6. Inventories

The Company currently utilizes the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method of accounting for inventories. The cumulative difference between replacement and current cost of inventory over stated LIFO value is $3.4 million as of July 30, 2011 and as of January 29, 2011. The estimated replacement cost of inventory is the current first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) value.

Inventory balances at July 30, 2011 and January 29, 2011 were as follows (in thousands):


	July 30, 2011			January 29, 2011
Inventories (at FIFO)	$	195,851		$	200,238
LIFO reserve		(3,472	)		(3,424	)

Net inventories	$	192,379		$	196,814