Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.19.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Feb. 02, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Fiscal Year
The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31 and results in either a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year. References to years in this report relate to fiscal years, rather than to calendar years. The Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, fiscal 2018, ended on February 2, 2019, and consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal 2017 ended on February 3, 2018 and consisted of 53 weeks. Fiscal 2016 ended on January 28, 2017 and consisted of 52 weeks.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised merchandise is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for the merchandise, which is upon shipment. Revenue is reported net of estimated sales returns, credits and incentives, and excludes sales taxes. Sales returns are estimated and provided for at the time of sale based on historical experience.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Substantially all of the Company's sales are single performance obligation arrangements for transferring control of merchandise to customers.
In accordance with ASC 606-10-50, the Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers by significant product groups and timing of when the performance obligations are satisfied. A reconciliation of disaggregated revenue by significant product group is provided in Note 10 - "Business Segments and Sales by Product Group".
As of February 2, 2019, approximately $68,000 is expected to be recognized from remaining performance obligations within the next two years. The Company has applied the practical expedient to exclude the value of remaining performance obligations for contracts with an original expected term of one year or less. Revenue recognized over time was $35,000, $60,000 and $86,000 for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.
Merchandise Returns
The Company records a merchandise return liability as a reduction of gross sales for anticipated merchandise returns at each reporting period and must make estimates of potential future merchandise returns related to current period product revenue. The Company estimates and evaluates the adequacy of its merchandise return liability by analyzing historical returns by merchandise category, looking at current economic trends and changes in customer demand and by analyzing the acceptance of new product lines. Assumptions and estimates are made and used in connection with establishing the merchandise return liability in any accounting period.
Shipping and Handling
The Company has elected to account for shipping and handling as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the merchandise. Shipping and handling fees charged to customers are recognized when the customer obtains control of the merchandise, which is upon shipment. The Company accrues costs for shipping and handling activities, which occur subsequent to transfer of control to the customer and are recorded as cost of sales in the accompanying statements of operations.
Sales Taxes
The Company has elected to exclude from revenue the sales taxes imposed on its sales and collected from customers.
Accounts Receivable
The Company utilizes an installment payment program called ValuePay that entitles customers to purchase merchandise and generally pay for the merchandise in two or more equal monthly credit card installments. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when the payment terms are less than one year. Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from customers for merchandise sales and from credit card companies and are reflected net of reserves for estimated uncollectible amounts. As of February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018, the Company had approximately $74,787,000 and $88,452,000 of net receivables due from customers under the ValuePay installment program and total reserves for estimated uncollectible amounts of $8,533,000 and $6,008,000. The increase in the total reserve as a percentage of receivables is primarily due to the Company's recently extended active collections cycle, whereby the Company is pursuing collection for a longer period prior to selling its receivables. This change in the Company's collection cycle has been yielding a higher total recovery rate.
Revenue Recognition Judgments
The Company's merchandise is generally sold with a right of return for up to a certain number of days after the merchandise is shipped and the Company may provide other credits or incentives, which are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. Merchandise returns and other credits are estimated at contract inception and updated at the end of each reporting period as additional information becomes available.
The Company evaluated whether it is the principal (i.e., report revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., report revenues on a net basis) in certain vendor arrangements where the merchandise is shipped directly from the vendor to the Company's customer and the purchase and sale of inventory is virtually simultaneous. Generally, the Company is the principal and reports revenues from such vendor arrangements on a gross basis, as it controls the merchandise before it is transferred to the customer. The Company's control is evidenced by it being primarily responsible to the customers, establishing price and its inventory risk upon customer returns.
Cost of Sales and Other Operating Expenses
Cost of sales includes primarily the cost of merchandise sold, shipping and handling costs, inbound freight costs, excess and obsolete inventory charges, distribution facility depreciation and vendor share based payment compensation. Purchasing and receiving costs, including costs of inspection, are included as a component of distribution and selling expense and were approximately $10,299,000, $10,660,000 and $9,557,000 for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016. Distribution and selling expense consists primarily of cable and satellite access fees, credit card fees, bad debt expense and costs associated with purchasing and receiving, inspection, marketing and advertising, show production, website marketing and merchandising, telemarketing, customer service, warehousing, fulfillment and share based compensation. General and administrative expense consists primarily of costs associated with executive, legal, accounting and finance, information systems and human resources departments, software and system maintenance contracts, insurance, investor and public relations, share based compensation and director fees.
Cash
Cash consists of cash on deposit. The Company maintains its cash balances at financial institutions in demand deposit accounts that are federally insured. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash.
Restricted Cash Equivalents
The Company's restricted cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less and are generally restricted for a period ranging from 30 to 60 days. The Company had restricted cash equivalents of $450,000 for both fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017. Interest income is recognized when earned.
Inventories
Inventories, which consists of consumer merchandise held for resale, are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value, giving consideration to obsolescence provision write downs of $5,149,000, $3,757,000 and $5,589,000 for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016. During fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, products purchased from one vendor accounted for approximately 14%, 15% and 16% of our consolidated net sales.
Marketing and Advertising Costs
Marketing and advertising costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of contractual marketing fees paid to certain cable operators for cross channel promotions and online advertising, including amounts paid to online search engine operators and customer mailings. Total marketing and advertising costs and online search marketing fees totaled $4,561,000, $4,530,000 and $3,723,000 for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016. The Company includes advertising costs as a component of distribution and selling expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Improvements and renewals that extend the life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of property and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the related accounts, and any residual values are charged or credited to operations. Depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes are provided on a straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives. Costs incurred to develop software for internal use and for the Company’s websites are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software. Costs related to maintenance of internal-use software and for the Company’s website are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment would be recognized when the carrying amount of an asset or asset group exceeds the future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Intangible Assets
The Company’s primary identifiable intangible assets include the Evine trademark and brand name; and an acquired online watch retailer customer list and trade name. Identifiable intangibles with finite lives are amortized and those identifiable intangibles with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events warrant. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount.
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation is recognized for all stock-based compensation arrangements by the Company, including employee and non-employee stock option and restricted stock unit grants. The estimated grant date fair value of each stock-based award is recognized as compensation over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized net of forfeitures, which the Company estimates based on historical data. The estimated fair value of each option is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for time-based vesting awards and a Monte Carlo valuation model for market-based vesting awards. The estimated fair value of restricted stock grants is based on the grant date closing price of the Company's stock for time-based vesting awards and a Monte Carlo valuation model for market-based vesting awards.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method of accounting whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of the enactment of such laws. The Company assesses the recoverability of its deferred tax assets and records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions within income tax expense.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
During fiscal 2018, the Company issued a restricted stock award that meets the criteria of a participating security. Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed using the two-class method under which earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities. Undistributed net losses are allocated entirely to common shareholders since the participating security has no contractual obligation to share in the losses. All shares of restricted stock are deducted from weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock of the Company during reported periods and is calculated using the treasury method.
A reconciliation of net income (loss) per share calculations and the number of shares used in the calculation of basic net income (loss) per share and diluted net income (loss) per share is as follows:
 
 
For the Years Ended
 
 
February 2,
2019
 
February 3,
2018
 
January 28,
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) (a)
 
$
(22,157,000
)
 
$
143,000

 
$
(8,745,000
)
Earnings allocated to participating share awards (b)
 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares — Basic and diluted
 
$
(22,157,000
)
 
$
143,000

 
$
(8,745,000
)
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — Basic
 
66,073,206

 
63,870,046

 
59,784,594

Dilutive effect of stock options, non-vested shares and warrants (c)
 

 
98,253

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — Diluted
 
66,073,206

 
63,968,299

 
59,784,594

Net income (loss) per common share
 
$
(0.34
)
 
$
0.00

 
$
(0.15
)
Net income (loss) per common share — assuming dilution
 
$
(0.34
)
 
$
0.00

 
$
(0.15
)

(a) The net income (loss) for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 includes executive and management transition costs of $2,093,000, $2,145,000 and $4,411,000. The net loss for fiscal 2018 includes a gain on the sale of television station of $665,000. The net income for fiscal 2017 includes a gain on the sale of television station of $551,000 and a loss on debt extinguishment of $1,457,000. The fiscal 2016 net loss includes distribution facility consolidation and technology upgrade costs of $677,000.
(b) During fiscal 2018, the Company issued a restricted stock award that is a participating security. For fiscal 2018, the entire undistributed loss is allocated to common shareholders.
(c) For fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2016, there were 340,000 and 119,000 incremental in-the-money potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. The incremental in-the-money potentially dilutive common stock shares are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, as the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
GAAP requires disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. GAAP excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements.
The Company used the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair values for financial instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets approximate the fair value for cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, trade payables and accrued liabilities, due to the short maturities of those instruments. The fair value of the Company’s $71 million variable rate PNC Credit Facility is estimated based on its carrying value due to the variable rate nature of the financial instrument. As of February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018, the PNC Credit Facility had a carrying amount and an estimated fair value of $71 million and $74 million.
Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis relate primarily to the Company's tangible fixed assets, finite-lived intangible assets and intangible FCC broadcasting license asset, which was sold during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 as discussed further in Note 4 - "Intangible Assets". These assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value only if an impairment is recognized in the current period. If the Company determines that impairment has occurred, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to fair value and the difference is recorded as a loss within operating income in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company had no remeasurements of such assets or liabilities to fair value during fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 or fiscal 2016.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during reporting periods. These estimates relate primarily to the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and inventories, the realizability of certain long-term assets and the recorded balances of certain accrued liabilities and reserves. Ultimate results could differ from these estimates.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606 (ASU 2014-09), which provides a framework for the recognition of revenue, with the objective that recognized revenues reflect amounts an entity expects to receive in exchange for goods and services. The guidance also includes additional disclosure requirements regarding revenue, timing of cash flows and obligations related to contracts with customers. On February 4, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", and all related amendments using the modified retrospective method applied to contracts that were not completed as of February 4, 2018. The comparative prior period information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those periods. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue recognition and there was no adjustment to its retained earnings opening balance. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material impact on the Company's operating results on an ongoing basis.
The impact of the new revenue standard adoption on our consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):
 
 
For the Year Ended
February 2, 2019
 
 
As Reported
 
Balance without adoption of ASC 606
 
Effect of Change
Net sales
 
$
596,637

 
$
595,830

 
$
807

Cost of sales
 
389,790

 
389,010

 
780

Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution and selling
 
191,917

 
191,694

 
223

Net loss
 
(22,157
)
 
(21,961
)
 
(196
)

As of February 2, 2019, the Company recorded a merchandise return liability of $8,097,000, included in accrued liabilities, and a right of return asset of $4,410,000, included in other current assets. As of February 3, 2018, the Company had approximately $3,544,000 reserved for future merchandise returns included in accrued liabilities, which represents the net margin obligation recorded under the previous revenue guidance.
In November 2016, the FASB issued Statement of Cash Flows, Topic 230: Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18), which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and has revised the consolidated statements of cash flows for the twelve-month periods ended February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017 to reflect total cash and restricted cash equivalents for each period presented. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash equivalents reported with the consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows:
 
February 2, 2019
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
 
January 30, 2016
Cash
$
20,485,000

 
$
23,940,000

 
$
32,647,000

 
$
11,897,000

Restricted cash equivalents
450,000

 
450,000

 
450,000

 
450,000

Total cash and restricted cash equivalents
$
20,935,000

 
$
24,390,000

 
$
33,097,000

 
$
12,347,000


In May 2017, the FASB issued Compensation—Stock Compensation, Topic 718 (ASU 2017-09), which provides clarity on which changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and there was no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In June 2018, the FASB issued Compensation—Stock Compensation, Topic 718 (ASU 2018-07), which simplifies the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees for goods and services. Under the new standard, most of the guidance on payments to nonemployees is now aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees. Under the new guidance, (i) equity-classified share-based payment awards issued to nonemployees will be measured at the grant date, instead of the previous requirement to remeasure the awards through the performance completion date, (ii) for performance conditions, compensation cost associated with the award will be recognized when the achievement of the performance condition is probable, rather than upon achievement of the performance condition, and (iii) the current requirement to reassess the classification (equity or liability) for nonemployee awards upon vesting will be eliminated, except for awards in the form of convertible instruments. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this standard in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and there was no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements since there was no outstanding nonemployee share-based payment awards for which there was unrecognized compensation expense.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued Leases, Topic 842 (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach to leases existing at, or entered into after, February 3, 2019. Under this transition method, comparative prior periods, including disclosures, will not be restated and a cumulative adjustment will be recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings. Additionally, the Company intends to elect the transition package of practical expedients which, among other things, allows the Company to not reassess historical lease classification. The Company expects to not elect the hindsight practical expedient. The Company expects that the discounted amount of operating leases listed in Note 13 - "Commitments and Contingencies" will be recognized as right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet upon adoption of the new standard. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software, Subtopic 350-40 (ASU 2018-15), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard can be applied retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting the new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.