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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Jan. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Fiscal Year-End The Company operates on a fiscal year ending January 31 of each year. All references to fiscal years of the Company refer to the fiscal years ended on January 31 in those years. For example, the Company’s fiscal 2017 ended on January 31, 2017. Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash and short-term highly liquid investments with maturities of less than three months at the time of purchase. These short-term highly liquid investments are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. As of January 31, 2017 and 2016, cash and cash equivalents included cash on hand, cash in banks, money market accounts and marketable securities with maturities of less than three months at the time of purchase. Marketable Securities All of the Company’s marketable securities as of January 31, 2017 and January 31, 2016 are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, which approximates amortized cost. Interest on these securities, as well as the amortization of discounts and premiums, is included in “Interest income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company records unrealized gains and losses on these securities (other than mutual funds held in the rabbi trust for the Urban Outfitters, Inc. Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (See Note 4, “Marketable Securities”)) as a component of “Other comprehensive (loss) income” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” within “Shareholders’ equity” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until realized, except when the Company considers declines in value to be other than temporary. Other than temporary impairment losses related to credit losses are considered to be realized losses. Mutual funds held in the rabbi trust have been accounted for under the fair value option, which results in all unrealized gains and losses being recorded in “Interest income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. When available-for-sale securities are sold, the cost of the securities is specifically identified and is used to determine the realized gain or loss. Securities classified as current assets have maturity dates of less than or equal to one year from the balance sheet date. Securities classified as non-current assets have maturity dates greater than one year from the balance sheet date. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable primarily consists of amounts due from our wholesale customers as well as credit card receivables outstanding with third-party credit card vendors. The activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended January 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:
|  | Balance at beginning of year |  |  | Additions |  |  | Deductions |  |  | Balance at end of year |
Year ended January 31, 2017 |  | $ | 664 |  |  |  | 4,892 |  |  |  | (4,968 | ) |  | $ | 588 |
Year ended January 31, 2016 |  | $ | 850 |  |  |  | 6,578 |  |  |  | (6,764 | ) |  | $ | 664 |
Year ended January 31, 2015 |  | $ | 1,711 |  |  |  | 4,666 |  |  |  | (5,527 | ) |  | $ | 850 |
Inventory Inventory, which consists primarily of general consumer merchandise held for sale, is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out method and includes the cost of merchandise and import related costs, including freight, import taxes and agent commissions. A periodic review of inventory is performed in order to determine if inventory is properly stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Factors the Company considers in its review, such as future expected consumer demand and fashion trends, current aging, current and anticipated retail markdowns or wholesale discounts and class or type of inventory, are analyzed to determine estimated net realizable value. Criteria that the Company considers in its review of aging trends include average selling cycle and seasonality of merchandise, the historical rate at which merchandise has sold below cost during the prior twelve months and the value and nature of merchandise currently held in inventory and priced below original cost. A provision is recorded to reduce the cost of inventory to its estimated net realizable value, if appropriate. The majority of inventory at January 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of finished goods. Raw materials and work-in-process were not material to the overall inventory value. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost and primarily consist of store leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, buildings, and other operating equipment. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of the lease term or useful life for leasehold improvements, five years for furniture and fixtures, 39 years for buildings and three to ten years for other operating equipment. Major renovations or improvements that extend the service lives of our assets are capitalized over the lesser of the extension period, life of the improvement, or the remaining term of the lease. Impairment of Long-lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets The Company periodically reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Events that result in an impairment review include plans to close a store, distribution or fulfillment center or a significant decrease in the operating results of a long-lived asset. The Company’s retail stores are reviewed for impairment at the store level, which is the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified. When events indicate that an asset may be impaired and the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the impaired asset is adjusted to its estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recorded. During fiscal 2017, the Company recorded impairment charges for three retail stores, totaling $4,341, all of which is in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During fiscal 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges for five retail stores, totaling $8,928, of which $7,429 is in “Cost of sales” and $1,499 is in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the Company’s assessment of current and future performance it was determined that these stores would not be able to generate sufficient cash flow over the expected remaining lease term to recover the carrying value of the respective store assets. Impairment charges for fiscal 2015 were immaterial. Deferred Rent Rent expense from leases is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease period. The net excess of rent expense over the actual cash paid is recorded as deferred rent. In addition, certain store leases provide for contingent rentals when sales exceed specified breakpoint levels that are weighted based upon historical cyclicality. For leases where achievement of these levels is considered probable based on cumulative lease year revenue versus the established breakpoint at any given point in time, the Company accrues a contingent rent liability and a corresponding rent expense. Operating Leases The Company leases its retail stores under operating leases. Many of the lease agreements contain rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and contingent rent provisions or some combination of these items. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease period commencing on the date that the premises are available from the landlord. The lease period includes the construction period required to make the leased space suitable for operating during which time the Company is not permitted to occupy the space. For purposes of calculating straight-line rent expense, the commencement date of the lease term reflects the date the Company takes possession of the building for initial construction and setup. The Company receives certain lease incentives and tenant improvement allowances in conjunction with entering into operating leases. Tenant improvement allowances are recorded as deferred rent on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the related lease on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue in the Retail segment at the point-of-sale for merchandise sold or services provided at stores or when merchandise is shipped to the customer, in each case, net of estimated customer returns. Revenue is recognized by the Company’s Wholesale segment when merchandise is shipped to the customer, net of estimated customer returns. Revenue is presented on a net basis and does not include any tax assessed by a governmental or municipal authority. Payment for merchandise in the Company’s Retail segment is tendered by cash, check, credit card, debit card or gift card. Uncollectible accounts receivable for the Retail segment is negligible and primarily results from unauthorized credit card transactions. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for its Wholesale segment accounts receivable, which management reviews on a regular basis and believes is sufficient to cover potential credit losses and billing adjustments. The Company accounts for a gift card transaction by recording a liability at the time the gift card is issued to the customer in exchange for consideration from the customer. A liability is established and remains on the Company’s books until the card is redeemed by the customer, at which time the Company records the redemption of the card for merchandise as a sale, or when it is determined the likelihood of redemption is remote. The Company determines the probability of the gift cards being redeemed to be remote based on historical redemption patterns. Revenues attributable to the reduction of gift card liabilities for which the likelihood of redemption becomes remote are included in sales and are not material. The Company’s gift cards do not expire. Sales Return Reserve The Company records a reserve for estimated product returns where the sale has occurred during the period reported, but the return is likely to occur subsequent to the period reported. The reserve for estimated product returns is based on the Company’s most recent historical return trends. If the actual return rate is materially different than the Company’s estimate, sales returns would be adjusted in the future. The activity of the sales returns reserve for the years ended January 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:
|  | Balance at beginning of year |  |  | Additions |  |  | Deductions |  |  | Balance at end of year |
Year ended January 31, 2017 |  | $ | 24,385 |  |  |  | 105,909 |  |  |  | (105,412 | ) |  | $ | 24,882 |
Year ended January 31, 2016 |  | $ | 19,804 |  |  |  | 96,707 |  |  |  | (92,126 | ) |  | $ | 24,385 |
Year ended January 31, 2015 |  | $ | 17,089 |  |  |  | 80,390 |  |  |  | (77,675 | ) |  | $ | 19,804 |
Cost of Sales Cost of sales includes the following: the cost of merchandise; merchandise markdowns; obsolescence and shrink provisions; store occupancy costs, including rent and depreciation; delivery expense; inbound and outbound freight; customs related taxes and duties; inventory acquisition and purchasing costs; design costs; warehousing and handling costs and; other inventory acquisition related costs. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses includes expenses such as: direct selling and selling supervisory expenses; marketing expenses; various corporate expenses such as information systems, finance, loss prevention, talent acquisition, home office and executive management expenses; share-based compensation expense; and other associated general expenses. Shipping and Handling Revenues and Costs The Company includes shipping and handling revenues in net sales and shipping and handling costs in cost of sales. The Company’s shipping and handling revenues consist of amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling merchandise. Shipping and handling costs include shipping supplies, related labor costs and third-party shipping costs. Advertising The Company expenses the costs of advertising when the advertising occurs, except for direct-to-consumer advertising, which is capitalized and expensed when the catalog is mailed or the content is published on the Company’s websites and mobile applications. Advertising costs primarily relate to our Retail segment marketing expenses which are comprised of web marketing, catalog printing, paper, postage and other costs related to production of photographic images used in our catalogs, on our websites, mobile applications and in our social media campaigns. If there is no expected future benefit, the cost of advertising is expensed when incurred. Advertising costs reported as prepaid expenses were $2,087 and $3,724 as of January 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Advertising expenses were $127,159, $114,104 and $103,882 for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition, the Company incurred web creative expenses of $31,237, $32,003 and $27,183 for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Advertising expenses and web creative expenses are both included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Store Opening Costs The Company expenses all store opening and organization costs as incurred, including travel, training, recruiting, salaries and other operating costs, and all such costs are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Website Development Costs The Company capitalizes applicable costs incurred during the application and infrastructure development stage and expenses costs incurred during the planning and operating stage. During fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not capitalize any internally generated internal-use software development costs because substantially all costs were incurred during the planning and operating stages, and costs incurred during the application and infrastructure development stage were not material. Income Taxes The Company utilizes a balance sheet approach to provide for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Investment tax credits or grants are accounted for in the period earned. The Company files a consolidated United States federal income tax return (see Note 9, “Income Taxes,” for a further discussion of income taxes). The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Net Income Per Common Share Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Common share equivalents include the effect of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SAR’s”), restricted stock units (“RSU’s”) and performance stock units (“PSU’s”). Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive income is comprised of two subsets—net income and other comprehensive income/loss. Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss relate to foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities. The foreign currency translation adjustments are not adjusted for income taxes because these adjustments relate to non-U.S. subsidiaries for which foreign earnings have been designated as permanently reinvested. Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of foreign currency translation losses of ($34,012) and ($23,479) as of January 31, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively, and unrealized (losses) gains, net of tax, on marketable securities of ($57) and $28 as of January 31, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively. The tax effect of the unrealized (losses) on marketable securities recorded in comprehensive loss was $28, $36 and $201 during fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Gross realized gains and losses are included in “Other income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and were not material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for all three years presented. Foreign Currency The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at current exchange rates as of the balance sheet date, equity accounts at historical exchange rates, while income statement accounts are translated at the average rates in effect during the year. Translation adjustments are not included in determining net income, but are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” within “Shareholders’ equity.” Remeasurement gains and losses included in operating results for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 were not material. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. The Company manages the credit risk associated with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities by investing in high-quality securities held with reputable trustees and, by policy, limiting the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer or issue, as well as providing limitations on investment maturities. The Company’s investment policy requires that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are invested in corporate and municipal bonds rated “BBB” or better, commercial paper and federally insured or guaranteed investment vehicles such as certificates of deposit, United States treasury bills and federal government agencies. Receivables from third-party credit cards are processed by financial institutions, which are monitored for financial stability. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its Wholesale segment customers. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts reflects current market conditions and management’s assessment regarding the collectability of its accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash accounts that, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses from maintaining cash accounts in excess of such limits. Management believes that it is not exposed to any significant risks related to its cash accounts. Commitments and Contingencies From time to time, the Company is named as a defendant in legal actions arising from normal business activities. The Company records a reserve for estimated losses when information available prior to issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update that amends the existing guidance on the income tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers with the exception of transfers of inventory. The update requires the recognition of tax expense when an intra-entity asset transfer occurs as opposed to being deferred under the existing guidance. The update will be effective for the Company on February 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted in the first interim period of a fiscal year. The update requires a modified retrospective transition approach, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company is currently assessing the potential effects this update may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. This includes loan commitments, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. The guidance also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. The update will be effective for the Company on February 1, 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential effects this update may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company will adopt the new guidance effective February 1, 2017 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company will elect to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than estimate expected forfeitures. The net cumulative effect of this change will be recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings as of January 31, 2017, which will not be material. Once adopted, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies from share-based compensation will be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the statement of income as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur, regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. The Company notes the potential for volatility in its effective tax rate as any windfall or shortfall tax benefits related to its share-based compensation plans will be recorded directly into results of operations. From fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2017, the Company recorded an average of $1,274 of excess tax benefit from share-based compensation in additional paid-in capital. These amounts would have been recorded as a reduction to income tax expense under the new guidance. However, due to potential fluctuations in the stock price of the Company’s common stock, variability in the timing of stock option exercises and the spread of exercise prices on outstanding options, historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results. In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting. This update requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than twelve months. Lessees are permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize the asset and liability for leases with a term of twelve months or less. The update will be effective for the Company on February 1, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The update requires a modified retrospective transition approach, which includes a number of practical expedients. While the Company expects adoption to result in a significant increase in the assets and liabilities recorded on its balance sheet, the Company is currently assessing the overall impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that clarifies the measurement of inventory. The update applies to entities which utilize the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) and average cost methods of measuring inventory and states that an entity should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value represents the estimated selling price less costs associated with completion, disposal and transportation. The update will be effective for the Company on February 1, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The update is to be adopted on a prospective basis. The Company early adopted as of November 1, 2016. The effects of this update are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The update outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The update states that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in the amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. Entities are required to apply the following steps when recognizing revenue under the update: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligation in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The update allows for a “full retrospective” adoption, meaning the update is applied to all periods presented, or a “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the update is applied only to the most current periods presented in the financial statements. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which approved a one-year deferral of the effective date that allows the Company to defer the effective date to February 1, 2018, but still permits the Company to adopt the update as of the original February 1, 2017 effective date. The Company has determined it will adopt this update on February 1, 2018 and has concluded that the effects of this update will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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