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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 29, 2022

JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores was founded in 1943 as a single retail store. Today, JOANN is the nation’s leading fabric and craft specialty retailer. The Company's store locations and website feature a variety of competitively priced merchandise used in sewing, crafting and home decorating projects, including fabric, notions, crafts, frames, paper crafting supplies, artificial floral, finished seasonal and home décor items. As of January 29, 2022, the Company operated 848 store locations in 49 states.

The significant accounting policies applied in preparing the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are summarized below.

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of JOANN Inc. (formerly known as Jo-Ann Stores Holdings Inc.) (the “Holding Company”), Needle Holdings LLC (“Needle Holdings”) and Jo-Ann Stores, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“JOANN”). Effective February 9, 2021, Jo-Ann Stores Holdings Inc. amended its certificate of incorporation to change its corporate name to “JOANN Inc.” The amendment was approved by the board of directors and was effected by the filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State. All of the entities referenced in the prior sentence hereinafter will be referred to collectively as the “Company” and are all controlled by affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (“LGP”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

The Holding Company has no operating activities and is limited to the issuance of shares of common stock and stock-based awards, the repurchase of common shares, the issuance and repurchase of debt, the receipt and payment of dividends or distributions and the payment of interest expense. The authorized, issued and outstanding common shares and treasury shares shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are of the Holding Company. Likewise, Needle Holdings has no operating activities and is limited to the issuance of initial shares of common stock and stock-based awards and the payment of dividends or distributions.

COVID-19 Impact

The ongoing spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States and internationally, as well as associated measures implemented by governmental authorities and private businesses in an attempt to minimize transmission of the virus (including social distancing mandates, shelter-in-place orders, vaccine mandates, and business restrictions and shutdowns) and consumer responses to such measures have had, and continue to have, negative and positive implications for the Company's business. Potential future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic include, but are not limited to, difficulties in containing the virus and related variants, limited availability of effective vaccines and other medical treatments, stringent social distancing or lockdowns efforts, supply chain disruption, import and domestic freight costs, inflationary pressures and labor shortages.

In the preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures, the Company assessed the impact that COVID-19 has had on estimates, assumptions, forecasts, and accounting policies and made additional disclosures, as necessary. As COVID-19 and its impacts are unprecedented and ever evolving, future events and effects related to the pandemic cannot be determined with precision and actual results could significantly differ from estimates or forecasts. Specific material impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are described throughout the Company’s related financial disclosures.

Initial Public Offering

On March 11, 2021, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-253121) relating to its initial public offering was declared effective by the SEC. The Company’s shares of common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on March 12, 2021. The public offering price of the shares sold in the initial public offering was $12.00 per share. The initial public offering closed on March 11, 2021 and included 5,468,750 shares of common stock. As part of the Company’s initial public offering, the underwriters were provided with an option to purchase 1,640,625 additional shares at the initial public offering price. This option was exercised on April 13, 2021. In aggregate, the shares issued in the offering, including the exercise of the underwriters’ option, generated $76.9 million in net proceeds, which is net of $5.7 million in underwriters’ discount and commissions and $2.7 million in offering costs incurred.

On March 19, 2021, in connection with the closing of the initial public offering, the Company used all net proceeds received from the initial public offering and borrowings from the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) to repay all of the outstanding borrowings and accrued interest under the Term Loan due 2024 (as defined below) totaling $72.7 million. Following such repayment, all obligations under the Term Loan due 2024 have been terminated.

Stock Split

On March 3, 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved and effected an 85.8808880756715-for-1.0 unit split of its common stock. All share and per share data included in these Consolidated Financial Statements give effect to the stock split and have been retroactively adjusted for all periods.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Since actual results may differ from those estimates, the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31 and refers to the year in which the period ends (e.g., fiscal 2022 refers to the year ended January 29, 2022). Fiscal years consist of 52 weeks unless noted otherwise.

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”). The amendments in ASU 2019-12 remove certain exceptions to the general principles in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740. The amendments also clarify and amend existing guidance to improve consistent application. The amendments became effective for the Company’s interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The transition method (retrospective, modified retrospective, or prospective basis) related to the amendments depends on the applicable guidance, and all amendments for which there is no transition guidance specified are to be applied on a prospective basis. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 31, 2021, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The amendments provide optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. These amendments are effective upon issuance and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company intends to apply this guidance when modifications of contracts that include LIBOR occur, which is not expected to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost determined on a weighted-average basis. Inventory valuation methods require certain management estimates and judgments, which affect the ending inventory valuation at cost, as well as the cost of sales reported for the year. These valuation methods include estimates of net realizable value on product designated for clearance and estimates of shrink between periods when the Company conducts distribution center inventory cycle counts and store physical inventories to substantiate inventory balances.

The Company’s accrual for shrink is based on the actual historical shrink results of recent distribution center inventory cycle counts and store physical inventories. These estimates are compared to actual results as physical inventory counts are taken and reconciled to the general ledger. The majority of the Company’s store physical inventory counts are taken in the first three quarters of each year and

the shrink accrual recorded at January 29, 2022 is based on shrink results of these prior physical inventory counts. Store locations that have been open one year or longer are physically inventoried at least once over an 18-month cycle, with stores exhibiting a higher rate of shrink to sales inventoried at least once per year. The Company continually monitors and adjusts the shrink rate estimates based on the results of store physical inventory counts and shrink trends.

Inventory reserves for clearance product are estimated based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, quantities of slow moving or carryover seasonal merchandise on hand, historical recovery statistics and future merchandising plans. The accuracy of the Company’s estimates can be affected by many factors, some of which are outside of the Company’s control, including changes in economic conditions and consumer buying trends.

Consignment inventory is not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Consignment inventory consists of patterns, magazines, books, calendars, DVDs, ribbons and seeds. Consignment inventory can be returned to the vendor at any time. At the time consigned inventory is sold, the Company records the purchase liability in accounts payable and the related cost of merchandise in cost of sales.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Depreciation is recorded over the estimated useful life of the assets principally by the straight-line method. The major classes of assets and ranges of estimated useful lives are: buildings and building/land improvements from 10 to 40 years; furniture and fixtures from five to 10 years; purchased software and computer equipment from three to five years; leasehold improvements for the lesser of 10 years or over the remaining term of the lease; and finance lease assets for the term of the underlying lease. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred and improvements and major renewals are capitalized.

Software Development

The Company capitalized $4.7 million in fiscal 2022, $4.1 million in fiscal 2021 and $16.3 million in fiscal 2020 for internal use software acquired from third parties. The capitalized amounts are included in property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net. The Company amortizes internal use software on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from three to five years beginning at the time the software becomes operational. Amortization expense was $6.5 million in fiscal 2022, $7.3 million in fiscal 2021 and $6.6 million in fiscal 2020. The unamortized balance for internal use software was $16.6 million as of January 29, 2022 and $18.8 million as of January 30, 2021.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company assesses the carrying value of goodwill at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or a business unit one level below that operating segment, for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management.

Annually, as of the first day of the fourth quarter, and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist, the Company assesses qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair values of reporting units are below their respective carrying values. If it is determined that this is more-likely-than-not, a quantitative assessment is performed. The quantitative assessment compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its current carrying value. The Company determines the estimated fair value of a reporting unit based on valuation techniques including discounted cash flows as well as a market comparable method. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not considered impaired.

Annually, as of the first day of the fourth quarter, and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist, the Company assesses qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization (JOANN Trade Name and joann.com Domain Name) are below their respective carrying values. If it is determined that this is more-likely-than-not, a quantitative assessment is performed. The quantitative assessment compares the fair value of an intangible asset to its current carrying value. The Company determines the estimated fair value of an intangible asset based upon the relief from royalty method.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for further details.

Impairment of Long-Lived and Operating Lease Assets

The Company evaluates long-lived and operating lease assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable. Factors considered that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the Company’s overall business strategies. Potential impairment exists if the estimated undiscounted cash flow expected to result from the use of the asset is less than the carrying value of the asset. The amount of the impairment loss represents the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value. Management estimates fair value based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate that is considered to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the Company’s current business model. Additional factors are taken into consideration, such as local market conditions, operating environment and other trends.

As a result of the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain store locations during the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company recognized impairment losses in the amount of $2.2 million within SG&A expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Additionally, based on management’s ongoing review of the performance of its stores, utilization of assets and other facilities, impairment losses included within SG&A expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) amounted to $0.3 million for fiscal 2022, $1.9 million for fiscal 2021 and $0.2 million for fiscal 2020.

Store Pre-Opening and Closing Costs

Store pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred and included in SG&A expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). These costs are incurred prior to a new store or remodeled store opening, and include the hiring and training costs for new team members, processing costs of initial merchandise and rental expense for the period prior to the store opening for business.

The Company recognizes costs associated with exit or disposal activities at the time the obligation is incurred. In addition, any liabilities that arise from exit or disposal activities are initially measured and recorded at fair value.


	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 29, 2022		January 30, 2021		February 1, 2020
	(Dollars in millions)
Store pre-opening costs	$	5.1	$	4.1	$	7.5
Store closing costs		1.1		1.5		1.8
Total	$	6.2	$	5.6	$	9.3

Accrued Expenses

The Company estimates certain material expenses in an effort to record those expenses in the period incurred. The Company’s most material estimates relate to compensation, taxes and insurance-related expenses, significant portions of which are self-insured. The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to general liability, workers’ compensation and team member medical benefit claims. The ultimate cost of the Company’s workers’ compensation and general liability insurance accruals are recorded based on actuarial valuations and historical claims experience. The Company’s team member medical insurance accruals are recorded based on its medical claims processed, as well as historical medical claims experience for claims incurred but not yet reported. The Company maintains stop-loss coverage to limit the exposure to certain insurance-related risks. Management believes that the various assumptions developed and actuarial methods used to determine its self-insurance reserves are reasonable and provide meaningful data and information that is used to make the best estimate of the Company’s exposure to these risks. Differences in estimates and assumptions could result in an accrual requirement materially different from the calculated accrual. Historically, such differences have not been significant.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 6—Accrued Expenses and Other Long-Term Liabilities for discussion regarding the Company’s accrued expenses.

Financial Instruments

A financial instrument is cash or a contract that imposes an obligation to deliver or conveys a right to receive cash or another financial instrument. The carrying values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and borrowings on the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility are considered to be representative of fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4—Fair Value Measurement for discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s derivative instrument and term loan debt instruments.

Income Taxes

The Company does business in various jurisdictions that impose income taxes. The aggregate amount of income tax expense to accrue and the amount currently payable are based upon the tax statutes of each jurisdiction, pursuant to the asset and liability method. This process involves adjusting book income for items that are treated differently by the applicable taxing authorities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected on the balance sheet for temporary differences that will reverse in subsequent years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are estimated to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in the tax rate is recognized in income or expense in the period during which the change is enacted. The Company considers indefinite-lived intangibles as a potential future source of taxable income when considering the realizability of indefinite-lived deferred tax assets.

The current tax provision can be affected by the mix of income and identification or resolution of uncertain tax positions. Because income from different state jurisdictions may be taxed at different rates, the shift in mix between states during a year or over years can cause the effective tax rate to change. The rate is based on the best estimate of an annual effective rate, and those estimates are updated quarterly. The Company also regularly evaluates the status and likely outcomes of uncertain tax positions. Uncertain tax positions are provided for potential exposures when it is considered more-likely-than-not that a taxing authority may take a sustainable position on a matter contrary to the Company’s position. The Company evaluates these uncertain tax positions, including interest thereon, on a quarterly basis to ensure that they have been appropriately adjusted for events, including audit settlements that may impact the ultimate payment for such exposure.

As a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by federal, state and local tax authorities. For federal purposes, effective fiscal 2015, the Company is part of the Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”) program, pursuant to which it works collaboratively with the IRS in order to address issues prior to its filing of the return. CAP allows for the IRS to achieve an acceptable level of assurance regarding the accuracy of filed tax returns while substantially shortening the length of post filing examinations. The CAP program consists of three phases: CAP, Compliance Maintenance and Bridge. Beginning in fiscal 2018 and through fiscal 2019, the Company was in the Compliance Maintenance phase of the program, such that the level of pre-filing and post-filing IRS audit testing was reduced from the CAP phase. Beginning in fiscal 2021, the Company entered the Bridge phase of the CAP program, pursuant to which the IRS will not accept disclosures, will not conduct reviews and will not provide letters of assurance for the year. There are limited circumstances that tax years in the Bridge phase will be opened for examination. The Company will return to the Compliance Maintenance phase effective fiscal 2023.

Share Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock

Treasury stock consists of the Company’s common stock that has been issued, but subsequently reacquired. The Company accounts for treasury stock on the trade date under the cost method. Treasury stock is recorded as a reduction to shareholders’ equity, as the Company does not currently intend to retire the treasury stock held. When shares are reissued, the Company uses an average cost method to determine cost.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is primarily associated with sales of merchandise to customers within the Company’s retail stores and customers utilizing its e-commerce channels. Retail sales, net of estimated returns and point-of-sale coupons and discounts, are recorded at the point-of-sale when customers take control of the merchandise in stores. E-commerce sales include shipping revenue and are recorded upon delivery to the customer. Shipping and handling fees charged to customers are recorded as sales with related costs recorded as cost of sales. Sales taxes are not included in sales, as the Company acts as a conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes to the appropriate governmental authorities. Payment is typically due at the point-of-sale, thus the Company does not have material customer receivables.

The Company allows for merchandise to be returned under most circumstances. The current policy allows for customers to receive an even exchange or full refund based upon the original method of payment when the returned purchase is accompanied with a receipt. Historic customer return activity is used to estimate the returns reserve, which historically, has not been material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company presents the gross sales returns reserve in accounts payable and the estimated value of the merchandise expected to be returned in prepaid expenses and other current assets within the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Proceeds from the sale of JOANN gift cards are recorded as a liability and recognized as net sales when redeemed by the holder. Gift card breakage represents the remaining balance of the Company’s liability for gift cards for which the likelihood of redemption by the customer is remote. Gift card breakage is recognized as net sales in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer and is determined based on historical redemption patterns. The Company generally is not required by law to escheat the value of unredeemed gift cards to the states in which it operates.

Activity related to the Company’s gift card liabilities was as follows:


	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 29, 2022			January 30, 2021			February 1, 2020
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at beginning of period	$	37.9		$	32.4		$	30.8
Issuance of gift cards		43.6			45.9			39.6
Revenue recognized (a)		(38.9	)		(39.2	)		(36.7	)
Gift card breakage		(1.2	)		(1.2	)		(1.3	)
Balance at end of period	$	41.4		$	37.9		$	32.4

Revenue recognized from the beginning liability during fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 totaled $9.3 million, $8.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively.

Cost of Sales

Inbound freight and duties, including tariffs, related to import purchases and internal transfer costs are considered to be direct costs of the Company’s merchandise and, accordingly, are recognized when the related merchandise is sold as cost of sales. Cost of sales does not include depreciation and amortization. Purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company’s distribution network are considered to be period costs not directly attributable to the value of merchandise and, accordingly, are expensed as incurred as SG&A expenses.

The Company receives vendor support, including cash discounts, volume discounts, allowances and markdown support. The Company has agreements in place with each vendor setting forth the specific conditions for each allowance or payment. Depending on the arrangement, the Company either recognizes the allowance as a reduction of current costs or defers the payment over the period the related merchandise is sold through cost of sales.

Operating Leases

The Company records right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease liabilities are recorded at a discount based upon the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate. Factors incorporated into the calculation of lease discount rates include the valuations and yields of the Company’s term loan facilities, their credit spread over comparable U.S. Treasury rates, and an index of the credit spreads for U.S. Retail Company debt yields.

The Company records lease cost on a straight-line basis over the base, non-cancelable lease term commencing on the date that the Company takes physical possession of the property from the landlord, which may include a period prior to the opening of a store or other facility to make any necessary leasehold improvements and install fixtures. Any tenant allowances received are recorded as a reduction of lease payments when calculating the lease liability and the associated asset. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and lease expense for such leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company combines lease and non-lease components. Many leases include one or more options to renew, and the exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Related Party Transactions

Prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering, the Company paid a monthly management fee to LGP, which is included in SG&A expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Starting in April 2020, the management fee payable to LGP was forgiven through December 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company paid management fees to LGP of $0.4 million, $1.3 million and $5.0 million during fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. Payment of the monthly management fee was discontinued upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering in March 2021, as LGP no longer provides managerial services to the Company in any form.

During fiscal 2022, the Company paid dividends of $8.3 million to LGP as part of the Company's quarterly dividend payments.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses production costs of advertising the first time the advertising takes place. Advertising expense, net of co-operative advertising agreements, was $59.4 million for fiscal 2022, $60.6 million for fiscal 2021 and $64.5 million for fiscal 2020. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets was $1.6 million and $2.0 million at the end of fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively, relating to prepayments of production costs for advertising.

Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of stock-based awards is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards within SG&A expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of options at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating the expected term that stock options will be outstanding prior to exercise and the associated volatility. Prior to the Company’s initial public offering, the absence of an active market for the Company’s common stock required the Company’s board of directors to determine the fair value of its common stock for purposes of granting stock options. The Company obtained contemporaneous third-party valuations to assist the board of directors in determining the fair value of the Company’s common stock. Following the listing of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq, it is not necessary to determine the fair value of its common stock, as its shares are traded in the public market. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 10—Stock-Based Compensation for further details.