Lowe's Cos. Inc. (LOW) | Analysis of Inventory

Merchandise Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method of inventory accounting. The cost of inventory also includes certain costs associated with the preparation of inventory for resale, including distribution center costs, and is net of vendor funds.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. records an inventory reserve for the anticipated loss associated with selling inventories below cost. This reserve is based on management's current knowledge with respect to inventory levels, sales trends and historical experience. Management does not believe Lowe's Companies, Inc.'s merchandise inventories are subject to significant risk of obsolescence in the near term, and management has the ability to adjust purchasing practices based on anticipated sales trends and general economic conditions. However, changes in consumer purchasing patterns could result in the need for additional reserves. Lowe's Companies, Inc. also records an inventory reserve for the estimated shrinkage between physical inventories. This reserve is based primarily on actual shrink results from previous physical inventories. Changes in the estimated shrink reserve are made based on the timing and results of physical inventories.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. receives funds from vendors in the normal course of business, principally as a result of purchase volumes, sales, early payments or promotions of vendors' products. Generally, these vendor funds do not represent the reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred by Lowe's Companies, Inc. to sell the vendor's product. Therefore, Lowe's Companies, Inc. treats these funds as a reduction in the cost of inventory as the amounts are accrued, and are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales when the inventory is sold. Funds that are determined to be reimbursements of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred to sell vendors' products are recorded as an offset to the related expense. Lowe's Companies, Inc. develops accrual rates for vendor funds based on the provisions of the agreements in place. Due to the complexity and diversity of the individual vendor agreements, Lowe's Companies, Inc. performs analyses and reviews historical trends throughout the year and confirms actual amounts with select vendors to ensure the amounts earned are appropriately recorded. Amounts accrued throughout the year could be impacted if actual purchase volumes differ from projected annual purchase volumes, especially in the case of programs that provide for increased funding when graduated purchase volumes are met.

Source: Lowe's Cos. Inc., Annual Report

Lowe's Cos. Inc., Statement of Financial Position, Inventory

		Feb 1, 2013	Feb 3, 2012	Jan 28, 2011	Jan 29, 2010	Jan 30, 2009	Feb 1, 2008
	Merchandise inventory, net

Source: Based on data from Lowe's Cos. Inc. Annual Reports