the form of royalties and through advertising efforts that benefit the franchisees. See Note 3 to these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements for further information regarding the Company's revenue recognition policies and disclosures. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables due from customers on lease agreements, corporate receivables incurred during the normal course of business (primarily for vendor consideration and real estate leasing activities) and franchisee obligations. Accounts receivable, net of allowances, consist of the following: (In Thousands) September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Customers $ 8,606 $ 8,399 Corporate 11,822 12,771 Franchisee 9,888 12,820 $ 30,316 $ 33,990 The Company maintains an accounts receivable allowance, under which the Company's policy is to record a provision for returns and uncollectible contractually due renewal payments based on historical payments experience, which is recognized as a reduction of lease and retail revenues within the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. Other qualitative factors are considered in estimating the allowance, such as current and forecasted business trends. The Company writes off customer lease receivables that are 60 days or more past due on pre-determined dates twice monthly. The Company also maintains an allowance for outstanding franchisee accounts receivable. The Company's policy is to estimate a specific allowance on accounts receivable to estimate future losses related to certain franchisees that are deemed to have a higher risk of non-payment and a general allowance based on historical losses as well as the Company's assessment of the financial health of all other franchisees. The estimated allowance on franchisee accounts receivable includes consideration of broad macroeconomic trends, such as the uncertainty surrounding the impacts of the normalization of current and future business trends associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the franchisees' ability to satisfy their obligations. Accordingly, actual accounts receivable write-offs could differ from the allowance. The provision for uncollectible franchisee accounts receivable is recorded as bad debt expense in other operating expenses, net within the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. The following table shows the components of the accounts receivable allowance: Nine Months Ended September 30, (In Thousands) 2021 2020 Beginning Balance $ 7,613 $ 10,720 Accounts Written Off, net of Recoveries (20,110) (26,304) Accounts Receivable Provision 18,840 22,089 Ending Balance $ 6,343 $ 6,505 The following table shows the components of the accounts receivable provision, which includes amounts recognized for bad debt expense and the provision for returns and uncollected payments: Nine Months Ended September 30, (In Thousands) 2021 2020 Bad Debt (Reversal) Expense $ (728) $ 933 Provision for Returns and Uncollectible Renewal Payments 19,568 21,156 Accounts Receivable Provision $ 18,840 $ 22,089 Lease Merchandise The Company’s lease merchandise is recorded at the lower of depreciated cost or net realizable value. The cost of merchandise manufactured by our Woodhaven operations is recorded at cost and includes overhead from production facilities, shipping costs and warehousing costs. The Company begins depreciating merchandise at the earlier of 12 months and one day from its purchase of the merchandise or when the item is leased to customers. Lease merchandise depreciates to a 0% salvage value over the lease agreement period when on lease, generally 12 to 24 months, and generally 36 months when not on lease. Depreciation is accelerated upon early payout. The following is a summary of lease merchandise, net of accumulated depreciation and allowances: (In Thousands) September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Merchandise on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances $ 465,833 $ 473,964 Merchandise Not on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances 1 309,179 223,271 Lease Merchandise, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances $ 775,012 $ 697,235 1 Includes Woodhaven raw materials, finished goods and work-in-process inventory that has been classified within lease merchandise in the condensed consolidated balance sheets of $20.7 million and $10.4 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company's policies require weekly merchandise counts at its store-based operations, which include write-offs for unsalable, damaged, or missing merchandise inventories. Monthly cycle counting procedures are performed at both the Company's fulfillment centers and manufacturing facilities. Physical inventories are also taken at the manufacturing facilities annually. The Company also monitors merchandise levels and mix by division, store, and fulfillment center, as well as the average age of merchandise on hand. If obsolete merchandise cannot be returned to vendors, its carrying amount is adjusted to its net realizable value or written off. Generally, all merchandise not on lease is available for lease or sale. On a monthly basis, all damaged, lost or unsalable merchandise identified is written off. The Company records a provision for write-offs using the allowance method, which is included within lease merchandise, net within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The allowance method for lease merchandise write-offs estimates the merchandise losses incurred but not yet identified by management as of the end of the accounting period based primarily on historical write-off experience. Other qualitative factors are considered in estimating the allowance, such as uncertainty surrounding the impacts of the normalization of current and future business trends associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, actual lease merchandise write-offs could differ from the allowance. The provision for write-offs is included in provision for lease merchandise write-offs in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. The Company writes off lease merchandise on lease agreements that are 60 days or more past due on pre-determined dates twice monthly. The following table shows the components of the allowance for lease merchandise write-offs: Nine Months Ended September 30, (In Thousands) 2021 2020 Beginning Balance $ 11,599 $ 13,823 Merchandise Written off, net of Recoveries (46,414) (49,058) Provision for Write-offs 45,333 47,478 Ending Balance $ 10,518 $ 12,243 Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following: (In Thousands) September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Prepaid Expenses 1 $ 17,401 $ 17,411 Insurance Related Assets 1 27,606 27,020 Company-Owned Life Insurance 15,275 16,223 Assets Held for Sale 7,370 8,956 Deferred Tax Asset 7,014 7,014 Other Assets 1 27,238 13,271 $ 101,904 $ 89,895 1 During the second quarter of 2021, the Company recategorized items within the components of prepaid expenses and other assets. The presentation of prior period amounts has been reclassified to be consistent with the current period presentation. Such reclassification has no impact on the total prepaid expenses and other assets balance as of December 31, 2020. Assets Held for Sale Certain properties, consisting of parcels of land and commercial buildings, met the held for sale classification criteria as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less estimated cost to sell and are classified within prepaid expenses and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation is suspended on assets upon classification to held for sale. Gains and losses related to the sale of assets held for sale are recorded in other operating expenses, net or restructuring expenses, net (if the asset is a part of the Company's restructuring programs further described in Note 5 to these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements) in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. Such gains and losses were not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020. Management estimated the fair values of real estate properties using the market values for similar properties. These properties are considered Level 2 assets as defined below. The carrying amount of the properties held for sale as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is $7.4 million and $9.0 million, respectively. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following: (In Thousands) September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Accounts Payable 1 $ 76,876 $ 84,738 Estimated Claims Liability Costs 55,155 49,272 Accrued Salaries and Benefits 64,715 53,396 Accrued Real Estate and Sales Taxes 1 24,947 23,968 Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities 1 37,511 19,474 $ 259,204 $ 230,848 1 During the second quarter of 2021, the Company recategorized items within the components of accounts payable and accrued expenses. The presentation of prior period amounts has been reclassified to be consistent with the current period presentation. Such reclassification has no impact on the total accounts payable and accrued expenses balance as of December 31, 2020. Estimated Claims Liability Costs Estimated claims liability costs are accrued primarily for workers compensation, vehicle liability, general liability and group health insurance benefits provided to employees. These liabilities are recorded within estimated claims liability costs within accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Estimates for these claims liabilities are made based on actual reported but unpaid claims and actuarial analysis of the projected claims run off for both reported and incurred but not reported claims. This analysis is based upon an assessment of the likely outcome or historical experience. The Company makes periodic prepayments to its insurance carriers to cover the projected claims run off for both reported and incurred but not reported claims, considering its retention or stop loss limits. In addition, we have prefunding balances on deposit and other insurance receivables with the insurance carriers which are recorded within prepaid expenses and other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Segment Reporting Management concluded that the Company has one operating and reportable segment based on the nature of the financial information regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources. We have also concluded that the Company has one reporting unit due to the fact that the components included within the operating segment have similar economic characteristics, such as the nature of the products and services provided, the nature of the customers we serve, and the interrelated nature of the components that are aggregated to form the sole reporting unit. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources as a single operating segment based on revenue growth and pre-tax profit or loss from operations. Goodwill The Company’s goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an impairment test at the reporting unit level annually as of October 1 and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. An interim goodwill impairment test is required if the Company believes it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of its reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The Company concluded that the need for an interim goodwill impairment test was triggered as of March 31, 2020. Factors that led to this conclusion included: (i) a significant decline in the Aaron's, Inc. stock price and market capitalization in March 2020; (ii) the temporary closure of all Company-operated store showrooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted our financial results and was expected to adversely impact future financial results; (iii) the significant uncertainty with regard to the short-term and long-term impacts that macroeconomic conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and related government emergency and executive orders would have on the financial health of our customers and franchisees; and (iv) consideration given to the amount by which the Aaron's Business reporting unit's fair value exceeded the carrying value from the October 1, 2019 annual goodwill impairment test. As of March 31, 2020, management of Aaron's, Inc. determined its existing goodwill was fully impaired and recorded a goodwill impairment loss of $446.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Management engaged the assistance of a third-party valuation firm to perform the interim goodwill impairment test, which entailed an assessment of the Aaron's Business reporting unit’s fair value relative to the carrying value that was derived using a combination of both income and market approaches and performing a market capitalization reconciliation, which included an assessment of the control premium implied from the Company's estimated fair values of its reporting units. The fair value measurement involved significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs, as discussed more fully below). The income approach utilized the discounted future expected cash flows, which required assumptions about short-term and long-term revenue growth or decline rates, operating margins, capital requirements, and a weighted-average cost of capital. The income approach reflected assumptions and estimates made by management regarding direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the short-term and long-term cash flows for the reporting unit. Due to the significant uncertainty associated with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the assumptions and estimates used by management were highly subjective. The weighted-average cost of capital used in the income approach was adjusted to reflect the specific risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in developing the cash flow projections. Given the uncertainty discussed above, the Company performed certain sensitivity analyses including considering reasonably possible alternative assumptions for short-term and long-term growth or decline rates, operating margins, capital requirements, and weighted-average cost of capital rates. Each of the sensitivity analyses performed supported the conclusion of a full impairment of the existing goodwill balance within the Aaron's Business reporting unit. The market approach, which includes the guideline public company method, utilized pricing multiples derived from an analysis of comparable publicly traded companies. We believe the comparable companies we evaluate as marketplace participants serve as an appropriate reference when calculating fair value because those companies have similar risks, participate in similar markets, provide similar products and services for their customers and compete with us directly. However, we considered that such publicly available information regarding the comparable companies evaluated likely did not reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in determining the multiple assumptions selected. The Company completed acquisitions of certain franchisees and third party rent-to-own stores subsequent to March 31, 2020, which resulted in a goodwill balance of $13.2 million and $7.6 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company determined that there were no events that occurred or circumstances that changed during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2021 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of its reporting unit below its carrying amount. Related Party The Aaron's Company was a related party to PROG Holdings prior to the separation and distribution date. All intercompany transactions between the Company and PROG Holdings were included within invested capital in the historical combined balance sheets prior to the separation and distribution date, and are classified as changes in invested capital within stockholders' equity for the historical periods prior to the separation and distribution date. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of cash flows as a financing activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Corporate Allocations The Company's previous operating model included a combination of standalone and combined business functions with PROG Holdings. The condensed consolidated and combined financial statements in the 2020 Annual Report include corporate allocations to the Company through the separation and distribution date for expenses related to activities that were previously provided on a centralized basis within PROG Holdings. These expenses primarily related to executive management, finance, treasury, tax, audit, legal, information technology, human resources and risk management functions and the related benefit cost associated with such functions, including stock-based compensation. See Note 12 to the consolidated and combined financial statements in the 2020 Annual Report for more information regarding stock-based compensation. Corporate allocations to the Company during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 also include expenses related to the separation and distribution. These expenses have been allocated to the Company based on direct usage or benefit where specifically identifiable, with the remainder allocated primarily on a pro rata basis using an applicable measure of revenues, headcount or other relevant measures. The Company considers these allocations to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services or the benefit received. These allocated expenses are included within personnel costs and other operating expenses, net in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings and as an increase to invested capital in the historical condensed combined balance sheets prior to the separation and distribution date. General corporate expenses allocated to the Company during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $8.6 million and $20.4 million, respectively. Management believes the assumptions regarding the allocation of general corporate expenses from PROG Holdings are reasonable. However, the consolidated and combined financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred and may not reflect the Company's consolidated and combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a standalone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organization structure and various other strategic decisions. Post-Separation Arrangements In connection with the separation and distribution, the Company entered into several agreements with PROG Holdings, which (i) govern the separation and our relationship with PROG Holdings after the separation, and (ii) provide for the allocation between the two companies of PROG Holdings' assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at, and after the separation. These agreements are further described in Note 14 to the consolidated and combined fin |
