Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation

3 Months Ended

May 01, 2021

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

L Brands, Inc. (the "Company”) operates in the highly competitive specialty retail business. The Company is a specialty retailer of home fragrance products, body care, soaps and sanitizers, women’s intimate and other apparel, and personal and beauty care products. The Company sells its merchandise through company-operated specialty retail stores in the U.S., Canada and Greater China, and through its websites and other channels. The Company's international operations are primarily through franchise, license, wholesale and joint venture partners. The Company currently operates the following retail brands:

•Bath & Body Works

•Victoria’s Secret

•PINK

On May 11, 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to separate L Brands, Inc. into two independent, public companies: Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret, including PINK. The Company expects to create these companies through a tax-free spin-off of Victoria’s Secret to L Brands’ shareholders. The spin-off is expected to be effected through a pro-rata distribution to L Brands, Inc. shareholders of common stock of a newly-formed entity holding certain assets and liabilities comprising the Victoria’s Secret business. The spin-off is expected to be completed in August 2021, subject to certain customary market, regulatory and other conditions.

Impacts of COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") has created significant public health concerns as well as economic disruption, uncertainty and volatility. The Company's operations and financial performance have been materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter of 2020, all the Company's stores in North America were closed on March 17, 2020 and nearly all stores remained closed throughout the remainder of the first quarter of 2020. Additionally, operations for Victoria’s Secret Direct were temporarily suspended for approximately one week in late March 2020, while Bath & Body Works Direct remained open for the duration of the first quarter of 2020.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company took prudent actions to manage expenses and to maintain its cash position and financial flexibility. The Company also has adopted new operating models focused on providing a safe environment for its customers and associates, while also delivering an engaging shopping experience. The Company remains focused on the safe operations of its distribution, fulfillment and call centers while maximizing its direct businesses. Government stimulus payments and the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions have positively impacted demand for the Company's products during the first quarter of 2021. There remains the potential for COVID-related risks of closure or operating restrictions, which could materially impact the Company's operations and financial performance in future periods.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “first quarter of 2021” and “first quarter of 2020” refer to the thirteen-week periods ended May 1, 2021 and May 2, 2020, respectively.

Basis of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company accounts for investments in unconsolidated entities where it exercises significant influence, but does not have control, using the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company recognizes its share of the investee's net income or loss. Losses are only recognized to the extent the Company has positive carrying value related to the investee. Carrying values are only reduced below zero if the Company has an obligation to provide funding to the investee. The Company’s share of net income or loss of unconsolidated entities from which the Company purchases merchandise or merchandise components is included in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s share of net income or loss from its investment in the Victoria's Secret U.K. joint venture with Next PLC is included in General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s share of net income or loss of all other unconsolidated entities is included in Other Income (Loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s equity method investments are required to be reviewed for impairment when it is determined there may be an other-than-temporary loss in value.

Interim Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the periods ended May 1, 2021 and May 2, 2020 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.

Seasonality of Business

Due to the seasonal variations in the retail industry, the results of operations for the interim period is not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year.

Restricted Cash

The Company placed cash on deposit with certain financial institutions as collateral for lending commitments. The amount of collateral required was dependent upon the aggregate lending commitments. These deposits, totaling $30 million, are recorded in Other Current Assets on the May 1, 2021 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company's total Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash totaled $2.837 billion as of May 1, 2021.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes. All derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.

The earnings of the Company's wholly owned foreign operations are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all the merchandise is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate this foreign currency exposure for its Canadian operations. Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) upon sale of the hedged merchandise to the customer. These gains and losses are recognized in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The fair value of designated cash flow hedges is not significant as of May 1, 2021.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and derivative contracts with various major financial institutions. The Company monitors the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom the Company transacts and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. The Company’s investment portfolio is primarily comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits.

The Company also periodically reviews the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which the Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business. The Company determines the required allowance for expected credit losses using information such as customer credit history and financial condition. Amounts are recorded to the allowance when it is determined that expected credit losses may occur.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company did not adopt any new accounting standards during the first quarter of 2021 that had a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. In addition, there are no new accounting standards not yet adopted that are expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.