SPECIALTY RETAILER

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in millions, except per share and share amounts)

 

February 28, 2009

March 1, 2008

Assets (continued)

   

Current Assets

   

Cash and cash equivalents

$498

$1,438

Short term investments

11

64

Receivables

1,868

549

Merchandise inventories

4,753

4,708

Other current assets

1,062

583

Total current assets

8,192

7,342

Property and Equipment

   

Land and building

755

732

Leasehold improvements

2,013

1,752

Fixtures and equipment

4,060

3,057

Property under capital lease

112

67

Less accumulated depreciation

6,940

5,608

Net property and equipment

2,766

2,302

Goodwill

4,174

3,306

 

2,203

1,088

Assets

   

Tradenames

173

97

Customer Relationships

322

5

Equity and Other Investments

395

605

Other Assets

367

315

Total Assets

$15,826

$12,758

Property under capital lease is comprised of buildings and equipment used in our retail operations and corporate support functions. The related depreciation for capital lease assets is included in depreciation expense. The carrying value of property under capital lease was $68 and $54 at February 28, 2009, and March 1, 2008, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of $44 and $13, respectively.

Estimated useful lives by major asset category are as follows:

Asset

Life (in years)

Buildings

25–50

Leasehold improvements

3–25

Fixtures and equipment

3–20

Property under capital lease

2–20

Required

a. 1. What is the balance in receivables at February 28, 2009 and March 1, 2008

2. Comment on the trend in receivables.

3. What is the balance in merchandize inventories at February 28, 2009 and March 1, 2008?

4. Comment on the trend in merchandise inventories.

5. Speculate on what the trend in receivable indicates vs. the trend in merchandise inventories.

b. 1. What does it mean to have a consolidated balance sheet?

2. Comment on the consolidation policy.

c. Comment on the use of estimates.

d. Comment on the fiscal year.

e. Cash and cash equivalents—are they presented conservatively?

f. 1. Comment on the inventory loss reserve.

2. What depreciation methods are generally used for income tax purposes?

3. Why the difference in depreciation between financial reporting and tax purposes?