Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2012

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, 2012 refers to the year ended February 29, 2012.

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 (“ASC 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 810. Schurman owns and operates 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 29, 2012 includes:

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

• the limited guaranty (“Liquidity Guaranty”) of Schurman’s indebtedness of $12,000;

• normal course of business trade accounts receivable due from Schurman of $13,406, 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 $22,143 and $35,985 as of February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, respectively; and

• the subordinated credit facility (the “Subordinated Credit Facility”) that provides Schurman with up to $10,000 of subordinated financing.

The Corporation provides Schurman limited credit support through the provision of a Liquidity Guaranty in favor of the lenders under Schurman’s senior revolving credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the Liquidity Guaranty, the Corporation has guaranteed the repayment of up to $12,000 of Schurman’s borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility to help ensure that Schurman has sufficient borrowing availability under this facility. The Liquidity Guaranty is required to be backed by a letter of credit for the term of the Liquidity Guaranty, which is currently anticipated to end in January 2014. The Corporation’s obligations under the Liquidity Guaranty generally may not be triggered unless Schurman’s lenders under its Senior Credit Facility have substantially completed the liquidation of the collateral under Schurman’s Senior Credit Facility, or 91 days after the liquidation is started, whichever is earlier, and will be limited to the deficiency, if any, between the amount owed and the amount collected in connection with the liquidation. There was no triggering event or liquidation of collateral as of February 29, 2012 requiring the use of the Liquidity Guaranty.

The Subordinated Credit Facility that the Corporation provides to Schurman had an initial term of nineteen months expiring on November 17, 2010, however, unless either party provides the appropriate written notice prior to the expiration of the applicable term, the facility automatically renews for periods of one year, except in the case of the last renewal, in which case the facility can only renew for the partial year ending on the facility’s expiration date of June 25, 2013. 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 Schurman’s Senior Credit Facility and the Subordinated Credit Facility includes affirmative and negative non-financial covenants and events of default customary for such financings. As of February 29, 2012, the facility was in its second annual renewal and Schurman had not borrowed under the Subordinated Credit Facility.

The April 2009 transaction with Schurman also included a $12,000 bridge guaranty (“Bridge Guaranty”) in favor of the lenders under the Senior Credit Facility, which remained in effect until Schurman was able to include inventory and other assets of the retail stores it acquired from the Corporation in its borrowing base. On April 1, 2011, the Bridge Guaranty was terminated.

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 2012 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 2012 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, 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.

Concentration of Credit Risks: The Corporation sells primarily to customers in the retail trade, primarily those in mass merchandising, which is comprised of three distinct channels: mass merchandisers (including discount retailers), chain drug stores and supermarkets. In addition, the Corporation sells its products through a variety of other distribution channels, including card and gift shops, department stores, military post exchanges, variety stores and combo stores (stores combining food, general merchandise and drug items). The Corporation also sells greeting cards through its Cardstore.com Web site, and, from time to time, the Corporation sells its products to independent, third-party distributors. These customers are located throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Net sales to the Corporation’s five largest customers accounted for approximately 42% of total revenue in 2012 and 2011 and 39% of total revenue in 2010. Net sales to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries accounted for approximately 14%, 15% and 14% of total revenue in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Net sales to Target Corporation accounted for approximately 14% of total revenue in 2012 and 2011 and 13% of total revenue in 2010.

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 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, 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 $5,985, $4,736 and $4,360 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, with no significant amounts related to changes in ultimate revenue estimates during these periods. These production costs are included in “Material, labor and other production costs” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Amortization of production costs totaling $3,646, $3,380 and $2,209 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, are included in “Other—net” within “Operating Activities” on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The balance of deferred film production costs was $8,405 and $9,246 at February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, respectively, and is included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The Corporation expects to recognize amortization of approximately $2,700 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 $23,849 and $21,760 as of February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, 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 $11,209, $12,122 and $12,207 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, 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 10 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 Notes 8 and 14 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, which generally occurs upon delivery.

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.” Revenues and expenses associated with the servicing of these agreements are summarized as follows:

	2012		2011		2010
Royalty revenue	$	31,360	$	32,016	$	37,531
Royalty expenses:
Material, labor and other production costs		13,516		11,806		9,410
Selling, distribution and marketing expenses		11,368		14,046		17,970
Administrative and general expenses		1,748		1,697		2,050
	$	26,632	$	27,549	$	29,430

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 $134,204, $119,391 and $119,989 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Advertising Expenses: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $25,718, $12,079 and $12,559 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, 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 January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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 become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Corporation’s adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on its financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 (“ASU 2011-04”), “Fair Value Measurement: Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU 2011-04 improves comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement requirements including (1) the application of the highest and best use and valuation premise concepts, (2) measuring the fair value of an instrument classified in a reporting entity’s shareholders’ equity, and (3) quantitative information required for fair value measurements categorized within Level 3. ASU 2011-04 also provides guidance on measuring the fair value of financial instruments managed within a portfolio and application of premiums and discounts in a fair value measurement. In addition, ASU 2011-04 requires additional disclosure for Level 3 measurements regarding the sensitivity of fair value to changes in unobservable inputs and any interrelationships between those inputs. The amendments in this guidance are to be applied prospectively, and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Corporation does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on its financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-05”), “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity and requires the presentation of components of net income and other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, ASU 2011-05 requires presentation of reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. In January 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 (“ASU 2011-12”), “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassification of Items out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” ASU 2011-12 defers the effective date of the requirements made in ASU 2011-05 pertaining to presentation of reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. ASU 2011-12 reinstates the previous requirements to present reclassification adjustments either on the face of the statement in which other comprehensive income is reported or to disclose them in the notes to the financial statements. The other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by ASU 2011-12. ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Corporation does not expect that the adoption of these standards will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial condition, but it will affect how the Corporation presents its other comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08 (“ASU 2011-08”), “Testing Goodwill for Impairment.” ASU 2011-08 gives entities the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Only if an entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting entity is less than its carrying amount, would it be required to then perform the first step of the two-step quantitative impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step quantitative impairment testing is not required. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Corporation does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on its financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-09 (“ASU 2011-09”), “Disclosures about an Employer’s Participation in a Multiemployer Plan.” ASU 2011-09 requires an employer who participates in multiemployer pension plans to provide additional disclosures to help financial statement users to better understand the plans in which an employer participates, the level of the employer’s participation in those plans and the financial health of those plans. ASU 2011-09 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. Since ASU 2011-09 does not change the existing recognition and measurement guidance for an employer’s participation in a multiemployer plan, the Corporation’s adoption of this standard during the fourth quarter of 2012 did not impact its financial statements.