SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

        The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Jones Group Inc. and our subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations of acquired companies are included in our operating results from the respective dates of acquisition. We also have a 25% interest in GRI, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

        We design, contract for the manufacture of and market a broad range of women's collection sportswear, suits and dresses, casual sportswear and jeanswear for women and children and women's and men's footwear and accessories. We sell our products through a broad array of distribution channels, including better specialty and department stores and mass merchandisers, primarily in the United States, Canada and Europe. We also operate our own network of retail and factory outlet stores, concession locations and e-commerce web sites. In addition, we license the use of several of our brand names to select manufacturers and distributors of women's and men's apparel and accessories worldwide.

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Credit Risk

        Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents in investment-grade, highly-liquid U.S. government agency and corporate money market accounts. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers' financial condition and, generally, require no collateral from our customers. The allowance for non-collection of accounts receivable is based upon the expected collectibility of all accounts receivable.

Derivative Financial Instruments

        Our primary objectives for holding derivative financial instruments are to manage foreign currency and interest rate risks. We do not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. We have historically used derivative financial instruments to hedge both the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities (a "fair value" hedge) and the variability of anticipated cash flows of a forecasted transaction (a "cash flow" hedge). Our strategies related to derivative financial instruments have been:

• the use of foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of anticipated future short-term inventory purchases to offset the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (primarily between the U.S. Dollar and the Canadian Dollar) and
• the use of interest rate swaps and caps to effectively convert a portion of our outstanding fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt to take advantage of lower interest rates.

        Our foreign currency forward contracts are highly effective hedges because all the critical terms of the derivative instruments match those of the hedged item, and our interest rate swaps are highly effective based on regression analyses (our interest rate cap agreement has not been designated as a hedge). On the date a qualifying derivative contract is entered into, we designate the derivative as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. Changes in derivative fair values that are designated as fair value hedges are recognized in earnings as offsets to the changes in fair value of the related hedged assets and liabilities. Changes in derivative fair values that are designated as cash flow hedges are deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the associated hedged transactions impact the income statement, at which time the deferred gains and losses are reclassified toeither cost of sales for inventory purchases or to selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for all other items. Any ineffective portion of a hedging derivative's change in fair value will be immediately recognized in cost of sales for foreign currency forward contracts and interest expense for interest rate swap contracts. Differentials to be paid or received under interest rate swap contracts and changes in the fair value of interest rate cap contracts are recognized in income as adjustments to interest expense. Gains or losses generated from the early termination of interest rate swap contracts are amortized to earnings over the remaining terms of the contracts as adjustments to interest expense. The fair values of the derivatives, which are based on observable inputs such as yield curves or foreign exchange spot rates, are reported as other current assets, other assets, accrued expenses and other current liabilities or other noncurrent liabilities, as appropriate.

Accounts Receivable

        Accounts receivable are reported at amounts we expect to be collected, net of trade discounts and deductions for co-op advertising normally taken by our customers, allowances we provide to our retail customers to effectively flow goods through the retail channels, an allowance for non-collection due to the financial position of our customers and credit card accounts, and an allowance for estimated sales returns.

Inventories and Cost of Sales

        Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventory values are determined using the FIFO (first in, first out) and weighted average cost methods. We reduce the carrying cost of inventories for obsolete or slow moving items as necessary to properly reflect inventory value. The cost elements included in inventory consist of all direct costs of merchandise (net of purchase discounts and vendor allowances), allocated overhead (primarily design and production costs), inbound freight and merchandise acquisition costs such as commissions and import fees.

        Cost of sales includes the inventory cost elements listed above as well as warehouse outbound freight, merchandise freight between our distribution centers and retail locations and realized gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts associated with inventory purchases. Our cost of sales may not be comparable to those of other entities, since some entities include all of the costs associated with their distribution functions in cost of sales while we include these costs in SG&A expenses. Distribution costs included in SG&A expenses for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $93.3 million, $105.4 million and $101.0 million, respectively.

Property, Plant, Equipment and Depreciation and Amortization

        Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements recorded at the inception of a lease are amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the lease or the useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter; for improvements made during the lease term, the amortization period is the shorter of the useful life or the remaining lease term (including any renewal periods that are deemed to be reasonably assured). Property under capital leases is amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.

Operating Leases

        Total rent payments under operating leases that include scheduled payment increases and rent holidays are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Rent expense on our buildings and retail stores is classified as an SG&A expense and, for certain stores, includes contingent rents that are based on a percentage of retail sales over stated levels. Landlord allowances are amortized by the straight-line method over the term of the lease as a reduction of rent expense.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

        Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We test at least annually our goodwill and other intangibles without determinable lives (primarily tradenames and trademarks) for impairment through the use of discounted cash flow models. Other intangibles with determinable lives, including license agreements, are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets (currently ranging from seven months to 23 years).

Foreign Currency Translation

        The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars in accordance with ASC Section 830, "Foreign Currency Matters." Where the functional currency of a foreign subsidiary is its local currency, balance sheet accounts are translated at the current exchange rate and income statement items are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Gains and losses resulting from translation are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders' equity. Gains and losses on transactions denominated and settled in a foreign currency are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Net foreign currency (losses) gains included in SG&A expenses were $(4.8) million, $0.6 million and $(1.2) million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Defined Benefit Plans

        Our funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum amount to meet the funding ratio requirements of the Pension Protection Act.

Treasury Stock

        Treasury stock is recorded at acquisition cost. Gains and losses on disposition are recorded as increases or decreases to additional paid-in capital with losses in excess of previously recorded gains charged directly to retained earnings. When treasury shares are retired and returned to authorized but unissued status, the carrying value in excess of par is allocated to additional paid-in capital and retained earnings on a pro rata basis.

Revenue Recognition

        Wholesale apparel and footwear and accessories sales are recognized either when products are shipped or, in certain situations, upon acceptance by the customer. Retail sales are recorded at the time of register receipt. Allowances for estimated returns are provided when sales are recorded primarily by reducing revenues for the total revenues related to estimated returns, with an offsetting reduction to cost of sales for the cost of the estimated returns. Sales taxes collected from retail customers are excluded from reported revenues. Licensing income is recognized based on the higher of contractual minimums or sales of licensed products realized by our licensees.

Shipping and Handling Costs

        Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recorded as revenue. Freight costs associated with shipping goods to customers are recorded as a cost of sales.

Advertising Expense

        We record national advertising campaign costs as an expense when the advertising first takes place and we expense advertising production costs as incurred, net of reimbursements for cooperative advertising. Net advertising expense was $65.6 million, $57.6 million and $45.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, net of co-operative advertising reimbursements of $11.7 million, $11.1 million and $11.6 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

        We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Current tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated Federal, foreign, state and local income taxes payable or refundable on the tax returns for the current year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax provisions are based on the changes to the respective assets and liabilities from period to period. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists.

Earnings per Share

        We have outstanding restricted stock grants that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends (whether paid or unpaid) which qualify these shares as participating securities, requiring them to be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect, in periods in which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of unvested restricted stock not classified as participating securities and common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options. The difference between reported basic and diluted weighted-average common shares results from the assumption that all dilutive stock options outstanding were exercised and all outstanding restricted shares have vested.

        The following options to purchase shares of common stock were outstanding during a portion of 2011 and 2010 but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of the options were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, would be antidilutive. For 2009, none of the options outstanding were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share due to the net loss for the year.

For the year ended December 31,	2011	2010	2009
Number of options (in millions)	4.4	6.0	N/A
Weighted average exercise price	$34.74	$33.25	-

Restricted Stock

        Compensation cost for restricted stock that vests based upon the passage of time or on the achievement of a performance condition is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of our stock at the date the common stock is granted over the amount the employee must pay to acquire the stock (which is generally zero). Compensation cost for restricted stock that vests upon the achievement of a performance condition is also based upon the probability that the performance condition will be satisfied. Compensation cost for restricted stock that vests based upon the achievement of a market condition is determined based on a Monte Carlo valuation model and is recognized regardless of whether or not the market condition is satisfied.

        Compensation cost, net of projected forfeitures, is recognized over the period between the issue date and the date any restrictions lapse, with compensation cost for grants with a graded vesting schedule recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the total award.

Long-Lived Assets

        We review certain long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In that regard, we assess the recoverability of such assets based upon estimated non-discounted cash flow forecasts. If an asset impairment is identified, the asset is written down to fair value based on discounted cash flow or other fair value measures.

Cash Equivalents

        We consider all highly liquid short-term investments to be cash equivalents.

New Accounting Standards

        In May 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs." ASU 2011-04 amends Topic 820 to provide common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP") and International Financial Reporting Standards. Consequently, the amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, as well as providing guidance on how fair value should be applied where its use is already required or permitted by other standards within U.S. GAAP. ASU No. 2011-04 is to be applied prospectively, and early adoption is not permitted. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or our financial position.

        In June 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income." ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option that permits the presentation of other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity and requires presenting components of net income and comprehensive income in either a one-statement approach with totals for both net income and comprehensive income, or a two-statement approach where a statement presenting the components of net income and total net income must be immediately followed by a financial statement that presents the components of other comprehensive income, a total for other comprehensive income, and a total for comprehensive income. For public companies, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We have adopted the two-statement approach as of December 31, 2011.

        In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment." ASU 2011-08 simplifies how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or our financial position.

        In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-09, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Multiemployer Plans (Subtopic 715-80): Disclosures about an Employer's Participation in a Multiemployer Plan." ASU 2011-09 provides for additional separate disclosures for multiemployer pension plans and other multiemployer postretirement benefit plans. The amended disclosures require additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures about an employer's involvement in significant multiemployer pension plans. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. We currently do not participate in any significant multiemployer plans.

        In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, "Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities." ASU 2011-11 provides for additional disclosures of both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This scope would include derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements and reverse sale and repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending arrangements. The amendments in this Update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods, and disclosures required by these amendments should be provided retrospectively for all comparative periods presented.

        In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05." ASU 2011-12 defers the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income separately with their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-12 did not defer the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. The amendments are effective at the same time as the amendments in ASU 2011-05.