| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. At November 3, 2018, the Company operated in one reportable segment. Fiscal Year The Company’s financial year is a 52 or 53-week year that ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31 (each such period, a “Fiscal Year”). As used herein, “Fiscal 2018” refers to the 52-week period ending February 2, 2019. “Fiscal 2017” refers to the 53-week period ended February 3, 2018. Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, our management reviews the Company’s estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases Leases Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to Topic 842, Leases Leases As of November 3, 2018, the Company had undiscounted future minimum lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases totaling approximately $1.6 billion. The Company has formed an implementation team, is substantially complete in identifying its lease population and has begun to input the required information into its existing software used to manage its leases in accordance with this new accounting standard. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment Foreign Currency Translation In accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters Comprehensive Income Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on February 4, 2018 using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts as of February 4, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after February 4, 2018 are presented under ASU 2014-09, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting. The Company recorded a net increase to opening retained earnings of $0.2 million as of February 4, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of adoption. The impact was the result of accounting for customer loyalty programs using a relative stand-alone selling price method vs. incremental cost method. The Company defers a portion of the sales revenue attributed to the loyalty points and recognizes revenue when the points are redeemed or expire, consistent with the requirements of ASU 2014-09. Refer to the Customer Loyalty Program caption below for additional information. Additionally, ASU 2014-09 changes the balance sheet presentation of the Company’s sales return reserve. Presentation on a gross basis is now required, consisting of a separate right of return asset and liability. These amounts are recorded within (i) Prepaid Expenses and Other and (ii) Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Historically, the Company presented the net sales return liability within Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to the Sales Return Reserve caption below for additional information. Revenue is recorded for store sales upon the purchase of merchandise by customers. The Company’s e-commerce operation records revenue upon the customer receipt date of the merchandise. Shipping and handling revenues are included in total net revenue. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue and is included as part of accrued income and other taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue is recorded net of estimated and actual sales returns and promotional price reductions. The Company records the impact of adjustments to its sales return reserve quarterly within total net revenue and cost of sales. The sales return reserve reflects an estimate of sales returns based on projected merchandise returns determined through the use of historical average return percentages. Revenue is not recorded on the issuance of gift cards. A current liability is recorded upon issuance, and revenue is recognized when the gift card is redeemed for merchandise. Additionally, the Company recognizes revenue on unredeemed gift cards based on an estimate of the amounts that will not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”), determined through historical redemption trends. Gift card breakage revenue is recognized in proportion to actual gift card redemptions as a component of total net revenue. For further information on the Company’s gift card program, refer to the Gift Cards caption below. The Company recognizes royalty revenue generated from its license or franchise agreements based on a percentage of merchandise sales by the licensee/franchisee. This revenue is recorded as a component of total net revenue when earned. The following table sets forth the approximate consolidated percentage of Total Net Revenue attributable to each merchandise group for each of the periods indicated:
13 Weeks Ended
November 3,
October 28,
2018
2017
Men’s apparel and accessories
32
%
34
%
Women’s apparel and accessories (excluding Aerie)
53
%
54
%
Aerie
15
%
12
%
Total
100
%
100
% The following table disaggregates the Company’s Total Net Revenue by geography:
13 Weeks Ended
(In thousands)
November 3, 2018
October 28, 2017
Total Net Revenue:
United States
$
873,840
$
840,632
Foreign (1)
129,867
119,801
Total Net Revenue
$
1,003,707
$
960,433
(1)
Amounts represent sales from American Eagle and Aerie international retail stores, and e-commerce sales that are billed to and/or shipped to foreign countries and international franchise royalty revenue. Cost of Sales, Including Certain Buying, Occupancy and Warehousing Expenses Cost of sales consists of merchandise costs, including design, sourcing, importing and inbound freight costs, as well as markdowns, shrinkage and certain promotional costs (collectively “merchandise costs”) and buying, occupancy and warehousing costs. Design costs are related to the Company's Design Center operations and include compensation, travel and entertainment, supplies and samples for our design teams, as well as rent and depreciation for our Design Center. These costs are included in cost of sales as the respective inventory is sold. Buying, occupancy and warehousing costs consist of compensation, employee benefit expenses and travel and entertainment for our buyers and certain senior merchandising executives; rent and utilities related to our stores, corporate headquarters, distribution centers and other office space; freight from our distribution centers to the stores; compensation and supplies for our distribution centers, including purchasing, receiving and inspection costs; and shipping and handling costs related to our e-commerce operation. Gross profit is the difference between total net revenue and cost of sales. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of compensation and employee benefit expenses, including salaries, incentives and related benefits associated with our stores and corporate headquarters. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include advertising costs, supplies for our stores and home office, communication costs, travel and entertainment, leasing costs and services purchased. Selling, general and administrative expenses do not include compensation, employee benefit expenses and travel for our design, sourcing and importing teams, our buyers and our distribution centers as these amounts are recorded in cost of sales. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses do not include rent and utilities related to our stores, operating costs of our distribution centers, and shipping and handling costs related to our e-commerce operations. Other Income (Expense), Net Other income, net consists primarily of allowances for uncollectible receivables, foreign currency transaction gain/loss and interest income/expense. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of November 3, 2018, short-term investments classified as available-for-sale included certificates of deposit, corporate bonds, and commercial paper with a maturity of greater than three months, but less than one year. As of October 28, 2017, the Company held no short or long-term investments. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Merchandise Inventory Merchandise inventory is valued at the lower of average cost or net realizable value, utilizing the retail method. Average cost includes merchandise design and sourcing costs and related expenses. The Company records merchandise receipts when control of the merchandise has transferred to the Company. The Company reviews its inventory levels to identify slow-moving merchandise and generally uses markdowns to clear merchandise. Additionally, the Company estimates a markdown reserve for future planned permanent markdowns related to current inventory. Markdowns may occur when inventory exceeds customer demand for reasons of style, seasonal adaptation, changes in customer preference, lack of consumer acceptance of fashion items, competition, or if it is determined that the inventory in stock will not sell at its currently ticketed price. Such markdowns may have a material adverse impact on earnings, depending on the extent and amount of inventory affected. The Company also estimates a shrinkage reserve for the period between the last physical count and the balance sheet date. The estimate for the shrinkage reserve, based on historical results, can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shrinkage trends. Income Taxes The Company calculates income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes The Company evaluates its income tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, which prescribes a comprehensive model for recognizing, measuring, presenting and disclosing in the financial statements tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, including a decision whether to file or not to file in a particular jurisdiction. Under ASC 740, a tax benefit from an uncertain position may be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. The calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as the decision to recognize a tax benefit from an uncertain position and to establish a valuation allowance requires management to make estimates and assumptions. The Company believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, although actual results may have a positive or negative material impact on the balances of deferred tax assets and liabilities, valuation allowances or net income. Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding income taxes. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is recorded on the basis of cost, including costs to prepare the asset for use, with depreciation computed utilizing the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life. The useful lives of our major classes of assets are as follows:
Buildings
25 years
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of 10 years or the term of the lease
Fixtures and equipment Information technology
5 years 3-5 years As of November 3, 2018, the weighted average remaining useful life of our assets is approximately 8 years. In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment Refer to Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding property and equipment. Goodwill The Company’s goodwill is primarily related to the acquisition of its importing operations, Canada business and Tailgate and Todd Snyder brands. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Intangible assets are recorded on the basis of cost with amortization computed utilizing the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. The Company’s intangible assets, which consist primarily of trademark assets, are generally amortized over 15 to 25 years. The Company evaluates intangible assets for impairment in accordance with ASC 350 when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Such an evaluation includes the estimation of undiscounted future cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the sum of the estimated future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amounts of the assets, then the assets are impaired and are adjusted to their estimated fair value. No intangible asset impairment charges were recorded during the 13 or 39 weeks ended November 3, 2018 or October 28, 2017. Refer to Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding intangible assets. Gift Cards Revenue is not recorded on the issuance of gift cards. The value of a gift card is recorded as a current liability upon issuance, and revenue is recognized when the gift card is redeemed for merchandise. The Company estimates gift card breakage and recognizes revenue in proportion to actual gift card redemptions as a component of total net revenue. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have an impact of the Company’s accounting for gift card breakage. The Company determines an estimated gift card breakage rate by continuously evaluating historical redemption data and the time when there is a remote likelihood that a gift card will be redeemed. The Company recorded $1.6 million Deferred Lease Credits Deferred lease credits represent the unamortized portion of construction allowances received from landlords related to the Company’s retail stores. Construction allowances are generally comprised of cash amounts received by the Company from its landlords as part of the negotiated lease terms. The Company records a receivable and a deferred lease credit liability at the lease commencement date (date of initial possession of the store). The deferred lease credit is amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the original lease (including the pre-opening build-out period). The receivable is reduced as amounts are received from the landlord. Co-branded Credit Card The Company offers a co-branded credit card (the “AEO Visa Card”) and a private label credit card (the “AEO Credit Card”) under the AEO and Aerie brands. These credit cards are issued by a third-party bank (the “Bank”) in accordance with a credit card agreement (the “Agreement”). The Company has no liability to the Bank for bad debt expense, provided that purchases are made in accordance with the Bank’s procedures. We receive funding from the Bank based on the Agreement and card activity, which includes payments for new account activations and usage of the credit cards. We recognize revenue for this funding when the amounts are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. This revenue is recorded in other revenue, which is a component of total net revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have an impact of the Company’s accounting for the co-branded credit card. For further information on the Company’s loyalty program, refer to the Customer Loyalty Program caption below. Customer Loyalty Program TM Ò Points earned under the Program on purchases at American Eagle and Aerie are accounted for in accordance with ASU 2014-09. The portion of the sales revenue attributed to the award points is deferred and recognized when the award is redeemed or when the points expire, using the relative stand-alone selling price method. Additionally, reward points earned using the co-branded credit card on non-AEO or Aerie purchases are accounted for in accordance with ASU 2014-09. As the points are earned, a current liability is recorded for the estimated cost of the award, and the impact of adjustments is recorded in cost of sales. The Company recorded a net increase to opening retained earnings of $0.2 million as of February 4, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of adoption. Sales Return Reserve Revenue is recorded net of estimated and actual sales returns and deductions for coupon redemptions and other promotions. The Company records the impact of adjustments to its sales return reserve quarterly within total net revenue and cost of sales. The net Sales Return Reserve reflects an estimate of sales returns based on projected merchandise returns determined through the use of historical average return percentages. As of November 3, 2018, the Company recorded a Right of Return Asset of $3.9 million within Prepaid Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, offset by a Sales Return Reserve Liability of $11.1 million within Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The net Sales Return Reserve Liability was $5.2 million, recorded within Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses, at October 28, 2017. Segment Information In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting |
