Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 03, 2018

The Gap, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a global omni-channel retailer offering apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, and Intermix brands. We have Company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Japan, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mexico. We also have franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic stores in approximately 36 other countries around the world. In addition, our products are available to customers online through Company-owned websites and through the use of third parties that provide logistics and fulfillment services.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Gap, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Fiscal Year and Presentation

Our fiscal year is a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. The fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 (fiscal 2017) consisted of 53 weeks. The fiscal years ended January 28, 2017 (fiscal 2016) and January 30, 2016 (fiscal 2015) consisted of 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash includes funds deposited in banks and amounts in transit from banks for customer credit card and debit card transactions that process in less than seven days.

All highly liquid investments with original maturities of 91 days or less are classified as cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents are placed primarily in time deposits and money market funds. We value these investments at their original purchase prices plus interest that has accrued at the stated rate. Income related to these securities is recorded in interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Merchandise Inventory

We value inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using the weighted-average cost method. We record an adjustment when future estimated selling price is less than cost. We review our inventory levels in order to identify slow-moving merchandise and broken assortments (items no longer in stock in a sufficient range of sizes or colors) and use promotions and markdowns to clear merchandise. In addition, we estimate and accrue shortage for the period between the last physical count and the balance sheet date.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as other current assets, other long-term assets, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, or lease incentives and other long-term liabilities.

For derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative financial instruments is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and is recognized in income in the period in which the underlying transaction impacts the income statement. For derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify as net investment hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative financial instruments is reported as a component of OCI and is reclassified into income in the period or periods during which the hedged subsidiary is either sold or liquidated (or substantially liquidated). Gains and losses on the derivative financial instruments representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness, if any, are recognized in current income. For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss on the derivative financial instruments is recorded in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Cash flows from derivative financial instruments are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Property and Equipment

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Estimated useful lives are as follows:



Category		Term
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of remaining lease term or economic life, up to 15 years
Furniture and equipment		Up to 15 years
Software		3 to 7 years
Buildings and building improvements		Up to 39 years

When assets are sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, with any resulting gain or loss recorded in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Costs of maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Asset Retirement Obligations

An asset retirement obligation represents a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that is incurred upon the acquisition, construction, development, or normal operation of that long-lived asset. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are primarily associated with leasehold improvements that we are contractually obligated to remove at the end of a lease to comply with the lease agreement. We recognize asset retirement obligations at the inception of a lease with such conditions if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Asset retirement obligations are recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and lease incentives and other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are subsequently adjusted for changes in estimated asset retirement obligations. The associated estimated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and depreciated over its useful life.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized for sales transacted at stores when the customer receives and pays for the merchandise at the register. For sales where we ship the merchandise to the customer from a distribution center or store, revenue is recognized at the time we estimate the customer receives the product. Amounts related to shipping and handling that are billed to customers are recorded in net sales, and the related costs are recorded in cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Revenues are presented net of estimated returns and any taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities. Allowances for estimated returns are recorded based on estimated margin using our historical return patterns.

We sell merchandise to franchisees under multi-year franchise agreements. We recognize revenue from sales to franchisees at the time merchandise ownership is transferred to the franchisee, which generally occurs when the merchandise reaches the franchisee’s predesignated turnover point. These sales are recorded in net sales, and the related cost of goods sold is recorded in cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. We also receive royalties from franchisees primarily based on a percentage of the total merchandise purchased by the franchisee, net of any refunds or credits due them. Royalty revenue is recognized primarily when merchandise ownership is transferred to the franchisee and is recorded in net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Classification of Expenses

Cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses include the following:


•	the cost of merchandise;


•	inventory shortage and valuation adjustments;


•	freight charges;


•	online shipping and packaging costs;


•	costs associated with our sourcing operations, including payroll, benefits, and other administrative expenses;


•	gains and losses associated with foreign currency derivative contracts related to hedging of merchandise purchases and intercompany revenue transactions; and


•	rent, occupancy, depreciation, and amortization related to our store operations, distribution centers, and certain corporate functions.

Operating expenses include the following:


•	payroll, benefits, and other administrative expenses for our store operations and field management;


•	payroll, benefits, and other administrative expenses for our distribution centers;


•	payroll, benefits, and other administrative expenses for our corporate functions, including product design and development;


•	marketing;


•	information technology maintenance costs and expenses;


•	rent, occupancy, depreciation, and amortization for our corporate facilities;


•	third party credit card processing fees; and


•	other expenses (income).

Payroll, benefits, and other administrative expenses for our distribution centers recorded in operating expenses were $297 million, $254 million, and $254 million in fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. We receive payments from third parties that provide our customers with private label credit cards and/or co-branded credit cards. The majority of such income earned is recorded in other income, which is a component of operating expenses, and the remaining portion of income is recognized as a reduction to cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses.

The classification of expenses varies across the apparel retail industry. Accordingly, our cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses and operating expenses may not be comparable to those of other companies.

Rent Expense

Minimum rent expense is recognized over the term of the lease, starting when possession of the property is taken from the landlord, which normally includes a construction period prior to the store opening. When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, we recognize the related rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rent expense and the amounts payable under the lease as a short-term or long-term deferred rent liability. We also receive tenant allowances upon entering into certain leases, which are recorded as a short-term or long-term tenant allowance liability and amortized using the straight-line method as a reduction to rent expense over the term of the lease. Costs related to common area maintenance, insurance, real estate taxes, and other occupancy costs the Company is obligated to pay are excluded from minimum rent expense.

Certain leases provide for contingent rents that are not measurable at inception. These contingent rents are primarily based on a percentage of sales that are in excess of a predetermined level and/or rent increase based on a change in the consumer price index or fair market value. These amounts are excluded from minimum rent and are included in the determination of rent expense when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events that result in an impairment review include a significant decrease in the operating performance of the long-lived asset, or the decision to close a store, corporate facility, or distribution center. Long-lived assets are considered impaired if the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group. For impaired assets, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the asset or asset group and its estimated fair value, which is recorded in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The estimated fair value of the asset or asset group is based on discounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group using a discount rate commensurate with the related risk. The asset group is defined as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available and largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets, which for our retail stores is primarily at the store level.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We review the carrying amount of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Events that result in an impairment review include significant changes in the business climate, declines in our operating results, or an expectation that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We assess potential impairment by considering present economic conditions as well as future expectations.

We early adopted ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The amendments simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Under the ASU, the impairment test is simply the comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, with the impairment charge being the deficit in fair value but not exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The simplified one-step impairment test applies to all reporting units (including those with zero or negative carrying amounts).

In fiscal 2016, the Company performed the goodwill impairment test under the previous FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 350 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other as the annual impairment test was performed prior to January 1, 2017. Under the previous guidance, we reviewed goodwill for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, as a basis for determining whether it was necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it was determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, the two-step test was performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. If it was determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, it was unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Based on certain circumstances, we elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. The first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test compared the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The second step included hypothetically valuing all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Then, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill was compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of the goodwill, we recognized an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying amount.

A reporting unit is an operating segment or a business unit one level below that operating segment, for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. We have deemed Athleta and Intermix to be the reporting units at which goodwill is tested for Athleta and Intermix, respectively.

A trade name is considered impaired if the carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value. If a trade name is considered impaired, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the trade name. The fair value of a trade name is determined using the relief from royalty method, which requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future sales and expenses, and selecting appropriate discount rates and royalty rates.

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including the trade names, are recorded in other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Pre-Opening Costs

Pre-opening and start-up activity costs, which include rent and occupancy, supplies, advertising, and payroll expenses incurred prior to the opening of a new store or other facility, are expensed in the period in which they occur.

Advertising

Costs associated with the production of advertising, such as writing, copy, printing, and other costs, are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with communicating advertising that has been produced, such as television and magazine costs, are expensed when the advertising event takes place. Advertising expense was $673 million, $601 million, and $578 million in fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, and is recorded in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense for stock options and other stock awards is determined based on the grant-date fair value. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options, which requires the input of subjective assumptions regarding the expected term, expected volatility, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate. For units granted whereby one share of common stock is issued for each unit as the unit vests (“Stock Units”), the fair value is determined based on the Company’s stock price on the date of grant less future expected dividends during the vesting period. For stock options and Stock Units, we recognize share-based compensation cost over the vesting period. With the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 in fiscal 2017, we account for forfeitures as they occur. Share-based compensation expense is recorded primarily in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for stock options and Stock Units.

Unredeemed Gift Cards, Gift Certificates, and Credit Vouchers

Upon issuance of a gift card, gift certificate, or credit voucher, a liability is established for its cash value. The liability is relieved and net sales are recorded upon redemption by the customer. Over time, some portion of these instruments is not redeemed. We determine breakage income for gift cards, gift certificates, and credit vouchers based on historical redemption patterns. Breakage income is recorded in other income, which is a component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, when we can determine the portion of the liability where redemption is remote. Based on our historical information, three years after the gift card, gift certificate, or credit voucher is issued, we can determine the portion of the liability where redemption is remote. When breakage income is recorded, a liability is recognized for any legal obligation to remit the unredeemed portion to relevant jurisdictions. Substantially all of our gift cards, gift certificates, and credit vouchers have no expiration dates. With the adoption of the new revenue standard in fiscal 2018, breakage income will be presented in net sales in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Credit Cards

We have credit card agreements with third parties to provide our customers with private label credit cards and co-branded credit cards (collectively, the “Credit Card” programs). Each private label credit card bears the logo of Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta and can be used at any of our U.S. or Canadian store locations and online. The co-branded credit card is a VISA credit card bearing the logo of Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta and can be used everywhere VISA credit cards are accepted. The Credit Card programs offer incentives to cardholders in the form of reward certificates upon the cumulative purchase of an established amount.

Synchrony Financial ("Synchrony"), a third-party financing company, is the sole owner of the accounts and underwrites the credit issued under the Credit Card programs. Our agreement with Synchrony provides for certain payments to be made by Synchrony to us, including a share of revenues from the performance of the Credit Card portfolios, which we recognize when the amounts are fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. In addition, the cost associated with redemption of loyalty rewards is partially offset by reimbursements of loyalty program discounts that we recognize as a reduction to cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. The cost associated with loyalty rewards is accrued as the rewards are earned by the cardholder and is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In fiscal 2017, we recognized $412 million in income from our revenue sharing associated with our Credit Card programs, which was recorded as a reduction to operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, in fiscal 2017 we recognized $174 million in reimbursements of loyalty program discounts associated with our Credit Card programs, which was recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. With the adoption of the new revenue standard in fiscal 2018, revenue sharing and reimbursements of loyalty program discounts associated with our Credit Card programs will be presented in net sales in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed as net income divided by basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed as net income divided by diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period including common stock equivalents. Common stock equivalents consist of shares subject to share-based awards with exercise prices less than the average market price of our common stock for the period, to the extent their inclusion would be dilutive. Stock options and other stock awards that contain performance conditions are not included in the calculation of common stock equivalents until such performance conditions have been achieved.

Foreign Currency

Our international subsidiaries primarily use local currencies as their functional currency and translate their assets and liabilities at the current rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses from their operations are translated using rates that approximate those in effect during the period in which the transactions occur. The resulting gains and losses from translation are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and in accumulated OCI in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. Transaction gains and losses resulting from intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature are also classified as accumulated OCI. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local functional currency are recorded in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The aggregate transaction gains and losses recorded in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:



	Fiscal Year
($ in millions)	2017			2016			2015
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	$	31		$	(18	)	$	(6	)
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from certain derivative financial instruments	(30		)	10			25
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)	$	1		$	(8	)	$	19

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Our income tax expense includes changes in our estimated liability for exposures associated with our various tax filing positions. At any point in time, many tax years are subject to or in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. To the extent our estimates of settlements change or the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made.

The Company recognizes interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on income taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Except as noted below, the Company has considered all recent accounting pronouncements and has concluded that there are no recent accounting pronouncements that may have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements, based on current information.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Related to Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting standards update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU No. 2014-09, as amended, is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017.

The adoption will result in a change in the timing of recognizing revenue for breakage income for gift cards, gift certificates, and credit vouchers, as breakage income will now be recognized based on historical redemption patterns rather than when the likelihood of redemption is considered remote. The adoption will also result in a change in the timing of recognizing revenue for sales where we ship the merchandise to the customer from a distribution center or store, as revenue for sales where we ship the merchandise to customers will be recognized when control of the merchandise transfers to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment rather than upon delivery of the products to the customer. Additionally, under the new guidance, we will record allowances for estimated sales returns on a gross basis rather than on a net basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The adoption will also result in change in the timing of recognizing credit card reward points, as the portion of sales attributed to credit card reward points will be deferred until the reward points are redeemed or expire. We previously did not defer any portion of revenue related to reward points and certificates and recognized costs associated with reward points and certificates in cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income as the rewards were earned.

The most significant changes will be reclassifications from operating expenses to net sales related to the income from our revenue sharing agreement with Synchrony, as well as reclassifications from cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses to net sales for reimbursements of loyalty program discounts associated with our private label and co-branded credit card loyalty program. These reclassifications will have a significant impact on the affected line items of the Consolidated Statements of Income, but will not have a material impact to net income.

In addition, we will provide expanded disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We will also provide disclosures of the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected during fiscal 2018 as compared to the prior year presentation.

We will adopt these ASUs on a modified retrospective basis beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an increase to the opening balance of retained earnings. We expect this adjustment to be about $36 million, net of tax, related primarily to breakage income for gift cards, gift certificates, and credit vouchers, and reimbursements of loyalty program discounts, with an immaterial impact to our net income on an ongoing basis.

Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (with the exception of leases with a term of 12 months or less) at the commencement date. We will continue to evaluate the impact of the new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements as we implement a new lease accounting information system, but it will result in a substantial increase in our long-term assets and liabilities. We have elected to apply the practical expedients permitted within the new standard, which among other things, allows us to carryforward the historical lease classification. We also intend to elect the practical expedient of not separating non-lease components from lease components. The ASU is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2018. We will adopt the ASU beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. See Note 11, Leases, for the aggregate minimum non-cancelable annual lease payments under leases in effect on February 3, 2018.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments are intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. We adopted the provisions of this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we have made the policy election to account for forfeitures when they occur, rather than estimating expected forfeitures, when recognizing share-based compensation cost. We adopted this provision of the ASU using a modified retrospective transition method, which resulted in the cumulative-effect adjustment of a $3 million increase to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Also, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payment awards are now reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Income as a component of the provision for income taxes on a prospective basis, whereas they were recognized in equity under the previous guidance. Additionally, excess tax benefits related to share-based payment awards are now reflected in operating activities, along with other income tax related cash flows, in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows on a prospective basis.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments provide guidance for eight specific cash flow issues and are intended to address diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. We will adopt the presentation and disclosure provisions of this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash. The amendments address diversity in practice that exists in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash and require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The ASU is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. We will adopt the presentation and disclosure provisions of this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments are intended to better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently assessing the potential impact of this ASU on our Consolidated Financial Statements.