Neiman Marcus 2006 Annual Report Download - page 109

ESTIMATES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We make estimates and assumptions about future events in preparing our financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the
disclosure of gain and loss contingencies at the date of the consolidated financial statements.
While we believe that our past estimates and assumptions have been materially accurate, the amounts currently estimated are
subject to change if we make different assumptions as to the outcome of future events. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an
ongoing basis and predicate those estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be
reasonable under the circumstances. We make adjustments to our assumptions and judgments when facts and circumstances dictate. Since
future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing
the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand in the stores, deposits with banks and
overnight investments with banks and financial institutions. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Our cash
management system provides for the reimbursement of all major bank disbursement accounts on a daily basis. Accounts payable includes
$55.7 million of outstanding checks not yet presented for payment at July 28, 2007 and $66.5 million at July 29, 2006.
Merchandise Inventories and Cost Of Goods Sold. We utilize the retail method of accounting. Under the retail inventory method, the
valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are determined by applying a calculated cost-to-retail ratio, for various groupings of similar items,
to the retail value of inventories. Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of the inventory reflected on the consolidated
balance sheets is decreased by charges to cost of goods sold at the time the retail value of the inventory is lowered through the use of markdowns. Earnings are
negatively impacted when merchandise is marked down.
Our sales activities are conducted during two primary selling seasons—Fall and Spring. The Fall selling season is conducted
primarily in our first and second quarters and the Spring selling season is conducted primarily in the third and fourth quarters. During
each season, we record markdowns to reduce the retail value of our inventories. Factors considered in determining markdowns include
current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, age of merchandise and fashion trends. During the season, we record both
temporary and permanent markdowns. Temporary markdowns are recorded at the time of sale and reduce the retail value of only the
goods sold. Permanent markdowns are designated primarily for clearance activity and reduce the retail value of all goods subject to
markdown. At the end of each selling season, we record permanent markdowns for clearance goods remaining in ending inventory.
The areas requiring significant judgment related to the valuation of our inventories include 1) setting the original retail value for
the merchandise held for sale, 2) recognizing merchandise for which the customer's perception of value has declined and appropriately
marking the retail value of the merchandise down to the perceived value and 3) estimating the shrinkage that has occurred between
physical inventory counts. These judgments and estimates, coupled with the averaging processes within the retail method can, under
certain circumstances, produce varying financial results. Factors that can lead to different financial results include 1) determination of
original retail values for merchandise held for sale, 2) identification of declines in perceived value of inventories and processing the
appropriate retail value markdowns and 3) overly optimistic or conservative estimates of shrinkage. We believe appropriate merchandise
valuation and pricing controls minimize the risk that our inventory values could be materially misstated.
Consistent with industry business practice, we receive allowances from certain of our vendors in support of the merchandise we
purchase for resale. We receive certain allowances to reimburse us for markdowns taken and/or to support the gross margins earned in
connection with the sales of the vendor's merchandise. We recognize these allowances as an increase to gross margin when the
allowances are earned and approved by the vendor. Other allowances we receive represent reductions to the amounts paid to acquire the
merchandise. We recognize these allowances as a reduction in the cost of the acquired merchandise resulting in an increase to gross
margin at the time the goods are sold. The amounts of vendor allowances we received did not have a significant impact on the year-over-
year change in gross margin during fiscal years 2007, 2006 or 2005. Vendor allowances received were $103.4 million in fiscal year 2007,
$92.1 million for the forty-three weeks ended July 29, 2006, $2.4 million for the nine weeks ended October 1, 2005 and $87.7 million in
fiscal year 2005.
We obtain certain merchandise, primarily precious jewelry, on a consignment basis in order to expand our product assortment.
Consignment merchandise with a cost basis of $307.6 million at July 28, 2007 and $251.3 million at July 29, 2006 is not reflected in our
consolidated balance sheets.
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