Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Accounting Policies (Policies)	Apr. 28, 2018
Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of La-Z-Boy Incorporated and our majority-owned subsidiaries. The portion of less than wholly-owned subsidiaries is included as non-controlling interest. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated, including any related profit on intercompany sales. At April 28, 2018, we owned preferred shares of two privately-held companies, and a warrant to purchase common shares of one of the companies, both of which are variable interest entities. We have not consolidated their results in our financial statements because we do not have the power to direct those activities that most significantly impact their economic performance and, therefore, are not the primary beneficiary.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts or disclosures of assets, liabilities (including contingent assets and liabilities), sales, and expenses at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Equivalents	Cash and Equivalents For purposes of the consolidated balance sheet and statement of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash We have cash on deposit with a bank as collateral for certain letters of credit.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis for approximately 64% and 63% of our inventories at April 28, 2018, and April 29, 2017, respectively. Cost is determined for all other inventories on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. The LIFO method of accounting is used for our La-Z-Boy U.S. wholesale business inventory and the imported finished goods inventory owned by our Casegoods Segment, while the FIFO method is used for the remainder of our inventory.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Items capitalized, including significant betterments to existing facilities, are recorded at cost. Capitalized computer software costs include internal and external costs incurred during the software’s development stage. Internal costs relate primarily to employee activities related to coding and testing the software under development. Computer software costs are depreciated over three to ten years. All maintenance and repair costs are expensed when incurred. Depreciation is computed principally using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Disposal and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Disposal and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Retirement or dispositions of long-lived assets are recorded based on carrying value and proceeds received. Any resulting gains or losses are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Our assessment of recoverability is based on our best estimates using either quoted market prices or an analysis of the undiscounted projected future cash flows by asset groups in order to determine if there is any indicator of impairment requiring us to further assess the fair value of our long-lived assets. Our asset groups consist of our operating segments in our Upholstery reportable segment, our Casegoods segment, each of our retail stores, and other corporate assets.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill We test indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Indefinite-lived intangible assets include our American Drew trade name, and the reacquired right to own and operate La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores we have acquired. The reacquired right to own and operate La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores are indefinite-lived because our Retailer Agreements are perpetual agreements that have no specific expiration date and no renewal options. A Retailer Agreement remains in effect as long as the independent retailer is not in default under the terms of the agreement. We establish the fair value of our trade name and reacquired rights based upon the relief from royalty method. Our goodwill relates to the acquisition of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores and the acquisition of the La-Z-Boy wholesale business in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The reporting unit for goodwill arising from retail store acquisitions is our Retail operating segment. We have three geographic regions which are considered components of our Retail operating segment. These three geographic regions are aggregated into one reporting unit for goodwill because they are economically similar, they operate in a consistent manner across the regions, and each store supports and benefits from common research and development projects. Additionally, the goodwill is recoverable from each of the geographic regions working in concert because we can change the composition of the regions to strategically rebalance management and distribution capacity as needed. The reporting unit for goodwill arising from the acquisition of the La-Z-Boy wholesale business in the United Kingdom and Ireland is that business. The estimated fair value for the reporting unit is determined based upon discounted cash flows. In situations where the fair value is less than the carrying value, indicating a potential impairment, a second comparison is performed using a calculation of implied fair value of goodwill to measure any such impairment.
Amortizable Intangible Assets	Amortizable Intangible Assets We test amortizable intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. We have amortizable intangible assets related to the acquisition of the La-Z-Boy wholesale business in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which primarily include acquired customer relationships. These intangible assets will be amortized between one and 15 years on a straight-line basis. We established the fair value of these amortizable intangible assets based on the multi-period excess earnings method, a variant of the income approach, and also using the relief from royalty method.
Investments	Investments Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with the net unrealized gains and losses (that are deemed to be temporary) reported as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss). Realized gains and losses and charges for other-than-temporary impairments are included in determining net income, with related purchase costs based on the first-in, first-out method. We evaluate our available-for-sale investments for possible other-than-temporary impairments by reviewing factors such as the extent to which, and length of time, an investment’s fair value has been below our cost basis, the issuer’s financial condition, and our ability and intent to hold the investment for sufficient time for its market value to recover. For impairments that are other-than-temporary, an impairment loss is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made. The fair value of the investment then becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment and it is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.
Life Insurance	Life Insurance Life insurance policies are recorded at the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract as of the date of our consolidated balance sheet. These assets are classified as other long-term assets on our consolidated balance sheet. The change in cash surrender or contract value is recorded as income or expense during each period.
Customer Deposits	Customer Deposits We collect a deposit on a portion of the total merchandise price at the time a customer order is placed in one of our company-owned Retail stores, and on la-z-boy.com. We record this as a customer deposit, which is included in our accrued expenses and other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The balance of the order is paid in full prior to delivery of the product.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Substantially all of our shipping agreements with third-party carriers transfer the risk of loss to our customers upon shipment. Accordingly, our shipments using third-party carriers are generally recognized as revenue when product is shipped. In all cases, for product shipped on our company-owned trucks, we recognize revenue when the product is delivered. This revenue includes amounts we billed to customers for shipping. At the time we recognize revenue, we make provisions for estimated product returns and warranties, as well as other incentives that we may offer to customers. We also recognize revenue for amounts we receive from our customers in connection with our shared advertising cost arrangement. We import certain products from foreign ports, some of which are shipped directly to our domestic customers. In this case, revenue is not recognized until title is assumed by our customer, which is normally after the goods pass through U.S. Customs. Incentives offered to customers include cash discounts and other sales incentive programs. Estimated cash discounts and other sales incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenues when the revenue is recognized.
Related Allowances for Credit Losses	Related Allowances for Credit Losses Trade accounts receivable arise from the sale of products on trade credit terms. On a quarterly basis, our management team reviews all significant accounts as to their past due balances, as well as collectability of the outstanding trade accounts receivable for possible write off. It is our policy to write off the accounts receivable against the allowance account when we deem the receivable to be uncollectible. Additionally, we review orders from dealers that are significantly past due, and we ship product only when our ability to collect payment for the new sales is reasonably assured. Our allowances for credit losses reflect our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the trade accounts receivable balance. We determine the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historic experience, and other currently available evidence. We had no gross notes receivable amounts outstanding and no corresponding allowance for credit losses on notes receivable at April 28, 2018, or at April 29, 2017.
Cost of Sales	Cost of Sales Our cost of sales consists primarily of the cost to manufacture or purchase our merchandise, inspection costs, internal transfer costs, in-bound freight costs, outbound shipping costs, as well as warehousing costs, occupancy costs, and depreciation expense related to our manufacturing facilities and equipment. During fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, we recorded a benefit related to legal settlements as part of cost of sales. Gross margin benefited 0.2 percentage points and 0.3 percentage points for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively, as a result of legal settlements.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses SG&A expenses include the costs of selling our products and other general and administrative costs. Selling expenses are primarily composed of commissions, advertising, warranty, bad debt expense, and compensation and benefits of employees performing various sales functions. Additionally, the occupancy costs of our retail facilities and the warehousing costs of our regional distribution centers are included as a component of SG&A. Other general and administrative expenses included in SG&A are composed primarily of compensation and benefit costs for administration employees and other administrative costs.
Other Income (Expense), Net	Other Income (Expense), Net Other income (expense), net, is made up primarily of foreign currency exchange net gain/(loss), gain/(loss) on the sale of investments, and all components of pension costs other than service costs.
Research and Development Costs	Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are charged to expense in the periods incurred. Expenditures for research and development costs were $7.9 million, $8.0 million, and $6.3 million for the fiscal years ended April 28, 2018, April 29, 2017, and April 30, 2016, respectively, and are included as a component of SG&A.
Advertising Expenses	Advertising Expenses Production costs of commercials, programming and costs of other advertising, promotion and marketing programs are charged to expense in the period in which the commercial or advertisement is first aired or released. Gross advertising expenses were $88.3 million, $82.1 million, and $70.8 million for the fiscal years ended April 28, 2018, April 29, 2017, and April 30, 2016, respectively. A portion of our advertising program is a national advertising campaign. This campaign is a shared advertising program with our dealers’ La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores, which reimburse us for about 30% of the cost of the program (excluding company-owned stores). Because of this shared cost arrangement, the advertising expense is reported as a component of SG&A, while the dealers’ reimbursement portion is reported as a component of sales.
Operating Leases	Operating Leases We record rent expense related to operating leases on a straight-line basis for minimum lease payments starting with the beginning of the lease term based on the date that we have the right to control the leased property. Our minimum lease payments may incorporate step rent provisions or rent escalations. We also record rental income from subleases on a straight-line basis for minimum lease payments.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. In periods when deferred tax assets are recorded, we are required to estimate whether recoverability is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%), based on, among other things, forecasts of taxable earnings in the related tax jurisdiction. We consider historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carry-forward period, tax law changes, tax planning opportunities, and other relevant considerations when making judgments about realizing the value of our deferred tax assets. We recognize in our consolidated financial statements the benefit of a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. Changes in judgment that result in subsequent recognition, derecognition or change in a measurement date of a tax position taken in a prior annual period (including any related interest and penalties) are recognized as a discrete item in the interim period in which the change occurs.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency of our wholesale Canadian and Mexico subsidiaries is the U.S. Dollar. Transaction gains and losses associated with translating our wholesale Canadian and Mexico subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities, which are non-U.S. Dollar denominated, are recorded in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of income. The functional currency of each of our other foreign subsidiaries is its respective local currency. Assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries whose functional currency is their local currency are translated at the year-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the period, with the corresponding translation effect included as a component of other comprehensive income. In connection with our Mexico subsidiary we have entered into foreign currency forward contracts, designated as cash flow hedges, to hedge certain forecasted expenses.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation We estimate the fair value of equity-based awards, including option awards and stock-based awards that vest based on market conditions, on the date of grant using option-pricing models. The value of the portion of the equity-based awards that are ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statement of income using a straight-line single-option method. We measure stock-based compensation cost for liability-based awards based on the fair value of the award on the grant date, and recognize it as expense over the vesting period. The liability for these awards is remeasured and adjusted to its fair value at the end of each reporting period until paid. We record compensation cost for stock-based awards that vest based on performance conditions ratably over the vesting periods when the vesting of such awards become probable.
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies We establish an accrued liability for legal matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. As a litigation matter develops and in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, we evaluate on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, we do not establish an accrued liability. If, at the time of evaluation, the loss contingency related to a litigation matter is not both probable and estimable, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments that would make such loss contingency both probable and estimable. Once the loss contingency related to a litigation matter is deemed to be both probable and estimable, we will establish an accrued liability with respect to such loss contingency and record a corresponding amount of litigation-related expense. We continue to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability that has been previously established.
Insurance/Self-Insurance	Insurance/Self-Insurance We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability and the company-funded portion of employee-related health care benefits. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated in part by considering historic claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other assumptions. Our workers’ compensation reserve is an undiscounted liability. We have various excess loss coverages for employee-related health care benefits, vehicle liability, product liability, and workers’ compensation liabilities. Our deductibles generally do not exceed $1.5 million.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting pronouncements adopted in fiscal 2018 In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new accounting standard focused on simplifying the accounting for share-based payments, including accounting for income taxes, estimating forfeitures, and classifying certain share-based transactions in the consolidated statement of cash flows. We adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Our adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We did not record a cumulative-effect adjustment as we had no unrecognized excess tax benefits as of the end of fiscal 2017. We elected to continue estimating forfeiture rates on our share-based awards. We adjusted the consolidated statement of cash flows for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 to conform to the current fiscal year presentation by reclassifying $1.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of cash paid related to shares swapped for taxes from a financing activity to an operating activity. In August 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that provides guidance on the classification of eight cash receipts and cash payments issues on the statement of cash flows. The intent of this standard was to help reduce diversity in practice regarding cash flow presentation. We early adopted this standard in fiscal 2018. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of cash flows and although the guidance requires retrospective treatment, we did not have any cash receipts or payments during the prior year that needed to be reclassified. In November 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires the statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash. Amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. We early adopted this standard in fiscal 2018 with retrospective application. For fiscal 2017, this change resulted in a $9.0 million increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at both the beginning and end of the period on our consolidated statement of cash flows. In addition, removing the change in restricted cash from the consolidated statement of cash flows resulted in a decrease of less than $0.1 million in our net cash used for investing activities for fiscal 2017. For fiscal 2016, this change resulted in a $9.6 million increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period and a $9.0 million increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period on our consolidated statement of cash flows. In addition, removing the change in restricted cash from the consolidated statement of cash flows resulted in an increase of $0.7 million in our net cash used for investing activities for fiscal 2016. In March 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that changed the presentation of pension costs in our consolidated statement of income. We elected to early adopt this standard in fiscal 2018, and it requires retrospective application. All components of pension costs other than service costs will now be presented in other income (expense), net rather than operating income in our consolidated statement of income. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of income for any periods presented. For fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, we reclassified pension costs of $2.8 million and $2.9 million, respectively, from operating income to other income (expense), net to conform to the current-year presentation. Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new standard supersedes virtually all existing authoritative accounting guidance on revenue recognition and requires additional disclosures and greater use of estimates and judgments. During July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the revenue recognition standard by one year, thus making the new accounting standard effective beginning with our fiscal 2019. We will apply the modified retrospective approach when we implement the new standard in fiscal 2019. We have reviewed substantially all of our contracts and other revenue streams and determined that while the application of the new standard will not have a material change in the amount of or timing for recognizing revenue, we anticipate that it will have a significant impact on our financial statement disclosures related to disaggregated revenue, customer deposits and contract assets and liabilities, as well as the presentation of contract assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with the fair value changes to be recognized through net income. This standard does not apply to investments that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, or that result in consolidation of the invested entity. We currently hold equity investments that we measure at fair value at the end of each reporting period, and we recognize changes in fair value through other comprehensive income (loss) as unrealized gains (losses). We are required to adopt this standard for our fiscal 2019 financial statements. Based on the fair value of our net unrealized gain as of April 28, 2018, adopting this standard would be immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. When we adopt this standard, we will reclassify our current net unrealized gains from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings and record a cumulative-effect adjustment which, based on current fair value, will be immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. See Note 7 for additional information on our current investments. In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard requiring all operating leases that a lessee enters into to be recorded on its balance sheet. Under this standard, the lessee is required to record an asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a corresponding liability for the contractual lease payments. This standard will be effective beginning with our fiscal 2020. We are currently reviewing our leases and gathering the necessary information to adopt this standard when it becomes effective. We anticipate that adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet as we have a significant number of operating leases. See Note 10 for additional information on our current operating leases. In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that amends current guidance on other-than-temporary impairments of available-for-sale debt securities. This amended standard requires the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses on these assets when the fair value is below the amortized cost of the asset. This standard also removes the evaluation of the length of time that a security has been in a loss position to avoid recording a credit loss. We are required to adopt this standard for our fiscal 2021 and apply it through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. We are still assessing the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. This standard will be applicable beginning with our fiscal 2019. Our current assessment is that this standard will have no impact on our current practices because intra-entity transfers, as the standard defines them, are unlikely to occur. In January 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting standard clarifying the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to entities evaluating whether a transaction should be accounted for as an acquisition. This standard will be applicable for our fiscal 2019. Our current assessment is that this standard will not affect our accounting for past or future acquisitions. In January 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting standard simplifying the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. An entity should now perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. This standard permits early adoption with the requirement to adopt by our fiscal 2021.We plan to early adopt this standard in fiscal 2019. We do not believe that adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures. In August 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting standard designed to improve and simplify the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. This standard is intended to better align the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments with the hedged item in the financial statements, and requires additional disclosures on hedging instruments. This standard will be effective for our fiscal 2020. Based on our current hedging activity, we do not expect this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures. In February 2018, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that allows entities to reclass stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Tax Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at the historical tax rate. This standard may be early adopted in any interim period and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period that was affected by the change in the federal corporate tax rate under the Tax Act. This standard will be effective for our fiscal 2020. We are still assessing the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.