Neiman Marcus 2008 Annual Report Download - page 100

Table of Contents
• estimated market royalty rates that could be derived from the licensing of our tradenames to third parties in order to
establish the cash flows accruing to the benefit of the Company as a result of our ownership of our tradenames; and
• rate used to discount the estimated royalty cash flow projections to their present value (or estimated fair value).
If the recorded carrying value of the tradename exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to write the
tradename down to its estimated fair value. The tradename impairment testing process is subject to inherent uncertainties and
subjectivity. The use of different assumptions, estimates or judgments could materially increase or decrease any related impairment
charge. We believe our estimates are appropriate based upon current market conditions and the best information available at the
assessment date. However, future impairment charges could be required if we do not achieve our current revenue and profitability
projections, market royalty rates decrease or the weighted average cost of capital increases. We currently estimate that the fair value
of our tradenames decreases by approximately $225 million for each 0.5% decrease in market royalty rates and by approximately $90
million for each 0.5% increase in the weighted average cost of capital.
The assessment of the recoverability of the goodwill associated with our Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman stores
and Direct Marketing reporting units involves a two-step process. The first step requires the comparison of the estimated enterprise
fair value of each of our reporting units to its recorded carrying value. We estimate the enterprise fair value based on discounted cash
flow techniques. Inputs to the valuation model include:
• estimated future cash flows;
• growth assumptions for future revenues as well as future gross margin rates, expense rates and other estimates; and
• rate used to discount our estimated future cash flow projections to their present value (or estimated fair value).
The projected sales, gross margin and SG&A expense rate assumptions and capital expenditures are based on our annual
business plan or other forecasted results. Discount rates reflect market-based estimates (based on the weighted average cost of capital)
of the risks associated with the projected cash flows directly resulting from the use of those assets in operations. The estimates of the
enterprise fair values of our reporting units are based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment.
If the recorded carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated enterprise fair value in the first step, a second step is
performed in which we allocate the enterprise fair value to the fair value of the reporting unit's net assets. The second step of the
impairment testing process requires, among other things, the estimation of the fair values of substantially all of our tangible and
intangible assets. Any enterprise fair value in excess of amounts allocated to such net assets represents the implied fair value of
goodwill for that reporting unit. If the recorded goodwill balance for a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an
impairment charge is recorded to write goodwill down to its fair value.
The goodwill impairment testing process is subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity. The use of different
assumptions, estimates or judgments in either step of the process, including with estimation of the projected future cash flows of our
reporting units, the discount rate used to reduce such projected future cash flows to their net present value, and the estimation of the
fair value of the reporting units' tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, could materially increase or decrease the fair value of the
reporting unit's net assets and, accordingly, could materially increase or decrease any related impairment charge. We believe our
estimates are appropriate based upon current market conditions and the best information available at the assessment date. However,
future impairment charges could be required if we do not achieve our current revenue and profitability projections or the weighted
average cost of capital increases. We currently estimate that a 5% decrease in the estimated fair value of the net assets of each of our
reporting units as compared to the values used in the preparation of these financial statements would increase the impairment charge
related to goodwill by approximately $200 million. In addition, we currently estimate that the fair value of our goodwill decreases by
approximately $300 million for each 0.5% increase in the discount rate used to estimate fair value.
As more fully described in Note 7, we recorded significant impairment charges in fiscal year 2009 to writedown our
tradenames and goodwill to estimated fair value.
Leases. We lease certain retail stores and office facilities. Stores we own are often subject to ground leases. The terms of our
real estate leases, including renewal options, range from 1 to 101 years. Most leases provide for monthly fixed minimum rentals or
contingent rentals based upon sales in excess of stated amounts and normally require us to pay real estate taxes,
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