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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Notes)
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12 Months Ended |
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Jan. 28, 2012
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| Description of Business and Basis of Presentation [Abstract] | |
| Business Description and Basis of Presentation | Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Business Description Express, Inc. ("Express" or the "Company") is a specialty apparel and accessories retailer of women's and men's merchandise, targeting the 20 to 30 year old customer. Express merchandise is sold through its retail stores and website. As of January 28, 2012, Express operated 609 primarily mall-based stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Additionally, the Company earns royalties from 7 stores in the Middle East operated through a development agreement ("Development Agreement") with Alshaya Trading Co. ("Alshaya"). Under the Development Agreement, Alshaya operates stores that sell Express-branded apparel and accessories purchased directly from the Company. Fiscal Year The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years are referred to by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All references herein to "2011", "2010," and "2009" represent the 52-week periods ended January 28, 2012, January 29, 2011, and January 30, 2010, respectively. Basis of Presentation In connection with the initial public offering of the Company's common stock ("IPO") on May 12, 2010, Express Parent LLC ("Express Parent") converted into a Delaware corporation and changed its name from Express Parent LLC to Express, Inc. This conversion was effective May 2, 2010 for tax purposes. In connection with this conversion, all of the equity interests in Express Parent, which consisted of Class L, Class A, and Class C units, were converted into shares of the Company's common stock at a ratio of 0.702, 0.649, and 0.442, respectively. The accounting effects of the recapitalization, collectively referred to as the "Reorganization", are reflected retrospectively for all periods presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Express owns all of the outstanding equity interests in Express Topco LLC ("Express Topco"), which owns all of the outstanding equity interests in Express Holding LLC ("Express Holding"). Express Holding owns all of the outstanding equity interests in Express, LLC and Express Finance Corp. ("Express Finance"). Express, LLC conducts the operations of the Company and was a division of Limited Brands until it was acquired by an affiliate of Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc. ("Golden Gate") in 2007 (the "Golden Gate Acquisition"). Express Finance was formed on January 28, 2010, solely for the purpose of serving as co-issuer of the 8 3/4% Senior Notes ("Senior Notes") issued on March 5, 2010 and described in Note 9. Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. |