The Company and its Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

(1) The Company and its Significant Accounting Policies

Business of the Company

Inter Parfums, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) are in the fragrance business and manufacture and distribute a wide array of fragrances and fragrance related products.

Substantially all of our prestige fragrance brands are licensed from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses. With respect to the Company’s largest brands, we own the Lanvin brand name for our class of trade, and license the Montblanc, Jimmy Choo, Coach, and GUESS brand names. As a percentage of net sales, product sales for the Company’s largest brands were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Montblanc		22	%		19	%		21	%
Jimmy Choo		16	%		17	%		18	%
Coach		14	%		15	%		10	%
GUESS (license commenced April 1, 2018)		10	%		n/a			n/a
Lanvin		8	%		10	%		11	%

No other brand represented 10% or more of consolidated net sales.

Basis of Preparation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, including 73% owned Interparfums SA, a subsidiary whose stock is publicly traded in France. In 2018, the Company formed Interstellar Brands, LLC, (“Interstellar”), a wholly owned subsidiary in the United States. Interstellar’s partnership with IMG Models allows for the two groups to collaborate on exploring and developing compelling e-commerce businesses for clients of IMG Models. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Management Estimates

Management makes assumptions and estimates to prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Those assumptions and estimates directly affect the amounts reported and disclosures included in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those assumptions and estimates. Significant estimates for which changes in the near term are considered reasonably possible and that may have a material impact on the financial statements are disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation

For foreign subsidiaries with operations denominated in a foreign currency, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and losses from translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

All highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. From time to time, the Company has short-term investments which consist of certificates of deposit with maturities greater than three months. The Company monitors concentrations of credit risk associated with financial institutions with which the Company conducts significant business. The Company believes its credit risk is minimal, as the Company primarily conducts business with large, well-established financial institutions. Substantially all cash and cash equivalents are primarily held at financial institutions outside the United States and are readily convertible into U.S. dollars.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable represent payments due to the Company for previously recognized net sales, reduced by allowances for doubtful accounts or balances which are estimated to be uncollectible, which aggregated $2.5 million and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Accounts receivable balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when they become uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously recorded against the allowance are recorded in the consolidated statement of income when received. We generally grant credit based upon our analysis of the customer’s financial position, as well as previously established buying patterns.

Inventories

Inventories, including promotional merchandise, only include inventory considered saleable or usable in future periods, and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method. Cost components include raw materials, direct labor and overhead (e.g., indirect labor, utilities, depreciation, purchasing, receiving, inspection and warehousing) as well as inbound freight. Promotional merchandise is charged to cost of sales at the time the merchandise is shipped to the Company’s customers.

Derivatives

All derivative instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. The Company uses derivative instruments to principally manage a variety of market risks. For derivatives designated as hedges of the exposure to changes in fair value of the recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment (referred to as fair value hedges), the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. The effect of that accounting is to include in earnings the extent to which the hedge is not effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value. For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported in equity (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss of a cash flow hedge is reported in earnings immediately. The Company also holds certain instruments for economic purposes that are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. For these derivative instruments, changes in their fair value are recorded in earnings immediately.

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives for equipment, which range between three and ten years and the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful asset lives for leasehold improvements. Depreciation provided on equipment used to produce inventory, such as tools and molds, is included in cost of sales.

Long-Lived Assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks which are not amortized. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently when events occur or circumstances change, such as an unexpected decline in sales, that would more-likely-than-not indicate that the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable. When testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the evaluation requires a comparison of the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying value of the asset. The fair values used in our evaluations are estimated based upon discounted future cash flow projections using a weighted average cost of capital of 7.94% and 6.21% in 2019 and 2018, respectively. The cash flow projections are based upon a number of assumptions, including future sales levels, future cost of goods and operating expense levels, as well as economic conditions, changes to our business model or changes in consumer acceptance of our products which are more subjective in nature. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.

Intangible assets subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment testing whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an amortizable intangible asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators exist for an amortizable intangible asset, the undiscounted future cash flows associated with the expected service potential of the asset are compared to the carrying value of the asset. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is in excess of the carrying value of the intangible asset, no impairment charge is recorded. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the intangible asset, an impairment charge would be recorded to reduce the intangible asset to its fair value.

Revenue Recognition

The Company sells its products to department stores, perfumeries, specialty stores and domestic and international wholesalers and distributors. Our revenue contracts represent single performance obligations to sell our products to customers. Sales of such products by our domestic subsidiaries are denominated in U.S. dollars, and sales of such products by our foreign subsidiaries are primarily denominated in either euro or U.S. dollars. The Company recognizes revenues when contract terms are met, the price is fixed and determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and control of the assets has passed to the customer based on the agreed upon shipping terms. Net sales are comprised of gross revenues less returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Company does not bill its customers’ freight and handling charges. All shipping and handling costs, which aggregated $7.7 million, $7.1 million and $5.9 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The Company grants credit to all qualified customers and does not believe it is exposed significantly to any undue concentration of credit risk. No one customer represented 10% or more of net sales in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

Sales Returns

Generally, the Company does not permit customers to return their unsold products. However, for U.S. based customers, we allow returns if properly requested, authorized and approved. The Company regularly reviews and revises, as deemed necessary, its estimate of reserves for future sales returns based primarily upon historic trends and relevant current data including information provided by retailers regarding their inventory levels. In addition, as necessary, specific accruals may be established for significant future known or anticipated events. The types of known or anticipated events that we consider include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of our customers, store closings by retailers, changes in the retail environment and our decision to continue to support new and existing products. The Company records its estimate of potential sales returns as a reduction of sales and cost of sales with corresponding entries to accrued expenses, to record the refund liability, and inventory, for the right to recover goods from the customer. The refund liability associated with estimated returns was $4.1 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and the amounts recognized for the rights to recover products was $1.6 million and $0.8 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The physical condition and marketability of returned products are the major factors we consider in estimating realizable value. Actual returns, as well as estimated realizable values of returned products, may differ significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from our estimates, if factors such as economic conditions, inventory levels or competitive conditions differ from our expectations.

Payments to Customers

The Company records revenues generated from purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions as sales and the costs of its purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions as cost of sales. Certain other incentive arrangements require the payment of a fee to customers based on their attainment of pre-established sales levels. These fees have been recorded as a reduction of net sales.

Advertising and Promotion

Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and recorded as a component of cost of goods sold (in the case of free goods given to customers) or selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising and promotional costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses were $144.6 million, $139.7 million and $123.7 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Costs relating to purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions that are reflected in cost of sales aggregated $38.9 million, $36.4 million and $33.8 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Package Development Costs

Package development costs associated with new products and redesigns of existing product packaging are expensed as incurred.

Operating Leases

The Company leases its offices and warehouses, vehicles, and certain office equipment, substantially all of which are classified as operating leases. The Company currently has no material financing leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease assets and obligations are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.

License Agreements

The Company’s license agreements generally provide the Company with worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell fragrance and fragrance related products using the licensors’ trademarks. The licenses typically have an initial term of approximately 5 to 15 years, and are potentially renewable subject to the Company’s compliance with the license agreement provisions. The remaining terms, excluding potential renewal periods, range from approximately 1 to 14 years.  Under each license, the Company is required to pay royalties in the range of 5% to 10% to the licensor, at least annually, based on net sales to third parties.

In certain cases, the Company may pay an entry fee to acquire, or enter into, a license where the licensor or another licensee was operating a pre-existing fragrance business.  In those cases, the entry fee is capitalized as an intangible asset and amortized over its useful life.

Most license agreements require minimum royalty payments, incremental royalties based on net sales levels and minimum spending on advertising and promotional activities.  Royalty expenses are accrued in the period in which net sales are recognized while advertising and promotional expenses are accrued at the time these costs are incurred.

In addition, the Company is exposed to certain concentration risk. Most of our prestige fragrance brands are licensed from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements or tax returns. The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently enacted tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax asset or liability in the accompanying financial statements.

Issuance of Common Stock by Consolidated Subsidiary

The difference between the Company’s share of the proceeds received by the subsidiary and the carrying amount of the portion of the Company’s investment deemed sold, is reflected as an equity adjustment in the consolidated balance sheets.

Treasury Stock

The Board of Directors may authorize share repurchases of the Company’s common stock (Share Repurchase Authorizations). Share repurchases under Share Repurchase Authorizations may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchase or otherwise, at times and in such amounts within the parameters authorized by the Board. Shares repurchased under Share Repurchase Authorizations are held in treasury for general corporate purposes, including issuances under various employee stock option plans. Treasury shares are accounted for under the cost method and reported as a reduction of equity. Share Repurchase Authorizations may be suspended, limited or terminated at any time without notice.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) to improve accounting for hedging activities. The objective of the ASU is to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships in order to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and to make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. We have evaluated the standard and determined that there has been no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, as updated in 2019 and 2020, which require a financial asset measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new rules eliminate the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020. The Company expects the new rules to apply to its trade receivables, but does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU which requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard requires entities to recognize a lease liability to cover lease payments and a lease asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company has adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method in the year of adoption with certain transition practical expedients with no restatement of prior period amounts. Upon adoption, the Company recognized right-of-use assets of $31.8 million and lease liabilities of $32.4 million and made no adjustments to retained earnings. Adoption of the new standard did not materially impact our consolidated net income and cash flows.

There are no other recent accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year’s amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.