Rite Aid 2011 Annual Report Download - page 68

RITE AID CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Years Ended February 26, 2011, February 27, 2010 and February 28, 2009
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Revenue Recognition
For all sales other than third party pharmacy sales, the Company recognizes revenue from the sale
of merchandise at the time the merchandise is sold. For third party pharmacy sales, revenue is
recognized at the time the prescription is filled, which is or approximates when the customer picks up
the prescription. The Company records revenue net of an allowance for estimated future returns.
Return activity is immaterial to revenues and results of operations in all periods presented.
On April 18, 2010, the Company launched its wellness+ loyalty card program chain wide. There
are currently over 36 million members enrolled in this program. Members participating in the
wellness+ loyalty card program earn points on a calendar year basis for eligible front end merchandise
purchases and qualifying prescriptions. One point is awarded for each dollar spent towards front end
merchandise and 25 points are awarded for each qualifying prescription.
Members reach specific wellness+ tiers based on the points accumulated during the calendar year,
which entitles such customers to certain future discounts and other benefits upon reaching that tier. For
example, any customer that reaches 1,000 points in a calendar year achieves the ‘‘Gold’’ tier, enabling
them to receive a 20% discount on qualifying purchases of front end merchandise for the remaining
portion of the calendar year and also the next calendar year. There are also similar ‘‘Silver’’ and ‘‘Plus’’
levels with lower thresholds and benefit levels.
As wellness+ customers accumulate points, the Company defers the retail value of the points
earned as deferred revenue (included in other current and noncurrent liabilities, based on the expected
usage). The amount deferred is based on historic and projected customer activity (e.g., tier level,
spending level). As customers receive discounted front end merchandise, the Company recognizes an
allocable portion of the deferred revenue.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold includes the following: the cost of inventory sold during the period, including
related vendor rebates and allowances, LIFO charges, costs incurred to return merchandise to vendors,
inventory shrink costs, purchasing costs and warehousing costs which include inbound freight costs from
the vendor, distribution payroll and benefit costs, distribution center occupancy costs and depreciation
expense and delivery expenses to the stores.
Vendor Rebates and Allowances
Rebates and allowances received from vendors relate to either buying and merchandising or
promoting the product. Buying and merchandising related rebates and allowances are recorded as a
reduction of cost of goods sold as product is sold. Buying and merchandising rebates and allowances
include all types of vendor programs such as cash discounts from timely payment of invoices, purchase
discounts or rebates, volume purchase allowances, price reduction allowances and slotting allowances.
Certain product promotion related rebates and allowances, primarily related to advertising, are
recorded as a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses when the advertising
commitment has been satisfied.
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