Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 03, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

During the year ended February 3, 2018, the Company identified an immaterial error related to the classification of net royalties received on the Company’s purchases of licensed product. The Company’s typical license agreement requires the licensee to pay the Company a royalty based on the licensee’s net sales of licensed products, which in certain cases also includes licensed inventory that was purchased by the Company. Historically, the Company has included royalties received on the Company’s purchases of licensed product in net royalties generated from its Licensing segment. However, in connection with the Company’s review of the new revenue recognition standard, it was determined that such royalties received should be recorded as a reduction of the cost of the licensed product under existing revenue recognition guidance. As a result, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company reclassified net royalties received on the Company’s inventory purchases of licensed product from net revenue to cost of product sales. Accordingly, prior period amounts related to net royalties, net revenue and cost of product sales have been adjusted to conform to the current period presentation. This resulted in a decrease to net revenue and cost of product sales of $18.9 million and $19.8 million for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively. This reclassification had no impact on previously reported earnings (loss) from operations, net earnings (loss) or net earnings (loss) per share.

Reclassifications

The Company has made certain reclassifications to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation within the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal Year

The Company operates on a 52/53-week fiscal year calendar, which ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31 of each year. All references herein to “fiscal 2018,” “fiscal 2017” and “fiscal 2016” represent the results of the 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 and the 52-week fiscal years ended January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016. The additional week in fiscal 2018 occurred during the fourth quarter ended February 3, 2018. References to “fiscal 2019” represent the 52-week fiscal year ending February 2, 2019.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Guess?, Inc., its wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries and its non-wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, all references herein to “Guess?, Inc.” include the consolidated results of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its joint ventures. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated during the consolidation process.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosed in the accompanying notes. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the allowances for doubtful accounts, sales return and markdown allowances, gift card and loyalty accruals, valuation of inventories, share-based compensation, recoverability of deferred taxes, unrecognized tax benefits, the useful life of assets for depreciation and amortization, evaluation of asset impairment, pension obligations, workers’ compensation and medical self-insurance expense and accruals, litigation reserves and restructuring expense and accruals. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Business Segment Reporting

Where applicable, the Company reports information about business segments and related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The Company’s businesses are grouped into five reportable segments for management and internal financial reporting purposes: Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia and Licensing. The Company’s Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe and Licensing reportable segments are the same as their respective operating segments. Certain components of the Company’s Asia reportable segment are separate operating segments based on region which have been aggregated into the Asia reportable segment for disclosure purposes. During fiscal 2018, net revenue and related costs and expenses for certain globally serviced customers were reclassified into the segment primarily responsible for the relationship. During fiscal 2018, segment results were also adjusted to exclude corporate performance-based compensation costs, net gains (losses) on lease terminations and asset impairment charges due to the fact that these items are no longer included in the segment results provided to the Company’s chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance. Accordingly, segment results have been adjusted for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 to conform to the current period presentation. Management evaluates segment performance based primarily on revenues and earnings (loss) from operations before corporate performance-based compensation costs, net gains (losses) from lease terminations, asset impairment charges and restructuring charges, if any. The Company believes this segment reporting reflects how its business segments are managed and how each segment’s performance is evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to assess performance and make resource allocation decisions. The Americas Retail segment includes the Company’s retail and e-commerce operations in North and Central America and its retail operations in South America. The Americas Wholesale segment includes the Company’s wholesale operations in the Americas. The Europe segment includes the Company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment includes the Company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Asia and the Pacific. The Licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. The business segment operating results exclude corporate overhead costs, which consist of shared costs of the organization, net gains (losses) on lease terminations, asset impairment charges and restructuring charges. Corporate overhead costs are presented separately and generally include, among other things, the following unallocated corporate costs: accounting and finance, executive compensation, corporate performance-based compensation, facilities, global advertising and marketing, human resources, information technology and legal. Information regarding these segments is summarized in Note 17.

Revenue Recognition - General

Revenue Recognition

General

The Company recognizes retail operations revenue at the point of sale and wholesale operations revenue from the sale of merchandise when products are shipped and the customer takes title and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is reasonably assured, pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Revenue from our e-commerce operations, including shipping fees, is recognized based on the estimated customer receipt date. The Company accrues for estimated sales returns and other allowances in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. To recognize the financial impact of sales returns, the Company estimates the amount of goods that will be returned based on historical experience and reduces sales and cost of sales accordingly. Sales taxes and value added taxes collected from customers and remitted directly to governmental authorities are excluded from net revenues.

Net Royalty Revenue

Royalty revenue is based upon a percentage, as defined in the underlying agreement, of the licensee’s actual net sales or minimum net sales, whichever is greater. The Company may also receive special payments in consideration of the grant of license rights. These payments are recognized ratably as revenue over the term of the license agreement. The unrecognized portion of upfront payments is included in deferred royalties in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities depending on the short or long-term nature of the payments to be recognized.

Gift Cards

Gift card breakage is income recognized due to the non-redemption of a portion of gift cards sold by the Company for which a liability was recorded in prior periods. Gifts cards are mainly used in the U.S. and Canada. The Company issues its gift cards in the U.S. and Canada through one of its subsidiaries and is not required by law to escheat the value of unredeemed gift cards to the state in which the subsidiary is domiciled. Estimated breakage amounts are accounted for under the redemption recognition method and are classified as additional net revenues as the gift cards are redeemed. The Company’s gift card breakage rate is approximately 6.1% and 5.1% for the U.S. retail business and Canadian retail business, respectively, based upon historical redemption patterns, which represents the cumulative estimated amount of gift card breakage from the inception of the electronic gift card program in late 2002. Based upon historical redemption trends, the Company recognizes estimated gift card breakage as a component of net revenue in proportion to actual gift card redemptions, over the period that remaining gift card values are redeemed. In fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, the Company recognized $0.7 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million of gift card breakage to revenue, respectively. Any future revisions to the estimated breakage rate may result in changes in the amount of breakage income recognized in future periods.

Loyalty Programs

The Company has customer loyalty programs in North America, Europe and Asia which cover all of its brands. Under certain of the programs, primarily in the U.S. and Canada, customers accumulate points based on purchase activity. Once a loyalty program member achieves a certain point level, the member earns awards that may only be redeemed for merchandise. Unredeemed points generally expire after six months without additional purchase activity and unredeemed awards generally expire after two months. The Company uses historical redemption rates to estimate the value of future award redemptions which are accrued in current liabilities and recorded as a reduction of net revenue in the period which the related revenue is recognized. The aggregate dollar value of the loyalty program accruals included in accrued expenses was $3.8 million and $4.0 million as of February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively. Future revisions to the estimated liability may result in changes to net revenue.

Classification of Certain Costs and Expenses

The Company includes inbound freight charges, purchasing costs and related overhead, retail store occupancy costs, including rent and depreciation, and a portion of the Company’s distribution costs related to its direct-to-consumer business in cost of product sales. Distribution costs related primarily to the wholesale business are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses and amounted to $34.2 million, $22.6 million and $23.2 million for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively. The Company also includes store selling, selling and merchandising, advertising, design and other corporate overhead costs as a component of SG&A expenses.

The Company classifies amounts billed to customers for shipping fees as revenues and classifies costs related to shipping as cost of product sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (loss).

Advertising and Marketing Costs

The Company expenses the cost of advertising as incurred.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based awards granted based on the grant date fair value. The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and involves several assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, dividend yield and expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect for the expected term of the option at the time of grant. The expected stock price volatility is determined based on an average of both historical volatility and implied volatility. Implied volatility is derived from exchange traded options on the Company’s common stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s history and expectations of dividend payouts. The expected life is determined based on historical trends. Compensation expense for nonvested stock options and stock awards/units that are not subject to performance-based vesting conditions is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. During fiscal 2018, the Company adopted authoritative guidance which eliminates the requirement to estimate forfeitures, but rather provides for an election that would allow entities to account for forfeitures as they occur.

In addition, the Company has granted certain nonvested units that require certain minimum performance targets to be achieved in order for these awards to vest. Vesting is also subject to continued service requirements through the vesting date. Compensation expense for performance-based awards that vest in increments is recognized based on an accelerated attribution method. If the minimum performance targets are not forecasted to be achieved, no expense is recognized during the period.

The Company has also granted certain nonvested stock units which are subject to market-based performance targets in order for these units to vest. Vesting is also subject to continued service requirements through the vesting date. The grant date fair value for such nonvested stock units was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation that incorporates option-pricing inputs covering the period from the grant date through the end of the performance period. Compensation expense for such nonvested stock units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied.

During fiscal 2016, the Company granted certain restricted stock units which vested immediately but were considered contingently returnable as a result of certain service conditions. Compensation expense for these restricted stock units was recognized on a straight-line basis over the implied service period.

Foreign Currency - Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

The local selling currency is typically the functional currency for all of the Company’s significant international operations. In accordance with authoritative guidance, assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated from foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at period-end rates, while income and expenses are translated at the weighted average exchange rates for the period. The related translation adjustments are reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. In addition, the Company records foreign currency translation adjustments related to its noncontrolling interests within stockholders’ equity. Periodically, the Company may also use foreign exchange currency contracts to hedge the translation and economic exposures related to its net investments in certain of its international subsidiaries (see below). Changes in the fair values of these foreign exchange currency contracts, designated as net investment hedges, are recorded in foreign currency translation adjustment as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. The total foreign currency translation adjustment increased stockholders’ equity by $93.4 million, from an accumulated foreign currency translation loss of $164.7 million as of January 28, 2017 to an accumulated foreign currency translation loss of $71.3 million as of February 3, 2018.

Foreign Currency Transaction Gains and Losses

Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, including gains and losses on foreign exchange currency contracts (see below), are included in the consolidated statements of income (loss).

Derivatives

Foreign Exchange Currency Contracts

The Company operates in foreign countries, which exposes it to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Various transactions that occur primarily in Europe, Canada, South Korea, China and Mexico are denominated in U.S. dollars, British pounds and Russian roubles and thus are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their functional currencies. These types of transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise and U.S. dollar and British pound denominated intercompany liabilities. In addition, certain operating expenses, tax liabilities and pension-related liabilities are denominated in Swiss francs and are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to the functional currency. The Company has entered into certain forward contracts to hedge the risk of a portion of these anticipated foreign currency transactions against foreign currency rate fluctuations. The Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting rules in accordance with authoritative guidance for certain of these hedges. The Company does not hedge all transactions denominated in foreign currency. The Company may also hedge the translation and economic exposures related to its net investments in certain of its international subsidiaries.

Changes in the fair value of the U.S. dollar/euro and U.S. dollar/Canadian dollar forward contracts for anticipated U.S. dollar merchandise purchases designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are recognized in cost of product sales in the period which approximates the time the hedged merchandise inventory is sold. Changes in the fair value of U.S. dollar/euro forward contracts for U.S. dollar intercompany royalties designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are recognized in other income and expense in the period in which the royalty expense is incurred. Changes in the fair value of any U.S. dollar/euro forward contracts designated as net investment hedges are recorded in foreign currency translation adjustment as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are not recognized in earnings (loss) until the sale or liquidation of the hedged net investment.

The Company also has forward contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Changes in fair value of forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments are reported in net earnings (loss) as part of other income and expense.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its floating-rate debt. The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert its floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. The principal objective of these contracts is to eliminate or reduce the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s floating-rate debt, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest payment cash flows. The Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting rules in accordance with authoritative guidance for certain of these contracts. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt. Periodically, the Company may also enter into interest rate swap agreements that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements not designated as hedging instruments are reported in net earnings (loss) as part of other income and expense.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when management believes it is more likely than not that the results of operations will not generate sufficient taxable earnings to realize certain net deferred tax assets.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with authoritative guidance, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company also follows authoritative guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share represents net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company considers any restricted stock units with forfeitable dividend rights that are issued and outstanding, but considered contingently returnable if certain service conditions are not met, as common equivalent shares outstanding. These restricted stock units are excluded from the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and basic earnings (loss) per share calculation until the respective service conditions have been met. Diluted earnings per share represents net earnings attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, inclusive of the dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The potentially dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding are not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share as the impact of the shares would be antidilutive due to the net loss incurred for the period. Nonvested restricted stock awards (referred to as participating securities) are excluded from the dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding in accordance with authoritative guidance under the two-class method since the nonvested restricted stockholders are entitled to participate in dividends declared on common stock as if the shares were fully vested and hence are deemed to be participating securities. Under the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings attributable to nonvested restricted stockholders are excluded from net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share. However, net losses are not allocated to nonvested restricted stockholders because they are not contractually obligated to share in the losses of the Company.

In addition, the Company has granted certain nonvested stock units that are subject to certain performance-based or market-based vesting conditions as well as continued service requirements through the respective vesting periods. These nonvested stock units are included in the computation of diluted net earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders only to the extent that the underlying performance-based or market-based vesting conditions are satisfied as of the end of the reporting period, or would be considered satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period, and the results would be dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net earnings (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of cash flow hedges, unrealized and realized gains or losses and other-than-temporary-impairment on available-for-sale securities and defined benefit plan impact from actuarial valuation gains or losses and related amortization, plan amendment, prior service credit or cost amortization and curtailment. Comprehensive income (loss) is presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less.

Investment Securities

The Company accounts for its investment securities in accordance with authoritative guidance which requires investments to be classified into one of three categories based on management’s intent: held-to-maturity securities, available-for-sale securities and trading securities. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at their amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Trading securities are recorded at market value with unrealized gains and losses reported in net earnings. The appropriate classification of investment securities is determined at the time of purchase and reevaluated at each balance sheet date. The Company has historically accounted for its investment securities, if any, as available-for-sale.

The Company periodically evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary-impairment using both qualitative and quantitative criteria such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value. Other-than-temporary-impairment is recognized in net earnings (loss) as part of other income and expense in the period which the unrealized losses are deemed other than temporary.

Concentration of Credit and Liquidity Risk

Cash used primarily for working capital purposes is maintained with various major financial institutions. The Company performs evaluations of the relative credit standing of these financial institutions in order to limit the amount of asset and liquidity exposure with any institution. Excess cash and cash equivalents, which represent the majority of the Company’s outstanding cash and cash equivalents balance, are held primarily in overnight deposit and short-term time deposit accounts.

The Company is also exposed to concentrations of credit risk through its accounts receivable balances. The Company extends credit to corporate customers based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and credit history and generally requires no collateral but does obtain credit insurance when considered appropriate. As of February 3, 2018, approximately 59% of the Company’s total net trade accounts receivable and 72% of its European net trade receivables were subject to credit insurance coverage, certain bank guarantees or letters of credit for collection purposes. The Company’s credit insurance coverage contains certain terms and conditions specifying deductibles and annual claim limits. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that result from the inability of its wholesale customers to make their required payments. The Company bases its allowances on analysis of the aging of accounts receivable at the date of the financial statements, assessments of historical collection trends, an evaluation of the impact of current economic conditions and whether the Company has obtained credit insurance or other guarantees. The Company’s corporate customers are principally located throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Management performs regular evaluations concerning the ability of its customers to satisfy their obligations and records a provision for doubtful accounts based on these evaluations.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (primarily weighted average method) or net realizable value. The Company continually evaluates its inventories by assessing slow moving product as well as prior seasons’ inventory. Net realizable value of aged inventory is estimated based on historical sales trends for each product line category, the impact of market trends, an evaluation of economic conditions, available liquidation channels and the value of current orders relating to the future sales of this type of inventory.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and purchased intangibles are provided using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:



Building and building improvements	10 to 39 years
Land improvements	5 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	2 to 10 years
Purchased intangibles	4 to 20 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the lease, including reasonably assured renewal periods. Construction in progress is not depreciated until the related asset is completed and placed in service.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The majority of the Company’s long-lived assets relate to its retail operations which consist primarily of regular retail and flagship locations. The Company considers each individual regular retail location as an asset group for impairment testing, which is the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified. The asset group includes leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, computer hardware and software and certain long-term security deposits and lease acquisition costs. The Company reviews regular retail locations in penetrated markets for impairment risk once the locations have been opened for at least one year in their current condition, or sooner as changes in circumstances require. The Company believes that waiting at least one year allows a location to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive analysis of financial performance can be performed. The Company evaluates impairment risk for regular retail locations in new markets, where the Company is in the early stages of establishing its presence, once brand awareness has been established. The Company also evaluates impairment risk for retail locations that are expected to be closed in the foreseeable future. The Company has flagship locations which are used as a regional marketing tool to build brand awareness and promote the Company’s current product. Impairment for these locations is tested at a reporting unit level similar to goodwill (see below) since they do not have separately identifiable cash flows.

An asset is considered to be impaired if the Company determines that the carrying value may not be recoverable based upon its assessment of the asset’s ability to continue to generate earnings from operations and positive cash flow in future periods or if significant changes in the Company’s strategic business objectives and utilization of the assets occurred. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value, which is determined based on discounted future cash flows. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and the discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in future cash flows. Future expected cash flows for assets in regular retail locations are based on management’s estimates of future cash flows over the remaining lease period or expected life, if shorter. For expected location closures, the Company will evaluate whether it is necessary to shorten the useful life for any of the assets within the respective asset group. The Company will use this revised useful life when estimating the asset group’s future cash flows. The Company considers historical trends, expected future business trends and other factors when estimating the future cash flow for each regular retail location. The Company also considers factors such as: the local environment for each regular retail location, including mall traffic and competition; the Company’s ability to successfully implement strategic initiatives; and the ability to control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll and, in some cases, renegotiate lease costs. The estimated cash flows used for this nonrecurring fair value measurement are considered a Level 3 input as defined in Note 20. If actual results are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, there may be additional exposure to future impairment losses that could be material to the Company’s results of operations.

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. This determination is made at the reporting unit level which may be either an operating segment or one level below an operating segment if discrete financial information is available. Two or more reporting units within an operating segment may be aggregated for impairment testing if they have similar economic characteristics. The Company has identified its Americas Retail segment, its Americas Wholesale segment, its European wholesale and European retail components of its Europe segment and its China retail component of its Asia segment as reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company may first assess qualitative factors relevant in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units are less than their carrying amounts. Based on this analysis, the Company may determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the amount of any impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit is determined using two steps. First, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires unobservable inputs (Level 3) within the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 20. These inputs include selection of an appropriate discount rate and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. Second, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill and other intangibles over the implied fair value. The implied fair value is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with authoritative guidance.

Other Assets

Other assets mainly relate to the Company’s investments in insurance policies held in rabbi trusts to fund expected obligations arising under its non-qualified supplemental executive retirement and deferred compensation plans. Refer to Notes 12 and 15 for further information regarding these investments.

In addition, other assets also relate to security, key money and other deposits to secure prime retail store locations and receivables related to refundable value-added tax payments mainly from European taxing authorities.

Defined Benefit Plans

In accordance with authoritative guidance for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status is recognized in the consolidated balance sheets; plan assets and obligations that determine the plan’s funded status are measured as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year; and changes in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans are recognized in the year in which they occur. Such changes are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

The Company’s pension obligations and related costs are calculated using actuarial concepts, within the authoritative guidance framework, and are considered Level 3 inputs as defined in Note 20. The Company uses the corridor approach to amortize unrecognized actuarial gains or losses over the average remaining service life of active participants. The life expectancy, estimated retirement age, discount rate, estimated future compensation and expected return on plan assets are important elements of expense and/or liability measurement. These critical assumptions are evaluated annually which enables expected future payments for benefits to be stated at present value on the measurement date. If actual results are not consistent with actuarial assumptions, the amounts recognized for the defined benefit plans could change significantly.

Deferred Rent and Lease Incentives

When a lease includes lease incentives (such as a rent holiday) or requires fixed escalations of the minimum lease payments or advances, rental expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The difference between the average rental amount charged to expense and the lease payments or advances under the lease is included either in deferred rent and lease incentives or other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets depending on whether the difference is in a liability or asset position at the end of the period. For construction allowances, the Company records a deferred lease credit on the consolidated balance sheets and amortizes the deferred lease credit as a reduction of rent expense in the consolidated statements of income (loss) over the term of the leases

Litigation Reserves

Estimated amounts for claims that are probable and can be reasonably estimated are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability related to new claims and existing claims and revises estimates as appropriate. As new claims arise or existing claims evolve, such revisions in estimates of the potential liability could materially impact the results of operations and financial position.

New Accounting Guidance

Changes in Accounting Policies

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost or net realizable value test. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the accounting for certain aspects of share-based compensation. This guidance addresses the accounting for income tax effects at award settlement, the use of an expected forfeiture rate to estimate award cancellations prior to the vesting date and the presentation of excess tax benefits and shares surrendered for tax withholdings on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017. This guidance requires all income tax effects of awards (resulting from an increase or decrease in the fair value of an award from grant date to the vesting date) to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. This is a change from previous guidance that required such activity to be recorded in paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity. The Company adopted this provision prospectively and accordingly recorded tax shortfalls of approximately $1.3 million in its consolidated statement of income (loss) during fiscal 2018. This resulted in a negative impact on net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. of approximately $1.3 million, or an unfavorable $0.02 per share impact during fiscal 2018. Under this guidance, excess tax benefits are also excluded from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share. This was adopted prospectively and did not have an impact on the Company’s diluted loss per share for fiscal 2018. This guidance also eliminates the requirement to estimate forfeitures, but rather provides for an election that would allow entities to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted this election beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 using the modified retrospective method and recorded a cumulative adjustment to reduce retained earnings by approximately $0.3 million. This guidance also changes the presentation of excess tax benefits from a financing activity to an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. This presentation was adopted on a retrospective basis and, as a result, net cash used in operating activities improved by $0.3 million and $0.2 million with a corresponding offset to net cash used in financing activities during fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively.

In August 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires an entity to include indirect interests held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis when evaluating if a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. This guidance requires that the statement of cash flows reconcile the change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Company’s restricted cash is generally held as collateral for certain transactions. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017 on a retrospective basis. As a result, the Company updated its consolidated statements of cash flows for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 to include restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances and to eliminate changes in restricted cash that have historically been included within operating and investing activities.

In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The Company early adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In February 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to address certain stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform”) enacted in December 2017. This guidance provides the Company with an option to reclassify stranded tax effected within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate due to the Tax Reform is recorded. The Company early adopted this guidance during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and recorded a cumulative adjustment to increase retained earnings by approximately $1.2 million.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard which will supersede previous existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard is intended to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. During fiscal 2017, the FASB issued additional clarification guidance on the new revenue recognition standard which also included certain scope improvements and practical expedients. The standard (including clarification guidance issued) is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective method beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company’s assessment efforts have included reviewing current revenue processes, arrangements and accounting policies to identify potential differences that could arise from the application of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. While the Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, the Company expects there to be differences related primarily to the classification and timing of when revenue and certain expenses are recognized from its licensing business. These differences relate primarily to changes in the presentation of advertising contributions received from the Company’s licensees and related advertising expenditures incurred by the Company. The Company currently records advertising contributions received from its licensees and the related advertising expenditures incurred by the Company on a net basis in its consolidated balance sheet. To the extent that the advertising contributions exceed the Company’s advertising expenditures for its licensees, the excess contribution is treated as a deferred liability and is included in accrued expenses in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Under the new standard, advertising contributions and related advertising expenditures related to the Company’s licensing business will be recorded on a gross basis which will increase net revenue as well as SG&A expenses. The Company also expects revenue related to its e-commerce operations to be recognized when merchandise is transferred to a common carrier rather than upon receipt by the customer, as well as adjustments to the accounting for the Company’s loyalty programs due to a slight change in the valuation of the amount that is deferred related to points earned. Additionally, allowances for wholesale sales returns and wholesale markdowns will be presented as accrued expenses rather than as reductions to accounts receivable and the estimated cost of inventory associated with the allowance for sales returns will be presented within other current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

In January 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires equity investments not accounted for under the equity method of accounting or consolidation accounting to be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. In February 2018, the FASB issued additional clarification guidance which made targeted improvements to address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The original guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The clarification guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods beginning after June 15, 2015, which will be the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2019. The clarification guidance may be early adopted, provided that the original guidance issued has been adopted. The adoption of this guidance (including the clarification guidance) is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures unless the Company acquires new equity investments.

In February 2016, the FASB issued a comprehensive new lease standard which will supersede previous lease guidance. The standard requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities related to long-term leases that were classified as operating leases under previous guidance in its balance sheet. An asset would be recognized related to the right to use the underlying asset and a liability would be recognized related to the obligation to make lease payments over the term of the lease. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding leases. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020, and requires modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects that this adoption will result in material increases in assets and liabilities in its consolidated balance sheet as well as enhanced disclosures. The Company is in the process of implementing controls and system changes to enable the preparation of the required financial information for this standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which amends the accounting for income taxes on intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This guidance requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The income tax consequences on intra-entity transfers of inventory will continue to be deferred until the inventory has been sold to a third party. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of a fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the testing for goodwill impairment by removing step two from the goodwill testing. Under current guidance, if the fair value of a reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount (step one), an entity would calculate an impairment charge by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount (step two). The implied fair value of goodwill was calculated by deducting the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the respective reporting unit from the reporting unit’s fair value as determined under step one. This guidance instead provides that an impairment charge should be recognized based on the difference between a reporting unit’s fair value and its carrying value. This guidance also does not require a qualitative test to be performed on reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. However, entities need to disclose any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts that have goodwill and the amount of goodwill allocated to each. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In March 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the presentation of net periodic pension cost in the income statement. This guidance requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension cost is presented in the same line as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the employees during the period. The other non-service components of net periodic pension cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of earnings from operations. This guidance also allows for the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and requires retrospective adoption for the presentation of the service cost component and other non-service components of net periodic pension cost in the income statement and prospective adoption for capitalization of the service cost component. Other than the change in presentation of other non-service components of net periodic pension cost within the Company’s consolidated statements of income, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that provides clarification on accounting for modifications in share-based payment awards. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures unless there are modifications to the Company’s share-based payment awards.

In August 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to better align the results of hedge accounting with an entity’s risk management activities. This guidance updates the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results in the financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020, and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with early adoption permitted. The updated presentation and disclosure guidance is required only on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.