| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of The Home Depot, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company," "Home Depot," "we," "our" or "us") have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2017 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes to our significant accounting policies as disclosed in the 2017 Form 10-K, except as set forth below. Net Sales We recognize revenue, net of expected returns and sales tax, at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise, or when a service is performed. The liability for sales returns, including the impact to gross profit, is estimated based on historical return levels, and recognized at the transaction price. We also recognize a return asset, and corresponding adjustment to cost of sales, for our right to recover the goods returned by the customer, measured at the former carrying amount of the goods, less any expected recovery cost. At each financial reporting date, we assess our estimates of expected returns, refund liabilities, and return assets. Net sales include services revenue generated through a variety of installation, home maintenance, and professional service programs. In these programs, the customer selects and purchases material for a project, and we provide or arrange for professional installation. These programs are offered through our stores and in-home sales programs. Under certain programs, when we provide or arrange for the installation of a project and the subcontractor provides material as part of the installation, both the material and labor are included in services revenue. We recognize this revenue when the service for the customer is complete, which is not materially different from recognizing the revenue over the service period as the substantial majority of our services are completed within one week. For product sold in stores or online, payment is typically due at the point of sale. For services, payment in full is due upon completion of the job. When we receive payment from customers before the customer has taken possession of the merchandise or the service has been performed, the amount received is recorded as deferred revenue until the sale or service is complete. Such performance obligations are part of contracts with expected original durations of three months or less. We further record deferred revenue for the sale of gift cards and recognize the associated revenue upon the redemption of those gift cards in net sales. Gift card breakage income (estimated non-redeemed gift card balance) is recognized in proportion to the redemption pattern of rights exercised by the customer. For merchandise sold to customers to whom we directly extend credit, collection of tender is typically expected within three months or less from the time of purchase. We also have agreements with third-party service providers who directly extend credit to customers and manage our PLCC program. The deferred interest charges we incur for our deferred financing programs offered to these customers, interchange fees charged to us for their use of the cards, and any profit sharing with the third-party service providers are included in net sales. Cost of Sales Cost of sales includes the actual cost of merchandise sold and services performed; the cost of transportation of merchandise from vendors to our distribution network, stores, or customers; shipping and handling costs from our stores or distribution network to customers; and the operating cost and depreciation of our sourcing and distribution network and online fulfillment centers. |
| New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements ASU No. 2014-09. In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. On January 29, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2014-09 using the modified retrospective transition method. In preparation for implementation of the standard, we finalized key accounting assessments and then implemented internal controls and updated processes to appropriately recognize and present the associated financial information. Based on these efforts, we determined that the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 changes the presentation of (i) certain expenses and cost reimbursements associated with our PLCC program (now recognized in net sales), (ii) certain expenses related to the sale of gift cards to customers (now recognized in operating expense), and (iii) gift card breakage income (now recognized in net sales). We also have changed our recognition of gift card breakage income to be recognized proportionately as redemption occurs, rather than based on historical redemption patterns. In addition, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 requires that we recognize our sales return allowance on a gross basis rather than as a net liability. As such, we now recognize (i) a return asset for the right to recover the goods returned by the customer, measured at the former carrying amount of the goods, less any expected recovery costs (recorded as an increase to other current assets) and (ii) a return liability for the amount of expected returns (recorded as an increase to other accrued expenses and a decrease to receivables, net). We applied ASU No. 2014-09 only to contracts that were not completed prior to fiscal 2018. The cumulative effect of initially applying ASU No. 2014-09 was a $99 million reduction to deferred revenue, a $24 million increase to deferred income taxes (included in other long-term liabilities), and a $75 million increase to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 29, 2018. The comparative prior period information continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those periods. We expect the impact of the adoption to be immaterial to our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows on an ongoing basis. Excluding the effect of the opening balance sheet adjustment noted above, the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 on our consolidated balance sheet as of October 28, 2018 follows. in millions As Reported ASU No. 2014-09 Impact Excluding ASU No. 2014-09 Receivables, net $ 2,171 $ (44 ) $ 2,215 Other current assets 1,120 268 852 Other accrued expenses 2,685 224 2,461 The impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 on our consolidated statements of earnings follows. in millions As Reported ASU No. 2014-09 Impact Excluding ASU No. 2014-09 Impact Three Months Ended October 28, 2018 Net sales $ 26,302 $ 64 $ 26,238 Cost of sales 17,151 (83 ) 17,234 Gross profit 9,151 147 9,004 Selling, general and administrative 4,808 147 4,661 Nine Months Ended October 28, 2018 Net sales $ 81,712 $ 130 $ 81,582 Cost of sales 53,579 (300 ) 53,879 Gross profit 28,133 430 27,703 Selling, general and administrative 14,591 430 14,161 ASU No. 2016-16. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. An entity will continue to recognize the income tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of inventory when the inventory is sold to a third party. On January 29, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2016-16 using the modified retrospective transition method with no impact on our consolidated financial statements. We expect the impact of the adoption to be immaterial to our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows on an ongoing basis. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements ASU No. 2016-02. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires an entity that is a lessee to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from leases on the balance sheet. ASU No. 2016-02 also requires disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This new standard will be effective for us on February 4, 2019. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842; and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. These updates permit two methods of adoption (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (modified retrospective method) and (ii) prospectively with the cumulative effect adjustment recognized in the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption (prospective method). These updates also provide a number of practical expedients for implementation that are being evaluated. We are continuing to evaluate the method of adoption and plan for the implementation of ASU No. 2016-02, including implementing changes to our processes, controls and systems in connection therewith. We believe that ASU 2016-02 will have a material impact on our balance sheet as a result of the requirement to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities upon adoption. We do not believe that there will be a material impact to our results of operations or cash flows upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-02. Recent accounting pronouncements pending adoption not discussed above or in the 2017 Form 10-K are either not applicable or will not have or are not expected to have a material impact on us. |
