Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 30, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

Macy's, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (the "Company"), is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites and mobile applications under three brands (Macy's, Bloomingdale's and bluemercury) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories (men's, women's and kids'), cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company has stores in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. As of October 30, 2021, the Company's operations were conducted through Macy's, Market by Macy’s, Macy’s Backstage, Bloomingdale's, Bloomingdale's The Outlet, Bloomies, and bluemercury.  

Bloomingdale's in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Al Zahra, Kuwait are operated under a license agreement with Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, LLC.

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 30, 2021 (the "2020 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2020 10-K.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") 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, including the ultimate financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts.

The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, 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.

Seasonality

Seasonality

Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Total comprehensive income (loss) represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net income (loss).  For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income (loss) for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020 relate to post employment and postretirement plan items. Settlement charges incurred are included as a separate component of income (loss) before income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amortization reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in benefit plan income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  See Note 6, "Benefit Plans," for further information.

COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues through fiscal 2021, the Company continues to prioritize health and safety measures in its stores and facilities to protect the well-being of its customers and colleagues while also focusing on prudent cash management, maintaining strong liquidity and executing its strategic initiatives.  Although the Company has experienced strong recovery in operating results during fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020, the Company continues to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on the macro economy as well as on the Company’s and its vendor partners’ operations. The full impact of the pandemic will continue to depend on future developments, including the continued spread and duration of the pandemic, the emergence of future variant strains of COVID-19, the availability and distribution of effective medical treatments or vaccines as well as any related federal, state or local governmental orders, restrictions or mandates. In addition, numerous uncertainties continue to surround the pandemic and its ultimate impact on the Company, including the timing and extent of any recovery in consumer traffic and spending, potential delays, interruptions and disruptions in the Company’s supply chain, maintenance of temporary government stimulus programs, labor shortages and intense competition for talent, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

As further disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law, which permitted, among other benefits, the carryback of certain net operating losses.  Based on the Company’s 2020 fiscal results and 2020 U.S. federal tax return, an approximate $590 million income tax receivable associated with this net operating loss carryback benefit is included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.  This income tax receivable is estimated to be received in the first half of 2022.

Revenue

Net sales

Revenue is recognized when customers obtain control of goods and services promised by the Company.  The amount of revenue recognized is based on the amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received in exchange for those respective goods and services.  The Company's revenue generating activities include the following:

Retail Sales

Retail sales include merchandise sales, inclusive of delivery income, licensed department income, sales of private brand goods directly to third party retailers and sales of excess inventory to third parties. Sales of merchandise are recorded at the time of shipment to the customer and are reported net of estimated merchandise returns and certain customer incentives. Commissions earned on sales generated by licensed departments are included as a component of total net sales and are recognized as revenue at the time merchandise is sold to customers. Service revenues (e.g., alteration and cosmetic services) are recorded at the time the customer receives the benefit of the service. The Company has elected to present sales taxes on a net basis and, as such, sales taxes are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities until remitted to the taxing authorities.

Macy’s accounted for 87% and 88% of the Company’s net sales for the 13 weeks ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively. Macy’s accounted for 87% and 88% of the Company’s net sales for the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively. In addition, digital sales accounted for approximately 33% and 38% of the Company’s net sales for the 13 weeks ended October 30, 2021and October 31, 2020, respectively, and 34% and 45% of the Company’s net sales for the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively.

Disaggregation of the Company's net sales by family of business for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020 were as follows:

	13 Weeks Ended				39 Weeks Ended
Net sales by family of business	October 30, 2021		October 31, 2020		October 30, 2021		October 31, 2020
	(millions)
Women's Accessories, Intimate Apparel, Shoes, Cosmetics    and Fragrances	$	2,180	$	1,677	$	6,480	$	4,273
Women's Apparel		1,042		690		3,068		1,895
Men's and Kids'		1,195		790		3,351		2,089
Home/Other (a)		1,023		833		2,895		2,309
Total	$	5,440	$	3,990	$	15,794	$	10,566

(a) Other primarily includes restaurant sales, allowance for merchandise returns adjustments and breakage income from unredeemed gift cards.

Merchandise Returns

The Company estimates merchandise returns using historical data and recognizes an allowance that reduces net sales and cost of sales.  The liability for merchandise returns is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and was $243 million, $159 million and $182 million as of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets is an asset totaling $142 million, $103 million and $116 million as of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively, for the recoverable cost of merchandise estimated to be returned by customers.

Gift Cards and Customer Loyalty Programs

The Company only offers no-fee, non-expiring gift cards to its customers. At the time gift cards are sold or issued, no revenue is recognized; rather, the Company records an accrued liability to customers. The liability is relieved and revenue is recognized equal to the amount redeemed at the time gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. The Company records revenue from unredeemed gift cards (breakage) in net sales on a pro-rata basis over the time period gift cards are actually redeemed. At least three years of historical data, updated annually, is used to determine actual redemption patterns.  

The Company maintains customer loyalty programs in which customers earn points based on their purchases. Under the Macy’s Star Rewards loyalty program, points are earned based on customers’ spending on Macy’s private label and co-branded credit cards as well as non-proprietary cards and other forms of tender. The Company’s Bloomingdale’s Loyallist and bluemercury BlueRewards programs provide tender neutral points-based programs to their customers. The Company recognizes the estimated net amount of the rewards that will be earned and redeemed as a reduction to net sales at the time of the initial transaction and as tender when the points are subsequently redeemed by a customer.

The liability for unredeemed gift cards and customer loyalty programs is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and was $500 million, $616 million and $639 million as of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively.

Credit Card Revenues, net

In 2005, the Company entered into an arrangement with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") to sell the Company's private label and co-branded credit cards ("Credit Card Program").  Subsequent to this initial arrangement and associated amendments, in 2014, the Company entered into an amended and restated Credit Card Program Agreement (the "Program Agreement") with Citibank. As part of the Program Agreement, the Company receives payments for providing a combination of interrelated services and intellectual property to Citibank in support of the underlying Credit Card Program.  Revenue based on the spending activity of the underlying accounts is recognized as the respective card purchases occur and the Company’s profit share is recognized based on the performance of the underlying portfolio.  Revenue associated with the establishment of new credit accounts and assisting in the receipt of payments for existing accounts is recognized as such activities occur. Credit card revenues include finance charges, late fees and other revenue generated by the Company’s Credit Card Program, net of fraud losses and expenses associated with establishing new accounts.

Under the terms of the Program Agreement, if sales decrease by more than 34% over a twelve-month period as compared to the Benchmark Year, defined as the twelve-month period from July 2006 to June 2007 in the Program Agreement, Citibank has the ability to provide written notice to terminate the agreement prior to the end of its current term.  Based on the results for the Company’s February 2021 fiscal period, sales for the twelve-month period ended February 27, 2021 decreased by more than 34% as compared to the Benchmark Year.  On June 4, 2021, the Company received a written notice of termination of the Program Agreement from Citibank. Upon receipt of the written notice of termination, the Company has six months to exercise, or not exercise, an option to purchase the assets of the Program Agreement, or nominate a third party to purchase such assets, and a subsequent six month period to complete such transfer, subject to potential extensions as more fully described in the Program Agreement. The Company and Citibank are required to continue to meet their respective obligations and provide support pursuant to the terms of the Program Agreement through this period. The Company estimates that these events will not have an impact on the financial results of the Credit Card Program in fiscal 2021. The Company is evaluating options for its Credit Card Program including potential transfer to another financial service entity or modified arrangement with Citibank and is in the final stages of a decision.  Based on current estimates, the Company does not expect the forthcoming changes to the Credit Card Program’s financial structure to be materially different from its current terms.