Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v2.4.0.6
The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
The Company and Basis of Presentation
(a)

The Company and Basis of Presentation

Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (the “Company”) designs, develops, markets and distributes footwear. The Company also operates 329 retail stores and an e-commerce business as of December 31, 2011.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates
(b)

Use of Estimates

Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate primarily to revenue recognition, allowance for bad debts, returns, sales allowances and customer chargebacks, inventory write-downs, valuation of long-lived assets, litigation reserves and valuation of deferred income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Non-controlling interests
(c)

Noncontrolling interests

The Company has interests in certain joint ventures which are consolidated into its financial statements. Noncontrolling interest income (loss) was ($0.1) million, $0.3 million and ($3.8) million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which represents the share of net earnings or loss that is attributable to our joint venture partners. Our joint venture partners made a cash capital contribution of $2.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2011.

The Company has determined that its joint venture with HF Logistics I, LLC (“HF”) is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. The VIE is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements and the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

                                     
   

December 31, 2011 

    December 31, 2010        

Current assets

          $ 11,287               $ 6,058        

Noncurrent assets

            132,925                 107,723        
           

 

 

           

 

 

   

Total assets

          $ 144,212               $ 113,781        
           

 

 

           

 

 

   

 

Current liabilities

          $ 65,608               $ 36,364        

Noncurrent liabilities

            18,297                 17,359        
           

 

 

           

 

 

   

Total liabilities

          $ 83,905               $ 53,723        
           

 

 

           

 

 

   

The assets of the joint ventures are restricted in that they are not available for our general business use outside the context of the joint venture. The holders of the liabilities of each joint venture have no recourse to Skechers U.S.A., Inc. The Company does not have a significant variable interest in any unconsolidated VIE’s.

Business Segment Information
(d)

Business Segment Information

Skechers’ operations and segments are organized along its distribution channels and consist of the following: domestic wholesale, international wholesale, retail and e-commerce sales. Information regarding these segments is summarized in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition
(e)

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue on wholesale sales when products are shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is reasonably assured, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed or determinable. This generally occurs at the time of shipment. Wholesale and e-commerce sales are recognized on a net sales basis, which reflects allowances for estimated returns, sales allowances, discounts, chargebacks and amounts billed for shipping and handling costs. Shipping and handling costs paid by the Company are included in cost of sales. The Company recognizes revenue from retail sales at the point of sale. The Company currently presents sales tax collected from customers on a net basis.

Net royalty income is earned from our licensing arrangements. Upon signing a new licensing agreement, we receive up-front fees, which are generally characterized as prepaid royalties. These fees are initially deferred and recognized as revenue when earned based on the terms of the contract as licensed sales are reported to the company or on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. The first calculated royalty payment is based on actual sales of the licensed product. Typically, at each quarter-end we receive correspondence from our licensees indicating actual sales for the period. This information is used to calculate and accrue the related royalties based on the terms of the agreement.

Allowance for bad debts, Returns, Sales allowances and customer chargebacks
(f)

Allowance for Bad Debts, Returns, Sales Allowances and Customer Chargebacks

The Company provides a reserve against its receivables for estimated losses that may result from its customers’ inability to pay. To minimize the likelihood of uncollectibility, customers’ credit-worthiness is reviewed periodically based on external credit reporting services, financial statements issued by the customer and the Company’s experience with the account, and it is adjusted accordingly. When a customer’s account becomes significantly past due, the Company generally places a hold on the account and discontinues further shipments to that customer, minimizing further risk of loss. The Company determines the amount of the reserve by analyzing known uncollectible accounts, aged receivables, economic conditions in the customers’ countries or industries, historical losses and its customers’ credit-worthiness. Amounts later determined and specifically identified to be uncollectible are charged or written off against this reserve.

The Company also reserves for potential disputed amounts or chargebacks from its customers. The Company’s chargeback reserve is based on a collectibility percentage based on factors such as historical trends, current economic conditions, and nature of the chargeback receivables. The Company also reserves for potential sales returns and allowances based on historical trends.

The likelihood of a material loss on an uncollectible account would be mainly dependent on deterioration in the overall economic conditions in a particular country or environment. Reserves are fully provided for all probable losses of this nature. For receivables that are not specifically identified as high risk, the Company provides a reserve based upon our historical loss rate as a percentage of sales.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
(g)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of certificates of deposit with an initial term of less than three months. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Foreign Currency Translation
(h)

Foreign Currency Translation

In accordance with ASC 830-30, certain international operations use the respective local currencies as their functional currency, while other international operations use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency. The Company considers the U.S. dollar as its functional currency. The Company operates internationally through several foreign subsidiaries. Translation adjustments for these subsidiaries are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Additionally, one international subsidiary, Skechers S.a.r.l. located in Switzerland, operates with a functional currency of the U.S. dollar. Resulting re-measurement gains and losses from this subsidiary are included in the determination of net earnings (loss). Assets and liabilities of the foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the period. Translations of intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature are included as a component of translation adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss).

Inventories
(i)

Inventories

Inventories, principally finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost (based on the first-in, first-out method) or market (net realizable value). Cost includes shipping and handling fees and costs, which are subsequently expensed to cost of sales. The Company provides for estimated losses from obsolete or slow-moving inventories and writes down the cost of inventory at the time such determinations are made. Reserves are estimated based upon inventory on hand, historical sales activity, industry trends, the retail environment, and the expected net realizable value. The net realizable value is determined based upon estimated sales prices of such inventory through off-price or discount store channels. The Company recorded $10.0 million in inventory reserves for our toning products during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Income Taxes
(j)

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10, which requires that the Company recognize deferred tax liabilities for taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets for deductible temporary differences and operating loss carry-forwards using enacted tax rates in effect in the years the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax benefit or expense is recognized as a result of changes in net deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of any deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Depreciation and Amortization
(k)

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment is computed using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:

 

     

Buildings

 

20 years

Building improvements

 

10 years

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

5 to 20 years

Leasehold improvements

 

Useful life or remaining lease term, whichever is shorter

Goodwill and Intangible assets
(l)

Goodwill and Intangible assets

Goodwill and intangible assets are measured for impairment at least annually and more often when events indicate that impairment exists. Intellectual property, which include purchased intellectual property, artwork and design, trade name and trademark are amortized over their useful lives ranging from 1–10 years, generally on a straight-line basis. Intangible assets, which were primarily allocated to the domestic wholesale segment, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

                 
    2011       2010  

Intellectual property

   $     7,840     $   11,331  

Goodwill

    1,575       1,575  

Other intangibles

    0       840  

Less accumulated amortization

    (5,267     (6,379
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Intangible Assets

  $ 4,148     $ 7,367  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We recorded amortization expense of $2.7 million, $3.2 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in general and administrative expenses. The Company recorded $1.6 million in impairment charges on certain acquired intangibles during the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company did not record impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009. We early adopted ASU 2011-08 during the year ended December 31, 2011. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Long-Lived Assets
(m)

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We prepare a summary of store cash flows from our retail stores to assess potential impairment of the fixed assets and leasehold improvements. Stores with negative cash flows opened in excess of twenty-four months are then reviewed in detail to determine if impairment exists. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Management reviews both quantitative and qualitative factors to assess if a triggering event occurred. The Company recorded $1.5 million in impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company did not record impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company recorded impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2009 of $0.8 million.

Advertising costs
(n)

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed in the period in which the advertisements are first run or over the life of the endorsement contract. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $119.3 million, $154.6 million and $98.3 million, respectively. Prepaid advertising costs were $4.7 million and $11.5 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Prepaid amounts outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, represent the unamortized portion of endorsement contracts, advertising in trade publications and media productions created which had not run as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net Earnings (loss) Per Share Attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.
(o)

Net Earnings (loss) Per Share Attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

Basic earnings (loss) per share represents net earnings (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share, in addition to the weighted average determined for basic earnings (loss) per share, includes potential common shares which would arise from the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method.

The following is a reconciliation of net earnings (loss) and weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings (loss) per share (in thousands):

 

 

                         
    Years Ended December 31,  

              Basic earnings (loss) per share

  2011     2010     2009  
       

Net earnings (loss)

  $ (67,484)       $   136,148         $   54,699    

Weighted average common shares outstanding

      48,491          47,433         46,341    

Basic earnings (loss) per share

  $ (1.39)        $ 2.87         $ 1.18    

 

 

                                     
    Years Ended December 31,

              Diluted earnings (loss) per share

          2011                   2010                   2009    
             

Net earnings (loss)

    $  (67,484)           $ 136,148           $   54,699      

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    48,491            47,433           46,341      

Dilutive stock options

              1,617           764      
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    48,491            49,050           47,105      
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     
             

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

    $ (1.39)           $ 2.78           $ 1.16      
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

There were no options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the year ended December 31, 2011 or 2010. Options to purchase 362,653 shares of Class A common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2009, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Product design and development costs
(p)

Product Design and Development Costs

The Company charges all product design and development costs to expense when incurred. Product design and development costs aggregated approximately $15.9 million, $12.6 million and $9.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
(q)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximates fair value due to the relatively short maturity of such instruments.

The carrying amount of the Company’s long-term borrowings approximates the fair value based upon current rates and terms available to the Company for similar debt.

Comprehensive Income

(r)    Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net earnings, foreign currency translation adjustments, and net unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Comprehensive income is presented in the consolidated statements of equity and comprehensive income (loss). Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of foreign currency translation adjustments and net unrealized gain (loss) on investments.

New Accounting Pronouncements

(s)    New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. ASU 2011-05 requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This new guidance is to be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this ASU only impacts the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and does not materially impact its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), which changes the way a company completes its annual impairment review process. The provisions of this pronouncement provides an entity with the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. ASU-2011-08 allows an entity the option to bypass the qualitative-assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. The pronouncement does not change the current guidance for testing other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. This standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. We early adopted ASU 2011-08 during the year ended December 31, 2011. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the 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. This ASU expands existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and provides additional information on how to measure fair value. The Company is required to apply this ASU prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.