New accounting pronouncements

The following section provides a description of new accounting pronouncements ("Accounting Standard Update" or "ASU") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") that are applicable to the Company.

New accounting pronouncements adopted during the period

Revenue recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB has issued several updates to the standard that i) defer the original effective date; ii) clarify the application of principal versus agent guidance; iii) clarify the guidance on inconsequential and perfunctory promises and licensing; and iv) clarify the guidance on the de-recognition of non-financial assets. Signet adopted ASU No. 2014‑09 and related updates effective February 4, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach applied only to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption with no restatement of prior periods and by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity.

As a result of the adoption, the Company identified that the new standard required the Company to adjust its presentation related to customer trade-ins, accounting for returns reserves and treatment of the amortization of certain bonus and profit-sharing arrangements related to third-party credit card programs. After the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, the fair value of customer trade-ins will be considered non-cash consideration when determining the transaction price, and therefore classified as revenue rather than its previous classification as a reduction to cost of goods sold. Also, the Company will record its current sales return reserve within separate refund liability and asset for recovery accounts within other current asset and liabilities, respectively. Further, subsequent amortization of certain signing bonuses and receipt of funds in connection with economic profit sharing arrangements will be recognized as a component of sales rather than as an offset to selling, general and administrative expense. The change in balance classification and change in amortization treatment were immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See additional disclosure requirements within Note 3. During the 13 and 26 weeks ended August 4, 2018, an additional $23.9 million and $48.4 million, respectively, of revenue was recognized primarily for non-cash consideration from customer trade-ins due to the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09.

New accounting pronouncements to be adopted in future periods

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The new guidance primarily impacts lessee accounting by requiring the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for long-term lease agreements. The lease liability will be equal to the present value of all reasonably certain lease payments. The right-of-use asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment for initial direct costs. Lease agreements that are 12 months or less are permitted to be excluded from the balance sheet. In general, leases will be amortized on a straight-line basis with the exception of finance lease agreements. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

Signet will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of our fiscal year ending February 1, 2020. Signet has established a cross-functional implementation team to evaluate and identify the impact of ASU No. 2016-02 on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations. The Company currently anticipates using the additional transition method provided for in ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” which permits the Company as of the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Additionally, the Company intends to utilize the practical expedient relief package, as well as the short-term leases and portfolio approach practical expedients. The Company is currently working on implementing software to meet the new reporting requirements, as well as identifying potential changes to its business processes and controls to support adoption of the new guidance. While the Company is unable to quantify the impact of adoption at this time, the Company anticipates adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 to result in a significant increase in lease-related assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of February 3, 2018, the aggregate undiscounted value of the Company’s operating lease commitments was approximately $2.8 billion, which were primarily related to properties, machinery and vehicles.

The Company is also currently evaluating the impact on its financial statements of the following ASUs:



Standard		Description
ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, issued August 2017.		Expands the types of risk management strategies eligible for hedge accounting, refines the documentation and effectiveness assessment requirements and modifies the presentation and disclosure requirements for hedge accounting activities. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.
ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement		Modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 and eliminates ‘at a minimum’ from the phrase ‘an entity shall disclose at a minimum’ to promote the appropriate exercise of discretion by entities when considering fair value disclosures and to clarify that materiality is an appropriate consideration. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.
ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans		Modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other post-retirement plans and clarifies the disclosure requirements regarding projected benefit obligations and accumulated benefit obligations. The ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted.