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Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Apr. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of La-Z-Boy Incorporated and our majority-owned subsidiaries. The portion of less than wholly-owned subsidiaries is included as non-controlling interest. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated, including any related profit on intercompany sales. Additionally, our consolidated financial statements previously included the accounts of certain entities in which we held a controlling interest based on exposure to economic risks and potential rewards (variable interests) for the periods in which we were the primary beneficiary. As of April 28, 2012, we no longer had any such arrangements where we were the primary beneficiary.

Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts or disclosures of assets, liabilities (including contingent assets and liabilities), sales and expenses at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Equivalents
Cash and Equivalents
For purposes of the consolidated balance sheet and statement of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash
Restricted Cash
We have cash on deposit with a bank as collateral for certain letters of credit.

Inventories
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis for approximately 67% of our inventories at both April 26, 2014, and April 27, 2013. Cost is determined for all other inventories on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. The FIFO method of accounting is mainly used for our Retail segment’s inventory as well as our England operating unit and our majority owned foreign subsidiaries.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Items capitalized, including significant betterments to existing facilities, are recorded at cost. Capitalized computer software costs include internal and external costs incurred during the software's development stage. Internal costs relate primarily to employee activities related to coding and testing the software under development. Computer software costs are depreciated over three to ten years. All maintenance and repair costs are expensed when incurred. Depreciation is computed principally using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Disposal and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Disposal and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Retirement or dispositions of long-lived assets are recorded based on carrying value and proceeds received. Any resulting gains or losses are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Our assessment of recoverability is based on our best estimates using either quoted market prices or an analysis of the undiscounted projected future cash flows by asset groups in order to determine if there is any evidence of impairment requiring us to further assess the fair value of our long-lived assets. Our asset groups consist of our operating units in our Upholstery segment (La-Z-Boy and England), components of our Casegoods segment that have identifiable cash flows (the first being American Drew and Kincaid, and the second being Hammary) and each of our retail stores.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill
Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill
We test indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Indefinite-lived intangible assets include certain of our trade names and the reacquired right to own and operate La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores in the southern Ohio and Las Vegas markets, and in northeast Ohio.

Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of our reporting unit to its carrying value. Our goodwill relates to the acquisition of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores in the southern Ohio market and in northeast Ohio. The reporting units for our goodwill are the southern Ohio retail market and the stores acquired in northeast Ohio, because the acquisition of the retail stores is where the goodwill was generated. The estimated fair value for the reporting unit is determined based upon discounted cash flows. In situations where the fair value is less than the carrying value, indicating a potential impairment, a second comparison is performed using a calculation of implied fair value of goodwill to measure any such impairment. We did not have any goodwill impairment during fiscal 2013 or 2014.

Investments
Investments
Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with the net unrealized gains and losses (that are deemed to be temporary) reported as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss). Realized gains and losses and charges for other-than-temporary impairments are included in determining net income, with related purchase costs based on the first-in, first-out method. For impairments that are other-than-temporary, an impairment loss is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made. The fair value of the investment then becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment and it is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance
Life insurance policies are recorded at the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract as of the date of our consolidated balance sheet. These assets are classified as other long-term assets on our consolidated balance sheet. The change in cash surrender or contract value is recorded as income or expense during each period.

Revenue Recognition and Related Allowances for Credit Losses
Revenue Recognition and Related Allowances for Credit Losses
Substantially all of our shipping agreements with third-party carriers transfer the risk of loss to our customers upon shipment. Accordingly, our shipments using third-party carriers are generally recognized as revenue upon shipment of the product. In all cases, for product shipped on our company-owned trucks, revenue is recognized upon delivery. This revenue includes amounts billed to customers for shipping. Provisions are made at the time revenue is recognized for estimated product returns and warranties, as well as other incentives that may be offered to customers. We also recognize revenue for amounts received from our customers in connection with our shared advertising cost arrangement. We import certain products from foreign ports, which are shipped directly to our domestic customers. In this case, revenue is not recognized until title is assumed by our customer, which is normally after the goods pass through U.S. Customs.

Incentives offered to customers include cash discounts and other sales incentive programs. Estimated cash discounts and other sales incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenues when the revenue is recognized.
 
Trade accounts receivable arise from the sale of products on trade credit terms. On a quarterly basis, our management team reviews all significant accounts as to their past due balances, as well as collectability of the outstanding trade accounts receivable for possible write off. It is our policy to write off the accounts receivable against the allowance account when we deem the receivable to be uncollectible. Additionally, for those dealers that are significantly past due, we review their sales orders and ship product when collectability of the incremental sale is reasonably assured.

We have notes receivable balances due to us from various customers. These notes receivable generally relate to past due accounts receivable which were converted to a note receivable in order to secure further collateral and personal guarantees from the customer. The collateral from the customer is generally in the form of inventory or real estate. In cases where we do not have sufficient collateral (excluding personal guarantees, if any) to support the carrying value of the note receivable, our policy is to recognize an allowance for credit losses for this difference.

These allowances for credit losses reflect our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the trade accounts and notes receivable balances. We determine the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historic experience and other currently available evidence.
Cost of Sales
Cost of Sales
Our cost of sales consists primarily of the cost to manufacture or purchase our merchandise, inspection costs, internal transfer costs, in-bound freight costs, outbound shipping costs, as well as warehousing costs, occupancy costs and depreciation expense related to our manufacturing facilities and equipment.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses include the costs of selling our products and other general and administrative costs. Selling expenses are primarily composed of commissions, advertising, warranty, bad debt expense and compensation and benefits of employees performing various sales functions. Additionally, the occupancy costs of our retail facilities and the warehousing costs of our regional distribution centers are included as a component of SG&A. Other general and administrative expenses included in SG&A are composed primarily of compensation and benefit costs for administration employees and other administrative costs.

Research and Development Costs
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are charged to expense in the periods incurred. Expenditures for research and development costs from continuing operations were $7.9 million, $7.2 million and $7.3 million for the fiscal years ended April 26, 2014, April 27, 2013, and April 28, 2012, respectively and are included as a component of SG&A.

Advertising Expenses
Advertising Expenses
Production costs of commercials, programming and costs of other advertising, promotion and marketing programs are charged to expense in the period incurred. Gross advertising expenses were $59.6 million, $53.9 million and $47.7 million for the fiscal years ended April 26, 2014, April 27, 2013, and April 28, 2012, respectively.

A major portion of our advertising program is a national advertising campaign. This campaign is a shared advertising program with our La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores, which are reimbursing us for about 34.6% of the cost of the program (excluding company-owned stores). Because of this shared cost arrangement, the advertising expense is reported as a component of SG&A, while the dealers’ reimbursement portion is reported as a component of sales.

Operating Leases
Operating Leases
We record rent expense related to operating leases on a straight-line basis for minimum lease payments starting with the beginning of the lease term based on the date that we have the right to control the leased property. Our minimum lease payments may incorporate step rent provisions or rent escalations. We also record rental income from subleases on a straight-line basis for minimum lease payments.
 
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

In periods when deferred tax assets are recorded, we are required to estimate whether recoverability is more likely than not, based on, among other things, forecasts of taxable earnings in the related tax jurisdiction. We consider historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carry-forward period, tax law changes, tax planning opportunities and other relevant considerations when making judgments about realizing the value of our deferred tax assets.

We recognize in our consolidated financial statements the benefit of a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return when it is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. Changes in judgment that result in subsequent recognition, derecognition or change in a measurement date of a tax position taken in a prior annual period (including any related interest and penalties) are recognized as a discrete item in the interim period in which the change occurs.

Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of our Mexico subsidiary is the U.S. dollar. Transaction gains and losses associated with translating our Mexico subsidiary’s assets and liabilities, which are non-U.S. dollar denominated, are recorded in other income/(expense) in our consolidated statement of income. The functional currency of each of our other foreign subsidiaries is its respective local currency. Assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries whose functional currency is their local currency are translated at the year-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the period, with the corresponding exchange effect included as a component of other comprehensive income. When the foreign subsidiary has substantially ended operations, the remaining translation adjustments are recognized in other income/(expense) in our consolidated statement of income.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
We estimate the fair value of equity-based awards on the date of grant using option-pricing models. The value of the portion of the equity-based awards that are ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statement of income using a straight-line single-option method. We measure stock-based compensation cost for liability-based awards based on the fair value of the award on the last day of the reporting period and recognize it as expense over the vesting period. The liability for these awards is remeasured and adjusted to its fair value at the end of each reporting period until paid. We record compensation cost for stock-based awards that vest based on performance conditions ratably over the vesting periods when the vesting of such awards become probable.

Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations
During fiscal 2014, we sold substantially all of the assets of our Bauhaus U.S.A. business unit and classified Lea Industries as held for sale. The assets and liabilities of Lea Industries are reported in business held for sale in our fiscal 2014 consolidated balance sheet, and the operating results of both Bauhaus and Lea Industries are reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated statement of income for all periods presented. Certain prior year information for Bauhaus and Lea Industries has been reclassified to present these businesses as discontinued operations as a result of these transactions. These items had no impact on the amounts of previously reported net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated or total equity.
 
Insurance/Self-Insurance
Insurance/Self-Insurance
We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability and the company-funded portion of employee-related health care benefits. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated in part by considering historic claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other assumptions. Our workers’ compensation reserve is an undiscounted liability. We have various excess loss coverages for auto, product liability and workers’ compensation liabilities. Our deductibles generally do not exceed $1.5 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued accounting guidance related to disclosures about discontinued operations. The guidance amends the definition of discontinued operations to limit the disposals that may be reported as discontinued operations. The disposal must be a result of a change in an entity’s strategy and have a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results to be reported as discontinued operations under the new guidance. The amendments also expand the required disclosures for discontinued operations to include additional information about the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and cash flows of the discontinued operation. If the disposal does not qualify as discontinued operations under the amended guidance, the entity must now disclose the pretax profit or loss of the disposal. This guidance will be effective for fiscal 2016. In connection with the discontinued operations discussed in Note 4, we have elected not to early adopt the provisions of this recently issued accounting standard. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amended guidance will enhance the comparability of revenue recognition practices and will be applied to all contracts with customers.  Improved disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized are requirements under the amended guidance.  This guidance will be effective for fiscal 2018 and will be required to be applied retrospectively. We are currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements at this time.