Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description Of Business

Description of Business

Tech Data Corporation (“Tech Data” or the “Company”) is one of the world’s largest wholesale distributors of technology products. The Company serves as an indispensable link in the technology supply chain by bringing products from the world’s leading technology vendors to market, as well as providing customers with advanced logistics capabilities and value added services. Tech Data’s customers include value-added resellers, direct marketers, retailers and corporate resellers who support the diverse technology needs of end users. The Company is managed in two geographic segments: the Americas (including North America and South America) and Europe.

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tech Data and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Noncontrolling interest is recognized for the portion of a consolidated joint venture not owned by the Company. The Company operates on a fiscal year that ends on January 31.

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company prepares its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2012 and its statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011. In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we prospectively revised our presentation of sales of vendor warranty services and certain fulfillment contracts to appropriately present these revenues on an agency basis as net fees as compared to presenting gross revenues and costs of sales in prior periods. This change had no impact on gross profit dollars, operating income dollars, net income dollars or earnings per share for any fiscal periods reported. Prior to this prospective revision, these contracts approximated three percent of the Company’s net sales in both the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Management believes the impact of this revised presentation is not material and, therefore, prior periods have not been adjusted.

Seasonality

Seasonality

The Company’s quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past and will likely continue to do so in the future as a result of currency fluctuations and seasonal variations in the demand for the products and services offered. Narrow operating margins may magnify the impact of these factors on our operating results. Recent historical seasonal variations have included an increase in European demand during the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter and decreased demand in other fiscal quarters, particularly quarters that include summer months. Given that more than one half of the Company’s revenues are derived from Europe, the worldwide results closely follow the seasonality trends in Europe. Additionally, the life cycles of major products, as well as the impact of future acquisitions and dispositions, may also materially impact the Company’s business, financial condition, or consolidated results of operations. Therefore, the results of operations for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending January 31, 2013.