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Significant Accounting Policies
 9 Months Ended
Aug. 23, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
Levi Strauss & Co. (the "Company") is one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies. The Company designs, markets and sells – directly or through third parties and licensees – products that include jeans, casual and dress pants, tops, shorts, skirts, jackets, footwear and related accessories for men, women and children around the world under the Levi’s®, Dockers®, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™ and Denizen® brands. The Company operates its business through three geographic regions: Americas, Europe and Asia.
In March 2019, the Company completed an initial public offering ("IPO") of its Class A common stock, as a result of which its Class A common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LEVI".
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned foreign and domestic subsidiaries are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented have been included. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended November 24, 2019, included in the Company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Management believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented in the unaudited consolidated financial statements not misleading. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020 may not be indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or the year ending November 29, 2020.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of November in each year, although the fiscal years of certain foreign subsidiaries end on November 30. Each quarter of both fiscal years 2020 and 2019 consists of 13 weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of 2020, which will consist of 14 weeks. All references to years and quarters relate to fiscal years and quarters rather than calendar years and quarters.
COVID-19 Update
The COVID-19 pandemic has materially impacted the Company's business and results of operations in 2020. Based on our initial estimates of the adverse impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on the business, $242.0 million in incremental charges were recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. During the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, $11.0 million of net reductions in the charges were recognized, consisting of $7.9 million in reductions of adverse fabric purchase commitments and inventory reserves and $6.6 million in recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible, offset by incremental restructuring and other costs incurred in response to the global pandemic. On a year-to-date basis, the net $231.0 million in charges consisted of $68.4 million of restructuring charges, COVID-19 related inventory costs of $77.9 million, and charges for customer receivables, asset impairments and other related charges of $84.7 million. For more information on the restructuring charges, refer to Note 6.
Substantially all of our company-operated stores were temporarily closed for varying periods of time throughout the second quarter. At the start of the third quarter, approximately half of our owned and operated retail stores were closed, with the majority reopened by mid-July but, in many cases, with reduced operating hours and occupancy levels. Our wholesale customers, including third-party retailers and franchise partners, have also experienced significant business disruptions, including lower traffic and consumer demand, resulting in decreased shipments to these customers.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was signed into law in the United States. The CARES Act provides relief to U.S. Corporations through financial assistance programs and modifications to certain income tax provisions. The Company is applying certain beneficial provisions of the CARES Act, including the net operating loss carryback provision. Refer to Note 13 for more information. 
The Company also assessed the impacts of the pandemic on the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these consolidated financial statements. The estimates and assumptions used in these assessments were based on management’s judgment and may be subject to change as new events occur and additional information is obtained. In particular, significant uncertainty remains about the duration and extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting impact on global economic conditions. If economic conditions caused by the pandemic do not recover as currently estimated by management, the Company’s financial condition, cash flows and results of operations may be further materially impacted. See below for areas that required more judgments and estimates as a result of COVID-19.
Inventory Valuation and Adverse Purchase Commitments
The Company values inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined by estimating expected selling prices based on anticipated recovery rates for slow-moving and obsolete inventory and other factors, such as market conditions, expected channel of distribution and current consumer demand and preferences. During the second quarter of 2020, an initial estimate of incremental inventory reserves directly related to the expected impact of COVID-19 on forecasted sales and expected selling prices was recorded. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and based on the actual selling prices of reserved products, the COVID-19 related impact on inventory valuation was reduced by $1.8 million. For the nine months ended August 23, 2020, the net COVID-19 related impact on inventory valuation, recognized within cost of goods sold, was $48.1 million.
The Company also has minimum inventory purchase commitments, including fabric commitments, with suppliers that secure a portion of material needs for future seasons. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to decreased demand, some of the Company's orders were canceled and a charge for estimated adverse purchase commitments was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. During the third quarter, the Company recorded a net reduction of $6.1 million in its charge for inventory purchase commitments based on updated demand and actual claims received from suppliers. For the nine months ended August 23, 2020, the net charge of $29.8 million was reflected in cost of goods sold in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. As of August 23, 2020, adverse purchase commitments of $32.5 million, which primarily relate to fabric liabilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, were included in "Other accrued liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable, assessment of collectability, including any known or anticipated bankruptcies, customer-specific circumstances and an evaluation of current economic conditions. During the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, the Company recognized a reduction of $6.6 million in COVID-19 related charges, which were initially recorded in the second quarter, primarily due to recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible. For the nine months ended August 23, 2020, $21.0 million in total COVID-19 related charges were recorded related to accounts receivable including an incremental allowance for doubtful accounts of $8.5 million, and other allowances as a result of changes in customers' financial condition, actual and anticipated bankruptcies and other associated claims.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may be impaired. Impairment losses are measured and recorded for the excess of carrying value over its fair value, estimated based on expected future cash flows and other quantitative and qualitative factors. Expected future cash flows decreased due to the anticipated COVID-19 related impact on foot traffic and consumer spending trends. As a result, during the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded $54.1 million of non-cash impairment charges, of which $43.0 million and $11.1 million were related to the impairment of certain store right-of-use and other store assets, respectively. An additional $6.3 million was recognized related to other property and equipment. There were no additional impairment charges recorded in the three-month period ended August 23, 2020. The impairment charges are included in selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020. 
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements. Estimates are based upon historical factors, current circumstances and the experience and judgment of the Company’s management. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in its evaluations. Changes in such estimates, based on more accurate future information, or different assumptions or conditions, may affect amounts reported in future periods. As a result of uncertainty and frequently changing information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on global economic conditions, estimates may change frequently and in the near term.     
Reclassification
Certain insignificant amounts on the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flow have been conformed to the August 23, 2020 presentation.
The Jeans Company Acquisition
In December 2019, the Company completed an acquisition of all operating assets related to Levi’s® and Dockers® brands from The Jeans Company ("TJC"), the Company's distributor in Chile, Peru and Bolivia, for $52.2 million in cash, plus transaction costs. This includes 78 Levi’s® and Dockers® retail stores and one e-commerce site, distribution with the region’s leading multi-brand retailers, and the logistical operations within these markets.
The total fair value of assets acquired was $52.2 million and include goodwill, inventory, intangible and fixed assets. The goodwill and intangibles recognized as a result of the acquisition were $22.8 million and $9.2 million, respectively.
Restructuring Liabilities
Upon approval of a restructuring plan, the Company records restructuring liabilities for employee severance and related termination benefits when they become probable and estimable for recurring arrangements. The Company records other costs associated with exit activities as they are incurred. The long-term portion of restructuring liabilities is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 6 for more information.
Share Repurchases
In January 2020, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the repurchase of up to $100 million of the Company's Class A common stock. During the six months ended May 24, 2020, 3 million shares were repurchased for $56.2 million, plus broker's commissions, in the open market. This equates to an average repurchase price of approximately $18.73 per share. As of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company has suspended its share buyback program until further notice.
The Company accounts for share repurchases by charging the excess of repurchase price over the repurchased Class A common stock's par value entirely to retained earnings. All repurchased shares are retired and become authorized but unissued shares. The Company accrues for the shares purchased under the share repurchase plan based on the trade date. The Company may terminate or limit the share repurchase program at any time.
Noncontrolling Interest
In January 2020, the Company completed an all cash tender offer for the acquisition of the remaining 16.4% minority interest shares of Levi Strauss Japan K.K.'s common stock for a total purchase price of $13.6 million, plus transaction costs. As a result, Levi Strauss Japan K.K. has become a wholly owned subsidiary. Prior to this transaction, the noncontrolling interest included a 16.4% minority interest of third parties in Levi Strauss Japan K.K., the Company's Japanese subsidiary.
Changes in Accounting Principles
•In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires the identification of arrangements that should be accounted for as leases
by lessees. In general, for operating or financing lease arrangements exceeding a 12-month term, a right-of-use asset and a lease obligation will be recognized on the balance sheet of the lessee while the income statement will reflect lease expense for operating leases and amortization and interest expense for financing leases. The Company has identified leases for real estate, personal property and other arrangements. The new standard is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach with two adoption methods permissible. The Company elected the transition method that applies the new lease standard at the adoption date instead of the earliest period presented. The Company elected the practical expedient to not separate lease components from nonlease components for all leases. Additionally, the Company made an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial 12-month term or less off of the balance sheet and recognize these lease payments within the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company elected the package of transition practical expedients which allowed the Company to carry forward prior conclusions related to: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (iii) initial direct costs for existing leases. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Upon adoption, the Company recognized $1.0 billion of total operating lease liabilities and $1.0 billion of operating lease ROU assets, as well as removed $61 million of existing deferred rent liabilities, which was recorded as an offset against the ROU assets. In addition, the Company removed $43 million and $53 million of existing assets and liabilities related to build-to-suit lease arrangements, respectively. The difference of $10 million was recognize in retained earnings as of the date of initial application. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 8 for more information on the Company's lease arrangements.
•In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). ASU 2018-02 addresses certain stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. As a result of the adoption, a $54.4 million adjustment was included in retained earnings with an offsetting adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
•Effective February 24, 2020, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment issued by the FASB in January 2017, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The impact of the new standard will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of future individual goodwill impairments, if any.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
    There have been no developments to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures, from those disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the following:
First Quarter 2021
•In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The FASB has subsequently issued updates to the standard to provide additional clarification on specific topics. This guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
First Quarter 2022
•In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU is intended to enhance and simplify aspects of the income tax accounting guidance in ASC 740 as part of the FASB's simplification initiative. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
First Quarter 2023
•In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. This guidance is effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and the Company may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.