<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?><InstanceReport xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"><Version>2.4.0.8</Version><ReportLongName>2010 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)</ReportLongName><DisplayLabelColumn>true</DisplayLabelColumn><ShowElementNames>false</ShowElementNames><RoundingOption /><HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports><Columns><Column FlagID="0"><Id>1</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><CurrencyCode /><FootnoteIndexer /><hasSegments>false</hasSegments><hasScenarios>false</hasScenarios><MCU><KeyName /><CurrencySymbol /><contextRef><ContextID>D2013Q2YTD</ContextID><EntitySchema>http://www.sec.gov/CIK</EntitySchema><EntityValue>0001573097</EntityValue><PeriodDisplayName /><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><PeriodStartDate>2013-02-04T00:00:00</PeriodStartDate><PeriodEndDate>2013-08-04T00:00:00</PeriodEndDate><Segments /><Scenarios /></contextRef><UPS /><CurrencyCode /><OriginalCurrencyCode /></MCU><CurrencySymbol /><Labels><Label Key="CalendarSupplement" Id="0" Label="6 Months Ended" /><Label Key="Calendar" Id="1" Label="Aug. 04, 2013" /></Labels></Column></Columns><Rows><Row FlagID="0"><Id>1</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>true</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>1</Level><ElementName>us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract</ElementName><ElementPrefix>us-gaap_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>true</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText /><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>xbrli:stringItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>string</SimpleDataType><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION</Label></Row><Row FlagID="0"><Id>2</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>2</Level><ElementName>hds_NatureOfBusinessPolicyPolicyTextBlock</ElementName><ElementPrefix>hds_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>false</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><PreferredLabelRole>terseLabel</PreferredLabelRole><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="D2013Q2YTD" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText>&lt;div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold;" size="2"&gt;Nature of Business&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;HD Supply Holdings,&amp;#160;Inc. (&amp;#8220;Holdings&amp;#8221;) indirectly owns all of the outstanding common stock of HD Supply,&amp;#160;Inc. (&amp;#8220;HDS&amp;#8221;).&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;Holdings, together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including HDS (&amp;#8220;HD Supply&amp;#8221;), is one of the largest industrial distribution companies in North America. &amp;#160;The Company specializes in three distinct market sectors: Maintenance, Repair&amp;#160;&amp;amp; Operations; Infrastructure&amp;#160;&amp;amp; Power; and Specialty Construction. Through over 600 locations across 46 U.S. states and 9 Canadian provinces, the Company serves these markets with an integrated go-to-market strategy.&amp;#160; HD Supply has approximately 15,000 associates delivering localized, customer-tailored products, services and expertise. The Company serves approximately 500,000 customers, which include contractors, government entities, maintenance professionals, home builders and industrial businesses. HD Supply&amp;#8217;s broad range of end-to-end product lines and services include over one million stock-keeping units (&amp;#8220;SKUs&amp;#8221;) of quality, name-brand and proprietary-brand products as well as value-add services supporting the entire life-cycle of a project from infrastructure and construction to maintenance, repair and operations.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;HD Supply is managed primarily on a product line basis and reports results of operations in four reportable segments. The reportable segments are Facilities Maintenance, Waterworks, Power Solutions, and White Cap. Other operating segments include Crown Bolt, Repair&amp;#160;&amp;amp; Remodel, Creative Touch Interiors (&amp;#8220;CTI&amp;#8221;), and HD Supply Canada. In addition, the consolidated financial statements include Corporate, which is comprised of enterprise-wide functional departments.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</NonNumbericText><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>nonnum:textBlockItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>na</SimpleDataType><ElementDefenition>Disclosure of information relating to the reporting entity's business operations.</ElementDefenition><ElementReferences>No definition available.</ElementReferences><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>Nature of Business</Label></Row><Row FlagID="0"><Id>3</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>2</Level><ElementName>hds_InitialPublicOfferingPolicyTextBlock</ElementName><ElementPrefix>hds_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>false</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><PreferredLabelRole>terseLabel</PreferredLabelRole><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="D2013Q2YTD" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText>&lt;div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold;" size="2"&gt;Initial Public Offering&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;On June&amp;#160;26, 2013, Holdings&amp;#8217; Registration Statement (File No.&amp;#160;333-187872) was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the &amp;#8220;SEC&amp;#8221;) for an initial public offering of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (&amp;#8220;Common Stock&amp;#8221;). Holdings registered the offering and sale of 53,191,489 shares of Common Stock and an additional 7,978,723 shares of Common Stock to be sold to the underwriters pursuant to their over-allotment option at a price of $18.00 per share.&amp;#160; On July&amp;#160;2, 2013, Holdings completed the offering of 61,170,212 shares of Common Stock at a price of $18.00 per share, for an aggregate offering price of $1,038 million, net of underwriters&amp;#8217; discounts and commissions and paid and unpaid offering expenses of approximately $17 million (including the payment to the Equity Sponsors, as defined below, of a transaction fee of approximately $11 million). As of August&amp;#160;4, 2013, approximately $14 million of offering expenses have been paid.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;The net proceeds from the initial public offering were used to (1)&amp;#160;redeem all $950 million of HDS&amp;#8217;s outstanding 10.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2021 (the &amp;#8220;January&amp;#160;2013 Senior Subordinated Notes&amp;#8221;), including the payment of a $29 million redemption premium and $29 million of accrued interest through the redemption date (See Note 4, Debt), and (2)&amp;#160;pay related fees and expenses, including the payment to the Equity Sponsors, as defined below, of an aggregate fee to terminate the consulting agreements of approximately $18 million (See Note 3, Related Parties). The remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</NonNumbericText><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>nonnum:textBlockItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>na</SimpleDataType><ElementDefenition>Disclosure of accounting policy for initial public offering.</ElementDefenition><ElementReferences>No definition available.</ElementReferences><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>Initial Public Offering</Label></Row><Row FlagID="0"><Id>4</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>2</Level><ElementName>us-gaap_BasisOfAccountingPolicyPolicyTextBlock</ElementName><ElementPrefix>us-gaap_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>true</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><PreferredLabelRole>terseLabel</PreferredLabelRole><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="D2013Q2YTD" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText>&lt;div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold;" size="2"&gt;Basis of Presentation&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;On June&amp;#160;12, 2013, Holdings effected a 1-for-2 reverse stock split of Holdings&amp;#8217; common stock, resulting in 130,583,916 shares of common stock issued, including 5,500 of Treasury shares, and 130,578,416 shares of common stock outstanding.&amp;#160; The accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements give retroactive effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented. There are no preferred shares issued or outstanding.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;The consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules&amp;#160;and regulations of the SEC that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. The consolidated balance sheet as of February&amp;#160;3, 2013 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all necessary disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (&amp;#8220;GAAP&amp;#8221;). Certain amounts in prior-period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period&amp;#8217;s presentation.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;" align="center"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;In management&amp;#8217;s opinion, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented includes all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.&amp;#160; All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed.&amp;#160; Revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities can vary during each quarter of the year.&amp;#160; Therefore, the results and trends in these interim financial statements may not be the same as those for the full year.&amp;#160; For a more complete discussion of the Company&amp;#8217;s significant accounting policies and other information, you should read this report in conjunction with HD Supply&amp;#8217;s financial statements for the year ended February&amp;#160;3, 2013, which includes all disclosures required by GAAP, included in the Company&amp;#8217;s prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule&amp;#160;424(b)&amp;#160;on June&amp;#160;28, 2013, relating to its initial public offering.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</NonNumbericText><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>nonnum:textBlockItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>na</SimpleDataType><ElementDefenition>Disclosure of accounting policy for basis of accounting, or basis of presentation, used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS).</ElementDefenition><ElementReferences>No definition available.</ElementReferences><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>Basis of Presentation</Label></Row><Row FlagID="0"><Id>5</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>2</Level><ElementName>us-gaap_FiscalPeriod</ElementName><ElementPrefix>us-gaap_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>true</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><PreferredLabelRole>terseLabel</PreferredLabelRole><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="D2013Q2YTD" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText>&lt;div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;F&lt;b&gt;iscal Year&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;HD Supply&amp;#8217;s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest to January&amp;#160;31.&amp;#160; Fiscal year ending February&amp;#160;2, 2014 (&amp;#8220;fiscal 2013&amp;#8221;) includes 52 weeks and fiscal year ending February&amp;#160;3, 2013 (&amp;#8220;fiscal 2012&amp;#8221;) included 53 weeks.&amp;#160; The three months ended August&amp;#160;4, 2013 and July&amp;#160;29, 2012 both included 13 weeks and the six months ended August&amp;#160;4, 2013 and July&amp;#160;29, 2012 both included 26 weeks.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</NonNumbericText><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>nonnum:textBlockItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>na</SimpleDataType><ElementDefenition>Disclosure of accounting policy for determining an entity's fiscal year or other fiscal period. This disclosure may include identification of the fiscal period end-date, the length of the fiscal period, any reporting period lag between the entity and its subsidiaries, or equity investees. If a reporting lag exists, the closing date of the entity having a different period end is generally noted, along with an explanation of the necessity for using different closing dates. Any intervening events that materially affect the entity's financial position or results of operations are generally also disclosed.</ElementDefenition><ElementReferences>Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher SEC

 -Name Regulation S-X (SX)

 -Number 210

 -Section 02

 -Paragraph k

 -Article 1



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 810

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section 45

 -Paragraph 12

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=7656940&amp;loc=d3e5291-111683



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 810

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section S99

 -Paragraph 3

 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3A-03.(b))

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=6959686&amp;loc=d3e355100-122828



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 810

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section S99

 -Paragraph 2

 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3A-02.(b))

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=6959686&amp;loc=d3e355033-122828



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher AICPA

 -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

 -Number 51

 -Paragraph 4

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher SEC

 -Name Regulation S-X (SX)

 -Number 210

 -Section 03

 -Paragraph b

 -Article 3A



Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher SEC

 -Name Regulation S-X (SX)

 -Number 210

 -Section 06

 -Article 3



Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher SEC

 -Name Regulation S-X (SX)

 -Number 210

 -Section 02

 -Paragraph b

 -Article 3A



</ElementReferences><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>Fiscal Year</Label></Row><Row FlagID="0"><Id>6</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>2</Level><ElementName>us-gaap_ConsolidationPolicyTextBlock</ElementName><ElementPrefix>us-gaap_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>true</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><PreferredLabelRole>terseLabel</PreferredLabelRole><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="D2013Q2YTD" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText>&lt;div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold;" size="2"&gt;Principles of Consolidation&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;The consolidated financial statements of HD Supply Holdings,&amp;#160;Inc. present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of HD Supply Holdings,&amp;#160;Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.&amp;#160; The consolidated financial statements of HD Supply,&amp;#160;Inc. present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of HD Supply,&amp;#160;Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.&amp;#160; All material intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.&amp;#160; Results of operations of businesses acquired are included from their respective dates of acquisition.&amp;#160; The results of operations of all discontinued operations have been separately reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</NonNumbericText><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>nonnum:textBlockItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>na</SimpleDataType><ElementDefenition>Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting.  The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.</ElementDefenition><ElementReferences>Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

 -Number 97-2

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

 -Number 46R

 -Paragraph 4

 -Subparagraph c

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher SEC

 -Name Regulation S-X (SX)

 -Number 210

 -Section 02

 -Paragraph k

 -Article 1



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher AICPA

 -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

 -Number 18

 -Paragraph 5, 6, 16-19

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

 -Number 140

 -Paragraph 46

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

 -Number 46R

 -Paragraph 4

 -Subparagraph d

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher SEC

 -Name Regulation S-X (SX)

 -Number 210

 -Section 02, 03

 -Article 3A



Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

 -Number 96-16

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher AICPA

 -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

 -Number 18

 -Paragraph 20

 -Subparagraph a(2)

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

 -Number 46R

 -Paragraph 14, 15

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 235

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section 50

 -Paragraph 3

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=6367646&amp;loc=d3e18780-107790



Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 810

 -SubTopic 10

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&amp;trid=2197480



Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 810

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section 50

 -Paragraph 1

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=18733093&amp;loc=d3e5614-111684



Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 810

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section S99

 -Paragraph 2

 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3A-02)

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=6959686&amp;loc=d3e355033-122828



Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher AICPA

 -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

 -Number 51

 -Paragraph 2-6

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 860

 -SubTopic 40

 -Section 45

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/section&amp;trid=2197723



Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 323

 -SubTopic 10

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&amp;trid=2196966



Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 325

 -SubTopic 20

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&amp;trid=2197087



Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 323

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section 45

 -Paragraph 4

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=16385135&amp;loc=d3e33801-111570



</ElementReferences><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>Principles of Consolidation</Label></Row><Row FlagID="0"><Id>7</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>2</Level><ElementName>us-gaap_UseOfEstimates</ElementName><ElementPrefix>us-gaap_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>true</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><PreferredLabelRole>terseLabel</PreferredLabelRole><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="D2013Q2YTD" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText>&lt;div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold;" size="2"&gt;Estimates&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses in preparing these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP.&amp;#160; Actual results could differ from these estimates.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</NonNumbericText><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>nonnum:textBlockItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>na</SimpleDataType><ElementDefenition>Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.</ElementDefenition><ElementReferences>Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 275

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section 50

 -Paragraph 9

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=6927468&amp;loc=d3e6143-108592



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 275

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section 50

 -Paragraph 8

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=6927468&amp;loc=d3e6132-108592



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher FASB

 -Name Accounting Standards Codification

 -Topic 275

 -SubTopic 10

 -Section 50

 -Paragraph 4

 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&amp;oid=6927468&amp;loc=d3e6061-108592



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

 -Publisher AICPA

 -Name Statement of Position (SOP)

 -Number 94-6

 -Paragraph 11, 14

 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



</ElementReferences><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>Estimates</Label></Row><Row FlagID="0"><Id>8</Id><IsAbstractGroupTitle>false</IsAbstractGroupTitle><LabelSeparator>

</LabelSeparator><Level>2</Level><ElementName>hds_SelfInsuranceLiabilityPolicyTextBlock</ElementName><ElementPrefix>hds_</ElementPrefix><IsBaseElement>false</IsBaseElement><BalanceType>na</BalanceType><PeriodType>duration</PeriodType><IsReportTitle>false</IsReportTitle><IsSegmentTitle>false</IsSegmentTitle><IsCalendarTitle>false</IsCalendarTitle><IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>false</IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow><IsEquityAdjustmentRow>false</IsEquityAdjustmentRow><IsBeginningBalance>false</IsBeginningBalance><IsEndingBalance>false</IsEndingBalance><IsReverseSign>false</IsReverseSign><PreferredLabelRole>terseLabel</PreferredLabelRole><FootnoteIndexer /><Cells><Cell FlagID="0" ContextID="D2013Q2YTD" UnitID=""><Id>1</Id><IsNumeric>false</IsNumeric><IsRatio>false</IsRatio><DisplayZeroAsNone>false</DisplayZeroAsNone><NumericAmount>0</NumericAmount><RoundedNumericAmount>0</RoundedNumericAmount><NonNumbericText>&lt;div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold;" size="2"&gt;Self-Insurance&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"&gt;&lt;font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;" size="2"&gt;HD Supply has a high deductible insurance program for most losses related to general liability, product liability, environmental liability, automobile, workers&amp;#8217; compensation, and is self-insured for medical claims and certain legal claims.&amp;#160; The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred as of the balance sheet date is not discounted and is recognized as a liability. Self-insurance losses for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims using loss development factors and actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and historical loss development experience.&amp;#160; At August&amp;#160;4, 2013 and February&amp;#160;3, 2013, self-insurance reserves totaled approximately $93 million and $94 million, respectively.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</NonNumbericText><FootnoteIndexer /><CurrencyCode /><CurrencySymbol /><IsIndependantCurrency>false</IsIndependantCurrency><ShowCurrencySymbol>false</ShowCurrencySymbol><DisplayDateInUSFormat>false</DisplayDateInUSFormat></Cell></Cells><ElementDataType>nonnum:textBlockItemType</ElementDataType><SimpleDataType>na</SimpleDataType><ElementDefenition>Disclosure of accounting policy for self-insurance.</ElementDefenition><ElementReferences>No definition available.</ElementReferences><IsTotalLabel>false</IsTotalLabel><UnitID>0</UnitID><Label>Self-Insurance</Label></Row></Rows><Footnotes /><IsEquityReport>false</IsEquityReport><ReportName>NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)</ReportName><MonetaryRoundingLevel>UnKnown</MonetaryRoundingLevel><SharesRoundingLevel>UnKnown</SharesRoundingLevel><PerShareRoundingLevel>UnKnown</PerShareRoundingLevel><ExchangeRateRoundingLevel>UnKnown</ExchangeRateRoundingLevel><HasCustomUnits>true</HasCustomUnits><IsEmbedReport>false</IsEmbedReport><IsMultiCurrency>false</IsMultiCurrency><ReportType>Sheet</ReportType><RoleURI>http://www.hdsupply.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationPolicies</RoleURI><NumberOfCols>1</NumberOfCols><NumberOfRows>8</NumberOfRows></InstanceReport>
