Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

On September 6, 2011, the Company completed the sale of certain assets of its wine fulfillment services business operated by its Winetasting Network subsidiary. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company made the strategic decision to divest the e-commerce and procurement businesses of The Winetasting Network in order to focus on growth opportunities in its Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets business segment. The Company anticipates completing the sale of the Winetasting Network business in fiscal 2014. Consequently, the Company has classified the results of its wine fulfillment services business as a discontinued operation for fiscal 2012 and 2011, and the e-commerce and procurement business of Winetasting Network as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. Refer to Note 16. Discontinued Operations, for further discussion.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest to June 30. Fiscal years 2013 and 2012 consisted of 52 weeks which ended on June 30, 2013 and July 1, 2012, respectively, whereas fiscal year 2011 consisted of 53 weeks, which ended on July 3, 2011.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with banks, highly liquid money market funds, United States government securities, overnight repurchase agreements and commercial paper with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method of accounting.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Amortization of leasehold improvements and capital leases is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives and the initial lease terms. The Company capitalizes certain internal and external costs incurred to acquire or develop internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed, and where appropriate, changes are made prospectively. The Company’s property plant and equipment is depreciated using the following estimated lives:

Buildings		40 years
Leasehold Improvements		3-10 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment		3-10 years
Software		3-7 years

Property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances or events may indicate that the carrying amounts are not recoverable.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in each business combination, with the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill allocated to its reporting units. Goodwill is not amortized, but it is subject to an annual assessment for impairment, which the Company performs during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist.

The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company identifies its reporting units by assessing whether the components of its operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and management of each reporting unit regularly reviews the operating results of those components. Goodwill impairment testing involves a two-step process. The first step requires comparison of the fair value of each of the reporting units to the respective carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is less than the fair value, no impairment exists and the second step is not performed. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value, the second step must be performed to compute the amount of the goodwill impairment, if any. In the second step, the impairment is computed by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess.

The Company generally estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using an equal weighting of the income and market approaches. The Company uses industry accepted valuation models and set criteria that are reviewed and approved by various levels of management and, in certain instances, the Company engages third-party valuation specialists for advice. Under the income approach, the Company uses a discounted cash flow methodology which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasted revenues, gross profit margins, operating income margins, working capital cash flow, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others. For the market approach, the Company uses the guideline public company method. Under this method the Company utilizes information from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting units, to create valuation multiples that are applied to the operating performance of the reporting unit being tested, in order to obtain their respective fair values. The Company also reconciles the aggregate fair values of its reporting units determined in the first step (as described above) to its current market capitalization, allowing for a reasonable control premium.

Other Intangibles, net

Other intangibles consist of definite-lived intangible assets (such as investment in licenses, customer lists, and others) and indefinite-lived intangible assets (such as acquired trade names and trademarks). The cost of definite-lived intangible assets is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed, on a straight-line basis, over the estimated periods benefited, ranging from 3 to 16 years, while indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized.

Long-lived assets, such as definite-lived intangibles and property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances or events may indicate that the carrying amounts are not recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, a recoverability test is performed comparing projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset or asset group to its carrying value. If the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, then an impairment charge would be recorded for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value, which is determined by discounting future cash flows.

The Company tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, during the fourth quarter, or whenever changes in circumstances or events may indicate that the carrying amounts are not recoverable. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets encompasses calculating a fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, impairment is recognized for the difference. To determine fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company uses an income approach, the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes that, in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to obtain the rights to use the comparable asset. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets’ fair values require significant judgments in determining both the assets’ estimated cash flows as well as the appropriate discount and royalty rates applied to those cash flows to determine fair value.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with ASC Topic 805 which requires, among other things, the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed; the recognition of acquisition-related costs in the consolidated results of operations; the recognition of restructuring costs in the consolidated results of operations for which the acquirer becomes obligated after the acquisition date; and contingent purchase consideration to be recognized at their fair values on the acquisition date with subsequent adjustments recognized in the consolidated results of operations. The fair values assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired are determined primarily by using an income approach which is based on assumptions and estimates made by management. Significant assumptions utilized in the income approach are based on company specific information and projections which are not observable in the market and are therefore considered Level 3 measurements. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Operating results of the acquired entity are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from date of acquisition.

Deferred Catalog Costs

The Company capitalizes the costs of producing and distributing its catalogs. These costs are amortized in direct proportion to actual sales from the corresponding catalog over a period not to exceed 26-weeks. Included within prepaid and other current assets was $0.5 and $0.3 million at June 30, 2013 and July 1, 2012 respectively, relating to prepaid catalog expenses.

Investments

The Company has certain investments in non-marketable equity instruments of private companies. The Company accounts for these investments using the equity method if they provide the Company the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee’s Board of Directors, are considered in determining whether the equity method is appropriate. The Company records equity method investments initially at cost, and adjusts the carrying amount to reflect the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the investee, including all adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated financial statements. The Company’s equity method investments are comprised of a 32% interest in Flores Online, a Sao Paulo, Brazil based internet floral and gift retailer, that the Company made on May 31, 2012. The book value of this investment was $3.8 million as of June 30, 2013 and $3.6 million as of July 1, 2012, and is included in Other assets within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s equity in the net income of Flores Online for each of the years ended June 30, 2013 and July 1, 2012 was less than $0.2 million.

Investments in non-marketable equity instruments of private companies, where the Company does not possess the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the cost method. Cost method investments are originally recorded at cost, and are included within Other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate carrying amount of the Company’s cost method investments was $2.4 million as of June 30, 2013 and $1.7 million as of July 1, 2012. In addition, the Company had notes receivable from a company it maintains an investment in of $2.3 million as of June 30, 2013 and $0.9 million as of July 1, 2012.

The Company also holds certain trading securities associated with its Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“NQDC Plan”). These investments are measured using quoted market prices at the reporting date and are included in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 10).

Each reporting period, the Company uses available qualitative and quantitative information to evaluate its investments for impairment. When a decline in fair value, if any, is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the Company’s large number of customers and their dispersion throughout the United States, and the fact that a substantial portion of receivables are related to balances owed by major credit card companies. Allowances relating to consumer, corporate and franchise accounts receivable ($2.5 million and $2.4 million at June 30, 2013 and July 1, 2012, respectively) have been recorded based upon previous experience and management’s evaluation.

Revenue Recognition

Net revenues are generated by E-commerce operations from the Company’s online and telephonic sales channels as well as other operations (retail/wholesale) and primarily consist of the selling price of merchandise, service or outbound shipping charges, net of discounts, returns and credits. Net revenues are recognized primarily upon product shipment and do not include sales tax. Shipping terms are primarily FOB shipping point. Net revenues generated by the Company’s BloomNet Wire Service operations include membership fees as well as other products and service offerings to florists. Membership fees are recognized monthly in the period earned, and products sales are recognized upon product shipment with shipping terms primarily FOB shipping point.

Initial franchise fees are recognized in income when the Company has substantially performed or satisfied all material services or conditions relating to the sale of the franchise and the fees are nonrefundable. Area development fees are nonrefundable and are recognized in income on a pro-rata basis when the conditions for revenue recognition under the individual area development agreements are met. Both initial franchise fees and area development fees are generally recognized upon the opening of a franchise store or upon termination of the agreement between the Company and the franchisee.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists primarily of florist fulfillment costs (fees paid directly to florists), the cost of floral and non-floral merchandise sold from inventory or through third parties, and associated costs including inbound and outbound shipping charges. Additionally, cost of revenues includes labor and facility costs related to manufacturing and production operations.

Marketing and Sales

Marketing and sales expense consists primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures, catalog costs, online portal and search expenses, retail store and fulfillment operations (other than costs included in cost of revenues), and customer service center expenses, as well as the operating expenses of the Company’s departments engaged in marketing, selling and merchandising activities.

The Company expenses all advertising costs, with the exception of catalog costs (see Deferred Catalog Costs above) at the time the advertisement is first shown. Advertising expense was $77.9 million, $75.1 million and $67.2 million for the years ended June 30, 2013, July 1, 2012 and July 3, 2011, respectively.

Technology and Development

Technology and development expense consists primarily of payroll and operating expenses of the Company’s information technology group, costs associated with its web sites, including hosting, content development and maintenance and support costs related to the Company’s order entry, customer service, fulfillment and database systems. Costs associated with the acquisition or development of software for internal use are capitalized if the software is expected to have a useful life beyond one year and amortized over the software’s useful life, typically three to seven years. Costs associated with repair maintenance or the development of web site content are expensed as incurred as the useful lives of such software modifications are less than one year.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards and other forms of equity compensation based upon the fair value of stock-based awards as measured at the grant date. The expense is recorded by amortizing the fair values on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, adjusted for estimated forfeitures.

Derivatives and hedging

The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for trading purposes, but rather, on occasion to manage its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. The Company has managed its floating rate debt using interest rate swaps in order to reduce its exposure to the impact of changing interest rates on its consolidated results of operations and future cash outflows for interest.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. The Company has established deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the income tax bases of its assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such assets or liabilities are realized or settled. The Company recognizes as a deferred tax asset, the tax benefits associated with losses related to operations. Realization of these deferred tax assets assumes that we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income so that these assets will be realized. The factors that we consider in assessing the likelihood of realization include the forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the deferred tax assets.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements on a particular tax position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits (“UTBs”) is adjusted as appropriate for changes in facts and circumstances, such as significant amendments to existing tax law, new regulations or interpretations by the taxing authorities, new information obtained during a tax examination, or resolution of an examination. We recognize both accrued interest and penalties, where appropriate, related to UTBs in income tax expense. Assumptions, judgment and the use of estimates are required in determining if the “more likely than not” standard has been met when developing the provision for income taxes.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares (consisting primarily of employee stock options and unvested restricted stock awards) outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share excludes the effect of potential common shares (consisting primarily of employee stock options and unvested restricted stock awards) that would be antidilutive.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08 “Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (ASU No. 2011-08) which is intended to reduce the complexity and costs to test goodwill for impairment. The amendment allows an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. An entity will no longer be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The ASU also expands upon the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider between annual impairment tests in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This ASU became effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2011-05), which requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminated the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity. The Company adopted ASU 2011-05 in its first quarter of fiscal year 2013 by including the required disclosures in two separate but consecutive statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” (“ASU No. 2012-02”), which allows entities to use a qualitative approach to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. ASU No. 2012-02 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed quantitative impairment test. Otherwise, the quantitative impairment test is not required. ASU No. 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of the provisions of ASU No. 2012-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Reclassifications

Certain balances in the prior fiscal years have been reclassified to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year.