v2.4.0.6
Impairments
12 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2012
Impairments

11. Impairments

 

Long-Lived Assets Impairment

 

Property and equipment, along with other long-lived assets, are evaluated for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets for recoverability, the Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. To the extent that estimated future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value. Impairment losses for retail store-related assets are included as a component of SG&A expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for all periods.

 

Fiscal 2012 Impairment

 

During the Fiscal year ended July 28, 2012, the Company recorded an aggregate of $2.2 million in non-cash impairment charges, including $0.2 million in its Justice segment, $1.0 million in its maurices segment, and $1.0 million in its dressbarn segment. These charges reduced the net carrying value of certain long-lived assets to their estimated fair value, which was determined based on discounted expected cash flows. These impairment charges were primarily related to the lower-than-expected operating performance of certain retail stores. There were no impairment charges recorded at Lane Bryant or Catherines.

 

Fiscal 2011 Impairment

 

During the Fiscal year ended July 30, 2011, the Company recorded an aggregate of $4.6 million in non-cash impairment charges, including $0.4 million in its Justice segment, $0.8 million in its maurices segment, and $3.4 million in its dressbarn segment. These charges reduced the net carrying value of certain long-lived assets to their estimated fair value, which was determined based on discounted expected cash flows. These impairment charges were primarily related to the lower-than-expected operating performance of certain retail stores.

 

Fiscal 2010 Impairment

 

During the Fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, the Company recorded an aggregate $8.7 million in non-cash impairment charges, including $2.9 million in its Justice segment, $2.1 million in its maurices segment, and $3.7 million in its dressbarn segment,. These charges reduced the net carrying value of certain long-lived assets to their estimated fair value, which was determined based on discounted expected cash flows. These impairment charges were primarily related to the lower-than-expected operating performance of certain retail stores.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset Impairment

 

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual tests for impairment or more often, if events and circumstances indicate it may be impaired. Other finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives and, along with other long-lived assets, are subject to impairment testing if events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

 

The impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess. In addition, in evaluating finite-lived intangible assets for recoverability, we use our best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. To the extent that estimated future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value. Due to a decline in operating performance in Fiscal 2010, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.0 million in our maurices segment to reduce the carrying value of the Studio Y trade name to its estimated fair value using the relief-from-royalties method under the income valuation approach. Such amounts are classified within SG&A expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operation. No impairment was recorded on other indefinite-lived intangible assets in Fiscal 2012 and 2011.