. Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined for domestic furniture inventories using the last-in,

first

-out (LIFO) method. The costs for imported inventories are determined using the

first

-in,

first

-out (FIFO) method.

Inventories were comprised of the following:

	August 26, 2017			November 26, 2016
Wholesale finished goods	$	27,693		$	24,392
Work in process		395			369
Raw materials and supplies		11,961			11,343
Retail merchandise		27,002			26,265
Total inventories on first-in, first-out method		67,051			62,369
LIFO adjustment		(8,005	)		(7,804	)
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory		(1,298	)		(1,350	)
	$	57,748		$	53,215

We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities and obsolete items based on specific identification and historical write-offs, taking into account future demand, market conditions and the respective valuations at LIFO. The need for these reserves is primarily driven by the normal product life cycle. As products mature and sales volumes decline, we rationalize our product offerings to respond to consumer tastes and keep our product lines fresh. If actual demand or market conditions in the future are less favorable than those estimated, additional inventory write-downs

may

be required. In determining reserves, we calculate separate reserves on our wholesale and retail inventories. Our wholesale inventories tend to carry the majority of the reserves for excess quantities and obsolete inventory due to the nature of our distribution model. These wholesale reserves primarily represent design and/or style obsolescence. Typically, product is

not

shipped to our retail warehouses until a consumer has ordered and paid a deposit for the product. We do

not

typically hold retail inventory for stock purposes. Consequently, floor sample inventory and inventory for delivery to customers account for the majority of our inventory at retail. Retail reserves are based on accessory and clearance floor sample inventory in our stores and any inventory that is

not

associated with a specific customer order in our retail warehouses.

Activity in the reserves for excess quantities and obsolete inventory by segment are as follows:

	Wholesale Segment			Retail Segment			Total

Balance at November 26, 2016	$	1,061		$	289		$	1,350
Additions charged to expense		816			362			1,178
Write-offs		(854	)		(376	)		(1,230	)
Balance at August 26, 2017	$	1,023		$	275		$	1,298

Our estimates and assumptions have been reasonably accurate in the past. We have

not

made any significant changes to our methodology for determining inventory reserves

2017

and do

not

anticipate that our methodology is likely to change in the future.