Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 01, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hooker Furniture Corporation and our wholly owned subsidiaries.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All references to the Company refer to the Company and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless specifically referring to segment information. For comparative purposes, certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements and notes have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2015 presentation.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segments

We are organized into three operating segments – casegoods, upholstery and an all other segment. The upholstery segment consists of Bradington-Young, Sam Moore Furniture and Hooker Upholstery. The All other segment consists of H Contract and Homeware.

Prior to the fiscal 2015 third quarter, we reported our results of operations in two operating segments- casegoods and upholstery. In reports prior to the fiscal 2015 third quarter, we aggregated the results of our two new business ventures – H Contract and Homeware- with our casegoods segment in accordance with the provisions of ASC 280, Segment Reporting. We did this primarily due to the similarity of the products, production processes, distribution methods, types of customers and regulatory environment. These similarities persist and although H Contract and Homeware are likely to remain immaterial to our consolidated results of operations for the near-to-medium term, we believe that information about these businesses would be beneficial to the readers of our financial statements, as it is to management; therefore, we have elected to separately disclose information about them in an “All other” segment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We temporarily invest unused cash balances in a high quality, diversified money market fund that provides for daily liquidity and pays dividends monthly.  Cash equivalents are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Trade Accounts Receivable

Substantially all of our trade accounts receivable are due from retailers and dealers that sell residential home furnishings, which consist of a large number of entities with a broad geographic dispersion.  We perform credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral.  In the event a receivable is determined to be potentially uncollectible, we engage collection agencies or law firms to attempt to collect amounts owed to us after all internal collection attempts have ended. Once we have determined the receivable is uncollectible, it is charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Our upholstered furniture subsidiaries factor substantially all of their receivables on a non-recourse basis.  Accounts receivable are reported net of allowance for doubtful accounts.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. We determine fair value based on assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:

§   Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.

§   Level 2 Inputs: Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

§   Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value for each of our financial instruments (consisting of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and payable, and accrued liabilities) approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

All inventories are stated at the lower of cost, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market value.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less allowances for depreciation.  Provision for depreciation has been computed at annual rates using straight-line or declining balance depreciation methods that will amortize the cost of the depreciable assets over their estimated useful lives.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, are evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of those assets.  When any such impairment exists, the related assets are written down to fair value.  Long-lived assets subject to disposal by sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell, are no longer depreciated, and are reported separately as “assets held for sale” in the consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Intangible Assets

We own certain indefinite-lived intangible assets related to our upholstery segment and all other segment. We may acquire additional amortizable assets and/or indefinite lived intangible assets in the future. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets are trademarks, trade names and a URL, which are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets is determined based on the estimated earnings and cash flow capacity of those assets.  The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets with their carrying amount.  If the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeds their fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Trade names are tested for impairment annually as of the end of our fiscal year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  Circumstances that could indicate a potential impairment include:

§   a significant adverse change in the economic or business climate either within the furniture industry or the national or global economy;

§   significant changes in demand for our products;

§   loss of key personnel; and

§   the likelihood that a reporting unit or significant portion of a reporting unit will be sold or otherwise subject to disposal.

The assumptions used to determine the fair value of our intangible assets are highly subjective, involve significant judgment and include long term growth rates, sales volumes, projected revenues, assumed royalty rates and various factors used to develop an applied discount rate. If the assumptions that we use in these calculations differ from actual results, we may realize additional impairment on our intangible assets which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Future Policy Benefits Liability, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Policies

We own eighty-seven life insurance policies on certain of our current and former executives and other key employees.  These policies have a carrying value of approximately $20 million and a face value of approximately $34 million.  Proceeds from the policies are used to fund certain employee benefits and for other general corporate purposes.  We account for life insurance as a component of employee benefits cost.  Consequently the cost of the coverage and any resulting gains or losses related to those insurance policies are recorded as a decrease or increase to operating income. Cash payments that increase the cash surrender value of these policies are classified as investing outflows on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, with amounts paid in excess of the increase in cash surrender value included in operating activities. Gains on life insurance policies, which typically occur at the time a policy is redeemed, are included in the reconciliation of net income to net cash used in or provided by operating activities.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Our sales revenue is recognized when title and the risk of loss pass to the customer, which typically occurs at the time of shipment.  In some cases however, title does not pass until the shipment is delivered to the customer. Sales are recorded net of allowances for trade promotions, estimated product returns, rebate advertising programs and other discounts.

Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cost of Sales

The major components of cost of sales are:

§   the cost of imported products purchased for resale;

§   raw materials and supplies used in our domestically manufactured products;

§   labor and overhead costs associated with our domestically manufactured products; the cost of our foreign import operations;

§   charges or credits associated with our inventory reserves;

§   warehousing and certain shipping and handling costs; and

§   all other costs required to be classified as cost of sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Selling and Administrative Expenses

The major components of our selling and administrative expenses are:

§   the cost of our marketing and merchandising efforts, including showroom expenses;

§   sales and design commissions;

§   the costs of administrative support functions including, executive management, information technology, human resources and finance; and

§   all other costs required to be classified as selling and administrative expenses.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising

We offer advertising programs to qualified dealers under which we may provide signage, catalogs and other marketing support to our dealers and may reimburse advertising and other costs incurred by our dealers in connection with promoting our products.  The cost of these programs does not exceed the fair value of the benefit received.  We charge the cost of point-of-purchase materials (including signage and catalogs) to selling and administrative expense as incurred. Advertising costs charged to selling and administrative expense for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $2.0 million, $2.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The costs for other advertising allowance programs are charged against net sales. We also have arrangements with some dealers to reimburse them for a portion of their advertising costs, which provides advertising benefits to us. Costs for these arrangements are expensed as incurred and are netted against revenues in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

At times, tax law and generally accepted accounting principles differ in the treatment of certain income and expense items.  These items may be excluded or included in taxable income at different times than is required for GAAP or “book” reporting purposes. These differences may be permanent or temporary in nature.

We determine our annual effective income tax rate based on forecasted pre-tax book income and forecasted permanent book and tax differences. The rate is established at the beginning of the year and is evaluated on a quarterly basis.  We consider the level and mix of income of our separate legal entities, statutory tax rates, business credits available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate and permanent tax differences. Significant judgment is required in evaluating tax positions that affect the annual tax rate.   Any changes to the forecasted information may cause adjustments to the effective rate. Additional tax, interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions are recognized in tax expense on a quarterly basis.

To the extent any book and tax differences are temporary in nature, that is, the book realization will occur in a different period than the tax realization, a deferred tax asset or liability is established. To the extent a deferred tax asset is created, we evaluate our ability to realize this asset.  If we determine that we will not be able to fully utilize deferred tax assets, we establish a valuation reserve. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences reverse.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

We use the two class method to compute basic earnings per share.  Under this method we allocate earnings to common shares and participating securities according to their participation rights in dividends declared and undistributed earnings and divide the income available to each class by the weighted average number of common shares for the period in each class.  Unvested restricted stock grants made to our non-employee directors are considered participating securities because the shares have the right to receive non-forfeitable dividends.  Because the participating shares have no obligation to share in net losses, we do not allocate losses to our common shares in this calculation. 

Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilutive effect of securities that could share in our earnings.  Restricted stock awarded to non-employee directors and restricted stock units granted to employees that have not yet vested are considered when computing diluted earnings per share.  We use the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect of both unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units. Shares of unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units under a stock-based compensation arrangement are considered options for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share and are considered outstanding shares as of the grant date for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share even though their exercise may be contingent upon vesting. Those stock-based awards are included in the diluted earnings per share computation even if the non-employee director may be required to forfeit the stock at some future date, or no shares may ever be issued to the employees. Unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units are not included in outstanding common shares in computing basic earnings per share.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of: (i) assets and liabilities, including disclosures regarding contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements; and (ii) revenue and expenses during the reported periods.  Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of fixed assets; allowance for doubtful accounts; deferred tax assets; the valuation of fixed assets; our supplemental retirement income plan; and stock-based compensation. These estimates and assumptions are based on our best judgments. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust our estimates and assumptions as facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from our estimates.