FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value Hierarchy

Fair value measurement disclosure requirements specify a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (“observable inputs”) or reflect the Company’s own assumptions of market participant valuation (“unobservable inputs”). In accordance with the fair value guidance, the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value are categorized into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:


•	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;


•	Level 2 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and


•	Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

In determining fair value, the Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. Classification of the financial or non-financial asset or liability within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Measurement of Fair Value

The Company measures fair value as an exit price, the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, using the procedures described below for all financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Money Market Funds

The Company has cash equivalents primarily consisting of short-term money market funds backed by U.S. Treasury securities. The primary objective of these investing activities is to preserve the Company's capital for the purpose of funding operations and it does not enter into money market funds for trading or speculative purposes. The fair value is based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1).

Deferred Compensation Plan Assets and Liabilities

The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) for the benefit of certain management employees. The investment funds offered to the participants generally correspond to the funds offered in the Company’s 401(k) plan, and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits the deferral of up to 50% of base salary and 100% of compensation received under the Company’s annual incentive plan. The deferrals are held in a separate trust, which has been established by the Company to administer the Deferred Compensation Plan. The assets of the trust are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors in the event that the Company becomes insolvent. Consequently, the trust qualifies as a grantor trust for income tax purposes (i.e., a “Rabbi Trust”). The liabilities of the Deferred Compensation Plan are presented in other accrued expenses and the assets held by the trust are classified as trading securities within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Changes in deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities are charged to selling and administrative expenses. The fair value is based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1).

Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan with deferred amounts valued as if invested in the Company’s common stock through the use of phantom stock units (“PSUs”). Under the plan, each participating director’s account is credited with the number of PSUs equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that the participant could purchase or receive with the amount of the deferred compensation, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal quarter when the cash compensation was earned. Dividend equivalents are paid on PSUs at the same rate as dividends on the Company’s common stock and are re-invested in additional PSUs at the next fiscal quarter-end. The liabilities of the plan are based on the fair value of the outstanding PSUs and are presented in other accrued expenses (current portion) or other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the PSUs are presented in selling and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings (loss). The fair value of each PSU is based on an unadjusted quoted market price for the Company’s common stock in an active market with sufficient volume and frequency on each measurement date (Level 1).

Restricted Stock Units for Non-Employee Directors

Under the Company’s incentive compensation plans, cash-equivalent restricted stock units (“RSUs”) of the Company were previously granted at no cost to non-employee directors. The RSUs are subject to a vesting requirement (usually one year), earn dividend-equivalent units and are settled in cash on the date the director terminates service or such earlier date as a director may elect, subject to restrictions, based on the then current fair value of the Company’s common stock. The fair value of each RSU payable in cash is based on an unadjusted quoted market price for the Company’s common stock in an active market with sufficient volume and frequency on each measurement date (Level 1). Additional information related to RSUs for non-employee directors is disclosed in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily foreign exchange contracts, to reduce its exposure to market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates. These foreign exchange contracts are measured at fair value using quoted forward foreign exchange prices from counterparties corroborated by market-based pricing (Level 2). Additional information related to the Company’s derivative financial instruments is disclosed in Note 1 and Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

Mandatory Purchase Obligation

The Company recorded a mandatory purchase obligation of the noncontrolling interest in conjunction with the acquisition of Blowfish Malibu in July 2018. The fair value of the mandatory purchase obligation is based on the earnings formula specified in the Purchase Agreement (Level 3). Accretion of the mandatory purchase obligation and any fair value adjustments are recorded as interest expense. From the acquisition date of July 6, 2018 through February 2, 2019, an immaterial amount of accretion was recorded on the mandatory purchase obligation. The earnings projections and discount rate utilized in the estimate of the fair value of the mandatory purchase obligation require management judgment and are the assumptions to which the fair value calculation is the most sensitive. Refer to further discussion of the mandatory purchase obligation in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018. The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during 2018 or 2017.



				Fair Value Measurements
($ thousands)	Total				Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Asset (Liability)

As of February 2, 2019
Cash equivalents – money market funds	$	4,582			$	4,582		$	—		$	—
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets	7,270				7,270			—			—
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities	(7,270		)		(7,270		)	—			—
Deferred compensation plan liabilities for non-employee directors	(2,364		)		(2,364		)	—			—
Restricted stock units for non-employee directors	(4,419		)		(4,419		)	—			—
Derivative financial instruments, net	(586		)		—			(586		)	—
Mandatory purchase obligation - Blowfish Malibu	(9,245		)		—			—			(9,245		)

As of February 3, 2018
Cash equivalents – money market funds	$	53,106			$	53,106		$	—		$	—
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets	6,445				6,445			—			—
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities	(6,445		)		(6,445		)	—			—
Deferred compensation plan liabilities for non-employee directors	(2,289		)		(2,289		)	—			—
Restricted stock units for non-employee directors	(4,343		)		(4,343		)	—			—
Derivative financial instruments, net	998				—			998			—

Impairment Charges

The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers important that could trigger an impairment review include underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a negative industry or economic trend. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the aforementioned factors, impairment is measured based on a projected discounted cash flow method. Certain factors, such as estimated store sales and expenses, used for this nonrecurring fair value measurement are considered Level 3 inputs as defined by FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. Long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of $99.0 million, $112.5 million and $99.4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were assessed for indicators of impairment and written down to their fair value. This assessment resulted in the following impairment charges, by segment, which were included in selling and administrative expenses for the respective periods.



($ thousands)	2018		2017		2016
Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges
Famous Footwear	$	800	$	677	$	211
Brand Portfolio	2,865		3,098		1,375
Total long-lived asset impairment charges	$	3,665	$	3,775	$	1,586

During 2016, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $7.0 million ($7.0 million on an after-tax basis, or $0.16 per diluted share) related to its cost method investment in a nonconsolidated affiliate. The impairment charge is included in restructuring and other special charges in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings (loss). Refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

The Company performed its annual impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets, which involves estimating the fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). As a result of its annual impairment testing, the Company recorded $60.0 million in impairment charges in 2018 related to the Allen Edmonds trademark, as further discussed in Note 1 and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. The Company did not record any impairment charges on intangible assets during 2017 or 2016.

During 2018, the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill by completing an assessment at the reporting unit level, which involved estimating the fair value of its reporting units using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The quantitative and qualitative assessments performed in 2018 resulted in an impairment charge of $38.0 million. The quantitative and qualitative assessments performed in 2017 and 2016, respectively, resulted in no impairment charges. Refer to Note 1 and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the goodwill impairment tests.

Fair Value of the Company’s Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents (excluding money market funds discussed above), receivables and trade accounts payable approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures are as follows:



	February 2, 2019				February 3, 2018
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
($ thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement	$	335,000	$	335,000	$	—	$	—
Long-term debt	197,932		205,500		197,472		210,000
Total debt	$	532,932	$	540,500	$	197,472	$	210,000

The fair value of the borrowings under revolving credit agreement approximates its carrying value due to its short-term nature (Level 1). The fair value of the Company's long-term debt was based upon quoted prices in an inactive market as of the end of the respective periods (Level 2).