Principal accounting policies and basis of preparation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2014
Basis of preparation	*Basis of preparation* Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet”, or the “Company”) is a holding company, incorporated in Bermuda, that operates through its subsidiaries. Signet is a leading retailer whose results are principally derived from one business segment – the retailing of jewelry, watches and associated services. On May 29, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Zale Corporation (“the Acquisition”) (see Note 20 for further information). Prior to the Acquisition, the Company managed its business as two geographical reportable segments, being the United States of America (the “US”) and the United Kingdom (the “UK”) divisions. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company will no longer report its segments geographically, but by store brand grouping. The former US division operates retail stores under brands including Kay Jewelers, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry and various regional brands and will be known as Sterling Jewelers division (“Sterling Jewelers”). The former UK division’s retail stores operate under brands including H.Samuel and Ernest Jones. In connection with the Acquisition, the former UK division will be known as UK Jewelry division (“UK Jewelry”). In connection with the Acquisition, the Zale division (“Zale”) was added, consisting of two new reportable segments: Zale Jewelry (“Zale Jewelry”) and Piercing Pagoda (“Piercing Pagoda”). Zale Jewelry is comprised of three core national brands, Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet and Peoples Jewellers and two regional brands, Gordon’s Jewelers and Mappins Jewellers. Each brand specializes in fine jewelry and watches, with merchandise and marketing emphasis focused on diamond products. Zales Jewelers is the national brand in the US providing moderately priced jewelry to a broad range of customers. Zales Outlet operates in outlet malls and neighborhood power centers and capitalizes on Zales Jewelers’ national marketing and brand recognition. Gordon’s Jewelers is a value-oriented regional jeweler. Peoples Jewellers is Canada’s largest fine jewelry retailer. Mappins Jewellers offers customers classic fine jewelry also in Canada. Piercing Pagoda operates mall-based kiosks focused on the opening price point customer. Piercing Pagoda specializes in gold, silver and non-precious metal products that capitalize on the latest fashion trends. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2014, subsequent to the November 4, 2013 acquisition of a diamond polishing factory in Gaborone, Botswana, management established a separate operating segment (“Other”), which consists of all non-reportable segments including subsidiaries involved in the purchasing and conversion of rough diamonds to polished stones. 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 1, 2014.
Use of estimates	*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	*Fiscal year* The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31^st. Fiscal 2015 is the 52 week year ending January 31, 2015 and Fiscal 2014 is the 52 week year ended February 1, 2014. Within these condensed consolidated financial statements, the second quarter and year to date of the relevant fiscal years 2015 and 2014 refer to the 13 and 26 weeks ended August 2, 2014 and August 3, 2013, respectively.
Seasonality	*Seasonality* Signet’s sales are seasonal, with the first quarter slightly exceeding 20% of annual sales, the second and third quarters approximating 20% and the fourth quarter accounting for almost 40% of annual 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 55% of Signet’s operating income normally occurs in the fourth quarter, comprised of nearly all of the UK Jewelry and Zale divisions’ operating income and about 40% to 45% of the Sterling Jewelers division’s operating income.
Revenue recognition	*Revenue recognition* Extended service plans and lifetime warranty agreements Signet recognizes revenue related to lifetime warranty sales in proportion to when the expected costs will be incurred. The deferral period for lifetime warranty sales in each division 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 utilized. A significant change in estimates related to the time period or pattern in which warranty-related costs are expected to be incurred could adversely impact revenues. 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. The Sterling Jewelers 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, with approximately 45% of revenue recognized within the first two years. The Zale division also sells extended service plans. Zale Jewelry customers are offered lifetime warranties on certain products that cover sizing and breakage with an option to purchase theft protection for a two-year period. Revenue from the sale of lifetime extended service plans is deferred over 10 years. Revenues related to the optional theft protection are recognized over the two-year contract period on a straight-line basis. Zale Jewelry customers are also offered a two-year watch warranty and a one-year warranty that covers breakage. Piercing Pagoda customers are also offered a one-year warranty that covers breakage. Revenue from the two-year watch warranty and one-year breakage warranty is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective contract terms.
Goodwill	*Goodwill* Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions over the Company’s interest in the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is recorded by the Company’s reporting units based on the acquisitions made by each. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment and is required to be tested at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value. The annual testing date for goodwill allocated to the Sterling Jewelers reporting unit is the last day of the fourth quarter. The annual testing date for goodwill allocated to the reporting units associated with the Acquisition and the Other reporting unit is May 31. The Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment for each reporting unit to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying value. If a qualitative assessment is not performed, or if as a result of a qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then the reporting unit’s fair value is compared to its carrying value. Fair value is determined through the income approach using discounted cash flow models or market-based methodologies. Significant estimates used in these discounted cash flow models include: the weighted average cost of capital; long-term growth rates; expected changes to selling prices, direct costs and profitability of the business; and working capital requirements. Management estimates discount rates using post-tax rates that reflect assessments of the time value of money and Company-specific risks. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, the Company determines the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment charge equal to the difference. See Note 20 for additional discussion of the goodwill recorded by the Company during the second quarter of Fiscal 2015. There have been no goodwill impairment losses recorded during the fiscal periods presented in the condensed consolidated income statements. If future economic conditions are different than those projected by management, future impairment charges may be required. See Note 10 for additional information.
Intangible assets	*Intangible assets* Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in 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 loss 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. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment each year in the fourth quarter and may be reviewed more frequently if certain events occur or circumstances change. First, pursuant to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment”, the Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company estimates the fair value, usually determined by the estimated discounted future cash flows of the asset, compares that value with its carrying amount and records an impairment charge, if any. If future economic conditions are different than those projected by management, future impairment charges may be required. See Note 10 for additional information on intangible assets.
Capital leases	*Capital leases* The Zale division has capital leases related to vehicles for field management. The vehicles are included in property, plant and equipment in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and are depreciated over a four-year life.
New accounting pronouncements adopted during the period	*New accounting pronouncements adopted during the period* Presentation of unrecognized tax benefit In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The new guidance requires, unless certain conditions exist, an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset in the financial statements for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. Signet adopted this guidance effective for the first quarter ended May 3, 2014 and the implementation of this accounting pronouncement did not have an impact on Signet’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
New accounting pronouncements to be adopted in future periods	*New accounting pronouncements to be adopted in future periods* Revenue recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The new guidance affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (for example, insurance contracts or lease contracts). 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. ASU No. 2014-09 provides alternative methods of retrospective adoption and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. Signet is currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements. Share-based compensation In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” The new guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. ASU No. 2014-12 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. Signet is currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification	*Reclassification* Signet has reclassified the presentation of certain prior year information to conform to the current year presentation.