SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Feb. 03, 2024
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization Caleres, Inc., originally founded as Brown Shoe Company in 1878 and incorporated in 1913, is a global footwear company. The Company’s shares are traded under the “CAL” symbol on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company provides a broad offering of branded, licensed and private-label athletic, casual and dress footwear products to women, men and children. The footwear is sold at a variety of price points through multiple distribution channels both domestically and internationally. The Company currently operates 958 retail shoe stores in the United States, Canada, East Asia and Guam under the Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and Allen Edmonds names. In addition, through its Brand Portfolio segment, the Company designs, sources, manufactures and markets footwear to retail stores domestically and internationally, including online retailers, national chains, department stores, independent retailers and mass merchandisers. Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Company’s revenue by category and Note 7 for discussion of the Company’s business segments. The Company’s business is seasonal in nature due to consumer spending patterns with higher back-to-school and holiday season sales. Although the third fiscal quarter has historically accounted for a substantial portion of the Company’s earnings for the year, the Company has experienced more equal distribution among the quarters in recent years. Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements result from the accounting for noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries or affiliates. In 2019, the Company entered into a joint venture with Brand Investment Holding Limited ("Brand Investment Holding"), a member of the Gemkell Group, to sell branded footwear in China, including Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and other brands. The Company and Brand Investment Holding are each 50% owners of the joint venture, which is named CLT Brand Solutions ("CLT"). In 2023, capital contributions of $2.0 million were made to CLT, including $1.0 million received from Brand Investment Holding. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, assets of CLT were $23.2 million and $19.8 million, respectively, and liabilities were $9.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively. Net sales of CLT were $26.8 million and $16.9 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Operating earnings of CLT were $0.5 million for 2023, compared to an operating loss of $2.7 million in 2022. The Company consolidates CLT into its consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag. Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the share of net earnings or losses that are attributable to Brand Investment Holding. Transactions between the Company and the joint venture have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Accounting Period The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending the Saturday nearest to January 31. Fiscal year 2023 includes a 53-week period ending February 3, 2024. Fiscal years 2022 and 2021, both of which included 52 weeks, ended on January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions. These receivables typically settle in five days or less. Amounts due from the financial institutions for these transactions totaled $9.3 million and $8.6 million as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. The Company had an immaterial amount of restricted cash as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023. Receivables In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, the Company estimates and records an expected lifetime credit loss on accounts receivable by utilizing credit ratings and other customer-related information, as well as historical loss experience. The allowance for expected credit losses is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company recognized a provision for expected credit losses of $1.0 million in 2023 and adjustments to the provision of $0.3 million and $2.2 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Customer allowances represent reserves against the Company’s wholesale customers’ accounts receivable for margin assistance, product returns, customer deductions and co-op advertising allowances. The Company estimates the reserves needed for margin assistance by reviewing inventory levels on the retail floors, sell-through rates, historical dilution, current gross margin levels and other performance indicators of the Company’s major retail customers. Product returns and customer deductions are estimated using historical experience and anticipated future trends. Co-op advertising allowances are estimated based on customer agreements. The Company recognized provisions for customer allowances of $28.5 million, $27.6 million and $26.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Customer discounts represent reserves against the Company’s accounts receivable for discounts that wholesale customers may take based on meeting certain order, payment or return guidelines. The Company estimates the reserves needed for customer discounts based upon customer net sales and terms of the respective agreements. The Company recognized provisions for customer discounts of $9.9 million, $11.4 million and $7.5 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Inventories The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market for approximately 86% of consolidated inventories, which represents divisions using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. For the remaining portion, the Company’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For inventory valued at LIFO, the Company regularly reviews the inventory for excess, obsolete or impaired inventory, and writes it down to the lower of cost or market. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. If the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method had been used, consolidated inventories would have been $10.3 million and $6.3 million higher at February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. In 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded LIFO provisions of $4.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively, on certain inventories at the Famous Footwear segment as a result of product cost inflation. Refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to inventories. The Company applies judgment in determining the market value of inventory, which requires an estimate of net realizable value, including current and expected selling prices, costs to sell and normal gross profit rates. The method used to determine market value varies by business division, based on the unique operating models. At the Famous Footwear segment and certain operations within the Brand Portfolio segment, market value is determined based on net realizable value less an estimate of expected costs to be incurred to sell the product. Accordingly, the Company records markdowns when it becomes evident that inventory items will be sold at prices below cost. As a result, gross profit rates at the Famous Footwear segment and, to a lesser extent, the Brand Portfolio segment are lower than the initial markup during periods when permanent price reductions are taken to clear product. For the majority of the Brand Portfolio segment, the Company determines market value based upon the net realizable value of inventory less a normal gross profit rate. The Company believes these policies reflect the difference in operating models between the Famous Footwear and Brand Portfolio segments. Famous Footwear periodically runs promotional events to drive sales to clear seasonal inventories. The Brand Portfolio segment generally relies on permanent price reductions to clear slower-moving inventory. The determination of markdown reserves for the Brand Portfolio segment requires significant assumptions, estimates and judgments by management, and is subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity. In determining markdown reserves, management considers recent and forecasted sales prices, historical gross profit rates, the length of time the product is held in inventory and quantities of various product styles contained in inventory, as well as demand, among other factors. The ultimate amount realized from the sale of certain products could differ from management estimates. Markdown reserves were $20.9 million and $43.9 million as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. The costs of inventory, inbound freight and duties, markdowns, shrinkage and royalty expense are classified in cost of goods sold. Costs of warehousing and distribution are classified in selling and administrative expenses and are expensed as incurred. Such warehousing and distribution costs totaled $117.0 million, $121.0 million and $99.5 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Costs of overseas sourcing offices and other inventory procurement costs are reflected in selling and administrative expenses and are expensed as incurred. Such sourcing and procurement costs totaled $22.0 million, $21.4 million and $22.2 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company performs physical inventory counts or cycle counts on all merchandise inventory on hand throughout the year and adjusts the recorded balance to reflect the results. The Company records estimated shrinkage between physical inventory counts based on historical results. Computer Software Costs The Company capitalizes certain costs in other assets, including internal payroll costs incurred in connection with the development or acquisition of software for internal use. Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets include $16.3 million and $16.0 million of computer software costs as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively, which are net of accumulated amortization of $88.1 million and $88.5 million as of the end of the respective periods. In addition, other assets on the consolidated balance sheets include $16.4 million and $5.6 million for cloud computing arrangements (software-as-a-service contracts) and related implementation costs as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively, which are net of accumulated amortization of $6.7 million and $4.7 million as of the end of the respective periods. The balance as of February 3, 2024 includes capitalized costs associated with the Company’s multi-year implementation of a cloud-based ERP. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining lease terms, where applicable, using the straight-line method. Interest Expense Interest Expense Interest expense generally includes interest for borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit agreement, fees paid for the unused portion of the line of credit, and amortization of the deferred debt issuance costs. Interest expense for 2021 included interest for the Company’s long-term debt and related amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount, as well as fair value adjustments on the mandatory purchase obligation from the acquisition of Blowfish Malibu, as further described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. Capitalized Interest Interest costs for major asset additions are capitalized during the construction or development period and amortized over the lives of the related assets. The Company capitalized interest of $0.3 million in 2023 related to its multi-year implementation of a cloud-based ERP, with no corresponding interest capitalized in 2022. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, the Company is permitted, but not required, to qualitatively assess indicators of a reporting unit’s fair value when it is unlikely that a reporting unit is impaired. If a quantitative test is deemed necessary, a discounted cash flow analysis is prepared to estimate fair value. A fair value-based test is applied at the reporting unit level, which is generally at or one level below the operating segment level. The test compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to the carrying value of those reporting units. This test requires significant assumptions, estimates and judgments by management, and is subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity. The Company performs its goodwill impairment assessment and impairment tests on its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the first day of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year unless events indicate an interim test is required. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if and when impairment indicators are present. Refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of goodwill and intangible assets. Self-Insurance Reserves The Company is self-insured and/or retains high deductibles for a significant portion of its workers’ compensation, health, disability, cyber risk, general liability, automobile and property programs, among others. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated by considering historical claims experience, trends of the Company and the industry and other actuarial assumptions. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be affected if development of costs on claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends. Based on available information as of February 3, 2024, the Company believes it has provided adequate reserves for its self-insurance exposure. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, self-insurance reserves were $10.4 million and $9.7 million, respectively. Supplier Finance Program The Company facilitates a voluntary supplier finance program (“the Program”) that provides certain of the Company’s suppliers the opportunity to sell receivables related to products that the Company has purchased to participating financial institutions at a rate that leverages the Company’s credit rating, which may be more beneficial to the suppliers than the rate they can obtain based upon their own credit rating. The Company negotiates payment and other terms directly with the suppliers, regardless of whether the supplier participates in the Program, and the Company’s responsibility is limited to making payment based on the terms originally negotiated with the supplier. The suppliers that participate in the Program have discretion to determine which invoices, if any, are sold to the participating financing institutions. The liabilities for the suppliers that participate in the Program are presented within accounts payable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, with changes reflected within cash flows from operating activities when settled. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the Company had $13.0 million and $26.0 million, respectively, of accounts payable subject to the Program arrangements. Revenue Recognition Retail sales, recognized at the point of sale, are recorded net of returns and exclude sales tax. Wholesale sales are recorded, net of returns, allowances and discounts, when obligations under the terms of a contract with the consumer are satisfied. This generally occurs at the time of transfer of control of merchandise. The Company considers several control indicators in its assessment of the timing of the transfer of control, including significant risks and rewards of ownership, physical possession and the Company’s right to receive payment. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring merchandise. Reserves for projected merchandise returns, discounts and allowances are determined based on historical experience and current expectations. Revenue is recognized on license fees related to Company-owned brand names, where the Company is the licensor, when the related sales of the licensee are made. The Company applies the guidance using the portfolio approach in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, because this methodology would not differ materially from applying the guidance to the individual contracts within the portfolio. The Company excludes sales and similar taxes collected from customers from the measurement of the transaction price for its retail sales. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion of revenue. Gift Cards The Company sells gift cards to its customers in its retail stores, through its e-commerce sites and at other retailers. The Company’s gift cards do not have expiration dates or inactivity fees. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards when (i) the gift card is redeemed by the consumer or (ii) the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the consumer is remote (“gift card breakage”) and the Company determines that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value of unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdictions. The gift card breakage rate is determined based upon historical redemption patterns. Gift card breakage is recognized during the 24-month period following the sale of the gift card, according to the Company’s historical redemption pattern. Gift card breakage income is included in net sales in the consolidated statements of earnings and the liability established upon the sale of a gift card is included in other accrued expenses within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized gift card breakage of $0.8 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Loyalty Program The Company maintains a loyalty program at Famous Footwear, through which consumers earn points toward savings certificates for qualifying purchases. Upon reaching specified point values, consumers are issued a savings certificate that may be redeemed for purchases at Famous Footwear. Savings certificates earned must be redeemed within stated expiration dates. In addition to the savings certificates, the Company also offers exclusive member discounts. The value of points and rewards earned by Famous Footwear’s loyalty program members are recorded as a reduction of net sales and a liability is established within other accrued expenses at the time the points are earned based on historical conversion and redemption rates. Approximately 77% of net sales in the Famous Footwear segment were made to its loyalty program members in both 2023 and 2022. In addition, loyalty programs have recently been launched for the Allen Edmonds and Naturalizer brands. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the Company had loyalty program liabilities totaling $11.5 million and $17.7 million, respectively, which are included in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets. Of the $11.5 million loyalty program liability as of February 3, 2024, $10.0 million is reflected in the Famous Footwear segment and $1.5 million is reflected in the Brand Portfolio segment. Of the $17.7 million loyalty program liability as of January 28, 2023, $16.0 million is reflected in the Famous Footwear segment and $1.7 million is reflected in the Brand Portfolio segment. Store Impairment Charges The Company regularly analyzes the results of all of its stores and assesses the viability of underperforming stores to determine whether events or circumstances exist that indicate the stores should be closed or whether the carrying amount of their long-lived assets may not be recoverable. After allowing for an appropriate start-up period and consideration of any unusual nonrecurring events, property and equipment at stores and the lease right-of-use asset, indicated as impaired are written down to fair value as calculated using a discounted cash flow method. The Company recorded asset impairment charges, primarily for operating lease right-of-use assets, leasehold improvements, and furniture and fixtures in the Company’s retail stores, of $0.7 million, $1.8 million and $4.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Advertising and Marketing Expense Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred, except for the costs of direct response advertising that relate primarily to the production and distribution of the Company’s catalogs and coupon mailers. Direct response advertising costs are capitalized and amortized over the expected future revenue stream, which is generally one to three months from the date the materials are mailed. External production costs of advertising are expensed when the advertising first appears in the media or in the store. In addition, the Company participates in co-op advertising programs with certain of its wholesale customers. For those co-op advertising programs where the Company has validated the fair value of the advertising received, co-op advertising costs are reflected as advertising expense within selling and administrative expenses. Otherwise, co-op advertising costs are reflected as a reduction of net sales. Total advertising and marketing expense was $145.7 million, $138.0 million and $118.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These costs were offset by co-op advertising allowances recovered by the Company’s retail business of $6.2 million, $6.0 million and $5.4 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Total co-op advertising costs reflected as a reduction of net sales were $17.0 million in 2023, $18.5 million in 2022 and $10.8 million in 2021. Total advertising costs attributable to future periods that are deferred and recognized as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets were $7.0 million and $4.6 million at February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of its assets and liabilities. The Company establishes valuation allowances if it believes that it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless it concludes that it is more-likely-than-not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in its judgment, is greater than 50% likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions within the income tax provision benefit on the consolidated statements of earnings. Operating Leases The Company leases all of its retail locations, a manufacturing facility and certain office locations, distribution centers and equipment under operating leases. Approximately 33% of the leases entered into by the Company include options that allow the Company to extend the lease term beyond the initial commitment period, subject to terms agreed to at lease inception. Some leases also include early termination options that can be exercised under specific conditions. In accordance with ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The majority of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate and therefore, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date, including implied traded debt yield and seniority adjustments, to determine the present value of future payments. Lease expense for the minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. Contingent Rentals Many of the leases covering retail stores require contingent rental payments in addition to the minimum monthly rental charge based on retail sales volume. The Company excludes from lease payments any variable payments that are not based on an index or market. If payment for a lease is fully contingent on sales, such as a percentage of sales gross rent lease, none of the lease payments are included in the lease right-of-use asset or the lease liability. Construction Allowances Received From Landlords At the time its retail facilities are initially leased, the Company often receives consideration from landlords to be applied against the cost of leasehold improvements necessary to open the store. The Company treats these construction allowances as a lease incentive. In accordance with ASC 842, the allowances are recorded within the lease right-of-use asset and amortized to income over the lease term as a reduction of rent expense. Straight-Line Rents and Rent Holidays The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term for all of its leased facilities. For leases that have predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rentals, the Company recognizes the related rental expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the recognized rental expense and amounts payable under the lease as the lease right-of-use asset. At the time its retail facilities are leased, the Company is frequently not charged rent for a specified period of time, typically 30 to 60 days, while the store is being prepared for opening. This rent-free period is referred to as a rent holiday. The Company recognizes rent expense over the lease term, including any rent holiday, within selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of earnings. Pre-opening Costs Pre-opening costs associated with opening retail stores, including payroll, supplies and facility costs, are expensed as incurred. Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Caleres, Inc. Shareholders The Company uses the two-class method to calculate basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders. Unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating units because they entitle holders to non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents during the vesting term. Under the two-class method, basic earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders is computed by dividing the net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders is computed by dividing the net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities by the weighted-average number of common shares and potential dilutive securities outstanding during the year. Potential dilutive securities consist of outstanding stock options and contingently issuable shares for the Company’s performance share awards. Refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the calculation of earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income primarily includes the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments and pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments. Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment For certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into United States dollars at the period-end exchange rate or historical rates as appropriate. Consolidated statements of earnings amounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period. The cumulative translation adjustments resulting from changes in exchange rates are included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the consolidated statements of earnings. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Adjustments The Company determines the expense and obligations for retirement and other benefit plans using assumptions related to discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on invested plan assets, expected salary increases and certain employee-related factors. The Company determines the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the January 31 measurement date. The unrecognized portion of the gain or loss on plan assets is included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity and is recognized into expense over time. Refer to additional information related to pension and other postretirement benefits in Note 5 and Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. Litigation Contingencies The Company is the defendant in several claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company accrues its best estimate of the cost of resolution of these claims. Legal defense costs of such claims are recognized in the period in which the costs are incurred. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of commitments and contingencies. Environmental Matters The Company is involved in environmental remediation and ongoing compliance activities at several sites. The Company is remediating, under the oversight of Colorado authorities, the groundwater and indoor air at its owned facility and residential neighborhoods adjacent to and near the property, which have been affected by solvents previously used at the facility. In addition, various federal and state authorities have identified the Company as a potentially responsible party for remediation at certain other sites. The Company’s prior operations included numerous manufacturing and other facilities for which the Company may have responsibility under various environmental laws to address conditions that may be identified in the future. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. Environmental expenditures relating to an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Based upon independent environmental assessments, liabilities are recorded when remedial action is considered probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated and are evaluated independently of any future claims recovery. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action, and the cost estimates are subject to change as new information becomes available. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are discounted to their present value in those situations requiring only continuing maintenance and monitoring based upon a schedule of fixed payments. Share-Based Compensation The Company has share-based incentive compensation plans under which certain officers, employees and members of the Board of Directors are participants and may be granted restricted stock, stock performance awards and stock options. Additionally, share-based grants may be made to non-employee members of the Board of Directors in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) payable in cash or the Company’s common stock. The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, and ASC 505, Equity, which require all share-based payments to employees and members of the Board of Directors, to be recognized as expense in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values. Expense for restricted stock is based on the fair value of the restricted stock on the date of grant. Expense for graded-vesting grants is recognized ratably over the respective vesting periods, which is generally 50% over two years and 50% over three years, and expense for cliff-vesting grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is generally one year. Expense for stock performance awards is recognized based upon the fair value of the awards on the date of grant and the anticipated number of shares or units to be awarded on a straight-line basis over the respective term of the award, or individual vesting portion of an award. Expense for the initial grant of RSUs is recognized ratably over the one-year vesting period based upon the fair value of the RSUs, and for cash-equivalent RSUs, is remeasured at the end of each period. The Company accounts for forfeitures of share-based grants as they occur. If the anticipated number of shares to be awarded or the share value of the Company’s common stock changes significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Refer to additional information related to share-based compensation in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures The Company made payments for federal, state and international taxes, net of refunds, of $19.8 million, including $9.2 million for international taxes and $5.3 million each for federal and state taxes in 2023. The Company made payments for federal, state and international taxes, net of refunds, of $17.4 million, including $8.4 million for state taxes, $4.7 million for federal taxes and $4.3 million for international taxes in 2022. During 2021, the Company made payments for federal, state and international taxes, net of refunds, of $29.3 million, including $22.6 million for federal taxes, $3.5 million for state taxes and $3.2 million for international taxes. Refer to Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes. Cash payments of interest for the Company’s borrowings under the revolving credit agreement and long-term debt during 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $19.7 million, $12.5 million and $20.4 million, respectively. Refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s financing arrangements. Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-04, Liabilities – Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations. The guidance requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures about supplier finance programs in annual financial statements, including key terms of the programs, amounts outstanding, balance sheet presentation and a rollforward of amounts outstanding during the year. For interim periods, the ASU requires disclosure of total obligations outstanding that have been confirmed as valid. The ASU is effective for the Company in fiscal year 2023, except for the rollforward requirement, which is effective in fiscal year 2024. The Company adopted the amendments on a retrospective basis during the first quarter of 2023, with the exception of the annual rollforward requirement, which will be adopted on a prospective basis by the effective date. Refer to the Supply Chain Financing section earlier in this footnote for additional information regarding the Company’s supplier finance program. Impact of Prospective Accounting Pronouncements In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosures by disclosing significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker. The ASU is effective for the Company’s annual disclosures for fiscal year 2024 and for interim periods in the Company’s fiscal year 2025. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU expands the income tax disclosure requirements, principally related to the rate reconciliation table and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company on a prospective basis in fiscal 2025, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Feb. 03, 2024

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization

Caleres, Inc., originally founded as Brown Shoe Company in 1878 and incorporated in 1913, is a global footwear company. The Company’s shares are traded under the “CAL” symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Company provides a broad offering of branded, licensed and private-label athletic, casual and dress footwear products to women, men and children. The footwear is sold at a variety of price points through multiple distribution channels both domestically and internationally. The Company currently operates 958 retail shoe stores in the United States, Canada, East Asia and Guam under the Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and Allen Edmonds names. In addition, through its Brand Portfolio segment, the Company designs, sources, manufactures and markets footwear to retail stores domestically and internationally, including online retailers, national chains, department stores, independent retailers and mass merchandisers. Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Company’s revenue by category and Note 7 for discussion of the Company’s business segments.

The Company’s business is seasonal in nature due to consumer spending patterns with higher back-to-school and holiday season sales. Although the third fiscal quarter has historically accounted for a substantial portion of the Company’s earnings for the year, the Company has experienced more equal distribution among the quarters in recent years.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements result from the accounting for noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries or affiliates. In 2019, the Company entered into a joint venture with Brand Investment Holding Limited ("Brand Investment Holding"), a member of the Gemkell Group, to sell branded footwear in China, including Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and other brands. The Company and Brand Investment Holding are each 50% owners of the joint venture, which is named CLT Brand Solutions ("CLT"). In 2023, capital contributions of $2.0 million were made to CLT, including $1.0 million received from Brand Investment Holding. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, assets of CLT were $23.2 million and $19.8 million, respectively, and liabilities were $9.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively. Net sales of CLT were $26.8 million and $16.9 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Operating earnings of CLT were $0.5 million for 2023, compared to an operating loss of $2.7 million in 2022.

The Company consolidates CLT into its consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag. Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the share of net earnings or losses that are attributable to Brand Investment Holding. Transactions between the Company and the joint venture have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Period

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending the Saturday nearest to January 31. Fiscal year 2023 includes a 53-week period ending February 3, 2024. Fiscal years 2022 and 2021, both of which included 52 weeks, ended on January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions. These receivables typically settle in five days or less. Amounts due from the financial institutions for these transactions totaled $9.3 million and $8.6 million as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. The Company had an immaterial amount of restricted cash as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023.

Receivables

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, the Company estimates and records an expected lifetime credit loss on accounts receivable by utilizing credit ratings and other customer-related information, as well as historical loss experience. The allowance for expected credit losses is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company recognized a provision for expected credit losses of $1.0 million in 2023 and adjustments to the provision of $0.3 million and $2.2 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Customer allowances represent reserves against the Company’s wholesale customers’ accounts receivable for margin assistance, product returns, customer deductions and co-op advertising allowances. The Company estimates the reserves needed for margin assistance by reviewing inventory levels on the retail floors, sell-through rates, historical dilution, current gross margin levels and other performance indicators of the Company’s major retail customers. Product returns and customer deductions are estimated using historical experience and anticipated future trends. Co-op advertising allowances are estimated based on customer agreements. The Company recognized provisions for customer allowances of $28.5 million, $27.6 million and $26.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Customer discounts represent reserves against the Company’s accounts receivable for discounts that wholesale customers may take based on meeting certain order, payment or return guidelines. The Company estimates the reserves needed for customer discounts based upon customer net sales and terms of the respective agreements. The Company recognized provisions for customer discounts of $9.9 million, $11.4 million and $7.5 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Inventories

The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market for approximately 86% of consolidated inventories, which represents divisions using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. For the remaining portion, the Company’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For inventory valued at LIFO, the Company regularly reviews the inventory for excess, obsolete or impaired inventory, and writes it down to the lower of cost or market. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. If the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method had been used, consolidated inventories would have been $10.3 million and $6.3 million higher at February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. In 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded LIFO provisions of $4.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively, on certain inventories at the Famous Footwear segment as a result of product cost inflation. Refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to inventories.

The Company applies judgment in determining the market value of inventory, which requires an estimate of net realizable value, including current and expected selling prices, costs to sell and normal gross profit rates. The method used to determine market value varies by business division, based on the unique operating models. At the Famous Footwear segment and certain operations within the Brand Portfolio segment, market value is determined based on net realizable value less an estimate of expected costs to be incurred to sell the product. Accordingly, the Company records markdowns when it becomes evident that inventory items will be sold at prices below cost. As a result, gross profit rates at the Famous Footwear segment and, to a lesser extent, the Brand Portfolio segment are lower than the initial markup during periods when permanent price reductions are taken to clear product. For the majority of the Brand Portfolio segment, the Company determines market value based upon the net realizable value of inventory less a normal gross profit rate. The Company believes these policies reflect the difference in operating models between the Famous Footwear and Brand Portfolio segments. Famous Footwear periodically runs promotional events to drive sales to clear seasonal inventories. The Brand Portfolio segment generally relies on permanent price reductions to clear slower-moving inventory.

The determination of markdown reserves for the Brand Portfolio segment requires significant assumptions, estimates and judgments by management, and is subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity. In determining markdown reserves, management considers recent and forecasted sales prices, historical gross profit rates, the length of time the product is held in inventory and quantities of various product styles contained in inventory, as well as demand, among other factors. The ultimate amount realized from the sale of certain products could differ from management estimates. Markdown reserves were $20.9 million and $43.9 million as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively.

The costs of inventory, inbound freight and duties, markdowns, shrinkage and royalty expense are classified in cost of goods sold. Costs of warehousing and distribution are classified in selling and administrative expenses and are expensed as incurred. Such warehousing and distribution costs totaled $117.0 million, $121.0 million and $99.5 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Costs of overseas sourcing offices and other inventory procurement costs are reflected in selling and administrative expenses and are expensed as incurred. Such sourcing and procurement costs totaled $22.0 million, $21.4 million and $22.2 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Company performs physical inventory counts or cycle counts on all merchandise inventory on hand throughout the year and adjusts the recorded balance to reflect the results. The Company records estimated shrinkage between physical inventory counts based on historical results.

Computer Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs in other assets, including internal payroll costs incurred in connection with the development or acquisition of software for internal use. Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets include $16.3 million and $16.0 million of computer software costs as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively, which are net of accumulated amortization of $88.1 million and $88.5 million as of the end of the respective periods. In addition, other assets on the consolidated balance sheets include $16.4 million and $5.6 million for cloud computing arrangements (software-as-a-service contracts) and related implementation costs as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively, which are net of accumulated amortization of $6.7 million and $4.7 million as of the end of the respective periods. The balance as of February 3, 2024 includes capitalized costs associated with the Company’s multi-year implementation of a cloud-based ERP.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining lease terms, where applicable, using the straight-line method.

Interest Expense

Interest Expense

Interest expense generally includes interest for borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit agreement, fees paid for the unused portion of the line of credit, and amortization of the deferred debt issuance costs. Interest expense for 2021 included interest for the Company’s long-term debt and related amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount, as well as fair value adjustments on the mandatory purchase obligation from the acquisition of Blowfish Malibu, as further described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Capitalized Interest

Interest costs for major asset additions are capitalized during the construction or development period and amortized over the lives of the related assets. The Company capitalized interest of $0.3 million in 2023 related to its multi-year implementation of a cloud-based ERP, with no corresponding interest capitalized in 2022.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, the Company is permitted, but not required, to qualitatively assess indicators of a reporting unit’s fair value when it is unlikely that a reporting unit is impaired. If a quantitative test is deemed necessary, a discounted cash flow analysis is prepared to estimate fair value. A fair value-based test is applied at the reporting unit level, which is generally at or one level below the operating segment level. The test compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to the carrying value of those reporting units. This test

requires significant assumptions, estimates and judgments by management, and is subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity.

The Company performs its goodwill impairment assessment and impairment tests on its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the first day of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year unless events indicate an interim test is required. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if and when impairment indicators are present. Refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of goodwill and intangible assets.

Self-Insurance Reserves

The Company is self-insured and/or retains high deductibles for a significant portion of its workers’ compensation, health, disability, cyber risk, general liability, automobile and property programs, among others. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated by considering historical claims experience, trends of the Company and the industry and other actuarial assumptions. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be affected if development of costs on claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends. Based on available information as of February 3, 2024, the Company believes it has provided adequate reserves for its self-insurance exposure. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, self-insurance reserves were $10.4 million and $9.7 million, respectively.

Supplier Finance Program

The Company facilitates a voluntary supplier finance program (“the Program”) that provides certain of the Company’s suppliers the opportunity to sell receivables related to products that the Company has purchased to participating financial institutions at a rate that leverages the Company’s credit rating, which may be more beneficial to the suppliers than the rate they can obtain based upon their own credit rating. The Company negotiates payment and other terms directly with the suppliers, regardless of whether the supplier participates in the Program, and the Company’s responsibility is limited to making payment based on the terms originally negotiated with the supplier. The suppliers that participate in the Program have discretion to determine which invoices, if any, are sold to the participating financing institutions. The liabilities for the suppliers that participate in the Program are presented within accounts payable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, with changes reflected within cash flows from operating activities when settled. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the Company had $13.0 million and $26.0 million, respectively, of accounts payable subject to the Program arrangements.

Revenue Recognition

Retail sales, recognized at the point of sale, are recorded net of returns and exclude sales tax. Wholesale sales are recorded, net of returns, allowances and discounts, when obligations under the terms of a contract with the consumer are satisfied. This generally occurs at the time of transfer of control of merchandise. The Company considers several control indicators in its assessment of the timing of the transfer of control, including significant risks and rewards of ownership, physical possession and the Company’s right to receive payment. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring merchandise. Reserves for projected merchandise returns, discounts and allowances are determined based on historical experience and current expectations. Revenue is recognized on license fees related to Company-owned brand names, where the Company is the licensor, when the related sales of the licensee are made. The Company applies the guidance using the portfolio approach in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, because this methodology would not differ materially from applying the guidance to the individual contracts within the portfolio. The Company excludes sales and similar taxes collected from customers from the measurement of the transaction price for its retail sales. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion of revenue.

Gift Cards

The Company sells gift cards to its customers in its retail stores, through its e-commerce sites and at other retailers. The Company’s gift cards do not have expiration dates or inactivity fees. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards when (i) the gift card is redeemed by the consumer or (ii) the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the consumer is remote (“gift card breakage”) and the Company determines that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value of unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdictions. The gift card breakage rate is determined based upon historical redemption patterns. Gift card breakage is recognized during the 24-month period following the sale of the gift card, according to the Company’s historical redemption pattern. Gift card breakage income is included in net sales in the consolidated statements of earnings and the liability established upon the sale of a gift card is included in other accrued

expenses within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized gift card breakage of $0.8 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Loyalty Program

The Company maintains a loyalty program at Famous Footwear, through which consumers earn points toward savings certificates for qualifying purchases. Upon reaching specified point values, consumers are issued a savings certificate that may be redeemed for purchases at Famous Footwear. Savings certificates earned must be redeemed within stated expiration dates. In addition to the savings certificates, the Company also offers exclusive member discounts. The value of points and rewards earned by Famous Footwear’s loyalty program members are recorded as a reduction of net sales and a liability is established within other accrued expenses at the time the points are earned based on historical conversion and redemption rates. Approximately 77% of net sales in the Famous Footwear segment were made to its loyalty program members in both 2023 and 2022. In addition, loyalty programs have recently been launched for the Allen Edmonds and Naturalizer brands. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the Company had loyalty program liabilities totaling $11.5 million and $17.7 million, respectively, which are included in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets. Of the $11.5 million loyalty program liability as of February 3, 2024, $10.0 million is reflected in the Famous Footwear segment and $1.5 million is reflected in the Brand Portfolio segment. Of the $17.7 million loyalty program liability as of January 28, 2023, $16.0 million is reflected in the Famous Footwear segment and $1.7 million is reflected in the Brand Portfolio segment.

Store Impairment Charges

The Company regularly analyzes the results of all of its stores and assesses the viability of underperforming stores to determine whether events or circumstances exist that indicate the stores should be closed or whether the carrying amount of their long-lived assets may not be recoverable. After allowing for an appropriate start-up period and consideration of any unusual nonrecurring events, property and equipment at stores and the lease right-of-use asset, indicated as impaired are written down to fair value as calculated using a discounted cash flow method. The Company recorded asset impairment charges, primarily for operating lease right-of-use assets, leasehold improvements, and furniture and fixtures in the Company’s retail stores, of $0.7 million, $1.8 million and $4.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Advertising and Marketing Expense

Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred, except for the costs of direct response advertising that relate primarily to the production and distribution of the Company’s catalogs and coupon mailers. Direct response advertising costs are capitalized and amortized over the expected future revenue stream, which is generally one to three months from the date the materials are mailed. External production costs of advertising are expensed when the advertising first appears in the media or in the store.

In addition, the Company participates in co-op advertising programs with certain of its wholesale customers. For those co-op advertising programs where the Company has validated the fair value of the advertising received, co-op advertising costs are reflected as advertising expense within selling and administrative expenses. Otherwise, co-op advertising costs are reflected as a reduction of net sales.

Total advertising and marketing expense was $145.7 million, $138.0 million and $118.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These costs were offset by co-op advertising allowances recovered by the Company’s retail business of $6.2 million, $6.0 million and $5.4 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Total co-op advertising costs reflected as a reduction of net sales were $17.0 million in 2023, $18.5 million in 2022 and $10.8 million in 2021. Total advertising costs attributable to future periods that are deferred and recognized as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets were $7.0 million and $4.6 million at February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of its assets and liabilities. The Company establishes valuation allowances if it believes that it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless it concludes that it is more-likely-than-not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest

amount of the tax benefit that, in its judgment, is greater than 50% likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions within the income tax provision benefit on the consolidated statements of earnings.

Operating Leases

The Company leases all of its retail locations, a manufacturing facility and certain office locations, distribution centers and equipment under operating leases. Approximately 33% of the leases entered into by the Company include options that allow the Company to extend the lease term beyond the initial commitment period, subject to terms agreed to at lease inception. Some leases also include early termination options that can be exercised under specific conditions. In accordance with ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The majority of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate and therefore, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date, including implied traded debt yield and seniority adjustments, to determine the present value of future payments. Lease expense for the minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred.

Contingent Rentals

Many of the leases covering retail stores require contingent rental payments in addition to the minimum monthly rental charge based on retail sales volume. The Company excludes from lease payments any variable payments that are not based on an index or market. If payment for a lease is fully contingent on sales, such as a percentage of sales gross rent lease, none of the lease payments are included in the lease right-of-use asset or the lease liability.

Construction Allowances Received From Landlords

At the time its retail facilities are initially leased, the Company often receives consideration from landlords to be applied against the cost of leasehold improvements necessary to open the store. The Company treats these construction allowances as a lease incentive. In accordance with ASC 842, the allowances are recorded within the lease right-of-use asset and amortized to income over the lease term as a reduction of rent expense.

Straight-Line Rents and Rent Holidays

The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term for all of its leased facilities. For leases that have predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rentals, the Company recognizes the related rental expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the recognized rental expense and amounts payable under the lease as the lease right-of-use asset. At the time its retail facilities are leased, the Company is frequently not charged rent for a specified period of time, typically 30 to 60 days, while the store is being prepared for opening. This rent-free period is referred to as a rent holiday. The Company recognizes rent expense over the lease term, including any rent holiday, within selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of earnings.

Pre-opening Costs

Pre-opening costs associated with opening retail stores, including payroll, supplies and facility costs, are expensed as incurred.

Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Caleres, Inc. Shareholders

The Company uses the two-class method to calculate basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders. Unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating units because they entitle holders to non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents during the vesting term. Under the two-class method, basic earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders is computed by dividing the net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders is computed by dividing the net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities by the weighted-average number of common shares and potential dilutive securities outstanding during the year. Potential dilutive securities consist of outstanding stock options and contingently issuable shares for the Company’s performance share awards. Refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the calculation of earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income primarily includes the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments and pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

For certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into United States dollars at the period-end exchange rate or historical rates as appropriate. Consolidated statements of earnings amounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period. The cumulative translation adjustments resulting from changes in exchange rates are included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Adjustments

The Company determines the expense and obligations for retirement and other benefit plans using assumptions related to discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on invested plan assets, expected salary increases and certain employee-related factors. The Company determines the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the January 31 measurement date. The unrecognized portion of the gain or loss on plan assets is included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity and is recognized into expense over time. Refer to additional information related to pension and other postretirement benefits in Note 5 and Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

Litigation Contingencies

The Company is the defendant in several claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company accrues its best estimate of the cost of resolution of these claims. Legal defense costs of such claims are recognized in the period in which the costs are incurred. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of commitments and contingencies.

Environmental Matters

The Company is involved in environmental remediation and ongoing compliance activities at several sites. The Company is remediating, under the oversight of Colorado authorities, the groundwater and indoor air at its owned facility and residential neighborhoods adjacent to and near the property, which have been affected by solvents previously used at the facility. In addition, various federal and state authorities have identified the Company as a potentially responsible party for remediation at certain other sites. The Company’s prior operations included numerous manufacturing and other facilities for which the Company may have responsibility under various environmental laws to address conditions that may be identified in the future. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Environmental expenditures relating to an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Based upon independent environmental assessments, liabilities are recorded when remedial action is considered probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated and are evaluated independently of any future claims recovery. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action, and the cost estimates are subject to change as new information becomes available. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are discounted to their present value in those situations requiring only continuing maintenance and monitoring based upon a schedule of fixed payments.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company has share-based incentive compensation plans under which certain officers, employees and members of the Board of Directors are participants and may be granted restricted stock, stock performance awards and stock options. Additionally, share-based grants may be made to non-employee members of the Board of Directors in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) payable in cash or the Company’s common stock. The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, and ASC 505, Equity, which require all share-based payments to employees and members of the Board of Directors, to be recognized as expense in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values. Expense for restricted stock is based on the fair value of the restricted stock on the date of grant. Expense for graded-vesting grants is recognized ratably

over the respective vesting periods, which is generally 50% over two years and 50% over three years, and expense for cliff-vesting grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is generally one year. Expense for stock performance awards is recognized based upon the fair value of the awards on the date of grant and the anticipated number of shares or units to be awarded on a straight-line basis over the respective term of the award, or individual vesting portion of an award. Expense for the initial grant of RSUs is recognized ratably over the one-year vesting period based upon the fair value of the RSUs, and for cash-equivalent RSUs, is remeasured at the end of each period. The Company accounts for forfeitures of share-based grants as they occur. If the anticipated number of shares to be awarded or the share value of the Company’s common stock changes significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Refer to additional information related to share-based compensation in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures

The Company made payments for federal, state and international taxes, net of refunds, of $19.8 million, including $9.2 million for international taxes and $5.3 million each for federal and state taxes in 2023. The Company made payments for federal, state and international taxes, net of refunds, of $17.4 million, including $8.4 million for state taxes, $4.7 million for federal taxes and $4.3 million for international taxes in 2022. During 2021, the Company made payments for federal, state and international taxes, net of refunds, of $29.3 million, including $22.6 million for federal taxes, $3.5 million for state taxes and $3.2 million for international taxes. Refer to Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes.

Cash payments of interest for the Company’s borrowings under the revolving credit agreement and long-term debt during 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $19.7 million, $12.5 million and $20.4 million, respectively. Refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s financing arrangements.

Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-04, Liabilities – Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations. The guidance requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures about supplier finance programs in annual financial statements, including key terms of the programs, amounts outstanding, balance sheet presentation and a rollforward of amounts outstanding during the year. For interim periods, the ASU requires disclosure of total obligations outstanding that have been confirmed as valid. The ASU is effective for the Company in fiscal year 2023, except for the rollforward requirement, which is effective in fiscal year 2024. The Company adopted the amendments on a retrospective basis during the first quarter of 2023, with the exception of the annual rollforward requirement, which will be adopted on a prospective basis by the effective date. Refer to the Supply Chain Financing section earlier in this footnote for additional information regarding the Company’s supplier finance program.

Impact of Prospective Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosures by disclosing significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker. The ASU is effective for the Company’s annual disclosures for fiscal year 2024 and for interim periods in the Company’s fiscal year 2025. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU expands the income tax disclosure requirements, principally related to the rate reconciliation table and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company on a prospective basis in fiscal 2025, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.