Note 5 - Unconsolidated Affiliated Companies

9 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

5. Unconsolidated Affiliated Companies

We own 49% of Zenith Freight Lines, LLC, (“Zenith”) which provides domestic transportation and warehousing services primarily to furniture manufacturers and distributors and also provides home delivery services to furniture retailers. We have contracted with Zenith to provide for substantially all of our domestic freight, transportation and warehousing needs for the wholesale business. In addition, Zenith provides home delivery services for several of our Company-owned retail stores. Our investment in Zenith was $6,950 and $6,484 at August 31, 2013 and November 24, 2012, respectively. At August 31, 2013 and November 24, 2012, we owed Zenith $2,167 and $2,547, respectively, for services rendered to us. We believe the transactions with Zenith are at current market rates. We recorded the following income from Zenith in other loss, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of income and retained earnings:

	Quarter Ended				Nine Months Ended
	August 31, 2013		August 25, 2012		August 31, 2013		August 25, 2012
Equity in income of Zenith	$	184	$	23	$	466	$	157

In connection with the sale of our interest in IHFC on May 2, 2011, $2,348 and $4,696 remained held in escrow at August 31, 2013 and November 24, 2012, respectively, to indemnify the purchaser with respect to various contingencies. Half of this escrow was released to us during the nine months ended August 31, 2013, with the remainder, provided it is not used for contingencies, being due for release to us during 2014 following the third anniversary of the sale. Previously, during the nine months ended August 25, 2012, we received $1,410 from the release of a separate tax indemnification escrow in connection with the IHFC sale.

The escrow receivable from the sale of IHFC is included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows:

	August 31, 2013		November 24, 2012
Other current assets	$	2,348	$	2,348
Other assets		-		2,348
Total IHFC escrow receivable	$	2,348	$	4,696