XML 55 R22.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Activities Disclosure [Text Block]
Note M — Other Charges
Store Consolidation Plan. During the second quarter of 2014, we closed 150 Core U.S. stores and merged those accounts into existing Core U.S. stores as part of a multi-year program designed to transform and modernize our operations company-wide in order to improve profitability in the Core U.S. segment. The decision to close these stores was based on management's analysis and evaluation of the markets in which we operate, including our market share, operating results, competitive positioning and growth potential for the affected stores. The store closures resulted in pre-tax restructuring charges of $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The charges included approximately $1.3 million in early lease termination costs, $3.2 million of accelerated depreciation expense for fixed assets, leasehold improvements and write-off of merchandise inventory and $0.4 million of other operating costs to decommission the stores. We did not record a liability for future lease obligations on these properties as the fair value of the liability at the cease-use date was reduced to zero by estimated sublease rentals that could be obtained for the properties. Accordingly, future lease obligations of approximately $2.1 million that remain as of December 31, 2014, will either be expensed monthly or recognized in full upon negotiation of early termination and are scheduled to be paid out through 2016.
Corporate Restructuring. During the third quarter of 2014, we eliminated certain departments and functions in our field support center as a part of our efforts to transform and modernize our operations company-wide. This resulted in restructuring charges of approximately $2.8 million for severance and other payroll-related costs.
Impairment Charge. During the third quarter of 2014, we recorded a $4.6 million impairment charge related to internally-developed computer software that was placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2014. We determined that certain components developed for our new store management information system would not be utilized.
Mexico Store Closures. During 2014, management identified 8 stores in Mexico that will be closed in early 2015. Leasehold improvements and certain other assets will be abandoned upon the closure of the stores, and approximately $0.2 million of the accelerated depreciation related to these assets was recognized in 2014.