The Gap 2010 Annual Report Download - page 38

These analyses require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future
sales, expenses, discount rates, and royalty rates, which can be affected by economic conditions and other factors
that can be difficult to predict.
We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or
assumptions we use to calculate impairment losses of long-lived assets, goodwill, and intangible assets. However,
if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in the calculations, we may be
exposed to losses that could be material.
Insurance and Self-Insurance
We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risk management activities, including
workers’ compensation, general liability, and employee related health care benefits, a portion of which is paid by
our employees. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated based primarily on actuarially-determined
amounts and accrued in part by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors, and
other actuarial assumptions. Any actuarial projection of losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Among the
causes of this variability are unpredictable external factors affecting future inflation rates, litigation trends, legal
interpretations, benefit level changes, health care costs, and claim settlement patterns. Historically, actual results
for estimated losses have not differed materially from our estimates.
We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or
assumptions we use to calculate our insurance liabilities. However, if actual results are not consistent with our
estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
Revenue Recognition
While revenue recognition for the Company does not involve significant judgment, it represents an important
accounting policy. We recognize revenue and the related cost of goods sold at the time the products are received
by the customers. For store sales, revenue is recognized when the customer receives and pays for the merchandise
at the register, primarily with either cash or credit card. For sales from our online and catalog business, revenue is
recognized at the time we estimate the customer receives the merchandise. We record an allowance for estimated
returns based on the estimated margin using our historical return patterns and various other assumptions that
management believes to be reasonable.
We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or
assumptions we use to calculate our sales return reserve. However, if the actual rate of sales returns increases
significantly, our operating results could be adversely affected. We have not made any material changes in the
accounting methodology used to estimate future sales returns in the past three fiscal years.
Unredeemed Gift Cards, Gift Certificates, and Credit Vouchers
Upon issuance of a gift card, gift certificate, or credit voucher, a liability is established for its cash value. The liability
is relieved and net sales are recorded upon redemption by the customer. Over time, some portion of these
instruments is not redeemed (“breakage”). We determine breakage income for gift cards, gift certificates, and
credit vouchers based on historical redemption patterns. Breakage income is recorded in other income, which is a
component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, when we can determine the portion
of the liability where redemption is remote. When breakage is recorded, a liability is recognized for any legal
obligation to remit the unredeemed portion to relevant jurisdictions. Our gift cards, gift certificates, and credit
vouchers do not have expiration dates.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we completed an analysis of historical redemption patterns for our gift
certificates and credit vouchers. Based on this analysis, additional data led us to conclude that three years after the
gift certificate or credit voucher is issued, we can determine the portion of the liability where redemption is
remote. As such, beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we changed our estimate of the elapsed time for
recording breakage income associated with unredeemed gift certificates and credit vouchers to three years from
our prior estimate of five years. This change in estimate did not have a material impact on the Consolidated
Statement of Income for fiscal 2009. For gift cards, we also recognize breakage income after three years.
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