Stock-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jul. 28, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

NOTE 8: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We maintain an equity incentive plan, which allows for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance share awards and other forms of equity awards to our employees, directors, and officers. Stock options generally vest over a four-year period from the grant date and have a contractual term of seven to ten years from the grant date. Restricted stock and performance share awards generally vest over periods ranging from three to five years from the grant date, although the equity incentive plan permits accelerated vesting in certain circumstances at the discretion of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.We do not use cash to settle any of our stock-based awards and we issue new shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and the granting of restricted stock and performance shares.

We recognize compensation expense for stock options with graded-vesting on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Compensation expense for restricted stock and performance share awards that cliff-vest is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Restricted stock awards with graded-vesting are treated as multiple awards based upon the vesting date. We recognize compensation expense for these awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award.

Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months endedJuly 28, 2012was approximately $3,999 and$8,390, respectively,and $3,992 and$8,152for the three and six months endedJuly 30, 2011, respectively.