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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Commitments

The Company's principal leases relate to retail stores and warehousing properties. At September 30, 2014, future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases, net of sublease income, are as follows (in thousands):

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Fiscal Year:

 

 

 

2015

 

$

166,505 

 

2016

 

 

144,575 

 

2017

 

 

112,918 

 

2018

 

 

82,375 

 

2019

 

 

49,584 

 

Thereafter

 

 

70,430 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

626,387 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certain of the Company's leases require the Company to pay a portion of real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and special assessments assessed by the lessor. Also, certain of the Company's leases include renewal options and escalation clauses. Aggregate rental expense for all operating leases amounted to $218.0 million, $206.2 million and $194.9 million for the fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of earnings.

Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

The Company is, from time to time, involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to the conduct of its business in the ordinary course. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the Company entered into a settlement agreement whereby it agreed to pay the plaintiff in certain actions brought against the Company in March 2011 the one-time cash sum of $8.5 million and agreed to certain other terms of settlement in exchange for a full release of claims.

Other Contingencies

In March 2014, the Company disclosed that it had experienced a data security incident in February 2014. The costs that the Company has incurred to date in connection with the data security incident primarily include professional advisory and legal costs. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, selling, general and administrative expenses reflect a charge of $2.5 million, consisting primarily of these costs relating to the data security incident. The Company may incur additional costs and expenses related to the data security incident in the future. These costs may also result from potential liabilities to payment card networks, governmental or third party investigations, proceedings or litigation and legal and other fees necessary to defend against any potential liabilities or claims. As of September 30, 2014, the scope of these additional costs, or a range thereof, cannot be reasonably estimated.

The Company provides healthcare benefits to most of its full-time employees. The Company is largely self-funded for the cost of the healthcare plan (including healthcare claims) primarily in the U.S., other than certain fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by the employees. In addition, the Company retains a substantial portion of the risk related to certain workers' compensation, general liability, and automobile and property insurance. The Company records an estimated liability for the ultimate cost of claims incurred and unpaid as of the balance sheet date. The estimated liability is included in accrued liabilities (current portion) and other liabilities (long-term portion) in our consolidated balance sheets. The Company carries insurance coverage in such amounts in excess of its self-insured retention which management believes to be reasonable.

Liabilities for loss contingencies, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. The Company has no significant liabilities for loss contingencies at September 30, 2014 and 2013.