The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. At November 3, 2018, the Company operated in one reportable segment.

The Company’s financial year is a 52 or 53-week year that ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31 (each such period, a “Fiscal Year”). As used herein, “Fiscal 2018” refers to the 52-week period ending February 2, 2019. “Fiscal 2017” refers to the 53-week period ended February 3, 2018.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, our management reviews the Company’s estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016–02”) which replaces the existing guidance in Accounting Standard Certification (“ASC”) 840, Leases. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the Statement of Operations. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance in ASU 2016-02 permits a Company to adopt using the modified retrospective approach for all leases existing as of the effective date and provides for certain practical expedients that the Company plans to elect. The Company will adopt the new standard in Fiscal 2019 and expects that it will result in a significant increase to its long-term assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as the Company has a significant number of leases.

Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to Topic 842, Leases (“ASU 2018-11”) which provides an additional transition method to adopt ASU 2016-02. We expect to use this new transition approach which allows the comparative periods presented in our financial statements to continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. We anticipate that we will elect the package of practical expedients allowed in the standard, which among other things, allows us to carry forward our historical lease classification. We also anticipate that we will make an accounting policy election to use the practical expedient allowed in the standard to not separate lease and non-lease components when calculating the lease liability under ASU 2016-02.

As of November 3, 2018, the Company had undiscounted future minimum lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases totaling approximately $1.6 billion. The Company has formed an implementation team, is substantially complete in identifying its lease population and has begun to input the required information into its existing software used to manage its leases in accordance with this new accounting standard.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”). The new guidance permits companies to reclassify the stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt ASU 2018-02 in Fiscal 2019 and does not expect a material impact from the adoption of this guidance to its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments under Step 2 by eliminating the requirement to perform procedures to determine the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including previously unrecognized assets and liabilities, in order to determine the fair value of the goodwill and any impairment charge to be recognized. Under this ASU, the impairment charge to be recognized should be the amount by which the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds the reporting unit's fair value as calculated under Step 1 provided that the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This ASU is effective beginning in 2019 and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU may have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements in the event that we determine that goodwill for any of our reporting units is impaired.

In accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies were translated into United States dollars (“USD”) (our reporting currency) at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies were translated into USD at the monthly average exchange rates for the period. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the results of operations, whereas related translation adjustments are reported as an element of other comprehensive income in accordance with ASC 220, Comprehensive Income.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that expands disclosure requirements and requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on February 4, 2018 using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts as of February 4, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after February 4, 2018 are presented under ASU 2014-09, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting. The Company recorded a net increase to opening retained earnings of $0.2 million as of February 4, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of adoption. The impact was the result of accounting for customer loyalty programs using a relative stand-alone selling price method vs. incremental cost method. The Company defers a portion of the sales revenue attributed to the loyalty points and recognizes revenue when the points are redeemed or expire, consistent with the requirements of ASU 2014-09. Refer to the Customer Loyalty Program caption below for additional information.

Additionally, ASU 2014-09 changes the balance sheet presentation of the Company’s sales return reserve. Presentation on a gross basis is now required, consisting of a separate right of return asset and liability. These amounts are recorded within (i) Prepaid Expenses and Other and (ii) Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Historically, the Company presented the net sales return liability within Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to the Sales Return Reserve caption below for additional information.

Revenue is recorded for store sales upon the purchase of merchandise by customers. The Company’s e-commerce operation records revenue upon the customer receipt date of the merchandise. Shipping and handling revenues are included in total net revenue. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue and is included as part of accrued income and other taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Revenue is recorded net of estimated and actual sales returns and promotional price reductions. The Company records the impact of adjustments to its sales return reserve quarterly within total net revenue and cost of sales. The sales return reserve reflects an estimate of sales returns based on projected merchandise returns determined through the use of historical average return percentages.

Revenue is not recorded on the issuance of gift cards. A current liability is recorded upon issuance, and revenue is recognized when the gift card is redeemed for merchandise. Additionally, the Company recognizes revenue on unredeemed gift cards based on an estimate of the amounts that will not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”), determined through historical redemption trends. Gift card breakage revenue is recognized in proportion to actual gift card redemptions as a component of total net revenue. For further information on the Company’s gift card program, refer to the Gift Cards caption below.

The Company recognizes royalty revenue generated from its license or franchise agreements based on a percentage of merchandise sales by the licensee/franchisee. This revenue is recorded as a component of total net revenue when earned.

The following table sets forth the approximate consolidated percentage of Total Net Revenue attributable to each merchandise group for each of the periods indicated:

	13 Weeks Ended
	November 3,			October 28,
	2018			2017
Men’s apparel and accessories		32	%		34	%
Women’s apparel and accessories (excluding Aerie)		53	%		54	%
Aerie		15	%		12	%
Total		100	%		100	%

The following table disaggregates the Company’s Total Net Revenue by geography:

	13 Weeks Ended
(In thousands)	November 3, 2018		October 28, 2017
Total Net Revenue:
United States	$	873,840	$	840,632
Foreign ⁽¹⁾		129,867		119,801
Total Net Revenue	$	1,003,707	$	960,433

(1)	Amounts represent sales from American Eagle and Aerie international retail stores, and e-commerce sales that are billed to and/or shipped to foreign countries and international franchise royalty revenue.

Cost of sales consists of merchandise costs, including design, sourcing, importing and inbound freight costs, as well as markdowns, shrinkage and certain promotional costs (collectively “merchandise costs”) and buying, occupancy and warehousing costs.

Design costs are related to the Company's Design Center operations and include compensation, travel and entertainment, supplies and samples for our design teams, as well as rent and depreciation for our Design Center. These costs are included in cost of sales as the respective inventory is sold.

Buying, occupancy and warehousing costs consist of compensation, employee benefit expenses and travel and entertainment for our buyers and certain senior merchandising executives; rent and utilities related to our stores, corporate headquarters, distribution centers and other office space; freight from our distribution centers to the stores; compensation and supplies for our distribution centers, including purchasing, receiving and inspection costs; and shipping and handling costs related to our e-commerce operation. Gross profit is the difference between total net revenue and cost of sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of compensation and employee benefit expenses, including salaries, incentives and related benefits associated with our stores and corporate headquarters. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include advertising costs, supplies for our stores and home office, communication costs, travel and entertainment, leasing costs and services purchased. Selling, general and administrative expenses do not include compensation, employee benefit expenses and travel for our design, sourcing and importing teams, our buyers and our distribution centers as these amounts are recorded in cost of sales. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses do not include rent and utilities related to our stores, operating costs of our distribution centers, and shipping and handling costs related to our e-commerce operations.

Other income, net consists primarily of allowances for uncollectible receivables, foreign currency transaction gain/loss and interest income/expense.

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

As of November 3, 2018, short-term investments classified as available-for-sale included certificates of deposit, corporate bonds, and commercial paper with a maturity of greater than three months, but less than one year.

Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Merchandise inventory is valued at the lower of average cost or net realizable value, utilizing the retail method. Average cost includes merchandise design and sourcing costs and related expenses. The Company records merchandise receipts when control of the merchandise has transferred to the Company.

The Company reviews its inventory levels to identify slow-moving merchandise and generally uses markdowns to clear merchandise. Additionally, the Company estimates a markdown reserve for future planned permanent markdowns related to current inventory. Markdowns may occur when inventory exceeds customer demand for reasons of style, seasonal adaptation, changes in customer preference, lack of consumer acceptance of fashion items, competition, or if it is determined that the inventory in stock will not sell at its currently ticketed price. Such markdowns may have a material adverse impact on earnings, depending on the extent and amount of inventory affected. The Company also estimates a shrinkage reserve for the period between the last physical count and the balance sheet date. The estimate for the shrinkage reserve, based on historical results, can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shrinkage trends.

The Company calculates income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires the use of the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the difference between the Consolidated Financial Statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as computed pursuant to ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates, based on certain judgments regarding enacted tax laws and published guidance, in effect in the years when those temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established against the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred taxes may not be realized. Changes in the Company’s level and composition of earnings, tax laws or the deferred tax valuation allowance, as well as the results of tax audits may materially impact the Company’s effective income tax rate.

The Company evaluates its income tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, which prescribes a comprehensive model for recognizing, measuring, presenting and disclosing in the financial statements tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, including a decision whether to file or not to file in a particular jurisdiction. Under ASC 740, a tax benefit from an uncertain position may be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits.

The calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as the decision to recognize a tax benefit from an uncertain position and to establish a valuation allowance requires management to make estimates and assumptions. The Company believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, although actual results may have a positive or negative material impact on the balances of deferred tax assets and liabilities, valuation allowances or net income.

Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding income taxes.

Property and equipment is recorded on the basis of cost, including costs to prepare the asset for use, with depreciation computed utilizing the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life. The useful lives of our major classes of assets are as follows:

Buildings

25 years

Leasehold improvements

Lesser of 10 years or the term of the lease

Fixtures and equipment

Information technology

5 years

3-5 years

As of November 3, 2018, the weighted average remaining useful life of our assets is approximately 8 years.

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), the Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment at the individual store level, which is the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified, for stores that have been open for a period of time sufficient to reach maturity. Impairment losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets are impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts. When events such as these occur, the impaired assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recorded. No significant long-lived asset impairment charges were recorded during the 13 or 39 weeks ended November 3, 2018 or October 28, 2017.

Refer to Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding property and equipment.

The Company’s goodwill is primarily related to the acquisition of its importing operations, Canada business and Tailgate and Todd Snyder brands. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), the Company evaluates goodwill for possible impairment on at least an annual basis and last performed an annual impairment test as of February 3, 2018. As a result of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment test, the Company concluded that its goodwill was not impaired.

Intangible assets are recorded on the basis of cost with amortization computed utilizing the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. The Company’s intangible assets, which consist primarily of trademark assets, are generally amortized over 15 to 25 years.

The Company evaluates intangible assets for impairment in accordance with ASC 350 when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Such an evaluation includes the estimation of undiscounted future cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the sum of the estimated future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amounts of the assets, then the assets are impaired and are adjusted to their estimated fair value. No intangible asset impairment charges were recorded during the 13 or 39 weeks ended November 3, 2018 or October 28, 2017.

Refer to Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding intangible assets.

Revenue is not recorded on the issuance of gift cards. The value of a gift card is recorded as a current liability upon issuance, and revenue is recognized when the gift card is redeemed for merchandise. The Company estimates gift card breakage and recognizes revenue in proportion to actual gift card redemptions as a component of total net revenue. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have an impact of the Company’s accounting for gift card breakage.

The Company determines an estimated gift card breakage rate by continuously evaluating historical redemption data and the time when there is a remote likelihood that a gift card will be redeemed. The Company recorded $1.6 million of revenue related to gift card breakage during both the 13 weeks ended November 3, 2018 and October 28, 2017. During the 39 weeks ended November 3, 2018 and October 28, 2017, the Company recorded $6.2 million and $6.1 million, respectively, of revenue related to gift card breakage.

Deferred lease credits represent the unamortized portion of construction allowances received from landlords related to the Company’s retail stores. Construction allowances are generally comprised of cash amounts received by the Company from its landlords as part of the negotiated lease terms. The Company records a receivable and a deferred lease credit liability at the lease commencement date (date of initial possession of the store). The deferred lease credit is amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the original lease (including the pre-opening build-out period). The receivable is reduced as amounts are received from the landlord.

The Company offers a co-branded credit card (the “AEO Visa Card”) and a private label credit card (the “AEO Credit Card”) under the AEO and Aerie brands. These credit cards are issued by a third-party bank (the “Bank”) in accordance with a credit card agreement (the “Agreement”). The Company has no liability to the Bank for bad debt expense, provided that purchases are made in accordance with the Bank’s procedures. We receive funding from the Bank based on the Agreement and card activity, which includes payments for new account activations and usage of the credit cards. We recognize revenue for this funding when the amounts are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. This revenue is recorded in other revenue, which is a component of total net revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have an impact of the Company’s accounting for the co-branded credit card.

For further information on the Company’s loyalty program, refer to the Customer Loyalty Program caption below.

The Company recently launched a new, digitized loyalty program called AEO Connected^TM (the “Program”). This Program integrates the credit card rewards program and the AEREWARDSÒ loyalty program into one combined customer offering. Under the Program, customers accumulate points based on purchase activity and earn rewards by reaching certain point thresholds and, when reached, rewards are distributed. Customers earn rewards in the form of discount savings certificates. Rewards earned are valid through the stated expiration date, which is approximately 45 days from the issuance date of the reward. Additional rewards are also given for key items such as jeans and bras. Rewards not redeemed during the 45-day redemption period are forfeited.

Points earned under the Program on purchases at American Eagle and Aerie are accounted for in accordance with ASU 2014-09. The portion of the sales revenue attributed to the award points is deferred and recognized when the award is redeemed or when the points expire, using the relative stand-alone selling price method. Additionally, reward points earned using the co-branded credit card on non-AEO or Aerie purchases are accounted for in accordance with ASU 2014-09. As the points are earned, a current liability is recorded for the estimated cost of the award, and the impact of adjustments is recorded in cost of sales. The Company recorded a net increase to opening retained earnings of $0.2 million as of February 4, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of adoption.

Revenue is recorded net of estimated and actual sales returns and deductions for coupon redemptions and other promotions. The Company records the impact of adjustments to its sales return reserve quarterly within total net revenue and cost of sales. The net Sales Return Reserve reflects an estimate of sales returns based on projected merchandise returns determined through the use of historical average return percentages.

As of November 3, 2018, the Company recorded a Right of Return Asset of $3.9 million within Prepaid Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, offset by a Sales Return Reserve Liability of $11.1 million within Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The net Sales Return Reserve Liability was $5.2 million, recorded within Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses, at October 28, 2017.

In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”), the Company has identified two operating segments (American Eagle Brand and Aerie Brand) that reflect the basis used internally to review performance and allocate resources. All operating segments have been aggregated and are presented as one reportable segment, as permitted by ASC 280.