Segments and Geographic Information

9 Months Ended

Oct. 27, 2012

Segments and Geographic Information

Segments and Geographic Information

Note 8.  Segments and Geographic Information

We consider our Michaels — U.S., Michaels — Canada, and Aaron Brothers operations to be our operating segments for purposes of determining reportable segments based on the criteria of ASC 280, Segment Reporting. We determined that our operating segments have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria set forth in ASC 280. Therefore, we combine all operating segments into one reporting segment.

Our sales and assets by country are as follows:

	Quarter Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011		October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011
	(in millions)
Net Sales:
United States	$	915	$	906	$	2,617	$	2,551
Canada	99		90		267		255
Consolidated Total	$	1,014	$	996	$	2,884	$	2,806

	October 27, 2012		January 28, 2012		October 29, 2011
	(in millions)
Total Assets:
United States	$	1,761	$	1,713	$	1,670
Canada	140		109		110
Consolidated Total	$	1,901	$	1,822	$	1,780

Our chief operating decision makers evaluate historical operating performance, plan and forecast future periods’ operating performance based on earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, and loss on early extinguishment of debt (“EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt)”). We believe EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) represents the financial measure that more closely reflects the operating effectiveness of factors over which management has control. As such, an element of base incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel are based on EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt). A reconciliation of EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) to Net income is presented below.

	Quarter Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011		October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011
	(in millions)
Net income	$	36	$	32	$	102	$	79
Interest expense	60		62		187		188
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	3		1		3		16
Provision for income taxes	20		19		58		48
Depreciation and amortization	25		25		71		75
EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt)	$	144	$	139	$	421	$	406