Note C. Dispositions and Reserves Related to Former Operations

Consolidation of A.J. Wright: In fiscal 2011, TJX’s Board of Directors approved the consolidation of the A.J. Wright division whereby TJX would convert 90 A.J. Wright stores into T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods stores and close the remaining 72 A.J. Wright stores, two distribution centers and home office. The liquidation process commenced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 and was completed during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Both distribution centers had been sold by February 2, 2013.

The A.J. Wright consolidation was not classified as a discontinued operation due to our expectation that a significant portion of the sales of the A.J. Wright stores would migrate to other TJX stores. Thus the costs incurred in fiscal 2012 relating to the A.J. Wright consolidation are reflected in continuing operations as part of the A.J. Wright segment which reported a segment loss of $49 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 including the following:


	Fiscal Year Ended
In thousands	January 28, 2012
Lease obligations and other closing costs	$	32,686
Operating losses		16,605

Total segment loss	$	49,291

Fiscal 2012 also included $20 million of costs to convert the 90 A.J. Wright stores to other banners, with $17 million incurred by the Marmaxx segment and $3 million incurred by the HomeGoods segment.

Reserves Related to Former Operations: TJX has a reserve for its estimate of future obligations of business operations it has closed or sold. The reserve activity for the last three fiscal years is presented below:


	Fiscal Year Ended
In thousands	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013			January 28, 2012
Balance at beginning of year	$	45,229		$	45,381		$	54,695
Additions (reductions) to the reserve charged to net income:
A.J. Wright closing costs		(3,312	)		16,000			32,686
Interest accretion		1,440			996			861
Charges against the reserve:
Lease-related obligations		(11,088	)		(15,682	)		(21,821	)
Termination benefits and all other		(906	)		(1,466	)		(21,040	)
Balance at end of year	$	31,363		$	45,229		$	45,381

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, TJX decreased this reserve by $3.3 million and in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, TJX increased this reserve by $16 million. These adjustments were required to reflect a change in TJX’s estimate of lease-related obligations. In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, TJX increased this reserve by $33 million for the initial estimated costs of closing the A.J. Wright stores that were not converted to other banners or closed in fiscal 2011.

The lease-related obligations included in the reserve reflect TJX’s estimation of lease costs, net of estimated subtenant income, and the cost of probable claims against TJX for liability, as an original lessee or guarantor of the leases of A.J. Wright and other former TJX businesses, after mitigation of the number and cost of these lease obligations. The actual net cost of these lease-related obligations may differ from TJX’s estimate. TJX estimates that the majority of the former operations reserve will be paid in the next two to three years. The actual timing of cash outflows will vary depending on how the remaining lease obligations are actually settled.

TJX may also be contingently liable on up to 11 leases of BJ’s Wholesale Club, a former TJX business, and up to four leases of Bob’s Stores, also a former TJX business, in addition to leases included in the reserve. The reserve for former operations does not reflect these leases because TJX believes that the likelihood of future liability to TJX is remote.