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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Carter’s, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
FISCAL YEAR
Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday in December or January nearest December 31. Every five or six years, our fiscal year includes an additional 53rd week of results. Fiscal 2021, which ended on January 1, 2022, contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2020, which ended on January 2, 2021, contained 53 weeks. Fiscal 2019, which ended on December 28, 2019, contained 52 weeks.
Certain expenses increased in relationship to the additional revenue from the 53rd week, while other expenses, such as fixed costs and expenses incurred on a calendar-month basis, did not increase. The consolidated gross margin for the additional revenue from the 53rd week is slightly lower than the consolidated gross margin for fiscal 2020 due to increased promotional activity during the 53rd week.
USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of 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.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
Translation Adjustments
The functional currency of substantially all of the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency in each foreign country. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Transaction Adjustments
The Company also recognizes gains and losses on transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the respective entity’s functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses also include the impact of intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in earnings, as a separate component of Other expense (income), net, within the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are of a long-term nature are accounted for as translation adjustments and are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Foreign Currency Contracts
As part of the Company’s overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of Canada and Mexico, the Company may use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge purchases that are made in U.S. dollars, primarily for inventory purchases in its Canadian and Mexican operations. As part of this hedging strategy, the Company may use foreign currency forward exchange contracts with maturities of less than 12 months to provide continuing coverage throughout the hedging period. Historically, these
contracts were not designated for hedge accounting treatment, and therefore changes in the fair value of these contracts have been recorded in Other (income) expense, net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Such foreign currency gains and losses typically include the mark-to-market fair value adjustments at the end of each reporting period related to open contracts, as well as any realized gains and losses on contracts settled during the reporting period. The fair values of any unsettled currency contracts are included in other current assets or other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. On the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company includes all activity, including cash settlement of any contracts, as a component of cash flows from operations.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments that have original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposit accounts and cash management funds invested in U.S. government instruments. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions; these amounts typically settle in less than five days. However, money market funds held in a rabbi trust that are being used as investments to satisfy the Company’s obligations under its deferred compensation plans are treated as investments and recorded in Other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Concentration of Cash Deposits Risk
As of January 1, 2022, the Company had approximately $984.3 million of cash and cash equivalents in major financial institutions, including approximately $112.7 million in financial institutions located outside of the United States. The Company maintains cash deposits with major financial institutions that exceed the insurance coverage limits provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the U.S. and by similar insurers for deposits located outside the U.S. To mitigate this risk, the Company utilizes a policy of allocating cash deposits among major financial institutions that have been evaluated by the Company and third-party rating agencies as having acceptable risk profiles.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts Receivable
Concentration of Credit Risk
In fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, no one customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales.
At January 1, 2022, three wholesale customers each had individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of gross accounts receivable, and the total receivable balances due from these three wholesale customers in the aggregate equaled approximately 52% of total gross trade receivables outstanding. At January 2, 2021, three wholesale customers each had individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of gross accounts receivable, and the total receivable balances due from these three wholesale customers in the aggregate equaled approximately 69% of total gross trade receivables outstanding.
Valuation Accounts for Wholesale Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable Reserves
The Company’s accounts receivable reserves for wholesale customers include an allowance for expected credit losses and an allowance for chargebacks. The allowance for expected credit losses includes estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make payments. If the financial condition of a customer were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of its ability to make payments, an additional allowance could be required. Past due balances over 90 days are reviewed individually for collectibility. The Company’s credit and collections department reviews all other balances regularly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. Provisions for the allowance for expected credit losses are reflected in Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses on the consolidated statement of operations and provisions for chargebacks are reflected as a reduction in Net sales on the consolidated statement of operations.
Sales Returns Reserves
Except in very limited instances, the Company does not allow its wholesale customers to return goods to the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories
Inventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated approximately at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis for wholesale inventory and average cost for retail inventory) or net realizable value. Obsolete, damaged, and excess inventory is carried at net realizable value by establishing reserves after assessing historical recovery rates, current market conditions, and future marketing and sales plans. Rebates, discounts, and other cash consideration received from a vendor related to inventory
purchases are reflected as reductions in the cost of the related inventory item, and are therefore reflected in cost of sales when the related inventory item is sold.
LEASES
Leases
Financial Presentation
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at its inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease assets, current operating lease liabilities, and long-term operating lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.
The operating lease ROU asset also includes initial direct costs and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Certain of our lease agreements include variable rental payments based on a percentage of retail sales over contractual levels and others include variable rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
Policy Elections
Portfolio approach - In general, the Company accounts for the underlying leased asset and applies a discount rate at the lease level. However, there are certain non-real estate leases for which the Company utilizes the portfolio method by aggregating similar leased assets based on the underlying lease term.
Non-lease component - The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The Company has elected a policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for all asset classes.
Short-term lease - Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheets.
Discount rate - As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
Renewal options - The Company evaluates the inclusion of renewal options on a lease by lease basis. In general, for leased retail real estate, the Company does not include renewal options in the underlying lease term.
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. When fixed assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the accounts are relieved of the original cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation or amortization and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation and amortization are computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: buildings and improvements from 15 to 26 years, retail store fixtures, equipment, and computers from 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements and fixed assets purchased under capital lease are amortized over the lesser of the asset life or related lease term. The Company capitalizes the cost of its fixtures designed and purchased for use at major wholesale accounts. The cost of these fixtures is amortized over 3 years.
INTERNAL-USE SOFTWARE
Internal-Use Software
The Company purchases software licenses from external vendors and also develops software internally using Company employees and consultants. Software license costs, including certain costs to internally develop software, that meet the applicable criteria are capitalized while all other costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software is depreciated or amortized on the straight-line method over its estimated useful lives, from 3 to 10 years. If a software application does not include a purchased license for the software, such as a cloud-based software application, the arrangement is accounted for as a service contract. Cloud computing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract and that meet the applicable criteria are capitalized and reported in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balances sheets. Any capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement, and the expense is presented in the same line item within the consolidated statements of operations as the expense for the service contract’s fees.
VALUATION OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBILE ASSETS
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Annual Impairment Reviews
The carrying values of the goodwill and indefinite-lived tradename assets are subject to annual impairment reviews which are performed as of the last day of each fiscal year. Additionally, a review for potential impairment is performed whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Significant assumptions in the impairment models include estimates of revenue growth and profitability, terminal values, discount rates, an implied control premium, and, in the case of tradenames, royalty rates.
Goodwill
The Company performs impairment tests of its goodwill at the reporting unit level. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used to assess for impairment, including the use of discounted cash flows (“income approach”) and relevant data from guideline public companies (“market approach”).
Under a qualitative assessment, the Company determines if it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors that may have a negative effect on earnings, overall financial performance, and other relevant entity-specific events. If the Company determines that it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a goodwill impairment test using quantitative assessments must be performed. If it is determined that it is “not more likely than not” that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required and the Company documents the relevant qualitative factors that support the strength in the fair value.
Under a quantitative assessment for goodwill, the Company compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company uses the income approach and the market approach to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these approaches include revenue growth and profitability, terminal values, discount rates, and an implied control premium. These assumptions are consistent with those of hypothetical marketplace participants. An impairment is recorded for any excess carrying value above the fair value of the reporting unit, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.
Based upon our most recent annual assessment, performed as of January 1, 2022, using a qualitative assessment, there were no impairments in the value of goodwill.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company concluded that impairment indicators existed due to the decrease in the Company’s market capitalization, lower than expected actual sales, and lower projected sales and profitability, primarily due to the impacts from the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company conducted interim quantitative impairment assessments of 1) the goodwill ascribed to the Other International reporting unit recorded in connection with the allocation of goodwill to the newly created International segment as a result of the acquisition of Bonnie Togs in 2011 and 2) on the value of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets that was recorded in connection with the acquisition of OshKosh B’Gosh Inc. in July 2005 and Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017, respectively.
The goodwill impairment assessment for the Other International reporting unit was performed in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles--Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”) and compares the carrying value of the Other International reporting unit to its fair value. Consistent with prior practice, the fair value of the Other International reporting unit was determined using the income approach and the market approach. As a result of this assessment, a goodwill impairment charge of $17.7 million was recorded to our Other International reporting unit in the International segment during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The goodwill impairment charge recorded on our Other International reporting unit included charges of $9.4 million, $5.2 million, and $3.1 million to Skip Hop, Carter’s, and Carter’s Mexico goodwill, respectively. The carrying value of the Company’s goodwill for the Other International reporting unit as of January 1, 2022 was $11.7 million.
Indefinite-lived Tradenames
For indefinite-lived tradenames, the Company may utilize a qualitative assessment, as described above, to determine whether the fair value of an indefinite-lived asset is less than its carrying value. If a quantitative assessment is necessary, the Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow model that uses the relief-from-royalty method. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the tradename, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount of the excess.
Based upon our most recent annual assessment, performed as of January 1, 2022, using a qualitative assessment, there were no impairments in the values of our indefinite-lived tradenames.
As discussed above, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company conducted interim quantitative impairment assessments on the value of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets that was recorded in connection with the acquisition of OshKosh B’Gosh Inc. in July 2005 and Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017, respectively. The OshKosh and Skip Hop indefinite-lived tradename asset assessments were performed in accordance with ASC 350 and were determined using a discounted cash flow analysis which examined the hypothetical cost savings that accrue as a result of not having to license the tradename from another owner. Based on these assessments, charges of $15.5 million and $11.0 million were recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 on our indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets, respectively. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset included charges of $13.6 million, $1.6 million, and $0.3 million in the U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset included charges of $6.8 million, $3.7 million, and $0.5 million in the U.S. Wholesale, International, and U.S. Retail segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset. The carrying values of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets as of January 1, 2022 were $70.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively.
IMPAIRMENT OF OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Impairment of Other Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews other long-lived assets, including operating lease assets, property, plant, and equipment, and licensing agreements, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset may not be recoverable. Management will determine whether there has been a permanent impairment on such assets held for use by comparing anticipated undiscounted future cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group to the carrying value of the asset. The amount of any resulting impairment will be calculated by comparing the carrying value to fair value, which may be estimated using the present value of the same cash flows. Long-lived assets that meet the definition of held for sale will be valued at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. There were no impairments to other long-lived assets in fiscal 2021.
DEFERRED DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS Deferred Debt Issuance CostsDebt issuance costs associated with the Company’s secured revolving credit facility and senior term notes are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs associated with Company’s senior notes are presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as a direct reduction in the carrying value of the associated debt liability. Fees paid to lenders by the Company to obtain its secured revolving credit facility are included within Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and classified as either current or non-current based on the expiration date of the credit facility.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value framework requires the Company to categorize certain assets and liabilities into three levels, based upon the assumptions used to price those assets or liabilities. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:
Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable.
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.
The Company measures its pension assets, deferred compensation plan investment assets, and any unsettled foreign currency forward contracts at fair value. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are short-term in nature. As such, their carrying value approximates fair value.
The carrying values of the Company’s outstanding borrowings are not required to be remeasured and adjusted to the then-current fair values at the end of each reporting period. Instead, the fair values of the Company’s outstanding borrowings are disclosed at the end of each reporting period in Note 8, Long-Term Debt, to the consolidated financial statements. Had the Company been required to remeasure and adjust the carrying values of its outstanding borrowings to fair value at the end of each reporting period, such fair value measurements would have been disclosed as a Level 2 liability in the fair value hierarchy.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue Recognition
The Company uses the five-step model to recognize revenue:
1)Identify the contract with the customer;
2)Identity the performance obligation(s);
3)Determine the transaction price;
4)Allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation if multiple obligations exist; and
5)Recognize the revenue when the performance obligations are satisfied
Performance Obligations
The Company identifies each distinct performance obligation to transfer goods (or bundle of goods). The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the goods to the customer. Other than inbound and outbound freight and shipping arrangements, the Company does not use third parties to satisfy its performance obligations in revenue arrangements with customers.
When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied
Wholesale Revenues - The Company typically transfers control upon shipment. However, in certain arrangements where the Company retains the risk of loss during shipment, satisfaction of the performance obligation occurs when the goods reach the customer.
Retail Revenues - For transactions in stores, the Company satisfies its performance obligation at point of sale when the customer takes possession of the goods and tenders payment. For purchases made through the Company’s eCommerce channel, revenue is recognized when the goods are physically delivered to the customer.
Loyalty program - Retail customers can earn loyalty points that accumulate towards earning reward certificates that are redeemable for a specified amount off of future purchases for a specified period of time. Points and reward certificates earned by retail customers under the Company’s loyalty program represent a separate performance obligation. For transactions where a customer earns loyalty points, the Company allocates revenue between the goods sold and the loyalty points expected to be earned towards a reward certificate based upon the relative standalone selling price. The revenue that is deferred is recorded within Other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and then recognized as revenue upon redemption of the reward certificate. Loyalty program breakage is recognized as revenue based on the customer redemption pattern.
Gift Cards - Customer purchases of gift cards are not recognized as revenue until the gift card is redeemed. The revenue that is deferred is recorded within Other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Gift card breakage is recognized as revenue based on the customer redemption pattern.
Royalty Revenues - The Company satisfies its performance obligations with licensees over time as customers have the right to use the intellectual property over the contract period.
Significant Payment Terms
Retail customers tender a form of payment, such as cash or a credit/debit card, at point of sale. For wholesale customers and licensees, payment is due based on established terms.
Returns and Refunds
The Company establishes return provisions for retail customers. Except in very limited instances, the Company does not allow its wholesale customers to return goods to the Company.
Significant Judgments
Sale of Goods - The Company relies on shipping terms to determine when performance obligations are satisfied. When goods are shipped to wholesale customers “FOB Shipping Point,” control of the goods is transferred to the customer at the time of shipment if there are no remaining performance obligations. The Company recognizes the revenue once control passes to the customer. For most retail transactions in stores, no significant judgments are involved since revenue is recognized at the point of sale when tender is exchanged and the customer receives the goods. For retail transactions made through the Company's eCommerce channel, revenue is recognized when the goods are physically delivered to the customer. The Company recognizes revenue from omni-channel sales, including buy on-line and pick up in store, buy-on-line, ship-to-store, and buy-on-line, deliver-from-store, when the product is physically delivered to the customer or when the product arrives at the store and has been picked up by the customer.
Royalty Revenues - The Company transfers the right-to-use benefit to the licensee for the contract term and therefore the Company satisfies its performance obligation over time. Revenue recognized for each reporting period is based on the greater of: 1) the royalties owed on actual net sales by the licensee and 2) a minimum royalty guarantee, if applicable.
Transaction Price - The transaction price is the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive under the arrangement. The Company is required to estimate variable consideration (if any) and to factor that estimation into the determination of the transaction price. The Company may offer sales incentives to wholesale and retail customers, including discounts. For retail transactions, the Company has significant experience with return patterns and relies on this experience to estimate expected returns when determining the transaction price.
Standalone Selling Prices - For arrangements that contain multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis.
Costs Incurred to Obtain a Contract - Incremental costs to obtain contracts are not material to the Company.
Policy Elections
In addition to those previously disclosed, the Company has made the following accounting policy elections and practical expedients:
Portfolio Approach - The Company uses the portfolio approach when multiple contracts or performance obligations are involved in the determination of revenue recognition.
Taxes - The Company excludes from the transaction price any taxes collected from customers that are remitted to taxing authorities.
Shipping and Handling Charges - Charges that are incurred before and after the customer obtains control of goods are deemed to be fulfillment costs.
Time Value of Money - The Company’s payment terms are less than one year from the transfer of goods. Therefore, the Company does not adjust promised amounts of consideration for the effects of the time value of money.
Disclosure of Remaining Performance Obligations - The Company does not disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations for contracts that are one year or less in term.
Cooperative advertising arrangements reimburse customers for marketing activities for certain of our products. The Company records these reimbursements under cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of its major wholesale customers at fair value. Fair value is determined based upon, among other factors, comparable market analysis for similar advertisements. The Company has included the fair value of these arrangements of approximately $0.2 million for fiscal 2021, $0.5 million for fiscal 2020, and $3.1 million for fiscal 2019 as a component of SG&A expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, rather than as a reduction of Net sales. Amounts determined to be in excess of the fair value of these arrangements are recorded as a reduction of Net sales.
COST OF GOODS SOLD AND GROSS PROFIT
Costs of Goods Sold and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
In addition to the cost of product, cost of goods sold include changes to our inventory reserve and expenses related to the merchandising, design, and procurement of product, including inbound freight costs, purchasing and receiving costs, and inspection costs. Also included in costs of goods sold are the costs of shipping eCommerce product to end consumers. For omni-channel transactions, costs of goods sold include the costs of shipping product to end customers or to retail stores.
Retail store occupancy costs, distribution expenses, and generally all expenses other than interest and income taxes are included in SG&A expenses. Distribution expenses that are included in SG&A primarily consist of payments to third-party shippers and handling costs to process product through our distribution facilities, including eCommerce fulfillment costs, and delivery to our wholesale customers and to our retail stores. Distribution expenses included in SG&A totaled $206.6 million, $190.7 million, and $191.1 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Gross Profit
Gross profit is calculated as consolidated net sales less cost of goods sold, and gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by consolidated net sales. Definitions of gross profit and gross margin vary across the industry and, as such, our metrics may not be comparable to other companies.
ROYALTIES AND LICENSE FEES Income from Royalties and License FeesWe license our Carter’s, OshKosh, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, and Carter’s My First Love brands to partners to expand our product offerings to include bedding, cribs, diaper bags, footwear, gift sets, hair accessories, jewelry, outerwear, paper goods, socks, shoes, swimwear, and toys. These royalties are recorded as earned, based upon the sales of licensed products by licensees and reported as royalty income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
ADVERTISING EXPENSES
Advertising Expenses
Advertising production costs and costs associated with communicating advertising that has been produced are expensed when the advertising event takes place. Certain other advertising costs where it is uncertain when the expected benefits would occur are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $102.8 million, $75.6 million, and $93.4 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, and are included in SG&A expenses on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Deferred advertising costs for advertisements that have not yet occurred or for advertising services that have not yet been received were $4.1 million and $3.8 million at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively, and are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
Stock-Based Compensation Arrangements
The Company recognizes the cost resulting from all stock-based payment transactions in the financial statements at grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures. For performance awards containing retirement provisions, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if that is expected to occur during the nominal service period, or over the period in which the required performance period has been met. For awards containing retirement provisions that are granted to retirement eligible employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period in which the required performance has been met.
During the requisite service period, the Company also recognizes a deferred income tax benefit for the expense recognized for U.S. GAAP. At time of subsequent vesting, exercise, forfeiture, or expiration of an award, the difference between the Company’s actual income tax deduction, if any, and the previously accrued income tax benefit is recognized in income tax expense/benefit during the current period.
Stock Options
The Company determines the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of the following subjective assumptions:
Volatility - This is a measure of the amount by which a stock price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The Company uses actual monthly historical changes in the market value of its stock covering the expected life of options being valued. An increase in the expected volatility will increase the fair value of the stock option and related compensation expense.
Risk-free interest rate - This is the U.S. Treasury rate as of the grant date having a term equal to the expected term of the stock option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase the fair value of the stock option and related compensation expense.
Expected term - This is the period of time over which the stock options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience and estimated future exercise behavior. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. An increase in the expected term will increase the fair value of the stock option and the related compensation expense.
Dividend yield - The Company estimates a dividend yield based on the current dividend amount as a percentage of the current stock price. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease the fair value of the stock option and the related compensation expenses.
Forfeitures - The Company estimates forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical experience and expected future activity.
Changes in these subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation expense and the related amount recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards
The fair value of time-based restricted stock awards is determined based on the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting term of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards
The Company accounts for its performance-based restricted stock awards based on the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and records stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term of the awards based on the probability that the performance criteria will be achieved, net of estimated forfeitures. For performance awards containing retirement provisions, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if that is expected to occur during the nominal service period, or over the period in which the required performance period has been met. For awards containing retirement provisions that are granted to retirement eligible employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period in which the required performance has been met. The Company reassesses the probability of vesting at each reporting period and adjusts stock-based compensation expense based on its probability assessment.
Stock Awards
The fair value of stock granted to non-management board members is determined based on the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company records the stock-based compensation expense immediately as there are no vesting terms.
INCOME TAXES
Income Taxes
The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect current and deferred tax provisions, in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The deferred tax provision is determined under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities using presently enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are a component of non-current Other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Valuation allowances are established when it is “more likely than not” that a deferred tax asset will not be recovered. The provision for income taxes is the sum of the amount of income taxes paid or payable for the year as determined by applying the provisions of enacted tax laws to the taxable income for that year, the net change during the year in deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the net change during the year in any valuation allowances.
The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. A company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. If it is more likely than not that a tax position would not be sustained, then no tax benefit would be recognized. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties are also recorded. Interest is recorded as a component of Interest expense and penalties, if any, are recorded within the provision for incomes taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and are classified on the consolidated balance sheets with the related liability for uncertain tax contingency liabilities.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Interest paid in cash approximated $59.0 million, $55.1 million, and $36.5 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Income taxes paid in cash approximated $115.3 million, $54.7 million and $67.6 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Additions to property, plant and equipment of approximately $15.4 million, $6.0 million, and $1.2 million were excluded from capital expenditures on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, since these amounts were accrued and unpaid at the end of each respective fiscal year.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings Per Share
The Company calculates basic and diluted net income per common share under the two-class method for unvested share-based payment awards that contain participating rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid).
Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income for the period by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share includes the effect of dilutive instruments and uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.
OPEN MARKET REPURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK
Open Market Repurchases of Common Stock
Shares of the Company’s common stock that are repurchased by the Company through open market transactions are retired. Through the end of fiscal 2021, all such open market repurchases have been at prices that exceeded the par value of the repurchased common stock, and the amounts of the purchase prices that exceeded par value were charged to additional paid-in capital or to retained earnings if the balance in additional paid-in capital was not sufficient.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has several defined benefit plans. Various actuarial methods and assumptions are used in determining net pension and post-retirement costs and obligations. Key assumptions include the discount rate used to determine the present value of future benefits and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The over-funded or under-funded status of the defined benefit plans is recorded as an asset or liability on the consolidated balance sheet. Any service costs that arise during the period are presented in the same statement line item as other employee compensation on the consolidated statement of operations. All other components of current period costs related to defined benefit plans, such as prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses, are presented in Other (income) expense, net on the consolidated statement of operations. The actuarial gains or losses that arise during the period are recognized as a component of comprehensive income, net of tax. These costs are then subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in the consolidated statements of operations. Under the provisions of ASU No. 2015-04, Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer’s Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets, the Company is permitted to use December 31 of each year, as opposed to the Company’s last day of each fiscal year, as an alternate measurement date for its defined benefit plans.
FACILITY CLOSURE AND OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
Facility Closure and Severance Costs
The Company records severance costs when the appropriate notifications have been made to affected employees or when the decision is made, if the benefits are contractual. When employees are required to work for a period before termination, the severance costs are recognized over the required service period. Relocation and recruitment costs are expensed as incurred. For operating leases, lease termination costs are recognized at fair value at the date the Company ceases to use the leased property. Useful lives assigned to fixed assets at the facility to be closed are revised based on the specifics of the exit plan, resulting in accelerated depreciation expense.
SEASONALITY SeasonalityThe Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in its sales and profitability due to the timing of certain holidays and key retail shopping periods, typically resulting in lower sales and gross profit in the first half of its fiscal year. Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations during the first half of the year may not be indicative of the results for the full year.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2021
Reference Rate Reform (ASU 2020-04)
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The optional guidance is provided to ease the potential burden of accounting for reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2020-04 to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.