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Organization and summary of significant accounting policies
12 Months Ended
Feb. 03, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization and summary of significant accounting policies Organization and summary of significant accounting policies
Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet” or the “Company”), a holding company incorporated in Bermuda, is the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry. The Company operates through its 100% owned subsidiaries with sales primarily in the United States (“US”), United Kingdom (“UK”) and Canada. Signet manages its business as three reportable segments: North America, International, and Other. The “Other” reportable segment consists of subsidiaries involved in the purchasing and conversion of rough diamonds to polished stones. See Note 5 for additional information regarding the Company’s reportable segments.
Signet’s business is seasonal, with the fourth quarter historically accounting for approximately 35-40% of annual sales, as well as for a substantial portion of the annual operating profit.
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements:
(a) Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) and include the results for the 53 week period ended February 3, 2024 (“Fiscal 2024”), as the Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. The comparative periods are for the 52 week period ended January 28, 2023 (“Fiscal 2023”) and the 52 week period ended January 29, 2022 (“Fiscal 2022”). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation. There are no material related party transactions.
(b) Use of estimates
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements, in conformity with US GAAP and the regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are primarily made in relation to the valuation of inventories, deferred revenue, employee compensation, income taxes, contingencies, leases, asset impairments for goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible and long-lived assets and the depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets.
(c) Foreign currency translation
The financial position and operating results of certain foreign operations, including certain subsidiaries operating in the UK as part of the International reportable segment and Canada as part of the North America reportable segment, are consolidated using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the consolidated balance sheet dates, and revenues and expenses are translated at the monthly average rates of exchange during the period. Resulting translation gains or losses are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included within other operating income (expense), net within the consolidated statements of operations.
See Note 9 for additional information regarding the Company’s foreign currency translation.
(d) Revenue recognition
The Company applies a five-step approach in determining the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized: (1) identifying the contract with a customer; (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determining the transaction price; (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognizing revenue when the corresponding performance obligation is satisfied.
See Note 3 for additional information regarding the Company’s revenue recognition policies.
(e) Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
Cost of sales includes merchandise costs, net of discounts and allowances; distribution and warehousing costs; and store operating and occupancy costs. Store operating and occupancy costs include utilities, rent, real estate taxes, maintenance and repair (including common area maintenance) and depreciation. Distribution and warehousing costs include freight, processing, inventory shrinkage and related compensation and benefits.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) include store staff and store administrative costs; centralized administrative expenses, including information technology; third-party credit costs and credit loss expense; advertising and promotional costs and other operating expenses not specifically categorized elsewhere in the consolidated statements of operations.
Compensation and benefits costs included within cost of sales and SG&A totaled $1,428.0 million in Fiscal 2024 (Fiscal 2023: $1,430.3 million; Fiscal 2022: $1,447.7 million).
(f) Store opening costs
The opening costs of new locations are expensed as incurred and included within SG&A.
(g) Advertising and promotional costs
Advertising and promotional costs are expensed within SG&A. Production costs are expensed at the first communication of the advertisements, while communication expenses are recognized each time the advertisement is communicated. For catalogs and circulars, costs are all expensed at the first date they can be viewed by the customer. Point of sale promotional material is expensed when first displayed in the stores. Gross advertising costs totaled $522.8 million in Fiscal 2024 (Fiscal 2023: $555.6 million; Fiscal 2022: $527.0 million).
(h) Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by applying statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences between the financial reporting and tax filing bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, based on management’s evaluation of all available evidence, both positive and negative, including reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and results of recent operations.
The Company does not recognize tax benefits related to positions taken on certain tax matters unless the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At any point in time, various tax years are subject to or are in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. The Company records a reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. To the extent that management’s estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made.
See Note 10 for additional information regarding the Company’s income taxes.
(i) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, money market deposits and amounts placed with external fund managers with an original maturity of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. In addition, receivables from third-party credit card issuers are typically converted to cash within five days of the original sales transaction and are considered cash equivalents.
The following table summarizes the details of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents:
(in millions)February 3, 2024January 28, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents held in money markets and other accounts
$1,314.1 $1,116.6 
Cash equivalents from third-party credit card issuers
64.6 50.2 
Total cash and cash equivalents
$1,378.7 $1,166.8 
The Company’s supplemental cash flow information was as follows:
(in millions)Fiscal 2024Fiscal 2023Fiscal 2022
Non-cash investing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable
$13.4 $14.9 $6.2 
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
15.9 11.7 14.8 
Income tax paid, net (1)
13.0 74.6 120.7 
(1)    Includes $42.6 million and $53.8 million refunded under the CARES Act in Fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 10 for further details.
(j) Inventories
Inventories are primarily held for resale and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using weighted-average cost, on a first-in first-out basis, except for certain loose diamond inventories (including those held in the Company’s diamond sourcing operations) where cost is determined using specific identification. Cost includes charges directly related to bringing inventory to its present location and condition. Such charges would include freight and duties, warehousing, security, distribution and certain buying costs. Net realizable value is defined as estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable
costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Inventory reserves are recorded for obsolete, slow moving or defective items and shrinkage. Inventory reserves for obsolete, slow moving or defective items are calculated as the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated net realizable value based on targeted inventory turn rates, future demand, management strategy and market conditions. Due to inventories primarily consisting of precious stones and metals including gold, the age of inventories has a limited impact on the estimated net realizable value. Inventory reserves for shrinkage are estimated and recorded based on historical physical inventory results, expectations of inventory losses and current inventory levels. Physical inventories are taken at least once annually for all store locations, whereas distribution centers are subject to either an annual physical inventory or a cycle count program.
See Note 14 for additional information regarding the Company’s inventories.
(k) Vendor contributions
Contributions are received from vendors through various programs and arrangements including cooperative advertising. Where vendor contributions related to identifiable promotional events are received, contributions are matched against the costs of promotions. Vendor contributions received as general contributions and not related to specific promotional events are recognized as a reduction of inventory costs.
(l) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment charges. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are recognized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
Buildings
Ranging from 30 – 40 years
Leasehold improvements
Remaining term of lease, not to exceed 10 years
Furniture and fixtures
Ranging from 3 – 10 years
Equipment and software
Ranging from 3 – 7 years
Computer software purchased or developed for internal use is stated at cost less accumulated amortization. The Company’s policy provides for the capitalization of external direct costs of materials and services associated with developing or obtaining internal use computer software. In addition, the Company also capitalizes certain payroll and payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with development of internal use software. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over periods from three to seven years.
Capitalized amounts for cloud computing arrangements accounted for as service contracts are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These costs primarily consist of payroll and payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with the implementation of cloud computing projects, consulting fees, and development fees. Amortization of these costs is recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the service contract, ranging from two to four years. Amortization of these costs is recorded in cost of sales or SG&A, depending on the nature of the underlying software. In Fiscal 2024, the Company recorded $48.2 million of amortization related to capitalized cloud computing costs (Fiscal 2023: $32.5 million; Fiscal 2022: $14.8 million). The carrying amount of these assets was $170.7 million as of February 3, 2024 (January 28, 2023: $127.8 million).
See Note 15 for additional information regarding the Company’s property, plant and equipment, and Note 16 for the Company’s policy for long-lived asset impairment.
(m) Goodwill and intangibles
In a business combination, the Company estimates and records the fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. The fair value of these intangible assets and liabilities is estimated based on management’s assessment, including selection of appropriate valuation techniques, inputs and assumptions in the determination of fair value. Significant estimates in valuing intangible assets and liabilities acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows associated with the acquired asset or liability, expected life and discount rates. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is recorded by the Company’s reporting units based on the acquisitions made by each.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as indefinite-lived trade names, are evaluated for impairment annually as of the end of the fourth reporting period, with the exception of newly acquired reporting units which are completed no later than twelve months after the date of acquisition. Additionally, if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be greater than its fair value, the Company would evaluate the reporting unit or asset for impairment at that time. Impairment testing compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible assets with its fair value. When the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other intangible assets exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized and reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset are less than the carrying amount, the Company recognizes an impairment charge equal to the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value, usually determined by the estimated discounted future cash flows of the asset.
See Note 18 for additional information regarding the Company’s goodwill and intangibles.
(n) Derivatives and hedge accounting
The Company may enter into various types of derivative instruments to mitigate certain risk exposures related to changes in commodity costs and foreign exchange rates. Derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, as either assets or liabilities, with an offset to net income or other comprehensive income (“OCI”), depending on whether the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge.
If a derivative instrument meets certain hedge criteria, the Company designates the derivative as a cash flow hedge within the fiscal quarter it is entered into. For effective cash flow hedge transactions, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized in equity as a component of AOCI and are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the same period(s) and on the same financial statement line in which the hedged item affects net income. Gains and losses on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized immediately in other operating income (expense), net.
In the normal course of business, the Company may terminate cash flow hedges prior to the occurrence of the underlying forecasted transaction. For cash flow hedges terminated prior to the occurrence of the underlying forecasted transaction, management monitors the probability of the associated forecasted cash flow transactions to assess whether any gain or loss recorded in AOCI should be immediately recognized in earnings. Cash flows from derivative contracts are included in net cash provided by operating activities.
See Note 20 for additional information regarding the Company’s derivatives and hedge activities.
(o) Employee benefits
The funded status of the defined benefit pension plan in the UK (the “UK Plan”) is recognized on the consolidated balance sheets, and is the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation measured at the balance sheet date. Gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise and are not included as components of net periodic pension cost are recognized, net of tax, in OCI.
The Company also operates a defined contribution plan in the UK, a defined contribution retirement savings plan in the US, and an executive deferred compensation plan in the US. Contributions made by the Company to these benefit arrangements are charged primarily to SG&A in the consolidated statements of operations as incurred.
See Note 27 for additional information regarding the Company’s employee benefits.
(p) Debt issuance costs
Borrowings primarily include interest-bearing bank loans. Direct debt issuance costs on borrowings are capitalized and amortized into interest expense over the contractual term of the related loan.
See Note 22 for additional information regarding the Company’s debt issuance costs.
(q) Share-based compensation
The Company measures share-based compensation cost for awards classified as equity at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognizes the cost as an expense on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the requisite service period of employees. Certain share awards under the Company’s plans include a condition whereby vesting is contingent on Company performance exceeding a given target, and therefore awards granted with this condition are considered to be performance-based awards.
The Company estimates the fair value of time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) using the share price of the Company’s common stock reduced by a discount factor representing the present value of dividends that will not be received during the term of the awards. The Company estimates the fair value of time-based restricted shares (“RSAs”) and common stock awards at the share price of the Company’s common stock as of the grant award date. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes model for awards granted under the Omnibus Plan and the binomial valuation model for awards granted under the Share Saving Plans. Deferred tax assets for awards that result in deductions on the income tax returns of subsidiaries are recorded by the Company based on the amount of compensation cost recognized and the subsidiaries’ statutory tax rate in the jurisdiction in which it will receive a deduction.
Share-based compensation is primarily recorded in SG&A in the consolidated statements of operations, consistent with the relevant salary cost.
See Note 25 for additional information regarding the Company’s share-based compensation plans.
(r) Contingent liabilities
Provisions for contingent liabilities are recorded for probable losses when management is able to reasonably estimate the loss or range of loss. When it is reasonably possible that a contingent liability may result in a loss or additional loss, the range of the potential loss is disclosed.
See Note 28 for additional information regarding the Company’s contingencies.
(s) Dividends
Dividends on common shares are reflected as a reduction of retained earnings in the period in which they are formally declared by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). In addition, the cumulative dividends on Preferred Shares are reflected as a reduction of retained earnings in the period in which they are declared by the Board, as are the deemed dividends resulting from the accretion of issuance costs related to the Preferred Shares.
See Note 6 and Note 7 for additional information regarding the Company’s Preferred Shares and equity, respectively.