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The Company and its Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

The Company and its Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business of the Company

Business of the Company

Inter Parfums, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) are in the fragrance business, and manufacture and distribute a wide array of fragrances and fragrance related products.

Substantially all of our prestige fragrance brands are licensed from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses. Burberry was our most significant license and net sales of Burberry products represented 0%, 23% and 46% of net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively (see Note (2) “Termination of Burberry License”). In addition, the Company owns the Lanvin brand name for its class of trade, and licenses the Montblanc and Jimmy Choo brand names among others. As a percentage of net sales, product sales for the Company's largest brands were as follows:

						Year Ended December 31,
						2014								2013								2012

Montblanc						22		%						15		%						9		%
Lanvin						18		%						15		%						12		%

Jimmy Choo						16		%						13		%						8		%

No other brand represented 10% or more of consolidated net sales.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Preparation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, including 73% owned Interparfums SA (“IPSA”), a subsidiary whose stock is publicly traded in France. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Management Estimates

Management Estimates

Management makes assumptions and estimates to prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Those assumptions and estimates directly affect the amounts reported and disclosures included in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those assumptions and estimates. Significant estimates for which changes in the near term are considered reasonably possible and that may have a material impact on the financial statements are disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

For foreign subsidiaries with operations denominated in a foreign currency, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and losses from translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders' equity.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

All highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. From time to time, the Company has short-term investments which consist of certificates of deposit with maturities greater than three months. The Company monitors concentrations of credit risk associated with financial institutions with which the Company conducts significant business. The Company believes its credit risk is minimal, as the Company primarily conducts business with large, well-established financial institutions. Substantially all cash and cash equivalents are held at financial institutions outside the United States and are readily convertible into U.S. dollars.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable represent payments due to the Company for previously recognized net sales, reduced by allowances for sales returns and doubtful accounts or balances which are estimated to be uncollectible, which aggregated $6.9 million and $6.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Accounts receivable balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when they become uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously recorded against the allowance are recorded in the consolidated statement of income when received. We generally grant credit based upon our analysis of the customer's financial position, as well as previously established buying patterns.

Inventories

Inventories, including promotional merchandise, only include inventory considered saleable or usable in future periods, and is stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method. Cost components include raw materials, components, direct labor and overhead (e.g., indirect labor, utilities, depreciation, purchasing, receiving, inspection and warehousing) as well as inbound freight. Promotional merchandise is charged to cost of sales at the time the merchandise is shipped to the Company's customers. Overhead included in inventory aggregated $3.3 million, $3.6 million and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Included in inventories is an inventory reserve, which represents the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated realizable value, based upon sales forecasts and the physical condition of the inventories. In addition, and as necessary, specific reserves for future known or anticipated events may be established. Inventory reserves aggregated $6.0 million and $6.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Derivatives

All derivative instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. The Company uses derivative instruments to principally manage a variety of market risks. For derivatives designated as hedges of the exposure to changes in fair value of the recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment (referred to as fair value hedges), the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. The effect of that accounting is to include in earnings the extent to which the hedge is not effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value. For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative's gain or loss is initially reported in equity (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss of a cash flow hedge is reported in earnings immediately. The Company also holds certain instruments for economic purposes that are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. For these derivative instruments, changes in their fair value are recorded in earnings immediately.

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives for equipment, which range between three and ten years and the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful asset lives for leasehold improvements. Depreciation provided on equipment used to produce inventory, such as tools and molds, is included in cost of sales.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks which are not amortized. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently when events occur or circumstances change, such as an unexpected decline in sales, that would more likely than not indicate that the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable. When testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the evaluation requires a comparison of the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying value of the asset. The fair values used in our evaluations are estimated based upon discounted future cash flow projections using a weighted average cost of capital of 6.7%. The cash flow projections are based upon a number of assumptions, including, future sales levels and future cost of goods and operating expense levels, as well as economic conditions, changes to our business model or changes in consumer acceptance of our products which are more subjective in nature. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.

Intangible assets subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment testing whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an amortizable intangible asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators exist for an amortizable intangible asset, the undiscounted future cash flows associated with the expected service potential of the asset are compared to the carrying value of the asset. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is in excess of the carrying value of the intangible asset, no impairment charge is recorded. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the intangible asset, an impairment charge would be recorded to reduce the intangible asset to its fair value.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is a worldwide manufacturer, marketer and distributor of fragrance and fragrance related products, and sells its products to department stores, perfumeries, specialty retailers, mass-market retailers, supermarkets and domestic and international wholesalers and distributors. The Company grants credit to all qualified customers and does not believe it is exposed significantly to any undue concentration of credit risk.

No one customer represented 10% or more of net sales in 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company sells its products to department stores, perfumeries, specialty retailers, mass-market retailers, supermarkets and domestic and international wholesalers and distributors. Sales of such products by our domestic subsidiaries are denominated in U.S. dollars and sales of such products by our foreign subsidiaries are primarily denominated in either euro or U.S. dollars. The Company recognizes revenues when merchandise is shipped and the risk of loss passes to the customer. Net sales are comprised of gross revenues less returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Company does not bill its customers' freight and handling charges. All shipping and handling costs, which aggregated $5.2 million, $6.1 million and $8.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Sales Returns

Generally, the Company does not permit customers to return their unsold products. However, for U.S. based customers, we allow returns if properly requested, authorized and approved. The Company regularly reviews and revises, as deemed necessary, its estimate of reserves for future sales returns based primarily upon historic trends and relevant current data including information provided by retailers regarding their inventory levels. In addition, as necessary, specific accruals may be established for significant future known or anticipated events. The types of known or anticipated events that we consider include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of our customers, store closings by retailers, changes in the retail environment and our decision to continue to support new and existing products. The Company records estimated reserves for sales returns as a reduction of sales, cost of sales and accounts receivable. Returned products are recorded as inventories and are valued based upon estimated realizable value. The physical condition and marketability of returned products are the major factors we consider in estimating realizable value. Actual returns, as well as estimated realizable values of returned products, may differ significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from our estimates, if factors such as economic conditions, inventory levels or competitive conditions differ from our expectations.

Payments to Customers

Payments to Customers

The Company records revenues generated from purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions as sales and the costs of its purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions as cost of sales. Certain other incentive arrangements require the payment of a fee to customers based on their attainment of pre-established sales levels. These fees have been recorded as a reduction of net sales.

Advertising and Promotion

Advertising and Promotion

Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and recorded as a component of cost of goods sold (in the case of free goods given to customers) or selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising and promotional costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses were $86.7 million, $94.0 million and $132.7 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Costs relating to purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions that are reflected in cost of sales aggregated $24.4 million, $25.7 million and $46.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Accrued expenses include approximately $16.5 million and $22.4 million in advertising liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Package Development Costs

Package Development Costs

Package development costs associated with new products and redesigns of existing product packaging are expensed as incurred.

Operating Leases

Operating Leases

The Company recognizes rent expense from operating leases with various step rent provisions, rent concessions and escalation clauses on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The Company considers lease renewals in the useful life of its leasehold improvements when such renewals are reasonably assured. In the event the Company receives capital improvement funding from its landlord, these amounts are recorded as deferred liabilities and amortized over the remaining lease term as a reduction of rent expense.

License Agreements

License Agreements

The Company's license agreements provide the Company with worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell fragrance and fragrance related products using the licensors' trademarks. The licenses typically have an initial term of approximately 5 years to 15 years, and are potentially renewable subject to the Company's compliance with the license agreement provisions. The remaining terms, including the potential renewal periods, range from approximately 1 year to 14 years. Under each license, the Company is required to pay royalties in the range of 5% to 10% to the licensor, at least annually, based on net sales to third parties.

In certain cases, the Company may pay an entry fee to acquire, or enter into, a license where the licensor or another licensee was operating a pre-existing fragrance business. In those cases, the entry fee is capitalized as an intangible asset and amortized over its useful life.

Most license agreements require minimum royalty payments, incremental royalties based on net sales levels and minimum spending on advertising and promotional activities. Royalty expenses are accrued in the period in which net sales are recognized while advertising and promotional expenses are accrued at the time these costs are incurred.

In addition, the Company is exposed to certain concentration risk. Substantially all of our prestige fragrance brands are licensed from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses.

Loss Contingency

Loss Contingency

The Company has accrued a loss contingency based on best estimates relating to a dispute with a former licensor. It is possible that, when the loss contingency is resolved, actual costs could exceed amounts in reserve. However, the potential impact of such exposure, if any, is deemed to be immaterial to the overall financial statements.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements or tax returns. The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time.

Issuance of Common Stock by Consolidated Subsidiary

Issuance of Common Stock by Consolidated Subsidiary

The difference between the Company's share of the proceeds received by the subsidiary and the carrying amount of the portion of the Company's investment deemed sold, is reflected as an equity adjustment in the consolidated balance sheets.

Treasury Stock

The Board of Directors may authorize share repurchases of the Company's common stock (Share Repurchase Authorizations). Share repurchases under Share Repurchase Authorizations may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchase or otherwise, at times and in such amounts within the parameters authorized by the Board. Shares repurchased under Share Repurchase Authorizations are held in treasury for general corporate purposes, including issuances under various employee stock option plans. Treasury shares are accounted for under the cost method and reported as a reduction of equity. Share Repurchase Authorizations may be suspended, limited or terminated at any time without notice.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update which supersedes the most current revenue recognition requirements. The new revenue recognition standard requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption not permitted. We are currently evaluating the standard to determine the impact of its adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, new accounting guidance was issued regarding financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carry-forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit exists. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

There are no other recent accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.