Macy's 2015 Annual Report Download - page 61

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
F-12
Advertising
Department store non-direct response advertising and promotional costs are expensed either as incurred or the first
time the advertising occurs. Direct response advertising and promotional costs are deferred and expensed over the period
during which the sales are expected to occur, generally one to four months. Advertising and promotional costs and
cooperative advertising allowances were as follows:
2015 2014 2013
(millions)
Gross advertising and promotional costs ................................................. $ 1,587 $ 1,602 $ 1,623
Cooperative advertising allowances......................................................... 414 425 457
Advertising and promotional costs, net of
cooperative advertising allowances ...................................................... $ 1,173 $ 1,177 $ 1,166
Net sales ................................................................................................... $ 27,079 $ 28,105 $ 27,931
Advertising and promotional costs, net of cooperative
advertising allowances, as a percent to net sales .................................. 4.3% 4.2% 4.2%
Property and Equipment
Depreciation of owned properties is provided primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated asset lives, which
range from fifteen to fifty years for buildings and building equipment and three to fifteen years for fixtures and equipment.
Real estate taxes and interest on construction in progress and land under development are capitalized. Amounts capitalized
are amortized over the estimated lives of the related depreciable assets. The Company receives contributions from
developers and merchandise vendors to fund building improvement and the construction of vendor shops. Such
contributions are generally netted against the capital expenditures.
Buildings on leased land and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their economic lives or the
lease term, beginning on the date the asset is put into use.
The carrying value of long-lived assets is periodically reviewed by the Company whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that a potential impairment has occurred. For long-lived assets held for use, a potential impairment
has occurred if projected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets. The estimate of cash
flows includes management’s assumptions of cash inflows and outflows directly resulting from the use of those assets in
operations. When a potential impairment has occurred, an impairment write-down is recorded if the carrying value of the
long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company believes its estimated cash flows are sufficient to support the carrying
value of its long-lived assets. If estimated cash flows significantly differ in the future, the Company may be required to
record asset impairment write-downs.
If the Company commits to a plan to dispose of a long-lived asset before the end of its previously estimated useful
life, estimated cash flows are revised accordingly, and the Company may be required to record an asset impairment write-
down. Additionally, related liabilities arise such as severance, contractual obligations and other accruals associated with
store closings from decisions to dispose of assets. The Company estimates these liabilities based on the facts and
circumstances in existence for each restructuring decision. The amounts the Company will ultimately realize or disburse
could differ from the amounts assumed in arriving at the asset impairment and restructuring charge recorded.
The Company classifies certain long-lived assets as held for disposal by sale and ceases depreciation when the
particular criteria for such classification are met, including the probable sale within one year. For long-lived assets to be
disposed of by sale, an impairment charge is recorded if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value less costs to
sell. Such valuations include estimations of fair values and incremental direct costs to transact a sale.