Advance Auto Parts 2014 Annual Report Download - page 57

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012
(in thousands, except per share data)
F-10
customer base consists of a large number of small customers, spreading the credit risk across a broad base. The Company also
controls this credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and accounts receivable and credit monitoring procedures.
The Company’s vendor receivables are established as it receives concessions from its vendors through a variety of
programs and arrangements, including allowances for new stores and warranties, volume purchase rebates and co-operative
advertising. Amounts receivable from vendors also include amounts due to the Company for changeover merchandise and
product returns. The Company regularly reviews vendor receivables for collectibility and assesses the need for a reserve for
uncollectible amounts based on an evaluation of the vendors’ financial positions and corresponding abilities to meet financial
obligations. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts related to vendor receivables is not significant.
Inventory
Inventory amounts are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of the Company’s merchandise inventory is primarily
determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Under the LIFO method, the Company’s cost of sales reflects the costs
of the most recently purchased inventories, while the inventory carrying balance represents the costs relating to prices paid in
prior years.
Vendor Incentives
The Company receives incentives in the form of reductions to amounts owed and/or payments from vendors related to
cooperative advertising allowances, volume rebates and other promotional considerations. Many of these incentives are under
long-term agreements in excess of one year, while others are negotiated on an annual basis or less (short-term). Cooperative
advertising allowances provided as a reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred to promote a
vendor’s products are included as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, when the cost is incurred.
Volume rebates and cooperative advertising allowances not meeting the requirements for offset in SG&A are recorded initially
as a reduction to inventory as they are earned based on inventory purchases. These deferred amounts are included as a
reduction to cost of sales as the inventory is sold. Total deferred vendor incentives included as a reduction of Inventory was
$179,785 and $111,304 as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.
Similarly, the Company recognizes other promotional incentives earned under long-term agreements not specifically
related to volume of purchases as a reduction to cost of sales. However, these incentives are not deferred as a reduction of
inventory and are recognized based on the cumulative net purchases as a percentage of total estimated net purchases over the
life of the agreement. Short-term incentives (terms less than one year) are generally recognized as a reduction to cost of sales
over the duration of any short-term agreements.
Amounts received or receivable from vendors that are not yet earned are reflected as deferred revenue in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets. Management’s estimate of the portion of deferred revenue that will be realized within one year of
the balance sheet date has been included in Other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Earned
amounts that are receivable from vendors are included in Receivables and Other assets on the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets.
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense, net of vendor promotional funds, was $96,463,
$69,116 and $83,871 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Vendor promotional funds, which reduced advertising expense,
amounted to $21,814 and $18,622 and $11,445 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Preopening Expenses
Preopening expenses, which consist primarily of payroll and occupancy costs related to the opening of new stores, are
expensed as incurred.