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Division Consolidation Costs
3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011
Division Consolidation Costs  
Division Consolidation Costs
2. Division Consolidation Costs

In 2008, the Company began a localization initiative called "My Macy's." This initiative was intended to strengthen local market focus and enhance selling service in an effort to both accelerate same-store sales growth and reduce expenses. To maximize the results from My Macy's, the Company took action, initially in selected markets, that: concentrated more management talent in local markets, effectively reducing the "span of control" over local stores; created new positions in the field to work with planning and buying executives in helping to understand and act on the merchandise needs of local customers; and empowered locally based executives to make more and better decisions. In 2009, the Company announced the expansion of the My Macy's localization initiative across the country. As My Macy's was rolled out nationally to new local markets in 2009, the Company's Macy's branded stores were reorganized into a unified operating structure, through division consolidations, to support the Macy's business. Division central office organizations were eliminated and certain divisions no longer exist as separate entities as their functions were integrated into remaining organizations.

The following table shows for the 13 weeks ended May 1, 2010, the beginning and ending balance of, and the activity associated with, the severance accrual established in connection with the division consolidation and localization initiatives:

 

     January 30,
2010
     Payments     May 1,
2010
 
     (millions)  

Severance costs

   $ 69       $ (49   $ 20   

The remaining $20 million of accrued severance costs, which were included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were paid prior to July 31, 2010.