Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Macy's, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is a retail organization operating retail stores and Internet websites under two brands (Macy's and Bloomingdale's) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company's operations include approximately 850 stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as macys.com and bloomingdales.com.

A description of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 (the "2010 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2010 10-K.

As of January 29, 2011, the Company changed its methodology for recording deferred state income taxes from a blended rate basis to a separate entity basis, and has reflected the effects of such change to 2008. Even though the Company considers the change to have had only an immaterial impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the prior period as previously reported have been adjusted to reflect the change.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires 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. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainties, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts.

The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.

Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2010 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year.

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, which provides amendments and requires new disclosures relating to Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," and also conforming amendments to guidance relating to ASC Topic 715, "Compensation – Retirement Benefits." The Company adopted this guidance on January 31, 2010, except for the disclosure requirement regarding purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which the Company adopted on January 30, 2011. This guidance is limited to the form and content of disclosures, and the full adoption did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2010-20, which amends various sections of ASC Topic 310, "Receivables," relating to a company's allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. The amendment requires companies to provide disaggregated levels of disclosure by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable to enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature of credit risk, how the risk is analyzed in determining the related allowance for credit losses and changes to the allowance during the reporting period. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 29, 2011, except as it relates to disclosures regarding activities during a reporting period, which the Company adopted on January 30, 2011. This guidance is limited to the form and content of disclosures. The full adoption did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2010-28, which amends ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other," relating to the goodwill impairment test of a reporting unit with zero or negative carrying amounts. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 30, 2011 and does not anticipate that the adoption will have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-04, which amends ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," to result in common fair value measurements and disclosures between accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuations standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The amendments change the wording used to describe fair value measurement requirements and disclosures, but often do not result in a change in the application of current guidance. Certain amendments clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while certain other amendments change a principle or requirement for fair value measurement or disclosure. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.