Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Feb. 01, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Entities are required to use a three-level hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or; Unadjusted quoted

prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or; Inputs other than quoted

prices that are observable for the asset or liability

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

We measure certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis, including our marketable securities, which are classified as available-for-sale securities, certain cash equivalents, specifically our money market accounts and assets held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The money market accounts are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets. Our marketable securities are generally valued based on other observable inputs for those securities (including market corroborated pricing or other models that utilize observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves) based on information provided by independent third-party pricing entities, except for U.S. government securities which are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets. The investments in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan are valued using quoted market prices and are included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

From time to time, we measure certain other assets, net at fair value on a non-recurring basis. This includes the evaluation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment using Company-specific assumptions which would fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

We assess the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company uses market participant rents to calculate the fair value of ROU assets and discounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group using a discount rate that approximates the cost of capital of a market participant to quantify fair value for other long-lived assets. The asset group is defined as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available and largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets, which for our retail stores, is primarily at the store level.

To assess the fair value of goodwill, we utilize both an income approach and a market approach. Inputs used to calculate the fair value based on the income approach primarily include estimated future cash flows, discounted at a rate that approximates the cost of capital of a market participant. Inputs used to calculate the fair value based on the market approach include identifying sales and EBITDA multiples based on guidelines for similar publicly traded companies and recent transactions when relevant comparable transactions exist.

To assess the fair value of trade names, we utilize a relief from royalty approach. Inputs used to calculate the fair value of the trade names primarily include future sales projections, discounted at a rate that approximates the cost of capital of a market participant and an estimated royalty rate.

The carrying value of goodwill for the Chico's and WHBM reporting units and WHBM trade name as of both February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019 was $36.4 million, $60.4 million and $34.0 million, respectively. No impairment charges were recognized in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018. If profitability trends do not improve as projected for our Chico's and WHBM reporting units, or if market conditions continue to deteriorate, it is possible that a future interim test may result in an impairment of these assets.

In fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, the outstanding debt of $42.5 million and $57.5 million, respectively, under our revolving loan and letter of credit facility approximates fair value as this instrument has a variable interest rate which approximates current market rates (Level 2 criteria).

Fair value calculations contain significant judgments and estimates, which may differ from actual results due to, among other things, economic conditions, changes to the business model or changes in operating performance.

During fiscal 2019, we did not make any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 financial assets. Furthermore, during fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, we did not have any Level 3 financial assets measured on a recurring basis. We conduct reviews on a quarterly basis to verify pricing, assess liquidity and determine if significant inputs have changed that would impact the fair value hierarchy disclosure.

In accordance with the provisions of the guidance, we categorized our financial assets and liabilities which are valued on a recurring basis, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique for the instruments, as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Balance as of February 1, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Financial Assets:
Current Assets
Cash equivalents:
Money market accounts	$	621	$	621	$	—	$	—
Marketable securities:
Corporate bonds	62,645		—		62,645		—
Commercial paper	1,248		—		1,248		—
Noncurrent Assets
Deferred compensation plan	7,464		7,464		—		—
Total	$	71,978	$	8,085	$	63,893	$	—
			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Balance as of February 2, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Financial Assets:
Current Assets
Cash equivalents:
Money market accounts	$	711	$	711	$	—	$	—
Marketable securities:
Corporate bonds	60,281		—		60,281		—
Commercial paper	1,706		—		1,706		—
Noncurrent Assets
Deferred compensation plan	6,644		6,644		—		—
Total	$	69,342	$	7,355	$	61,987	$	—