Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Apr. 28, 2012

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

10.  Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, categorizing the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy can be described as follows:  Level 1- observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2- inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and Level 3- unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.  The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the quarter ended April 28, 2012 or April 30, 2011, respectively, or during the year ended January 28, 2012.

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
At April 28, 2012-
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	20,027	$	—	$	—	$	20,027
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	548	$	—	$	548
At January 28, 2012-
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	20,017	$	—	$	—	$	20,017
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	14	$	—	$	14
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	142	$	—	$	142
At April 30, 2011-
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	207	$	—	$	207
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	1,371	$	—	$	1,371

Cash equivalents consist of money market instruments that have original maturities of three months or less.  The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the highly liquid and short-term nature of these instruments.

Derivative financial instruments are comprised of foreign currency forward exchange contracts primarily entered into to minimize our foreign currency exposure related to forecasted purchases of certain inventories denominated in a currency different from the operating entity’s functional currency.  Our derivative financial instruments are recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value based upon observable market inputs.  Derivative financial instruments in an asset position are included within other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Derivative financial instruments in a liability position are included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Refer to Note 11 for further information regarding our derivative instruments.

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and identifiable intangibles with finite useful lives, are periodically evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the asset carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset.  The fair values of long-lived assets held-for-use are based on our own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset and on observable market data, when available.  We classify these measurements as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.  No impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of long-lived assets during the first quarter of 2012 or 2011.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments, other than those presented in the disclosures above, consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities.  Management estimates that, as of April 28, 2012, April 30, 2011 and January 28, 2012, the carrying value of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair value due to the highly liquid or short-term nature of these instruments.