Principal Accounting Policies And Basis Of Preparation

3 Months Ended

May 04, 2013

Principal Accounting Policies And Basis Of Preparation

1. Principal accounting policies and basis of preparation

Basis of preparation

Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet” or the “Company”), including its subsidiaries, is a leading retailer of jewelry, watches and associated services. Signet manages its business as two geographical segments, the United States of America (the “US”) and the United Kingdom (the “UK”). The US division operates retail stores under brands including Kay Jewelers, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Ultra and various regional brands. Ultra was acquired by Signet in October 2012. The UK division’s retail stores operate under brands including H.Samuel and Ernest Jones.

These condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from this report, as is permitted by such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in Signet’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2013.

Use of estimates

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements, in conformity with US GAAP and SEC regulations for interim reporting, 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 condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are primarily made in relation to the valuation of receivables, inventory and deferred revenue, fair value of derivatives, depreciation and asset impairment, the valuation of employee benefits, income taxes and contingencies.

Fiscal year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31^st. Fiscal 2014 is the 52 week year ending February 1, 2014 and Fiscal 2013 is the 53 week year ended February 2, 2013. Within these financial statements, the first quarter of the fiscal years 2014 and 2013 refers to the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2013 and April 28, 2012, respectively.

Seasonality

Signet’s sales are seasonal, with the first and second quarters each normally accounting for slightly more than 20% of annual sales, the third quarter a little under 20% and the fourth quarter for about 40% of sales, with December being by far the most important month of the year. Sales made in November and December are known as the “Holiday Season.” Due to sales leverage, Signet’s operating income is even more seasonal; about 45% to 50% of Signet’s operating income normally occurs in the fourth quarter, comprised of nearly all of the UK division’s operating income and about 40% to 50% of the US division’s operating income.

Revenue recognition

Extended service plans and lifetime warranty agreements

The US division sells extended service plans where it is obliged, subject to certain conditions, to perform repair work over the lifetime of the product. Revenue from the sale of extended service plans is deferred over 14 years. Revenue is recognized in relation to the costs expected to be incurred in performing these services, with approximately 45% of revenue recognized within the first two years (February 2, 2013 and April 28, 2012: 46% and 46%, respectively). The deferral period is determined from patterns of claims costs, including estimates of future claims costs expected to be incurred. Management reviews the trends in claims to assess whether changes are required to the revenue and cost recognition rates used. All direct costs associated with the sale of these plans are deferred and amortized in proportion to the revenue recognized and disclosed as either other current assets or other assets.

New accounting pronouncements adopted during the period

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The new guidance does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income, but it does require disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component, as well as require the presentation of these amounts on the face of the statements of comprehensive income or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2013-02 is effective for the reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Signet adopted this guidance effective for the first quarter ended May 4, 2013 and the implementation of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on Signet’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification

Signet has reclassified the presentation of certain prior year information to conform to the current year presentation.