Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Note) |
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Revenue Recognition
Revenue primarily consists of merchandise sales and is reduced by incentive discounts and sales returns to arrive at net sales. Revenue is recorded when delivery to the customer has occurred. Delivery is considered to have occurred when the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, which is on the date of shipment. HSNi's sales policy allows customers to return merchandise for a full refund or exchange, subject to pre-established time restrictions. Allowances for returned merchandise and other adjustments (including reimbursed shipping and handling costs) are provided based upon past experience. Actual returns of product sales have not materially varied from estimates in any of the periods presented. HSNi's estimated return rates were 15.3%, 15.9%, and 16.3% in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Sales taxes collected are not included in revenue.
HSN issues customer credits primarily for products returned outside of HSN’s normal return policy. Revenues from these credits are recognized when (1) redeemed by the customer, or (2) it is determined that it is not probable the Company has an obligation to escheat the value of the unredeemed credit to relevant jurisdictions and the likelihood of the credit being redeemed by the customer is remote (“breakage”). During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized $5.0 million of revenue for customer credit breakage. This was the first period during which the Company recognized customer credit breakage and, therefore, it included breakage income related to customer credits issued since inception of this program. Customer credit breakage recognized for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $2.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Customer credit breakage is estimated based upon an analysis of actual historical redemption patterns and is included in "Net sales" in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs
Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are recorded as revenue. The costs associated with shipping goods to customers are recorded as cost of sales.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and money market instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased and are stated at cost.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are principally comprised of amounts due from customers and credit card companies, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. HSNi accepts most credit and select debit cards. HSN provides extended payment terms to its qualified customers known as Flexpay. Revenue is recorded when delivery to the customer has occurred, at which time HSN collects the first payment, sales tax and all shipping and handling fees. Subsequent collections are due from customers in 30-day increments, payable automatically upon authorization of the customer’s method of payment. HSN offers Flexpay programs ranging from two to six interest-free monthly payments. Flexpay receivables consist of outstanding balances owed by customers, less a reserve for uncollectible balances.
The balance of accounts receivable, net of allowances, is as follows (in thousands):
Accounts receivable outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. HSNi determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, HSNi’s previous loss history and the condition of the general economy. HSNi writes off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible.
Inventories
Inventories, which primarily consist of finished goods, are valued at the lower of cost or market, with the cost being determined based upon the first-in, first-out method. Cost includes inbound freight and duties and, in the case of HSN, certain allocable costs, including certain warehouse costs. Inventories include approximately $7.2 million and $6.9 million of these allocable general and administrative overhead costs at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and approximately $25.7 million, $25.2 million, and $24.0 million of such costs were included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Market is determined on the basis of net realizable value, giving consideration to obsolescence and other factors.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, including significant improvements, are recorded at cost. Repairs and maintenance and any gains or losses on dispositions are included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis to allocate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over the shorter of the estimated service life or lease period.
HSNi capitalizes certain qualified costs incurred in connection with the development of internal use software. Capitalization of internal use software costs begins when the preliminary project stage is completed; management with the relevant authority authorizes and commits to the funding of the software project; and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. Capitalized internal use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. Capitalized software costs, net of accumulated amortization, totaled $36.3 million and $32.8 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in “Property and equipment, net” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense related to the capitalized software costs was $19.2 million, $18.9 million and $18.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in "Depreciation and amortization" expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill acquired in business combinations is assigned to the reporting units that are expected to benefit from the combination as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, primarily trade names and trademarks, are assessed annually for impairment as of October 1 or upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. See Note 3 for a further discussion on goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets with Definite Lives
Long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets with definite lives, are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying amount is deemed to not be recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is generally recorded on a straight-line or accelerated basis over their estimated lives.
Cable and Satellite Distribution Fees
Cable and satellite distribution fees relate to fees paid in connection with cable and satellite contracts for carriage of HSN’s programming. Fees that are paid upfront for annual contracts are included in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective contracts. Unpaid fees are accrued and included in the line item “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Cable and satellite distribution fees and amortization are included in “Selling and marketing" expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Advertising
Advertising costs include catalog production and distribution costs. Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred, except for Cornerstone’s direct costs of producing and distributing its catalogs, which are capitalized. These capitalized costs are amortized over the expected future revenue stream, which is generally three months from the date catalogs are mailed. Such capitalized costs totaled $16.5 million and $19.1 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Of these amounts, $10.5 million and $15.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to catalogs that had not yet been mailed. Advertising expense was $272.9 million, $288.5 million, and $279.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were included in "Selling and marketing" expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
HSNi accounts for income taxes under the liability method, and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. HSNi records interest and penalties on potential tax contingencies as a component of income tax expense and records interest net of any applicable related income tax benefit.
HSNi recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on its technical merits. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Stock-Based Compensation
HSNi recognizes compensation expense for stock-based awards, reduced for estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for awards with service conditions and on a graded-vested basis for awards with market or performance conditions. Tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of cash flows are reported as a component of financing cash flows. HSNi issues new shares to satisfy equity vestings and exercises. See Note 11 for a further description of our stock compensation plans.
Earnings Per Share
HSNi computes basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method.
Derivative Instruments
HSNi uses derivatives in the management of interest rate risk with respect to interest expense on variable rate debt. Such instruments are not held or used for trading purposes. HSNi is party to interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions that fix the variable benchmark component (LIBOR) of HSNi's interest rate on a portion of its variable-rate debt. See Note 8 for further discussion of derivative instruments.
Share Repurchases
Shares repurchased pursuant to HSNi's share repurchase program are immediately retired upon purchase. Repurchased common stock is reflected as a reduction of shareholders' equity. HSNi's accounting policy related to its share repurchases is to reduce its common stock based on the par value of the shares and to reduce its capital surplus for the excess of the repurchase price over the par value. Since inception of its share repurchase program in September 2011, HSNi has had an accumulated deficit balance; therefore, the excess over the par value has been applied to additional paid-in capital. Once HSNi has retained earnings, the excess will be charged entirely to retained earnings.
Private Label Credit Card
HSN's credit card program offers eligible customers a private label credit card. All cardholders receive certain rewards and benefits which are designed to recognize and promote client loyalty. HSN designs, executes and administers marketing programs to promote usage of the card to current and potential customers. These marketing programs are funded largely by the sponsoring bank. HSN also saves on interchange fees that it would incur if its customers used third-party cards. Purchases made through the private label credit card represented 36%, 34% and 31% of HSN's sales in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Certain brands in the Cornerstone portfolio also offer their customers private label credit cards with purchases representing approximately 4% of Cornerstone's sales in 2016 and less than 1% in 2015.
In November 2013, HSN extended its agreement with the sponsoring bank through 2020. As with the original agreement, HSN received an upfront signing bonus from the sponsoring bank which is being amortized over the term of the agreement and also receives ongoing payments for new accounts activated as well as a share of net sales collected by the sponsoring bank. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, HSN recognized approximately $16.9 million, $16.9 million, and $16.5 million, respectively, of income from the sponsoring bank that was used to offset credit card fees included in costs of goods sold.
Accounting Estimates
HSNi prepares its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). These principles require management to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements include: the determination of the lower of cost or market adjustment for inventory; sales returns and other revenue allowances; the allowance for doubtful accounts; the recoverability of long-lived assets; the impairment of intangible assets; the annual expected effective tax rate; the determination of deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; the accrual for actual, pending or threatened litigation, claims and assessments; the breakage of customer credits; and assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation and contingent consideration related to acquisitions.
Certain Risks and Concentrations
HSNi’s business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers and shipping companies, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security, consumer credit risk and credit card fraud. HSNi also depends on third-party service providers for processing certain fulfillment services.
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