Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jul. 28, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Note 12 Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Hierarchy

FASB guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources ("observable inputs") or reflect the Company's own assumptions of market participant valuation ("unobservable inputs"). In accordance with the fair value guidance, the hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:

• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
• Level 2 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly;
• Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. Classification of the financial or non-financial asset or liability within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Measurement of Fair Value

The Company measures fair value as an exit price, the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, using the procedures described below for all financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Money Market Funds

The Company has cash equivalents consisting of short-term money market funds backed by U.S. Treasury securities. The primary objective of these investing activities is to preserve the Company's capital for the purpose of funding operations. The Company does not enter into money market funds for trading or speculative purposes. The fair value is based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1).

Deferred Compensation Plan Assets and Liabilities

The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan") for the benefit of certain management employees. The investment funds offered to the participant generally correspond to the funds offered in the Company's 401(k) plan, and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits the deferral of up to 50% of base salary and 100% of compensation received under the Company's annual incentive plan. The deferrals are held in a separate trust, which has been established by the Company to administer the Deferred Compensation Plan. The assets of the trust are subject to the claims of the Company's creditors in the event that the Company becomes insolvent. Consequently, the trust qualifies as a grantor trust for income tax purposes (i.e., a "Rabbi Trust"). The liabilities of the Deferred Compensation Plan are presented in other accrued expenses and the assets held by the trust are classified as trading securities within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in deferred compensation are charged to selling and administrative expenses. The fair value is based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1).

Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan with deferred amounts valued as if invested in the Company's common stock through the use of phantom stock units ("PSUs"). Under the plan, each participating director's account is credited with the number of PSUs that is equal to the number of shares of the Company's common stock which the participant could purchase or receive with the amount of the deferred compensation, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Company's common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal quarter when the cash compensation was earned. Dividend equivalents are paid on PSUs at the same rate as dividends on the Company's common stock and are reinvested in additional PSUs at the next fiscal quarter-end. When the participating director terminates his or her service as a director, the Company will pay the cash value of the deferred compensation to the director (or to the designated beneficiary in the event of death) in annual installments over a five-year or ten-year period, or in a lump sum, at the director's election. The cash amount payable will be based on the number of PSUs credited to the participating director's account, valued on the basis of the fair market value at fiscal quarter-end on or following termination of the director's service and calculated based on the mean of the high and low price of an equivalent number of shares of the Company's common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal quarter. The plan also provides for earlier payment of a participating director's account if the board determines that the participant has a demonstrated financial hardship. The accounts of prior participants continue to earn dividend equivalents on the account balance. The liabilities of the plan are based on the fair value of the outstanding PSUs and are presented in other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the PSUs are reported in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of earnings. The fair value of the liabilities is based on an unadjusted quoted market price for the Company's common stock in an active market with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1).

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily foreign exchange contracts, to reduce its exposure to market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates. These foreign exchange contracts are measured at fair value using quoted forward foreign exchange prices from counterparties corroborated by market-based pricing (Level 2). Additional information related to the Company's derivative financial instruments are disclosed within Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 28, 2012, July 30, 2011 and January 28, 2012. The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2011 or the twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2012.

				Fair Value Measurements
($ thousands)		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Asset (Liability)
As of July 28, 2012:
Cash equivalents – money market funds	$	36,340		$	36,340		$	–		$	–
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets		1,225			1,225			–			–
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities		(1,225	)		(1,225	)		–			–
Deferred compensation plan liabilities for non-employee
directors		(908	)		(908	)		–			–
Derivative financial instruments, net		(1,073	)		–			(1,073	)		–
As of July 30, 2011:
Cash equivalents – money market funds	$	19,810		$	19,810		$	–		$	–
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets		1,846			1,846			–			–
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities		(1,846	)		(1,846	)		–			–
Deferred compensation plan liabilities for non-employee
directors		(636	)		(636	)		–			–
Derivative financial instruments, net		(653	)		–			(653	)		–
As of January 28, 2012
Cash equivalents – money market funds	$	5,063		$	5,063		$	–		$	–
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets		1,081			1,081			–			–
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities		(1,081	)		(1081	)		–			–
Deferred compensation plan liabilities for non-employee
directors		(620	)		(620	)		–			–
Derivative financial instruments, net		206			–			206			–

Impairment Charges

The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers important that could trigger an impairment review include underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a negative industry or economic trend. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the aforementioned factors, impairment is measured based on a projected discounted cash flow method. Certain factors, such as estimated store sales and expenses, used for this nonrecurring fair value measurement are considered Level 3 inputs as defined by FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of $43.9 million were assessed for impairment and written down to their fair value, resulting in an impairment charge of $0.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 28, 2012. The $0.4 million impairment charge was included in selling and administrative expenses for the Famous Footwear segment. Impairment charges were $3.1 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2012. Of the $3.1 million impairment charge, $2.0 million related to the Famous Footwear segment and $1.1 million related to the Specialty Retail segment. Of the $2.0 million related to the Famous Footwear segment, $1.3 million is included in restructuring and other special charges, net, and $0.7 million is included in selling and administrative expenses. Of the $1.1 million related to the Specialty Retail segment, $0.9 million is included in restructuring and other special charges, net, and $0.2 million is included in selling and administrative expenses.

Fair Value of the Company's Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents (excluding money market funds discussed above), receivables, trade accounts payable and borrowings under the revolving credit agreement approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

		July 28, 2012				July 30, 2011				January 28, 2012
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
($ thousands)		Amount		Value		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Senior Notes	$	198,726	$	197,000	$	198,540	$	195,000	$	198,633	$	190,000

The Company's Senior Notes fair value was based upon quoted prices in an inactive market as of the end of the respective periods (Level 2).