Accounts receivable, net

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2013

Accounts receivable, net

10. Accounts receivable, net

Signet’s accounts receivable primarily consist of US customer in-house financing receivables. The accounts receivable portfolio consists of a population that is of similar characteristics and is evaluated collectively for impairment. The allowance is an estimate of the losses as of the balance sheet date, and is calculated using a proprietary model that analyzes factors such as delinquency rates and recovery rates. A 100% allowance is made for any amount that is more than 90 days aged on a recency basis and any amount associated with an account the owner of which has filed for bankruptcy, as well as an allowance for those amounts 90 days aged and under, based on historical loss information and payment performance. The calculation is reviewed by management to assess whether, based on economic events, additional analyses are required to appropriately estimate losses inherent in the portfolio.

	February 2, 2013		January 28, 2012
(in millions)
Accounts receivable by portfolio segment, net:
US customer in-house finance receivables	$	1,192.9	$	1,077.4
Other accounts receivable		12.4		10.8
Total accounts receivable, net	$	1,205.3	$	1,088.2

Signet grants credit to customers based on a variety of credit quality indicators, including consumer financial information and prior payment experience. On an ongoing basis, management monitors the credit exposure based on past due status and collection experience, as it has found a meaningful correlation between the past due status of customers and the risk of loss.

Other accounts receivable is comprised primarily of gross accounts receivable relating to the insurance loss replacement business in the UK division of $13.0 million (Fiscal 2012: $11.3 million), with a corresponding valuation allowance of $0.6 million (Fiscal 2012: $0.5 million).

Allowance for credit losses on US customer in-house finance receivables:

	Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Fiscal 2011
(in millions)
Beginning balance	$	(78.1	)	$	(67.8	)	$	(72.2	)
Charge-offs		112.8			92.8			119.0
Recoveries		21.8			19.3			17.4
Provision		(144.2	)		(122.4	)		(132.0	)
Ending balance	$	(87.7	)	$	(78.1	)	$	(67.8	)
Ending receivable balance evaluated for impairment		1,280.6			1,155.5			995.5
US customer in-house finance receivables, net	$	1,192.9		$	1,077.4		$	927.7

Net bad debt expense is defined as the provision expense less recoveries.

Credit quality indicator and age analysis of past due US customer in-house finance receivables:

	February 2, 2013					January 28, 2012					January 29, 2011
	Gross		Valuation allowance			Gross		Valuation allowance			Gross		Valuation allowance
(in millions)
Performing:
Current, aged 0 – 30 days	$	1,030.3	$	(33.8	)	$	932.6	$	(28.9	)	$	804.4	$	(24.3	)
Past due, aged 31 – 90 days		203.9		(7.5	)		180.2		(6.5	)		152.1		(4.5	)
Non Performing:
Past due, aged more than 90 days		46.4		(46.4	)		42.7		(42.7	)		39.0		(39.0	)
	$	1,280.6	$	(87.7	)	$	1,155.5	$	(78.1	)	$	995.5	$	(67.8	)