Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Greetings Corporation and its subsidiaries (“American Greetings” or the “Corporation”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The Corporation’s fiscal year ends on February 28 or 29. References to a particular year refer to the fiscal year ending in February of that year. For example, 2011 refers to the year ended February 28, 2011.

The Corporation’s investments in less than majority-owned companies in which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method except when they qualify as variable interest entities (“VIE”) and the Corporation is the primary beneficiary, in which case the investments are consolidated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation.” Investments that do not meet the above criteria are accounted for under the cost method.

The Corporation holds an approximately 15% equity interest in Schurman Fine Papers (“Schurman”), which is a VIE as defined in ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” Schurman owns and operates approximately 430 specialty card and gift retail stores in the United States and Canada. The stores are primarily located in malls and strip shopping centers. During the current period, the Corporation assessed the variable interests in Schurman and determined that a third party holder of variable interests has the controlling financial interest in the VIE and thus, the third party, not the Corporation, is the primary beneficiary. In completing this assessment, the Corporation identified the activities that it considers most significant to the future economic success of the VIE and determined that it does not have the power to direct those activities. As such, Schurman is not consolidated in the Corporation’s results. The Corporation’s maximum exposure to loss as it relates to Schurman as of February 28, 2011 includes:

• the investment in the equity of Schurman of $1,935;

• the Liquidity Guaranty of Schurman’s indebtedness of $12,000 and the Bridge Guaranty of Schurman’s indebtedness of $12,000, see Note 11 for further information;

• normal course of business trade accounts receivable due from Schurman, the balance of which fluctuates throughout the year due to the seasonal nature of the business;

• the operating leases currently subleased to Schurman, the aggregate lease payments for the remaining life of which was $35,985 and $50,854 as of February 28, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Corporation and Schurman are also party to a Subordinated Credit Facility that provides Schurman with up to $10,000 of subordinated financing for an initial term of nineteen months, subject to up to three automatic one-year renewal periods (or partial-year, in the case of the last renewal), unless either party provides the appropriate written notice prior to the expiration of the applicable term. Schurman can only borrow under the facility if it does not have other sources of financing available, and borrowings under the Subordinated Credit Facility may only be used for specified purposes. Borrowings under the Subordinated Credit Facility are subordinate to borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility, and the Subordinated Credit Facility includes affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for such financings. In addition, availability under the Subordinated Credit Facility is limited as long as the Bridge Guaranty is in place to the difference between $10,000 and the current maximum amount of the Bridge Guaranty. Because the Bridge Guaranty remained at $12,000 as of February 28, 2011, there were no loans outstanding, or available under the Subordinated Credit Facility, as of February 28, 2011.

In accordance with its terms, on April 1, 2011, the Bridge Guaranty was terminated. As a result of the termination of the Bridge Guaranty, beginning on April 2, 2011, Schurman may now borrow up to $10,000 under the Subordinated Credit Facility. Because the Liquidity Guaranty described above remains in place but Schurman is now able to borrow under the Subordinated Credit Facility, the Corporation’s net exposure under guaranties and available financing to Schurman decreased by $2,000 due to the termination of the Bridge Guaranty.

In addition to the investment in the equity of Schurman, the Corporation holds an investment in the common stock of AAH Holdings Corporation (“AAH”). These two investments, totaling $12,546, are accounted for under the cost method. The Corporation is not aware of any events or changes in circumstances that had occurred during 2011 that the Corporation believes are reasonably likely to have had a significant adverse effect on the carrying amount of these investments. See Note 2 for further information.

Reclassifications: Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those related to sales returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, customer allowances and discounts, recoverability of intangibles and other long-lived assets, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, deferred costs and various other allowances and accruals, based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may alter such estimates and affect the results of operations and the financial position in future periods.

Cash Equivalents: The Corporation considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: The Corporation evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where the Corporation is aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance for bad debts against amounts due is recorded to reduce the receivable to the amount the Corporation reasonably expects will be collected. In addition, the Corporation recognizes allowances for bad debts based on estimates developed by using standard quantitative measures incorporating historical write-offs. See Note 6 for further information.

Customer Allowances and Discounts: The Corporation offers certain of its customers allowances and discounts including cooperative advertising, rebates, marketing allowances and various other allowances and discounts. These amounts are recorded as reductions of gross accounts receivable or included in accrued liabilities and are recognized as reductions of net sales when earned. These amounts are earned by the customer as product is purchased from the Corporation and are recorded based on the terms of individual customer contracts. See Note 6 for further information.

Concentration of Credit Risks: The Corporation sells primarily to customers in the retail trade, including those in the mass merchandise, drug store, discount retailer, supermarket and other channels of distribution. These customers are located throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. Net sales to the Corporation’s five largest customers accounted for approximately 42%, 39% and 36% of total revenue in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Net sales to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries accounted for approximately 15%, 14% and 15% of total revenue in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Net sales to Target Corporation accounted for approximately 14% and 13% of total revenue in 2011 and 2010, respectively, and less than 10% in 2009.

The Corporation conducts business based on periodic evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral to secure their obligation to the Corporation. While the competitiveness of the retail industry presents an inherent uncertainty, the Corporation does not believe a significant risk of loss exists from a concentration of credit.

Inventories: Finished products, work in process and raw materials inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. The last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost method is used for certain domestic inventories, which approximate 80% of the total pre-LIFO consolidated inventories at February 28, 2011 and 2010, respectively. International inventories and the remaining domestic inventories principally use the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method except for display material and factory supplies which are carried at average cost. The Corporation allocates fixed production overhead to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material are treated as a current period expense. See Note 7 for further information.

Deferred Costs: In the normal course of its business, the Corporation enters into agreements with certain customers for the supply of greeting cards and related products. The Corporation classifies the total contractual amount of the incentive consideration committed to the customer but not yet earned as a deferred cost asset at the inception of an agreement, or any future amendments. Deferred costs estimated to be earned by the customer and charged to operations during the next twelve months are classified as “Prepaid expenses and other” on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and the remaining amounts to be charged beyond the next twelve months are classified as “Other assets.” Such costs are capitalized as assets reflecting the probable future economic benefits obtained as a result of the transactions. Future economic benefit is further defined as cash inflow to the Corporation. The Corporation, by incurring these costs, is ensuring the probability of future cash flows through sales to customers. The amortization of such deferred costs over the stated term of the agreement or the minimum purchase volume commitment properly matches the cost of obtaining business over the periods to be benefited. The Corporation maintains an allowance for deferred costs based on estimates developed using standard quantitative measures incorporating historical write-offs. In instances where the Corporation is aware of a particular customer’s inability to meet its performance obligation, a specific allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred cost asset to an estimate of its future value based upon expected recoverability. See Note 10 for further discussion.

Deferred Film Production Costs: The Corporation is engaged in the production of film-based entertainment, which is generally exploited in the DVD, theatrical release or broadcast format. This entertainment is related to Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears and other properties developed by the Corporation and is used to support the Corporation’s merchandise licensing strategy.

Film production costs are accounted for pursuant to ASC Topic 926 (“ASC 926”), “Entertainment – Films,” and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value based on anticipated total revenue (ultimate revenue). Film production costs are generally capitalized. These costs are then recognized ratably based on the ratio of the current period’s revenue to estimated remaining ultimate revenues. Ultimate revenues are calculated in accordance with ASC 926 and require estimates and the exercise of judgment. Accordingly, these estimates are periodically updated to include the actual results achieved or new information as to anticipated revenue performance of each title.

Production expense totaled $4,736 and $4,360 in 2011 and 2010, respectively, with no significant amounts related to changes in ultimate revenue estimates. These production costs are included in “Material, labor and other production costs” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Amortization of production costs totaling $3,380, $2,209 and $10,513 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are included in “Other – net” on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The balance of deferred film production costs was $9,246 and $11,479 at February 28, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The Corporation expects to recognize amortization of approximately $2,000 of production costs during the next twelve months.

Investment in Life Insurance: The Corporation’s investment in corporate-owned life insurance policies is recorded in “Other assets” net of policy loans and related interest payable on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The net balance was $21,760 and $18,330 as of February 28, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The net life insurance expense, including interest expense, is included in “Administrative and general expenses” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The related interest expense, which approximates amounts paid, was $12,122, $12,207 and $11,101 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations and is not amortized in accordance with ASC Topic 350 (“ASC 350”), “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” This topic addresses the amortization of intangible assets with defined lives and the impairment testing and recognition for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Corporation is required to evaluate the carrying value of its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for potential impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators arise.

While the Corporation may use a variety of methods to estimate fair value for impairment testing, its primary methods are discounted cash flows and a market based analysis. The required annual impairment tests are completed during the fourth quarter. Intangible assets with defined lives are amortized over their estimated lives. See Note 9 for further discussion.

Property and Depreciation: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation and amortization of buildings, equipment and fixtures are computed principally by the straight-line method over the useful lives of the various assets. The cost of buildings is depreciated over 40 years; computer hardware and software over 3 to 7 years; machinery and equipment over 3 to 15 years; and furniture and fixtures over 8 to 20 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the lease term or the estimated life of the leasehold improvement. Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360 (“ASC 360”), “Property, Plant and Equipment.” ASC 360 also provides a single accounting model for the disposal of long-lived assets. In accordance with ASC 360, assets held for sale are stated at the lower of their fair values less cost to sell or carrying amounts and depreciation is no longer recognized. See Note 8 for further information.

Operating Leases: Rent expense for operating leases, which may have escalating rentals over the term of the lease, is recorded on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term. The initial lease term includes the “build-out” period of leases, where no rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease. The difference between rent expense and rent paid is recorded as deferred rent. Construction allowances received from landlords are recorded as a deferred rent credit and amortized to rent expense over the initial term of the lease. The Corporation records lease rent expense net of any related sublease income. See Note 13 for further information.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits: The Corporation has several defined benefit pension plans and a defined benefit health care plan that provides postretirement medical benefits to full-time United States employees who meet certain requirements. In accordance with ASC Topic 715 (“ASC 715”), “Compensation-Retirement Benefits,” the Corporation recognizes the plans’ funded status in its statement of financial position, measures the plans’ assets and obligations as of the end of its fiscal year and recognizes the changes in a defined benefit postretirement plan’s funded status in comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. See Note 12 for further information.

Revenue Recognition: Sales are recognized when title and the risk of loss have been transferred to the customer.

Seasonal cards and certain other seasonal products are generally sold with the right of return on unsold merchandise. The Corporation provides for estimated returns of these products when those sales are recognized. These estimates are based on historical sales returns, the amount of current year sales and other known factors. Accrual rates utilized for establishing estimated returns reserves have approximated actual returns experience.

Products sold without a right of return may be subject to sales credit issued at the Corporation’s discretion for damaged, obsolete and outdated products. The Corporation maintains an estimated reserve for these sales credits based on historical information.

For retailers with a scan-based trading (“SBT”) arrangement, the Corporation owns the product delivered to its retail customers until the product is sold by the retailer to the ultimate consumer, at which time the Corporation recognizes revenue for both everyday and seasonal products. When a SBT arrangement with a retailer is finalized, the Corporation reverses previous sales transactions based on retailer inventory turn rates and the estimated timing of the store conversions. Legal ownership of the inventory at the retailer’s stores reverts back to the Corporation at the time of the conversion and the amount of sales reversal is finalized based on the actual inventory at the time of conversion.

Prior to April 17, 2009, sales at the Corporation owned retail locations were recognized upon the sale of product to the consumer.

Subscription revenue, primarily for the AG Interactive segment, represents fees paid by customers for access to particular services for the term of the subscription. Subscription revenue is generally billed in advance and is recognized ratably over the subscription periods.

The Corporation has agreements for licensing the Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake characters and other intellectual property. These license agreements provide for royalty revenue to the Corporation based on a percentage of net sales and are subject to certain guaranteed minimum royalties. These license agreements may include the receipt of upfront advances, which are recorded as deferred revenue and earned during the period of the agreement. Certain of these agreements are managed by outside agents. All payments flow through the agents prior to being remitted to the Corporation. Typically, the Corporation receives quarterly payments from the agents. Royalty revenue is generally recognized upon receipt and recorded in “Other revenue.” Expenses associated with the servicing of these agreements are summarized as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
Material, labor and other production costs	$	11,806	$	9,410	$	24,615
Selling, distribution and marketing expenses		14,046		17,970		29,146
Administrative and general expenses		1,697		2,050		2,421
	$	27,549	$	29,430	$	56,182

Deferred revenue, included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, totaled $39,396 and $40,156 at February 28, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amounts relate primarily to subscription revenue in the Corporation’s AG Interactive segment and the licensing activities included in non-reportable segments.

Sales Taxes: Sales taxes are not included in net sales as the Corporation is a conduit for collecting and remitting taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities.

Translation of Foreign Currencies: Asset and liability accounts are translated into United States dollars using exchange rates in effect at the date of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position; revenue and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates during the related period. Translation adjustments are reflected as a component of shareholders’ equity within other comprehensive income. Upon sale, or upon complete or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity, that component of shareholders’ equity is reclassified as part of the gain or loss on sale or liquidation of the investment. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions, including intercompany transactions that are not considered permanent investments, are included in other non-operating expense (income) as incurred.

Shipping and Handling Fees: The Corporation classifies shipping and handling fees as part of “Selling, distribution and marketing expenses.” Shipping and handling costs were $119,391, $119,989 and $130,271 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Advertising Expenses: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $17,434, $16,985 and $19,784 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Income Taxes: Income tax expense includes both current and deferred taxes. Current tax expense represents the amount of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the year, including interest and penalties. Deferred income taxes, net of appropriate valuation allowances, are recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to tax carryforwards and the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts realized for income tax purposes. The effect of a change to the deferred tax assets or liabilities as a result of new tax law, including tax rate changes, is recognized in the period that the tax law is enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. When an uncertain tax position meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. See Note 17 for further discussion.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-17 (“ASU 2009-17”), (Consolidations Topic 810), “Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” ASU 2009-17 requires an ongoing reassessment of determining whether a variable interest gives a company a controlling financial interest in a VIE. It also requires an entity to qualitatively, rather than quantitatively, determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Under the new standard, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is a party that has the controlling financial interest in the VIE and has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic success and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. ASU 2009-17 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The Corporation’s adoption of this standard on March 1, 2010 did not have a material effect on its financial statements. See Note 2 for further information.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”), “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.” ASU 2010-06 provides amendments to ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” that require separate disclosure of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements in addition to the presentation of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 also provides amendments to subtopic 820-10 that clarify existing disclosures about the level of disaggregation, and inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosure requirements are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements of Level 3 fair value measurements, which becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. On March 1, 2010, the Corporation adopted this standard, except for the requirement to separately disclose purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the Level 3 rollforward, which becomes effective in 2012. The Corporation’s adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on its financial statements. Also, the Corporation does not expect that the adoption of the enhanced disclosures for Level 3 fair value measurements will have a material effect on its financial statements. See Note 14 for further information.