General - Notes to Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2020
General Dsiclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Account Policies	NOTE 1 - GENERAL: The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of The Cato Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), and all amounts shown as of and for the periods ended October 31, 2020 and November 2, 2019 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of the interim period may not be indicative of the results expected for the entire year. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020. Amounts as of February 1, 2020 have been derived from the audited balance sheet, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. On August 27, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program of 1 million shares. Subsequent to October 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 320,707 shares for $2,274,610. Additionally, on November 19, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program of 1.5 million shares. COVID-19 Update The COVID-19 pandemic has created, and may continue to create, challenges and uncertainties for our business. In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the pandemic resulted in state and local orders mandating store closures and other measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Recently reported increases in infection rates in many areas and the onset of cooler weather raise the possibility of increased or renewed governmental measures or public health guidance to reduce public activity and gatherings in order to mitigate the spread of the virus, as well as continued adverse effect on consumer confidence. Responses by customers, government and the private sector have and will likely continue to adversely impact our business operations for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and possibly beyond. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from management’s current estimates due to inherent uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of the outbreak, its severity, actions taken to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. Beginning March 19, 2020, the Company temporarily closed all Cato, It’s Fashion, It’s Fashion Metro and Versona stores. In addition, the Company suspended its quarterly dividend, significantly reduced capital expenditures and reduced its SG&A expense through the reduction of non-payroll expenses, as well as furloughed associates and in certain instances eliminated positions primarily at its corporate office. Beginning on May 1, 2020, the Company began to re-open stores based on the pertinent state and local orders. As of June 15, 2020, all stores have re-opened. Although all stores have re-opened, stores are operating at reduced hours and stores may be temporarily closed or subject to further operating restrictions in compliance with local regulations or in response to public health guidance due to COIVD-19. There is significant uncertainty around the duration, breadth and severity of continued business disruptions related to COVID-19, as well as its impact on the U.S. economy, consumer willingness to visit malls and shopping centers, and associate staffing for our stores. At this time, the possible effects of national, state or local action, legislation, guidelines or programs that attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 or address its economic effects on our customers, suppliers or the Company are also uncertain. While the Company currently anticipates that our results for the remainder of fiscal 2020 will be adversely impacted, the extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including possible new information and understanding about the severity of COVID-19, related potential economic impacts to customers and suppliers, and the effect of actions taken to contain it or mitigate its impact. Accounting Policies - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company invests in leaseholds, right-of use assets and equipment primarily in connection with the opening and remodeling of stores and in computer software and hardware. The Company periodically reviews its store locations and estimates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, which primarily relate to Fixtures and equipment, Leasehold improvements, Right-of-use assets net of Lease liabilities and Information technology equipment and software. An impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value when the Company determines that projected cash flows associated with those long-lived assets will not be sufficient to recover the carrying value. This determination is based on a number of factors, including the store’s historical operating results and projected cash flows, which include future sales growth rates, margin rates and expense projections. The Company assesses the fair value of each lease by considering market rents and any lease terms that may adjust market rents under certain conditions, such as the loss of an anchor tenant or a leased space in a shopping center not meeting certain criteria. Further, in determining when to close a store, the Company considers real estate development in the area and perceived local market conditions, which can be difficult to predict and may be subject to change. As a result of store closures during the first quarter of 2020, the Company determined a triggering event occurred, which resulted in an impairment analysis being performed. An asset impairment charge of $5.3 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2020, and no additional impairment was required in the second and third quarters of 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company determined no new stores would be opened during the remainder of 2020, as well as 2021. As a result, during the third quarter of 2020, the Company impaired $2.3 million worth of fixtures planned for new stores. Recently Adopted Accounting Policies In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires companies to measure and recognize expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized costs based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The new accounting rules were effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020 and had a minimal impact on the financial statements.

General - Notes to Financial Statements

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2020

NOTE 1 - GENERAL:

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of The Cato Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), and all amounts shown as of and for the periods ended October 31, 2020 and November 2, 2019 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of the interim period may not be indicative of the results expected for the entire year.

The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020. Amounts as of February 1, 2020 have been derived from the audited balance sheet, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

On August 27, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program of 1 million shares.

Subsequent to October 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 320,707 shares for $2,274,610.

Additionally, on November 19, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program of 1.5 million shares.

COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 pandemic has created, and may continue to create, challenges and uncertainties for our business. In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the pandemic resulted in state and local orders mandating store closures and other measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Recently reported increases in infection rates in many areas and the onset of cooler weather raise the possibility of increased or renewed governmental measures or public health guidance to reduce public activity and gatherings in order to mitigate the spread of the virus, as well as continued adverse effect on consumer confidence. Responses by customers, government and the private sector have and will likely continue to adversely impact our business operations for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and possibly beyond. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from management’s current estimates due to inherent uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of the outbreak, its severity, actions taken to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.

Beginning March 19, 2020, the Company temporarily closed all Cato, It’s Fashion, It’s Fashion Metro and Versona stores. In addition, the Company suspended its quarterly dividend, significantly reduced capital expenditures and reduced its SG&A expense through the reduction of non-payroll expenses, as well as furloughed associates and in certain instances eliminated positions primarily at its corporate office. Beginning on May 1, 2020, the Company began to re-open stores based on the pertinent state and local orders. As of June 15, 2020, all stores have re-opened. Although all stores have re-opened, stores are operating at reduced hours and stores may be temporarily closed or subject to further operating restrictions in compliance with local regulations or in response to public health guidance due to COIVD-19. There is significant uncertainty around the duration, breadth and severity of continued business disruptions related to

COVID-19, as well as its impact on the U.S. economy, consumer willingness to visit malls and shopping centers, and associate staffing for our stores. At this time, the possible effects of national, state or local action, legislation, guidelines or programs that attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 or address its economic effects on our customers, suppliers or the Company are also uncertain.

While the Company currently anticipates that our results for the remainder of fiscal 2020 will be adversely impacted, the extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including possible new information and understanding about the severity of COVID-19, related potential economic impacts to customers and suppliers, and the effect of actions taken to contain it or mitigate its impact.

Accounting Policies - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:

The Company invests in leaseholds, right-of use assets and equipment primarily in connection with the opening and remodeling of stores and in computer software and hardware. The Company periodically reviews its store locations and estimates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, which primarily relate to Fixtures and equipment, Leasehold improvements, Right-of-use assets net of Lease liabilities and Information technology equipment and software. An impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value when the Company determines that projected cash flows associated with those long-lived assets will not be sufficient to recover the carrying value. This determination is based on a number of factors, including the store’s historical operating results and projected cash flows, which include future sales growth rates, margin rates and expense projections. The Company assesses the fair value of each lease by considering market rents and any lease terms that may adjust market rents under certain conditions, such as the loss of an anchor tenant or a leased space in a shopping center not meeting certain criteria. Further, in determining when to close a store, the Company considers real estate development in the area and perceived local market conditions, which can be difficult to predict and may be subject to change. As a result of store closures during the first quarter of 2020, the Company determined a triggering event occurred, which resulted in an impairment analysis being performed. An asset impairment charge of $5.3 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2020, and no additional impairment was required in the second and third quarters of 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company determined no new stores would be opened during the remainder of 2020, as well as 2021. As a result, during the third quarter of 2020, the Company impaired $2.3 million worth of fixtures planned for new stores.

Recently Adopted Accounting Policies

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires companies to measure and recognize expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized costs based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The new accounting rules were effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020 and had a minimal impact on the financial statements.