Revenue Recognition
Sales
The Company recognizes sales revenue net of sales taxes and estimated sales returns at the time it sells merchandise to the customer.
Membership Fee
The Company recognizes membership fee revenue both in the United States and internationally over the term of the membership, which is typically 12 months. The following table summarizes membership fee activity for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fiscal Years Ended January 31, |
(Amounts in millions) | | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Deferred membership fee revenue, beginning of year | | $ | 559 |
| | $ | 542 |
| | $ | 532 |
|
Cash received from members | | 1,133 |
| | 1,111 |
| | 1,074 |
|
Membership fee revenue recognized | | (1,117 | ) | | (1,094 | ) | | (1,064 | ) |
Deferred membership fee revenue, end of year | | $ | 575 |
| | $ | 559 |
| | $ | 542 |
|
Membership fee revenue is included in membership and other income in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. The deferred membership fee is included in accrued liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Shopping Cards
Customer purchases of shopping cards are not recognized as revenue until the card is redeemed and the customer purchases merchandise using the shopping card. Shopping cards in the U.S. do not carry an expiration date and, therefore, customers and members can redeem their shopping cards for merchandise indefinitely. Shopping cards in certain foreign countries where the Company does business may have expiration dates. A certain amount of shopping cards, both with and without expiration dates, will not be redeemed. Management estimates unredeemed shopping cards and recognizes revenue for these amounts over shopping card historical usage periods based on historical redemption rates. Management periodically reviews and updates its estimates of usage periods and redemption rates.
Financial and Other Services
The Company recognizes revenue from service transactions at the time the service is performed. Generally, revenue from services is classified as a component of net sales in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
