Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Business As of January 30, 2021, Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively with its subsidiaries, the Company), has expanded its store base to 761 retail stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico. The Company sells in-season, fashion-focused merchandise at up to 60% off other retailers’ prices, including: women’s ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, baby, beauty, footwear, accessories, home, toys, gifts and coats. As of January 30, 2021, the Company operated stores under the names “Burlington Stores” (757 stores), “Cohoes Fashions” (1 store), “Super Baby Depot” (2 stores), and “MJM Designer Shoes” (1 store). Cohoes Fashions offers products similar to those offered by Burlington Stores. MJM Designer Shoes offers moderately priced designer and fashion shoes. The Super Baby Depot stores offer baby clothing, accessories, furniture and other merchandise in the middle to higher price range. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Burlington Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Fiscal Years The Company defines its fiscal year as the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. The fiscal years ended January 30, 2021 (Fiscal 2020), February 1, 2020 (Fiscal 2019) and February 2, 2019 (Fiscal 2018) each consisted of 52 weeks. Use of Estimates Certain amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements are estimated based on historical experience, currently available information and management’s judgment as to the expected outcome of future conditions and circumstances. While every effort is made to ensure the integrity of such estimates, actual results could differ from these estimates, and such differences could have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. COVID-19 On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) outbreak to be a global pandemic. As a result, the Company began the temporary closing of some of its stores, and effective March 22, 2020, it made the decision to temporarily close all of its stores, distribution centers (other than processing of received inventory) and corporate offices to combat the rapid spread of COVID-19. These developments have caused significant disruptions to the Company’s business and have had a significant adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The continuing extent of which will be primarily based on a variety of factors, including the production and administration of effective medical treatments and vaccines, the timing and extent of any recovery in traffic and consumer spending at the Company’s stores, supply chain delays due to closed factories or distribution centers, reduced workforces or labor shortages, scarcity of raw materials and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas, and any future required store closures because of COVID-19 resurgences. The Company began re-opening stores on May 11, 2020, with the majority of stores, as well as all distribution centers, re-opened by mid-June 2020, and substantially all stores re-opened by the end of the second quarter. However, the Company is currently unable to determine how long the conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue, including the imposition of social distancing protocols and other restrictions on its store operations, and whether potential subsequent additional outbreaks will lead to a reduction in customer traffic and additional temporary store closures. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary closing of stores, the Company provided two weeks of financial support to associates impacted by these store closures and by the shutdown of distribution centers. The Company temporarily furloughed most store and distribution center associates, as well as some corporate associates, but continued to provide benefits to its furloughed associates in accordance with its benefit plans. In addition, we paid 100% of their medical benefit premiums during the period they were furloughed. During the second quarter, the Company recalled all furloughed associates at its re-opened stores, as well as its corporate and distribution facilities. In order to maintain maximum financial flexibility during these uncertain times, the Company completed several debt transactions in the first quarter of Fiscal 2020. In March 2020, the Company borrowed $400 million on its existing $600 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the ABL Line of Credit), of which $150 million was repaid during the second quarter, and the remaining $250 million was repaid during the fourth quarter. In April 2020, the Company issued $805 million of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (the Convertible Notes), and BCFWC issued $300 million of 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the Secured Notes). Refer to Note 7, “Long Term Debt,” for further discussion regarding these debt transactions. Additionally, the Company took the following steps to further enhance its financial flexibility: • Carefully managed operating expenses, working capital and capital expenditures, including ceasing substantially all buying activities while stores were closed. The Company subsequently resumed its buying activities, while continuing its conservative approach toward operating expenses and capital expenditures. • Negotiated rent deferral agreements with landlords. • Suspended the Company’s share repurchase program. • The Company’s CEO voluntarily agreed to not take a salary; the Company’s board of directors voluntarily forfeited their cash compensation; the Company’s executive leadership team voluntarily agreed to decrease their salary by 50%; and smaller salary reductions were temporarily put in place for all employees through a certain level. This compensation was reinstated once substantially all of the Company’s stores re-opened. • The annual incentive bonus payments related to Fiscal 2019 performance were delayed to the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, and merit pay increases for Fiscal 2020 were delayed to the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. Due to the aging of inventory related to the temporary store closures discussed above, as well as the impact of seasonality on the Company’s merchandise, the Company recognized inventory markdown reserves of $271.9 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2020. These reserves covered markdowns taken during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020. These charges were included in “Cost of sales” on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of (Loss) Income. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was signed into law, which provides emergency economic assistance for American workers, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic relief package includes government loan enhancement programs and various tax provisions to help improve liquidity for American businesses. Based on the Company’s evaluation of the CARES Act, the Company believes that it qualifies for certain employer refundable payroll credits, deferral of applicable payroll taxes, net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks and immediate expensing for eligible qualified improvement property. The Company recorded a tax benefit of $86.8 million in its effective income tax rate for the year ended January 30, 2021 for the increased benefit from NOL carrybacks to earlier years when the tax rate was higher than the current year. The Company estimates that it will obtain a one-time tax refund of $219.7 million from the carryback of federal NOLs, which is included in the line item “Prepaid and other current assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Refer to Note 15, “Income Taxes” for further discussion. Casualty Losses and Insurance Proceeds During Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, the Company received $12.5 million and $9.3 million, respectively, of insurance proceeds related to certain weather-related incidents that occurred in Fiscal 2017. These proceeds resulted in a gain on insurance recovery of $8.1 million and $3.3 million, which is included in “Other income – net” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income for Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively. The Company allocated $5.1 million and $2.8 million of these proceeds to property and equipment, which is included in the line item “Proceeds from insurance recoveries related to property and equipment,” a component of cash flows from investing activities, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. Book cash overdrafts are included in the line item “Accounts payable” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consist of credit card receivables, insurance receivables and other receivables. Accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value, which approximates fair value. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts for amounts deemed uncollectible. Inventories Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, as determined by the retail inventory method. Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a calculated cost to retail ratio to the retail value of inventories. The Company regularly records a provision for estimated shortage, thereby reducing the carrying value of merchandise inventory. Complete physical inventories of all of the Company’s stores and warehouses are performed no less frequently than annually, with the recorded amount of merchandise inventory being adjusted to coincide with these physical counts. The Company records its cost of merchandise (net of purchase discounts and certain vendor allowances), certain merchandise acquisition costs (primarily commissions and import fees), inbound freight, outbound freight from distribution centers, and freight on internally transferred merchandise in the line item “Cost of sales” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Costs associated with the Company’s distribution, buying, and store receiving functions (product sourcing costs) are included in the line items “Selling, general and administrative expenses” and “Depreciation and amortization” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Product sourcing costs included within the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” amounted to $433.8 million, $339.1 million and $313.3 million during Fiscal 2020, Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively. Depreciation and amortization related to the distribution and purchasing functions for the same periods amounted to $30.8 million, $31.9 million and $30.5 million, respectively. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 20 to 40 years for buildings, depending upon the expected useful life of the facility, and 3 to 15 years for store fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal options or the expected economic life of the improvement, whichever is less. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred. Renewals and betterments, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing property and equipment, are capitalized. Assets recorded under capital leases are recorded at the present value of minimum lease payments and are amortized over the lease term. Amortization of assets recorded as capital leases is included in the line item “Depreciation and amortization” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. The carrying value of all long-lived assets is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, in accordance with ASC Topic No. 360 “ Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted pre-tax future net cash flows expected to be generated by that asset. If the undiscounted future cash flows are not adequate to recover the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of such assets. Refer to Note 6, “Impairment Charges,” for further discussion of the Company’s measurement of impairment of long-lived assets. Capitalized Computer Software Costs The Company accounts for capitalized software in accordance with ASC Topic No. 350 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (Topic No. 350) which requires the capitalization of certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. The Company capitalized $12.2 million and $18.0 million relating to these costs during Fiscal 2020 and Fiscal 2019, respectively. Intangible Assets The Company accounts for intangible assets in accordance with Topic No. 350. The Company’s intangible assets represent tradenames. The tradename asset “Burlington” is expected to generate cash flows indefinitely and, therefore, is accounted for as an indefinite-lived asset not subject to amortization. The Company evaluates its intangible assets for possible impairment as follows: Indefinite-lived intangible assets: The Company tests identifiable intangible assets with an indefinite life for impairment on an annual basis, or when a triggering event occurs, relying on a number of factors that include operating results, business plans and projected future cash flows. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. The Company determines fair value through the relief of royalty method which is a widely accepted valuation technique. On the first business day of the second quarter, the Company’s annual assessment date, the Company performed a quantitative analysis and determined that the fair values of each of the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are greater than their respective carrying values. There were no impairment charges recorded during Fiscal 2020, Fiscal 2019 or Fiscal 2018 related to indefinite-lived intangible assets. Finite-lived intangible assets: Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment in accordance with Topic No. 360 using a process similar to that used to evaluate other long-lived assets as described in Note 6, “Impairment Charges.” An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. The Company recorded impairment charges of $2.9 million related to finite-lived intangible assets during Fiscal 2018. There were no impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible assets during Fiscal 2019 These charges are recorded in the line item “Impairment charges–long-lived assets” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) . Refer to Note 6, “Impairment Charges,” for further discussion of the Company’s measurement of impairment of long-lived assets. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition cost over the estimated fair value of tangible assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Topic No. 350 requires a comparison, at least annually, of the carrying value of the assets and liabilities associated with a reporting unit, including goodwill, with the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company determines fair value through multiple widely accepted valuation techniques. These techniques use a variety of assumptions including projected market conditions, discount rates and future cash flows. If the carrying value of the assets and liabilities exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company would calculate the implied fair value of its reporting unit goodwill as compared with the carrying value of its reporting unit goodwill to determine the appropriate impairment charge. On the first business day of the second fiscal quarter, the Company’s annual assessment date, the Company performed a quantitative analysis and determined that the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit was greater than its carrying value. There were no impairment charges related to goodwill during Fiscal 2020, Fiscal 2019 or Fiscal 2018. Other Assets Other assets consist primarily of landlord-owned store assets that the Company has paid for as part of its lease and deferred financing costs associated with the Company’s senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the ABL Line of Credit). Landlord-owned assets represent leasehold improvements at certain stores for which the Company has paid and derives a benefit, but the landlord has retained title. These assets are amortized over the lease term inclusive of reasonably assured renewal options. Amortization of landlord-owned assets was $14.0 million, $14.6 million and $16.0 million, during Fiscal 2020, Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively, and was included in the line item “Depreciation and amortization” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the life of the ABL Line of Credit using the interest method of amortization. Amortization of deferred financing costs is recorded in the line item “Interest expense” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities primarily consist of sales tax payable, customer liabilities, accrued payroll costs, self-insurance reserves, accrued operating expenses, payroll taxes payable and other miscellaneous items. Customer liabilities totaled $30.2 million and $32.1 million as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020, respectively. The Company has risk participation agreements with insurance carriers with respect to workers’ compensation, general liability insurance and health insurance. Pursuant to these arrangements, the Company is responsible for paying individual claims up to designated dollar limits. The amounts related to these claims are estimated and can vary based on changes in assumptions or claims experience included in the associated insurance programs. An increase in workers’ compensation claims, health insurance claims or general liability claims may result in a corresponding increase in costs related to these claims. Self-insurance reserves as of January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020 were: (in thousands) January 30, 2021 February 1, 2020 Short-term self-insurance reserve(a) $ 33,191 $ 34,817 Long-term self-insurance reserve(b) 47,721 44,137 Total $ 80,912 $ 78,954 (a) Represents the portions of the self-insurance reserve expected to be paid in the next twelve months, which were recorded in the line item “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b) Represents the portions of the self-insurance reserve expected to be paid in excess of twelve months, which was recorded in the line item “Other liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other Liabilities Other liabilities primarily consist of the long term portion of self-insurance reserves, the fair value of derivative contracts and tax liabilities associated with the uncertain tax positions recognized by the Company in accordance with ASC Topic No. 740 “Income Taxes” (Topic No. 740). Revenue Recognition The Company records revenue at the time control of the goods are transferred to the customer, which the Company determines to be at point of sale and delivery of merchandise, net of allowances for estimated future returns, which is estimated based on historical return rates. The Company presents sales, net of sales taxes, in its Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. The Company accounts for layaway sales in compliance with ASC Topic No. 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic No. 606). Layaway sales are recognized upon delivery of merchandise to the customer. The amount of cash received upon initiation of the layaway is recorded as a deposit liability in the line item “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s layaway program was suspended as of the end of Fiscal 2020. Stored value cards (gift cards and store credits issued for merchandise returns) are recorded as a liability at the time of issuance, and the related sale is recorded upon redemption. The Company determines an estimated stored value card breakage rate by continuously evaluating historical redemption data. Breakage income is recognized monthly in proportion to the historical redemption patterns for those stored value cards for which the likelihood of redemption is remote. Other Revenue Other revenue consists of service fees (layaway, shipping and handling, alteration, dormancy and other service charges), subleased rental income and rental income from leased departments as shown in the table below: (in thousands) Fiscal Years Ended January 30, 2021 February 1, 2020 February 2, 2019 Service fees $ 3,186 $ 16,051 $ 15,836 Subleased rental income and other 9,253 9,104 9,319 Rental income from leased departments — — 273 Total $ 12,439 $ 25,155 $ 25,428 Rental income from leased departments resulted from arrangements at some of the Company’s stores where the Company granted unaffiliated third parties the right to use designated store space solely for the purpose of selling such third parties’ goods, including such items as fragrances and designer handbags. Rental income was based on an agreed upon percentage of the lease departments’ total revenues. The Company did not own or have any rights to any tradenames, licenses or other intellectual property in connection with the brands sold by such unaffiliated third parties. The Company no longer has any such arrangeme nts as of the end of Fiscal 2020 . Private Label Credit Card The Company has a private label credit card program, in which customers earn reward points for purchases made using the card. The Company reduces net sales for the dollar value of any points earned at the time of the initial transaction, and subsequently recognizes net sales at the time the points are redeemed or expired. The Company receives royalty revenue based on a percentage of all purchases made on the card, which is recognized at the time of the initial transaction. The Company also receives a fee for each card activated. Revenue from activation fees are deferred and amortized over the period the Company performs its obligations under the card to the customer. Advertising Costs The Company’s advertising costs consist primarily of video, audio and digital marketing. Advertising costs are expensed the first time the advertising takes place, and are included in the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. During Fiscal 2020, Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, advertising costs were $43.8 million, $73.1 million and $75.4 million, respectively. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Topic No. 740. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws. A valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future earnings, taxable income, and the mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Management periodically assesses the need for a valuation allowance based on the Company’s current and anticipated results of operations. The need for and the amount of a valuation allowance can change in the near term if operating results and projections change significantly. Topic No. 740 requires the recognition in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements of the impact of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, if that position is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of income taxes. Other Income, Net Other income, net, consists of gains and losses on insurance proceeds, gains and losses on disposition of assets, and other miscellaneous items Comprehensive (Loss) Income Comprehensive (loss) income is comprised of net (loss) income and the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges, less amounts reclassified into earnings. Lease Accounting The Company leases store locations, distribution centers and office space used in its operations. Beginning in Fiscal 2019, as a result of adopting ASU 2016-02, the Company accounts for these types of leases in accordance with ASC Topic No. 842, “Leases” (Topic No. 842), which requires that leases be evaluated and classified as operating or finance leases for financial reporting purposes. The lease liability is calculated as the present value of the remaining future lease payments over the lease term, including reasonably assured renewal options. The discount rates used in valuing the Company’s leases are not readily determinable, and are based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate on a fully collateralized basis. In calculating its incremental borrowing rate, the Company uses a retail industry yield curve, adjusted for the Company’s credit profile. The right-of-use asset for operating leases is based on the lease liability plus initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments, less landlord incentives received. The Company’s operating lease cost, included in the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on its Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income, includes amortization of right-of-use assets, interest on lease liabilities, as well as any variable and short-term lease cost. The Company commences recording operating lease cost when the underlying asset is made available for use. Assets held under finance leases are included in the line item “Property and equipment—net of accumulated depreciation and amortization” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic No. 718, “Stock Compensation” (Topic No. 718), which requires companies to record stock compensation expense for all non-vested and new awards beginning as of the grant date. Refer to Note 12, “Stock-Based Compensation,” for further details. Net (Loss) Income Per Share Net (loss) income per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Refer to Note 11, “Net (Loss) Income Per Share,” for further details. Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and investments. The Company manages the credit risk associated with cash equivalents and investments by investing with high-quality institutions and, by policy, limiting investments only to those which meet prescribed investment guidelines. The Company maintains cash accounts that, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses from maintaining cash accounts in excess of such limits. Management believes that it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash and cash equivalent accounts. Segment Information The Company reports segment information in accordance with ASC Topic No. 280 “Segment Reporting.” The Company has one reportable segment. The Company is an off-price retailer that offers customers a complete line of value-priced apparel, including: women’s ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, footwear, menswear, youth apparel, baby, home, coats, beauty, toys and gifts Category Fiscal 2020(a) Fiscal 2019(a) Fiscal 2018(a) Women’s ready-to-wear apparel 21 % 22 % 23 % Accessories and footwear 21 % 22 % 22 % Menswear 19 % 20 % 20 % Home 19 % 15 % 15 % Youth apparel/baby 15 % 16 % 16 % Coats 5 % 5 % 5 % (a) Percentages may not foot due to rounding. |