UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the fiscal year ended April 2, 2016March 31, 2018
or
o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-13057
RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-2622036
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 318-7000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes  þ   No o 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes  o   No þ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  þ   No o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  þ   No o 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
 o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer"filer," "smaller reporting company," and "smaller reporting"emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
 Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes  o   No þ 
The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $6,341,781,793$4,868,476,408 as of September 25, 2015,29, 2017, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter based on the closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange.
At May 13, 2016, 57,020,76618, 2018, 55,673,351 shares of the registrant's Class A common stock, $.01 par value and 25,881,276 shares of the registrant's Class B common stock, $.01 par value were outstanding.
Part III incorporates information from certain portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the fiscal year ended April 2, 2016.March 31, 2018.





  


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Various statements in this Form 10-K or incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K, in future filings by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in our press releases, and in oral statements made from time to time by us or on our behalf constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "we believe," "is or remains optimistic," "currently envisions," and similar words or phrases and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance, or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others:
the loss of key personnel, including Mr. Ralph Lauren, or other changes in our executive and senior management team or to our operating structure, and our ability to effectively transfer knowledge during periods of transition;
our ability to successfully implement our long-term growth strategy and achieve anticipated operating enhancements and/orand cost reductions from our restructuring plans, which could include plans;
the potential sale, discontinuance, or consolidation of certainimpact to our business resulting from investments and other costs incurred in connection with the execution of our brands;long-term growth strategy, including restructuring-related charges, which may be dilutive to our earnings in the short term;
our ability to successfully implementcontinue to expand or grow our growth strategiesbusiness internationally and to capitalize onthe impact of related changes in our repositioning initiatives in certain brands, regions,customer, channel, and merchandise categories;geographic sales mix as a result;
our effortsability to improve open new retail stores, concession shops, and digital commerce sites in an effort to expand our direct-to-consumer presence;
the efficiencyimpact to our business resulting from changes in consumers' ability, willingness, or preferences to purchase premium lifestyle products that we offer for sale and our ability to forecast consumer demand, which could result in either a build-up or shortage of inventory;
our distribution system andability to continue to enhance, upgrade, and/maintain our brand image and reputation and protect our trademarks;
our ability to effectively manage inventory levels and the increasing pressure on our margins in a highly promotional retail environment;
the impact to our business resulting from potential costs and obligations related to the early closure of our stores or transitiontermination of our global information technology systemslong-term, non-cancellable leases;
the impact of economic, political, and other conditions on us, our global e-commerce platform;customers, suppliers, vendors, and lenders;
our ability to secure our facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers from, among other things, cybersecurity breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, or similar Internet or email events;
our exposureefforts to currency exchange rate fluctuations from both a transactionalsuccessfully enhance, upgrade, and/or transition our global information technology systems and translational perspective, and risks associated with increases in the costs of raw materials, transportation, and labor;
our ability to continue to maintain our brand image and reputation and protect our trademarks;
the impact of the volatile state of the global economy, stock markets, and other global economic conditions on us, our customers, our suppliers, and our vendors and on our ability and their ability to access sources of liquidity;
the impact to our business resulting from changes in consumers' ability or preferences to purchase premium lifestyle products that we offer for sale and our ability to forecast consumer demand, which could result in either a build-up or shortage of inventory;
changes in the competitive marketplace, including the introduction of new products or pricing changes by our competitors, and consolidations, liquidations, restructurings, and other ownership changes in the retail industry;digital commerce platform;
a variety of legal, regulatory, tax, political, and economic risks, including risks related to the importation and exportation of products, tariffs, and other trade barriers which our international operations are currently subject to, or may become subject to as a result of potential changes in legislation, and other risks associated with our international operations, such as compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or violations of other anti-bribery and corruption laws prohibiting improper payments, and the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including tax laws, trade and labor restrictions, and related laws that may reduce the flexibility of our business;
changes in our tax obligations and effective tax rate due to a variety of other factors, including potential additional changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws and regulations, accounting rules, or the mix and level of earnings by jurisdiction in future periods that are not currently known or anticipated;
the impact to our business resulting from the recently enacted U.S. tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including related changes to our tax obligations and effective tax rate in future periods, as well as the enactment-related charges that were recorded during Fiscal 2018 on a provisional basis based on a reasonable




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estimate and are subject to change, all of which could differ materially from our current expectations and/or investors' expectations;
the impact to our business resulting from the United Kingdom's decision to exit the European Union and the uncertainty surrounding the terms and conditions of such a withdrawal, as well as the related impact to global stock markets and currency exchange rates;
the impact to our business resulting from increases in the costs of raw materials, transportation, and labor;
our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations from both a transactional and translational perspective;
the potential impact to our business resulting from the financial difficulties of certain of our large wholesale customers, which may result in consolidations, liquidations, restructurings, and other ownership changes in the retail industry, as well as other changes in the competitive marketplace, including the introduction of new products or pricing changes by our competitors;
the potential impact on our operations and on our suppliers and customers resulting from natural or man-made disasters;
the impact to our business of events of unrest and instability that are currently taking place in certain parts of the world, as well as from any terrorist action, retaliation, and the threat of further action or retaliation;
our ability to continue to expand or growmaintain our business internationallycredit profile and ratings within the impact of related changes in our customer, channel, and geographic sales mix as a result;
changes in our tax obligations and effective tax rates;
changes in the business of, and our relationships with, major department store customers and licensing partners;
our intention to introduce new products or enter into or renew alliances and exclusive relationships;financial community;
our ability to access sources of liquidity to provide for our cash needs, including our debt obligations, tax obligations, payment of dividends, capital expenditures, and potential repurchases of our Class A common stock;



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ourstock, as well as the ability to open new retail stores, concession shops, and e-commerce sites in an effort to expand our direct-to-consumer presence;
our ability to make certain strategic acquisitions and successfully integrate the acquired businesses into our existing operations;
the impact to our business resulting from potential costs and obligations related to the early termination of our long-term, non-cancellable leases;customers, suppliers, vendors, and lenders to access sources of liquidity to provide for their own cash needs;
the potential impact to the trading prices of our securities if our Class A common stock share repurchase activity and/or cash dividend rate differspayments differ from investors' expectations;
our intention to introduce new products or enter into or renew alliances;
changes in the business of, and our relationships with, major department store customers and licensing partners; and
our ability to maintainmake certain strategic acquisitions and successfully integrate the acquired businesses into our credit profile and ratings within the financial community; and
the potential impact on our operations and on our suppliers and customers resulting from natural or man-made disasters.existing operations.
These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. A detailed discussion of significant risk factors that have the potential to cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations is described in Part I of this Form 10-K under the heading of "Risk Factors." We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
WEBSITE ACCESS TO COMPANY REPORTS AND OTHER INFORMATION
Our investor website is http://investor.ralphlauren.com. We were incorporated in June 1997 under the laws of the State of Delaware. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available at our investor website under the caption "SEC Filings" promptly after we electronically file such materials with or furnish such materials to the SEC. Information relating to corporate governance at Ralph Lauren Corporation, including our Corporate Governance Policies, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all directors, officers, and employees, our Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers, and information concerning our directors, Committees of the Board of Directors, including Committee charters, and transactions involving Ralph Lauren Corporation securities by directors and executive officers are available at our website under the captions "Corporate Governance" and "SEC Filings." Paper copies of these filings and corporate governance documents are available to stockholders without charge by written request to Investor Relations, Ralph Lauren Corporation, 625 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022.




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In this Form 10-K, references to "Ralph Lauren," "ourselves," "we," "our," "us," and the "Company" refer to Ralph Lauren Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. Due to the collaborative and ongoing nature of our relationships with our licensees, such licensees are sometimes referred to in this Form 10-K as "licensing alliances." Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to March 31. All references to "Fiscal 2019" represent the 52-week fiscal year ending March 30, 2019. All references to "Fiscal 2018" represent the 52-week fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. All references to "Fiscal 2017" represent the 52-week fiscal year endingended April 1, 2017. All references to "Fiscal 2016" represent the 53-week fiscal year ended April 2, 2016. All references to "Fiscal 2015" represent the 52-week fiscal year ended March 28, 2015. All references to "Fiscal 2014" represent the 52-week fiscal year ended March 29, 2014.



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PART I
Item 1.Business.
General
Founded in 1967 by Mr. Ralph Lauren, we are a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product categories. Our long-standing reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands, sales channels, and international markets. We believe that our global reach, breadth of product offerings, and multi-channel distribution are unique among luxury and apparel companies.
We operate in three distinct but integrated segments: Wholesale, Retail,diversify our business by geography (North America, Europe, and Licensing.Asia, among other regions) and channels of distribution (wholesale, retail, and licensing). This allows us to maintain a dynamic balance as our operating results do not depend solely on the performance of any single geographic area or channel of distribution. Our Wholesale business, representing approximately 45% of our Fiscal 2016 net revenues, consists ofwholesale sales are made principally to major department stores and specialty stores around the world. Our Retail business, representing approximately 53% of our Fiscal 2016 net revenues, consists of sales madeWe also sell directly to consumers through our integrated retail channel, which includes our retail stores, concession-based shop-within-shops, and e-commercedigital commerce operations around the world. Our Licensing business, representing approximately 2% of our Fiscal 2016 net revenues, consists of royalty-based arrangements under whichIn addition, we license to unrelated third parties for specified periods the right to operate retail stores and/or to use our various trademarks in connection with the manufacture and sale of designated products, such as certain apparel, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings. Approximately 37%
We organize our business into the following three reportable segments: North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to these reportable segments, we also have other non-reportable segments. See "Our Segments" for further discussion of our Fiscal 2016 net revenues were earned outside of the U.S. See Note 21 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for a summary of net revenues, operating income, and total assets by reportable segment as well as net revenues and long-lived assets by geographic location.reporting structure.
Over the past five fiscal years, our sales have grown by approximately 8% to $7.405 billion in Fiscal 2016 from $6.860 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. This growth has been attributable to both our acquisitions and organic growth. We have diversified our business by channels of distribution, price point, and target consumer, as well as by geography. Our global reach is extensive, with merchandise available through our wholesale distribution channels at over 13,000 different retail locations worldwide.12,000 doors worldwide, the majority in specialty stores, as well as through the digital commerce sites of many of our wholesale customers. We also sell directly to customers throughout the world via our 493472 retail stores and 583632 concession-based shop-within-shops, as well as through our own digital commerce sites and those of various e-commerce sites.third-party digital partners. In addition to our directly-operated stores and shops, our international licensing partners operate 9388 Ralph Lauren stores, 4254 Ralph Lauren concession shops, and 133136 Club Monaco stores and shops.
We continue to invest in our business. Over the past five fiscal years, we have invested approximately $1.849$1.723 billion for capital improvements, acquisitions, and capital improvements,ventures, primarily funded through strong operating cash flow. We intend to continue to pursue select investment initiatives, which include expanding our presence internationally, extending our direct-to-consumer reach, expanding our accessories and other product and brand offerings, and investing in our operational infrastructure. See "Objectives and Opportunities" for further discussion of our opportunities for growth.
We also continue to return value to our shareholders through our common stock share repurchases and payment of quarterly cash dividends. Over the past five fiscal years, the cost of shares of Class A common stock repurchased pursuant to our common stock repurchase program was approximately $2.373$1.727 billion and dividends paid amounted to approximately $679$805 million.
We have been controlled by the Lauren family since the founding of our Company. As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, Mr. R. Lauren, or entities controlled by the Lauren family, held approximately 82% of the voting power of the Company's outstanding common stock.
Seasonality of Business
Our business is typically affected by seasonal trends, with higher levels of wholesale sales in our second and fourth fiscal quarters and higher retail sales in our second and third fiscal quarters. These trends result primarily from the timing of seasonal wholesale shipments and key vacation travel, back-to-school, and holiday shopping periods impacting our Retail segment. As a result of growth and other changes in our business, along with changes in consumer spending patterns and the macroeconomic environment, historical quarterly operating trends and working capital requirements may not be indicative of our future performance. In addition, fluctuations in sales, operating income, and cash flows in any fiscal quarter may be affected by other events affecting retail sales, such as changes in weather patterns.




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Working capital requirements vary throughout the year. Working capital requirements typically increase during the first half of the fiscal year as inventory builds to support peak shipping/selling periods and, accordingly, typically decrease during the second half of the fiscal year as inventory is shipped/sold. Cash provided by operating activities is typically higher in the second half of the fiscal year due to reduced working capital requirements during that period.
Objectives and Opportunities
We believe that our size and the global scope of our operations provide us with design, sourcing, and distribution synergies across our different businesses. Our core strengths include a portfolio of global premium lifestyle brands, a proven ability to develop and extend thewell-diversified global multi-channel distribution of our brands through multiple channels in global markets, a disciplinednetwork, an investment philosophy supported by a strong balance sheet, and an experienced management team. Despite the various risks and uncertainties associated with the current global economic environment, as discussed further in Item 7 — "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — CurrentGlobal Economic Conditions and Industry Trends, and Outlook," we believe our core strengths will allow us the opportunity to execute our initiativeslong-term growth strategy.
We have developed a long-term growth strategy with the objective of delivering sustainable, profitable growth and long-term value creation for long-term sustainable growth in revenue, net income,shareholders. Our strategy includes the following key strategic initiatives:
Elevating our brand through improved quality of sales, distribution, and operating cash flow.product;
As our business has grown, our portfolio mixEvolving product, marketing, and brand control have evolved from primarily that of a mono-brand U.S.-centric menswear wholesaler with a broad array of product and geographic licenses to that of a portfolio of lifestyle brands with a "direct control" model over most of our brands, products, and international territories. We believe that this broader and better-diversified portfolio mix positions us for ongoing growth, allowing us to offer our customers a range of products, price points, and channels of distribution. We operate our retail business using an omni-channel retailing strategy that seeks to deliver an integrated shopping experience to increase reach and appeal with new consumers;
Expanding our customers. We believe that our sizedigital and the global scope of our operations favorably position us to take advantage of synergies in design, sourcing, and distribution across our different businesses.
While balancing our key long-term strategic objectives with our near-term priorities, we intend to continue to pursue select opportunities for growth during the course of Fiscal 2017 and beyond. These opportunities and continued investment initiatives include:
International Growth;
Direct-to-Consumer Growth;
Product Innovation and Brand Extension Growth;
Investment in Operational Infrastructure;
Global Talent Development and Management;international presence; and
Strong Financial ManagementWorking in new ways to drive productivity and Cash Flow Reinvestment.
In addition, we continue to develop and work towards finalizing our strategic growth plan for Fiscal 2017 and beyond, which once completed may result in modifications to the opportunities and investment initiatives described above.agility.
Recent Developments
Global Reorganization PlanU.S. Tax Reform
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law new tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA"), which became effective January 1, 2018. The TCJA significantly revised U.S. tax law by, among other provisions, lowering the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21%, creating a territorial tax system that includes a one-time mandatory transition tax on previously deferred foreign earnings, and eliminating or reducing certain income tax deductions.
During Fiscal 2018, we recorded net charges of $221.4 million within our income tax provision in connection with the TCJA, of which $209.3 million related to the mandatory transition tax, which we expect to pay over an eight-year period. These charges, which were recorded on a provisional basis as permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), negatively impacted our effective tax rate by 4,520 basis points and lowered our diluted earnings per share by $2.68 during Fiscal 2018. The provisional amounts were based on our present interpretations of the TCJA, current available information, and assumptions about future events, and are subject to further refinement as additional information becomes available and further analyses are completed.
Despite these enactment-related charges, we expect the TCJA will ultimately benefit our results of operations and financial condition in future periods, primarily due to the lower U.S. federal statutory income tax rate.
Additionally, we reevaluated our permanent reinvestment assertion and determined that undistributed foreign earnings that were subject to the one-time mandatory transition tax were no longer considered to be permanently reinvested, effective December 31, 2017. In connection with this decision, we repatriated $252.0 million of cash to the U.S. from certain of our foreign subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018, and we repatriated an additional $400.0 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2019.
See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion regarding the TCJA.
Change in Chief Executive Officer
Effective May 12, 2015,2017, Mr. Stefan Larsson departed as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors approved a reorganization and restructuring plan comprised of the following major actions: (i) the reorganization of the Company from its historical channel and regional structure to an integrated global brand-based operating structure, which will streamline our business processes to better align our cost structure with our long-term growth strategy; (ii) a strategic store and shop-within-shop performance review conducted by region and brand; (iii) a targeted corporate functional area review; and (iv) the consolidation of certain of our luxury lines (collectively, the "Global Reorganization Plan"). The Global Reorganization Plan has resulted in a reduction in workforce and the closure of certain stores and shop-within-shops. Actions associated with the Global Reorganization Plan were substantially completed during Fiscal 2016 and are expected to result in improved operational efficiencies by reducing annual operating expenses by approximately $125 million.
Directors. In connection with the Global Reorganization Plan,Mr. Larsson's departure, we recorded totalcumulative other charges of $142$17.0 million, of which $5.6 million and $11.4 million were recorded during Fiscal 2016 (see Notes 102018 and 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements) andFiscal 2017, respectively. We do not expect to incur additional charges related to Mr. Larsson's departure. See Note 9 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of approximately $5 million during Fiscalthe charges recorded in connection with Mr. Larsson's departure.
Subsequent to Mr. Larsson's departure, Mr. Patrice Louvet was appointed as the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors, effective July 2017.




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In addition,Way Forward Plan
On June 2, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan with the objective of delivering sustainable, profitable sales growth and long-term value creation for shareholders (the "Way Forward Plan"). We are refocusing on our core brands and evolving our product, marketing, and shopping experience to increase desirability and relevance. We are also evolving our operating model to enable sustainable, profitable sales growth by significantly improving quality of sales, reducing supply chain lead times, improving our sourcing, and executing a disciplined multi-channel distribution and expansion strategy. As part of the Way Forward Plan, we continueare rightsizing our cost structure and implementing a return on investment-driven financial model to developfree up resources to invest in the brand and work towards finalizingdrive high-quality sales. The Way Forward Plan includes strengthening our strategic growth plan forleadership team and creating a more nimble organization by moving from an average of nine to six layers of management. The Way Forward Plan also includes the discontinuance of our Denim & Supply brand and the integration of our denim product offerings into our Polo Ralph Lauren brand. Collectively, these actions, which were substantially completed during Fiscal 2017, resulted in a reduction in workforce and beyond,the closure of certain stores and shop-within-shops, as well as gross annualized expense savings of approximately $200 million.
On March 30, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the following additional restructuring-related activities associated with the Way Forward Plan: (i) the restructuring of our in-house global digital commerce platform which once completed will likelywas in development and shifting to a more cost-effective, flexible platform through a new agreement with Salesforce's Commerce Cloud, formerly known as Demandware; (ii) the closure of our Polo store at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City; and (iii) the further streamlining of the organization and the execution of other key corporate actions in line with the Way Forward Plan. These actions, which are expected to result in additional expense savings of approximately $140 million, are an important part of our efforts to achieve our stated objective to return to sustainable, profitable growth and invest in the future. These additional restructuring-related activities were largely completed during Fiscal 2018 and resulted in a further reduction in workforce and the closure of certain corporate office and store locations. The remaining activities, which are primarily lease-related, are expected to be completed during Fiscal 2019.
In connection with the Way Forward Plan, we currently expect to incur total estimated charges of approximately $770 million, comprised of cash-related restructuring activitiescharges of approximately $450 million and related charges.non-cash charges of approximately $320 million. Cumulative charges incurred since inception were $669.2 million, of which $102.8 million and $566.4 million were incurred during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017, respectively, and we expect to incur the remaining charges of approximately $100 million during Fiscal 2019. In addition to these charges, we also incurred an additional non-cash charge of $155.2 million during Fiscal 2017 associated with the destruction of inventory out of current liquidation channels in line with our Way Forward Plan. See Notes 8 and 9 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for detailed discussions of the charges recorded in connection with the Way Forward Plan.
Our Brands and Products
Since 1967, our distinctive brand image has been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, price tiers, and markets. Our products, which include apparel, accessories, and fragrance collections for men and women, as well as childrenswear and home furnishings, comprise one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. Reflecting a distinctive American perspective, we have been an innovator in aspirational lifestyle branding and believe that, under the direction of internationally renowned designer Mr. Ralph Lauren, we have had a considerable influence on the way people dress and the way that fashion is advertised throughout the world.
We combine consumer insight with our design, marketing, and imaging skills to offer, along with our licensing alliances, broad lifestyle product collections with a unified vision:
Apparel — Our apparel products include extensive collections of men's, women's, and children's clothing, which are sold under various brand names, including Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Ralph byPolo Golf Ralph Lauren, Polo andRalph Lauren Golf, RLX Golf,Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Chaps, and Club Monaco, and American Living, among others;
Accessories — Our range of accessories products encompass a broad range for both menencompasses men's, women's, and women,children's, including footwear, eyewear, watches, fashion and fine jewelry, scarves, hats, belts,gloves, umbrellas, and leather goods, including handbags, luggage, small leather goods, and luggage,belts, which are sold under various brand names, includingthe Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Double RL, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, and Club Monaco, among others;Monaco;
Home — Our coordinated home products include bedding and bath products, furniture, fabric and wallpaper, lighting, paint, tabletop, floorcovering, and giftware;




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Fragrance — Our fragrance productsofferings capture the essence of Ralph Lauren's men's and women's brands with numerous labels, designed to appeal to a variety of audiences. Women's fragrance products are sold under our Safari, Ralph Lauren Blue,Collection, Woman by Ralph Lauren, Romance collection, RALPH collection,Collection, Ralph Collection, and Big Pony collectionWomen's brands. Men's fragrance products are sold under our Polo Blue, Safari, Purple Label, Polo Sport,Red, Polo Green, Polo Blue,Black, Polo BlueSupreme, Polo Sport, Purple Label, Polo Black, Double Black,and Big Pony collection, Polo Red collection, and Polo Supreme OudMen's brands; and
Restaurants — Our restaurants translate Mr. R.Ralph Lauren's distinctive vision into places to gather with family and friends to enjoy fine food. Our restaurantsrestaurant concepts include The Polo Bar and Ralph’s Coffee located in New York City, RL Restaurant located in Chicago, and Ralph’sRalph's located in Paris.Paris, and our Ralph's Coffeeconcept, with locations in London and Hong Kong.
Our lifestyle brand image is reinforced by our distribution through our stores and concession-based shop-within-shops, our wholesale channels of distribution, our global e-commercedigital commerce sites, and our Ralph Lauren restaurants. We organizesell our brands intoproducts under the following six distinct globalkey brand groups:platforms:
1.
Ralph Lauren Luxury — Our Ralph Lauren Luxury global brand group includes:
Ralph Lauren Collection and Ralph Lauren Purple Label. The runway sets the stage for each season's Ralph Lauren Collection designs, which includes handmade evening gowns with exquisite detail and refined, hand-tailored suitings. For men, Ralph Lauren Purple Label offers refined suitings, custom tailored made-to-measure suits, and sophisticated sportswear, as well as benchmade footwear and made-to-order dress furnishings, accessories, and luggage. Ralph Lauren Collection and Ralph Lauren Purple Label are available in Ralph Lauren stores around the world, an exclusive selection of the finest specialty stores, and online at our Ralph Lauren e-commercedigital commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com.
Double RL. Founded in 1993 and named after Ralph Lauren and his wife Ricky's "RRL" ranch in Colorado, Double RL for men and women offers a mix of selvedge denim, vintage apparel, sportswear, and accessories, with roots in workwear and military gear. Double RL is available at Double RL stores, at select Ralph Lauren stores, and an exclusive selection of the finest specialty stores around the world, as well as online at our Ralph Lauren e-commercedigital commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com.

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Ralph Lauren Home.Ralph Lauren Home presents home furnishings and accessories that reflect the style and craftsmanship synonymous with the name Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren Home includes furniture, bed and bath linens, china, crystal, silver, decorative accessories and gifts, as well as lighting, fabric, wallcovering, and floorcovering. Ralph Lauren Home offers exclusive luxury goods at select Ralph Lauren stores, home specialty stores, trade showrooms, and online at our Ralph Lauren digital commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com. The complete world of Ralph Lauren Home can be explored online at RalphLaurenHome.com.
Ralph Lauren Watches and Fine Jewelry. In 2008, Ralph Lauren, together with internationally renowned luxury group Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, launchedWe offer a premier collection of timepieces, through the Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co. The four pillar collections – the iconic Ralph Lauren Stirrup, the refined Ralph Lauren Slim Classique, the Ralph Lauren Sporting, and the 867 Collection –which embody Mr. Ralph Lauren's passion for impeccable quality and exquisite design. The Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co.We also offers premieroffer premium collections of fine jewelry, including the Ralph Lauren Diamond Link Collection, Ralph Lauren Equestrian Collection, and Ralph Lauren Chunky Chains Collection, all capturingwhich capture the glamour and craftsmanship of Ralph Lauren's most luxurious designs. Ralph Lauren watches and fine jewelry are available at select Ralph Lauren stores and flagship locations around the world. A selection of watches is also available online at RalphLauren.com and the finest watch retailers.
2.
Polo Ralph Lauren — OurThe Polo Ralph Lauren global brand group includes:
Polo Ralph Lauren. Men's Polo combines Ivy League classics and time-honored English haberdashery with downtown styles and all-American sporting looks in sportswear and tailored clothing. Women's Polo is targeted towardsrepresents the young, modern girlepitome of classic and mixes romantic bohemianiconic American style with a modern and cool sportiness.twist. Polo's signature aesthetic includes our renowned polo player logo. Men's and Women's Polo apparel and accessories are available in Polo and Ralph Lauren stores around the world, better department and specialty stores, and online at our Ralph Lauren e-commercedigital commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com.
Polo Sport. Polo Sport is our next evolution of modern activewear for men, women, and children. In 2014, we debuted the PoloTech™ shirt, featuring groundbreaking smart fabric technology that captures robust biometrics from the wearer. Polo Sport is available at select Polo and Ralph Lauren stores, better department stores, and online at our e-commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com.
Polo and RLX Golf. Tested and worn by top-ranked professional golfers, Polo and RLX Golf for men and women define excellence in the world of golf. With a sharpened focus on the needs of the modern player but rooted in the rich design tradition of Ralph Lauren, the Golf collections combine state-of-the-art performance wear with luxurious finishing touches. Over the years, Polo and RLX Golf have been proud to sponsor Tom Watson, Davis Love III, Jonathan Byrd, Justin Thomas, Luke Donald, Matteo Manassero, and Billy Horschel, among others. The Polo and RLX Golf collections are available in select Polo stores, exclusive private clubs and resorts, and online at RalphLauren.com.
Polo Ralph Lauren Children. Polo Ralph Lauren Children is designed to reflect the timeless heritage and modern spirit of Ralph Lauren’sLauren's collections for men and women. Signature classics include iconic polo knit shirts and luxurious cashmere cable-knit sweaters. Polo Ralph Lauren Children is available in a full range of sizes, from baby to girls 2-16 and boys 2-20. Polo Ralph Lauren Children can be found in select Polo and Ralph Lauren stores around the world, better department stores, and online at our Ralph Lauren e-commercedigital commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com, as well as certain of our retailer partner e-commercedigital commerce sites.




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Polo Golf Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Golf, and RLX Ralph Lauren. Tested and worn by top-ranked professional golfers, Polo Golf Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Golf, and RLX Ralph Lauren for men and women define excellence in the world of golf. With a sharpened focus on the needs of the modern player but rooted in the rich design tradition of Ralph Lauren, the Golf collections combine state-of-the-art performance wear with luxurious finishing touches. The Polo and RLX Golf collections are available in select Polo stores, exclusive private clubs and resorts, and online at RalphLauren.com.
Pink Pony. Established in 2000, the Pink Pony campaign is our worldwide initiative in the fight against cancer. In the United States,U.S., a percentage of sales from Pink Pony products benefit the Pink Pony Fund of The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation, which supports programs for early diagnosis, education, treatment, and research, and is dedicated to bringing patient navigation and quality cancer care to medically underserved communities. Internationally, a network of local cancer charities around the world benefit from the sale of Pink Pony products. Pink Pony primarily consists of slim-fitting women'sdual gender sportswear and accessories crafted in luxurious fabrics. Allaccessories. Pink Pony items feature our iconic pink polo player – a symbol of our commitment to the fight against cancer. Pink Pony is available at select Polo and Ralph Lauren stores and online at our Ralph Lauren e-commercedigital commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com. Pink Pony is also available at select Macy's stores and online at Macys.com.
3.
Lauren Ralph Lauren — Our Lauren global brand group includes:
Lauren Ralph Lauren. Lauren for women offers sophisticatedcombines timeless style with modern femininity in a lifestyle collection of sportswear, denim, and dresses, activewear, and a wide array ofas well as accessories and footwear at a more accessible price point. Lauren for women is available in select department stores around the world and onlineon-line at our Ralph Lauren e-commerceselect digital commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com. Lauren for men offers a complete collection of men's tailored clothing, including suits, sport coats, dress shirts, dress pants, tuxedos, topcoats, and ties at a more accessible price point. Lauren for men is available at select department stores in North America and Europe.
Ralph by Ralph Lauren. Lauren Home.Ralph by Ralph Launched in 2017, the Lauren offers suit separates, sport coats, vests,Home collection includes accessibly-priced, timeless bath and topcoatsbedding designs, updated with refined luxury ata fresh, modern spirit. The collection is built upon an excellent value. Ralph by Ralph Laurenassortment of essentials that is available exclusively at Dillard's storesdesigned to be periodically augmented with trend-relevant colors and online at Dillards.com.



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Chaps. Chaps represents a complete lifestyle collection for the entire family and home, with casual sportswear, workday essentials, and fashionable dresses. The Chaps men's, women's, and children's collections are available at select stores in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates. Chaps Home is available exclusively at Kohl's and online at Kohl's.com.
American Living. American Living for women offers a world of fashion with everyday essentials, as well as dresses for special occasions at an incredible value. American Living is available at Macy's and Belk stores, and online at Macys.com and Belk.com.patterns.
4.
Denim & SupplyChaps — Inspired by the warehouseLaunched in 1978 and artist communitiescelebrating its 40th anniversary, Chaps presents a vision of Brooklyn, New York,timeless, all-American style for men, women, children and the authentichome. The complete lifestyle collection offers casual sportswear, workday essentials, tailored clothing, and occasion dresses. Chaps effortless and spirited style found in the music festival scene, Denim & Supply represents a laid-back style of clothes that is urban, rustic, and bohemian. Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren is available at our Denim & Supply stores aroundin over 2,000 doors across the world, at Macy'sU.S., Canada, Mexico, and Hudson's Bay in North America, select department stores in Europe and Asia, and in specialty stores and concession shops in Asia. In addition, Denim & Supply is available online at our Ralph Lauren e-commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com.China.
5.
Club Monaco — Founded in 1985, Club Monaco is a celebration of the individual. It designs and markets its own clothing and accessories for a new generation of women and men and women, offering key fashion pieces with modern, urban sophistication and a selectionwho value versatile, thoughtful design that can take them through every moment of updated classics.life. Club Monaco apparel and accessories are available exclusively at Club Monaco stores and select department stores in North America and around the world, as well as online at our Club Monaco e-commerce sites, ClubMonaco.com and ClubMonaco.ca. Club Monaco is also available in Asia through our licensing arrangements.
6.
Ralph Lauren Home — Ralph Lauren Home presents home furnishings and accessories that reflect the style and craftsmanship synonymous with the name Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren Home includes furniture, bed and bath linens, china, crystal, silver, decorative accessories and gifts, as well as lighting, fabric, wallcovering, and floorcovering. Ralph Lauren Home offers exclusive luxury goods at select Ralph Lauren stores, home specialty stores, trade showrooms, and online at our Ralph Lauren e-commerce sites, including RalphLauren.com. The complete world of Ralph Lauren Home can be explored online at RalphLaurenHome.com. Ralph Lauren also offers paint in over 400 palettes. Ralph Lauren Paint is offered at select specialty stores in the U.S. and The Home Depot. The complete color palette, paint how-to's, and a guide to professional painters can be explored online at RalphLaurenPaint.com.
Our Wholesale SegmentSegments
We organize our business into the following three reportable segments:
North America — Our North America segment, representing approximately 52% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale and retail businesses in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Club Monaco. In North America, our wholesale business is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, and to a lesser extent, specialty stores. Our retail business in North America is comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, and our digital commerce site, www.RalphLauren.com.
Europe — Our Europe segment, representing approximately 26% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale and retail businesses in Europe and the Middle East, excluding Club Monaco. In Europe, our wholesale business is comprised of a varying mix of sales to both department stores and specialty stores, depending on the country. Our retail business in Europe is comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, our concession-based shop-within-shops, and our various digital commerce sites.
Asia — Our Asia segment, representing approximately 15% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale and retail businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Our retail business in Asia is comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, and our




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concession-based shop-within-shops. In addition, we sell our products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites. In Asia, our wholesale business is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, with related products distributed through shop-within-shops.
No operating segments were aggregated to form our reportable segments. In addition to these reportable segments, we also have other non-reportable segments, representing approximately 7% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues, which primarily consist of (i) sales of Club Monaco branded products made through our retail businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and our licensing alliances in Europe and Asia, (ii) sales of Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale business in Latin America, and (iii) royalty revenues earned through our global licensing alliances, excluding Club Monaco.
This segment structure is consistent with how we establish our overall business strategy, allocate resources, and assess performance of our Company.
Approximately 45% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues were earned outside of the U.S. See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a summary of net revenues and operating income by segment, as well as net revenues and long-lived assets by geographic location.
Our Wholesale segmentBusiness
Our wholesale business sells our products globally to leading upscale and certain mid-tier department stores, specialty stores, and golf and pro shops. We have continued to focus on elevating our brand by improving in-store product assortment and presentation, as well as full-price sell-throughs to consumers. As of the end of Fiscal 2016,2018, our wholesale products were sold through over 13,00012,000 doors worldwide, and we invested $43 million of capitalwith the majority in related shop-within-shops during Fiscal 2016, primarily in domestic and international department and specialty stores. Our products are also increasingly being sold through the e-commercedigital commerce sites of certainmany of our wholesale customers.
The primary product offerings sold through our wholesale channels of distribution include apparel, accessories, and home furnishings. Our luxury brands, —including Ralph Lauren Collection and Ralph Lauren Purple Label, — are distributed worldwide through a limited number of premier fashion retailers. Department stores are our major wholesale customers inIn North America. In Latin America, our wholesale products are sold inbusiness is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, and to a lesser extent, specialty stores. In Europe, our wholesale sales arebusiness is comprised of a varying mix of sales to both department stores and specialty stores, depending on the country. In Asia, our wholesale business is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, with related products are distributed primarily through shop-within-shops at department stores.shop-within-shops. We also distribute our wholesale products to certain licensed stores operated by our partners in Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
We sell the majority of our excess and out-of-season products through secondary distribution channels worldwide, including our retail factory stores.
Worldwide Wholesale Distribution Channels
The following table presents by segment the number of wholesale doors in our primary channels of distribution as of March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
North America 6,848
 7,018
Europe 4,928
 5,690
Asia 341
 187
Other non-reportable segments 109
 171
Total 12,226
 13,066
We have three key wholesale customers that generate significant sales volume. During Fiscal 2018, sales to our largest wholesale customer, Macy's, Inc. ("Macy's"), accounted for approximately 8% of our total net revenues. Further, during Fiscal 2018, sales to our three largest wholesale customers, including Macy's, accounted for approximately 19% of our total net revenues, as compared to approximately 21% during Fiscal 2017. Substantially all sales to our three largest wholesale customers related to our North America segment.
Our products are sold primarily by our own sales forces. Our wholesale business maintains its primary showrooms in New York City. In addition, we maintain regional showrooms in Bologna, Geneva, London, Madrid, Munich, Panama, Paris, and Stockholm.




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Worldwide Wholesale Distribution Channels
The following table presents the number of doors by geographic location in which products distributed by our Wholesale segment were sold to consumers in our primary channels of distribution as of April 2, 2016:
LocationNumber of Doors
The Americas(a)
7,741
Europe(b)
5,625
Asia(c)
136
Total13,502
(a)
Includes the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.
(b)
Includes the Middle East.
(c)
Includes Australia and New Zealand.
We have three key wholesale customers that generate significant sales volume. During Fiscal 2016, sales to our largest wholesale customer, Macy's, Inc. ("Macy's"), accounted for approximately 11% and 25% of our total net revenues and total Wholesale net revenues, respectively. Further, during Fiscal 2016, sales to our three largest wholesale customers, including Macy's, accounted for approximately 24% and 53% of our total net revenues and total Wholesale net revenues, respectively.
Our products are sold primarily by our own sales forces. Our Wholesale segment maintains its primary showrooms in New York City. In addition, we maintain regional showrooms in Milan, Paris, London, Munich, Madrid, Stockholm, and Panama.
Shop-within-Shops.    As a critical element of our distribution to department stores, we and our licensing partners utilize shop-within-shops to enhance brand recognition, to permit more complete merchandising of our lines by the department stores, and to differentiate the presentation of our products.
AsThe following table presents by segment the number ofApril 2, 2016, we had approximately 25,000 shop-within-shops in our primary channels of distribution dedicated to our wholesale products worldwide. as of March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
North America 16,276
 18,979
Europe 5,302
 6,164
Asia 499
 339
Other non-reportable segments 311
 372
Total 22,388
 25,854
The size of our shop-within-shops ranges from approximately 10050 to 9,200 square feet. Shop-within-shop fixed assets primarily include items such as customized freestanding fixtures, wall cases and components, decorative items, and flooring. We normally share in the cost of building out these shop-within-shops with our wholesale customers.
Basic Stock Replenishment Program.    Basic products such as knit shirts, chino pants, oxford cloth shirts, select accessories, and home products can be ordered by our wholesale customers at any time through our basic stock replenishment program. We generally ship these products within two to five days of order receipt.
Our Retail SegmentBusiness
Our Retail segmentretail business sells directly to customers throughout the world via our 493472 retail stores and 632 concession-based shop-within-shops, totaling approximately 3.8 million and 0.6 million square feet, and 583 concession-based shop-within-shops,respectively, as well as through our own digital commerce sites and those of various e-commerce sites. The extension of our direct-to-consumer reach is one of our primary long-term strategic goals.third-party digital partners. We operate our retail business using ana global omni-channel retailing strategy that seeks to deliver an integrated shopping experience with a consistent message of our brands and products to our customers, regardless of whether they are shopping for our products in one of our physical stores or online.
Ralph Lauren Stores
Our Ralph Lauren stores feature a broad range of apparel, accessories, watch and jewelry, fragrance, and home product assortments in an atmosphere reflecting the distinctive attitude and image of the Ralph Lauren, Polo, and Double RL and Denim & Supply brands, including exclusive merchandise that is not sold in department stores. During Fiscal 2016,2018, we opened 2214 new Ralph Lauren stores and closed 2112 stores. Our Ralph Lauren stores are primarily situated in major upscale street locations and upscale regional malls, generally in large urban markets.



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We operatedThe following table presents the followingnumber of Ralph Lauren stores by segment as of April 2, 2016:March 31, 2018:
Location Ralph Lauren Stores
The Americas(a)
North America		 5641
Europe 2919
Asia(b)
 5951
Total 144111
(a)
Includes the U.S. and Canada.
(b)
Includes Australia.
Our nineeight flagship Ralph Lauren regional store locations showcase our iconic styles and products and demonstrate our most refined merchandising techniques. In addition to generating sales of our products, our worldwide Ralph Lauren stores establish, reinforce, and capitalize on the image of our brands. Our Ralph Lauren stores range in size from approximately 700 to 39,000 square feet.
Club Monaco Stores
Our Club Monaco stores feature fashion apparel and accessories for both men and women with clean and contemporary signature styles. During Fiscal 2016, we opened 16 new Club Monaco stores and closed three stores. Our Club Monaco stores range in size from approximately 700 to 17,40037,900 square feet.
We operated the following Club Monaco stores as of April 2, 2016:
LocationClub Monaco Stores
The Americas(a)


1070
Europe7
Total77
 
(a)


Includes the U.S. and Canada.
Factory Stores
We extend our reach to additional consumer groups through our 272290 factory stores worldwide, which are principally located in major outlet centers. During Fiscal 2016, we added 32 new factory stores and closed 19 factory stores.
We operated the following factory stores as of April 2, 2016:
LocationFactory Stores
The Americas(a)
168
Europe58
Asia(b)
46
Total272
(a)
Includes the U.S. and Canada.
(b)
Includes Australia.
Our worldwide factory stores offer selections of our apparel, accessories, and fragrances. In addition to these product offerings, certain of our factory stores in the AmericasNorth America offer home furnishings. During Fiscal 2018, we opened 22 new factory stores and closed 10 factory stores.
The following table presents the number of factory stores by segment as of March 31, 2018:
Factory Stores
North America174
Europe62
Asia54
Total290
Our factory stores range in size from approximately 1,400 to 26,70028,300 square feet.
Factory stores obtain products from our suppliers, our product licensing partners, and our other retail stores and e-commercedigital commerce operations, and also serve as a secondary distribution channel for our excess and out-of-season products.



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Concession-based Shop-within-Shops
The terms of trade for shop-within-shops are largely conducted on a concession basis, whereby inventory continues to be owned by us (not the department store) until ultimate sale to the end consumer. The salespeople involved in the sales transactions are generally our employees and not those of the department store.
AsThe following table presents the number ofApril 2, 2016, we had 583 concession-based shop-within-shops at 257 retail locations dedicated to our products, which were located in Asia, Australia, and Europe. by segment as of March 31, 2018:
Concession-based
Shop-within-Shops
North America2
Europe25
Asia603
Other non-reportable segments2
Total(a)
632
(a)
Our concession-based shop-within-shops were located at approximately 295 retail locations.
The size of our concession-based shop-within-shops ranges from approximately 200100 to 3,300 square feet. We may share in the cost of building out certain of these shop-within-shops with our department store partners.
E-commerceClub Monaco Stores
Our Club Monaco stores feature fashion apparel and accessories for both men and women with clean and contemporary signature styles. During Fiscal 2018, we opened one new Club Monaco store and closed nine stores. Our Club Monaco stores range in size from approximately 900 to 17,400 square feet.
The following table presents the number of Club Monaco stores by geographic location as of March 31, 2018:
Club Monaco Stores
North America67
Europe4
Total(a)
71
(a)
Our Club Monaco business has been aggregated with other non-reportable segments.




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Directly-Operated Digital Commerce Websites
In addition to our stores, our Retail segmentretail business sells products online in North America and Europe through our e-commerce channel,various directly-operated digital commerce sites, which includes:
Our North American e-commerce sites located atinclude www.RalphLauren.com and www.ClubMonaco.com, as well as our Club Monaco site in Canada located at www.ClubMonaco.ca;
Our Ralph Laurene-commerce sites in Europe, including www.RalphLauren.co.uk, www.RalphLauren.fr, and www.RalphLauren.de; and
Our Ralph Laurene-commerce sites in Asia, including www.RalphLauren.co.jp, www.RalphLauren.co.kr, www.RalphLauren.asia, and www.RalphLauren.com.au.
among others.
Our Ralph Lauren e-commercedigital commerce sites offer our customers access to a broad array of Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Polo, and Denim & SupplyDouble RL apparel, accessories, watch and jewelry, fragrance, and home product assortments, and reinforce the luxury image of our brands. While investing in e-commercedigital commerce operations remains a primary focus, it is an extension of our investment in the integrated omni-channel strategy used to operate our overall retail business, in which our e-commercedigital commerce operations are interdependent with our physical stores.
Our Club Monaco e-commercedigital commerce sites offer our domestic and Canadian customers access to our global assortment of Club Monaco apparel and accessories product lines, as well as select online exclusives.
In addition to our directly-operated platforms, our retail business in Asia sells products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites.
Our Licensing SegmentBusiness
Through licensing alliances, we combine our consumer insight, design, and marketing skills with the specific product or geographic competencies of our licensing partners to create and build new businesses. We generally seek out licensing partners who are leaders in their respective markets, contribute the majority of the product development costs, provide the operational infrastructure required to support the business, and own the inventory. Our licensing business has been aggregated with other non-reportable segments.
Product Licensing
We grant our product licensees the right to manufacture and sell at wholesale specified categories of products under one or more of our trademarks. Each product licensing partner pays us royalties based upon its sales of our products, generally subject to a minimum royalty requirement for the right to use our trademarks and design services. In addition, our licensing partners may be required to allocate a portion of their revenues to advertising our products and sharing in the creative costs associated with these products. Larger allocations typically are required in connection with launches of new products or in new territories. Our license agreements generally have one to five-year terms and may grant the licensees conditional renewal options.
We work closely with all of our licensing partners to ensure that their products are developed, marketed, and distributed to reach the intended consumer and are presented consistently across product categories to convey the distinctive identity and lifestyle associated with our brands. Virtually all aspects of the design, production quality, packaging, merchandising, distribution, advertising, and promotion of Ralph Lauren products are subject to our prior approval and continuing oversight. We perform a broader range of services for most of our Ralph Lauren Home licensing partners than we do for our other licensing partners, including design, operating showrooms, marketing, and advertising.



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Approximately 44% of our licensing revenue for Fiscal 2016 was earned from our four largest licensing partners: Luxottica Group, S.p.A., L'Oreal S.A., Peerless Clothing International, Inc., and Hanesbrands, Inc. The following table lists our largest licensing agreements as of April 2, 2016.March 31, 2018. Except as noted in the table, these product licenses cover North America only.
Category Licensed Products Licensing Partners
Men's Apparel Underwear and Sleepwear Hanesbrands, Inc. (includes Japan)
  Chaps, Lauren, and Ralph Tailored Clothing Peerless Clothing International, Inc.
     
Beauty Products Fragrances, Cosmetics, Color, and Skin Care L'Oreal S.A. (global)
     
Accessories Eyewear Luxottica Group, S.p.A. (global)
     
Home(a)
 Bedding and Bath  Ichida Co., Ltd. and Kohl's Illinois, Inc.
  Utility and Blankets Hollander Sleep Products LLC and Ichida Co., Ltd., and Kohl's Illinois, Inc.
  Fabric and Wallpaper P. Kaufmann, Inc.

(a)


Our Home products are sold under our Ralph Lauren Home, Lauren Ralph Lauren, and Chaps brands. As of April 2, 2016, we had agreements with 11 Home product licensing partners.12


International Licensing
We believe that international markets offer additional opportunities for our iconic designs and lifestyle image. Our international licensing partners acquire the right to sell, promote, market, and/or distribute various categories of our products in a given geographic area and source products from us, our product licensing partners, and independent sources. The international licensees' rights may include the right to own and operate retail stores. As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, our international licensing partners operated 9388 Ralph Lauren stores, 4254 Ralph Lauren concession shops, and 133136 Club Monaco stores and shops.
Digital Ecosystem
Investing in our digital ecosystem remains a primary focus and is a key component of our integrated global omni-channel strategy that spans across owned and partnered channels, both physical and digital. Our digital ecosystem is comprised of directly-operated platforms, wholesale partner websites, third-party digital pure players, and social commerce.
Our directly-operated digital commerce sites represent our digital flagships, displaying the most elevated expression of our brands. The strategy for our digital flagships is to emphasize brand experience, develop digital content that drives deeper consumer engagement and conversion, as well as broaden our omni-channel service offerings, such as pickup and return in store.
Our products are also sold through the digital commerce sites of many of our wholesale customers. We collaborate with our key wholesale partners to leverage consumer insights to extend our reach and improve traffic conversion.
We also sell products online through various third-party digital pure-play sites, which have a higher penetration of younger consumers. On many of these sites, we have created digital shop-in-shop environments with a consistent brand experience, tailored product stories, and an assortment that is carefully curated by our merchants. We also partner closely with our pure-play customers on marketing events, as well as optimizing search and other data analysis to drive higher traffic and conversion for our brands.
In connection with our digital commerce operations, we engage consumers through various digital and social media platforms, which are supported through our collaboration with influencers who have an authentic connection to our brand.
Seasonality of Business
Our business is typically affected by seasonal trends, with higher levels of wholesale sales in our second and fourth fiscal quarters and higher retail sales in our second and third fiscal quarters. These trends result primarily from the timing of seasonal wholesale shipments and key vacation travel, back-to-school, and holiday shopping periods impacting our retail business. As a result of changes in our business, consumer spending patterns, and the macroeconomic environment, historical quarterly operating trends and working capital requirements may not be indicative of our future performance. In addition, fluctuations in sales, operating income, and cash flows in any fiscal quarter may be affected by other events affecting retail sales, such as changes in weather patterns.
Working capital requirements vary throughout the year. Working capital requirements typically increase during the first half of the fiscal year as inventory builds to support peak shipping/selling periods and, accordingly, typically decrease during the second half of the fiscal year as inventory is shipped/sold. Cash provided by operating activities is typically higher in the second half of the fiscal year due to reduced working capital requirements during that period.
Product Design
Our products reflect a timeless and innovative interpretation of American style with a strong international appeal. Our consistent emphasis on new and distinctive design has been an important contributor to the prominence, strength, and reputation of the Ralph Lauren brands.
Our Ralph Lauren products are designed by, and under the direction of, Mr. Ralph Lauren and our design staff. We form design teams around our brands and product categories to develop concepts, themes, and products for each brand and category. Through close collaboration with merchandising, sales, and production staff, these teams support all three segments of our business — Wholesale, Retail, and Licensing —businesses in order to gain market information and other valuable input.




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Marketing and Advertising
Our marketing and advertising programs communicate the themes and images of our brands and are integral to the success of our product offerings. The majority of our advertising program is created and executed on a centralized basis throughby our in-house creative and advertising organizationagency to ensure consistency of presentation, which is complemented by our marketing experts in each region who help to execute our international strategies.
We create distinctive image advertising for our brands, conveying the particular message of each one within the context of the overall Ralph Lauren aesthetic. Advertisements generally portray a lifestyle rather than a specific item and include a variety of products offered by ourselves and, in some cases, our licensing partners. Our communication campaigns are primarilyincreasingly being executed through a combination of print, outdoor, digital and social media platforms to drive further engagement with the younger consumer, with a focus on influencers. In regards to influencers, we believe in investing in long-term relationships with those who have an authentic connection to our brand and influence the areas of culture that matter most to our audiences. We also continue to advertise through print and outdoor media, and, to a lesser extent, through television and cinema.
Our digital advertising programs focus on high impact and innovative digital media outlets, which allow us to convey our key brand messages and lifestyle positioning. We also develop digital editorial initiatives that allow for deeper education and engagement around the Ralph Lauren lifestyle, including the Ralph Lauren magazine, style guides,RL Magazine, RL Style Guide, and videos.a wide array of video and social media content. We deploy these



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marketing and advertising initiatives through online, mobile, email, and social media. Our e-commercedigital commerce sites present the Ralph Lauren lifestyle online, while offering a broad array of our apparel, accessories, and home product lines.
WeAdditionally, we advertise in consumer and trade print and digital media,publications, and participate in cooperative advertising on a shared cost basis with some of our retail and licensing partners. We also provide point-of-sale fixtures and signage to our wholesale customers to enhance the presentation of our products at their retail locations. In addition, when our licensing partners are required to spend an amount equal to a percentage of their licensed product sales on advertising, we coordinate the advertising placement on their behalf. We believe our investments in shop-within-shop environments and retail stores, including our global flagship locations, contribute to and enhance the themes of our brands to consumers. We expensed approximately $280 million related to the advertising and marketing of our products in Fiscal 2016.
We also conduct a variety of public relations activities. Each spring and fall, our Ralph Lauren Women's Collection is presented during New York Fashion Week. We also introduce each of the spring and fall menswear and womenswear collections at press presentations in major cities such as New York City and Milan. These fashion events, in addition to celebrity red carpet dressing moments, model appearances, as well asand events hosted in-store and in our restaurantstores and restaurants, including The Polo Bar in New York The Polo Bar,City, generate extensive domestic and international media and social coverage.
We continue to be the official outfitter for all on-court officials at both the Wimbledon and the U.S. Open tennis tournaments. Both tournaments provide worldwide exposure for our brand in a relevant lifestyle environment. We also continue to be the exclusive Official Parade Outfitter for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, with the right to manufacture, distribute, advertise, promote, and sell products in the U.S. which replicate the Parade Outfits and associated leisure wear. Most recently, we dressed Team U.S.A. for the 20142018 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and will be dressing the team for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio.PyeongChang, South Korea. As part of our involvement with Team U.S.A., we have established a partnership with athletes serving as brand ambassadors and as the faces of our advertising, marketing, and public relations campaigns.
Under Additionally, under our agreement with the United States Golf Association ("USGA"), we continue to be the official apparel outfitter for the USGA and the U.S. Open Championships and serve as the championship's largest on-site apparel supplier. Additionally, under our agreement with The Royal & Ancient, we are an Official Patron of The Open Championship that is played annually on British links golf courses. As part of this agreement, we are outfitting all officials and staff members at The Open Championship and are serving as the championship's largest on-site apparel retailer.
We believe our partnerships with such prestigious global athletic events reinforce our brand's sporting heritage in a truly authentic way and serve to connect our Company and brands to our consumers through their individual areas of passion.




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Sourcing, Production and Quality
We contract for the manufacture of our products and do not own or operate any production facilities. Over 600500 different manufacturers worldwide produce our apparel, accessories, and home products, with no one manufacturer providing more than 5%4% of our total production during Fiscal 2016.2018. We source both finished products and raw materials. Raw materials include fabric, buttons, and other trim. Finished products consist of manufactured and fully assembled products ready for shipment to our customers. In Fiscal 2016,2018, over 97% of our products (by dollar value) were produced outside of the U.S., primarily in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. See "Import"Import Restrictions and Other Government Regulations"Regulations" and Item 1A — "Risk Factors — Our business is subject to risks associated with importing products and could suffer as a resultthe ability of increases in the price of raw materials, freight, or labor; or a manufacturer's inabilityour manufacturers to produce our goods on time and to our specifications."
Most of our businesses must commit to the manufacturing of our garments before we sell finished goods, whether to wholly-owned retail stores or to wholesale customers. We also must commit to the purchase of fabric from mills well in advance of our sales. If we overestimate our primary customers' demand for a particular product or the need for a particular fabric or yarn, we primarily sell the excess products or garments made from such fabric or yarn in our factory stores or through other secondary distribution channels.
Suppliers operate under the close supervision of our global manufacturing division and buying agents headquartered in Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Europe. All products are produced according to our specifications.specifications and standards. Production and quality control staff in Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Europe monitor manufacturing at supplier facilities in order to correct problems prior to shipment of the final product. Procedures have been implemented under our vendor certification and compliance programs so that quality assurance is reviewed early in the production process, allowing merchandise to be received at the distribution facilities and shipped to customers with minimal interruption.



13


Competition
Competition is very strong in the segments of the fashion and consumer product industries in which we operate. We compete with numerous designers and manufacturers of apparel and accessories, fragrances, and home furnishing products, both domestic and international. We also face increasing competition from companies selling our product categories through the Internet. Some of our competitors may be significantly larger and have substantially greater resources than us. We compete primarily on the basis of fashion, quality, value, and service, which depend on our ability to:
anticipate and respond to changing consumer demands in a timely manner;
create and maintain favorable brand recognition, loyalty, and reputation for quality;
develop and produce high qualityinnovative, high-quality products that appeal to consumers;consumers of varying age groups;
appropriately source raw materials at cost-effective prices;
appropriatelycompetitively price our products;products and create an acceptable value proposition for consumers;
provide strong and effective marketing support;
ensure product availability; and
obtain additional points of distribution and sufficient retail floor space, and effectively present our products to consumers.consumers;
attract consumer traffic to both retail stores and websites;
source raw materials at cost-effective prices;
anticipate and maintain proper inventory levels; and
ensure product availability and optimize supply chain and distribution efficiencies.
See Item 1A — "Risk Factors — We face intense competition worldwide in the markets in which we operate."




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Distribution
To facilitate global distribution, our products are shipped from manufacturers to a network of distribution centers around the world for inspection, sorting, packing, and delivery to our retail locations and digital commerce and wholesale customers. This network includes the following primary distribution facilities:
Geographic RegionFacility Location Facility TypeFacility LocationGeographic Region Serviced 
Facility
Ownership
U.S.Wholesale and Retail distribution centerGreensboro, North Carolina U.S.Owned
Wholesale and Retail distribution centerN. Pendleton Street, High Point, North Carolina Leased
U.S. Wholesale distribution centerOwned
NC Highway 66, High Point, North Carolina U.S.Leased
Retail distribution center
Eagle Hill Drive, High Point, North Carolina(a)
 Owned
U.S. Distribution centerLeased
Chino Hills, California Third-party
Distribution centerMiami, FloridaU.S. Third-party
CanadaMiami, Florida Distribution center
Toronto, Ontario(b)
U.S.		 Third-party
EuropeToronto, Ontario Distribution center
Parma, Italy(c)
Canada		 Third-party
JapanParma, Italy Distribution center
Yokohama, Japan(d)
Europe		 Third-party
Yokohama, JapanJapanThird-party
Bugok, South Korea Distribution center
Bugok, South Korea(e)
 Leased
Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Greater China and Southeast Asia(f)
Distribution center
Tuen Mun, Hong Kong(g)(a)
 Third-party
Latin AmericaColón, Panama Distribution centerColón, PanamaLatin America Third-party

(a) 
This distribution center performs customer order fulfillment for our RalphLauren.com and ClubMonaco.com e-commerce operations and our Ralph Lauren, Polo, and Club Monaco retail stores located in the U.S.
(b)
This distribution center performs customer order fulfillment for our businesses in Canada, including our e-commerce operations.
(c)
This distribution center performs customer order fulfillment for our European businesses, including our e-commerce operations.
(d)
This distribution center performs customer order fulfillment for our businesses in Japan, including our e-commerce operations.



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(e)
This distribution center performs customer order fulfillment for our businesses in South Korea, including our e-commerce operations.
(f)
Includes Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand.
(g)
This distribution center performs customer order fulfillment for our businesses in Greater China and Southeast Asia, including our e-commerce operations.Vietnam.
All facilities are designed to allow for high-density cube storage and value-added services, and utilize unit and carton tracking technology to facilitate process control and inventory management. The distribution network is managed through globally integrated information technology systems.
Management Information Systems
Our management information systems make the design, marketing, manufacturing, importing,importation, and distribution of our products more efficient by providing, among other things:
comprehensive order processing;
production and design information;
accounting information; and
an enterprise view of information for our design, marketing, manufacturing, importing, and distribution functions.
The point-of-sale registers, in conjunction with other systems in our stores, enable us to track inventory from store receipt to final sale on a real-time basis. We believe our merchandising and financial systems, coupled with our point-of-sale registers and software programs, allow for efficient stock replenishment, effective merchandise planning, and real-time inventory and sales accounting.
In the U.S. and Europe, we utilize an automated replenishment system to facilitate the processing of basic stock replenishment orders from our Retail segmentretail business and wholesale customers, the movement of goods through distribution channels, and the collection of information for planning and forecasting purposes. In the U.S. and Europe, we also utilize an automated allocation system to facilitate the flow of inventory for our Retail segment.retail business.




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We are in the process of implementing a global operatingcontinually improving and financial reporting information technology system, SAP,upgrading our computer systems and software. For example, as part of a multi-year plan to integrate and upgrade our global systems and processes. The implementation of this global system is scheduled to occur in phases over the next several years. We substantiallyprocesses, we recently completed the migration of our North America operations to SAP during Fiscal 2015, and we are currently in the process of executing the migration of our European operations to SAP, which is expected to be completed during Fiscal 2017. In addition to implementing SAP, we also completed the migration ofoperating and financial reporting information technology system used by our North America operations. We also transitioned our North America digital commerce operations to a new procure-to-paythird-party cloud-based platform during Fiscal 2016,2018, and we expecthave plans to execute the migration oftransition our Europeanother digital commerce operations to this new platform during Fiscal 2017. We are also in the process of building an in-house global e-commerce platform as part of our plan to further enhance our omni-channel capabilities. Rollout of the new global e-commerce platform is expected to be completed in 2018.2019 and beyond.
See Item 1A — "Risk Factors — Risk and uncertainties associated with the implementation of information systems may negatively impact our business,"  "Risk Factors — A data security or privacy breach could damage our reputation and our relationships with our customers or employees, expose us to litigation risk, and adversely affect our business," "Risk Factors — Risks and uncertainties associated with the implementation of information systems may negatively impact our business," and "Risk Factors — Our business could suffer if our computer systems and websites are disrupted or cease to operate effectively."
Wholesale Credit Control
We manage our own credit function. We sell our merchandise principally to major department stores and extend credit based on an evaluation of the wholesale customer's financial capacity and condition, usually without requiring collateral. We monitor credit levels and the financial condition of our wholesale customers on a continuing basis to minimize credit risk. We do not factor or underwrite our accounts receivables, or maintain credit insurance to manage the risk of bad debts. In North America, collection and deduction transactional activities are provided through a third-party service provider. See Item 1A — "Risk



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Factors — A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a limited number of large wholesale customers. Our business could sufferbe adversely affected as a result of consolidations, liquidations, restructurings, other ownership changes in the retail industry, and/or any financial instability of our large wholesale customers."
Wholesale Backlog
We generally receive wholesale orders approximately three to five months prior to the time the products are delivered to customers, with the exception of orders received through our basic stock replenishment program, which ship within two to five days of order receipt. Our wholesale orders are generally subject to broad cancellation rights. Our total
The following table presents our wholesale backlog was approximately $1.4 billion and $1.6 billionby segment as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015, respectively. 1, 2017:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (billions)
North America $0.6
 $0.8
Europe 0.4
 0.4
Total $1.0
 $1.2
We expect that substantially all of our backlog orders as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 will be filled within the next fiscal year.
The size of our order backlog depends upon a number of factors, including the timing of the market weeks for our particular lines during which a significant percentage of our orders are received and the timing of shipments, which varies from year-to-year with consideration for holidays, consumer trends, concept plans, and the basic stock replenishment program's usage. As a consequence, a comparison of the size of our order backlog from period to periodperiod-to-period may not be meaningful, nor may it be indicative of eventual shipments.
Trademarks
We own the RALPH LAUREN, POLO, POLO BY RALPH LAUREN DESIGN, and the famous polo player astride a horse trademarks in the U.S. and approximately 120 countries worldwide. Other trademarks that we own include:
PURPLE LABEL;
DOUBLE RL;
RRL;




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RLX;
LAUREN RALPH LAUREN;
DENIM & SUPPLY RALPH LAUREN;
PINK PONY;
LAUREN;
RALPH;
CHAPS;
CLUB MONACO;
AMERICAN LIVING; and
Various other trademarks, including those pertaining to fragrances and cosmetics.
Mr. Ralph Lauren has the royalty-free right to use as trademarks RALPH LAUREN, DOUBLE RL, and RRL in perpetuity in connection with, among other things, beef and living animals. The trademarks DOUBLE RL and RRL are currently used by the Double RL Company, an entity wholly-ownedwholly owned by Mr. R. Lauren. In addition, Mr. R. Lauren has the right to engage in personal projects involving film or theatrical productions (not including or relating to our business) through RRL Productions, Inc., a company wholly-ownedwholly owned by Mr. R. Lauren. Any activity by these companies has no impact on us.



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Our trademarks are the subject of registrations and pending applications throughout the world for use on a variety of items of apparel, apparel-related products, home furnishings, restaurant and café services, online services and online publications, and beauty products, as well as in connection with retail services, and we continue to expand our worldwide usage and registration of related trademarks. In general, trademarks remain valid and enforceable as long as the marks are used in connection with the related products and services and the required registration renewals are filed. We regard the license to use the trademarks and our other proprietary rights in and to the trademarks as extremely valuable assets in marketing our products and, on a worldwide basis, vigorously seek to protect them against infringement. As a result of the appeal of our trademarks, our products have been the object of counterfeiting. While we have a broad enforcement program which has been generally effective in protecting our intellectual property rights and limiting the sale of counterfeit products in the U.S. and in most major markets abroad, we face greater challenges with respect to enforcing our rights against trademark infringement in certain parts of Asia.
In markets outside of the U.S., our rights to some or all of our trademarks may not be clearly established. In the course of our international expansion, we have experienced conflicts with various third parties who have acquired ownership rights in certain trademarks, including POLO and/or a representation of a Polo Player Design, which impede our use and registration of our principal trademarks. While such conflicts are common and may arise again from time to time as we continue our international expansion, we have, in general, successfully resolved such conflicts in the past through both legal action and negotiated settlements with third-party owners of the conflicting marks (see Item 1A — "Risk Factors — Our trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not be adequately protected outside the U.S." and Item 3 — "Legal Proceedings" for further discussion). Although we have not suffered any material restraints or restrictions on doing business in desirable markets in the past, we cannot assure that significant impediments will not arise in the future as we expand product offerings and introduce trademarks to new markets.
Import Restrictions and Other Government Regulations
Virtually all of our merchandise imported into the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand is subject to duties. In addition, most of the countries to which we ship could impose safeguard quotas and duties to protect their local industries from import surges that threaten to create market disruption. The U.S. and other countries may also unilaterally impose additional duties in response to a particular product being imported (from China or other countries) at unfairly traded prices in such increased quantities that would cause (or threaten) injury to the relevant domestic industry (generally known as "anti-dumping" actions). If dumping is suspected in the U.S., the U.S. government may self-initiate a dumping case on behalf of the U.S. textile industry which could significantly affect our costs. Furthermore, additional duties, generally known as countervailing duties, can also be imposed by the U.S. government to offset subsidies provided by a foreign government to foreign manufacturers if the importation of such subsidized merchandise injures or threatens to injure a U.S. industry. Legislative proposals have been introduced which, if adopted, would treat a manipulation by China of the value of its currency as actionable under the anti-dumping or countervailing duty laws.
We are also subject to other international trade agreements and regulations, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, and other special trade preference programs. A portion of our imported products are eligible for certain of these duty-advantaged programs. In addition, each of the countries in which our products are sold has laws and regulations covering imports. Because the U.S. and the other countries in which our products are manufactured and sold may, from time to time, impose new duties, tariffs, surcharges, or other import controls or restrictions, including the imposition of a "safeguard quota," or adjust presently prevailing duty or tariff rates or levels, we maintain a program of intensive monitoring of import restrictions and opportunities. We seek to




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minimize our potential exposure to import relatedimport-related risks through, among other measures, adjustments in product design and fabrication, shifts of production among countries and manufacturers, and through geographical diversification of our sources of supply.
As almost all of our products are manufactured by foreign suppliers, the enactment of new legislation or the administration of current international trade regulations or executive action affecting textile agreements, or changes in sourcing patterns resulting from the elimination of quotas, could adversely affect our operations. See Item 1A — "Risk Factors — Our ability to conduct business in international marketsglobally may be affected by a variety of legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks" and "Risk Factors — Our business is subject to risks associated with importing products and could suffer as a resultthe ability of increases in the price of raw materials, freight, or labor; or a manufacturer's inabilityour manufacturers to produce our goods on time and to our specifications."
We are also subject to other international trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement and other special trade preference programs. A portion of our imported products are eligible for certain of these duty-advantaged programs. Apparel and other products sold by us are under the jurisdiction of multiple governmental agencies, including, in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
Our products are also subject to regulation in the U.S. and other countries, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which imposes limitations on the permissible amounts of lead and phthalates allowed in children's products. These regulations relate principally to product labeling, licensing requirements, and consumer product safety requirements and regulatory testing,



17


particularly with respect to products used by children. Any failure to comply with such requirements could result in significant penalties and require us to recall products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or operating results. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with these regulations, as well as applicable federal, state, local, and foreign rules and regulations governing the discharge of materials hazardous to the environment. We do not estimateanticipate any significant capital expenditures for environmental control matters either in the next fiscal year or in the near future. Our licensed products, licensing partners, buying/sourcing agents, and the vendors and factories with which we contract for the manufacture and distribution of our products are also subject to regulation. Our agreements require our licensing partners, buying/sourcing agents, vendors, and factories to operate in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and we are not aware of any violations which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business or operating results.
We are also subject to disclosure and reporting requirements, established under existing or new federal or state laws, such as the requirements to identify the origin and existence of certain "conflict minerals" under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and disclosures of specific actions to eradicate abusive labor practices in our supply chain under the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act. While we require our suppliers to operate in compliance with all applicable laws and our operating guidelines which promote ethical and socially responsible business practices, any violation of labor, environmental, health, and safety or other laws, or any divergence by an independent supplier's labor practices from generally accepted industry standards, could damage our reputation, disrupt our sourcing capabilities, and increase the cost of doing business, adversely affecting our results of operations. See Item 1A — "Risk Factors — Our business could suffer if we fail to comply with labor laws or if one of our manufacturers fails to use acceptable labor or environmental practices."
Although we have not suffered any material restriction from doing business in desirable markets in the past, we cannot assure that significant impediments will not arise in the future as we expand product offerings and introduce additional trademarks to new markets.
Employees
As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, we had approximately 26,00023,500 employees, comprised of approximately 15,00012,800 full-time and approximately 11,00010,700 part-time employees. Approximately 14,00013,500 of our employees are located in the U.S. and approximately 12,00010,000 are located in foreign countries. Approximately 25 of our U.S. production employees in the womenswear business are members of Workers United (which was previously known as UNITE HERE) under an industry association collective bargaining agreement, which our womenswear subsidiary has adopted. We consider our relations with both our union and non-union employees to be good.




1819 


Executive Officers
The following are our current executive officers and their principal recent business experience:
Ralph Lauren  Age 7678  Mr. R.Ralph Lauren founded our business in 1967 and, for five decades, has cultivated the iconography of America into a global lifestyle brand. He has been our Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer since November 2015, and a director of the Company since prior to our initial public offering in 1997. He had previously been our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since prior to our initial public offering in 1997 until November 2015. In addition, he was previously a member of our Advisory Board or the Board of Directors of our predecessors since their organization. He founded our business in 1967. For nearly five decades, Mr. R. Lauren has cultivated the iconography of America into a global lifestyle brand.
   
Stefan LarssonPatrice Louvet Age 4153 Mr. LarssonLouvet has beenserved as our President and Chief Executive Officer, and a director of the Company since NovemberJuly 2017. Prior to joining the Company, he served as the Group President, Global Beauty, of Procter & Gamble Co. ("P&G") since February 2015. He was Global President of Old Navy, Inc. a division of The Gap, Inc., from October 2012 through October 2015. Previously,Prior to that role, Mr. LarssonLouvet held varioussuccessively senior leadership positions at H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB (“H&M”)P&G, including the roles of Group President, Global Grooming (Gillette), serving as Headand President of P&G's Global Sales from 2010 to 2012; Head of Global Expansion from 2009 to 2010; Head of Operations, Global Expansion from 2007 to 2009; and Regional Manager, U.S. West Coast from 2005 to 2007. Prior to that,Prestige Business. Before he joined P&G, he served as a Naval Officer, Admiral Aide de Camp in numerous global roles at H&M with responsibility for products, including merchandising, planning,the French Navy from 1987 to 1989. Mr. Louvet graduated from École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris and production.received his M.B.A. from the University of Illinois. He has served as a member of the board of directors of Bacardi Limited since July 2012.
     
Valérie Hermann Age 5355 Ms. Hermann has been our President, Global Brands since September 2016, with responsibility for all aspects of the development of our global brand groups, including Ralph Lauren Luxury, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren, Chaps, and Ralph Lauren Home. She served as our Global Brand President of Luxury, Women's Collections, and World of Accessories sincefrom May 2016. She served as2016 through September 2016, and was our President of Luxury Collections from April 2014 through April 2016. SheMs. Hermann was President and Chief Executive Officer of Reed Krakoff Co. from April 2011 through March 2014. From 2005 to 2011, Ms. Hermannshe served as Chief Executive Officer of Saint Laurent Paris. Prior to that, sheMs. Hermann held various positions at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, including Director of Women's Ready to Wear at Dior.
   
David Lauren Age 4446 Mr. D.David Lauren is our Chief Innovation Officer, Strategic Advisor to the CEO, and Vice Chairman of the Board. He has served as our Chief Innovation Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board since October 2016. From November 2010 to October 2016, he served as our Executive Vice President of Global Advertising, Marketing and Communications. Prior to that, he served in numerous leadership roles at the Company with responsibility for advertising, marketing, and communications. He has been a director of the Company since August 2013. Mr. D. Lauren oversees the Company's global printinnovation processes and digital advertising campaigns, corporatecapabilities to drive its brand strength and fashion communications, strategic marketing partnerships, social media platforms, and key philanthropic and citizenship initiatives. Mr. D. Laurenfinancial performance across all channels. He has been instrumental in growing the Company's global e-commercedigital commerce business and building the Company's global fashion image as it has expanded internationally.pioneering our technology initiatives. He serves on the board of trustees of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention and the board of directors of The National Museum of American History. Mr. D. Lauren is also the PresidentHead of The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation. Before joining the Company in 2000, he was Editor-In-Chief and President of Swing, a general interest publication for Generation X. Mr. D. Lauren is the son of Mr. R. Lauren.
     
Robert L. MadoreJane Hamilton Nielsen Age 5154 Mr. MadoreMs. Nielsen has been our CorporateChief Financial Officer since September 2016. She served as Chief Financial Officer of Coach, Inc. from September 2011 to August 2016. From 2009 to 2011, she was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2015. He served as Senior Vice President of FinancePepsiCo Beverages Americas and the Global Nutrition Group, divisions of the Company from December 2010 through March 2015,PepsiCo, Inc., with responsibility for all financial management including financial reporting, performance management, capital allocation, and was Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer of the Company’s retail division from 2004 to December 2010. From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Madore was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Futurebrand, a division of Mccann Ericsson Worldwide.strategic planning. Prior to that, heMs. Nielsen held various executive management positionssenior roles in finance at Nine WestPepsiCo, Inc. and Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. starting in 1995.1996. She also serves on the board of directors of Pinnacle Foods Inc. Ms. Nielsen received her M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and B.A. from Smith College.




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Item 1A.Risk Factors
There are risks associated with an investment in our securities. The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any of the following risk factors could materially adversely affect our business, our prospects, our results of operations, our financial condition, our liquidity, the trading price of our securities, and/or the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this report. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently view as immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition in future periods or if circumstances change.
Recent changes in our executive and senior management team may be disruptive to, or cause uncertainty in, our business, results of operations, financial condition, and the market price of our common stock.
Effective on November 2, 2015, Mr. Ralph Lauren was appointed Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and Mr. Stefan Larsson was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and became a member of our Board of Directors. In addition to these recent changes, certain members of our executive and senior management team have departed, and we plan to continue to implement other management changes in connection with our long-term growth strategy. These changes in our executive and senior management team may be disruptive to, or cause uncertainty in, our business. The departure of certain key executives and the failure to ensure a smooth transition and effective transfer of knowledge involving senior employees could hinder our strategic planning and execution. Any such disruption or uncertainty could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and the market price of our common stock. Further, such disruption may hinder our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls and compliance with the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The loss of the services of Mr. Ralph Lauren, members of our executive management team, or other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Mr. Ralph Lauren's leadership in the design and marketing areas of our business has been a critical element of our success since the inception of our Company. Mr. R. Lauren is instrumental to, and closely identified with, our brand that bears his name. Our ability to maintain our brand image and leverage the goodwill associated with Mr. R. Lauren's name may be damaged if we were to lose his services. The death or disability of Mr. R. Lauren or other extended or permanent loss of his services, or any negative market or industry perception with respect to him or arising from his loss, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We also depend on the service and management experience of other key executive officers including Mr. Stefan Larsson, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of senior management who have substantial experience and expertise in our industry and our business and have made significant contributions to our growth and success. Competition in our industry to attract and retain these employees is intense and is influenced by our reputation, our ability to offer competitive compensation and benefits, and economic conditions, among other factors. The loss of the services of any of our key executive officers or other members of senior management, or one or more of our other key personnel, or the concurrent loss of several of these individuals or any negative public perception with respect to these individuals, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We are not protected by a material amount of key-man or similar life insurance covering our executive officers, including Mr. R. Lauren, or other members of senior management. We have entered into employment agreements with certain of our executive officers, but competition for experienced executives in our industry is intense and the non-compete period with respect to certain of our executive officers could, in some circumstances in the event of their termination of employment with our Company, end prior to the employment term set forth in their employment agreements.
Recent changes in our executive and senior management team, including the departure of Mr. Stefan Larsson and the appointment of Mr. Patrice Louvet, may be disruptive to, or cause uncertainty in, our business.
Effective May 2017, Mr. Stefan Larsson departed as the Company's President and CEO and as a member of our Board of Directors. Subsequent to Mr. Larsson's departure, Mr. Patrice Louvet was appointed as the Company's new President and CEO and as a member of our Board of Directors, effective July 2017. Our ability to continue to execute our growth strategy may be adversely affected or delayed by the uncertainty associated with this transition. In addition to Mr. Larsson's departure, certain other members of our executive and senior management team have departed in recent years, and we may implement other management and organizational changes in connection with our growth strategy. Any changes in our executive and senior management team may be disruptive to, or cause uncertainty in, our business and future strategic direction. The departure of certain key individuals and the failure to ensure a smooth transition and effective transfer of knowledge involving senior employees could hinder or delay our strategic planning and execution, as well as adversely affect our ability to attract and retain other experienced and talented employees. Any such disruption or uncertainty could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Further, such disruption may hinder our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls and compliance with the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
We cannot assure the successful implementation of our growth strategy.
We have developed a long-term growth strategy with the objective of delivering sustainable, profitable growth and long-term value creation for shareholders, as described in Item 1 — "Business — Objectives and Opportunities." Our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy is subject to various risks and uncertainties, as described within this "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-K.




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Although we believe that our growth strategy will lead to long-term growth in revenue and profitability, there can be no assurance regarding the timing of or extent to which we will realize the anticipated benefits, if at all. Our failure to realize the anticipated benefits, which may be due to our inability to execute the various elements of our growth strategy, changes in consumer preferences, competition, economic conditions, and other risks described herein, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Our failure could also result in the implementation of additional restructuring-related activities, which may be dilutive to our earnings in the short term.
Achievement of our growth strategy may require investment in new capabilities, distribution channels, and technologies. These investments may result in short-term costs without accompanying current revenues and, therefore, may be dilutive to our earnings in the short term. There can be no assurance regarding the timing of or extent to which we will realize the anticipated benefits of these investments and other costs, if at all.
We may not fully realize the expected cost savings and/or operating efficiencies from our restructuring plans, which could include the potential sale, discontinuance, or consolidation of certain of our brands.plans.
We have implemented and plan to continue to implement, restructuring plans to support key strategic initiatives, such as the Global ReorganizationWay Forward Plan, as described in Item 1 — "Business — Recent Developments." These restructuring plans areAlthough designed to maintaindeliver long-term sustainable growth, by enhancing our operating effectiveness and efficiency, right-sizing and increasing the quality of our distribution channels, and reducing our operating costs. Restructuringrestructuring plans present significant potential risks that may impair our ability to achieve anticipated operating enhancements and/or cost reductions, or otherwise harm our business, including:
higher than anticipated costs in implementing planned workforce reductions, particularly in highly regulated locations outside the U.S.;



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higher than anticipated lease termination and store closure costs (see "Our business is subject to risks associated with leasing real estate and other assets under long-term, non-cancellable leases");
failure to meet operational targets or customer requirements due to the loss of employees or inadequate transfer of knowledge;
failure to maintain adequate controls and procedures while executing, and subsequent to completing, our restructuring plans;
diversion of management attention and resources from ongoing business activities and/or a decrease in employee morale; and
attrition beyond any planned reduction in workforce.workforce; and
damage to our reputation and brand image due to our restructuring-related activities, including the closure of certain of our stores.
If we are not successful in implementing and managing our restructuring plans, we may not be able to achieve targeted operating enhancements, sales growth, and/or cost reductions, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We cannot assure Our failure to achieve targeted results could also lead to the successful implementation of additional restructuring-related activities, which may be dilutive to our growth strategy.
As part of our historical growth strategy, we seek to extend our brands and merchandise categories, expand our geographic coverage, and increase direct management of our brands by opening more of our own stores and, from time to time, strategically acquiring or integrating into our existing operations select businesses previously held by our licensees, as well as to enhance our operations by creating a more demand-driven supply chain and right-sizing our cost structure.earnings in the short term.
We may have difficulty integrating acquired businesses into our operations, hiring and retaining qualified key employees, or otherwise successfully managing such expansion. Furthermore, we may not be able to successfully integratesuccessful in the businessexpansion of any licensee that we acquire into our own business, we may incur additional costs, and we may fail to achieve any expected cost savings or synergies from such integration.multi-channel distribution network.
Implementation of our growth strategy involves the continuation and expansion of our retailmulti-channel distribution network, on a global basis, including our e-commerce operations,within international markets such as China, which is subject to many factors, beyondincluding, but not limited to, our control. We may notability to:
identify new or underpenetrated markets where our products and brand will be able to procure, purchase, or leaseaccepted by consumers;
attract customers, particularly in new markets;
identify desirable freestanding or department store locations, renew and maintain existing freestanding store leases and department store locations, onthe availability of which may be out of our control;
negotiate acceptable lease terms, or secure suitable replacement locations. The lease negotiation, as well asincluding desired tenant improvement allowances;
efficiently and cost effectively build-out stores and shop-within-shop locations;
source sufficient inventory levels to meet the number and timingneeds of the new stores and shop-within-shop locations actually opened during any given periodshop-within-shops;




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hire, train, and their associated contribution to net income for the period, depends on a numberretain competent store personnel; and
integrate new stores and shop-within-shops into our existing systems and operations.
Any of factors including, but not limited to: (i) the availability of suitable financing to us and our landlords; (ii) the timing of the delivery of the leased premises tothese challenges could delay or otherwise prevent us from successfully executing our landlords in order to commence build-out construction activities; (iii)distribution expansion strategy. There can be no assurance that our abilitynew stores and our landlords' ability to obtain all necessary governmental licensesshop-within-shops will be successful and permits to construct and operate our stores on a timely basis; (iv) our ability to manageprofitable or if the construction and developmentcapital costs of new stores; (v) the rectification of any unforeseen engineering or environmental problemsassociated with the leased premises; (vi) adverse weatherbuild-out of such new locations will be recovered. Further, entry into new markets may bring us into competition with new or existing competitors that have a more established market presence than us or other competitive advantages. Other risks related to our international expansion plans include general economic conditions during the construction period;in specific countries or markets, changes in diplomatic and (vii) the hiringtrade relationships, political instability, and training of qualified operating personnel in the local market. In addition, the success offoreign government regulation, among other risks described herein. If our e-commerce operations dependsexpansion plans are unsuccessful or do not deliver an appropriate return on our ability to maintain and upgrade our e-commerce platform to provide our customers with a seamless shopping experience. While we continue to explore new markets and are always evaluating new potential locations, any of the above factors could have an adverse impact oninvestments, our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Further,condition could be adversely affected.
The success of our business also depends on our ability to continue to maintain, enhance, and expand our digital footprint and capabilities. Consumers are increasingly shopping online using computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices. Any failure on our part, or on the part of our third party digital partners, to provide attractive, reliable, secure, and user-friendly digital commerce platforms could negatively impact our customers' shopping experience resulting in reduced website traffic, diminished loyalty to our brands, and lost sales. In addition, as we continue to expand and increase the global presence of our e-commercedigital commerce business, sales from our brick and mortar stores and wholesale channels of distribution in areas where e-commercedigital commerce sites are introduced may decline due to changes in consumer shopping habits and cannibalization.
In Europe, we lack the large wholesale distribution channels we haveThe success of our business depends on our ability to respond to constantly changing fashion and retail trends and consumer demands in the U.S.,a timely manner, develop products that resonate with our existing customers and we may have difficulty developingattract new customers, and maintaining successful distribution strategies and alliances in certain major European countries. In Asia,provide a seamless shopping experience to our primary mode of distribution is via a network of shops located within leading department stores. As we operate a direct-to-consumer business in this region and face established competitors, who in some cases maintain licensing relationships with such department stores, we may have difficulty in successfully retaining this network and expanding into alternate distribution channels. In addition, certain of the international countriescustomers.
The industries in which we operate particularlyhave historically been subject to rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer preferences. Our success depends in Asia,large part on our ability to originate and define fashion product and home product trends, as well as to anticipate, gauge, and react to changing consumer demands in a timely manner. Our products must appeal to a broad range of consumers worldwide whose preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and are subject to rapid change, influenced by fashion trends, current economic conditions, and weather conditions, among other factors. This issue is further compounded by the increasing use of digital and social media by consumers and the speed by which information and opinions are shared across the globe. We cannot assure that we will be able to continue to develop appealing styles or successfully meet constantly changing consumer demands in the future. In addition, we cannot assure that any new products or brands that we introduce will be successfully received by consumers. Any failure on our part to anticipate, identify, and respond effectively to changing consumer demands and fashion trends could adversely affect retail and consumer acceptance of our products and leave us with a substantial amount of unsold inventory or missed opportunities. Conversely, if we underestimate consumer demand for our products or if manufacturers fail to supply quality products in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages. Any of these outcomes could have unique operational characteristics that vary from the U.S., including but not limiteda material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. For a discussion of risks related to employmentour inventory management, see "Our profitability may decline if we are unable to effectively manage inventory or as a result of increasing pressure on margins."
Our marketing and labor, transportation, logistics, acquiring store locations, and legal requirements, which may pose challengesadvertising programs are integral to the execution and success of our related growth strategies. Further, macroeconomic trendsproduct offerings and on our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers. Our communication campaigns are increasingly being executed through digital and social media platforms to drive further engagement with the younger consumer, with a focus on influencers. However, we cannot assure that our marketing and advertising programs will be successful or appeal to consumers.
The success of our business also depends on our ability to continue to develop and maintain a reliable omni-channel experience for our customers. Our business has evolved from an in-store experience to a shopping experience through multiple technologies, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices, as our customers have become increasingly technologically savvy. We are increasingly using digital and social media platforms to interact with customers and as a means to enhance their shopping experience. If we are unable to develop and continuously improve our customer-facing technologies, we may not be favorableable to provide a convenient and consistent experience to our customers regardless of the sales channel. This could limitnegatively affect our ability to compete with other retailers and result in diminished loyalty to our brands, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We have also implemented, and expect to continue to implement, new store design concepts as part of our growth strategies in select geographies wherestrategy. There can be no assurance that any of our new store designs will resonate with customers or otherwise achieve the desired sales and profitability measures necessary to recover our initial capital investments. If we have foreignare unable to successfully develop new store designs, or if customers are not receptive to the design layout or visual merchandising, our business, results of operations, such as Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Latin America.




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Achievementfinancial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, the failure of new store designs to achieve acceptable results could lead to our decision to close a store prior to the lease expiration date. For additional discussion of risks related to the early termination of our growth strategy requires investmentleases, see "Our business is subject to risks associated with leasing real estate and other assets under long-term, non-cancellable leases."
The success of our business depends on our ability to retain the value and reputation of our brands.
Our success depends on the value and reputation of our brands and our ability to consistently anticipate, identify, and respond to customers' demands, preferences, and fashion trends in the design, pricing, and production of our products, including the preference for certain products to be manufactured in the U.S. As the Ralph Lauren name is integral to our business, any negative publicity regarding Mr. R. Lauren or our Company, especially through social media which accelerates and increases the potential scope of negative publicity, could negatively impact the image of our brands with our customers and result in diminished loyalty to our brands, even if the subject of such publicity is unverified or inaccurate. Additionally, our failure to comply with ethical, social, product safety, labor, health, environmental or other standards and regulations could damage the reputation of our brands and lead to adverse consumer actions, as well as expose us to government enforcement action and/or private litigation. Even if we react appropriately to negative publicity, our customers' perception of our brand image and our reputation could be negatively impacted. Any failure on our part to retain the value and reputation of brands could adversely impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We face intense competition worldwide in the markets in which we operate.
We face increasing competition from companies selling apparel, accessories, home, and other of our product categories through the Internet. Although we sell our products through the Internet, increased competition and promotional activity in the worldwide apparel, accessory, and home product industries from Internet-based competitors could reduce our sales, prices, and margins and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. We also face intense competition from other domestic and foreign fashion-oriented apparel, footwear, accessory, and casual apparel producers that sell products through brick and mortar stores and wholesale and licensing channels. We compete with these companies primarily on the basis of:
anticipating and responding in a timely fashion to changing consumer demands and shopping preferences, including the increasing shift to digital brand engagement, social media communications, and online shopping;
creating and maintaining favorable brand recognition, loyalty, and a reputation for quality;
developing and producing innovative, high-quality products in sizes, colors, and styles that appeal to consumers of varying age groups;
competitively pricing our products and creating an acceptable value proposition for consumers;
providing strong and effective marketing support;
obtaining sufficient retail floor space and effective presentation of our products at retail stores;
attracting consumer traffic to both retail stores and websites;
sourcing raw materials at cost-effective prices;
anticipating and maintaining proper inventory levels;
ensuring product availability and optimizing supply chain and distribution efficiencies with third-party manufacturers and retailers;
recruiting and retaining key employees;
maintaining and growing market share; and
protecting our intellectual property.
Some of our competitors may be significantly larger and more diversified and may have greater financial, marketing, and distribution resources, more desirable store locations, and/or greater digital commerce presence than us, among other competitive advantages. Such competitive advantages may enable them to better withstand unfavorable economic conditions, compete more effectively on the basis of price and production, and/or more quickly respond to rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer




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demands than us. In addition, technological advances and the retail industry's low barriers to entry allow for the introduction of new capabilities,competitors and products at a rapid pace.
Any increased competition, or our failure to adequately address any of these competitive factors, could result in reduced market share or sales, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our profitability may decline if we are unable to effectively manage inventory or as a result of increasing pressure on margins.
We have implemented key strategic initiatives designed to optimize our inventory levels and improve the efficiency and responsiveness of our supply chain. Although we have shortened lead times for the design, sourcing, and production of certain of our product lines, we expect to continue to place orders with our vendors for the majority of our products in advance of the related selling season. As a result, we are vulnerable to changes in consumer preferences and demand and pricing shifts. Our failure to continue to shorten lead times or to correctly anticipate consumer preferences and demand could result in the build-up of excess inventory. If that occurs, we may be forced to rely on less preferred distribution channels, markdowns, promotional sales, destruction, or donations to dispose of excess, slow-moving inventory, which may negatively impact our overall profitability and/or impair the image of our brands. Conversely, if we underestimate consumer demand for our products or if manufacturers fail to supply quality products in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages, which may negatively impact customer relationships, diminish brand loyalty, and technologies worldwide. These investments may result in short-termlost sales. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Additionally, our industry is subject to significant pricing pressure caused by many factors, including intense competition and a highly promotional retail environment, consolidation in the retail industry, pressure from retailers to reduce the costs without accompanying current revenuesof products, and therefore,changes in consumer spending patterns. Although we have reduced our promotional activity in connection with our quality of sales initiatives, these factors may cause us to reduce our sales prices to retailers and consumers, which could cause our gross margin to decline if we are unable to appropriately manage inventory levels and/or otherwise offset price reductions with comparable reductions in our costs. If our sales prices decline and we fail to sufficiently reduce our product costs or operating expenses, our profitability will decline. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, changes in our customer, channel, and geographic sales mix could have a negative impact on our profitability.
Our business is subject to risks associated with leasing real estate and other assets under long-term, non-cancellable leases.
We generally operate most of our retail stores and corporate facilities under long-term, non-cancellable leasing arrangements. Our retail store leases typically require us to make minimum rental payments, and often contingent rental payments based upon sales. In addition, our leases generally require us to pay our proportionate share of the cost of insurance, taxes, maintenance, and utilities. We generally cannot cancel our leases at our option. If we decide to close a store, or if we decide to downsize, consolidate, or relocate any of our corporate facilities, we may be dilutiverequired to our earnings inrecord an impairment charge and/or exit costs associated with the short term.disposal of the store or corporate facility. In addition, we may continueremain obligated under the applicable lease for, among other things, payment of the base rent for the remaining lease term, even after the space is exited. Such costs and obligations related to incur costs in connection with repositioning our business in certain geographic areas, including in Asia. Although we believe that our strategy will lead to long-term growth in revenue and profitability, the anticipated benefits may not be fully realized.
Risks and uncertainties associated with the implementation of information systems may negatively impact our business.
We are continually improving and upgrading our computer systems and software. For example, we are in the process of implementing a global operating and financial reporting information technology system, SAP, as part of a multi-year plan to integrate and upgrade our operational and financial systems and processes, which began during our fiscal year ended April 2, 2011. We substantially completed the migrationearly closure of our North America operations to SAP during Fiscal 2015, and we are currently in the process of executing the migrationstores or termination of our European operations to SAP, which is expected to be completed during Fiscal 2017. In addition to implementing SAP, we also completed the migration of our North America operations to a new procure-to-pay platform during Fiscal 2016, and we expect to execute the migration of our European operations to this new platform during Fiscal 2017. We are also in the process of building an in-house global e-commerce platform as part of our plan to further enhance our omni-channel capabilities. Rollout of the new global e-commerce platform is expected to be completed in 2018.
Implementation of new information systems,leases, such as the global e-commerce platform and global operatingrecent closing of our Polo store at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial reporting system currently being implemented, involves riskscondition. In addition, as each of our leases naturally expires, we may be unable to negotiate renewals, either on commercially acceptable terms or at all, which could lead store closures resulting in lost sales.
Economic, political, and uncertainties. Any disruptions, delays, or deficienciesother conditions may adversely affect the level of consumer purchases of discretionary items and luxury retail products, including our products.
The industries in which we operate are cyclical. Many economic and other factors outside of our control affect the level of consumer spending in the designapparel, cosmetic, fragrance, accessory, jewelry, watch, and home product industries, including, among others:
actual and perceived economic conditions;
employment levels and wage rates;
stock market performance;
inflation;
interest rates;




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foreign currency exchange rates;
the housing market;
consumer debt levels;
the availability of consumer credit;
commodity prices, including fuel and energy costs;
taxation;
consumer confidence in future economic conditions;
general domestic and international political conditions;
the threat, outbreak, or implementationescalation of terrorism, military conflicts, or other hostilities; and
weather conditions.
Consumer purchases of discretionary items and luxury retail products, including our products, tend to decline during recessionary periods and at other times when disposable income is lower. Unfavorable economic conditions and other factors may also reduce consumers' willingness and ability to travel to major cities and vacation destinations in which our stores are located. Further, consumers may prefer to spend more of their discretionary income on "experiences," such systems could result in increased costs, disruptionsas dining and entertainment, over consumer goods. A downturn or an uncertain outlook in the sourcing, sale,economies in which we, or our wholesale and shipment oflicensing partners, sell our product, delays in the collection of cash from our customers, and/or adversely affect our ability to timely report our financial results, all of which couldproducts may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. See Item 7 — "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Global Economic Conditions and Industry Trends" for further discussion.
A data security or privacy breach could damage our reputation and our relationships with our customers or employees, expose us to litigation risk, and adversely affect our business.
We are dependent on information technology systems and networks, including the Internet, for a significant portion of our direct-to-consumer sales, including our e-commercedigital commerce operations and retail business credit card transaction authorization and processing. We are also responsible for storing data relating to our customers and employees and rely on third parties for the operation of our e-commercedigital commerce websites and for the various social media tools and websites we use as part of our marketing strategy. In our normal course of business, we often collect, retain, and transmit certain sensitive and confidential customer information, including credit card information, over public networks. There is significant concern by consumers, employees, and lawmakers alike over the security of personal information transmitted over the Internet, consumer identity theft, and user privacy.privacy, as cyber-criminals are becoming increasingly more sophisticated in their attempts to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and confidential or sensitive data.
We have a longstanding information security risk program committed to regular risk management practices surrounding the protection of confidential data. This program includes various technical controls, including security monitoring, data leakage protection, network segmentation and access controls around the computer resources that house confidential or sensitive data. In response to recent securityWe have also implemented employee awareness training programs around phishing, malware, and risk trends, weother cyber risks. We continually evaluate the security environment surrounding the handling and control of our critical data, especially the private data we receive from our customers, employees and partners, and have instituted additional measures to help protect us from system intrusion or data breaches. Additionally, we have purchased network security and cyber liability insurance in order to provide a level of financial protection, should a data breach occur.
Despite the security measures we currently have in place, our facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, phishing attacks, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human errors, or other Internet or email events. The increased use of smartphones, tablets, and other devices may also heighten these and other operational risks. The retail industry in particular continues to be the target of many cyber-attacks, which are becoming increasingly more difficult to anticipate and prevent due to their rapidly evolving nature. The technology we use to protect our systems from being breached or compromised could become outdated as a result of advances in computer capabilities or other technological developments. Additionally, measures we implement to protect our computer systems against cyber-attacks may make them harder to use or reduce the speed at which they operate, which in turn could negatively impact our customers' shopping experience resulting in reduced website traffic, diminished loyalty to our brands, and lost sales.




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Any perceived or actual electronic or physical security breach involving the misappropriation, loss, or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential or personally identifiable information, including penetration of our network security, whether by us or by a third party, could disrupt our business, severely damage our reputation and our relationships with our customers or employees, expose us to risks of litigation, significant fines and penalties, and liability, and result in deterioration in our customers' and employees' confidence in us, and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Since we do not control third-party service providers and cannot guarantee that no electronic or physical computer break-ins and security breaches will occur in the future, any perceived or actual unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information regarding our employees, customers or website visitors could harm our reputation and credibility, reduce our e-commerce netresult in lost sales, impair our ability to attract website visitors, andand/or reduce our ability to attract and retain employees and customers. As these threats develop and grow, we may find it necessary to make significant further investments to protect data and infrastructure.our infrastructure, including the implementation of new computer systems or upgrades to existing systems, deployment of additional personnel and protection-related technologies, engagement of third-party consultants, and training of employees. In addition, as the regulatory environment relating to information security and privacy is becoming increasingly more demanding, we may also incur significant costs in complying with the various applicable state, federal, and foreign laws regarding protection of, and unauthorized disclosure of, personal information.

Risks and uncertainties associated with the implementation of information systems may negatively impact our business.
We are continually improving and upgrading our computer systems and software. For example, as part of a multi-year plan to integrate and upgrade our global systems and processes, we recently completed the migration of our European operations to SAP, the operating and financial reporting information technology system used by our North America operations. We also transitioned our North America digital commerce operations to a third-party cloud-based platform during Fiscal 2018, and we have plans to transition our other digital commerce operations during Fiscal 2019 and beyond.


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Implementation of new information systems, such as the global operating and financial reporting system recently implemented, or the transition to a new digital commerce platform, involves risks and uncertainties. Any disruptions, delays, or deficiencies in the design, implementation, or transition of such systems could result in increased costs, disruptions in the sourcing, sale, and shipment of our product, delays in the collection of cash from our customers, and/or adversely affect our ability to accurately report our financial results in a timely manner, all of which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. For additional discussion of risks related to our information systems, see "Our business could suffer if our computer systems and websites are disrupted or cease to operate effectively."
Our business could suffer if our computer systems and websites are disrupted or cease to operate effectively.
We are dependent on our computer systems to record and process transactions and manage and operate our business, including in designing, marketing, manufacturing, importing, tracking, and distributing our products, processing payments, accounting for and reporting financial results, and managing our employees and employee benefit programs. We also utilize an automated replenishment system to facilitate the processing of basic replenishment orders from our Retail segmentretail business and our wholesale customers, the movement of goods through distribution channels, and the collection of information for planning and forecasting. In addition, we have e-commercedigital commerce and other informational Internet websites in North America, Europe, and Asia, including Australia and New Zealand, and have plans for additional e-commercedigital commerce sites in Asia and other parts of the world.future. Given the complexity of our business and the significant number of transactions that we engage in on a daily basis, it is imperative that we maintain uninterrupted operation of our computer hardware and software systems. Despite our preventative efforts, our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from, among other things, security breaches, computer viruses, technical malfunctions, inadequate system capacity, power outages, natural disasters, and usage errors by our employees or power outages.third-party consultants. If our information technology systems become damaged or otherwise cease to function properly, we may have to make significant investments to repair or replace them. Additionally, confidential or sensitive data related to our customers or employees could be lost or compromised. Any material disruptions in our information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our ability to conduct business is exposed to domestic and foreign currency fluctuations.
We generally purchase our products in U.S. Dollars. However, we source most of our products overseas. As a result, the cost of these productsglobally may be affected by changes in the valuea variety of the relevant currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates may also impact consumers' willingness or ability to travel abroad and/or purchase our products while traveling, as well as affect the U.S. Dollar value of the foreign currency denominated prices at which our international businesses sell products. In addition, the operating results of our international subsidiaries are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as their financial results are translated from the respective local currency into U.S. Dollars during the financial statement consolidation process. Foreign currencies that we are exposed to from a transactional and translational perspective primarily include the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the South Korean Won, the Australian Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the Swiss Franc, the British Pound Sterling, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Hong Kong Dollar. Our international expansion will increase our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. Although we hedge certain exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates arising in the ordinary course of business, we cannot fully anticipate all of our currency exposures and therefore foreign currency fluctuations may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, factors that could impact the effectiveness of our hedging activities include the volatility of currency markets, the accuracy of forecasted transactions, and the availability of hedging instruments. As such, our hedging activities may not completely mitigate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our results of operations. See Item 7 — "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk Management."
The success of our business depends on our ability to retain the value of our brands, to continue to develop products that resonate with our existing customers and attract new customers, and to provide a seamless shopping experience to our customers.
Our success depends on the value of our brands and our ability to consistently anticipate and respond to customers' demands, preferences, and fashion trends in the design, pricing, and production of our products, including the preference for certain products to be manufactured in the U.S. Any failure on our part to anticipate, identify, and respond effectively to these consumer demands, preferences, and trends could adversely affect acceptance of our products. The Ralph Lauren name is integral to our business and our business could be adversely affected if Mr. Ralph Lauren's public image or reputation were to be tarnished. Merchandise missteps or unfavorable publicity, especially through social media which accelerates and increases the potential scope of negative publicity, could negatively impact the image of our brands with our customers and could result in diminished loyalty to our brands, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The success of our business also depends on our ability to continue to develop and maintain a reliable omni-channel experience for our customers. Our business has evolved from an in-store experience to a shopping experience through multiple technologies, including computers, mobile phones, tablets, and other devices, as our customers have become increasingly technologically savvy. If we are unable to develop and continuously improve our customer-facing technologies, we may not be able to provide a convenient and consistent experience to our customers regardless of the sales channel. This could negatively affect our ability to compete with other retailers and result in diminished loyalty to our brands, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition.



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The success of our business depends on our ability to respond to constantly changing fashion and retail trends and consumer demands in a timely manner.
The industries in which we operate have historically been subject to rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer preferences. Our success depends in large part on our ability to originate and define fashion product and home product trends, as well as to anticipate, gauge, and react to changing consumer demands in a timely manner. Our products must appeal to a broad range of consumers worldwide whose preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and are subject to rapid change, influenced by fashion trends, current economic conditions, and weather conditions, among other factors. We cannot assure that we will be able to continue to develop appealing styles or successfully meet constantly changing consumer demands in the future. In addition, we cannot assure that any new products or brands that we introduce will be successfully received by consumers. Any failure on our part to anticipate, identify, and respond effectively to changing consumer demands and fashion trends could adversely affect retail and consumer acceptance of our products and leave us with a substantial amount of unsold inventory or missed opportunities. If that occurs, we may be forced to rely on markdowns or promotional sales to dispose of excess, slow-moving inventory, which may harm our business and impair the image of our brands. Conversely, if we underestimate consumer demand for our products or if manufacturers fail to supply quality products in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages, which may result in unfilled orders, negatively impact customer relationships, diminish brand loyalty, and result in lost revenues. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Additionally, if our products do not meet applicable safety standards or our customers' expectations regarding safety, we could experience lost sales, incur increased costs, and/or be exposed to legal and reputational risk. Events that give rise to actual, potential, or perceived product safety concerns could expose us to government enforcement action and/or private litigation. Reputational damage caused by real or perceived product safety concerns could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. See Item 1 — "Business — Sourcing, Production and Quality."
Our ability to conduct business in international markets may be affected by legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks.
Our ability to capitalize on growth in new international markets and to maintain our current level of operations in our existing international markets is subject to certain risks associated with operating in various international locations.locations around the globe. These include, but are not limited to:
the burdens of complying with a variety of U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, trade, labor, and product safety trading restrictions;
compliance with U.S. and other country laws relating to foreign operations, including, but not limited to,restrictions, as well as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits U.S. companies from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, and similar




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foreign country laws, such as the U.K. Bribery Act, which prohibits U.K. and related companies from any form of bribery;
adapting to local customs and culture;
unexpected changes in laws, judicial processes, or regulatory requirements;
adapting to local customsthe imposition of additional duties, tariffs, taxes, and culture; and
new tariffsother charges or other barriers in certain international markets.
We are also subject to general political and economic risks in connection with our international operations, including:
political instability and terrorist attacks;trade;
changes in diplomatic and trade relationships;
political instability and terrorist attacks; and
general economic fluctuations in specific countries or markets.
We cannot predict whether quotas, duties, taxes, or other similar restrictions will be imposed by the U.S., the European Union, Asia, or other countries upon the import or export of our products in the future, or what effect any of these actions would have, if any, on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Changes in regulatory, geopolitical, social, economic, or monetary policies and other factors including those which may result from the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, if any, may have a material adverse effect on our business in the future, or may require us to exit a particular market or significantly modify our current business practices. For example, there are growing concerns regarding trade relations between the U.S. and China, as both countries recently indicated their intention to impose significant tariffs on the importation of certain product categories. Although the U.S. has not proposed new tariffs on apparel-related imports, it had indicated that it was considering expanding the product categories that would be subject to new tariffs. As approximately one-third of our products are sourced from China, the U.S.'s imposition of new tariffs on apparel or other goods imported from China could have a material adverse effect on our cost of sales and profitability. Although we are actively reviewing options to mitigate this risk, including diverting production to other countries, there can be no assurance that we will be able to offset any increased costs through pricing actions or other means. For a discussion of risks associated with the importation of products, see "Our business is subject to risks associated with importing products and the ability of our manufacturers to produce our goods on time and to our specifications."

Our business could also be impacted by changes to the tax laws and regulations in the countries where we operate. For example, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which represents a coalition of member countries, is supporting changes to numerous long-standing tax principles through its Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, which is focused on a number of issues, including the shifting of profits among affiliated entities located in different tax jurisdictions. Taxing authorities of certain foreign jurisdictions may also decide to modify existing tax laws in response to the recently enacted U.S. tax legislation commonly referred to as the TCJA, as described in Item 1 — "Business — Recent Developments." We cannot predict which, if any, of these items will be enacted into law or the resulting impact any such enactment will have on our consolidated financial statements. However, if new legislation were enacted, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. For a discussion of risks related to the TCJA, see "The impact to our business of recently enacted U.S. tax legislation could differ materially from our current estimates."


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Additionally, in June 2016, voters in the United Kingdom approved an advisory referendum to withdraw from the European Union, commonly referred to as "Brexit." Subsequently, in March 2017, the United Kingdom's government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, which formally triggered the two-year negotiation process to exit the European Union. Negotiations to determine the United Kingdom's future relationship with the European Union, including terms of trade, are complex and there can be no assurance regarding the terms or timing of any such arrangements. A withdrawal could significantly disrupt the free movement of goods, services, and people between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and result in increased legal and regulatory complexities, as well as potential higher costs of conducting business in Europe. The uncertainty surrounding the terms of the United Kingdom's withdrawal and its consequences could adversely impact consumer and investor confidence, and the level of consumer purchases of discretionary items and luxury retail products, including our products. Any of these effects, among others, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Brexit has also contributed to significant volatility and uncertainty in global stock markets and currency exchange rates, and such volatility could continue to occur as the negotiation process progresses. For a discussion of risks related to currency exchange fluctuations, see "Our business is exposed to domestic and foreign currency fluctuations."
Our business is subject to risks associated with importing products and could suffer as a resultthe ability of increases in the price of raw materials, freight, or labor; or a manufacturer's inabilityour manufacturers to produce our goods on time and to our specifications.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and depend exclusively on independent third parties for the manufacture of our products. Our products are manufactured to our specifications through arrangements with over 600500 foreign manufacturers in various countries. In Fiscal 2016,2018, over 97% of our products (by dollar value) were produced outside of the U.S., primarily in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Risks inherent in importing our products include:




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changes in social, political, and economic conditions including those which may result from the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, or terrorist acts that could result in the disruption of trade from the countries in which our manufacturers or suppliers are located;
the imposition of additional regulations, quotas, or safeguards relating to imports or exports, and costs of complying with such regulations and other laws relating to the identification and reporting of the sources of minerals used in our products;
the imposition of additional duties, tariffs, taxes, and other charges on imports or exports;
significant fluctuationsunfavorable changes in the availability, cost, or quality of raw materials and commodities;
increases in the cost of labor, travel, and transportation;
disruptions of shipping and international trade caused by natural and man-made disasters;disasters, labor strikes, or other unforeseen events;
significantheightened terrorism-related security concerns, which could subject imported or exported goods to additional, more frequent, or more thorough inspections, leading to delays in the delivery of cargo duecargo;
decreased scrutiny by customs officials for counterfeit goods, leading to security considerations;lost sales, increased costs for our anti-counterfeiting measures, and damage to the reputation of our brands;
pandemic and epidemic diseases, which could result in closed factories, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas;
the imposition of anti-dumping or countervailing duty proceedings resulting in the potential assessment of special anti-dumping or countervailing duties; and
the imposition of sanctions in the form of additional duties either by the U.S. or its trading partners to remedy perceived illegal actions by national governments.
Any one of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. For a discussion of risks related to the potential imposition of additional regulations and laws, see "Our ability to conduct business globally may be affected by a variety of legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks."
In addition, the inability of a manufacturer to ship orders of our products in a timely manner or to meet our strict quality standards could cause us to miss the delivery date requirements of our customers for those items, which could result in cancellation of orders, refusal to accept deliveries, or a substantial reduction in purchase prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Prices of raw materials used to manufacture our products may also fluctuate, and increases in prices of such raw materials could have a material adverse effect on our cost of sales. Furthermore, the cost of labor at many of our third-party manufacturers has been increasing significantly and, as the middle class in developing countries such as China continues to grow, it is unlikely that such cost pressure will abate. The cost of transportation remains significant as well, and it is likely that such cost will fluctuate significantly if oil prices remain volatile. We may not be able to offset such increases in raw materials, freight, or labor costs through pricing actions or other means.
Fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate may result in volatility of our operating results.
We are subject to income taxes in many U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions, with the applicable tax rates varying by jurisdiction. We record tax expense based on our estimates of future payments, which include reserves for uncertain tax positions in multiple tax jurisdictions. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by various taxing authorities. The results of these audits and negotiations with taxing authorities may affect the ultimate settlement of these issues. As a result, we expect that throughout the year there could be ongoing variability in our quarterly tax rates as events occur and exposures are evaluated. Our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may also be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of earnings by jurisdiction or by changes to existing accounting rules. For example, Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09"), which became effective for our Company during the first quarter of Fiscal 2018, has resulted in, and is expected to continue to result in, increased volatility in the provision of income taxes. See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of ASU 2016-09.
In addition, the tax laws and regulations in the countries where we operate may change, such as the recently enacted U.S. tax legislation commonly referred to as the TCJA, or there may be changes in interpretation and enforcement of existing tax laws, which could materially affect our income tax expense in our consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of risks related




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to the potential imposition of additional regulations and laws, see "Our ability to conduct business globally may be affected by a variety of legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks" and "The impact to our business of recently enacted U.S. tax legislation could differ materially from our current estimates."
The impact to our business of recently enacted U.S. tax legislation could differ materially from our current estimates.
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law new tax legislation commonly referred to as the TCJA, as described in Item 1 — "Business — Recent Developments." The TCJA is complex and widely considered to be the most significant overhaul to the U.S. federal tax code since 1986.
Although we expect the TCJA will ultimately benefit our results of operations and financial condition in future periods, primarily due to it reducing the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21%, its enactment resulted in the recognition of net charges of $221.4 million within our income tax provision during Fiscal 2018. These charges were recorded on a provisional basis, as permitted by SAB 118, based on our present interpretations of the TCJA, current available information, and assumptions about future events. Although we believe these provisional amounts represent a reasonable estimate of the ultimate enactment-related impact the TCJA will have on our consolidated financial statements, the amounts could be adjusted materially as additional information becomes available and further analyses are completed. The impact of the TCJA to our business in future periods is also subject to a variety of factors beyond our control including, but not limited to, (i) potential amendments to the TCJA; (ii) potential changes to state, local, and foreign tax laws in response to the TCJA; and (iii) potential new or interpretative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Internal Revenue Service and other tax agencies. Any of these factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from our current expectations and/or investors' expectations and there can be no assurance that the TCJA will ultimately benefit our business, results of operations, and financial condition in future periods.
Our business is exposed to domestic and foreign currency fluctuations.
Our business is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. Specifically, changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies impact our financial results from a transactional perspective, as our foreign operations generally purchase inventory in U.S. dollars, as is common for most apparel companies. Given that we source most of our products overseas, the cost of these products may be affected by changes in the value of the relevant currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates may also impact consumers' willingness or ability to travel abroad and/or purchase our products while traveling, as well as affect the U.S. Dollar value of the foreign currency denominated prices at which our international businesses sell products. Additionally, the operating results and financial position of our international subsidiaries are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as their financial results are translated from the respective local currency into U.S. Dollars during the financial statement consolidation process. The foreign currencies to which we are exposed to from a transactional and translational perspective primarily include the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the South Korean Won, the Australian Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the British Pound Sterling, the Swiss Franc, the Swedish Krona, the Chinese Renminbi, the New Taiwan Dollar, and the Hong Kong Dollar. The expansion of our international business increases our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.
Although we hedge certain exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates arising in the ordinary course of business, we cannot fully anticipate all of our currency exposures and therefore foreign currency fluctuations may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, factors that could impact the effectiveness of our hedging activities include the volatility of currency markets, the accuracy of forecasted transactions, and the availability of hedging instruments. As such, our hedging activities may not completely mitigate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our results of operations. See Item 7 — "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk Management."
A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a limited number of large wholesale customers. Our business could be adversely affected as a result of consolidations, liquidations, restructurings, other ownership changes in the retail industry, and/or any financial instability of our large wholesale customers.
Several of our department store customers, including some under common ownership, account for a significant portion of our wholesale net sales. A substantial portion of sales of our licensed products by our domestic licensing partners are also made to our largest department store customers. During Fiscal 2018, sales to our largest wholesale customer, Macy's, accounted for approximately 8% of total net revenues. Further, sales to our three largest wholesale customers, including Macy's, accounted for approximately 19% of total net revenues for Fiscal 2018, and constituted approximately 29% of our total gross trade accounts receivable outstanding as of March 31, 2018. Substantially all sales to our three largest wholesale customers related to our North America segment.




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We typically do not enter into long-term agreements with our customers. Instead, we enter into a number of purchase order commitments with our customers for each of our product lines every season. A decision by the controlling owner of a group of stores or any other significant customer, whether motivated by competitive conditions, financial difficulties, or otherwise, to decrease or eliminate the amount of merchandise purchased from us or our licensing partners or to change their manner of doing business with us or our licensing partners or their new strategic and operational initiatives, including their continued focus on further development of their "private label" initiatives, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
In addition, as a result of unfavorable economic conditions, certain of our large wholesale customers, particularly those located in the U.S., have been highly promotional in recent years and have aggressively marked down their merchandise, including our products. Such promotional activity could negatively impact our brand image and/or lead to requests from those customers for increased markdown allowances at the end of the season, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In response and in connection with our growth plan, we began to strategically reduce shipments to certain of our customers during Fiscal 2018.
The department store sector has also experienced numerous consolidations, restructurings, reorganizations, and other ownership changes in recent years. Any such actions in the future could result in a reduction in the number of stores that carry our products, and the stores that remain open may purchase fewer of our products and/or reduce the retail floor space designated to our brands. There can be no assurance that consolidations, restructurings, reorganizations, or other ownership changes in the department store sector will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We sell our wholesale merchandise primarily to major department stores across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America, and extend credit based on an evaluation of each wholesale customer's financial condition, usually without requiring collateral. However, the financial difficulties of a wholesale customer could cause us to limit or eliminate our business with that customer. We may also assume more credit risk relating to that customer's receivables. Our inability to collect on our trade accounts receivable from any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. See Item 1 — "Business — Wholesale Credit Control."
Economic conditions could have a negative impact on our major customers, suppliers, vendors, and lenders, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business.
Although we believe that our cash provided by operations and available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities and commercial paper borrowing program will provide us with sufficient liquidity, the impact of economic conditions on our major customers, suppliers, vendors, and lenders and their ability to access global capital markets cannot be predicted. The inability of major manufacturers to ship our products could impair our ability to meet the delivery date requirements of our customers. Deterioration in global financial markets could affect our ability to access sources of liquidity to provide for our future cash needs, increase the cost of any future financing, or cause our lenders to be unable to meet their funding commitments under our credit facilities. A disruption in the ability of our significant customers to access liquidity could cause serious disruptions or an overall deterioration of their businesses which could lead to a significant reduction in their future orders of our products and the inability or failure on their part to meet their payment obligations to us, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our business could suffer if we need to replace manufacturers or distribution centers.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and depend exclusively on independent third parties for the manufacture of our products. We compete with other companies for the production capacity of our manufacturers. Some of these competitors have greater financial and other resources than we have, and thus may have an advantage in securing production capacity. If we experience a significant increase in demand, or if an existing manufacturer of ours must be replaced, we may have to expand our third-party manufacturing capacity. We cannot guarantee that this additional capacity will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us. See Item 1 — "Business — Sourcing, Production and Quality." We enter into a number of purchase order commitments each season specifying a time for delivery, method of payment, design and quality specifications, and other standard industry provisions, but do not have long-term contracts with any manufacturer. None of the manufacturers we use produce our products exclusively.
In addition, we rely on a number of owned and independently-operated distribution facilities around the world to warehouse and ship products to our customers and perform other related logistic services. Our ability to meet the needs of our customers depends on the proper operation of these distribution centers. If any of our distribution centers were closed or were to become inoperable or inaccessible for any reason, we could experience a substantial loss of inventory, disruption of deliveries to our customers and our retail stores, increased costs, and longer lead times associated with the distribution of products during the period




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that would be required to reopen or replace the facility. These disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our business could be adversely affected by natural disasters and other catastrophic events in the locations in which we or our customers or suppliers operate.
We have operations, including retail, distribution, and warehousing operations, in locations subject to natural disasters, such as severe weather, geological events, and epidemic diseases, and other catastrophic events, such as terrorist attacks and military conflict, any of which could disrupt our operations. In addition, our customers and suppliers also have operations in these locations and could experience similar disruptions. The occurrence of natural disasters or other catastrophic events may result in sudden disruptions in the business operations of the local economies affected, as well as of the regional and global economies. In addition, our business can be affected by unseasonable weather conditions, such as extended periods of unseasonably warm temperatures in the winter or unseasonably cold temperatures in the summer. Any of these events could result in decreased demand for our products and disruptions in our sales channels and manufacturing and distribution networks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not be adequately protected outside the U.S.
We believe that our trademarks, intellectual property, and other proprietary rights are extremely important to our success and our competitive position. We devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademarks and anti-counterfeiting activities worldwide. However, significant counterfeiting and imitation of our products continues to exist. In the course of our international expansion we have experienced conflicts with various third parties that have acquired or claimed ownership rights to some of our key trademarks that include Polo and/or a representation of a polo player astride a horse, or otherwise have contested our rights to our trademarks. We have resolved certain of these conflicts through both legal action and negotiated settlements. We cannot guarantee that the actions we have taken to establish and protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent counterfeiting, lost business, or brand dilution, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business. We expect to continue to devote substantial resources to challenge brands arising from imitation of our products. Also, there can be no assurance that others will not assert rights in, or ownership of, trademarks and other proprietary rights of ours or that we will be able to successfully resolve these types of conflicts to our satisfaction or at all. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not protect trademarks or other proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the U.S. and, as a result, our intellectual property may be more vulnerable and difficult to protect in such countries. See Item 1 — "Business — Trademarks," and Item 3 — "Legal Proceedings."
Our business could suffer if we fail to comply with labor laws or if one of our manufacturers fails to use acceptable labor or environmental practices.
We are subject to labor laws governing relationships with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions, and citizenship requirements. Compliance with these laws may lead to increased costs and operational complexity and may increase our exposure to governmental investigations or litigation.
In addition, we require our licensing partners and independent manufacturers to operate in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. While our internal and vendor operating guidelines promote ethical business practices and our employees periodically visit and monitor the operations of our independent manufacturers, we do not control these manufacturers or their labor practices. The violation of labor, environmental, or other laws by an independent manufacturer used by us or one of our licensing partners, or the divergence of an independent manufacturer's or licensing partner's labor or environmental practices from those generally accepted as ethical or appropriate in the U.S., could interrupt or otherwise disrupt the shipment of finished products to us or damage our reputation. Any of these events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.



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A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a limited number of large wholesale customers. Our business could suffer as a result of consolidations, liquidations, restructurings, other ownership changes in the retail industry, and/or any financial instability of our large wholesale customers.
Several of our department store customers, including some under common ownership, account for a significant portion of our wholesale net sales. A substantial portion of sales of our licensed products by our domestic licensing partners are also made to our largest department store customers. During Fiscal 2016, sales to our largest wholesale customer, Macy's, accounted for approximately 11% of total net revenues. Further, sales to our three largest wholesale customers, including Macy's, accounted for approximately 24% of total net revenues for Fiscal 2016, and constituted approximately 36% of our total gross trade accounts receivable outstanding as of April 2, 2016.
We typically do not enter into long-term agreements with our customers. Instead, we enter into a number of purchase order commitments with our customers for each of our product lines every season. A decision by the controlling owner of a group of stores or any other significant customer, whether motivated by competitive conditions, financial difficulties, or otherwise, to decrease or eliminate the amount of merchandise purchased from us or our licensing partners or to change their manner of doing business with us or our licensing partners or their new strategic and operational initiatives, including their continued focus on further development of their "private label" initiatives, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. There can be no assurance that consolidations, restructurings, reorganizations, or other ownership changes in the department store sector will not have a material adverse effect on our wholesale business. Additionally, as a result of the recent unfavorable economic conditions, certain of our large wholesale customers, particularly those located in the U.S., have been highly promotional and have aggressively marked down their merchandise, including our products. Such promotional activity could negatively impact our brand image and/or lead to requests from those customers for increased markdown allowances at the end of the season, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We sell our wholesale merchandise primarily to major department stores across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America and extend credit based on an evaluation of each wholesale customer's financial condition, usually without requiring collateral. However, the financial difficulties of a wholesale customer could cause us to limit or eliminate our business with that customer. We may also assume more credit risk relating to that customer's receivables. Our inability to collect on our trade accounts receivable from any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. See Item 1 - "Business - Wholesale Credit Control."
Volatile economic conditions could have a negative impact on our major customers, suppliers, and lenders, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The heightened state of uncertainty surrounding the global economy continues to impact businesses around the world. The current global political and economic environments have resulted in continued economic unpredictability in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Although we believe that our cash provided by operations and available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities and commercial paper borrowing program will provide us with sufficient liquidity, the impact of economic conditions on our major customers, suppliers, and lenders and their ability to access global capital markets cannot be predicted. The inability of major manufacturers to ship our products could impair our ability to meet the delivery date requirements of our customers. Deterioration in global financial markets could affect our ability to access sources of liquidity to provide for our future cash needs, increase the cost of any future financing, or cause our lenders to be unable to meet their funding commitments under our credit facilities. A disruption in the ability of our significant customers to access liquidity could cause serious disruptions or an overall deterioration of their businesses which could lead to a significant reduction in their future orders of our products and the inability or failure on their part to meet their payment obligations to us, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The downturn in the global economy may continue to affect consumer purchases of discretionary items and luxury retail products, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The industries in which we operate are cyclical. Many economic factors outside of our control affect the level of consumer spending in the apparel, cosmetic, fragrance, accessory, jewelry, watch, and home product industries, including, among others:
general business conditions;
economic downturns;
employment levels;



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downturns in the stock market;
interest rates;
foreign currency exchange rates;
the housing market;
consumer debt levels;
the availability of consumer credit;
commodity prices;
taxation; and
consumer confidence in future economic conditions.
Consumer purchases of discretionary items and luxury retail products, including our products, tend to decline during recessionary periods and at other times when disposable income is lower. Unfavorable economic conditions may also reduce consumers' willingness and ability to travel to major cities and vacation destinations in which our stores are located. A downturn or an uncertain outlook in the economies in which we, or our licensing partners, sell our products may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. See Item 7 — "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Current Trends and Outlook" for further discussion.
The domestic and international political situation also affects consumer confidence. The threat, outbreak, or escalation of terrorism, military conflicts, or other hostilities could lead to a decrease in consumer spending and may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We face intense competition worldwide in the markets in which we operate.
We face increasing competition from companies selling apparel, accessories, home, and other of our product categories through the Internet. Although we sell our products through the Internet, increased competition and promotional activity in the worldwide apparel, accessory, and home product industries from Internet-based competitors could reduce our sales, prices, and margins and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We also face intense competition from other domestic and foreign fashion-oriented apparel, footwear, accessory, and casual apparel producers, some of which may be significantly larger and more diversified and may have greater financial and marketing resources than us. We compete with these companies primarily on the basis of:
anticipating and responding to changing consumer demands in a timely manner;
creating and maintaining favorable brand recognition, loyalty, and a reputation for quality;
developing and maintaining innovative, high-quality products in sizes, colors, and styles that appeal to consumers;
appropriately sourcing raw materials at cost-effective prices;
appropriately pricing products;
anticipating and maintaining proper inventory levels;
providing strong and effective marketing support;
recruiting and retaining key employees;
creating an acceptable value proposition for retail customers;
ensuring product availability and optimizing supply chain and distribution efficiencies with manufacturers and retailers;
obtaining sufficient retail floor space and effective presentation of our products at retail stores;



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maintaining and growing market share; and
protecting our intellectual property.
Any increased competition, or our failure to adequately address any of these competitive factors, could result in reduced market share or sales, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our profitability may decline as a result of increasing pressure on margins.
Our industry is subject to significant pricing pressure caused by many factors, including intense competition and a highly promotional environment, consolidation in the retail industry, pressure from retailers to reduce the costs of products, and changes in consumer spending patterns. These factors may cause us to reduce our sales prices to retailers and consumers, which could cause our gross margin to decline if we are unable to appropriately manage inventory levels and/or otherwise offset price reductions with comparable reductions in our costs. If our sales prices decline and we fail to sufficiently reduce our product costs or operating expenses, our profitability will decline. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, changes in our customer, channel, and geographic sales mix could have a negative impact on our profitability.
Our trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not be adequately protected outside the U.S.
We believe that our trademarks, intellectual property, and other proprietary rights are extremely important to our success and our competitive position. We devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademarks and anti-counterfeiting activities worldwide. However, significant counterfeiting and imitation of our products continues, and in the course of our international expansion we have experienced conflicts with various third parties that have acquired or claimed ownership rights to some trademarks that include Polo and/or a representation of a polo player astride a horse, or otherwise have contested our rights to our trademarks. We have in the past resolved certain of these conflicts through both legal action and negotiated settlements, none of which, we believe, has had a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition. We cannot guarantee that the actions we have taken to establish and protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent counterfeiting or a material adverse effect on our business or brands arising from imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products as a violation of the trademarks and proprietary rights of others. Also, there can be no assurance that others will not assert rights in, or ownership of, trademarks and other proprietary rights of ours or that we will be able to successfully resolve these types of conflicts to our satisfaction or at all. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not protect trademarks or other proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the U.S. and, as a result, our intellectual property may be more vulnerable and difficult to protect in such countries. See Item 1 — "Business — Trademarks," and Item 3 — "Legal Proceedings."
Fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate may result in volatility of our operating results.
We are subject to income taxes in many U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions. We record tax expense based on our estimates of future payments, which include reserves for uncertain tax positions in multiple tax jurisdictions. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by various taxing authorities. The results of these audits and negotiations with taxing authorities may affect the ultimate settlement of these issues. In addition, the tax laws and regulations in the countries where we operate may change or there may be changes in interpretation and enforcement of existing tax laws, which could materially affect our income tax expense in our consolidated financial statements. As a result, we expect that throughout the year there could be ongoing variability in our quarterly tax rates as events occur and exposures are evaluated. In addition, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of earnings by jurisdiction or by changes to existing accounting rules or regulations.
We have significant undistributed earnings held by our subsidiaries outside the U.S. As of April 2, 2016, we had $1.085 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, of which $1.066 billion were held by our subsidiaries domiciled outside the U.S. We currently intend to reinvest these funds in order to fund strategic initiatives, working capital requirements, and debt repayments (both third-party and intercompany) of such foreign subsidiaries. However, if our plans change and we choose to repatriate any funds to the U.S. in the future, we would be subject to applicable U.S. and foreign taxes.
Our Company has an exclusive relationship with certain customers for some of our products. The loss or significant decline in business of these customers could negatively impact our business.
We have exclusive relationships with certain customers for the distribution of some of our products. Our arrangement with these companies makes us dependent on those companies' financial and operational health for the sale of such products. The loss of these relationships could have an adverse effect on our business.



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Certain legal proceedings, regulatory matters, and accounting changes could adversely impactaffect our results of operations.business.
We are involved in certain legal proceedings and regulatory matters and are subject from time to time to various claims involving alleged breach of contract claims, intellectual property and other related claims, escheatment and unclaimed property, credit card fraud, security breaches in certain of our retail store information systems, employment issues, consumer matters, and other litigation. Certain of these lawsuits and claims, if decided adversely to us or settled by us, could result in material liability to our Company or have a negative impact on our reputation or relations with our employees, customers, licensees, or other third parties. In addition, regardless of the outcome of any litigation or regulatory proceedings, such proceedings could result in substantial costs and may require our Company to devote substantial time and resources to defend itself. Further, changes in governmental regulations both in the U.S. and in other countries where we conduct business operations could have an adverse impact on our




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business, results of operations, and financial condition. See Item 3 — "Legal Proceedings" for further discussion of our Company's legal matters.
In addition, we are subject to changes in accounting rules and interpretations issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other regulatory agencies. If and when effective, such changes to accounting standards could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for further discussiona description of recent amendments to currentcertain recently issued or proposed accounting standards.
Our results of operations could be affected by natural events in the locations in which we or our customers or suppliers operate.
We have operations, including retail, distribution, and warehousing operations, in locations subject to natural disasters, such as severe weather, geological events, and pandemic and epidemic diseases, that could disrupt our operations. In addition, our suppliers and customers also have operations in these locations and could experience similar disruptions. The occurrence of natural events may result in sudden disruptions in the business operations of the local economies affected, as well as of the regional and global economies. In addition, our business is affected by unseasonable weather conditions, such as extended periods of unseasonably warm temperatures in the winter or unseasonably cold temperatures in the summer. Such natural events, including unseasonable weather conditions, could result in decreased demand for our products and disruptions in our sales channels and manufacturing and distribution networks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our business could suffer if we need to replace manufacturers or distribution centers.
We compete with other companies for the production capacity of our manufacturers. Some of these competitors have greater financial and other resources than we have, and thus may have an advantage in securing production capacity. If we experience a significant increase in demand, or if an existing manufacturer of ours must be replaced, we may have to expand our third-party manufacturing capacity. We cannot guarantee that this additional capacity will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us. See Item 1 — "Business — Sourcing, Production and Quality." We enter into a number of purchase order commitments each season specifying a time for delivery, method of payment, design and quality specifications, and other standard industry provisions, but do not have long-term contracts with any manufacturer. None of the manufacturers we use produce our products exclusively.
In addition, we rely on a number of owned and independently-operated distribution facilities around the world to warehouse and ship products to our customers and perform other related logistic services. As such, our ability to meet the needs of our customers depends on the proper operation of these distribution centers. If any of our distribution centers were closed or were to become inoperable for any reason, we could experience a substantial loss of inventory, disruption of deliveries to our customers and our retail stores, increased costs, and longer lead times associated with the distribution of products during the period that would be required to reopen or replace the facility. These disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.



29


Our business is subject to risks associated with leasing real estate and other assets under long-term, non-cancellable leases.
We generally operate most of our retail stores under long-term, non-cancellable leasing arrangements. Our leases typically require us to make minimum rental payments, and often contingent rental payments based upon sales. In addition, our leases generally require us to pay our proportionate share of the cost of insurance, taxes, maintenance, and utilities. We generally cannot cancel our leases at our option. If an existing store is not profitable, and we decide to close it, we may be required to record an impairment charge and/or exit costs associated with the disposal of the store. In addition, we may remain obligated under the applicable lease for, among other things, payment of the base rent for the remaining lease term. Such costs and obligations related to the early termination of our leases could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The voting shares of our Company's stock are concentrated in one majority stockholder.
As of April 2, 2016, Mr. Ralph Lauren, or entities controlled by the Lauren family, held approximately 82% of the voting power of the outstanding common stock of our Company. Mr. R. Lauren also serves as our Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Mr. R. Lauren's son, Mr. David Lauren, is an executive officer of the Company and a director on our Board, and we employ other members of the Lauren family. From time to time, we may have other business dealings with Mr. R. Lauren, members of the Lauren family, or entities affiliated with Mr. R. Lauren or the Lauren family. As a result of his stock ownership and position in our Company, Mr. R. Lauren has the ability to exercise significant control over our business, including, without limitation, (i) the election of our Class B common stock directors, voting separately as a class and (ii) any action requiring the approval of our stockholders, including the adoption of amendments to our certificate of incorporation and the approval of mergers or sales of all or substantially all of our assets.
The trading prices of our securities periodically may rise or fall based on the accuracy of predictions of our earnings or other financial performance, including our ability to return value to shareholders.
Our business planning process is designed to maximize our long-term strength, growth, and profitability, and not to achieve an earnings target in any particular fiscal quarter. We believe that this longer-term focus is in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. At the same time, however, we recognize that, from time to time, it may be helpful to provide investors with guidance as to our quarterly and annual forecast of net sales and earnings. While we generally expect to provide updates to our guidance when we report our results each fiscal quarter, we do not have any responsibility to update any of our forward-looking statements at such times or otherwise. In addition, any longer-term guidance that we provide is based on goals that we believe, at the time guidance is given, are reasonably attainable. However, such long-range targets are more difficult to predict than our current quarter and full fiscal year expectations. If, or when, we announce actual results that differ from those that have been predicted by us, outside analysts, or others, the market price of our securities could be adversely affected. Investors who rely on these predictions when making investment decisions with respect to our securities do so at their own risk. We take no responsibility for any losses suffered as a result of such changes in the prices of our securities.
WeIn addition, we periodically return value to shareholders through our common stock share repurchases and payment of quarterly cash dividends.dividends and common stock share repurchases. Investors may have an expectation that we will continue to pay quarterly cash dividends, further increase our cash dividend rate, and/or repurchase all shares available under our Class A common stock repurchase program and/or that we will further increase ourprogram. Our ability to pay quarterly cash dividend.dividends and repurchase our Class A common stock will depend on our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations in the future. This ability may be subject to certain economic, financial, competitive, and other factors that are beyond our control. Further, our Board of Directors may, at its discretion, elect to suspend or otherwise alter these programs at any time. The market price of our securities could be adversely affected if our cash dividend payments and/or Class A common stock share repurchase activity and/or cash dividend rate differsdiffer from investors' expectations.
The voting shares of our Company's stock are concentrated in one majority stockholder.
As of March 31, 2018, Mr. Ralph Lauren, or entities controlled by the Lauren family, held approximately 82% of the voting power of the outstanding common stock of our Company. In addition, Mr. R. Lauren serves as our Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Mr. R. Lauren's son, Mr. David Lauren, serves as our Chief Innovation Officer, Strategic Advisor to the CEO, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, and we employ other members of the Lauren family. From time to time, we may have other business dealings with Mr. R. Lauren, members of the Lauren family, or entities affiliated with Mr. R. Lauren or the Lauren family. As a result of his stock ownership and position in our Company, Mr. R. Lauren has the ability to exercise significant control over our business, including, without limitation, (i) the election of our Class B common stock directors, voting separately as a class and (ii) any action requiring the approval of our stockholders, including the adoption of amendments to our certificate of incorporation and the approval of mergers or sales of all or substantially all of our assets.
We rely on our licensing partners to preserve the value of our licenses. Failure to maintain licensing partners could harm our business.
The risks associated with our own products also apply to our licensed products in addition to any number of possible risks specific to a licensing partner's business, including risks associated with a particular licensing partner's ability to:
obtain capital;
execute its business plans;
manage its labor relations;
maintain relationships with its suppliers and customers; and
manage its credit and bankruptcy risks effectively.




33


Although a number of our license agreements prohibit our licensing partners from entering into licensing arrangements with our competitors, our licensing partners generally are not precluded from offering, under other non-competitor brands, the types of products covered by their license agreements with us. A substantial portion of sales of our products by our domestic



30


licensing partners are also made to our largest customers. While we have significant control over our licensing partners' products and advertising, we rely on our licensing partners for, among other things, operational and financial control over their businesses. Changes in management, reduced sales of licensed products, poor execution, or financial difficulties with respect to any of our licensing partners could adversely affect our revenues, both directly from reduced licensing revenue received and indirectly from reduced sales of our other products.
Although we believe that we could replace our existing licensing partners in most circumstances, if necessary, our inability to do so for any period of time could adversely affect our revenues, both directly from reduced licensing revenue received and indirectly from reduced sales of our other products. See Item 1 — "Business — Our Licensing Segment.Business."
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
Item 2.Properties.
We lease space for our retail stores, showrooms, warehouses, and offices in various domestic and international locations. We do not own any real property except for our distribution facility and an adjacent parcel of land in Greensboro, North Carolina; our retail e-commercedigital commerce call center and distribution facility in High Point, North Carolina; and our retail stores in Southampton and Easthampton, New York, and Nantucket, Massachusetts.
We believe that our existing facilities are well maintained, in good operating condition, and are adequate for our present level of operations.
The following table sets forth information relating to our key properties as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018:
Location Use 
Approximate
Square Feet
     
Greensboro, NC Wholesale and retail distribution facility 1,500,0001,300,000
NC Highway 66, High Point, NC Wholesale and retail distribution facility 847,000
N. Pendleton Street, High Point, NC Retail e-commercedigital commerce call center and distribution facility 805,000
625 Madison Avenue, NYC Corporate offices and showrooms 412,000362,000
Eagle Hill Drive, High Point, NC Wholesale distribution facility 343,000
650 Madison Avenue, NYC Executive and corporate offices, design studio, and showrooms 270,000
Lyndhurst, NJ Corporate and retail administrative offices 178,000
601 West 26th Street, NYCCorporate offices137,800
Geneva, Switzerland European corporate offices 107,000
7th Avenue, NYC Corporate offices, design studio, and Women's showrooms 104,000
Gateway Office, Hong KongAsia corporate offices56,000
Manhattan Place, Hong Kong Asia sourcing offices 46,000
5th Avenue, NYCGateway Office, Hong Kong Retail flagship storeAsia corporate offices 39,00037,500
888 Madison Avenue, NYC Retail flagship store 37,900
N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago Retail flagship store 37,500
New Bond Street, London, UK Retail flagship store 31,500
867 Madison Avenue, NYC Retail flagship store 27,700
Paris, France Retail flagship store 25,700
Tokyo, Japan Retail flagship store 25,000
Lee Gardens, Hong KongRetail flagship store20,200
N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills Retail flagship store 19,400
Regent Street, London, UKRetail flagship store19,000




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As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, we directly operated 493472 retail stores, totaling approximately 3.8 million square feet. We anticipate that we will be able to extend our retail store leases, as well as those leases for our non-retail facilities, which expire in the near future on satisfactory terms or relocate to desirable alternate locations. We generally lease our freestanding retail stores for initial periods ranging from 5 to 15 years, with renewal options. See Item 1A — "Risk Factors — Our business is subject to risks associated with leasing real estate and other assets under long-term, non-cancellable leases."
Item 3.Legal Proceedings.
We are involved, from time to time, in litigation, other legal claims, and proceedings involving matters associated with or incidental to our business, including, among other things, matters involving credit card fraud, trademark and other intellectual property, licensing, importation and exportation of products, taxation, unclaimed property, and employee relations. We believe at present that the resolution of currently pending matters will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. However, our assessment of any litigation or other legal claims could potentially change in light of the discovery of facts not presently known or determinations by judges, juries, or other finders of fact which are not in accord with management's evaluation of the possible liability or outcome of such litigation or claims.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.




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PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "RL." The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of our Class A common stock, as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape, and the cash dividends per common share declared for each quarterly period in our two most recent fiscal years:
 
Market Price of
Class A
Common Stock
 
Dividends
Declared per
Common Share
 
Market Price of
Class A
Common Stock
 
Dividends
Declared per
Common Share
 High Low  High Low 
Fiscal 2016:      
Fiscal 2018:      
First Quarter $141.08
 $127.77
 $0.50
 $84.47
 $66.06
 $0.50
Second Quarter 135.67
 104.34
 0.50
 92.55
 70.36
 0.50
Third Quarter 137.38
 103.29
 0.50
 105.52
 83.26
 0.50
Fourth Quarter 115.85
 82.15
 0.50
 119.33
 100.09
 0.50
Fiscal 2015:      
Fiscal 2017:      
First Quarter $164.75
 $141.93
 $0.45
 $98.50
 $83.66
 $0.50
Second Quarter 174.98
 152.22
 0.45
 109.85
 87.26
 0.50
Third Quarter 185.92
 153.39
 0.45
 114.00
 89.24
 0.50
Fourth Quarter 187.49
 127.29
 0.50
 93.05
 75.62
 0.50
Since 2003, we have maintained, and intend to continue to maintain, a regular quarterly cash dividend program on our common stock. On February 3, 2015,However, any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors approved an increase to the quarterly cash dividendand will depend on our common stock from $0.45 per share to $0.50 per share. Approximately $168 million was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings during Fiscal 2016 in connection with dividends declared.results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
As of May 13, 201618, 2018, there were 750694 holders of record of our Class A common stock and 6 holders of record of our Class B common stock. All of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock are owned by Mr. Ralph Lauren, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and entities controlled by the Lauren family. Shares of our Class B common stock may be converted immediately into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis by the holder. There is no cash or other consideration paid by the holder converting the shares and, accordingly, there is no cash or other consideration received by the Company. The shares of Class A common stock issued by the Company in such conversions are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. No shares of our Class B common stock were converted into Class A common stock during the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016.March 31, 2018.
The following table sets forth repurchases of shares of our Class A common stock during the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016:March 31, 2018:
  Total Number of Shares Purchased 
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(a)
        (millions)
December 27, 2015 to January 23, 2016 819
(b) 
$113.40
 —
 $200
January 24, 2016 to February 20, 2016 1,167,700
 85.61
 1,167,700
 100
February 21, 2016 to April 2, 2016 946
(b) 
94.89
 —
 100
  1,169,465
   1,167,700
  
  
Total Number of Shares Purchased(a)
 
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(b)
        (millions)
December 31, 2017 to January 27, 2018 —
 $—
 —
 $100
January 28, 2018 to February 24, 2018 639
 116.20
 —
 100
February 25, 2018 to March 31, 2018 7,098
 108.46
 —
 100
  7,737
   —
  
 
(a)
As of April 2, 2016, the remaining availability under our Class A common stock repurchase program was approximately $100 million. On May 11, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved an expansion of the program that allows it to repurchase up to an additional $200 million of Class A common stock. Repurchases of shares of Class A common stock are subject to overall business and market conditions.



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(b) 
Represents shares surrendered to or withheld by the Company in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of awards issued under its long-term stock incentive plans.
(b)
Repurchases of shares of Class A common stock are subject to overall business and market conditions.




36


The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return (stock price appreciation plus dividends) on our Class A common stock to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and a peer group index of companies that we believe are closest to ours (the "Peer Group") for the period from April 2, 2011,March 30, 2013, the last day of our 20112013 fiscal year, through April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, the last day of our 20162018 fiscal year. Our Peer Group consists of Burberry Group PLC, Coach, Inc., Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Hermes International, Kering, Luxottica Group, LVMH, PVH Corp., Tapestry, Inc., Tiffany & Co., Tod's S.p.A., and V.F. Corporation. All calculations for foreign companies in our Peer Group are performed using the local foreign issue of such companies. The returns are calculated by assuming ana $100 investment on March 30, 2013 in the Class A common stock and eachor March 31, 2013 in an index, of $100 on April 2, 2011, with all dividends reinvested.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*RETURN
Among Ralph Lauren Corporation, the S&P 500 Index, and a Peer Group
*$100 invested on April 2, 2011 in stock or March 31, 2011 in an index, including reinvestment of dividends. Index calculated on a month-end basis.chart-0d2e1fac49085f3bb03.jpg
Item 6.Selected Financial Data
See the "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Information," and specifically "Selected Financial Information" appearing at the end of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7 — "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Item 8 — "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Historical results may not be indicative of future results.




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Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations ("MD&A") should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes,notes thereto, which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We utilize a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to March 31. As such, Fiscal 20162018 ended on March 31, 2018 and was a 52-week period; Fiscal 2017 ended on April 1, 2017 and was a 52-week period; Fiscal 2016 ended on April 2, 2016 and was a 53-week period; and Fiscal 2015 ended on March 28, 2015 and was a 52-week period; and Fiscal 2014 ended on March 29, 2014 and was also a 52-week period. Fiscal 20172019 will end on April 1, 2017March 30, 2019 and will be a 52-week period.
INTRODUCTION
MD&A is provided as a supplement to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and footnotesnotes thereto to help provide an understanding of our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. MD&A is organized as follows:
Overview.    This section provides a general description of our business, currentglobal economic conditions and industry trends, and outlook, and a summary of our financial performance for Fiscal 2016.2018. In addition, this section includes a discussion of recent developments and transactions affecting comparability that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition, and in anticipating future trends.
Results of operations.    This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2015 as compared to Fiscal 2014.the respective prior fiscal year.
Financial condition and liquidity.    This section provides a discussion of our financial condition and liquidity as of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, which includes (i) an analysis of our financial condition as compared to the prior fiscal year-end; (ii) an analysis of changes in our cash flows for Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 20152017 as compared to the respective prior fiscal year; (iii) an analysis of our liquidity, including the availability under our commercial paper borrowing program and credit facilities, common stock repurchases, payments of dividends, and our outstanding debt and covenant compliance; and (iv) a summary of our contractual and other obligations as of April 2, 2016.March 31, 2018.
Market risk management.    This section discusses how we manage our risk exposures related to foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and our investments as of April 2, 2016.March 31, 2018.
Critical accounting policies.    This section discusses accounting policies considered to be important to our results of operations and financial condition, which typically require significant judgment and estimation on the part of management in their application. In addition, all of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 3 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued accounting standards.    This section discusses the potential impact on our reported results of operations and financial condition of certain accounting standards that have been recently issued or proposed.
OVERVIEW
Our Business
Our Company is a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product categories. Our long-standing reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands, sales channels, and international markets. Our brand names include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Chaps, and Club Monaco, and American Living, among others.
We classifydiversify our businesses into three segments: Wholesale, Retail,business by geography (North America, Europe, and Licensing.Asia, among other regions) and channels of distribution (wholesale, retail, and licensing). This allows us to maintain a dynamic balance as our operating results do not depend solely on the performance of any single geographic area or channel of distribution. Our Wholesale business, which represented approximately 45% of our Fiscal 2016 net revenues, consists ofwholesale sales are made principally to major department stores and specialty stores around the world. Our Retail business, which represented approximately 53% of our Fiscal 2016 net revenues, consists of sales madeWe also sell directly to consumers through our integrated retail channel, which includes our retail stores, concession-based shop-within-shops, and our e-commercedigital commerce operations around the world. Our Licensing business, which represented approximately 2% of our Fiscal 2016 net revenues, consists of royalty-based arrangements under whichIn addition, we license to unrelated third parties for specified periods the right to operate retail stores and/or to use our various trademarks in connection with the manufacture and sale of designated products, such as certain apparel, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings. Approximately




3538 


We organize our business into the following three reportable segments:
37%North America — Our North America segment, representing approximately 52% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale and retail businesses in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Club Monaco. In North America, our wholesale business is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, and to a lesser extent, specialty stores. Our retail business in North America is comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, and our digital commerce site, www.RalphLauren.com.
Europe — Our Europe segment, representing approximately 26% of our Fiscal 20162018 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale and retail businesses in Europe and the Middle East, excluding Club Monaco. In Europe, our wholesale business is comprised of a varying mix of sales to both department stores and specialty stores, depending on the country. Our retail business in Europe is comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, our concession-based shop-within-shops, and our various digital commerce sites.
Asia — Our Asia segment, representing approximately 15% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale and retail businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Our retail business in Asia is comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, and our concession-based shop-within-shops. In addition, we sell our products through various third-party digital partner commerce sites. In Asia, our wholesale business is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, with related products distributed through shop-within-shops.
In addition to these reportable segments, we also have other non-reportable segments, representing approximately 7% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues, which primarily consist of (i) sales of Club Monaco branded products made through our retail businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and our licensing alliances in Europe and Asia, (ii) sales of Ralph Lauren branded products made through our wholesale business in Latin America, and (iii) royalty revenues earned through our global licensing alliances, excluding Club Monaco.
Approximately 45% of our Fiscal 2018 net revenues were earned outside of the U.S. See Note 2119 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for a summaryfurther discussion of net revenues, operating income, and total assets by reportableour segment as well as net revenues and long-lived assets by geographic location.reporting structure.
Our business is typically affected by seasonal trends, with higher levels of wholesale sales in our second and fourth fiscal quarters and higher retail sales in our second and third fiscal quarters. These trends result primarily from the timing of seasonal wholesale shipments and key vacation travel, back-to-school, and holiday shopping periods impacting our Retail segment.retail business.
CurrentGlobal Economic Conditions and Industry Trends and Outlook
The global economy continuesand our industry are impacted by many different influences. Most recently, the U.S. enacted new tax legislation known as the TCJA (as defined within "Recent Developments"), which is intended to bestimulate economic growth and capital investment in a heightened state of uncertainty, as productivity growth inthe U.S. by, among its other provisions, lowering tax rates for both advancedcorporations and emerging countries remains low.individuals alike. Certain other worldwide events, including political unrest, disease epidemics,acts of terrorism, monetary policy changes, and currency and commodity price changes, increase volatility as well as China's recent economic slowdown, continue to impact consumer confidence andin the global economy as a whole, as well aseconomy. In addition, the world's stock markets. While certain geographic regions are withstanding these pressures better than others,current domestic and international political environment, including potential changes to other U.S. policies related to global trade, immigration, and healthcare, have also resulted in uncertainty surrounding the levelfuture state of consumer travelthe global economy. As our international business continues to grow, and spending on discretionary items remains constrained in certain markets, with trends likely to continue in 2016. Additionally, consumers are increasingly spending more of their discretionary income on “experiences,” such as dining and entertainment, over consumer goods. Consequently, consumer retail traffic remains relatively weak and inconsistent, which has led to increased competition and a desire to offset traffic declines with increased levels of conversion. Certainbecause the majority of our operations have experienced, and have been impacted by, these dynamics, with variations acrossproducts are produced outside of the geographic regions and businessesU.S., major changes in which we operate.
If the current economic conditions and challenging industry trends continueglobal tax policies or worsen, the constrained level of worldwide consumer spending and modified consumption behavior may continue totrade relations could have a negativematerial adverse effect on our sales, inventory levels, andbusiness or operating margin in Fiscal 2017. Furthermore, ourresults. Our results also have been, and are expected to continue to be, negatively impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
In addition, the retail landscape in which we operate is evolving, with consumers continuing to diversify the channels in which they transact and shifting their shopping preference from physical stores to online. This, along with other factors, has resulted in many retailers, including certain of our large wholesale customers, becoming highly promotional and aggressively marking down their merchandise in an attempt to offset declines in physical store traffic. The retail industry, particularly in the U.S., has also experienced numerous bankruptcies, restructurings, and ownership changes in recent years. Certain of our operations, including our North America wholesale business, have been negatively impacted by these dynamics. The continuation of these industry trends could further impact consumer spending and consumption behavior in our industry, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or operating results. Additionally, changes in economic conditions, including those that may result from the TCJA, can further impact consumer discretionary income levels and spending. While we are optimistic that the TCJA will stimulate economic growth, it is still too early to determine the resulting impact on consumer spending and consumption behavior.




39


We have initiatedimplemented various operating strategies globally to mitigatehelp address many of these current challenges, and remain optimistic about our future growth prospects. Accordingly, we continue to investbuild a foundation for long-term profitable growth centered around strengthening our consumer-facing areas of product, stores, and marketing across channels and driving a more efficient operating model. In connection with these strategies, we are taking deliberate actions to ensure promotional consistency across channels and enhance the overall brand and shopping experience, including reducing shipments to better align with underlying demand and lower inventory levels. Additionally, we are optimizing our wholesale distribution channel, and closed approximately 25% of our underperforming U.S. department store points of distribution during Fiscal 2018. Further, in October 2017, we began to shift to a more cost-effective and flexible platform for our longer-term growth initiatives, includingdirectly operated digital businesses, which is expected to deliver a more brand-enhancing and consistent customer experience across our global digital ecosystem. See our restructuring activities as described within "Recent Developments" below while continually monitoring macroeconomic risks and remaining focused on disciplined expense management.for further discussion. Although we continue to expect that the dilutive effects of investments that we are making in our business willand our quality of sales initiatives may create operating marginprofit pressure in the near-term, we expect that these initiatives will create longer-term shareholder value.
We will continue to monitor these risksconditions and trends and evaluate and adjust our operating strategies and foreign currency and cost management opportunities to help mitigate the related impact on our results of operations, while remaining focused on the long-term growth of our business and protecting the value of our brand.
For a detailed discussion of significant risk factors that have the potential to cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations, see Part I, Item 1A — "Risk Factors" included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Summary of Financial Performance
Operating Results
In Fiscal 2016,2018, we reported net revenues of $7.405$6.182 billion,, net income of $396$162.8 million,, and net income per diluted share of $4.62,$1.97, as compared to net revenues of $7.620$6.653 billion,, a net incomeloss of $702$99.3 million,, and net incomeloss per diluted share of $7.88$1.20 in Fiscal 2015.2017. The comparability of our operating results has been affected by TCJA enactment-related charges incurred in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan (as defined within "Recent Developments"below),recorded during Fiscal 2018, as well as restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges primarily related to a pending customs auditrecorded during both Fiscal 2018 and the settlement of certain litigation claims, unfavorable foreign currency effects, and the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, all2017, as discussed further below.
During Fiscal 2016,2018, net revenues declined 2.8%7.1% on a reported basis and increased 0.8%8.4% on a constant currency basis, as defined within "Transactions and Trends Affecting Comparability of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" below. The decline in reported net revenues during Fiscal 2016 reflected2018 was primarily due to lower sales from our North America segment driven by the impact of our quality of distribution and sales initiatives, including lower levels of promotional activity and a strategic reduction in shipments, as well as brand discontinuances and lower consumer demand.
Our gross profit as a percentage of net revenues from our wholesale and retail businesses,increased by 580 basis points to 60.7% during Fiscal 2018, primarily driven by unfavorable foreign currency effects and a more competitive retail environment, partially offset by the favorable impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $72 million. Our gross margin percentage declined by 100 basis points to 56.5% during Fiscal 2016, primarily driven by unfavorable foreign currency effects and certainlower non-cash inventory-related charges recorded in connection with the Global ReorganizationWay Forward Plan, partially offset by increased profitability largely attributable tolower levels of promotional activity in connection with our long-term growth strategy, favorable geographic and channel mix. mix, and lower sourcing costs.
Selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased by 250240 basis points to 45.8%50.1% during Fiscal 2016,2018, primarily due to operating deleverage on lower net revenues and the unfavorable impact attributable to geographic and channel mix, as a greater portion of our revenue was generated by our international retail businesses (which typically carry higher operating expense margins). These increases were largely offset by our operational discipline and cost savings associated with our restructuring activities.
Net income increased by $262.1 million to $162.8 million in Fiscal 2018 as compared to Fiscal 2017, primarily due to a $590.5 million increase in part to unfavorable foreign currency effects, and increased investmentsoperating income, partially offset by a $332.0 million increase in our stores, facilities,income tax provision largely driven by TCJA enactment-related charges.
Net income per diluted share increased by $3.17 to $1.97 per share in Fiscal 2018 as compared to Fiscal 2017, due to higher net income and infrastructure consistent withlower weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during Fiscal 2018.
Net income during Fiscal 2018 reflected TCJA enactment-related charges of $221.4 million, or $2.68 per diluted share. Our operating results during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017 were also negatively impacted by restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $165.6 million and $770.3 million, respectively, which had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $113.3 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, and $592.1 million, or $7.10 per diluted share, respectively. In addition, our longer-term initiatives.net loss during Fiscal 2017 reflected the favorable impact of $15.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, related to the reversal of an income tax reserve resulting from a change in tax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax.




3640 


Net income declined by $306 million in Fiscal 2016 as compared to Fiscal 2015, primarily due to a $453 million decrease in operating income, partially offset by a $129 million decline in our provision for income taxes. The lower income tax provision for Fiscal 2016 was primarily driven by lower pretax income and a decline in our reported effective tax rate of 70 basis points. Net income per diluted share declined by $3.26 to $4.62 per share in Fiscal 2016 as compared to Fiscal 2015, primarily due to lower net income, partially offset by lower weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during Fiscal 2016. Our operating results during Fiscal 2016 included $142 million of pretax charges recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan, $48 million of other charges primarily related to a pending customs audit and the settlement of certain litigation claims, and $22 million of other non-cash impairment charges related to underperforming stores subject to potential future closure, which together had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $150 million, or approximately $1.74 per diluted share. Partially offsetting these charges was the favorable impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which increased net income by $8 million, or approximately $0.10 per diluted share. Net income per diluted share also included unfavorable foreign currency impacts of approximately $1.10 per diluted share in Fiscal 2016.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
We ended Fiscal 20162018 in a net cash and investments position (cash and cash equivalents plus short-term and non-current investments, less total debt) of $559 million,$1.494 billion, compared to $620$786.2 million as of the end of Fiscal 2015.2017. The declineincrease in our net cash and investments position was primarily due to our operating cash flows of $975.1 million, partially offset by our use of cash to support Class A common stock repurchases of $500 million, including withholdings in satisfaction of tax obligations for stock-based compensation awards, to invest in our business through $418$161.6 million ofin capital expenditures and to make cash dividend payments of $170 million, partially offset by our operating cash flows of $1.007 billion during Fiscal 2016.$162.4 million.
We generated $1.007 billion$975.1 million of cash from operations during Fiscal 2016,2018, compared to $894$952.6 million during Fiscal 2015.2017. The increase in our operating cash flows was primarily due to a net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities, including our working capital, as compared to the prior fiscal year, partially offset by a decline in net income before non-cash charges during Fiscal 2016 as compared to the prior fiscal year.charges.
Our equity declinedincreased to $3.744$3.457 billion as of March 31, 2018, compared to $3.300 billion as of April 2, 2016, compared to $3.891 billion as of March 28, 2015,1, 2017, primarily due to our Class A common stock repurchases and dividends declared, partially offset by our comprehensive income and the net impact of stock-based compensation arrangements, partially offset by our dividends declared during Fiscal 2016.2018.
Recent Developments
U.S. Tax Reform
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law new tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA"), which became effective January 1, 2018. The TCJA significantly revised U.S. tax law by, among other provisions, lowering the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21%, creating a territorial tax system that includes a one-time mandatory transition tax on previously deferred foreign earnings, and eliminating or reducing certain income tax deductions.
During Fiscal 2018, we recorded net charges of $221.4 million within our income tax provision in connection with the TCJA, of which $209.3 million related to the mandatory transition tax, which we expect to pay over an eight-year period. These charges, which were recorded on a provisional basis as permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), negatively impacted our effective tax rate by 4,520 basis points and lowered our diluted earnings per share by $2.68 during Fiscal 2018. The provisional amounts were based on our present interpretations of the TCJA, current available information, and assumptions about future events, and are subject to further refinement as additional information becomes available and further analyses are completed.
Despite these enactment-related charges, we expect the TCJA will ultimately benefit our results of operations and financial condition in future periods, primarily due to the lower U.S. federal statutory income tax rate.
Additionally, we reevaluated our permanent reinvestment assertion and determined that undistributed foreign earnings that were subject to the one-time mandatory transition tax were no longer considered to be permanently reinvested, effective December 31, 2017. In connection with this decision, we repatriated $252.0 million of cash to the U.S. from certain of our foreign subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018, and we repatriated an additional $400.0 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2019.
See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion regarding the TCJA.
Change in Chief Executive Officer
Effective May 2017, Mr. Stefan Larsson departed as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors. In connection with Mr. Larsson's departure, we recorded cumulative other charges of $17.0 million, of which $5.6 million and $11.4 million were recorded during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017, respectively. We do not expect to incur additional charges related to Mr. Larsson's departure. See Note 9 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the charges recorded in connection with Mr. Larsson's departure.
Subsequent to Mr. Larsson's departure, Mr. Patrice Louvet was appointed as the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors, effective July 2017.




41


Way Forward Plan
On June 2, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan with the objective of delivering sustainable, profitable sales growth and long-term value creation for shareholders (the "Way Forward Plan"). We are refocusing on our core brands and evolving our product, marketing, and shopping experience to increase desirability and relevance. We are also evolving our operating model to enable sustainable, profitable sales growth by significantly improving quality of sales, reducing supply chain lead times, improving our sourcing, and executing a disciplined multi-channel distribution and expansion strategy. As part of the Way Forward Plan, we are rightsizing our cost structure and implementing a return on investment-driven financial model to free up resources to invest in the brand and drive high-quality sales. The Way Forward Plan includes strengthening our leadership team and creating a more nimble organization by moving from an average of nine to six layers of management. The Way Forward Plan also includes the discontinuance of our Denim & Supply brand and the integration of our denim product offerings into our Polo Ralph Lauren brand. Collectively, these actions, which were substantially completed during Fiscal 2017, resulted in a reduction in workforce and the closure of certain stores and shop-within-shops, as well as gross annualized expense savings of approximately $200 million.
On March 30, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the following additional restructuring-related activities associated with the Way Forward Plan: (i) the restructuring of our in-house global digital commerce platform which was in development and shifting to a more cost-effective, flexible platform through a new agreement with Salesforce's Commerce Cloud, formerly known as Demandware; (ii) the closure of our Polo store at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City; and (iii) the further streamlining of the organization and the execution of other key corporate actions in line with the Way Forward Plan. These actions, which are expected to result in additional expense savings of approximately $140 million, are an important part of our efforts to achieve our stated objective to return to sustainable, profitable growth and invest in the future. These additional restructuring-related activities were largely completed during Fiscal 2018 and resulted in a further reduction in workforce and the closure of certain corporate office and store locations. The remaining activities, which are primarily lease-related, are expected to be completed during Fiscal 2019.
In connection with the Way Forward Plan, we currently expect to incur total estimated charges of approximately $770 million, comprised of cash-related restructuring charges of approximately $450 million and non-cash charges of approximately $320 million. Cumulative charges incurred since inception were $669.2 million, of which $102.8 million and $566.4 million were incurred during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017, respectively, and we expect to incur the remaining charges of approximately $100 million during Fiscal 2019. In addition to these charges, we also incurred an additional non-cash charge of $155.2 million during Fiscal 2017 associated with the destruction of inventory out of current liquidation channels in line with our Way Forward Plan. See Notes 8 and 9 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for detailed discussions of the charges recorded in connection with the Way Forward Plan.
Global Reorganization Plan
On May 12, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a reorganization and restructuring plan comprised of the following major actions: (i) the reorganization of the Company from its historical channel and regional structure to an integrated global brand-basedCompany's operating structure which willin order to streamline our business processes to better align our cost structure with our long-term growth strategy; (ii) a strategic store and shop-within-shop performance review conducted by region and brand; (iii) a targeted corporate functional area review; and (iv) the consolidation of certain of our luxury lines (collectively, the "Global Reorganization Plan"). The Global Reorganization Plan has resulted in a reduction in workforce and the closure of certain stores and shop-within-shops. Actions associated with the Global Reorganization Plan were substantially completed during Fiscal 2016 and are expected to resultresulted in improved operational efficiencies by reducing annual operating expenses by approximately $125 million.
InSince its inception, we have recorded total cumulative charges of $147.4 million in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan, weof which $4.9 million and $142.5 million were recorded total charges of $142 million during Fiscal 2016 (see Notes 10 and 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements) and expect to incur additional charges of approximately $5 million during Fiscal 2017.
In addition, we continue to develop and work towards finalizing our strategic growth plan for Fiscal 2017 and beyond, which onceFiscal 2016, respectively. Actions associated with the Global Reorganization Plan were completed will likely resultby the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2017 and no additional charges are expected to be incurred in additional restructuring activitiesrelation to this plan. See Notes 8 and related charges.9 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for detailed discussions of the charges recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan.




3742 


Transactions and Trends Affecting Comparability of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
The comparability of our operating results for the three fiscal years presented herein has been affected by certain events, including:
pretaxcharges incurred in connection with our restructuring plans, as well as certain other asset impairment and restructuringimpairments and other charges, recorded during the periods presented. A summary of the effect of these items on pretax income for each fiscal year isas summarized below (references to "Notes" are to the notes to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements):
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Impairment of assets (see Note 8) $(50.0) $(253.8) $(48.8)
Restructuring and other charges (see Note 9) (108.0) (318.6) (142.6)
Restructuring-related inventory charges (see Note 9)(a)
 (7.6) (197.9) (20.4)
Total charges $(165.6) $(770.3) $(211.8)
  Fiscal Years Ended
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
  (millions)
Impairments of assets (see Note 10) $(49) $(7) $(1)
Restructuring and other charges (see Note 11) (143) (10) (18)
In addition to the charges presented above, we also incurred inventory-related charges of $20 million in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan during Fiscal 2016, which were
(a)
Non-cash restructuring-related inventory charges are recorded within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.
TCJA enactment-related charges of $221.4 million recorded within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations during Fiscal 2018;
the reversal of an income (see Note 11).tax reserve resulting from a change in tax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax, which favorably impacted our income tax benefit by $15.9 million during Fiscal 2017; and
the inclusion of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $72$72.2 million and net income of $8 million, or approximately $0.10 per diluted share.
our acquisitions of previously licensed businesses, including the transition of the Ralph Lauren-branded apparel and accessories business in Australia and New Zealand (the "Australia and New Zealand Business") from a licensed to a wholly-owned operation (the "Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition") in July 2013; and the transition of the North American Chaps-branded men's sportswear business (the "Chaps Menswear Business") from a licensed to a wholly-owned operation (the "Chaps Menswear License Acquisition") in April 2013, which resulted in a $16 million gain recorded during the first quarter of Fiscal 2014.$8.3 million.
Since we are a global company, the comparability of our operating results reported in U.S. Dollars is also affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations because the underlying currencies in which we transact change in value over time compared to the U.S. Dollar. These rate fluctuations can have a significant effect on our reported results. As such, in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP"), our discussions often contain references to constant currency measures, which are calculated by translating the current-year and prior-year reported amounts into comparable amounts using a single foreign exchange rate for each currency. We present constant currency financial information, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, as a supplement to our reported operating results. We use constant currency information to provide a framework to assess how our businesses performed excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We believe this information is useful to investors to facilitate comparisons of operating results and better identify trends in our businesses. The constant currency performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of or superior to, our operating performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Reconciliations between this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure are included in the "Results of Operations" section where applicable.
Our "Results of Operations" discussion that followsalso includes the significant changes in operating results arising from these items affecting comparability. However, unusual items or transactions may occur in any period. Accordingly, investors and other financial statement users should consider the types of events and transactions that have affected operating trends.



38


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2016 Comparedreference toFiscal 2015
The following table summarizes our results of operations and expresses the percentage relationship to net revenues of certain financial statement captions. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.
  Fiscal Years Ended    
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 
$
Change
 
% / bps
Change
  (millions, except per share data)  
Net revenues $7,405
 $7,620
 $(215) (2.8%)
Cost of goods sold(a) 
 (3,218) (3,242) 24
 (0.7%)
Gross profit 4,187
 4,378
 (191) (4.4%)
Gross profit as % of net revenues 56.5% 57.5%   (100 bps)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses(a) 
 (3,389) (3,301) (88) 2.7%
SG&A expenses as % of net revenues 45.8% 43.3%   250 bps
Amortization of intangible assets (24) (25) 1
 (6.2%)
Impairment of assets (49) (7) (42) NM
Restructuring and other charges (143) (10) (133) NM
Operating income 582
 1,035
 (453) (43.8%)
Operating income as % of net revenues 7.9% 13.6%   (570 bps)
Foreign currency losses (4) (26) 22
 (85.2%)
Interest expense (21) (17) (4) 25.7%
Interest and other income, net 6
 6
 —
 (7.9%)
Equity in losses of equity-method investees (11) (11) —
 (5.3%)
Income before provision for income taxes 552
 987
 (435) (44.1%)
Provision for income taxes (156) (285) 129
 (45.5%)
Effective tax rate(b)
 28.2% 28.9%   (70 bps)
Net income $396
 $702
 $(306) (43.6%)
Net income per common share:        
Basic $4.65
 $7.96
 $(3.31) (41.6%)
  Diluted $4.62
 $7.88
 $(3.26) (41.4%)
(a)
Includes total depreciation expense of $286 million and $269 million for Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015, respectively.
(b)
Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the provision for income taxes by income before provision for income taxes.
NM Not meaningful.
Net Revenues.    Net revenues decreased by $215 million, or 2.8%, to $7.405 billion in Fiscal 2016 from $7.620 billion in Fiscal 2015. This decrease included the favorable impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $72 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $60 million, or 0.8%.



39


Net revenues for our three business segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each segment's net revenues from the prior fiscal year, are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended $ Change Foreign Exchange Impact $ Change % Change
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 
As
Reported
  Constant Currency 
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
  (millions)    
Net Revenues:              
Wholesale $3,297
 $3,495
 $(198) $(105) $(93) (5.7%) (2.7%)
Retail 3,933
 3,956
 (23) (168) 145
 (0.6%) 3.7%
Licensing 175
 169
 6
 (2) 8
 3.7% 5.0%
Total net revenues $7,405
 $7,620
 $(215) $(275) $60
 (2.8%) 0.8%
Wholesale net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $198 million, or 5.7%, during Fiscal 2016 as compared to Fiscal 2015, inclusive of the favorable impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $10 million on a reported basis. The decrease also included net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $105 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Euro and the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $93 million, or 2.7%.
The $198 million net decline in Wholesale net revenues was driven by:
a $156 million, or 5.8%, net decrease related to our business in the Americas, reflecting lower sales across all of our major apparel and accessories businesses, due in part to a decline in foreign tourist traffic in major metropolitan locations, which contributed to a more competitive retail environment. The net decrease related to our business in the Americas also reflected net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $14 million due to the weakening of the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar; and
a $33 million, or 4.6%, net decrease related to our European business, reflecting net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $86 million, partially offset by increased sales across all of our major apparel and accessories businesses. On a constant currency basis, net revenues related to our European business increased by $53 million, or 7.3%.
Retail net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $23 million, or 0.6%, during Fiscal 2016 compared to Fiscal 2015, inclusive of the favorable impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $62 million on a reported basis. The decrease also included net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $168 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the Canadian Dollar, and the Korean Won against the U.S. Dollar. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $145 million, or 3.7%.
The $23 million net decline in Retail net revenues was driven by:
a $220 million, or 7%, net decline in consolidated comparable store sales, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $123 million. Our total comparable store sales decreased by $97 million, or 3%, on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by lower sales from certain retail stores, partially offset by an increase from our Ralph Lauren e-commerce operations. Comparable store sales related to our e-commerce operations increased by approximately 2% on a reported basis and 3% on a constant currency basis over the related prior period, and had a favorable impact on our total comparable store sales of approximately 1% to 2% on both a reported and constant currency basis. Our consolidated comparable store sales excluding e-commerce declined by approximately 8% to 9% on a reported basis and 4% to 5% on a constant currency basis. All comparable store sales metrics were calculated on a 52-week basis.
sales. Comparable store sales refer to the growth of sales in stores that are open for at least one full fiscal year. Sales for stores that are closed during a fiscal year are excluded from the calculation of comparable store sales. Sales for stores that are either relocated, enlarged (as defined by gross square footage expansion of 25% or greater), or generally closed for 30 or more consecutive days for renovation are also excluded from the calculation of comparable store sales until such stores have been in their new location or in their newly renovated state for at least one full fiscal year. Sales from our e-commercedigital commerce sites are included within comparable store sales for those geographies that have been serviced by the related site for at least one full fiscal year. ConsolidatedSales for digital commerce sites that are shut down during a fiscal year are excluded from the calculation of comparable store sales information includes our Ralph Lauren stores (including concession-based shop-within-shops), factory stores, Club Monaco stores and e-commerce sites, and certain Ralph Lauren e-commerce sites.sales. We use an integrated omni-channel strategy to operate our retail business, in which our e-commercedigital commerce operations are interdependent with our physical stores. All comparable store sales metrics were calculated on a 52-week basis.
Our "Results of Operations" discussion that follows includes the significant changes in operating results arising from these items affecting comparability. However, unusual items or transactions may occur in any period. Accordingly, investors and other financial statement users should consider the types of events and transactions that have affected operating trends.




4043


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017
The following table summarizes our results of operations and expresses the percentage relationship to net revenues of certain financial statement captions. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.
  Fiscal Years Ended    
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 
$
Change
 
% / bps
Change
  (millions, except per share data)  
Net revenues $6,182.3
 $6,652.8
 $(470.5) (7.1%)
Cost of goods sold (2,430.6) (3,001.7) 571.1
 (19.0%)
Gross profit 3,751.7
 3,651.1
 100.6
 2.8%
Gross profit as % of net revenues 60.7% 54.9%   580 bps
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (3,095.5) (3,171.0) 75.5
 (2.4%)
SG&A expenses as % of net revenues 50.1% 47.7%   240 bps
Impairment of assets (50.0) (253.8) 203.8
 (80.3%)
Restructuring and other charges (108.0) (318.6) 210.6
 (66.1%)
Operating income (loss) 498.2
 (92.3) 590.5
 NM
Operating income (loss) as % of net revenues 8.1% (1.4%)   950 bps
Interest expense (18.2) (12.4) (5.8) 46.8%
Interest income 12.3
 7.3
 5.0
 69.0%
Other expense, net (3.1) (7.5) 4.4
 (57.9%)
Income (loss) before income taxes 489.2
 (104.9) 594.1
 NM
Income tax benefit (provision) (326.4) 5.6
 (332.0) NM
Effective tax rate(a)
 66.7% 5.3 %   6,140 bps
Net income (loss) $162.8
 $(99.3) $262.1
 NM
Net income (loss) per common share:        
Basic $1.99
 $(1.20) $3.19
 NM
  Diluted $1.97
 $(1.20) $3.17
 NM
(a)
Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the income tax benefit (provision) by income (loss) before income taxes.
NM Not meaningful.
Net Revenues.    Net revenues decreased by $470.5 million, or 7.1%, to $6.182 billion in Fiscal 2018 as compared to Fiscal 2017, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $86.5 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $557.0 million, or 8.4%.
The following table summarizes the percentage change in our Fiscal 2018 consolidated comparable store sales as compared to the prior fiscal year on both a reported and constant currency basis:
  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Digital commerce comparable store sales (15%) (16%)
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce (2%) (3%)
Total comparable store sales (4%) (5%)




44 


This decline was partially offset by:
a $197 million, or 28%, net increase in non-comparable store sales, inclusive of the favorable impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $62 million on a reported basis. The increase also included net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $45 million. On a constant currency basis, non-comparable store sales increased by $242 million, or 34%, primarily driven by new global store openings and the expansion of our e-commerce operations within the past twelve months, which more than offset the impact of store closings.
Our global average store count increased by 91two stores and concession shops during Fiscal 20162018 compared with the prior fiscal year, primarily due to new global store openings primarily in Asia, partiallylargely offset by store closures.global closures primarily associated with the Way Forward Plan. The following table details our retail store presence by segment as of the periods presented:
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
Stores:    
Freestanding stores 493
 466
Concession shops 583
 536
Total stores 1,076
 1,002

  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
Freestanding Stores:    
North America 215
 216
Europe 81
 82
Asia 105
 89
Other non-reportable segments 71
 79
Total freestanding stores 472
 466
     
Concession Shops:    
North America 2
 1
Europe 25
 31
Asia 603
 586
Other non-reportable segments 2
 2
Total concession shops 632
 620
Total stores 1,104
 1,086
In addition to our stores, we sell products online in North America and Europe through our Retail segment sellsvarious digital commerce sites, which include www.RalphLauren.com and www.ClubMonaco.com, among others. In Asia, we sell products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites.
Net revenues for our e-commerce channel, which includes:
Our North American e-commerce sites located at www.RalphLauren.com and www.ClubMonaco.com,segments, as well as our Club Monaco sitea discussion of the changes in Canada located at www.ClubMonaco.ca;each reportable segment's net revenues from the prior fiscal year, are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended $ Change Foreign Exchange Impact $ Change % Change
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 
As
Reported
  Constant Currency 
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
  (millions)    
Net Revenues:              
North America $3,231.0
 $3,783.0
 $(552.0) $3.0
 $(555.0) (14.6%) (14.7%)
Europe 1,585.0
 1,543.4
 41.6
 81.2
 (39.6) 2.7% (2.6%)
Asia 933.7
 882.5
 51.2
 1.9
 49.3
 5.8% 5.6%
Other non-reportable segments 432.6
 443.9
 (11.3) 0.4
 (11.7) (2.5%) (2.6%)
Total net revenues $6,182.3
 $6,652.8
 $(470.5) $86.5
 $(557.0) (7.1%) (8.4%)
OurNorth America net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $552.0 million, or 14.6%, during Fiscal 2018 as compared to Fiscal 2017, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $3.0 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $555.0 million, or 14.7%.
The $552.0 million net decline in North America net revenues was driven by:
a $435.0 million net decrease related to our North America wholesale business, largely driven by a strategic reduction of shipments (including within the off-price channel) and points of distribution in connection with our long-term growth strategy, the impact of brand discontinuances, and the continued challenging department store traffic trends;
a $115.0 million net decrease in comparable store sales, primarily driven by lower sales from our Ralph Laurene-commerce sites digital commerce operations and certain of our retail stores due in Europe, including www.RalphLauren.co.uk, www.RalphLauren.fr,part to a decline in traffic, as well as lower levels of promotional activity and www.RalphLauren.de;a planned reduction in inventory in connection with our long-term growth strategy. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our North America retail business on both a reported and constant currency basis:




45
Our Ralph Laurene-commerce sites in Asia, including www.RalphLauren.co.jp, www.RalphLauren.co.kr, www.RalphLauren.asia, and www.RalphLauren.com.au.


  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Digital commerce comparable store sales (22%) (22%)
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce (3%) (3%)
Total comparable store sales (7%) (7%)
a $2.0 million net decrease in non-comparable store sales.
LicensingEurope net revenues — Net revenues increased by $6$41.6 million, or 3.7%2.7%, during Fiscal 20162018 as compared to Fiscal 2015,2017, including net unfavorablefavorable foreign currency effects of $2$81.2 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $39.6 million, or 2.6%.
The $41.6 million net increase in Europe net revenues was driven by:
a $43.5 million net increase in non-comparable store sales, primarily driven by new store openings and net favorable foreign currency effects of $10.1 million; and
a $15.2 million net increase related to our Europe wholesale business, largely driven by net favorable foreign currency effects of $45.1 million, partially offset by the weakeningimpact of brand discontinuances and a strategic reduction of shipments within the Eurooff-price channel in connection with our long-term growth strategy.
These increases were partially offset by:
a $17.1 million net decrease in comparable store sales, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $26.0 million. Our comparable store sales decreased by $43.1 million on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by lower sales from certain of our retail stores due in part to lower levels of promotional activity and a planned reduction in inventory in connection with our long-term growth strategy. The following table summarizes the Japanese Yen against the U.S. Dollar.percentage change in comparable store sales related to our Europe retail business on both a reported and constant currency basis:
  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Digital commerce comparable store sales 4% (2%)
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce (4%) (8%)
Total comparable store sales (3%) (7%)
Asia net revenues — Net revenues increased by $51.2 million, or 5.8%, during Fiscal 2018 as compared to Fiscal 2017, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $1.9 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $8$49.3 million, or 5.0%5.6%.
The $51.2 million net increase in Asia net revenues was driven by:
a $21.4 million net increase in non-comparable store sales, primarily driven by new store openings;
an $18.3 million net increase in comparable store sales, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $1.0 million. Our comparable store sales increased by $17.3 million on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by higher sales from certain of our retail locations due in part to improved conversion, partially offset by the impact of lower levels of promotional activity in connection with our long-term growth strategy. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our Asia retail business on both a reported and constant currency basis:
  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Total comparable store sales(a)
 3% 3%
(a)
Comparable store sales for our Asia segment were comprised primarily of sales made through our stores and concession shops.
an $11.5 million net increase related to our Asia wholesale business, largely driven by our expansion in Japan.




46


Gross Profit.    Gross profit decreasedincreased by $191$100.6 million,, or 4.4%2.8%, to $4.187$3.752 billion in Fiscal 2016 from $4.378 billion2018. Gross profit during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017 reflected non-cash inventory-related charges of $7.6 million and $197.9 million, respectively, recorded in Fiscal 2015.connection with the Way Forward Plan. The increase in gross profit also included a net favorable foreign currency effect of $64.2 million. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues declined by 100increased to 60.7% in Fiscal 2018 from 54.9% in Fiscal 2017. The 580 basis points to 56.5% in Fiscal 2016 from 57.5% in Fiscal 2015. This declinepoint increase was primarily driven by unfavorable foreign currency effects and certainthe lower non-cash inventory-related charges recorded in connection with the Global ReorganizationWay Forward Plan partially offset by increased profitability largely attributableduring Fiscal 2018 as compared to Fiscal 2017, lower levels of promotional activity in connection with our long-term growth strategy, favorable geographic and channel mix.mix, and lower sourcing costs.
Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues is dependent upon a variety of factors, including changes in the relative sales mix among distribution channels, changes in the mix of products sold, the timing and level of promotional activities, foreign currency exchange rates, and fluctuations in material costs. These factors, among others, may cause gross profit as a percentage of net revenues to fluctuate from year to year.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses.    SG&A expenses primarily include compensation and benefits, advertising and marketing, rent and occupancy, distribution, information technology, legal, depreciation and amortization, bad debt, information technology, facilities, legal, and other costs associated with financeselling and administration.administrative costs. SG&A expenses increaseddecreased by $88$75.5 million,, or 2.7%2.4%, to $3.389$3.096 billion in Fiscal 2016 from $3.301 billion in Fiscal 2015.2018. This increasedecrease included a net favorableunfavorable foreign currency effect of $110 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Euro, the Japanese Yen, and the Korean Won against the U.S. Dollar.$31.8 million. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased to 45.8%50.1% in Fiscal 20162018 from 43.3%47.7% in Fiscal 2015.2017. The 250240 basis point increase was primarily due to operating deleverage on lower net revenues, due in part to unfavorable foreign currency effects, as previously discussed, and an increase in operating expenses in supportthe unfavorable impact attributable to geographic and channel mix, as a greater portion of the continued investment in, and expansion of, our revenue was generated by our international retail businesses (which typically carry higher operating expense margins) through new store and concession shop openings (as previously discussed); increased investments in our facilities and infrastructure; increased advertising and marketing costs; and investments in new business initiatives.. These increases were partially offset by our operational discipline and cost savings associated with our restructuring activities.



41


The $88$75.5 million net increasedecline in SG&A expenses by functional category is as follows:was driven by:
 
Fiscal 2016
Compared to
Fiscal 2015
 
Fiscal 2018
Compared to
Fiscal 2017
 (millions) (millions)
SG&A expense category:    
Consulting fees $26
Depreciation expense 18
Depreciation and amortization expense $(26.1)
Shipping and handling costs (18.4)
Compensation-related expenses (16.4)
Non-income tax related expenses (9.4)
Selling-related expenses (8.3)
Rent and occupancy expenses 16
 (6.9)
Compensation-related expenses 7
Marketing and advertising expenses 5
 21.3
Other 16
 (11.3)
Total change in SG&A expenses $88
Total decline in SG&A expenses $(75.5)
DuringIn Fiscal 2017,2019, we continueremain committed to expect a certain amount of operating expense deleverage due to foreign exchange rate volatility and continued investment in our long-termspending on key strategic growth initiatives including expansion of the Polo-branded store concept around the world,marketing, digital, expanding and renovating our global retail store expansion, department store renovations,stores and continued investmentconcession shops, and investing in productivity-enhancing infrastructure. We expect to make these investments while continuing to manage our infrastructure, partially offset by anticipated cost savings related to our restructuring activities (see "Recent Developments").
Amortization of Intangible Assets.    Amortization of intangible assets decreased by $1 million, or 6.2%, to $24 million in Fiscal 2016 from $25 million in Fiscal 2015. This decrease reflected the absence of expense in the current fiscal year for certain customer relationship intangible assets that were fully amortized as of the end of Fiscal 2015.base with discipline.
Impairment of Assets.   During Fiscal 2016,2018, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $49$41.2 million to write off certain fixed assets related to our domestic and international stores, shop-within-shops, and shop-within-shops,corporate offices. Additionally, as a result of which $27a change in the planned usage of a certain intangible asset, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8.8 million wasduring Fiscal 2018 to reduce the value of the intangible asset to its estimated fair value. During Fiscal 2017, we recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan and $22 million was recorded in connection with underperforming stores subject to potential future closure. During Fiscal 2015, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $7$248.6 million primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to our domestic and international retail stores, (seeshop-within-shops, and corporate offices, as well as our in-house global digital commerce platform which was in development. Additionally, as a result of the realignment of our segment reporting structure, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $5.2 million during Fiscal 2017. See Note 108 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).statements.
Restructuring and Other Charges.   During Fiscal 2016,2018 and Fiscal 2017, we recorded restructuring charges of $95$79.2 million and $294.0 million, respectively, in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan,our restructuring plans, consisting of severance and benefitbenefits costs, lease termination and store closure costs, other cash charges, and non-cash accelerated stock-based compensation expense. In addition, during Fiscal 2016,2018, we recorded net other charges of $48$28.8 million primarily related to a pending customs audit and the settlement of certain litigation claims. During Fiscal 2015, we recorded restructuring charges of $10 million, primarily related to severance and benefit costsdepreciation expense associated with certain of our retail, wholesale, and corporate operations. (see Note 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).
Operating Income.    Operating income decreased by $453 million, or 43.8%, to $582 million in Fiscal 2016 from $1.035 billion in Fiscal 2015. This decrease included $142 million of charges recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan, $48 million of other charges primarily related to a pending customs audit and the settlement of certain litigation claims, and $22 million of other non-cash impairment charges related to underperforming stores subject to potential future closure, all as previously discussed. This decrease also included a net unfavorable foreign currency effect of $112 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Euro, the Japanese Yen, and the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar. Operating income as a percentage of net revenues decreased 570 basis points, to 7.9% in Fiscal 2016 from 13.6% in Fiscal 2015. The overall decline in operating income as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by the decrease in our gross profit margin and the increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues, both of which are inclusive of unfavorable foreign currency effects, as well as the increase in restructuring and other charges and impairment of assets, all as previously discussed.




4247 


former Polo store at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City, our pending customs audit, the departure of Mr. Stefan Larsson, and the reversal of reserves associated with the settlement of certain non-income tax issues. During Fiscal 2017, we recorded other charges of $24.6 million related to the anticipated settlement of certain non-income tax issues and the departure of Mr. Stefan Larsson. See Note 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Operating Income (Loss).    During Fiscal 2018, we reported operating income of $498.2 million, as compared to an operating loss of $92.3 million during Fiscal 2017. Our operating results during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017 were negatively impacted by restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $165.6 million and $770.3 million, respectively, as previously discussed. The $590.5 million increase in operating income also included a net favorable foreign currency effect of $32.4 million. Operating income and margin for eachas a percentage of our three reportable segments are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended    
 April 2, 2016 March 28, 2015    
 
Operating
Income
 
Operating
Margin
 
Operating
Income
 
Operating
Margin
 
$
Change
 
Margin
Change
 (millions)   (millions)   (millions)  
Segment:            
Wholesale $822
 24.9% $943
 27.0% $(121) (210 bps)
Retail 359
 9.1% 527
 13.3% (168) (420 bps)
Licensing 155
 88.7% 152
 90.4% 3
 (170 bps)
  1,336
   1,622
   (286)  
Unallocated corporate expenses (611)   (577)   (34)  
Unallocated restructuring and other charges (143)   (10)   (133)  
Total operating income $582
 7.9% $1,035
 13.6% $(453) (570 bps)
Wholesalenet revenues was 8.1% during Fiscal 2018, reflecting a 950 basis point increase from the prior fiscal year. The overall increase in operating margin declined by 210 basis points,income as a percentage of net revenues was primarily due to the unfavorable impact of 130 basis points related to decreased profitability in our core wholesale businesses, largely driven by the impactnet decline in restructuring-related charges, impairment of a more competitive domestic retail environmentassets, and ancertain other charges and the increase in our gross profit margin, partially offset by the increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues, partially offset by improved performance of certain ofall as previously discussed.
Operating income (loss) and margin for our international operations. The remaining decline in Wholesale operating margin was primarily attributable to net unfavorable foreign currency effects of 60 basis points,segments, as well as a 20discussion of the changes in each reportable segment's operating margin from the prior fiscal year, are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended    
 March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017    
 
Operating
Income
(Loss)
 
Operating
Margin
 
Operating
Income
(Loss)
 
Operating
Margin
 
$
Change
 
Margin
Change
 (millions)   (millions)   (millions)  
Segment:            
North America $677.6
 21.0% $666.8
 17.6% $10.8
 340 bps
Europe 356.7
 22.5% 305.2
 19.8% 51.5
 270 bps
Asia 137.2
 14.7% (86.3) (9.8%) 223.5
 2,450 bps
Other non-reportable segments 107.5
 24.9% 81.0
 18.2% 26.5
 670 bps
  1,279.0
   966.7
   312.3
  
Unallocated corporate expenses (672.8)   (740.4)   67.6
  
Unallocated restructuring and other charges (108.0)   (318.6)   210.6
  
Total operating income (loss) $498.2
 8.1% $(92.3) (1.4%) $590.5
 950 bps
North America operating margin improved by 340 basis point decline attributablepoints, primarily due to the favorable impact of 100 basis points related to our retail business, largely driven by the increase in our gross profit margin. The increase also reflected the favorable impact of 240 basis points related to lower non-cash charges recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan.Way Forward Plan during Fiscal 2018 as compared to the prior fiscal year. Our wholesale business did not have a meaningful impact on the change in our North America operating margin, as the improved gross margin was offset by operating expense deleverage on lower net revenues.
RetailEurope operating margin declinedimproved by 420270 basis points, primarily due to a 160the favorable impact of 130 basis point decline attributablepoints related to lower non-cash charges largely recorded in connection with the Global ReorganizationWay Forward Plan and unfavorable foreign currency effectsduring Fiscal 2018 as compared to the prior fiscal year, as well as the favorable impact of 110120 basis points. The remaining 150 basis point decline in Retail operating margin was primarily attributablepoints related to decreased profitabilityour retail business, largely driven by the increase in our core retail businesses, largely drivengross profit margin, partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues. The increase also reflected favorable foreign currency effects of 20 basis points. Our wholesale business did not have a meaningful impact on the change in our Europe operating margin.
LicensingAsia operating margin declinedimproved by 1702,450 basis points, primarily due to anthe favorable impact of 2,000 basis points related to lower non-cash charges recorded in connection with the Way Forward Plan during Fiscal 2018 as compared to the prior fiscal year. The increase also reflected the favorable impact of 350 basis points related to our retail business, largely driven by the increase in our gross profit margin and a decline in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues. The improvement also reflected favorable foreign currency effects of 140 basis points. These increases in operating margin were partially offset by a 40 basis point decline related to our wholesale business.




48


Unallocated corporate expenses increaseddecreased by $34$67.6 million to $672.8 million in Fiscal 2018, primarily due to higher compensation-related costslower impairment of $33asset charges of $96.3 million, duelower non-income tax related expenses of $9.4 million, and lower other expenses of $10.7 million, partially offset by lower intercompany sourcing commission income of $31.9 million (which is offset at the segment level and eliminates in part to the introduction of new vesting provisions for certain stock-based compensation awards granted to retirement-eligible employees beginning in Fiscal 2016 (see Note 19 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements)consolidation), and higher consulting fees of $27 million. These increases were partially offset by a decline in other operating$8.7 million, and higher compensation-related expenses of $26 million due in part to operational discipline.$8.2 million.
Unallocated restructuring and other charges increaseddecreased by $133$210.6 million to $143$108.0 million in Fiscal 2016 from $10 million in Fiscal 2015,2018, as previously described (seediscussed above and in Note 119 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).statements.
Non-operating Expense, Net.    Non-operating expense, net is comprised of interest expense, interest income, and other expense, net, which includes foreign currency gains (losses), interest expense, interest and other income, net, and equity in losses from our equity-method investees.investees, and other non-operating expenses. Non-operating expense, net, decreased by $18$3.6 million to $30$9.0 million in Fiscal 20162018 from $48$12.6 million in Fiscal 2015.2017. The decline in non-operating expense, net, was primarily attributabledriven by:
a $5.0 million increase in interest income driven by the increase in our cash, cash equivalents, and investments as compared to lowerthe prior fiscal year; and
a $3.4 million increase in foreign currency losses of $22 million,gains, largely related to the net favorable revaluation and settlement of foreign currency-denominated intercompany receivables and payables, inclusive of the impact of forward foreign currency exchange contracts, as compared to the prior fiscal year (foreign currency gains (losses) do not result from the translation of the operating results of our foreign subsidiaries to U.S. Dollars). This decrease was
These declines in non-operating expense were partially offset by higherby:
a $5.8 million increase in interest expense driven by the less favorable impact of $4 million, primarily attributableour swap contracts during Fiscal 2018 as compared to the 2.625% unsecured senior notes issued in August 2015.prior fiscal year. See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our swap contracts.
Provision for Income Taxes.Tax Benefit (Provision).    The provision for income taxestax benefit (provision) represents federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. During Fiscal 2018, we reported an income tax provision of $326.4 million and an effective tax rate of 66.7%, as compared to an income tax benefit of $5.6 million and an effective tax rate of 5.3% during Fiscal 2017. The provision for income taxes decreased by $129$332.0 million, or 45.5%, to $156 million in Fiscal 2016 from $285 million in Fiscal 2015. The decrease increase in the provision for income taxestax provision was primarily due to enactment-related charges of $221.4 million recorded during Fiscal 2018 in connection with the decline in pretax income, coupled with a decrease inTCJA (as discussed within "Recent Developments"), which negatively impacted our reported effective tax rate of 70by 4,520 basis points, to 28.2%as well as the increase in Fiscal 2016 from 28.9% in Fiscal 2015.pretax income. The lower66.7% effective tax rate for Fiscal 20162018 was higher than our blended statutory tax rate of 31.5% primarily due to TCJA enactment-related charges, the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09"), and the unfavorable impact of additional income tax benefits resulting from the expiration of statutes of limitations, a change to the assessment periodreserves associated with certain income tax liabilities,audits, partially offset by the tax impacts of earnings in lower taxed foreign jurisdictions versus the U.S. and tax benefits associated with adjustments recorded on deferred tax assets and provision to tax return adjustments. See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information relating to our adoption of ASU 2016-09. The 5.3% effective tax rate for Fiscal 2017 was lower than the statutory tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to the tax impact of earnings in lower taxed foreign jurisdictions versus the U.S., valuation allowances and adjustments recorded on deferred tax assets, and income tax reserves largely associated with an income tax settlement and certain income tax audits, partially offset by the reversal of certain deferredan income tax assetsreserve resulting from a change in tax law that were determined to not be realizable and the absence of tax benefits derived from the legal entity



43


restructuring of certain of our foreign operations during Fiscal 2015. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate due to the effect of state and local taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, and certain nondeductible expenses.impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax. Our effective tax rate will change from period to period based on various factors including, but not limited to, the geographic mix of earnings, the timing and amount of foreign dividends, enacted tax legislation, state and local taxes, tax audit findings and settlements, and the interaction of various global tax strategies.
Net Income.Income (Loss).    NetDuring Fiscal 2018, we reported net income declined by $306of $162.8 million, or 43.6%,as compared to $396a net loss of $99.3 million in during Fiscal 2016 from $7022017. The $262.1 million in Fiscal 2015. The declineincrease in net income was primarily due to the $453$590.5 million declineincrease in operating income, partially offset by the $129$332.0 million reduction increase in our provision for income taxes,tax provision, as previously discussed. Net income in Fiscal 2018 reflected TCJA enactment-related charges of $221.4 million. Our operating results during Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 2017 were also negatively impacted by $142 millionrestructuring-related charges, impairment of pretax charges recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan, $48 million ofassets, and certain other charges primarily related to a pending customs audittotaling $165.6 million and the settlement of certain litigation claims, and $22$770.3 million, of other non-cash impairment charges related to underperforming stores subject to potential future closure,respectively, which together had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $150 million. Partially offsetting these charges was$113.3 million and $592.1 million, respectively. In addition, our net loss during Fiscal 2017 reflected the favorable impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, which increased net income by $8 million. Net income also included unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $94$15.9 million during Fiscal 2016.
Net Income per Diluted Share.    Net income per diluted share declined by $3.26, or 41.4%, to $4.62 per share in Fiscal 2016 from $7.88 per share in Fiscal 2015. The decline was due to lower net income, as previously discussed, partially offset by lower weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during Fiscal 2016, driven by our share repurchases over the last twelve months. Net income per diluted share for Fiscal 2016 was negatively impacted by approximately $1.74 per share as a result of charges recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan, other charges primarily related to the reversal of an income tax reserve resulting from a pending customs audit and the settlement of certain litigation claims, and other non-cash impairment charges related to underperforming stores subject to potential future closure, and favorablychange in tax law that impacted by approximately $0.10 per share asan interest assessment on a result of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016, all as previously discussed. Net income per diluted share also included unfavorable foreign currency impacts of approximately $1.10 per share during Fiscal 2016.prior year withholding tax.




4449 


Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share.    During Fiscal 20152018, we reported net income per diluted share of $1.97, as compared to a net loss per diluted share of $1.20 during Fiscal 2017. The $3.17 per share increase was due to the higher level of net income, as previously discussed, and lower weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during Fiscal 2018, driven by the weighted-average impact of our share repurchases during Fiscal 2017. Net income per diluted share during Fiscal 2018 was negatively impacted by $2.68 per share as a result of TCJA enactment-related charges. Net income (loss) per diluted share during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017 were also negatively impacted by $1.38 per share and $7.10 per share, respectively, as a result of restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges. In addition, our net loss per diluted share during Fiscal 2017 reflected the favorable impact of $0.19 per share related to the reversal of an income tax reserve resulting from a change in tax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax.
Fiscal 2017 Compared to Fiscal 20142016
The following table summarizes our results of operations and expresses the percentage relationship to net revenues of certain financial statement captions. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.
  Fiscal Years Ended    
  March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 
$
Change
 
% / bps
Change
  (millions, except per share data)  
Net revenues $7,620
 $7,450
 $170
 2.3%
Cost of goods sold(a) 
 (3,242) (3,140) (102) 3.3%
Gross profit 4,378
 4,310
 68
 1.6%
Gross profit as % of net revenues 57.5% 57.9%   (40 bps)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses(a) 
 (3,301) (3,142) (159) 5.0%
SG&A expenses as % of net revenues 43.3% 42.2%   110 bps
Amortization of intangible assets (25) (35) 10
 (27.9%)
Gain on acquisition of Chaps —
 16
 (16) NM
Impairment of assets (7) (1) (6) NM
Restructuring and other charges (10) (18) 8
 (43.5%)
Operating income 1,035
 1,130
 (95) (8.4%)
Operating income as % of net revenues 13.6% 15.2%   (160 bps)
Foreign currency losses (26) (8) (18) NM
Interest expense (17) (20) 3
 (17.3%)
Interest and other income, net 6
 3
 3
 73.3%
Equity in losses of equity-method investees (11) (9) (2) 22.8%
Income before provision for income taxes 987
 1,096
 (109) (9.9%)
Provision for income taxes (285) (320) 35
 (11.0%)
Effective tax rate(b) 
 28.9% 29.2%   (30 bps)
Net income $702
 $776
 $(74) (9.5%)
Net income per common share:        
Basic $7.96
 $8.55
 $(0.59) (6.9%)
  Diluted $7.88
 $8.43
 $(0.55) (6.5%)
(a)
Includes total depreciation expense of $269 million and $223 million for Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively.
(b)
Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the provision for income taxes by income before provision for income taxes.
NMNot meaningful.
Net Revenues.    Net revenues increased by $170 million, or 2.3%, to $7.620 billion in Fiscal 2015 from $7.450 billion in Fiscal 2014. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $301 million, or 4.0%.



45


Net revenues for our three business segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each segment's net revenues from the prior fiscal year, are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended $ Change Foreign Exchange Impact $ Change % Change
  March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 
As
Reported
  Constant Currency 
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
  (millions)    
Net Revenues:              
Wholesale $3,495
 $3,486
 $9
 $(63) $72
 0.3% 2.1%
Retail 3,956
 3,798
 158
 (65) 223
 4.2% 5.9%
Licensing 169
 166
 3
 (3) 6
 1.8% 3.3%
Total net revenues $7,620
 $7,450
 $170
 $(131) $301
 2.3% 4.0%
Wholesale net revenues — Net revenues increased by $9 million, or 0.3%, during Fiscal 2015 as compared to Fiscal 2014, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $63 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Euro, the Canadian Dollar, and the Japanese Yen against the U.S. Dollar. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $72 million, or 2.1%.
The $9 million net increase in Wholesale net revenues was driven by:
a $28 million net increase related to our business in the Americas, reflecting increased revenues from our womenswear and accessories businesses, partially offset by decreased revenues from our menswear business, due in part to higher prior period sales associated with the initial transition of the Chaps Menswear Business to a wholly-owned operation. The net increase related to our business in the Americas also reflected net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $9 million due to the weakening of the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar.
This net increase was partially offset by:
a $9 million net decrease related to our Asia businesses, primarily reflecting net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $4 million largely related to the weakening of the Japanese Yen against the U.S. Dollar, as well as the continued impact of our business model shift to the retail concession-based channel, partially offset by increased sales to our licensees; and
a $10 million net decrease related to our European business, primarily reflecting net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $50 million, partially offset by increased sales across all of our major apparel and accessories businesses.
Retail net revenues — Net revenues increased by $158 million, or 4.2%, during Fiscal 2015 compared to Fiscal 2014, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $65 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Japanese Yen and the Euro against the U.S. Dollar. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $223 million, or 5.9%.
The $158 million net increase in Retail net revenues was driven by:
a $178 million, or a 23%, net increase in non-comparable store sales, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $17 million. On a constant currency basis, non-comparable store sales increased by $195 million, or 25%, primarily driven by new global store openings in Asia and Europe within the past twelve months, the expansion of our e-commerce operations, and new stores and concession shops assumed in connection with the Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition, which more than offset the impact of store closings.
This net increase was partially offset by:
a $20 million, or 1%, net decline in consolidated comparable store sales, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $48 million. Our total comparable store sales increased approximately $28 million, or 1%, on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by an increase from our Ralph Lauren e-commerce operations, partially offset by lower sales from certain retail stores and concession shops. Comparable store sales related to our e-commerce operations increased by approximately 16% on a reported basis and 17% on a constant currency basis over the related prior fiscal year period, and had a favorable impact on our total comparable store sales of approximately 3% to 4% on a reported basis and 2% to 3% on a constant currency basis. Our consolidated comparable store sales excluding e-commerce declined between 3% and 4% on a reported basis and declined between 2% and 3% on a constant currency basis.



46


Our global average store count increased by 36 stores and concession shops during Fiscal 2015 compared with the prior fiscal year, due to new global store openings, primarily in Asia, partially offset by store closures. The following table details our retail store and e-commerce presence as of the periods presented:
  March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
Stores:    
Freestanding stores 466
 433
Concession shops 536
 503
Total stores 1,002
 936
     
E-commerce Sites:    
North American sites(a) 
 3
 3
European sites(b) 
 3
 3
Asian sites(c) 
 4
 2
Total e-commerce sites 10
 8
  Fiscal Years Ended    
  April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 
$
Change
 
% / bps
Change
  (millions, except per share data)  
Net revenues $6,652.8
 $7,405.2
 $(752.4) (10.2%)
Cost of goods sold (3,001.7) (3,218.5) 216.8
 (6.7%)
Gross profit 3,651.1
 4,186.7
 (535.6) (12.8%)
Gross profit as % of net revenues 54.9% 56.5%   (160 bps)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (3,171.0) (3,412.5) 241.5
 (7.1%)
SG&A expenses as % of net revenues 47.7% 46.1%   160 bps
Impairment of assets (253.8) (48.8) (205.0) NM
Restructuring and other charges (318.6) (142.6) (176.0) 123.4%
Operating income (loss) (92.3) 582.8
 (675.1) (115.8%)
Operating income (loss) as % of net revenues (1.4%) 7.9%   (930 bps)
Interest expense (12.4) (21.0) 8.6
 (41.0%)
Interest income 7.3
 6.3
 1.0
 14.9%
Other expense, net (7.5) (16.3) 8.8
 (53.9%)
Income (loss) before income taxes (104.9) 551.8
 (656.7) (119.0%)
Income tax benefit (provision) 5.6
 (155.4) 161.0
 (103.6%)
Effective tax rate(a) 
 5.3% 28.2%   (2,290 bps)
Net income (loss) $(99.3) $396.4
 $(495.7) (125.1%)
Net income (loss) per common share:        
Basic $(1.20) $4.65
 $(5.85) (125.8%)
  Diluted $(1.20) $4.62
 $(5.82) (126.0%)
 
(a) 
Includes www.RalphLauren.com, www.ClubMonaco.com, and www.ClubMonaco.ca.
(b)
Includes www.RalphLauren.co.uk, www.RalphLauren.fr, and www.RalphLauren.de.
(c)
Includes www.RalphLauren.co.jp and www.RalphLauren.co.kr, and, as of March 28, 2015, www.RalphLauren.asia and www.RalphLauren.com.au.Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the income tax benefit (provision) by income (loss) before income taxes.
NM Not meaningful.
Licensing revenuesNet Revenues. —    Net revenues increaseddecreased by $3$752.4 million, or 1.8%10.2%, duringto $6.653 billion in Fiscal 2015 as compared to Fiscal 2014, including2017. This decrease reflected net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $3$21.2 million, primarily related toas well as the weakeningabsence of the Euro and53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $72.2 million during the Japanese Yen against the U.S. Dollar.prior fiscal year. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increaseddecreased by $6$731.2 million, or 3.3%9.9%.
The $3 million increase in net revenues was primarily attributable to increased apparel and accessories-related revenues and home licensing revenues, partially offset by the impact of the transition of the previously licensed Australia and New Zealand Business to a wholly-owned operation.
Gross Profit.    Gross profit increased by $68 million, or 1.6%, to $4.378 billion in Fiscal 2015 from $4.310 billion in Fiscal 2014. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues decreased by 40 basis points to 57.5% in Fiscal 2015 from 57.9% in Fiscal 2014. This decline was primarily attributable to a more promotional retail environment and less favorable product mix, partially offset by a more favorable channel mix.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses.    SG&A expenses increased by $159 million, or 5.0%, to $3.301 billion in Fiscal 2015 from $3.142 billion in Fiscal 2014. This increase included a net favorable foreign currency effect of $54 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Euro and the Japanese Yen against the U.S. Dollar. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased to 43.3% in Fiscal 2015 from 42.2% in Fiscal 2014. The 110 basis point increase was primarily due to the increase in operating expenses in support of the growth of our retail businesses (which typically carry higher operating expense margins); increased investments in our facilities and infrastructure; increased advertising and marketing costs; incremental operating expenses attributable to our acquisition of the Australia and New Zealand Business; and investments in new business initiatives. These increases were partially offset by our operating leverage on higher net revenues and operational discipline.




4750 


The $159following table summarizes the percentage change in our Fiscal 2017 consolidated comparable store sales as compared to the prior fiscal year on both a reported and constant currency basis:
  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Digital commerce comparable store sales (10%) (10%)
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce (7%) (7%)
Total comparable store sales (7%) (7%)
Our global average store count increased by 44 stores and concession shops during Fiscal 2017 compared with the prior fiscal year, due to new global store openings, primarily in Asia, partially offset by store closures, primarily associated with our Way Forward Plan. The following table details our retail store presence by segment as of the periods presented:
  April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
Freestanding Stores:    
North America 216
 224
Europe 82
 87
Asia 89
 105
Other non-reportable segments 79
 77
Total freestanding stores 466
 493
     
Concession Shops:    
North America 1
 2
Europe 31
 34
Asia 586
 545
Other non-reportable segments 2
 2
Total concession shops 620
 583
Total stores 1,086
 1,076
In addition to our stores, we sold products online in North America and Europe through our various digital commerce sites, which include www.RalphLauren.com and www.ClubMonaco.com, among others. In Asia, we sell products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites.
Net revenues for our segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each reportable segment's net revenues from the prior fiscal year, are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended $ Change Foreign Exchange Impact $ Change % Change
  April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 
As
Reported
  Constant Currency 
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
  (millions)    
Net Revenues:              
North America $3,783.0
 $4,479.6
 $(696.6) $(0.4) $(696.2) (15.6%) (15.5%)
Europe 1,543.4
 1,561.7
 (18.3) (64.3) 46.0
 (1.2%) 2.9%
Asia 882.5
 892.4
 (9.9) 43.6
 (53.5) (1.1%) (6.0%)
Other non-reportable segments 443.9
 471.5
 (27.6) (0.1) (27.5) (5.8%) (5.8%)
Total net revenues $6,652.8
 $7,405.2
 $(752.4) $(21.2) $(731.2) (10.2%) (9.9%)
North America net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $696.6 million, or 15.6%, during Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016. This decrease reflected net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $0.4 million, as well as the absence of the 53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $38.2 million during the prior fiscal year. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $696.2 million, or 15.5%.




51


The $696.6 million net decline in North America net revenues was driven by:
a $510.3 million net decrease related to our North America wholesale business, reflecting lower sales across all of our major apparel and accessories businesses, due in part to a strategic reduction of shipments in connection with our long-term growth strategy and a decline in department store traffic, which contributed to a more competitive retail environment. This decrease also reflected the absence of the 53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $10.0 million during the prior fiscal year;
a $165.5 million net decrease in comparable store sales, primarily driven by lower sales from certain of our retail stores and Ralph Lauren digital commerce operations due in part to a decline in traffic. The following table summarizes our comparable store sales percentages on both a reported and constant currency basis related to our North America retail business:
  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Digital commerce comparable store sales (15%) (15%)
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce (8%) (8%)
Total comparable store sales (10%) (10%)
a $20.8 million net decrease in non-comparable store sales, primarily driven by the absence of the 53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $28.2 million during the prior fiscal year, partially offset by new store openings during Fiscal 2017.
Europe net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $18.3 million, or 1.2%, during Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016. This decrease reflected net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $64.3 million, as well as the absence of the 53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $14.3 million during the prior fiscal year. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $46.0 million, or 2.9%.
The $18.3 million net decline in Europe net revenues was driven by:
a $57.1 million net decrease in comparable store sales, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $26.9 million. Our comparable store sales decreased by $30.2 million on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by lower sales from certain retail stores due in part to a decline in traffic, as well as lower levels of promotional activity in connection with our long-term growth strategy, partially offset by higher sales from our Ralph Lauren digital commerce operations. The following table summarizes our comparable store sales percentages on both a reported and constant currency basis related to our Europe retail business:
  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Digital commerce comparable store sales 7% 11%
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce (10%) (6%)
Total comparable store sales (8%) (4%)
This decline was partially offset by:
a $25.4 million net increase related to our Europe wholesale business, reflecting increased sales across all of our major apparel and accessories businesses. This increase was net of unfavorable foreign currency effects of $23.0 million; and
a $13.4 million net increase in SG&A expensesnon-comparable store sales, primarily driven by functional categorynew store openings during Fiscal 2017, partially offset by net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $14.4 million and the absence of the 53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $14.3 million during the prior fiscal year.
Asia net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $9.9 million, or 1.1%, during Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016, reflecting the absence of the 53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $15.4 million during the prior fiscal year. This decrease is inclusive of net favorable foreign currency effects of $43.6 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $53.5 million, or 6.0%.




52


The $9.9 million net decline in Asia net revenues was driven by:
a $17.1 million net decrease in non-comparable store sales, primarily driven by the absence of the 53rd week, which resulted in incremental net revenues of $15.4 million during the prior fiscal year, as follows:well as lower sales from certain of our stores and concession shops due in part to a decline in traffic, lower levels of promotional activity in connection with our long-term growth strategy, and the strategic closure of certain of our locations, partially offset by net favorable foreign currency effects of $11.1 million and new store openings during Fiscal 2017; and
a $5.1 million net decrease related to our Asia wholesale business, primarily driven by lower sales in Greater China and Southeast Asia, partially offset by net favorable foreign currency effects of $3.4 million.
These declines were partially offset by:
a $12.3 million net increase in comparable store sales, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $29.1 million. Our comparable store sales decreased by $16.8 million on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by lower sales from certain of our stores and concession shops due in part to a decline in traffic, and lower levels of promotional activity in connection with our long-term growth strategy. The following table summarizes our comparable store sales percentage on both a reported and constant currency basis related to our Asia retail business:
  
Fiscal 2015
Compared to
Fiscal 2014
  (millions)
SG&A expense category:  
Compensation-related expenses(a)
 $62
Depreciation expense 46
Rent and occupancy expenses 26
Marketing and advertising expenses 19
Incremental operating expenses related to the Australia and New Zealand Business 10
Shipping and handling costs 7
Acquisition-related costs(b)
 (7)
Other (4)
Total change in SG&A expenses $159
  
As
Reported
 
Constant
Currency
Total comparable store sales(a)
 2% (3%)
 
(a) 
Primarily due to increased salariesComparable store sales for our Asia segment were comprised solely of sales made through our stores and related expenses to support our retail business growth.concession shops.
Gross Profit.    Gross profit decreased by $535.6 million, or 12.8%, to $3.651 billion in Fiscal 2017. Gross profit during Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016 reflected non-cash inventory-related charges of $197.9 million and $20.4 million, respectively, recorded in connection with our restructuring plans. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues declined by 160 basis points to 54.9% in Fiscal 2017 from 56.5% in Fiscal 2016. This decline was primarily driven by the higher non-cash inventory-related charges recorded in connection with our restructuring plans during Fiscal 2017 as compared to the comparable prior year period and net unfavorable foreign currency effects, partially offset by increased profitability driven by favorable geographic and channel mix and our quality of sales initiatives, including lower levels of promotional activity within our international businesses.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses.    SG&A expenses decreased by $241.5 million, or 7.1%, to $3.171 billion in Fiscal 2017. This decrease included a net unfavorable foreign currency effect of $5.3 million. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased by 160 basis points to 47.7% in Fiscal 2017 from 46.1% in Fiscal 2016. This increase was primarily due to operating deleverage on lower net revenues, as previously discussed, and the continued investment in, and expansion of, our retail businesses (which typically carry higher operating expense margins) through new store and concession shop openings (as previously discussed); investments in our facilities and infrastructure; and investments in new business initiatives. These increases were partially offset by our operational discipline and cost savings associated with our restructuring activities.
The $241.5 million decline in SG&A expenses was driven by:
  
Fiscal 2017
Compared to
Fiscal 2016
  (millions)
SG&A expense category:  
Compensation-related expenses $(108.8)
Marketing and advertising expenses (60.1)
Consulting fees (23.0)
Rent and occupancy expenses (19.3)
Shipping and handling costs (12.9)
Other (17.4)
Total decline in SG&A expenses $(241.5)

(b)


Comprised of acquisition-related costs for the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition in April 2013 and for the Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition in July 2013 (see Note 5 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).53
Amortization of Intangible Assets.    Amortization of intangible assets decreased by $10 million, or 27.9%, to $25 million in Fiscal 2015 from $35 million in Fiscal 2014. This decrease was primarily related to the licensed trademark intangible asset acquired in April 2013 in connection with the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition, which was fully amortized in Fiscal 2014 (see Note 5 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).

Gain on Acquisition of Chaps. DuringFiscal 2014, we recorded a $16 million gain on the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition, representing the difference between the acquisition date fair value of net assets acquired and the contractually-defined purchase price under our license agreement with Warnaco, which granted us the right to early-terminate the license upon PVH's acquisition of Warnaco in February 2013 (see Note 5 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).
Impairment of Assets.   During Fiscal 2015,2017, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $7$248.6 million to write off certain fixed assets related to our domestic and international stores, shop-within-shops, and corporate offices, as well as our in-house global digital commerce platform which was in development. Additionally, as a result of the realignment of our segment reporting structure, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $5.2 million during Fiscal 2017. During Fiscal 2016, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $48.8 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to our domestic and international retail stores. During Fiscal 2014, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $1 million to write off certain long-lived assets related to our European operations (seestores and shop-within-shops. See Note 108 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).statements.
Restructuring and Other Charges.   Restructuring and other charges declined by $8 million to $10 million in Fiscal 2015 from $18 million in Fiscal 2014. During Fiscal 2015,2017 and Fiscal 2016, we recorded restructuring charges of $10$294.0 million and $94.9 million, respectively, in connection with our restructuring plans, consisting of severance and benefits costs, lease termination and store closure costs, other cash charges, and non-cash accelerated stock-based compensation expense. In addition, during Fiscal 2017, we recorded other charges of $24.6 million related to the anticipated settlement of certain non-income tax issues and the departure of Mr. Stefan Larsson. During Fiscal 2016, we recorded other charges of $47.7 million primarily related to severanceour pending customs audit and benefit costs associated withthe settlement of certain of our retail, wholesale, and corporate operations. During Fiscal 2014, we recorded restructuring charges of $8 million, primarily related to severance and benefit costs associated with our corporate operations. In addition, during Fiscal 2014, we recorded $10 million of accelerated stock-based compensation expense associated with certain new executive employment agreement provisions (seelitigation claims. See Note 119 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).statements.
Operating Income.Income (Loss).    During Fiscal 2017, we reported an operating loss of $92.3 million, as compared to operating income of $582.8 million during Fiscal 2016. Our operating results during Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016 were negatively impacted by restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $770.3 million and $211.8 million, respectively, as previously discussed. The $675.1 million decline in operating income also included a net unfavorable foreign currency effect of $67.4 million. Operating income decreased by $95 million, or 8.4%, to $1.035 billion in Fiscal 2015 from $1.130 billion in Fiscal 2014. Operating incomeloss as a percentage of net revenues decreased 160was 1.4% during Fiscal 2017, reflecting a 930 basis points, to 13.6% in Fiscal 2015point decline from 15.2% in Fiscal 2014.the prior fiscal year. The overall decline in operating income as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by the decline in our gross profit margin and the increase in restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges, as well as the increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues, all as previously discussed.
Operating income (loss) and the absence of the prior year gain on the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition,margin for our segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each reportable segment's operating margin from the prior fiscal year, are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended    
 April 1, 2017 April 2, 2016    
 
Operating
Income
(Loss)
 
Operating
Margin
 Operating
Income
(Loss)		 
Operating
Margin
 
$
Change
 
Margin
Change
 (millions)   (millions)   (millions)  
Segment:            
North America $666.8
 17.6% $941.3
 21.0% $(274.5) (340 bps)
Europe 305.2
 19.8% 281.0
 18.0% 24.2
 180 bps
Asia (86.3) (9.8%) (1.2) (0.1%) (85.1) (970 bps)
Other non-reportable segments 81.0
 18.2% 119.3
 25.3% (38.3) (710 bps)
  966.7
   1,340.4
   (373.7)  
Unallocated corporate expenses (740.4)   (615.0)   (125.4)  
Unallocated restructuring and other charges (318.6)   (142.6)   (176.0)  
Total operating income (loss) $(92.3) (1.4%) $582.8
 7.9% $(675.1) (930 bps)
North America operating margin declined by 340 basis points, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of 200 basis points related to higher non-cash charges recorded in connection with our restructuring plans during Fiscal 2017 as compared to the prior fiscal year. Our lower operating margin also reflected a 70 basis point decline related to our wholesale business, largely driven by the impact of a more competitive retail environment, and a 40 basis point decline related to our retail business, largely driven by an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues. The remaining 30 basis point decline was attributable to other factors, including unfavorable channel mix.
Europe operating margin increased by 180 basis points, primarily due to the favorable impact of 360 basis points and 240 basis points related to our wholesale and retail businesses, respectively, largely driven by the increase in our gross profit margin attributable to lower levels of promotional activity in connection with our long-term growth strategy. Our wholesale business also benefited from a decline in SG&A expenses as previously discussed.a percentage of net revenues. These increases in operating margin were partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency effects of 340 basis points, as well as an 80 basis point decline attributable to higher non-cash charges recorded in connection with our restructuring plans during Fiscal 2017 as compared to the prior fiscal year.




4854 


Operating income and margin for each of our three reportable segments are provided below:
  Fiscal Years Ended    
 March 28, 2015 March 29, 2014    
 
Operating
Income
 
Operating
Margin
 
Operating
Income
 
Operating
Margin
 
$
Change
 
Margin
Change
 (millions)   (millions)   (millions)  
Segment:            
Wholesale $943
 27.0% $963
 27.6% $(20) (60 bps)
Retail 527
 13.3% 572
 15.1% (45) (180 bps)
Licensing 152
 90.4% 150
 90.2% 2
 20 bps
  1,622
   1,685
   (63)  
Unallocated corporate expenses (577)   (553)   (24)  
Gain on acquisition of Chaps —
   16
   (16)  
Unallocated restructuring and other charges (10)   (18)   8
  
Total operating income $1,035
 13.6% $1,130
 15.2% $(95) (160 bps)
WholesaleAsia operating margindeclined by 60970 basis points, primarily attributabledue to netthe unfavorable foreign currency effects. Operatingimpact of 1,720 basis points related to higher non-cash charges recorded in connection with our restructuring plans during Fiscal 2017 as compared to the prior fiscal year. This decline in operating margin was partially offset by the favorable impact of 690 basis points related to our retail business, largely driven by a decline in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues, was flatlower levels of promotional activity in Fiscal 2015 compared to the prior fiscal year.
Retail operating margin declined by 180 basis points, primarily attributable to a 60 basis point increase in compensation-related expenses and a 50 basis point increase in depreciation expense, both primarily associatedconnection with our global store development effortslong-term growth strategy, and new store openings, a 20 basis point increase in advertising and marketing expenses, and a 10 basis point increase in other operating expenses. The decline in the Retailstrategic closure of certain of our locations. Our operating margin also reflected a 40 basis point decrease due to other factors, including lower profitability from our existing retail operations, reflecting the favorable impact of a more promotional retail environment, as previously discussed.
Licensing operating margin increased by 2060 basis points primarily duerelated to our operating leverage on higher revenues.wholesale business.
Unallocated corporate expenses increased by $24$125.4 million, primarily due to higher compensation-related costsnon-cash impairment charges of $18$117.0 million, higher depreciation and amortization expense of $17$13.5 million, largely due to the increased investment in our infrastructure, higher rent and occupancy expensesnon-income tax related charges of $5$9.3 million, and higher corporate advertising and marketing costsother operating expenses of $3$37.4 million. These increases were partially offset by lower amortization expensea decline in compensation-related expenses of $9 million, the non-recurrence of prior year acquisition-related costs of $7$33.4 million and a decline in other operating expensesconsulting fees of $3$18.4 million.
Gain on acquisition of Chaps was $16 million for Fiscal 2014, as previously described and in Note 5 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
Unallocated restructuring and other charges declinedincreased by $8$176.0 million to $10$318.6 million in Fiscal 2015 from $18 million in Fiscal 2014,2017, as previously described (seediscussed above and in Note 119 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).statements.
Non-operating Expense, Net.    Non-operating expense, net, increaseddecreased by $14$18.4 million to $48$12.6 million in Fiscal 20152017 from $34$31.0 million in Fiscal 2014.2016. The higherdecline in non-operating expense was driven by:
an $8.6 million decrease in interest expense driven by the net was primarily attributedfavorable impact of our swap contracts entered into during Fiscal 2016, partially offset by the inclusion of twelve months of interest expense during Fiscal 2017 related to (i) higher foreign currencythe 2.625% unsecured senior notes issued in August 2015, as compared to approximately seven months of interest expense during the prior year period. See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our swap contracts;
a $5.7 million decrease in equity in losses of equity-method investees, primarily related to the revaluation and settlement of foreign currency-denominated third-party and intercompany receivables and payables attributable to the weakening of the Japanese Yen, the Euro, and the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar, partially offset by gains recognized on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and (ii) additional equityour share in losses from our equity-method investment injoint venture, the Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company Sárl, (the "RL Watch Company")which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting; and
a $4.9 million decrease in foreign currency losses, largely related to the net favorable revaluation and settlement of foreign currency-denominated intercompany receivables and payables, inclusive of the impact of forward foreign currency exchange contracts, as compared to the prior fiscal year (foreign currency gains (losses) do not result from the translation of the operating results of our foreign subsidiaries to U.S. Dollars). These increases were partially offset
Income Tax Benefit (Provision).    During Fiscal 2017, we reported an income tax benefit of $5.6 million, as compared to an income tax provision of $155.4 million during Fiscal 2016. The $161.0 million decrease in the income tax provision was largely driven by (i) higher interest and otherlower pretax income net,resulting in a pretax loss in Fiscal 2017. The 5.3% effective tax rate for Fiscal 2017 was lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the increased balancetax impact of our investment portfolio,earnings in lower taxed foreign jurisdictions versus the U.S., valuation allowances and (ii) lower interest expenseadjustments recorded on deferred tax assets, and income tax reserves largely associated with our current borrowings, includingan income tax settlement and certain income tax audits, partially offset by the 2.125% unsecured senior notes issuedreversal of an income tax reserve resulting from a change in September 2013tax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax. The 28.2% effective tax rate for Fiscal 2016 was lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the tax impact of earnings in lower taxed foreign jurisdictions versus the U.S. and commercial paper notes,a change to the assessment period associated with certain tax liabilities, partially offset by the reversal of certain deferred tax assets that were determined to not be realizable.
Net Income (Loss).    During Fiscal 2017, we reported a net loss of $99.3 million, as compared to the 4.5% interest rate on the Euro-denominated notes, which were repaid in October 2013 (see Note 13 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).
Provision for Income Taxes.net income of $396.4 million during Fiscal 2016. The provision for income taxes decreased by $35$495.7 million or 11.0%, to $285 million in Fiscal 2015 from $320 million in Fiscal 2014. The decrease in the provision fornet income taxes was primarily due to the decline in pretaxoperating income, coupled with a decreasepartially offset by the reduction in our income tax provision, as previously discussed. Our operating results during Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016 were negatively impacted by restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $770.3 million and $211.8 million, respectively, which had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $592.1 million and $150.1 million, respectively. In addition, our net loss during Fiscal 2017 reflected unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $63.6 million, partially offset by the favorable impact of $15.9 million related to the reversal of an income tax reserve resulting from a change in tax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax, as previously discussed. Our net income during Fiscal 2016 reflected the favorable impact of the inclusion of the 53rd week, which increased net income by $8.3 million.
Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share.    During Fiscal 2017, we reported effective tax ratea net loss per diluted share of 30 basis points$1.20, as compared to 28.9% innet income per diluted share of $4.62 during Fiscal 2015 from 29.2% in Fiscal 2014.2016. The lower effective tax rate for Fiscal 2015$5.82 per share decline was primarily due to lower net income, as previously discussed, and lower weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during Fiscal 2017, driven by our share repurchases during Fiscal 2017. Net income (loss) per diluted share during Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016 was negatively impacted by $7.10 per share and $1.74 per share, respectively, as a greater proportionresult of earnings generated in lower-taxedrestructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges, as




4955 


jurisdictions, as well as an income tax benefit resulting from the legal entity restructuring of certain ofpreviously discussed. In addition, our foreign operations in Fiscal 2015, partially offset by additional tax reserves associated with the conclusion of tax examinationsnet loss per diluted share during Fiscal 2015 and the absence of prior-year tax reserve reductions associated with the conclusion of a tax examination.
Net Income.    Net income declined by $74 million, or 9.5%, to $702 million in Fiscal 2015 from $776 million in Fiscal 2014. The decline in net income was primarily due to the $95 million decline in operating income and higher2017 reflected unfavorable foreign currency lossesimpacts of $18 million,$0.77 per share, partially offset by the $35 million reductionfavorable impact of $0.19 per share related to the reversal of an income tax reserve resulting from a change in our provision for income taxes, alltax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax, as previously discussed.
Net Income per Diluted Share. Net income per diluted share declined by $0.55, or 6.5%, to $7.88 per share induring Fiscal 2015 from $8.43 per share in Fiscal 2014. The decline was due to lower2016 reflected the favorable impact of the inclusion of the 53rd week, which increased net income as previously discussed, partially offsetper diluted share by lower weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during Fiscal 2015, driven by our share repurchases during Fiscal 2015.    $0.10 per share.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Financial Condition 
The following table presents our financial condition as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015.1, 2017.
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 $
Change		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 $
Change
 (millions) (millions)
Cash and cash equivalents $456
 $500
 $(44) $1,304.6
 $668.3
 $636.3
Short-term investments 629
 644
 (15) 699.4
 684.7
 14.7
Non-current investments(a)
 187
 8
 179
 86.2
 21.4
 64.8
Short-term debt(b) (116) (234) 118
 (10.1) —
 (10.1)
Current portion of long-term debt(b)
 (298.1) —
 (298.1)
Long-term debt(b)
 (597) (298) (299) (288.0) (588.2) 300.2
Net cash and investments(c)
 $559
 $620
 $(61) $1,494.0
 $786.2
 $707.8
Equity $3,744
 $3,891
 $(147) $3,457.4
 $3,299.6
 $157.8
 
(a)
Recorded within other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
(b) 
See Note 1311 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of the carrying values of our long-term debt as of April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015.debt.
(c) 
"Net cash and investments" is defined as cash and cash equivalents, plus short-term and non-current investments, less total debt.
The declineincrease in our net cash and investments position at April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 as compared to March 28, 2015April 1, 2017 was primarily due to our operating cash flows of $975.1 million, partially offset by our use of cash to support our Class A common stock repurchases of $500 million, including withholdings in satisfaction of tax obligations for stock-based compensation awards, to invest in our business through $418$161.6 million in capital expenditures and to make cash dividend payments of $170 million during Fiscal 2016, partially offset by our operating cash flows of $1.007 billion.$162.4 million.
The declineincrease in equity was primarily attributable to our share repurchase activity and dividends declared, partially offset by our comprehensive income and the net impact of stock-based compensation arrangements, partially offset by our dividends declared during Fiscal 20162018.
Cash Flows
Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017
  Fiscal Years Ended  
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 $
Change
  (millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities $975.1
 $952.6
 $22.5
Net cash used in investing activities (189.1) (208.1) 19.0
Net cash used in financing activities (197.5) (518.4) 320.9
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 55.2
 (16.4) 71.6
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $643.7
 $209.7
 $434.0




5056 


Cash Flows
Fiscal 2016 Compared to Fiscal 2015
  Fiscal Years Ended  
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 $
Change
  (millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities $1,007
 $894
 $113
Net cash used in investing activities (583) (689) 106
Net cash used in financing activities (473) (421) (52)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 5
 (81) 86
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $(44) $(297) $253
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.    Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $1.007 billion during Fiscal 2016, from $894$975.1 million during Fiscal 2015.2018, from $952.6 million during Fiscal 2017. The $113$22.5 million net increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities, including our working capital, as compared to the prior fiscal year, partially offset by a decline in net income before non-cash charges. The decline in net income before non-cash charges reflected a net charge of $209.3 million recorded during Fiscal 2018 in connection with the TCJA's one-time mandatory transition tax. This charge, which is expected to be paid over an eight-year period net of foreign tax credits and other federal income tax activity (see "Contractual and Other Obligations" below), did not impact our cash flows from operating activities during Fiscal 2018 as reflected in the offsetting net favorable change in our income taxes payable and deferred taxes. Excluding the impact of this enactment-related charge, the net increase related to our operating assets and liabilities, including working capital, was primarily driven by:due to:
a favorable change in our accounts receivable balance, largely driven by lower net revenues at the end of Fiscal 2016 and the timing of cash collections; and
favorable changes in our (i) prepaid expensesother income tax receivables and other current assetspayables (excluding the impact of the one-time mandatory transition tax) and (ii) accounts payable and accrued liabilities balances,deferred income, both largely driven by the timing of cash collections and payments.
These increases related to our operating assets and liabilities were partially offset by:
a less favorable change related to our inventory in Fiscal 2018 as compared to Fiscal 2017, largely driven by the timing of our inventory management initiatives and the timing of inventory receipts; and
unfavorable changes in our (i) accounts payable and accrued liabilities and (ii) accounts receivable, largely driven by the timing of cash payments and collections, respectively.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities.    Net cash used in investing activities was $583$189.1 million during Fiscal 2016,2018, as compared to $689$208.1 million during Fiscal 2015.2017. The $106$19.0 million net decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily driven by by:
a $142$122.4 million decline in capital expenditures. During Fiscal 2018, we spent $161.6 million on capital expenditures, as compared to $284.0 million during Fiscal 2017. Our capital expenditures during Fiscal 2018 primarily related to our global retail and department store renovations, new store openings, and the continued enhancements to our global information technology systems.
This decrease in cash used to purchasein investing activities was partially offset by:
a $104.9 million increase in purchases of investments, less proceeds from sales and maturities of investments. During Fiscal 2016,2018, we made net investment purchases of $143$22.9 million, as compared to receiving net investment purchasesproceeds from sales and maturities of $285investments of $82.0 million during Fiscal 2015.
The above decrease in cash used in investing activities was partially offset by a $27 million increase in capital expenditures. During Fiscal 2016, we spent $418 million on capital expenditures, as compared to $391 million during Fiscal 2015. Our capital expenditures during Fiscal 2016 primarily related to our global retail store expansion, department store renovations, enhancements to our global information technology systems, and further development of our infrastructure, including the build-out of a new distribution center in High Point, North Carolina.2017.
In Fiscal 2017,2019, we expect to spend approximately $400$275 million in capital expenditures, primarily to supporton consumer-facing initiatives that have demonstrated a proof of concept and healthy rates of return, including our global retail store expansionfleet and further development of our infrastructure, including continued investment in a new global e-commerce platform. Our capital expenditures will also be focused on department store renovations and the continued implementation of SAP and other systems.digital ecosystem.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities.    Net cash used in financing activities was $473$197.5 million during Fiscal 2016,2018, as compared to $421$518.4 million during Fiscal 2015.2017. The $52$320.9 million increasenet decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by:
a $54$198.1 million decrease in proceeds from debt issuances, less cash used to repay debt. During Fiscal 2016, we received net proceeds of $299 million from our issuance of 2.625% unsecured senior notes in August 2015 and $26 million in borrowings under our credit facilities, which were partially offset by net repayments of $145 million related to our commercial paper note issuances and repayments. During Fiscal 2015, we received net proceeds of $234 million related to our commercial paper note issuances and repayments; and
a $12 million increase in cash used to pay dividends, primarily due to an increase in the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock from $0.45 per share to $0.50 per share effective beginning in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2015. During Fiscal 2016, we used $170 million to pay dividends, as compared to $158 million during Fiscal 2015.



51


These increases in cash used in financing activities were partially offset by:
a $32 million decreasedecline in cash used to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock. During Fiscal 2016, we used $480 million to repurchase shares of Class A common stock pursuant to our common stock repurchase program, and an additional $202018, $17.1 million in shares of Class A common stock were surrendered or withheld in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of awards under our long-term stock incentive plans. On a comparative basis, during Fiscal 2015,2017, we used $500$200.0 million to repurchase shares of Class A common stock pursuant to our common stock repurchase program, and an additional $32$15.2 million in shares of Class A common stock were surrendered or withheld for taxes.taxes; and
a $126.2 million decline in cash used to repay debt, less proceeds from debt issuances. During Fiscal 2018, we received $10.1 million in borrowings under our credit facilities. During Fiscal 2017, we made $90.0 million in net repayments related to our commercial paper note issuances and repayments and repaid $26.1 million of borrowings previously outstanding under our credit facilities.




57


Fiscal 20152017 Compared to Fiscal 20142016
 Fiscal Years Ended   Fiscal Years Ended  
 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 $
Change		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 $
Change
 (millions) (millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities $894
 $907
 $(13) $952.6
 $1,016.7
 $(64.1)
Net cash used in investing activities (689) (488) (201) (208.1) (576.3) 368.2
Net cash used in financing activities (421) (599) 178
 (518.4) (483.0) (35.4)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (81) 3
 (84)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $(297) $(177) $(120)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (16.4) 7.2
 (23.6)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $209.7
 $(35.4) $245.1
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.    Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $894$952.6 million during Fiscal 2015,2017, from $907 million$1.017 billion during Fiscal 2014.2016. The $64.1 million net decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to thea decline in net income before non-cash charges, partially offset by a net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities.liabilities, including our working capital. The net favorable changeincrease related to our operating assets and liabilitiesworking capital was primarily driven by foreign currency impacts, primarily related to the weakening of the Euro and the Japanese Yen against the U.S. Dollar during Fiscal 2015, partially offset by by:
a decline in our inventory levels, largely driven by our inventory management initiatives, lower sourcing costs, and the timing of inventory receipts.
This increase related to our working capital was partially offset by:
an unfavorable change in our accounts receivable, largely driven by:by the timing of cash collections; and
an unfavorable changeschange in income tax receivables and payables, as well asour prepaid expenses and other current assets, both due tolargely driven by the timing of payments; and
a year-over-year increase in our inventory levels to support our new brands and new and expanded stores.payments.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities.    Net cash used in investing activities was $689$208.1 million during Fiscal 2015,2017, as compared to $488$576.3 million during Fiscal 2014.2016. The $201$368.2 million net increasedecrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily driven by by:
a $229$224.3 million increase in cash used to purchase investments, less proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, less cash used to purchase investments. During Fiscal 2015,2017, we madereceived net purchasesproceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $285$82.0 million, as compared to making net investment purchases of investments of $56$142.3 million during Fiscal 2014.2016; and
The above increase in cash used in investing activities was partially offset by a $28$133.7 million decline in cash used to fund acquisitions and ventures.capital expenditures. During Fiscal 2015,2017, we used $12spent $284.0 million of cashon capital expenditures, as compared to support the funding$417.7 million during Fiscal 2016. Our capital expenditures during Fiscal 2017 primarily related to our global retail store openings, department store renovations, enhancements to our global information technology systems, and further development of our joint venture, the RL Watch Company, and other investments. During Fiscal 2014, we used $40 million of cash, including $18 million to fund the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition, $15 million to fund the Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition, as well as amounts to support the continued funding of the RL Watch Company.infrastructure.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities.    Net cash used in financing activities was $421$518.4 million during Fiscal 2015,2017, as compared to $599$483.0 million during Fiscal 2014.2016. The $178$35.4 million declinenet increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by:
a $203$296.8 million increase in proceeds from debt issuances, less cash used to repay debt.debt, less proceeds from debt issuances. During Fiscal 2015,2017, we made $90.0 million in net repayments related to our commercial paper note issuances and repayments and repaid $26.1 million of borrowings previously outstanding under our credit facilities. During Fiscal 2016, we received net proceeds of $234$299.4 million from the issuance of our 2.625% unsecured senior notes and $26.1 million in borrowings under our credit facilities, which were partially offset by net repayments of $144.8 million related to our commercial paper note issuances and repayments. During Fiscal 2014, we received $300repayments; and
a $28.2 million decline in proceeds from our issuancethe exercise of 2.125% unsecured senior notesstock options.
These increases in September 2013, a portion of which wascash used to repay the $269 million principal amount outstanding of the 4.5% Euro-denominated notes upon their maturity on October 4, 2013; and



52


in financing activities were partially offset by:
a $26$285.2 million declinedecrease in cash used to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock. During Fiscal 2015,2017, we used $500$200.0 million to repurchase shares of Class A common stock pursuant to our common stock repurchase program, and an additional $32$15.2 million in shares of Class A common stock were surrendered or withheld in satisfaction of




58


withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of awards under our long-term stock incentive plans. On a comparative basis, during Fiscal 2014,2016, we used $498$479.9 million to repurchase shares of Class A common stock pursuant to our common stock repurchase program, and an additional $60$20.5 million in shares of Class A common stock were surrendered or withheld for taxes.
The above decreases in cash used in financing activities were partially offset by:
a $26 million decline in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements;
a $15 million increase in payments related to our capital lease obligations; and
a $9 million increase in cash used to pay dividends.
Sources of Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are the cash flows generated from our operations, our available cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, availability under our credit facilities, our issuances of commercial paper notes, our available cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, and other available financing options.
During Fiscal 2016,2018, we generated $1.007 billion$975.1 million of net cash flows from our operations. As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, we had $1.085$2.004 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, of which $1.066$1.064 billion were held by our subsidiaries domiciled outside the U.S. We are not dependent on foreign cash to fund our domestic operationsoperations. Given recent changes to the taxation of undistributed foreign earnings in connection with the TCJA (as discussed within "Recent Developments"), we have reevaluated our permanent reinvestment assertion and dodetermined that undistributed foreign earnings that were subject to the TCJA's one-time mandatory transition tax were no longer considered to be permanently reinvested, effective December 31, 2017. In connection with this decision, we repatriated $252.0 million of cash to the U.S. from certain of our foreign subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018, and we repatriated an additional $400.0 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2019. In addition, we recorded a deferred tax liability of $7.1 million for the expected future remittance of previously taxed foreign earnings. The mandatory transition tax does not expectapply to repatriate these balancesundistributed foreign earnings generated after December 31, 2017, and therefore we intend to meet our domestic cash needs.permanently reinvest any such earnings. However, if our plans change and we choose to repatriate any fundspost-2017 earnings to the U.S. in the future, we would be subject to applicable U.S. and foreign taxes.
The following table presents our total availability, borrowings outstanding, and remaining availability under our credit facilities and Commercial Paper Program as of April 2, 2016:March 31, 2018:
 April 2, 2016 March 31, 2018
Description(a)
 
Total
Availability
 
Borrowings
Outstanding
 
Remaining
Availability
 
Total
Availability
 
Borrowings
Outstanding
 
Remaining
Availability
 (millions) (millions)
Commercial Paper Program(b)
 $500
 $90
(c) 
$410
Global Credit Facility 500
 9
(d) 
491
Global Credit Facility and Commercial Paper Program(b)
 $500
 $8
(c) 
$492
Pan-Asia Credit Facilities 57
 26
(c) 
31
 52
 10
 42
 
(a) 
As defined in Note 1311 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
(b) 
Borrowings under the Commercial Paper Program are supported by the Global Credit Facility. Accordingly, we do not expect combined borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program and the Global Credit Facility to exceed $500 million.
(c) 
Classified as short-term debt within the consolidated balance sheet.
(d)
AsRepresents outstanding letters of April 2, 2016,credit for which we were contingently liable for $9 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Global Credit Facility.Facility as of March 31, 2018.
We believe that ourthe Global Credit Facility is adequately diversified with no undue concentration in any one financial institution. In particular, as of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, there were nine financial institutions participating in the Global Credit Facility, with no one participant maintaining a maximum commitment percentage in excess of 20%. Borrowings under the Pan-Asia Credit Facilities are guaranteed by the parent company and are granted at the sole discretion of the participating regional branches of JPMorgan Chase (the "Banks"), subject to availability of the Banks' funds and satisfaction of certain regulatory requirements. We have no reason to believe that the participating institutions will be unable to fulfill their obligations to provide financing in accordance with the terms of the Global Credit Facility and the Pan-Asia Credit Facilities in the event of our election to draw funds in the foreseeable future.



53


Our sources of liquidity are used to fund our ongoing cash requirements, including working capital requirements, global retail store and e-commerce development anddigital commerce expansion, construction and renovation of shop-within-shops, investment in infrastructure, including technology, acquisitions, joint ventures, payment of dividends, debt repayments, Class A common stock repurchases, settlement of contingent liabilities (including uncertain tax positions), and other corporate activities, including our restructuring actions. We believe that our existing sources of cash, the availability under our credit facilities, and our ability to access capital markets will be sufficient to support our operating, capital, and debt service requirements for the foreseeable future, the ongoing development of our businesses, and our plans for further business expansion.




59


See Note 1311 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional information relating to our credit facilities.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, the remaining availability under our Class A common stock repurchase program was approximately $100 million. On May 11, 2016, our Board of Directors approved an expansion of the program that allows us to repurchase up to an additional $200 million of Class A common stock. Repurchases of shares of Class A common stock are subject to overall business and market conditions.
See Note 1715 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional information relating to our Class A common stock repurchase program.
Dividends
Since 2003, we have maintained, and intend to continue to maintain, a regular quarterly cash dividend program on our common stock. On November 5, 2013, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock from $0.40 per share to $0.45 per share. On February 3, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a further increase to the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock from $0.45 per share to $0.50 per share.
We intend to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends on our outstanding common stock. However, any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
See Note 1715 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional information relating to our quarterly cash dividend program.
Debt and Covenant Compliance
In September 2013, we completed a registered public debt offering and issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due September 26, 2018, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.125%, payable semi-annually (the "2.125% Senior Notes"). In August 2015, we completed a second registered public debt offering and issued an additional $300 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due August 18, 2020, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.625%, payable semi-annually (the "2.625% Senior Notes").
The indenture and supplemental indentures governing the 2.125% Senior Notes and 2.625% Senior Notes (as supplemented, the "Indenture") contain certain covenants that restrict our ability, subject to specified exceptions, to incur certain liens; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; consolidate or merge with another party; or sell, lease, or convey all or substantially all of our property or assets to another party. However, the Indenture does not contain any financial covenants.
The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants, as described in Note 1311 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, no Event of Default (as such term is defined pursuant to the Global Credit Facility) has occurred under our Global Credit Facility. The Pan-Asia Credit Facilities do not contain any financial covenants.
See Note 1311 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional information relating to our debt and covenant compliance.




5460 


Contractual and Other Obligations
Firm Commitments
The following table summarizes certain of our aggregate contractual obligations as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, and the estimated timing and effect that such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. We expect to fund these firm commitments with operating cash flows generated in the normal course of business and, if necessary, through availability under our credit facilities or other accessible sources of financing.
 Fiscal
2017		 Fiscal
2018-2019		 Fiscal
2020-2021		 Fiscal
2022 and
Thereafter		 Total Fiscal
2019		 Fiscal
2020-2021		 Fiscal
2022-2023		 Fiscal
2024 and
Thereafter		 Total
 (millions) (millions)
Senior Notes $—
 $300
 $300
 $—
 $600
 $300.0
 $300.0
 $—
 $—
 $600.0
Interest payments on Senior Notes 14
 25
 12
 —
 51
 11.1
 11.8
 —
 —
 22.9
Operating leases 343.8
 580.7
 419.2
 504.5
 1,848.2
Capital leases 30
 54
 55
 106
 245
 29.6
 62.4
 58.3
 78.5
 228.8
Operating leases 346
 634
 494
 733
 2,207
Inventory purchase commitments 525
 416
 —
 —
 941
 741.7
 —
 —
 —
 741.7
Mandatory transition tax payments 23.0
 23.2
 30.8
 70.8
 147.8
Other commitments 58
 43
 38
 10
 149
 40.6
 55.4
 11.0
 —
 107.0
Total $973
 $1,472
 $899
 $849
 $4,193
 $1,489.8
 $1,033.5
 $519.3
 $653.8
 $3,696.4
The following is a description of our material, firmly committed obligations as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018:
Senior Notes representsrepresent the principal amount of our outstanding 2.125% Senior Notes and 2.625% Senior Notes. Amounts do not include any fair value adjustments, call premiums, unamortized debt issuance costs, or interest payments (see below);
Interest payments on Senior Notes represent the semi-annual contractual interest payments due on our 2.125% Senior Notes and 2.625% Senior Notes;Notes. Amounts do not include the impact of potential cash flows underlying our swap contracts entered into during Fiscal 2016 (see Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for discussion of our swap contracts);
Lease obligations represent the minimum lease rental payments due under noncancelable leases for our real estate and operating equipment. In addition to such amounts, we are normally required to pay taxes, insurance, and certain occupancy costs relating to our leased real estate properties, which are not included in the table above. Approximately 70%75% of these lease obligations relate to our retail operations. Information has been presented separately for capitaloperating and operatingcapital leases;
Inventory purchase commitments represent our legally-binding agreements to purchase fixed or minimum quantities of goods at determinable prices;
Mandatory transition tax payments represent our tax obligation incurred in connection with the deemed repatriation of previously deferred foreign earnings pursuant to the TCJA (see Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for discussion of the TCJA). The expected mandatory transition tax payments have been presented net of foreign tax credits and other federal income tax activity of $61.5 million, which we expect to utilize to partially reduce this tax obligation; and
Other commitments primarily represent our legally-binding obligations under sponsorship, licensing, and other marketing and advertising agreements; distribution-related agreements; information technology-related service agreements; and pension-related obligations.
Excluded from the above contractual obligations table is the non-current liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $81$79.2 million as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, as we cannot make a reliable estimate of the period in which the liability will be settled, if ever. The above table also excludes the following: (i) other than the current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations, and mandatory transition tax payments, amounts recorded in current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, including $10.1 million in borrowings outstanding of $90 million and $26 million under our Commercial Paper Program and Pan-Asia Credit Facilities, respectively, which will be paid within one year; and (ii) non-current liabilities that have no cash outflows associated with them (e.g., deferred revenue), or the cash outflows associated with




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them are uncertain or do not represent a "purchase obligation" as the term is used herein (e.g., deferred taxes, derivative financial instruments, and other miscellaneous items).
We also have certain contractual arrangements that would require us to make payments if certain events or circumstances occur. See Note 1614 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for a description of our contingent commitments not included in the above table.



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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In addition to the commitments included in the above table, our other off-balance sheet firm commitments relating to our outstanding letters of credit amounted to approximately $10$9.3 million as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018. We do not maintain any other off-balance sheet arrangements, transactions, obligations, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that would be expected to have a material current or future effect on our consolidated financial statements.
MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
As discussed in Note 1513 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements, we are exposed to a variety of risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates relating to foreign currency-denominated balances, certain anticipated cash flows from our international operations, and possible declines in the value of reported net assets of certain of our foreign operations, as well as changes in the fair value of our fixed-rate debt relating to changes in interest rates. Consequently, at times, in the normal course of business, we employ established policies and procedures, including the use of derivative financial instruments, to manage such risks. We do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes.
As a result of the use of derivative instruments, we are exposed to the risk that counterparties to our contracts will fail to meet their contractual obligations. To mitigate this counterparty credit risk, we have a policy of only entering into contracts with carefully selected financial institutions based upon an evaluation of their credit ratings and certain other factors, adhering to established limits for credit exposure. Our established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk from derivative transactions include ongoing review and assessment of the creditworthiness of our counterparties. We also enter into master netting arrangements with counterparties, when possible, to mitigate credit risk associated with our derivative instruments. As a result of the above considerations, we do not believe that we are exposed to any undue concentration of counterparty risk with respect to our derivative contracts as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018. However, we do have in aggregate approximately $11$1.6 million of derivative instruments in net asset positions with two creditworthy financial institutions.
Foreign Currency Risk Management
We manage our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates through the use of forward foreign currency exchange and cross-currency swap contracts. Refer to Note 1513 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for a summary of the notional amounts and fair values of our forward foreign currency exchange and cross-currency swap contracts outstanding as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
We enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts as hedges to reduce our risk related to exchange rate fluctuations on inventory transactions made in an entity's non-functional currency, intercompany royalty payments made by certain of our international operations, and otherthe settlement of foreign currency-denominated operational and intercompany balances, and cash flows.the translation of certain foreign operations' net assets into U.S. Dollars. As part of our overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily to changes in the value of the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the South Korean Won, the Australian Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the British Pound Sterling, the Swiss Franc, the Swedish Krona, the Chinese Renminbi, the New Taiwan Dollar, and the Hong Kong Dollar, we hedge a portion of our foreign currency exposures anticipated over a two-year period. In doing so, we use forward foreign currency exchange contracts that generally have maturities of two months to two years to provide continuing coverage throughout the hedging period.period of the respective exposure.
Our foreign exchange risk management activities are governed by our Company's established policies and procedures. These policies and procedures provide a framework that allows for the management of currency exposures while ensuring the activities are conducted within our established guidelines. Our policies include guidelines for the organizational structure of our risk management function and for internal controls over foreign exchange risk management activities, including, but not limited to, authorization levels, transaction limits, and credit quality controls, as well as various measurements for monitoring compliance. We monitor foreign exchange risk using different techniques, including a periodic review of market values and sensitivity analyses.




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We record our forward foreign currency exchange contracts at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. To the extent forward foreign currency exchange contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are highly effective in offsetting changes in the value of the hedged item,items, the related gains or losses are initially deferred in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") and are subsequently recognized in our consolidated statements of incomeoperations as follows:
Forecasted Inventory Transactions — recognized as part of the cost of the inventory being hedged within cost of goods sold when the related inventory is sold to a third party.



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Intercompany RoyaltiesRoyalties/Settlement of Foreign Currency Balances — recognized within foreign currency gains (losses) generally inother expense, net, during the period in whichthat the hedged balance is remeasured through earnings, generally through its settlement when the related payments being hedged occur.payment occurs.
We recognized in earnings net gainslosses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in earnings of approximately $32$8.7 million, $35 and $2.6 million, during Fiscal 2018 and $30Fiscal 2017, respectively, and a net gain of $32.4 million during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014, respectively.2016.
Cross-Currency Swap Contracts
During Fiscal 2016, we entered into two pay-floating rate, receive-floating rate cross-currency swaps, with notional amounts of €280 million and €274 million, which we designated as hedges of our net investment in certain of our European subsidiaries (the "Cross-Currency Swaps"). The Cross-Currency Swaps, which mature on September 26, 2018 and August 18, 2020, respectively, swap the U.S. Dollar-denominated variable interest rate payments based on the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a fixed spread for Euro-denominated variable interest rate payments based on the 3-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate plus a fixed spread. As a result, the Cross-Currency Swaps, in conjunction with the Interest Rate Swaps (as defined below), economically convert our $300 million fixed-rate 2.125% and $300 million fixed-rate 2.625% obligations to €280 million and €274 million floating-rate Euro-denominated liabilities, respectively.
Sensitivity
We perform a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures may have on the fair values of our forward foreign currency exchange and cross-currency swap contracts. To perform the sensitivity analysis, we assess the risk of loss in these contracts' fair values that would result from the effect of hypothetical changes in foreign currency exchange rates. This analysis assumes a like movement by the foreign currencies in our hedge portfolio against the U.S. Dollar. As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, a 10% appreciation or depreciation of the U.S. Dollar against the exchange rates for foreign currencies under contract would result in a net increase or decrease, respectively, in the fair value of our derivative portfolio of approximately $155$141 million. As our outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts are primarily designated as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions, and as our cross-currency swap contracts are designated as hedges of our net investment in certain of our European subsidiaries, thisThis hypothetical net change in fair value wouldshould ultimately be largely offset by the net change in the fair values of the underlying hedged items.
Interest Rate Risk Management
During Fiscal 2016, we entered into two pay-floating rate, receive-fixed rate interest rate swap contracts which we designated as hedges against changes in the respective fair values of our fixed-rate 2.125% Senior Notes and our fixed-rate 2.625% Senior Notes attributed to changes in the benchmark interest rate (the "Interest Rate Swaps"). The Interest Rate Swaps, which mature on September 26, 2018 and August 18, 2020, respectively, both have notional amounts of $300 million and swap the fixed interest rates on our 2.125% Senior Notes and 2.625% Senior Notes for variable interest rates based on 3-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread.
Sensitivity
As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, notwithstanding the aforementioned Interest Rate Swaps, we had no variable-rate debt outstanding. As such, our exposure to changes in interest rates primarily relates to a change in the fair value of our fixed-rate Senior Notes commercial paper notes, and borrowings outstanding under our credit facilities. As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, the fair values of our Senior Notes commercial paper notes, and borrowings outstanding under our credit facilities were $614 million, $90$598.1 million and $26$10.1 million, respectively. A 25 basis point increase or decrease in the level of interest rates would decrease or increase, respectively, the aggregate fair value of our Senior Notes commercial paper notes, and borrowings outstanding under our credit facilities by approximately $5$2 million. Such potential increases or decreases in the fair value of our debt would only be relevant if we were to retire all or a portion of the debt prior to its maturity, and are based on certain simplifying assumptions, including an immediate across-the-board increase or decrease in the level of interest rates with no other subsequent changes for the remainder of the period.




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Investment Risk Management
As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents on-hand of $456 million1.305 billion, consisting of deposits in interest bearing accounts, and investedinvestments in money market fundsdeposit accounts, and investments in time deposits and commercial paper with original maturities of 90 days or less. Our other significant investments included $629699.4 million of short-term investments, consisting of investments in time deposits and corporate bondscommercial paper with original maturities greater than 90 days; $46$50.9 million of restricted cash placed in escrow with certain banks as collateral, primarily to secure guarantees in connection with certain international tax matters; and $187$86.2 million of investments with maturities greater than one year, consisting of time deposits.



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We actively monitor our exposure to changes in the fair value of our global investment portfolio in accordance with our established policies and procedures, which include monitoring both general and issuer-specific economic conditions, as discussed further below. Our investment objectives include capital preservation, maintaining adequate liquidity, diversification to minimize liquidity and credit risk, and achievement of maximum returns within the guidelines set forth in our investment policy. See Note 1513 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for further detail of the composition of our investment portfolio as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018.
We evaluate investments held in unrealized loss positions, if any, for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. This evaluation involves a variety of considerations, including assessments of risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions and distinct conditions affecting specific issuers. We consider the following factors: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below cost, (ii) the financial condition, credit worthiness, and near-term prospects of the issuer, (iii) the length of time to maturity, (iv) anticipated future economic conditions and market forecasts, (v) our intent and ability to retain our investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery of market value, and (vi) an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell our investment before recovery of market value. No material realized or unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments or other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded in any of the fiscal years presented.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it is important to our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. Our estimates are often based on complex judgments, assessments of probability, and assumptions that management believes to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. It is also possible that other professionals, applying reasonable judgment to the same set of facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts. We believe that the following list represents our critical accounting policies. For a discussion of all of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies, see Note 3 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
Sales Reserves and Uncollectible Accounts
A significant area of judgment affecting reported revenue and net income involves estimating sales reserves, which represent the portion of gross revenues not expected to be realized. In particular, revenue related to our wholesale revenuebusiness is reduced by estimates of returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, and operational chargebacks. Retail revenue,Revenue related to our retail business, including e-commercedigital commerce sales, is also reduced by an estimate of returns.
In determining estimates of returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, and operational chargebacks, we analyze historical trends, seasonal results, current economic and market conditions, and retailer performance. We review and refine these estimates on a quarterly basis. Our historical estimates of these costs have not differed materially from actual results. A hypothetical 1% increase in our reserves for returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, and operational chargebacks as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 would have decreased our Fiscal 20162018 net revenues by approximately $2 million.
Similarly, we evaluate our accounts receivable balances to determine if they will ultimately be collected. Significant judgments and estimates are involved in this evaluation, including an analysis of specific risks on a customer-by-customer basis for larger accounts and customers, and a receivables aging analysis that determines the percentage of receivables that has historically been uncollected by aged category. Based on this information, we provide a reserve for the estimated amounts believed to be uncollectible. Although we believe that we have adequately provided for those risks as part of our bad debt reserve, a severe and prolonged adverse impact on our major customers' business operations could have a corresponding material adverse effect on our net sales, cash flows, and/or financial condition.




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See "Accounts Receivable" in Note 3 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for an analysis of the activity in our sales reserves and allowance for doubtful accounts for each of the three fiscal years presented.
Inventories
We hold inventory that is sold through wholesale distribution channels to major department stores and specialty retail stores. We also hold retail inventory that is sold in our own stores and e-commercedigital commerce sites directly to consumers. Substantially all of our inventories are comprised of finished goods, which are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value, with cost primarily determined on a weighted-average cost basis.



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The estimated net realizable value of inventory is determined based on an analysis of historical sales trends of our individual product lines, the impact of market trends and economic conditions, and a forecast of future demand, giving consideration to the value of current orders in-house for future sales of inventory, as well as plans to sell inventory through our factory stores, among other liquidation channels. EstimatesActual results may differ from actual resultsestimates due to the quantity, quality, and mix of products in inventory, consumer and retailer preferences, and market conditions. Reserves for inventory shrinkage, representing the risk of physical loss of inventory, are estimated based on historical experience and are adjusted based upon physical inventory counts. Our historical estimates of these costs and the related provisions have not differed materially from actual results.
A hypothetical 1% increase in the level of our inventory reserves as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 would have decreased our Fiscal 20162018 gross profit by approximately $1 million.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and certain other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives are not amortized. Rather, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment at least annually. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and, along with other long-lived assets, are evaluated for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be fully recoverable.
We generally perform our annual goodwill impairment assessment using a qualitative approach to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its respective carrying value. However, in order to reassess the fair values of our reporting units, we periodically perform a quantitative impairment analysis in lieu of using the qualitative approach.
Performance of the qualitative goodwill impairment assessment requires judgment in identifying and considering the significance of relevant key factors, events, and circumstances that affect the fair values of our reporting units. This requires consideration and assessment of external factors such as macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions, as well as entity-specific factors, such as our actual and planned financial performance. We also give consideration to the difference between each reporting unit's fair value and carrying value as of the most recent date that a fair value measurement was performed. If the results of the qualitative assessment conclude that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, additional quantitative impairment testing is performed.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step is to identify the existence of potential impairment byinvolves comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the reporting unit's goodwill is considered not to be impaired and performance of the second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary.impaired. However, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss to be recorded, if any. The second step of the quantitative goodwillimpairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognizedrecorded in an amount equal to that excess. Any impairment charge recognized is limited to the amount of the respective reporting unit's allocated goodwill.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit under the first step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test and determining the fair values of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) under the second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Similarly, estimates and assumptions are used when determining the fair values of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and the magnitude of any such charge. To assist management in the process of determining any potential goodwill impairment, we may review and consider appraisals from accredited independent valuation firms. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows, market comparisons, and recent transactions. These approaches use significant estimates and assumptions, including projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rates reflecting the risks inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rates, and determination of appropriate market comparables.
We performed our annual goodwill impairment assessment as of the beginning of the second quarter of Fiscal 20162018 using the qualitative approach discussed above, while giving consideration to our most recent quantitative goodwill impairment test (the results of which indicated that the fair values of our reporting units with allocated goodwill significantly exceeded their respective




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carrying values). Based on the results of the qualitative impairment assessment performed, we concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair values of ourthese reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values and there were no reporting units at risk of impairment. Additionally, no goodwill impairment charges have beenwere recorded during any of the three fiscal years presented.presented in connection with the Company's annual goodwill impairment assessments.



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Subsequent to our Fiscal 2017 annual goodwill impairment assessment, we realigned our segment reporting structure during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 as a result of significant organizational changes implemented in connection with the Way Forward Plan. As a result of the realignment of our segment reporting structure, we reallocated the carrying amount of goodwill to our new reporting units based upon each reporting unit's relative fair value as of the first day of our fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017. In connection with this reallocation, we performed an interim assessment of the recoverability of goodwill assigned to our new reporting units using the quantitative approach described above. Based on the results of the quantitative impairment assessment performed, we concluded that the fair value of one of our new reporting units was less than its carrying value. As a result, a goodwill impairment charge of $5.2 million was recorded during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 to fully write off the carrying value of the reporting unit's reallocated goodwill. The fair values of the remaining new reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values and were not at risk of impairment.
In evaluating finite-lived intangible assets for recoverability, we use our best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition where probable. To the extent that estimated future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value, considering external market participant assumptions.
During Fiscal 2018, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8.8 million as a result of a change in the planned usage of a certain intangible asset to reduce the value of the intangible asset to its estimated fair value. There were no other finite-lived intangible asset impairment charges recorded during any of the fiscal periods presented. See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
It is possible that our conclusions regarding impairment or recoverability of goodwill or other intangible assets could change in future periods if, for example, (i) our businesses do not perform as projected, (ii) overall economic conditions in future years vary from current assumptions, (iii) business conditions or strategies change from our current assumptions, or (iv) the identification of our reporting units change, among other factors. Such changes could result in a future impairment charge of goodwill or other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Impairment of Other Long-Lived Assets
Property and equipment, along with other long-lived assets, are evaluated for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying values may not be fully recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets for recoverability, we use our best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition, where applicable. To the extent that estimated future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value, considering external market participant assumptions. Assets to be disposed of and for which there is a committed plan of disposal are reported at the lower of carrying value or fair value, less costs to sell.
In determining future cash flows, we take various factors into account, including changes in merchandising strategy, the emphasis on retail store cost controls, the effects of macroeconomic trends such as consumer spending, and the impacts of more experienced retail store managers and increased local advertising. Since the determination of future cash flows is an estimate of future performance, future impairments may arise in the event that future cash flows do not meet expectations.
During Fiscal 20162018, Fiscal 20152017, and Fiscal 20142016, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $49$41.2 million,, $7 $248.6 million,, and $1$48.8 million,, respectively, to reducefully write off the net carrying valuevalues of certain long-lived assets primarily in our Retail segment, tobased upon their estimatedassumed fair values.values of zero. See Note 108 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Income Taxes
In determining our income tax provision for financial reporting purposes, we establish a reserve for uncertain tax positions. If we consider that a tax position is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, based solely on the technical merits of the position, we recognize the tax benefit. We measure the tax benefit by determining the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement, presuming that the tax position is examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. These assessments can be complex and require significant judgment, and we often obtain assistance from external advisors. To the extent that our estimates change or the final tax outcome of these matters is different




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from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. If the initial assessment of a position fails to result in the recognition of a tax benefit, we will recognize the tax benefit if (i) there are changes in tax law or analogous case law that sufficiently raise the likelihood of prevailing on the technical merits of the position to more likely than not; (ii) the statute of limitations expires; or (iii) there is a completion of an audit resulting in a settlement of that tax year with the appropriate agency.
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of certain net operating losses, capital losses, general business credit carryforwards, and the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes, as determined under enacted tax laws and rates. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax valuation allowances are analyzed periodically by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income, which typically involves the use of significant estimates. Such allowances are adjusted as events occur, or circumstances change, that warrant adjustments to those balances.
During Fiscal 2018, we recorded net charges of $221.4 million within our income tax provision in connection with the TCJA. These charges were recorded on a provisional basis, as permitted by SAB 118, based on our present interpretations of the TCJA, current available information, and assumptions about future events. Although we believe these provisional amounts represent a reasonable estimate of the ultimate enactment-related impact the TCJA will have on our consolidated financial statements, the amounts could be adjusted materially as additional information becomes available, including potential new or interpretative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Internal Revenue Service and other tax agencies, and as further analyses are completed.
See Note 1210 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for further discussion of income taxes.



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Contingencies
We are periodically exposed to various contingencies in the ordinary course of conducting our business, including certain litigation, alleged information system security breaches, contractual disputes, employee relation matters, various tax or other governmental audits, and trademark and intellectual property matters and disputes. We record a liability for such contingencies to the extent that we conclude their occurrence is probable and the related losses are estimable. In addition, if it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable settlement of a contingency could exceed the established liability, we disclose the estimated impact on our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, if practicable. Management considers many factors in making these assessments. As the ultimate resolution of contingencies is inherently unpredictable, these assessments can involve a series of complex judgments about future events including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties, and governmental actions. As a result, the accounting for loss contingencies relies heavily on management's judgment in developing the related estimates and assumptions.
Stock-Based Compensation
We expense all stock-based compensation awarded to employees and non-employee directors based on the grant date fair value of the awards over the requisite service period, adjusted for forfeitures which are estimated forfeitures.based on an analysis of historical experience and expected future trends.
Stock Options
Stock options arehave been granted to employees and non-employee directors with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of stock options, which requires the use of both subjective and objective assumptions. Certain key assumptions involve estimating future uncertain events. The key factors influencing the estimation process include the expected term of the option, expected volatility of our stock price, our expected dividend yield, and the risk-free interest rate, among others. Generally, once stock option values are determined, accounting practices do not permit them to be changed, even if the estimates used are different from actual results.
No stock options were granted in Fiscal 2016.during any of the three fiscal years presented. See Note 1917 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for further discussion.




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Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs")
We grant restricted shares of our Class A common stock to our non-employee directors and service-based RSUs to certain of our senior executives as well as certain of ourand other employees. In addition, we grant performance-based RSUs to such senior executives and other key executives, as well as certain of our other employees.executives. The fair values of restricted stock shares and RSUs are based on the fair value of our unrestricted Class A common stock on the date of grant, adjusted to reflect the absence of dividends for those restricted securities that areany awards not entitled to accrue dividend equivalents prior to vesting.while outstanding. Compensation expense for performance-based RSUs is recognized over the employees' requisite service period when attainment of the performance goals is deemed probable, which involves judgment as to achievement of certain performance metrics.
Our performance-based RSU awards with a market condition in the form of a total shareholder return ("TSR") modifier are valued based on the expected attainment of performance at the end of a three-year performance period and TSR achieved relative to the S&P 500 index over the performance period. The fair value of these awards is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model prepared by an independent third party. This pricing model utilizes multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying each market condition stipulated in the terms of the award to estimate its grant date fair value. Compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is updated for the Company's expected net income performance level against the related goal at the end of each reporting period. No performance-based RSUs with a TSR modifier were granted during any of the three fiscal years presented. See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Sensitivity
The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair values of stock-based compensation awards represent our best estimates. In addition, judgment is required in estimating the number of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. If actual results differ significantly from our estimates and assumptions, if we change the assumptions used to estimate the grant date fair value for future stock-based award grants, or if there are changes in market conditions, stock-based compensation expense and, therefore, our results of operations could be materially impacted. A hypothetical 10% change in our stock-based compensation expense would have affected our Fiscal 20162018 net income by approximately $6$5 million.



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RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 4 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for a description of certain recently issued or proposed accounting standards which have impacted our consolidated financial statements, or may impact our consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods.
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
For a discussion of our exposure to market risk, see "Market Risk Management" in Item 7 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
See the "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements" appearing at the end of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Not applicable.
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed




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to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officerprincipal executive and Chief Financial Officer,principal financial officers, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officerprincipal executive and Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officers have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level, as of the fiscal year-end covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements; providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company's assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected. Further, the evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was made as of a specific date, and continued effectiveness in future periods is subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may decline.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officerprincipal executive and Chief Financial Officer,principal financial officers, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this report based on the framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway



62


Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company's internal controls over financial reporting were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the fiscal year-end covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Ernst & Young LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting as included elsewhere herein.
(c) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Except as discussed below, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 20162018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Global Operating and Financial Reporting System Implementation
We are inDuring the processfirst quarter of implementing a globalFiscal 2018, we completed the migration of our European operations to an operating and financial reporting information technology system, SAP, as part of a multi-year plan to integrate and upgrade our global systems and processes, which began during our fiscal year ended April 2, 2011. The implementation of this global system is scheduled to continue in phases over the next several years. We substantially completed the migration of our North America operations to SAP during Fiscal 2015, and we are currently in the process of executing the migration of our European operations to SAP, which is expected to be completed during Fiscal 2017.processes.
As a result of the phased implementation of this system, occurs, we are experiencinghave experienced certain changes to our processes and procedures which, in turn, result in changes to our internal control over financial reporting. While we expect SAP to strengthen our internal financial controls by automating certain manual processes and standardizing business processes and reporting across our organization, management will continue to evaluate and monitor our internal controls as processes and procedures in each of the affected areas evolve. For a discussion of risks related to the implementation of new systems, see Item 1A — "Risk Factors — Risks and uncertainties associated with the implementation of information systems may negatively impact our business."
Item 9B.Other Information.
Not applicable.




69


PART III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information relating to our directors and corporate governance will be set forth in the Company's proxy statement for its 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 (the "Proxy Statement") and is incorporated by reference herein. Information relating to our executive officers is set forth in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption "Executive Officers."
The Company hasWe have a Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers that covers the Company's principal executive officer, principal operating officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, and any person performing similar functions, as applicable. The CompanyWe also hashave a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that covers the Company's directors, officers, and employees. You can find our Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (collectively, the "Codes") on our Internet site, http://investor.ralphlauren.com. We will post any amendments to the Codes and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the NYSE on our Internet site.
Item 11.Executive Compensation.
Information relating to executive and director compensation will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.



63


Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Equity Compensation Plan Information as of April 2, 2016
The following table sets forth information as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 regarding compensation plans under which the Company's equity securities are authorized for issuance:
 (a) (b) (c)  (a) (b) (c) 
Plan Category 
Numbers of
Securities to be
Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options ($)
 
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))
  
Numbers of
Securities to be
Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options ($)
 
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 4,170,629
(1) 
$146.58
(2) 
2,522,816
(3) 
 3,829,623
(1) 
$157.86
(2) 
3,111,331
(3) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders —
  —
  —
   —
  —
  —
  
Total 4,170,629
  $146.58
  2,522,816
   3,829,623
  $157.86
  3,111,331
  
 
 
(1) 
Consists of 2,417,9791,150,895 options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock and 1,752,6502,678,728 restricted stock units that are payable solely in shares of Class A common stock (including 429,688449,426 service-based restricted stock units that have fully vested but for which the underlying shares have not yet been delivered as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018). Does not include 14,45619,096 outstanding restricted shares that are subject to forfeiture.
(2) 
Represents the weighted average exercise price of outstanding stock options.
(3) 
All of the securities remaining available for future issuance set forth in column (c) may be in the form of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, or other stock-based awards under the Company's 1997 Incentive Plan and 2010 Incentive Plan (the "Plans"). An additional 14,45619,096 outstanding shares of restricted stock granted under the Company's Plans that remain subject to forfeiture are not reflected in column (c).
Other information relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.




70


Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required to be included by Item 13 of Form 10-K will be included in the Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information required to be included by Item 14 of Form 10-K will be included in the Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.



64


PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)    1., 2. Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules. See index on Page F-1.
3.      Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 Description
3.1 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-24733) (the "S-1"))
3.2 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed August 16, 2011)
3.3 Third
Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.13.3 to the Form 8-K dated February 4, 2014)10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 2017)
4.1 
Indenture, dated as of September 26, 2013, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (including the form of Note) (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K datedfiled September 23,26, 2013)
4.2 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 26, 2013, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K datedfiled September 23,26, 2013)
4.3 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 18, 2015, by and between Ralph Lauren Corporationthe Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K datedfiled August 13,18, 2015)
10.1 
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 9, 1997 by and among Ralph Lauren, GS Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partner PRL Holding I, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the S-1)
10.2 
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its Directors and Executive Officers (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the S-1)
10.3 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, made effective as of June 26, 2012,April 2, 2017, between the Company and Ralph Lauren (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed July 2, 2012)March 31, 2017)†
10.4 
Employment Agreement, dated May 13, 2017, between the Company and Patrice Louvet (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed May 17, 2017)†
10.5
Amendment No. 1 to the Employment Agreement, dated June 30, 2017, between the Company and Patrice Louvet (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 2017)†
10.6
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of April 4, 2016, between the Company and Valérie Hermann (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed May 4, 2016)†
10.7
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of AprilNovember 9, 2016, between the Company and Valérie Hermann (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 1, 2015,2016)†
10.8
Employment Agreement, dated June 8, 2016, between Ralph Lauren Corporationthe Company and Ralph LaurenJane Nielsen (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated April 6, 2015)filed June 10, 2016)†
10.510.9 Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2015, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Ralph Lauren (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated September 25, 2015)†
10.6Employment Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2015, between Ralph Lauren CorporationCompany and Stefan Larsson (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K dated September 25,filed October 1, 2015)†
10.710.10 Employment Agreement, effective as of April 7, 2014, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Valérie Hermann (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2015 (the "Fiscal 2015 10-K"))†
10.8
Amendment No. 1 to the Employment Agreement, effective as of June 24, 2014,August 9, 2016, between Ralph Lauren Corporationthe Company and Valérie HermannStefan Larsson (filed as Exhibit 10.1410.1 to the Fiscal 2015 10-K)Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 2, 2016)†
10.910.11 Amendment No. 2 to
Employment Separation Agreement and Release, between the Employment Agreement, effective as of March 29, 2015, between Ralph Lauren CorporationCompany and Valérie Hermann (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Fiscal 2015 10-K)†
10.10Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of April 4, 2016, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Valérie HermannStefan Larsson (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated May 4, 2016)†
10.11Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of April 1, 2015, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Robert L. Madore (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 8-K dated April 6, 2015)†
10.12Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of November 1, 2013, between the Company and Jackwyn Nemerov (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K dated September 18, 2013)†
10.13Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 30, 2014, between the Company and Jackwyn Nemerov (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2014 (the "Fiscal 2014 10-K"))†
10.14Amendment No.filed February 2, to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 29, 2015, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Jackwyn Nemerov (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Fiscal 2015 10-K)2017)†
10.15Employment Separation Agreement and Release, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Jackwyn Nemerov (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 21, 2015)†




6571 


Exhibit
Number
 Description
10.1610.12 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of November 1, 2013, between the Company and Christopher H. Peterson (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K dated September 18, 2013)†
10.17Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 30, 2014, between the Company and Christopher Peterson (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Fiscal 2014 10-K)†
10.18Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of April 1, 2015, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Christopher H. Peterson (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K dated April 6, 2015)†
10.19Employment Separation Agreement and Release, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Christopher Peterson (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated February 25, 2016)†
10.20Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 1, 2014, between the Company and Mitchell A. Kosh (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated February 11, 2014)†
10.21Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of April 1, 2015, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Mitchell A. Kosh (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K dated April 6, 2015)†
10.22Employment Separation Agreement and Release, between Ralph Lauren Corporation and Mitchell A. Kosh (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 1, 2015)†
10.23Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2004, between the Company and Ralph Lauren (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 2, 2005 (the "Fiscal 2005 10-K"))†
10.24
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2004, between the Company and Ralph Lauren (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Fiscal 2005 10-K)Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 2, 2005)†
10.2510.13 
Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan, as amended as of August 9, 2012 (filed as Appendix B to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement dated July 2, 2012)†
10.2610.14 
Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan, as amended as of August 10, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 2017)†
10.15
1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated as of August 12, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K dated August 12,filed October 4, 2004)†
10.2710.16 
Amendment, as of June 30, 2006, to the 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated as of August 12, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 2006)†
10.2810.17 
Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 21, 2009, to the 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated as of August 12, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2009)†
10.2910.18 
Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, amended as of August 8, 201311, 2016 (filed as Exhibit 10.110.4 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 29, 2013)July 2, 2016)†
10.3010.19 
Cliff Restricted Performance Share Unit Award Overview containing the standard terms of cliff restricted performance share unit awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the FiscalCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2014 10-K)(the "Fiscal 2014 10-K"))†
10.3110.20 
Pro-Rata Restricted Performance Share Unit Award Overview containing the standard terms of restricted performance share unit awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Fiscal 2014 10-K)†
10.3210.21 
Stock Option Award Overview containing the standard terms of stock option awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Fiscal 2014 10-K)†
10.3310.22 
Cliff Restricted Performance Share Unit with TSR Modifier Award Overview containing the standard terms of cliff restricted performance share unit awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Fiscal 2014 10-K)†
10.3410.23 
Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the FiscalCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2015 10-K)(the "Fiscal 2015 10-K"))†
10.3510.24 
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to the Fiscal 2015 10-K)†
10.3610.25 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q dated August 6,for the quarterly period ended June 27, 2015)†
10.37*10.26 
Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan†Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.37 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 2, 2016 (the "Fiscal 2016 10-K")†
10.3810.27 
Performance Share Unit Award Overview containing the standard terms of performance share unit awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)†
10.28
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit - Award Notification containing the standard terms of performance-based restricted stock unit awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)†
10.29
Restricted Stock Unit Overview containing the standard terms of restricted stock unit awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)†
10.30
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2015, among Ralph Lauren Corporation,the Company, Acqui Polo C.V., Polo Fin B.V. and Ralph Lauren Asia Pacific Limited, as the borrowers, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as co-documentation agents, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the "2015 Credit Agreement") (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K datedfiled February 18, 2015)



66


Exhibit
Number
10.31		 Description
10.39*
First Amendment to the 2015 Credit Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2016, among Ralph Lauren Corporation,the Company, Acqui Polo C.V., RL Finance B.V. (formerly known as Polo Fin B.V.) and Ralph Lauren Asia Pacific Limited, as the borrowers, the lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to the Fiscal 2016 10-K)
10.4010.32 
Amended and Restated Polo Ralph Lauren Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2005)†
12.1* 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges




72


Exhibit
Number
Description
14.1 
Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers (filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2003)2003 and available, as amended, on the Company's Internet site)
14.2 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Company as amended and restated on August 6, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Form 10-Q dated August 6, 2015)for the quarterly period ended June 27, 2015 and available, as amended, on the Company's Internet site)
21.1* 
List of Significant Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1* 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
31.1* 
Certification of Stefan Larsson required byPrincipal Executive Officer pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)
31.2* 
Certification of Robert L. Madore required byPrincipal Financial Officer pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)
32.1* 
Certification of Stefan Larsson Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*Certification of Robert L. Madore PursuantPrincipal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101* Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015,1, 2017, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, April 1, 2017, and April 2, 2016, March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, April 1, 2017, and April 2, 2016, March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, April 1, 2017, and April 2, 2016, March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Equity for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, April 1, 2017, and April 2, 2016, March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014, and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. Such exhibits shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
*Filed herewith.
†Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.




6773 


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
  
RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
   
 By:
/S/    ROBERT L. MADOREJANE HAMILTON NIELSEN     
  Robert L. MadoreJane Hamilton Nielsen
  Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date: May 19, 201623, 2018  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Title Date
     
/S/    RALPH LAUREN
 Executive Chairman, Chief Creative Officer, and Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Ralph Lauren 
     
/S/    STEFAN LARSSONPATRICE LOUVET
 President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer) May 19, 201623, 2018
Stefan LarssonPatrice Louvet 
     
/S/    ROBERT L. MADOREJANE HAMILTON NIELSEN
 Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) May 19, 201623, 2018
Robert L. MadoreJane Hamilton Nielsen 
     
/s/    DAVID LAUREN Executive Vice President of Global Advertising, Marketing, and Communications,Chairman, Chief Innovation Officer, Strategic Advisor to the CEO, and Director May 19, 201623, 2018
David Lauren 
     
/S/    JOHN R. ALCHIN
 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
John R. Alchin 
     
/S/    ARNOLD H. ARONSON
 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Arnold H. Aronson 
     
/S/    FRANK A. BENNACK, JR.
 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Frank A. Bennack, Jr. 
     
/S/    DR. JOYCE F. BROWN
 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Dr. Joyce F. Brown 
     
/S/    JOEL L. FLEISHMAN
 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Joel L. Fleishman 
     
/S/    HUBERT JOLY
s/    MICHAEL A. GEORGE		 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Hubert JolyMichael A. George 




6874 


Signature Title Date
     
/S/    HUBERT JOLY
DirectorMay 23, 2018
Hubert Joly
/S/    JUDITH MCHALE
 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Judith McHale 
     
/S/    ROBERT C. WRIGHT
 Director May 19, 201623, 2018
Robert C. Wright 




6975 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
 
 Page
Consolidated Financial Statements: 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
F-2
Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Equity
F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
Management's Report on Responsibility For Financial Statements
F-52
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-53
Supplementary Information: 
Selected Financial Information
F-55
Quarterly Financial Information
F-57
EX-10.37
EX-10.39 
EX-12.1  
EX-21.1  
EX-23.1  
EX-31.1  
EX-31.2  
EX-32.1  
EX-32.2  
EX-101INSTANCE DOCUMENT 
EX-101SCHEMA DOCUMENT 
EX-101CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 
EX-101LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT 
EX-101PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 
EX-101DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 





F-1 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
 (millions) (millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $456
 $500
 $1,304.6
 $668.3
Short-term investments 629
 644
 699.4
 684.7
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $254 million and $251 million 517
 655
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $222.2 million and $214.4 million 421.4
 450.2
Inventories 1,125
 1,042
 761.3
 791.5
Income tax receivable 58
 57
 38.0
 79.4
Deferred tax assets —
 145
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 268
 281
 323.7
 280.4
Total current assets 3,053
 3,324
 3,548.4
 2,954.5
Property and equipment, net 1,583
 1,436
 1,186.3
 1,316.0
Deferred tax assets 119
 45
 86.6
 125.9
Goodwill 918
 903
 950.5
 904.6
Intangible assets, net 244
 267
 188.0
 219.8
Other non-current assets 296
 131
 183.5
 131.2
Total assets $6,213
 $6,106
 $6,143.3
 $5,652.0
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:        
Short-term debt $116
 $234
 $10.1
 $—
Current portion of long-term debt 298.1
 —
Accounts payable 151
 210
 165.6
 147.7
Income tax payable 33
 27
 30.0
 29.5
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 898
 715
 1,083.4
 982.7
Total current liabilities 1,198
 1,186
 1,587.2
 1,159.9
Long-term debt 597
 298
 288.0
 588.2
Income tax payable 124.8
 —
Non-current liability for unrecognized tax benefits 81
 116
 79.2
 62.7
Other non-current liabilities 593
 615
 606.7
 541.6
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) 
 
Total liabilities 2,469
 2,215
 2,685.9
 2,352.4
Equity:        
Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share; 101.0 million and 100.0 million shares issued; 57.0 million and 60.4 million shares outstanding 1
 1
Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share; 102.0 million and 101.5 million shares issued; 55.4 million and 55.1 million shares outstanding 1.0
 0.9
Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share; 25.9 million shares issued and outstanding —
 —
 0.3
 0.3
Additional paid-in-capital 2,258
 2,117
 2,383.4
 2,308.8
Retained earnings 6,015
 5,787
 5,752.2
 5,751.9
Treasury stock, Class A, at cost; 44.0 million and 39.6 million shares (4,349) (3,849)
Treasury stock, Class A, at cost; 46.6 million and 46.4 million shares (4,581.0) (4,563.9)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (181) (165) (98.5) (198.4)
Total equity 3,744
 3,891
 3,457.4
 3,299.6
Total liabilities and equity $6,213
 $6,106
 $6,143.3
 $5,652.0
See accompanying notes.




F-2 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEOPERATIONS
  Fiscal Years Ended
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
  (millions, except per share data)
Net sales $7,230
 $7,451
 $7,284
Licensing revenue 175
 169
 166
Net revenues 7,405
 7,620
 7,450
Cost of goods sold(a) 
 (3,218) (3,242) (3,140)
Gross profit 4,187
 4,378
 4,310
Selling, general, and administrative expenses(a) 
 (3,389) (3,301) (3,142)
Amortization of intangible assets (24) (25) (35)
Gain on acquisition of Chaps —
 —
 16
Impairment of assets (49) (7) (1)
Restructuring and other charges (143) (10) (18)
Total other operating expenses, net (3,605) (3,343) (3,180)
Operating income 582
 1,035
 1,130
Foreign currency losses (4) (26) (8)
Interest expense (21) (17) (20)
Interest and other income, net 6
 6
 3
Equity in losses of equity-method investees (11) (11) (9)
Income before provision for income taxes 552
 987
 1,096
Provision for income taxes (156) (285) (320)
Net income $396
 $702
 $776
       
Net income per common share:      
Basic $4.65
 $7.96
 $8.55
Diluted $4.62
 $7.88
 $8.43
Weighted average common shares outstanding:      
Basic 85.2
 88.2
 90.7
Diluted 85.9
 89.1
 92.0
Dividends declared per share $2.00
 $1.85
 $1.70
(a) Includes total depreciation expense of:
 $(286) $(269) $(223)
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions, except per share data)
Net revenues $6,182.3
 $6,652.8
 $7,405.2
Cost of goods sold 
 (2,430.6) (3,001.7) (3,218.5)
Gross profit 3,751.7
 3,651.1
 4,186.7
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (3,095.5) (3,171.0) (3,412.5)
Impairment of assets (50.0) (253.8) (48.8)
Restructuring and other charges (108.0) (318.6) (142.6)
Total other operating expenses, net (3,253.5) (3,743.4) (3,603.9)
Operating income (loss) 498.2
 (92.3) 582.8
Interest expense (18.2) (12.4) (21.0)
Interest income 12.3
 7.3
 6.3
Other expense, net (3.1) (7.5) (16.3)
Income (loss) before income taxes 489.2
 (104.9) 551.8
Income tax benefit (provision) (326.4) 5.6
 (155.4)
Net income (loss) $162.8
 $(99.3) $396.4
       
Net income (loss) per common share:      
Basic $1.99
 $(1.20) $4.65
Diluted $1.97
 $(1.20) $4.62
Weighted average common shares outstanding:      
Basic 81.7
 82.7
 85.2
Diluted 82.5
 82.7
 85.9
Dividends declared per share $2.00
 $2.00
 $2.00
See accompanying notes.




F-3 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Net income $396
 $702
 $776
Net income (loss) $162.8
 $(99.3) $396.4
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:            
Foreign currency translation gains (losses) 36
 (318) 52
 126.9
 (48.6) 36.4
Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges (55) 47
 (27) (30.6) 26.6
 (55.2)
Net losses on available-for-sale investments —
 —
 (5)
Net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans 3
 (8) —
Net gains on defined benefit plans 3.6
 5.1
 2.9
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (16) (279) 20
 99.9
 (16.9) (15.9)
Total comprehensive income $380
 $423
 $796
Total comprehensive income (loss) $262.7
 $(116.2) $380.5
See accompanying notes.




F-4 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net income $396
 $702
 $776
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Net income (loss) $162.8
 $(99.3) $396.4
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization expense 310
 294
 258
 295.2
 307.5
 309.4
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (8) 11
 1
 84.1
 (38.9) (7.9)
Equity in losses of equity-method investees 11
 11
 9
 4.5
 5.2
 10.9
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 97
 81
 93
 74.5
 63.6
 97.0
Gain on acquisition of Chaps —
 —
 (16)
Non-cash impairment of assets 49
 7
 1
 50.0
 253.8
 48.8
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements (10) (8) (34)
Other non-cash charges (benefits), net 40
 (25) 6
Non-cash restructuring-related inventory charges 7.6
 197.9
 20.4
Other non-cash charges 7.4
 29.2
 19.7
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
Accounts receivable 129
 (96) (104) 34.5
 54.1
 129.4
Inventories (91) (97) (77) 57.8
 120.4
 (90.9)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 30
 (96) (56) (15.1) (27.8) 30.2
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 90
 50
 43
 64.6
 112.9
 90.1
Income tax receivables and payables (15) (22) 59
 165.1
 (34.0) (14.6)
Deferred income (8) (21) (18) 1.4
 (20.7) (7.9)
Other balance sheet changes, net (13) 103
 (34)
Other balance sheet changes (19.3) 28.7
 (14.3)
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,007
 894
 907
 975.1
 952.6
 1,016.7
Cash flows from investing activities:            
Capital expenditures (418) (391) (390) (161.6) (284.0) (417.7)
Purchases of investments (1,085) (1,398) (1,067) (1,605.6) (860.4) (1,085.0)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 942
 1,113
 1,011
 1,582.7
 942.4
 942.7
Acquisitions and ventures (16) (12) (40) (4.6) (6.1) (16.3)
Change in restricted cash deposits (6) (1) (2)
Net cash used in investing activities (583) (689) (488) (189.1) (208.1) (576.3)
Cash flows from financing activities:            
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt 4,344
 2,808
 —
 10.1
 3,735.2
 4,343.9
Repayments of short-term debt (4,463) (2,574) —
 —
 (3,851.3) (4,462.6)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 299
 —
 300
 —
 —
 299.4
Repayments of current maturities of long-term debt —
 —
 (269)
Payments of capital lease obligations (25) (24) (9) (28.2) (27.3) (24.3)
Payments of dividends (170) (158) (149) (162.4) (164.8) (170.3)
Repurchases of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholdings (500) (532) (558) (17.1) (215.2) (500.4)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 34
 52
 52
 0.1
 5.0
 33.2
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements 10
 8
 34
Other financing activities (2) (1) —
 —
 —
 (1.9)
Net cash used in financing activities (473) (421) (599) (197.5) (518.4) (483.0)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 5
 (81) 3
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (44) (297) (177)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 500
 797
 974
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $456
 $500
 $797
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 55.2
 (16.4) 7.2
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 643.7
 209.7
 (35.4)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 711.8
 502.1
 537.5
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $1,355.5
 $711.8
 $502.1
See accompanying notes.




F-5 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
                
     Additional   Treasury Stock    
 
Common Stock(a)
 Paid-in Retained at Cost   Total     Additional   Treasury Stock    
 Shares Amount Capital Earnings Shares Amount 
AOCI(b)
 Equity 
Common Stock(a)
 Paid-in Retained at Cost   Total
 (millions) Shares Amount Capital Earnings Shares Amount 
AOCI(b)
 Equity
Balance at March 30, 2013 123.5
 $1
 $1,752
 $4,647
 32.6
 $(2,709) $94
 $3,785
Comprehensive income:                
Net income       776
        
Other comprehensive income             20
  
Total comprehensive income               796
Dividends declared       (153)       (153)
Repurchases of common stock     50
(c) 
  3.6
 (608)   (558)
Stock-based compensation     93
         93
Shares issued and tax benefits recognized                
pursuant to stock-based compensation plans(d)
 1.4
 —
 86
         86
Conversion of stock-based compensation awards(e)
     (2) (13)       (15)
Balance at March 29, 2014 124.9
 $1
 $1,979
 $5,257
 36.2
 $(3,317) $114
 $4,034
Comprehensive income:                
Net income       702
        
Other comprehensive loss             (279)  
Total comprehensive income               423
Dividends declared       (161)       (161)
Repurchases of common stock         3.4
 (532)   (532)
Stock-based compensation     81
         81
Shares issued and tax benefits recognized                
pursuant to stock-based compensation plans(d)
 1.0
 —
 60
         60
Conversion of stock-based compensation awards(e)
     (3) (11)       (14)
 (millions)
Balance at March 28, 2015 125.9
 $1
 $2,117
 $5,787
 39.6
 $(3,849) $(165) $3,891
 125.9
 $1.2
 $2,117.1
 $5,787.2
 39.6
 $(3,848.3) $(165.6) $3,891.6
Comprehensive income:                                
Net income       396
               396.4
        
Other comprehensive loss             (16)               (15.9)  
Total comprehensive income               380
               380.5
Dividends declared       (168)       (168)       (168.6)       (168.6)
Repurchases of common stock         4.4
 (500)   (500)         4.4
 (500.4)   (500.4)
Stock-based compensation     97
         97
     97.0
         97.0
Shares issued and tax benefits recognized                
pursuant to stock-based compensation plans(d)
 1.0
 —
 44
         44
Shares issued and tax benefits recognized
pursuant to stock-based compensation plans(c)
 1.0
 —
 43.4
         43.4
Balance at April 2, 2016 126.9
 $1
 $2,258
 $6,015
 44.0
 $(4,349) $(181) $3,744
 126.9
 $1.2
 $2,257.5
 $6,015.0
 44.0
 $(4,348.7) $(181.5) $3,743.5
Comprehensive loss:                
Net loss       (99.3)        
Other comprehensive loss             (16.9)  
Total comprehensive loss               (116.2)
Dividends declared       (163.8)       (163.8)
Repurchases of common stock         2.4
 (215.2)   (215.2)
Stock-based compensation     63.6
         63.6
Shares issued and tax shortfalls recognized
pursuant to stock-based compensation plans(c)
 0.5
 —
 (12.3)         (12.3)
Balance at April 1, 2017 127.4
 $1.2
 $2,308.8
 $5,751.9
 46.4
 $(4,563.9) $(198.4) $3,299.6
Comprehensive income:                
Net income       162.8
        
Other comprehensive income             99.9
  
Total comprehensive income               262.7
Dividends declared       (162.5)       (162.5)
Repurchases of common stock         0.2
 (17.1)   (17.1)
Stock-based compensation     74.5
         74.5
Shares issued pursuant to stock-based
compensation plans(c)
 0.5
 0.1
 0.1
         0.2
Balance at March 31, 2018 127.9
 $1.3
 $2,383.4
 $5,752.2
 46.6
 $(4,581.0) $(98.5) $3,457.4
 
(a) 
Includes Class A and Class B common stock. In Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, 1.0 million and 3.0 million shares, respectively, of Class B common stock were converted into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the terms of the Class B common stock (see Note 17).
(b) 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
(c) 
Relates to a $50 million payment made in March 2013 under a prepaid share repurchase program, which resulted in the delivery of the related shares at the conclusion of the repurchase term in Fiscal 2014 (see Note 17).
(d)
Includes an excess tax benefitsshortfall relating to stock-based compensation plans of approximately $10 million, $8 million, and $34$17.3 million in Fiscal 2016,2017 and an excess tax benefit of $10.2 million in Fiscal 2015,2016. In Fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 (as defined in Note 4), which requires such excess tax benefits and Fiscal 2014, respectively.
(e)
Includesshortfalls be reflected prospectively as income tax benefit (provision) in the conversionstatements of certain fully-vested and expensed stock-based compensation awards to cash contributions into a deferred compensation account (seeoperations. See Note 17).4 for further discussion of the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-09.
See accompanying notes.




F-6 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.Description of Business
Ralph Lauren Corporation ("RLC") is a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product categories. RLC's long-standing reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands, sales channels, and international markets. RLC's brand names include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Chaps, and Club Monaco, and American Living, among others. RLC and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the "Company," "we," "us," "our," and "ourselves," unless the context indicates otherwise.
The Company classifiesdiversifies its businesses into three segments: Wholesale, Retail,business by geography (North America, Europe, and Licensing.Asia, among other regions) and channels of distribution (wholesale, retail, and licensing). This allows the Company to maintain a dynamic balance as its operating results do not depend solely on the performance of any single geographic area or channel of distribution. The Company's wholesale sales are made principally to major department stores and specialty stores around the world. The Company also sells directly to consumers through its integrated retail channel, which includes its retail stores, concession-based shop-within-shops, and e-commercedigital commerce operations around the world. In addition, the Company licenses to unrelated third parties for specified periods the right to operate retail stores and/or to use its various trademarks in connection with the manufacture and sale of designated products, such as certain apparel, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings.
The Company organizes its business into the following three reportable segments: North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to these reportable segments, the Company also has other non-reportable segments. See Note 19 for further discussion of the Company's segment reporting structure.
2.Basis of Presentation
Basis of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") and present the consolidated financial position, income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of the Company, including all entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year
The Company utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to March 31. As such, fiscal year 2018 ended on March 31, 2018 and was a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2018"); fiscal year 2017 ended on April 1, 2017 and was a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2017"); fiscal year 2016 ended on April 2, 2016 and was a 53-week period ("Fiscal 2016"). Fiscal; and fiscal year 2015 ended2019 will end on March 28, 201530, 2019 and waswill be a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2015"). Fiscal year 2014 ended on March 29, 2014 and was also a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2014"2019").
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotesnotes thereto. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include reserves for bad debt, customer returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances; the realizability of inventory; reserves for litigation and other contingencies; useful lives and impairments of long-lived tangible and intangible assets; fair value measurements; accounting for income taxes and related uncertain tax positions; valuation of stock-based compensation awards and related estimated forfeiture rates; reserves for restructuring activity; and accounting for business combinations, among others.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods' financial information in order to conform to the current period's presentation.




F-7 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

3.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized across all segments of the business when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the price has been fixed or is determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
Revenue within the Company's Wholesale segmentwholesale business is recognized at the time title passes and risk of loss is transferred to customers. Wholesale revenue is recorded net of estimates of returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances. Returns and allowances require pre-approval from management and discounts are based on trade terms. Estimates for end-of-season markdown reserves are based on historical trends, actual and forecasted seasonal results, an evaluation of current economic and market conditions, retailer performance, and, in certain cases, contractual terms. Estimates for operational chargebacks are based on actual customer notifications of order fulfillment discrepancies and historical trends. The Company reviews and refines these estimates on at least a quarterly basis. The Company's historical estimates of these costs have not differed materially from actual results.
Retail store and concession-based shop-within-shop revenue is recognized net of estimated returns at the time of sale to consumers. E-commerce revenueRevenue from sales of products ordered through the Company's e-commercedigital commerce sites and those of third-party digital partners is recognized upon delivery of the shipment to its customers. Such revenue is also reduced by an estimate of returns.
Gift cards issued by the Company are recorded as a liability until they are redeemed, at which point revenue is recognized. The Company recognizes income for unredeemed gift cards when the likelihood of redemption by a customer is remote and the Company determines that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed gift card to the relevant jurisdiction as unclaimed or abandoned property.
Revenue from licensing arrangements is recognized when earned in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreements, generally based upon the higher of (i) contractually guaranteed minimum royalty levels or (ii) actual sales and royalty data, or estimates thereof, received from the Company's licensees.
The Company accounts for sales taxes and other related taxes on a net basis, excluding such taxes from revenue.
Cost of Goods Sold and Selling Expenses
Cost of goods sold includes the expenses incurred to acquire and produce inventory for sale, including product costs, freight-in, and import costs, as well as changes in reserves for shrinkage and inventory realizability. Gains and losses associated with forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges of inventory transactions are also recognized within cost of goods sold when the hedged inventory is sold. The costs of selling merchandise, including those associated with preparing merchandise for sale, such as picking, packing, warehousing, and order charges ("handling costs"), are included in selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses in the consolidated statements of income.operations.
Shipping and Handling Costs
The costs associated with shipping goods to customers are reflected as a component of SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Shipping costs were approximately $45 million, $43 million, and $37 million in Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively. Handling costs (described above), also included within SG&A expenses, were approximately $181 million in each of Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015, and approximately $179 million in Fiscal 2014.operations. Shipping and handling costs (described above) billed to customers are included in revenue. A summary of shipping and handling costs is as follows:
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Shipping costs $39.1
 $42.8
 $44.6
Handling costs 155.4
 170.1
 181.2




F-8

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Advertising and Marketing Costs
Advertising costs, including the costs to produce advertising, are expensed when the advertisement is first exhibited. Out-of-store advertising costs paid to wholesale customers under cooperative advertising programs are expensed as an advertising cost within SG&A expenses if both the identified advertising benefit is sufficiently separable from the purchase of the Company's products by customers and the fair value of such benefit is measurable. Otherwise, such costs are reflected as a reduction of revenue. Costs of in-store advertising paid to wholesale customers under cooperative advertising programs are not included in advertising costs, but rather are reflected as a reduction of revenue since the benefits are not sufficiently separable from the purchases of the



F-8

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Company's products by customers. Costs associated with the marketing and promotion of the Company's products are included within SG&A expenses.
Advertising and marketing expenses amounted to approximately $280241.1 million, $275219.9 million, and $256280.0 million in Fiscal 2016,2018, Fiscal 2015,2017, and Fiscal 2014,2016, respectively. Deferred advertising, marketing, and promotional costs, which principally relate to advertisements that have not yet been exhibited or services that have not yet been received, were approximately $76.8 million and $4.1 million at the end of both Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 2015,2017, respectively, and were recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
The financial position and operating results of the Company's foreign operations are primarily consolidated using their respective local currency as the functional currency. Local currency assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. Dollars at the rates of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date, and local currency revenues and expenses are translated to U.S. Dollars at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The resulting translation gains or losses are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") and in the consolidated statements of equity within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"). Gains and losses on the translation of intercompany loans made to foreign subsidiaries that are of a long-term investment nature are also included within this component of equity.
The Company also recognizes gains and losses on both third-party and intercompany transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the respective entity's functional currency. ForeignSuch foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in earnings and separately disclosedwithin other expense, net, in the consolidated statements of income.operations, inclusive of the effects of any related hedging activities, and reflected net gains of $4.5 million and $1.1 million in Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017, respectively, and net losses of $3.8 million in Fiscal 2016.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss), which is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) and consolidated statements of equity, consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income.income (loss). The components of OCI for the Company consist of foreign currency translation gains (losses); net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, such as forward foreign currency exchange contracts; net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments; and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to the Company's defined benefit plans.
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Weighted-average common shares include shares of the Company's Class A and Class B common stock. Diluted net income (loss) per common share adjusts basic net income (loss) per common share for the dilutive effects of outstanding stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), and any other potentially dilutive instruments, only in the periods in which such effects are dilutive under the treasury stock method.dilutive.




F-9

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic net income (loss) per common share is reconciled to shares used to calculate diluted net income (loss) per common share as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
   (millions)
Basic shares 85.2
 88.2
 90.7
 81.7
 82.7
 85.2
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and RSUs 0.7
 0.9
 1.3
Dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs 0.8
 —
(a) 
0.7
Diluted shares 85.9
 89.1
 92.0
 82.5
 82.7
 85.9
(a)
Incremental shares of 0.7 million attributable to outstanding stock options and RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted shares for Fiscal 2017, as such shares would not be dilutive as a result of the net loss incurred.
All earnings per share amounts have been calculated using unrounded numbers. Options to purchase shares of the Company's Class A common stock at an exercise price greater than the average market price of the common stock during the reporting period are anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share. In addition, the Company has outstanding performance-based RSUs, that are issuable only upon the achievement of certain service and/or performance goals. Performance-based RSUswhich are included in the computation of diluted shares only to the extent that the underlying performance conditions (and any



F-9

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

applicable market condition modifiers)modifiers, if any) (i) have been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period or (ii) would be considered satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period and the result would be dilutive under the treasury stock method.dilutive. As of the end of Fiscal 2016,2018, Fiscal 2015,2017, and Fiscal 2014,2016, there were approximately 2.62.0 million, 1.92.2 million, and 1.22.6 million, respectively, additional shares issuable upon exercise of anti-dilutive options and contingent vesting of performance-based RSUs, whichthat were excluded from the diluted shareshares calculations.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted to employees and non-employee directors based on the grant date fair value of the awards over the requisite service period, adjusted for forfeitures which are estimated forfeitures.based on an analysis of historical experience and expected future trends. The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the grant date fair value of its stock option awards. For performance-based RSU awards that include a market condition in the form of a total shareholder return ("TSR") modifier, the Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model to estimate the grant date fair value. The fair values of restricted stock awards, service-based RSUs, and performance-based RSUs that are not subject to a TSR modifier are determined based on the fair value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant, adjusted to reflect the absence of dividends for those awards that are not entitled to dividend equivalents. Compensation expense for all performance-based RSUs is recognized over the requisite service period when attainment of the performance goal is deemed probable, net of estimated forfeitures. The Company recognizes compensation expense on an accelerated basis for all awards with graded vesting terms, including stock options, restricted stock, and certain RSUs. For RSU awards with cliff vesting terms, compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis. For certain RSU awards granted to retirement-eligible employees, or employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the awards' respective stated vesting periods, the related stock-based compensation expense is recognized on an accelerated basis over a term commensurate with the period that the employee is required to provide service in order to vest in the award. See Note 1917 for further discussion of the Company's stock-based compensation plans.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less, including investments in time deposits and debt securities and money market funds.securities. Investments in debt securities are diversified among high-credit quality securities in accordance with the Company's risk-management policies.
Restricted Cash
The Company is periodically required to place cash in escrow with various banks as collateral, primarily to secure guarantees of corresponding amounts made by the banks to international tax authorities on behalf of the Company, such as to secure refunds of value-added tax payments in certain international tax jurisdictions or in the case of certain international tax audits. Such cash




F-10

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

is classified as restricted cash and reported as a component of either prepaid expenses and other current assets or other non-current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The cash inflows and outflows related to restricted cash are classified as investing activities in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows.
Investments
The Company's investment objectives include capital preservation, maintaining adequate liquidity, diversification to minimize liquidity and credit risk, and achievement of maximum returns within the guidelines set forth in the Company's investment policy.
Short-term investments consist of investments which the Company expects to convert into cash within one year, including time deposits and debt securities, which have original maturities greater than 90 days. Non-current investments, which are classified within other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets, consist of those investments which the Company does not expect to convert into cash within one year.
The Company classifies all of its investments at the time of purchase as available-for-sale. These investments are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains or losses classified as a component of AOCI in the consolidated balance sheets, and related realized gains or losses classified as a component of interest and other income,expense, net, in the consolidated statements of income.operations. Cash inflows and outflows related to the sale and purchase of investments are classified as investing activities in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows.



F-10

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Equity-method Investments
Investments in companies in which the Company has significant influence, but less than a controlling financial interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the Company owns between 20% and 50% of the investee.
Under the equity method of accounting, the following amounts are recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements: the Company's investment in and amounts due to and from the investee are included in the consolidated balance sheets; the Company's share of the investee's earnings (losses) is included in the consolidated statements of income;operations; and dividends, cash distributions, loans, or other cash received from the investee and additional cash investments, loan repayments, or other cash paid to the investee are included in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
The Company's equity-method investments include its 50% interest in the Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company, Sárl, (the "RL Watch Company"), a ten-year term joint venture formed with Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, ("Richemont"), the Swiss luxury goods group, which expired in March 2007.2018. This joint venture is a Swiss corporation whose purpose iswas to design, develop, manufacture, sell, and distribute luxury watches and fine jewelry through Ralph Lauren stores, as well as through fine independent jewelry and luxury watch retailers around the world. Royalty payments due to the Company under the related license agreement for use of certainAs a result of its trademarks are reflected as licensing revenueexpiration, the joint venture's operations will wind-down during Fiscal 2019.
During Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, equity in losses of equity-method investees were $4.5 million, $5.2 million, and $10.9 million, respectively, and were recorded within other expense, net, in the Company's consolidated statements of income.operations.
Impairment Assessment
The Company evaluates investments held in unrealized loss positions, if any, for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. Such evaluation involves a variety of considerations, including assessments of the risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions and distinct conditions affecting specific issuers. Factors considered by the Company include (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below cost; (ii) the financial condition, credit worthiness, and near-term prospects of the issuer; (iii) the length of time to maturity; (iv) future economic conditions and market forecasts; (v) the Company's intent and ability to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery of market value; and (vi) an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell its investment before recovery of market value. See Note 1513 for further information relating to the Company's investments.




F-11

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Accounts Receivable
In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to wholesale customers that satisfy defined credit criteria. Accounts receivable is recorded at carrying value, which approximates fair value, and is presented in the Company's consolidated balance sheets net of certain reserves and allowances. These reserves and allowances consist of (i) reserves for returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances (see the "Revenue Recognition" section above for further discussion of related accounting policies) and (ii) allowances for doubtful accounts.
A rollforward of the activity in the Company's reserves for returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances is presented below:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Beginning reserve balance $240
 $254
 $230
 $202.8
 $239.7
 $239.7
Amount charged against revenue to increase reserve 749
 756
 758
 585.0
 666.6
 749.0
Amount credited against customer accounts to decrease reserve (753) (749) (739) (596.6) (698.8) (753.0)
Foreign currency translation 4
 (21) 5
 11.3
 (4.7) 4.0
Ending reserve balance $240
 $240
 $254
 $202.5
 $202.8
 $239.7
An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined through an analysis of periodic aging of accounts receivable aging, assessments of collectability based on an evaluation of historical and anticipated trends, the financial condition of the Company's customers, and an evaluation of the impact of economic conditions, among other factors.



F-11

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

A rollforward of the activity in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts is presented below:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Beginning reserve balance $11
 $16
 $15
 $11.6
 $14.5
 $11.4
Amount recorded to expense to increase reserve(a)
 7
 —
 3
 10.2
 6.2
 6.8
Amount written-off against customer accounts to decrease reserve (4) (2) (3) (3.2) (8.5) (4.1)
Foreign currency translation —
 (3) 1
 1.1
 (0.6) 0.4
Ending reserve balance $14
 $11
 $16
 $19.7
 $11.6
 $14.5
 
(a) 
Amounts recorded to bad debt expense are included within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of income.operations.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company sells its wholesale merchandise primarily to major department and specialty stores around the world, and extends credit based on an evaluation of each customer's financial capacity and condition, usually without requiring collateral. In the Company's wholesale business, concentration of credit risk is relatively limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas. However, the Company has three key wholesale customers that generate significant sales volume. During Fiscal 2016,2018, the Company's sales to its largest wholesale customer, Macy's, Inc. ("Macy's"), accounted for approximately 11%8% of total net revenues. Further, during Fiscal 2018, sales to the Company's three largest wholesale customers, including Macy's, accounted for approximately 19% of total net revenues, andas compared to approximately 21% during Fiscal 2017. Substantially all of the Company's sales to its three largest wholesale customers (including Macy's) accounted for approximately 24% of total net revenues.related to its North America segment. As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, these three key wholesale customers constituted approximately 36%29% of total gross accounts receivable.




F-12

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Inventories
The Company holds inventory that is sold through wholesale distribution channels to major department stores and specialty retail stores. The Company also holds retail inventory that is sold in its own stores and e-commercedigital commerce sites directly to consumers. Substantially all of the Company's inventories are comprised of finished goods, which are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value, with cost primarily determined on a weighted-average cost basis.
The estimated realizable value of inventory is determined based on an analysis of historical sales trends of the Company's individual product lines, the impact of market trends and economic conditions, and a forecast of future demand, giving consideration to the value of current in-house orders for future sales of inventory, as well as plans to sell inventory through the Company's factory stores, among other liquidation channels. Actual results may differ from estimates due to the quantity, quality, and mix of products in inventory, consumer and retailer preferences, and market conditions. Reserves for inventory shrinkage, representing the risk of physical loss of inventory, are estimated based on historical experience and are adjusted based upon physical inventory counts. The Company's historical estimates of these costs and its related provisions have not differed materially from actual results.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets, which range from three to seven years for furniture and fixtures, machinery and equipment, and capitalized software; and from ten to forty years for buildings and improvements. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the respective assets or the term of the related lease.
Property and equipment, along with other long-lived assets, are evaluated for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying values may not be fully recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets for recoverability, including finite-lived intangibles as described below, the Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. To the extent that estimated future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value, considering external market participant assumptions. Assets to be disposed of and for which there is a committed plan for disposal are reported at the lower of carrying value or fair value, less costs to sell.



F-12

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
At acquisition, the Company estimates and records the fair value of purchased intangible assets, which typically consist of reacquired license agreements, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, and/or order backlog. The fair values of these intangible assets are estimated based on management's assessment, considering independent third-party appraisals when necessary. The excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired, both tangible and intangible, is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives are not amortized. Rather, goodwill and such indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment at least annually. The Company generally performs its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment analyses using a qualitative approach to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of such assets are less than their respective carrying values. If, based on the results of the qualitative assessment, it is concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the asset exceeds its carrying value, a quantitative test is performed. Under the quantitative test, if the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount of the excess. The Company also periodically performs a quantitative test to assess its goodwill for impairment in lieu of using the qualitative approach in order to reassess the fair values of its reporting units.
Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and, along with other long-lived assets as noted above, are evaluated for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying values may not be fully recoverable. See discussion of the Company's accounting policy for long-lived asset impairment as previously described under the caption "Property and Equipment, Net."
Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided using the asset and liability method. Under this method, income taxes (i.e., deferred tax assets and liabilities, current taxes payable/refunds receivable, and tax expense) are recorded based on amounts refundable or payable in the current year and include the results of any difference between U.S. GAAP and tax reporting. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of certain net operating losses, capital losses, general business credit carryforwards, and the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes, as determined




F-13

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

under enacted tax laws and rates. The Company accounts for the financial effect of changes in tax laws or rates in the period of enactment.
In addition, valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax valuation allowances are analyzed periodically and adjusted as events occur or circumstances change that warrant adjustments.
In determining the income tax provisionbenefit (provision) for financial reporting purposes, the Company establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions. If the Company considers that a tax position is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, based solely on the technical merits of the position, it recognizes the tax benefit. The Company measures the tax benefit by determining the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement, presuming that the tax position is examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. These assessments can be complex and the Company often obtains assistance from external advisors. To the extent that the Company's estimates change or the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provisionbenefit (provision) in the period in which such determinations are made. If the initial assessment fails to result in the recognition of a tax benefit, the Company regularly monitors its position and subsequently recognizes the tax benefit if (i) there are changes in tax law or analogous case law that sufficiently raise the likelihood of prevailing on the technical merits of the position to more likely than not; (ii) the statute of limitations expires; or (iii) there is a completion of an audit resulting in a settlement of that tax year with the appropriate agency. Uncertain tax positions are classified as current only when the Company expects to pay cash within the next twelve months. Interest and penalties if any, are recorded within the provision for income taxestax benefit (provision) in the Company's consolidated statements of incomeoperations and are classified on the consolidated balance sheets together with the related liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
See Note 1210 for further discussion of the Company's income taxes.



F-13

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Leases
The Company leases certain facilities and equipment, including the vast majority of its retail stores. Certain of the Company's lease agreements contain renewal options, rent escalation clauses, and/or landlord incentives. Renewal terms generally reflect market rates at the time of renewal. Rent expense for noncancelable operating leases with scheduled rent increases and/or landlord incentives is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any applicable rent holidays, beginning on the earlier of the lease commencement date or the date the Company takes control of the leased space. The excess of straight-line rent expense over the scheduled payment amounts and landlord incentives is recorded as a deferred rent obligation. As of the end of Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 20152017, deferred rent obligations of approximately $257$249.5 million and $251246.3 million, respectively, were classified primarily within other non-current liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
In certain lease arrangements, the Company is involved with the construction of the building or leasehold improvements (generally on property owned by the landlord). If the Company concludes that it has substantively all of the risks of ownership during construction of a leased property and therefore is deemed the owner of the project for accounting purposes, it records an asset and related financing obligation in the amount of the total project costs related to construction-in-progress and the fair value of the pre-existing building. Once construction is complete, the Company considers the requirements for sale-leaseback treatment, including the transfer back of all risks of ownership and whether the Company has any continuing involvement in the leased property. If the arrangement does not qualify for sale-leaseback treatment, the Company continues to amortize the financing obligation and depreciate the building over the lease term.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company records all derivative financial instruments on its consolidated balance sheets at fair value. For derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in their fair value is either (i) offset against the changes in fair value of the related hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or (ii) recognized in equity as a component of AOCI until the hedged item is recognized in earnings, depending on whether the derivative is being used to hedge against changes in fair value or cash flows and net investments, respectively.
Each derivative instrument that qualifies for hedge accounting is expected to be highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged. For each derivative instrument that is designated as a hedge, the Company formally documents the related risk management objective and strategy, including identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, and the risk exposure, as well as how hedge effectiveness will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively over the instrument's term. To assess hedge effectiveness, the Company generally uses regression analysis, a statistical method, to compare the change in the




F-14

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

fair value of the derivative instrument to the change in fair value or cash flows of the related hedged item. The extent to which a hedging instrument has been and is expected to remain highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows is assessed and documented by the Company on at least a quarterly basis.
As a result of its use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to the risk that counterparties to such contracts will fail to meet their contractual obligations. To mitigate this counterparty credit risk, the Company has a policy of only entering into contracts with carefully selected financial institutions based upon an evaluation of their credit ratings and certain other factors, adhering to established limits for credit exposure. The Company's established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk from derivative transactions include ongoing review and assessment of its counterparties' creditworthiness. The Company also enters into master netting arrangements with counterparties, when possible, to mitigate credit risk associated with its derivative instruments. In the event of default or termination (as such terms are defined within the respective master netting arrangement), these arrangements allow the Company to net-settle amounts payable and receivable related to multiple derivative transactions with the same counterparty. The master netting arrangements specify a number of events of default and termination, including, among others, the failure to make timely payments.
The fair values of the Company's derivative instruments are recorded on its consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis. For cash flow reporting purposes, proceeds received or amounts paid upon the settlement of a derivative instrument are classified in the same manner as the related item being hedged, primarily within cash flows from operating activities.



F-14

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Cash Flow Hedges
The Company enters intouses forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce its risk related to exchange rate fluctuations on inventory transactions made in an entity's non-functional currency, intercompany royalty payments made by certain of its international operations, and otherthe settlement of foreign currency-denominated operational cash flows.balances. To the extent forward foreign currency exchange contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are highly effective in offsetting changes in the value of the hedged items, the related gains or losses are initially deferred in equity as a component of AOCI and are subsequently recognized in the consolidated statements of incomeoperations as follows:
Forecasted Inventory Transactions — recognized as part of the cost of the inventory being hedged within cost of goods sold when the related inventory is sold to a third party.
Intercompany RoyaltiesRoyalties/Settlement of Foreign Currency Balances — recognized within foreign currency gains (losses) generally inother expense, net, during the period in whichthat the hedged balance is remeasured through earnings, generally through its settlement when the related payments being hedged occur.payment occurs.
To the extent that a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge is not considered effective, any change in its fair value relating to such ineffectiveness is immediately recognized in earnings within foreign currency gains (losses).other expense, net. If it is determined that a derivative instrument has not been highly effective, and will continue not to be highly effective in hedging the designated exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued and further gains (losses) are immediately recognized in earnings within foreign currency gains (losses).other expense, net. Upon discontinuance of hedge accounting, the cumulative change in fair value of the derivative instrument previously recorded in AOCI is recognized in earnings when the related hedged item affects earnings, consistent with the originally-documented hedging strategy, unless the forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, in which case the accumulated amount is immediately recognized in earnings within foreign currency gains (losses).other expense, net.
Hedge of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation
The Company periodically uses cross-currency swap contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations on certain of its net investments in foreign subsidiaries. Changes in the fair valuevalues of asuch derivative instrument or the carrying value of a non-derivative instrumentinstruments that isare designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations are recorded in equity as a hedgecomponent of a net investment in a foreign operation are reportedAOCI in the same manner as aforeign currency translation adjustment,adjustments, to the extent it is effective. In assessing the effectiveness of a derivative financial instrument that is designatedthey are effective as a hedge of a net investment,hedge. To assess effectiveness, the Company uses a method based on changes in spot rates to measure the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changesfluctuations on both its foreign subsidiary net investment and the related derivative hedging instrument. If the notional amountAccordingly, changes in fair value of the hedging instrument designated as the hedge of a net investment is greaterother than the portion of the net investment being hedged, hedge ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings within foreign currency gains (losses). To the extent the instrument remains effective,those due to changes in its valuethe spot rate are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are recorded in equitythe consolidated statement of operations with any other ineffectiveness as foreign currency translation gains (losses), a componentinterest expense. Amounts associated with the effective portion of net investment hedges are released from AOCI and are recognized in earnings within foreign currency gains (losses) only upon the sale or liquidation of the hedged net investment.




F-15

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Fair Value Hedges
Changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument that is designated as a fair value hedge, along with offsetting changes in the fair value of the related hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in earnings. Hedge ineffectiveness is recorded in earnings to the extent that the change in the fair value of the hedged item does not offset the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument.
Undesignated Hedges
All of the Company's undesignated hedges are entered into to hedge specific economic risks, particularly foreign currency exchange rate risk related to foreign currency-denominated balances. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivative instruments are immediately recognized in earnings within foreign currency gains (losses).other expense, net.
See Note 1513 for further discussion of the Company's derivative financial instruments.
4.Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-12, "Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" ("ASU 2017-12"). ASU 2017-12 amends existing hedge accounting guidance by better aligning an entity's financial reporting with its risk management activities and by simplifying its application. Among its provisions, ASU 2017-12 eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report ineffectiveness for instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, and generally requires that the entire change in fair value of such instruments ultimately be presented in the same income statement line as the respective hedged item. Additionally, the updated guidance reduces complexity in the accounting for certain hedging relationships, eases documentation and effectiveness assessment requirements, broadens the scope of risk components eligible to qualify for hedge accounting, and modifies certain disclosure requirements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year ending March 28, 2020 ("Fiscal 2020"), with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach, except for the amended presentation and disclosure requirements, which are to be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2017-12 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost" ("ASU 2017-07"). Among its provisions, ASU 2017-07 requires that for defined benefit plans, an employer present only the service cost component of net pension expense within the same income statement line item used to reflect other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. All other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit expense must be presented separately from the service cost component, outside of operating income.
The Company early-adopted ASU 2017-07 during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018 and applied its provisions on a retrospective basis by reclassifying $2.5 million and $0.9 million from SG&A expenses to other expense, net, in its consolidated statements of operations for Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016, respectively, representing the non-service cost components of net pension expense for its international defined benefit plans during these periods. The service cost component of net pension expense for these periods remains presented within SG&A expenses. Other than this change in presentation, the adoption of ASU 2017-07 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. See Note 18 for further discussion of the Company's international defined benefit plans, including a summary of net pension expense for the fiscal years presented.
Restricted Cash
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, "Restricted Cash" ("ASU 2016-18"). ASU 2016-18 requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. Accordingly, restricted cash will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts presented on the statement of cash flows. The Company early-adopted ASU 2016-18 during the first quarter of Fiscal 2018 and applied its provisions retrospectively. Other than the change in presentation within the statement of cash flows,




F-15F-16 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4.Recently Issued Accounting Standards
the adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. See Note 20 for a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash from the consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU")ASU No. 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects related to howthe accounting for and financial statement presentation of share-based payments, are accounted for and presented in the financial statements, including the accounting for forfeituresincome taxes upon award settlement and tax-effects related to share-based payments at settlement,forfeitures, and the classification of excess tax benefits and shares surrendered for tax withholdings in the statement of cash flows.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 is effectiveduring the first quarter of Fiscal 2018. Among its various provisions, ASU 2016-09 impacts the accounting for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2018, with early adoption permitted. The adoption methodology (i.e., prospective, retrospective, or modified-retrospective) variesincome taxes upon award settlement by amendment. The Company is currentlyrequiring that all excess tax benefits and shortfalls be reflected in the processincome tax benefit (provision) in the statement of evaluatingoperations in the impactperiod that ASU 2016-09 will have on itsthey are realized. This reflects a change from previous practice, which generally required that such activity be recorded in equity as additional paid-in-capital. This change, which was applied prospectively in the Company's consolidated financial statements, increased the Company's income tax provision by $15.4 million during Fiscal 2018. Future impacts of this guidance on the Company's income tax benefit (provision) will depend largely on unpredictable events and related disclosures.other factors, including the timing of both employee stock option exercises and cancellations, if any, and the value realized upon vesting or exercise of shares compared to the grant date fair value of those shares, and will likely result in increased volatility. This increase in volatility is expected to be more pronounced during the first half of the Company's fiscal year due to the timing of annual stock-based compensation award vestings and stock option expirations.
Additionally, ASU 2016-09 changes the classification of excess tax benefits presented in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows from a financing activity to an operating activity. The Company applied this change in classification on a retrospective basis by reclassifying excess tax benefits of $0.3 million and $10.2 million from cash flows from financing activities to cash flows from operating activities for Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016, respectively.
Lastly, as permitted, the Company has elected to continue to estimate the impact of expected forfeitures when determining the amount of compensation cost to be recognized each period, as opposed to reflecting the impact of forfeitures only as they occur.
The remaining provisions of ASU 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires that among other changes to current practice, a lessee's rights and fixed payment obligations under almost allmost leases including existing and new arrangements, be recognized as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 retains a dual model for classifying leases as either financing or operating, which governs the pattern of expense recognition to be reflected in the consolidated statement of operations. Variable lease payments based on performance, such as percentage-of-sales-based payments, will not be included in the measurement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Rather, consistent with current practice, such amounts will be recognized as an expense in the period incurred. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal yearFiscal 2020, with early adoption permitted, and mustis to be adopted using a modified retrospective transition approach, which requires application of the guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. However, the FASB recently approved an optional transition alternative, which allows for application of the guidance at the beginning of the period in which it is adopted, rather than at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented.
The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but expectsdisclosures. The Company's assessment efforts to date have included reviewing the standard's provisions and gathering information to evaluate the landscape of its real estate, personal property, and other arrangements that itmay meet the definition of a lease. Based on these efforts, the Company currently anticipates that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will result in a significant increase to its long-term assets and liabilities.
Balance Sheet Classificationliabilities as, at a minimum, most of Deferred Taxes
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classificationits current operating lease commitments will be subject to balance sheet recognition. The standard is also expected to result in enhanced quantitative and qualitative lease-related disclosures. Recognition of Deferred Taxes" ("ASU 2015-17"). ASU 2015-17 requires entities to classify all deferred tax asset and liability balances, together with any related valuation allowance, as non-current onlease expense in the consolidated balance sheet. ASU 2015-07 simplifies past guidance, which required entitiesstatement of operations is not anticipated to present deferred tax asset and liability balances as current and non-current on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company early-adopted ASU 2015-17 as of the end of its Fiscal 2016 and applied its provisions prospectively (see Note 12). As a result, the prior period was not retrospectively adjusted.significantly change.




F-17

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 provides a single, comprehensive accounting model for revenues arising from contracts with customers that will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. Under this model, revenue, is recognized at anrepresenting the amount thatto which an entity expects to be entitled to upon transferring control ofin exchange for providing promised goods or services (i.e., performance obligations), is recognized upon control of promised goods or services transferring to a customer, as opposed to when riskscustomer. ASU 2014-09 also requires enhanced qualitative and rewards transfer to a customer under existing revenue recognition guidance.
In August 2015,quantitative revenue-related disclosures. Since its original issuance, the FASB has issued ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers — Deferral of the Effective Date," which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. Accordingly, ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2019. The FASB also recently issuedseveral additional related ASUs to address implementation concerns and further amend and clarify certain topicsguidance within ASU 2014-09. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted on a full retrospective basis and applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative adjustment recorded to the opening retained earnings balance in the year of adoption. initial application.
The Company is currently in theCompany's process of evaluatingand efforts for assessing the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.disclosures have involved reviewing current revenue-related accounting policies, processes, arrangements, and disclosures to identify differences that will arise from its application. Based on these efforts, the Company has concluded that the performance obligations underlying its core revenue streams (i.e., its retail and wholesale businesses), and the timing of recognition thereof, will remain substantially unchanged. Revenues for these businesses are generated through the sale of finished products, and will continue to be recognized at the point in time when merchandise is transferred to the customer and in an amount that considers the impacts of estimated returns, end-of-season markdowns, and other allowances that are variable in nature. For its licensing business, which has historically comprised approximately 2% of total revenues, the Company will continue to recognize the related revenue, including any contractually-guaranteed minimum royalty amounts, over time consistent with current practice.
Overall, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, although the accounting for certain ancillary items will be impacted. Specifically, revenue relating to estimated unredeemed gift card balances will be recognized over time in proportion to the amounts ultimately redeemed by customers, rather than when the likelihood of redemption becomes remote. Additionally, certain costs associated with the marketing of merchandise to wholesale customers for a particular selling season will be expensed as incurred, rather than deferred and expensed over the course of the related season. Finally, inventory amounts associated with estimated sales returns will be presented within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets, rather than within inventories.
The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of its Fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective method, under which the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard will be recognized as an adjustment to opening Fiscal 2019 retained earnings, which is not expected to be material.
5.Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (millions)
Land and improvements $16.8
 $16.8
Buildings and improvements 460.5
 457.2
Furniture and fixtures 671.0
 687.2
Machinery and equipment 430.4
 414.0
Capitalized software 578.4
 549.0
Leasehold improvements 1,181.2
 1,179.1
Construction in progress 41.5
 33.4
  3,379.8
 3,336.7
Less: accumulated depreciation (2,193.5) (2,020.7)
Property and equipment, net $1,186.3
 $1,316.0
Depreciation expense was $271.2 million, $283.4 million, and $285.7 million during Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, respectively, and is recorded primarily within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.



F-16

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5.Acquisitions
Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition
On July 1, 2013, in connection with the transition of the Ralph Lauren-branded apparel and accessories business in Australia and New Zealand (the "Australia and New Zealand Business") from a licensed to a wholly-owned operation, the Company acquired certain net assets from Oroton Group/PRL Australia ("Oroton") in exchange for an aggregate payment of approximately $15 million (the "Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition"). Oroton was the Company's licensee for the Australia and New Zealand Business. The Company funded the Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition with available cash on-hand.
The Company accounted for the Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition as a business combination during the second quarter of Fiscal 2014, with the operating results of the Australia and New Zealand Business consolidated into the Company's operating results beginning on July 1, 2013. Transaction costs associated with the Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition were not material. The acquisition cost of $15 million was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on an assessment of their respective fair values, as follows (in millions):
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:  
  Inventory $9
  Fixed assets 4
  Customer relationship intangible asset 3
  Other assets 2
  Other liabilities (3)
Fair value of net assets acquired $15
The customer relationship intangible asset was valued using the excess earnings method, which discounts the estimated after-tax cash flows associated with the existing base of customers as of the acquisition date, factoring in expected attrition of the existing customer base. The customer relationship intangible asset is being amortized over an estimated useful life of nine years.



F-17

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Chaps Menswear License Acquisition
On April 10, 2013, in connection with the transition of the North American Chaps-branded men's sportswear business ("Chaps Menswear Business") from a licensed to a wholly-owned operation, the Company entered into an agreement with The Warnaco Group, Inc. ("Warnaco"), a subsidiary of PVH Corp. ("PVH"), to acquire certain net assets in exchange for an aggregate payment of approximately $18 million (the "Chaps Menswear License Acquisition"). Warnaco was the Company's licensee for the Chaps Menswear Business. The Company funded the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition during the first quarter of Fiscal 2014 with available cash on-hand.
The Company accounted for the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition as a business combination during the first quarter of Fiscal 2014. The acquisition cost was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on an assessment of their respective fair values, as follows (in millions):
Assets acquired:  
  Inventory $30
  Accounts receivable 19
  Licensed trademark intangible asset 9
Total assets acquired 58
Liabilities assumed:  
  Accounts payable (22)
  Other net liabilities (2)
Total net liabilities assumed (24)
Fair value of net assets acquired 34
Consideration paid 18
Gain on acquisition(a)
 $16
(a)
Represents the difference between the acquisition date fair value of net assets acquired and the contractually-defined purchase price under the Company's license agreement with Warnaco, which granted the Company the right to early-terminate the license upon PVH's acquisition of Warnaco in February 2013.
The licensed trademark intangible asset was valued using the excess earnings method, discounting the estimated after-tax cash flows associated with the Chaps-branded men's sportswear licensed trademark as of the acquisition date, factoring in market participant-based operating and cash flow assumptions. The reacquired licensed trademark intangible asset was amortized over a nine-month period through December 31, 2013, representing the remaining term of the prior license agreement that was terminated in connection with this acquisition.
The operating results of the Chaps Menswear Business have been consolidated into the Company's operating results beginning on April 10, 2013. Transaction costs of $3 million were expensed as incurred and classified within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statement of income during Fiscal 2014.



F-18 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

6.Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
  (millions)
Land and improvements $17
 $17
Buildings and improvements 460
 409
Furniture and fixtures 727
 686
Machinery and equipment 359
 317
Capitalized software 460
 402
Leasehold improvements 1,248
 1,185
Construction in progress 216
 99
  3,487
 3,115
Less: accumulated depreciation (1,904) (1,679)
Property and equipment, net $1,583
 $1,436
7.Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The following table details the changes in goodwill for each of the Company's reportable segments during Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 20152017:
 Wholesale Retail Licensing Total Wholesale Retail Licensing North America Europe Asia Other Non-reportable Segments Total
 (millions) (millions)
Balance at March 29, 2014 $617
 $210
 $137
 $964
Balance at April 2, 2016 $581.8
 $202.8
 $133.3
 $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
 $917.9
Foreign currency translation (46) (10) (5) (61) (14.3) (2.6) (1.3) —
 —
 —
 —
 (18.2)
Balance at March 28, 2015 571
 200
 132
 903
Balance at December 31, 2016 567.5
 200.2
 132.0
 —
 —
 —
 —
 899.7
Segment reallocation(a)
 (567.5) (200.2) (132.0) 421.8
 269.2
 71.5
 137.2
 —
Impairments —
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
 (5.2) (5.2)
Foreign currency translation 11
 3
 1
 15
 —
 —
 —
 —
 6.7
 3.4
 —
 10.1
Balance at April 2, 2016 $582
 $203
 $133
 $918
Balance at April 1, 2017 —
 —
 —
 421.8
 275.9
 74.9
 132.0
 904.6
Foreign currency translation —
 —
 —
 —
 42.0
 3.9
 —
 45.9
Balance at March 31, 2018 $—
 $—
 $—
 $421.8
 $317.9
 $78.8
 $132.0
 $950.5
(a)
In connection with the realignment of the Company's segment reporting structure, the Company reallocated the carrying amount of goodwill to its new reporting units based upon each reporting unit's relative fair value as of the first day of its fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017.
Based on the results of the Company's annual goodwill impairment testing, in the Company recorded an impairment charge of $5.2 million during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014, no2017 to fully write off the carrying value of reallocated goodwill related to one of its reporting units. No goodwill impairment charges were recorded.recorded during Fiscal 2018 or Fiscal 2016. See Note 12 for further discussion of the Company's goodwill impairment testing.
Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets consist of the following:
  March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017
  Gross Carrying Amount Accum. Amort. Net Gross Carrying Amount Accum. Amort. Net
  (millions)
Intangible assets subject to amortization:            
Re-acquired licensed trademarks $232.7
 $(140.0) $92.7
 $231.1
 $(130.2) $100.9
Customer relationships 256.5
 (171.4) 85.1
 252.1
 (152.9) 99.2
Other 10.1
 (7.2) 2.9
 26.9
 (14.5) 12.4
Total intangible assets subject to amortization 499.3
 (318.6) 180.7
 510.1
 (297.6) 212.5
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:            
Trademarks and brands 7.3
 N/A
 7.3
 7.3
 N/A
 7.3
Total intangible assets $506.6
 $(318.6) $188.0
 $517.4
 $(297.6) $219.8




F-19 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets consist of the following:
  April 2, 2016 March 28, 2015
  Gross Carrying Amount Accum. Amort. Net Gross Carrying Amount Accum. Amort. Net
  (millions)
Intangible assets subject to amortization:            
Re-acquired licensed trademarks $231
 $(122) $109
 $230
 $(112) $118
Customer relationships 252
 (138) 114
 247
 (120) 127
Other 28
 (14) 14
 28
 (13) 15
Total intangible assets subject to amortization 511
 (274) 237
 505
 (245) 260
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:            
Trademarks and brands 7
 N/A
 7
 7
 N/A
 7
Total intangible assets $518
 $(274) $244
 $512
 $(245) $267
Amortization
Amortization expense was $24.0 million, $24.1 million, and $23.7 million during Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, respectively, and is recorded within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Based on the balance of the Company's intangible assets subject to amortization as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, the expected amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:
 Amortization Expense Amortization Expense
 (millions) (millions)
Fiscal 2017 $24
Fiscal 2018 24
Fiscal 2019 24
 $23.6
Fiscal 2020 23
 22.9
Fiscal 2021 21
 20.1
Fiscal 2022 and thereafter 121
Fiscal 2022 18.1
Fiscal 2023 14.4
Fiscal 2024 and thereafter 81.6
Total $237
 $180.7
The expected future amortization expense above reflects weighted-average estimated remaining useful lives of 13.511.8 years for re-acquired licensed trademarks, 9.48.6 years for customer relationships, and 11.510.4 years for the Company's finite-lived intangible assets in total.
7.Other Assets and Liabilities
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (millions)
Other taxes receivable $171.4
 $127.8
Prepaid rent expense 37.0
 37.4
Restricted cash 15.5
 9.8
Derivative financial instruments 12.3
 23.0
Prepaid samples 11.2
 5.9
Prepaid software maintenance 8.7
 6.5
Prepaid advertising and marketing 6.8
 4.1
Tenant allowances receivable 4.3
 16.4
Other prepaid expenses and current assets 56.5
 49.5
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $323.7
 $280.4




F-20

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Other non-current assets consist of the following:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (millions)
Non-current investments $86.2
 $21.4
Restricted cash 35.4
 33.7
Security deposits 27.3
 26.5
Derivative financial instruments —
 9.6
Other non-current assets 34.6
 40.0
Total other non-current assets $183.5
 $131.2
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (millions)
Accrued payroll and benefits $227.8
 $173.5
Accrued operating expenses 225.8
 188.0
Other taxes payable 194.2
 172.2
Accrued inventory 174.0
 154.9
Restructuring reserve 69.6
 140.8
Derivative financial instruments 60.8
 12.3
Dividends payable 40.6
 40.5
Accrued capital expenditures 37.0
 45.7
Deferred income 30.4
 29.7
Capital lease obligations 19.5
 22.6
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities 3.7
 2.5
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities $1,083.4
 $982.7
Other non-current liabilities consist of the following:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (millions)
Capital lease obligations $236.4
 $250.9
Deferred rent obligations 212.2
 211.1
Derivative financial instruments 49.2
 9.4
Deferred tax liabilities 36.5
 11.8
Deferred compensation 7.0
 7.8
Other non-current liabilities 65.4
 50.6
Total other non-current liabilities $606.7
 $541.6




F-21 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

8.Other Current and Non-CurrentImpairment of Assets
Prepaid expensesDuring Fiscal 2018, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $41.2 million to write off certain fixed assets related to its domestic and other current assets consistinternational stores, shop-within-shops, and corporate offices, of which $16.0 million was recorded in connection with the Way Forward Plan (see Note 9) and $25.2 million was recorded in connection with underperforming stores and shop-within-shops as a result of its on-going store portfolio evaluation. Additionally, as a result of a change in the planned usage of a certain intangible asset, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8.8 million to reduce the carrying value of the following:intangible asset to its estimated fair value.
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
  (millions)
Other taxes receivable $112
 $93
Prepaid rent expense 37
 31
Restricted cash 17
 2
Derivative financial instruments 16
 65
Tenant allowances receivable 13
 14
Prepaid samples 9
 12
Prepaid advertising and marketing 7
 7
Other prepaid expenses and current assets 57
 57
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $268
 $281
Other non-currentDuring Fiscal 2017, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $248.6 million to write off certain fixed assets consistrelated to its domestic and international stores, shop-within-shops, and corporate offices, as well as its in-house global digital commerce platform which was in development, of which $234.6 million was recorded in connection with the Way Forward Plan (see Note 9) and $14.0 million was recorded in connection with underperforming stores that were subject to potential future closure. Additionally, as a result of the following:
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
  (millions)
Non-current investments $187
 $8
Security deposits 32
 28
Restricted cash 29
 36
Derivative financial instruments 6
 22
Other non-current assets 42
 37
Total other non-current assets $296
 $131
9.Other Current and Non-Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consistrealignment of its segment reporting structure, the following:
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
  (millions)
Accrued operating expenses $186
 $183
Accrued inventory 176
 75
Accrued payroll and benefits 149
 162
Other taxes payable 139
 108
Accrued capital expenditures 65
 62
Deferred income 50
 38
Dividends payable 41
 43
Restructuring reserve 40
 5
Derivative financial instruments 26
 18
Capital lease obligations 21
 19
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities 5
 2
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities $898
 $715



F-21

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Other non-current liabilities consistCompany recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of the following:$5.2 million during Fiscal 2017.
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
  (millions)
Capital lease obligations $266
 $238
Deferred rent obligations 222
 219
Derivative financial instruments 33
 1
Deferred tax liabilities 17
 87
Deferred compensation 8
 9
Deferred income 1
 20
Other non-current liabilities 46
 41
Total other non-current liabilities $593
 $615
10.Impairments of Assets
During Fiscal 2016, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $49$48.8 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to its domestic and international stores and shop-within-shops, of which $27$27.2 million was recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan (see Note 11)9) and $22$21.6 million was recorded in connection with underperforming stores that were subject to potential future closure.
During Fiscal 2015,See Note 12 for further discussion of the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $7 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to its domestic and international retail stores.
During Fiscal 2014,recorded during the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $1 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to its European operations.fiscal years presented.
11.9.Restructuring and Other Charges
A description of significant restructuring and other activities and related costs is included below.
Way Forward Plan
On June 2, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan with the objective of delivering sustainable, profitable sales growth and long-term value creation for shareholders (the "Way Forward Plan"). The Company is refocusing on its core brands and evolving its product, marketing, and shopping experience to increase desirability and relevance. It is also evolving its operating model to enable sustainable, profitable sales growth by significantly improving quality of sales, reducing supply chain lead times, improving its sourcing, and executing a disciplined multi-channel distribution and expansion strategy. As part of the Way Forward Plan, the Company is rightsizing its cost structure and implementing a return on investment-driven financial model to free up resources to invest in the brand and drive high-quality sales. The Way Forward Plan includes strengthening the Company's leadership team and creating a more nimble organization by moving from an average of nine to six layers of management. The Way Forward Plan also includes the discontinuance of the Company's Denim & Supply brand and the integration of its denim product offerings into its Polo Ralph Lauren brand. Collectively, these actions, which were substantially completed during Fiscal 20162017, resulted in a reduction in workforce and the closure of certain stores and shop-within-shops.
On March 30, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors approved the following additional restructuring-related activities associated with its Way Forward Plan: (i) the restructuring of its in-house global digital commerce platform which was in development and shifting to a more cost-effective, flexible platform through a new agreement with Salesforce's Commerce Cloud, formerly known as Demandware; (ii) the closure of its Polo store at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City; and (iii) the further streamlining of the organization and the execution of other key corporate actions in line with the Company's Way Forward Plan. Together, these actions are an important part of the Company's efforts to achieve its stated objective to return to sustainable, profitable growth and invest in the future. These additional restructuring-related activities were largely completed during Fiscal 2018 and resulted in a further reduction in workforce and the closure of certain corporate office and store locations. The remaining activities, which are primarily lease-related, are expected to be completed during Fiscal 2019.




F-22

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In connection with the Way Forward Plan, the Company currently expects to incur total estimated charges of approximately $770 million, comprised of cash-related restructuring charges of approximately $450 million and non-cash charges of approximately $320 million. Cumulative charges incurred since inception were $669.2 million and the Company expects to incur the remaining charges of approximately $100 million during Fiscal 2019. In addition to these charges, the Company also incurred an additional non-cash charge of $155.2 million during Fiscal 2017 associated with the destruction of inventory out of current liquidation channels in line with its Way Forward Plan.
A summary of the charges recorded in connection with the Way Forward Plan during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017, as well as the cumulative charges recorded since its inception, is as follows:
  Fiscal Year Ended Cumulative Charges
  March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 
  (millions)
Cash-related restructuring charges:      
Severance and benefits costs $39.0
 $182.7
 $221.7
Lease termination and store closure costs 33.2
 87.3
 120.5
Other cash charges 6.3
 19.1
 25.4
Total cash-related restructuring charges 78.5
 289.1
 367.6
Non-cash charges:      
Impairment of assets (see Note 8) 16.0
 234.6
 250.6
Inventory-related charges(a)
 7.6
 197.9
 205.5
Accelerated stock-based compensation expense(b)
 0.7
 —
 0.7
Total non-cash charges 24.3
 432.5
 456.8
Total charges $102.8
 $721.6
 $824.4
(a)
Includes charges of $155.2 million associated with the destruction of inventory out of current liquidation channels during Fiscal 2017. Inventory-related charges are recorded within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.
(b)
Accelerated stock-based compensation expense, which is recorded within restructuring and other charges in the consolidated statements of operations, was recorded in connection with vesting provisions associated with certain separation agreements.
A summary of the activity in the restructuring reserve related to the Way Forward Plan is as follows:
  Severance and Benefits Costs 
Lease Termination
and Store
Closure Costs
 Other Cash Charges Total
  (millions)
Balance at April 2, 2016 $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
Additions charged to expense 182.7
 87.3
 19.1
 289.1
Cash payments charged against reserve (87.4) (52.2) (11.5) (151.1)
Non-cash adjustments (1.0) (0.8) (1.0) (2.8)
Balance at April 1, 2017 94.3
 34.3
 6.6
 135.2
Additions charged to expense 39.0
 33.2
 6.3
 78.5
Cash payments charged against reserve (97.9) (22.8) (11.1) (131.8)
Non-cash adjustments 2.2
 8.8
 —
 11.0
Balance at March 31, 2018 $37.6
 $53.5
 $1.8
 $92.9




F-23

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Global Reorganization Plan
On May 12, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a reorganization and restructuring plan comprised of the following major actions: (i) the reorganization of the Company from its historical channel and regional structure to an integrated global brand-basedCompany's operating structure which willin order to streamline the Company's business processes to better align its cost structure with its long-term growth strategy; (ii) a strategic store and shop-within-shop performance review conducted by region and brand; (iii) a targeted corporate functional area review; and (iv) the consolidation of certain of the Company's luxury lines (collectively, the "Global Reorganization Plan"). Actions associated with theThe Global Reorganization Plan were substantially completed during Fiscal 2016 and resulted in a reduction in workforce and the closure of certain stores and shop-within-shops.



F-22

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Actions associated with the Global Reorganization Plan were completed by the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2017 and no additional charges are expected to be incurred in relation to this plan. A summary of the charges recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan during Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016, as well as the cumulative charges recorded since its inception, is as follows:
 Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Years Ended Cumulative Charges
 April 2, 2016 April 1, 2017 April 2, 2016 
 (millions) (millions)
Cash-related restructuring charges:        
Severance and benefit costs $64
Severance and benefits costs $4.7
 $64.4
 $69.1
Lease termination and store closure costs 8
 0.2
 7.8
 8.0
Other cash charges(a)
 14
 —
 13.8
 13.8
Total cash-related restructuring charges 86
 4.9
 86.0
 90.9
Non-cash charges:        
Impairment of assets (see Note 10) 27
Impairment of assets (see Note 8) —
 27.2
 27.2
Inventory-related charges(a)
 —
 20.4
 20.4
Accelerated stock-based compensation expense(b)
 9
 —
 8.9
 8.9
Inventory-related charges(c)
 20
Total non-cash charges 56
 —
 56.5
 56.5
Total charges $142
 $4.9
 $142.5
 $147.4
 
 
(a) 
Other cashInventory-related charges primarily consistedare recorded within cost of consulting fees incurredgoods sold in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan.consolidated statements of operations.
(b) 
Accelerated stock-based compensation expense, which is recorded within restructuring and other charges in the consolidated statements of income,operations, was recorded in connection with vesting provisions associated with certain separation agreements.
(c)
Inventory-related charges are recorded within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of income.
The Company expects to incur additional charges of approximately $5 million during its fiscal year ending April 1, 2017 ("Fiscal 2017") in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan, consisting primarily of cash-related severance and benefit costs. In addition, the Company continues to develop and work towards finalizing its strategic growth plan for Fiscal 2017 and beyond, which once completed will likely result in additional restructuring activities and related charges.
A summary of the activity in the restructuring reserve related to the Global Reorganization Plan is as follows:
  Severance and Benefit Costs Lease Termination and Store Closure Costs Other Cash Charges Total
  (millions)
Balance at March 28, 2015 $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
Additions charged to expense 64
 8
 14
 86
Cash payments charged against reserve (33) (3) (11) (47)
Non-cash adjustments —
 1
 —
 1
Balance at April 2, 2016 $31
 $6
 $3
 $40
Other Charges
During Fiscal 2016, the Company recorded other charges of $34 million related to its pending customs audit (see Note 16) and $14 million primarily related to the settlement of certain litigation claims.
Fiscal 2015
During Fiscal 2015, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $10 million, primarily related to severance and benefit costs associated with certain of its retail, wholesale, and corporate operations. As of March 28, 2015, the related aggregate remaining restructuring liability was approximately $5 million. As of April 2, 2016, the related aggregate remaining restructuring liability was not material.
  Severance and Benefits Costs Lease Termination and Store Closure Costs Other Cash Charges Total
  (millions)
Balance at March 28, 2015 $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
Additions charged to expense 64.4
 7.8
 13.8
 86.0
Cash payments charged against reserve (33.2) (2.5) (10.7) (46.4)
Non-cash adjustments —
 0.7
 —
 0.7
Balance at April 2, 2016 31.2
 6.0
 3.1
 40.3
Additions charged to expense 4.7
 0.2
 —
 4.9
Cash payments charged against reserve (27.3) (2.8) (2.9) (33.0)
Balance at April 1, 2017 8.6
 3.4
 0.2
 12.2
Cash payments charged against reserve (5.5) (1.9) (0.2) (7.6)
Balance at March 31, 2018 $3.1
 $1.5
 $—
 $4.6




F-23F-24 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Fiscal 2014Other Charges
During Fiscal 2014,2018, the Company recorded restructuringother charges of $8$14.1 million primarily related to severance and benefit costsdepreciation expense associated with its corporate operations. Asthe Company's former Polo store at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City, recorded after the store closed during the first quarter of both April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015, the related aggregate remaining restructuring liability was not material.
In addition,Fiscal 2018 in connection with the formation of the Office of the Chairman,Way Forward Plan. Although the Company entered into employment agreementsis no longer generating revenue or has any other economic activity associated with certainits former Polo store, it continues to incur depreciation expense due to its involvement at the time of its executive officers, which became effective in November 2013. As a result of the new employment agreement provisions,construction.
Additionally, during Fiscal 2018, the Company recorded $10other charges of $10.2 million related to its pending customs audit (see Note 14) and $6.7 million (inclusive of accelerated stock-based compensation expense duringof $2.1 million) primarily related to the departure of Mr. Stefan Larsson as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of its Board of Directors, effective as of May 1, 2017. Refer to the Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2017 for additional discussion regarding the departure of Mr. Larsson.
These other charges recorded in Fiscal 2014.2018 were partially offset by the favorable impact of $2.2 million related to the reversal of reserves associated with the settlement of certain non-income tax issues.
During Fiscal 2017, the Company recorded other charges of $13.2 million related to the anticipated settlement of certain non-income tax issues and $11.4 million (inclusive of accelerated stock-based compensation expense of $4.3 million) related to Mr. Larsson's departure.
During Fiscal 2016, the Company recorded other charges of $34.1 million related to its pending customs audit (see Note 14) and $13.6 million primarily related to the settlement of certain litigation claims.
12.10.Income Taxes
U.S. Tax Reform
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law new tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA"), which became effective January 1, 2018. The TCJA significantly revised U.S. tax law by, among other provisions, lowering the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21%, creating a territorial tax system that includes a one-time mandatory transition tax on previously deferred foreign earnings, and eliminating or reducing certain income tax deductions.
ASC Topic 740, "Income Taxes," requires the effects of changes in tax laws to be recognized in the period in which the legislation is enacted. However, due to the complexity and significance of the TCJA's provisions, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") on December 22, 2017, which allows companies to record the tax effects of the TCJA on a provisional basis based on a reasonable estimate, and then, if necessary, subsequently adjust such amounts during a limited measurement period as more information becomes available. The measurement period ends when a company has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one year from enactment.
During the third quarter of Fiscal 2018, the Company recorded charges of $231.3 million within its income tax provision in connection with the TCJA, of which $215.5 million related to the mandatory transition tax, which it expects to pay over an eight-year period (see Note 14) and $15.8 million related to the revaluation of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities. Subsequently, as a result of finalizing its full Fiscal 2018 operating results, the issuance of new interpretive guidance, and other analyses performed, the Company recorded immaterial measurement period adjustments during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018, whereby it reversed $6.2 million of the charges related to the mandatory transition tax and $5.5 million related to the revaluation of its deferred taxes. These reversals were partially offset by an incremental charge of $1.8 million related to the expected future remittance of certain previously deferred foreign earnings. Collectively, these net charges of $221.4 million, which were recorded on a provisional basis, negatively impacted the Company's effective tax rate by 4,520 basis points and lowered its diluted earnings per share by $2.68 during Fiscal 2018. The provisional amounts were based on the Company's present interpretations of the TCJA, current available information, and assumptions about future events, and are subject to further refinement as additional information becomes available, including potential new or interpretative guidance issued by the FASB or the Internal Revenue Service and other tax agencies, and as further analyses are completed.




F-25

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Additionally, the Company reevaluated its permanent reinvestment assertion and determined that undistributed foreign earnings that were subject to the one-time mandatory transition tax were no longer considered to be permanently reinvested, effective December 31, 2017. In connection with this decision, the Company repatriated $252.0 million of cash to the U.S. from certain of its foreign subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018, and it repatriated an additional $400.0 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2019. The mandatory transition tax does not apply to undistributed foreign earnings generated after December 31, 2017, and therefore the Company intends to permanently reinvest such earnings. See "Deferred Taxes" for additional discussion.
The Company is also in the process of assessing various international taxation provisions of the TCJA that are effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019, including a minimum tax on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI"). The Company has tentatively decided to account for GILTI tax in the period in which it is incurred and therefore has not provided any deferred tax impacts of GILTI in its consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2018. The Company will continue to evaluate this policy election during Fiscal 2019.
Taxes on Income (Loss)
Domestic and foreign pretax income (loss) are as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Domestic $275
 $620
 $710
 $16.4
 $(155.3) $274.8
Foreign 277
 367
 386
 472.8
 50.4
 277.0
Total income before provision for income taxes $552
 $987
 $1,096
Total income (loss) before income taxes $489.2
 $(104.9) $551.8
Provisions (benefits)Benefits (provisions) for current and deferred income taxes are as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Current:            
Federal(a)
 $88
 $161
 $211
 $(154.6) $29.1
 $(87.9)
State and local(a)
 (3) 35
 51
 (5.0) 2.3
 3.2
Foreign 79
 78
 57
 (82.7) (64.7) (78.6)
 164
 274
 319
 (242.3) (33.3) (163.3)
Deferred:            
Federal (5) 22
 (4) (64.1) 25.1
 4.6
State and local (1) 3
 1
 (12.6) 2.9
 1.4
Foreign (2) (14) 4
 (7.4) 10.9
 1.9
 (8) 11
 1
 (84.1) 38.9
 7.9
Total provision for income taxes $156
 $285
 $320
Total income tax benefit (provision) $(326.4) $5.6
 $(155.4)
 
(a) 
Excludes federal, state, and local tax provisions of $17.3 million in Fiscal 2017 and federal, state, and local tax benefits of approximately $10 million, $8 million, and $3410.2 million in Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014, respectively, resulting from stock-based compensation arrangements. Such amounts were recorded within equity. In Fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, which requires such excess tax benefits and shortfalls be reflected prospectively in the income tax benefit (provision) in the statement of operations. See Note 4 for further discussion of the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-09.




F-24F-26 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Tax Rate Reconciliation
The differences between income taxes expected at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35%and income taxes provided are as set forth below:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Provision for income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate $193
 $346
 $384
Increase (decrease) due to:      
Benefit (provision) for income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate(a)
 $(154.3) $36.7
 $(193.2)
Change due to:      
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit 11
 21
 29
 (1.6) 2.7
 (10.9)
Foreign income taxed at different rates, net of U.S. foreign tax credits (33) (96) (89) 74.7
 (25.4) 33.6
Unrecognized tax benefits and settlements of tax examinations (13) 11
 (5) (14.4) 0.5
 12.7
Changes in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 2.5
 (7.3) —
TCJA enactment-related charges (221.4) —
 —
Stock-based compensation (15.4) —
 —
Other (2) 3
 1
 3.5
 (1.6) 2.4
Total provision for income taxes $156
 $285
 $320
Effective tax rate(a)
 28.2% 28.9% 29.2%
Total income tax benefit (provision) $(326.4) $5.6
 $(155.4)
Effective tax rate(b)
 66.7% 5.3% 28.2%
 
(a)
The U.S. federal statutory income tax rate for the Company's Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016 was 35.0%. The TCJA reduced the statutory tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0%, effective January 1, 2018, and resulted in a blended statutory rate of 31.5% for the Company's Fiscal 2018.
(b)
Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the provision for income taxestax benefit (provision) by income (loss) before provision for income taxes.
The Company's Fiscal 2018 effective tax rate is lowerwas higher than the blended statutory rate principallyprimarily due to the enactment-related charges recorded in connection with the TCJA, as a resultpreviously discussed, the negative impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 (see Note 4), and the unfavorable impact of additional income tax reserves associated with certain income tax audits, partially offset by the favorable impact of the proportion of earnings generated in lower taxed foreign jurisdictions versus the U.S. In addition, duringand tax benefits associated with adjustments recorded on deferred tax assets and provision to tax return adjustments. The Company's Fiscal 2016, the2017 effective tax rate was favorably impacted bylower than the statutory rate primarily due to the tax benefitsimpact of earnings in foreign jurisdictions, valuation allowances and adjustments recorded on deferred tax assets, and income tax reserves largely associated with provision toan income tax return adjustments,settlement and certain income tax audits, partially offset by the reversal of certainan income tax liabilitiesreserve resulting from a change in tax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax. The Company's Fiscal 2016 effective tax rate was lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the expirationtax impact of statuesearnings in foreign jurisdictions and the favorable impact of limitations, and a change in estimate related to the assessment period ofassociated with certain tax liabilities, as discussed below, partially offset by the reversal of certain deferred tax assets that were determined to not be realizable. The Company's effective tax rate during both Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 was favorably impacted by tax reserve reductions associated with income tax benefits resulting from the legal entity restructurings of certain of the Company's foreign operations. The Company's effective tax rate for Fiscal 2014 also reflected tax reserve reductions associated with the conclusion of a tax examination.
During the second quarter of Fiscal 2016, the Company concluded, with the assistance of a third-party consultant, that based on recent audit settlements and taxpayer audit trends, the assessment period associated with certain tax liabilities established under ASC Topic 740, "Income Taxes," should be reduced. This change is considered a change in estimate for accounting purposes and the related impact was recorded during the second quarter of Fiscal 2016. This change lowered the Company's provision for income taxes by $8$7.7 million, including interest and penalties, and net of deferred tax asset reversals, and increased basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.09 for Fiscal 2016.




F-25F-27 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Deferred Taxes
The Company early-adopted ASU 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" asSignificant components of the end of its Fiscal 2016 and applied its provisions prospectively (see Note 4). As a result, the Company has classified all of itsCompany's deferred tax assets and liabilities together with any related valuation allowance, as non-current on the consolidated balance sheet as of April 2, 2016. The prior period was not retrospectively adjusted.
Significant components of the Company's net deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
 (millions) (millions)
Current deferred tax assets:    
Goodwill and other intangible assets $(149.2) $(217.1)
Property and equipment (36.2) (61.6)
Undistributed foreign earnings (7.1) —
Net operating loss carryforwards 54.8
 64.1
Lease obligations 49.6
 80.7
Deferred compensation 45.7
 141.6
Receivable allowances and reserves $—
 $64
 38.5
 65.8
Deferred compensation —
 32
Inventory basis difference —
 24
 16.0
 21.8
Cumulative translation adjustment and hedges 15.0
 (10.8)
Accrued expenses 12.1
 9.8
Unrecognized tax benefits 10.8
 16.0
Transfer pricing 9.0
 5.6
Deferred rent 6.9
 14.3
Deferred income 5.2
 9.0
Excess foreign tax credits —
 7.9
Other —
 15
 14.4
 5.1
Valuation allowance —
 —
 (35.4) (38.1)
Net current deferred tax assets(a)
 —
 135
    
Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities):    
Goodwill and other intangible assets (217) (209)
Property and equipment (89) (86)
Deferred compensation 126
 76
Lease obligations 88
 86
Receivable allowances and reserves 66
 —
Inventory basis difference 29
 —
Unrecognized tax benefits 21
 30
Net operating loss carryforwards 21
 19
Deferred rent 17
 18
Deferred income 15
 12
Accrued expenses 9
 —
Cumulative translation adjustment and hedges 8
 (1)
Transfer pricing 6
 14
Other 12
 7
Valuation allowance (10) (8)
Net non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities)(b)
 102
 (42)
Net deferred tax assets $102
 $93
Net deferred tax assets(a)
 $50.1
 $114.1
 
(a) 
The net current deferred tax balance as of March 28, 2015 included current deferred tax liabilities of $10 million recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
(b)
The net non-current deferred tax balances as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 20151, 2017 were comprised of non-current deferred tax assets of $119$86.6 million and $45$125.9 million, respectively, recorded within deferred tax assets, and non-current deferred tax liabilities of $17$36.5 million and $87$11.8 million, respectively, recorded within other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.



F-26

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company has available state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $4$237.4 million and $71$71.5 million, respectively, for tax purposes to offset future taxable income. The net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning in Fiscal 2017.2019.
The Company also has available state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $7$44.2 million and $17$204.6 million, respectively, for which no net deferred tax asset has been recognized. A full valuation allowance has been recorded against these carryforwards since management does not believe that the Company will more likely than not be able to utilize these carryforwards to offset future taxable income. Subsequent recognition of these deferred tax assets would result in an income tax benefit in the year of such recognition. The valuation allowanceallowances relating to state net operating loss carryforwards remained consistent with the prior year. The valuation allowance relating toand foreign net operating loss carryforwards increased by $6$5.3 million mainly and $2.3 million, respectively, largely as a result of additional net operating losses in certain jurisdictions where management does not believe that the Company will more likely than not be able to utilize these carryforwards in the future.
ProvisionIn connection with the Company's decision to no longer permanently reinvest undistributed foreign earnings that were subject to the TCJA's one-time mandatory transition tax, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of $7.1 million on a provisional basis for the expected future remittance of previously taxed foreign earnings. The mandatory transition tax does not apply to undistributed foreign earnings generated after December 31, 2017. Accordingly, provision has not been made for U.S. or additional foreign taxes on $2.615 billionapproximately $98 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Those historicalsubsidiaries generated after December 31, 2017, as such earnings have been and are expected to continue to be permanently reinvested. These earnings could become subject to tax if they were remitted as dividends, if foreign earnings were lent to RLC, a subsidiary or a U.S. affiliate of RLC, or if the stock of the subsidiaries were sold. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability with respect to such earnings is not practicable. Management believes that the amount of the additional taxes that might be payable on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries, if remitted, would be partially offset by U.S. foreign tax credits.




F-28

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Uncertain Income Tax Benefits
Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014 Activity
Reconciliations of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014 are presented below:
 Fiscal Years Ended  Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions)  (millions)
Unrecognized tax benefits beginning balance $69
 $83
 $100
  $49.9
 $49.7
 $68.0
Additions related to current period tax positions 5
 5
 6
  6.8
 5.3
 5.0
Additions related to prior period tax positions 7
 10
 12
  9.5
 15.3
 6.9
Reductions related to prior period tax positions (12) (1) (13)
(b) 
 (1.3) (3.4) (11.3)
Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations (7) (1) (2)  (3.3) (4.1) (7.2)
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities (12) (25)
(a) 
(23)
(b) 
 (0.7) (12.0) (12.0)
Additions (reductions) related to foreign currency translation —
 (2) 3
  3.3
 (0.9) 0.3
Unrecognized tax benefits ending balance $50
 $69
 $83
  $64.2
 $49.9
 $49.7
(a)
Includes a $20 million decline in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the Company's tax settlement agreement reached in Fiscal 2015 for the taxable years ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2012.
(b)
Includes a $29 million decline in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the Company's tax settlement agreement reached in Fiscal 2014 for the taxable years ended April 3, 2004 and April 2, 2005.



F-27

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of its provision for income taxes. Reconciliations of the beginning and ending amounts of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits for Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014 are presented below:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Accrued interest and penalties beginning balance $47
  $49
 $50
 $12.8
  $30.9
 $47.6
Net additions charged to expense 4
 6
 6
 3.8
 2.3
 4.0
Reductions related to prior period tax positions (15) (1) (4) (1.6) (18.3)
(a) 
(15.4)
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities (5) (5) (5) (0.3) (0.8) (5.3)
Additions (reductions) related to foreign currency translation —
  (2) 2
 0.3
  (1.3) —
Accrued interest and penalties ending balance $31
  $47
 $49
 $15.0
  $12.8
 $30.9
(a)
Includes a $15.9 million reversal of an income tax reserve resulting from a change in tax law that impacted an interest assessment on a prior year withholding tax.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, was $81$79.2 million and $116$62.7 million as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015,1, 2017, respectively, and is included within the non-current liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the consolidated balance sheets. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the Company's effective tax rate was $60$68.4 million and $85$46.7 million as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015,1, 2017, respectively.
Future Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits relating to the Company's tax positions is subject to change based on future events including, but not limited to, settlements of ongoing tax audits and assessments and the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations. Although the outcomes and timing of such events are highly uncertain, the Company does not anticipate that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, will change significantly during the next twelve months. However, changes in the occurrence, expected outcomes, and timing of such events could cause the Company's current estimate to change materially in the future.




F-29

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, as well as tax returns in various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is generally no longer subject to examinations by the relevant tax authorities for years prior to its fiscal year ended April 1, 2006.3, 2010.
13.11.Debt
Debt consists of the following:
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
 (millions) (millions)
$300 million 2.125% Senior Notes(a)
 $301
 $298
 $298.1
 $298.1
$300 million 2.625% Senior Notes(b)
 296
 —
 288.0
 290.1
Commercial paper notes 90
 234
Borrowings outstanding under credit facilities 26
 —
 10.1
 —
Total debt 713
 532
 596.2
 588.2
Less: short-term debt 116
 234
Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 308.2
 —
Total long-term debt $597
 $298
 $288.0
 $588.2
 
 
(a) 
During Fiscal 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract which it designated as a hedge against changes in the fair value of its fixed-rate 2.125% Senior Notes (see Note 15)13). Accordingly, the carrying value of the 2.125% Senior Notes as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 20161, 2017 reflects an adjustmentadjustments of $2$1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for the change in fair value attributable to the benchmark interest rate. The carrying value of the 2.125% Senior Notes is also net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discount of $1$0.3 million and $2$0.7 million as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 and March 28, 2015April 1, 2017, respectively.



F-28

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(b) 
During Fiscal 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract which it designated as a hedge against changes in the fair value of its fixed-rate 2.625% Senior Notes (see Note 15)13). Accordingly, the carrying value of the 2.625% Senior Notes as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 20161, 2017 reflects an adjustmentadjustments of $2$10.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, for the change in fair value attributable to the benchmark interest rate. The carrying value of the 2.625% Senior Notes is also net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discount of $2$1.2 million and $1.7 million as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016.1, 2017, respectively.
Senior Notes
In September 2013, the Company completed a registered public debt offering and issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due September 26, 2018, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.125%, payable semi-annually (the "2.125% Senior Notes"). The 2.125% Senior Notes were issued at a price equal to 99.896% of their principal amount. The proceeds from this offering were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of the Company's previously outstanding €209 million principal amount of 4.5% Euro-denominated notes, which matured on October 4, 2013.
In August 2015, the Company completed a second registered public debt offering and issued an additional $300 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due August 18, 2020, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.625%, payable semi-annually (the "2.625% Senior Notes"). The 2.625% Senior Notes were issued at a price equal to 99.795% of their principal amount. The proceeds from this offering were used for general corporate purposes.
The Company has the option to redeem the 2.125% Senior Notes and 2.625% Senior Notes (collectively, the "Senior Notes"), in whole or in part, at any time at a price equal to accrued and unpaid interest on the redemption date, plus the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the series of Senior Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present value of Remaining Scheduled Payments, as defined in the supplemental indentures governing such Senior Notes (together with the indenture governing the Senior Notes, the "Indenture"). The Indenture contains certain covenants that restrict the Company's ability, subject to specified exceptions, to incur certain liens; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; consolidate or merge with another party; or sell, lease, or convey all or substantially all of the Company's property or assets to another party. However, the Indenture does not contain any financial covenants.




F-30

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Commercial Paper
In May 2014, the Company initiated a commercial paper borrowing program (the "Commercial Paper Program") that allowed it to issue up to $300 million of unsecured commercial paper notes through private placement using third-party broker-dealers. In May 2015, the Company expanded its Commercial Paper Program to allow for a total issuance of up to $500 million of unsecured commercial paper notes.
Borrowings under the Commercial Paper Program are supported by the Global Credit Facility, as defined below,below. Accordingly, the Company does not expect combined borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program and Global Credit Facility to exceed $500 million. Commercial Paper Program borrowings may be used to support the Company's general working capital and corporate needs. Maturities of commercial paper notes vary, but cannot exceed 397 days from the date of issuance. Commercial paper notes issued under the Commercial Paper Program rank equally with the Company's other forms of unsecured indebtedness. As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, the Company had $90 million inthere were no borrowings outstanding under itsthe Commercial Paper Program, with a weighted-average annual interest rate of 0.41% and a weighted-average remaining term of 3 days.Program.
Revolving Credit Facilities
Global Credit Facility
In February 2015, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit facility (which was further amended in March 2016) that provides for a $500 million senior unsecured revolving line of credit through February 11, 2020 (the "Global Credit Facility") under terms and conditions substantially similar to those previously in effect. The Global Credit Facility is also used to support the issuance of letters of credit and the maintenance of the Commercial Paper Program. Borrowings under the Global Credit Facility may be denominated in U.S. Dollars and other currencies, including Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, and Japanese Yen. The Company has the ability to expand its borrowing availability under the Global Credit Facility to $750 million, subject to the agreement of one or more new or existing lenders under the facility to increase their commitments. There are no mandatory reductions in borrowing ability throughout the term of the Global Credit Facility. As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Global Credit Facility and the Company was contingently liable for $98.3 million of outstanding letters of credit.



F-29

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

U.S. Dollar-denominated borrowings under the Global Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company's option, either at (a) a base rate, by reference to the greatest of: (i) the annual prime commercial lending rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in effect from time to time, (ii) the weighted-average overnight Federal funds rate plus 50 basis points, or (iii) the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 100 basis points; or (b) LIBOR, adjusted for the Federal Reserve Board's Eurocurrency liabilities maximum reserve percentage, plus a spread of 87.5 basis points, subject to adjustment based on the Company's credit ratings ("Adjusted LIBOR"). Foreign currency-denominated borrowings bear interest at Adjusted LIBOR.
In addition to paying interest on any outstanding borrowings under the Global Credit Facility, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Global Credit Facility with respect to the unutilized commitments. The commitment fee rate of 7 basis points under the terms of the Global Credit Facility is subject to adjustment based on the Company's credit ratings.
The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company's ability, subject to specified exceptions, to incur additional debt; incur liens; sell or dispose of assets; merge with or acquire other companies; liquidate or dissolve itself; engage in businesses that are not in a related line of business; make loans, advances, or guarantees; engage in transactions with affiliates; and make certain investments. The Global Credit Facility also requires the Company to maintain a maximum ratio of Adjusted Debt to Consolidated EBITDAR (the "leverage ratio") of no greater than 3.75 as of the date of measurement for the four most recent consecutive fiscal quarters. Adjusted Debt is defined generally as consolidated debt outstanding plus four times consolidated rent expense for the four most recent consecutive fiscal quarters. Consolidated EBITDAR is defined generally as consolidated net income plus (i) income tax expense, (ii) net interest expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) consolidated rent expense, (v) restructuring and other non-recurring expenses, and (vi) acquisition-related costs. As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, no Event of Default (as such term is defined pursuant to the Global Credit Facility) has occurred under the Company's Global Credit Facility.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Global Credit Facility, the lenders may cease making loans, terminate the Global Credit Facility, and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The Global Credit Facility specifies a number of events of default (many of which are subject to applicable grace periods), including, among others, the failure to make timely principal, interest, and fee payments or to satisfy the covenants, including the financial covenant described above.




F-31

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Additionally, the Global Credit Facility provides that an Event of Default will occur if Mr. Ralph Lauren, the Company's Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and entities controlled by the Lauren family fail to maintain a specified minimum percentage of the voting power of the Company's common stock.
Pan-Asia Credit Facilities
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia have uncommitted credit facilities with regional branches of JPMorgan Chase (the "Banks") in China and South Korea (the "Pan-Asia Credit Facilities"). These credit facilities are subject to annual renewal and may be used to fund general working capital and corporate needs of the Company's operations in the respective countries. Borrowings under the Pan-Asia Credit Facilities are guaranteed by the parent company and are granted at the sole discretion of the Banks, subject to availability of the Banks' funds and satisfaction of certain regulatory requirements. The Pan-Asia Credit Facilities do not contain any financial covenants. The Company's Pan-Asia Credit Facilities by country are as follows:
China Credit Facility — provides Ralph Lauren Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. with a revolving line of credit of up to 10050 million Chinese Renminbi (approximately $16 million)$8 million) through April 6, 2017, and may3, 2019, which is also able to be used to support bank guarantees. As of April 2, 2016, bank guarantees supported by this facility were not material.
South Korea Credit Facility — provides Ralph Lauren (Korea) Ltd. with a revolving line of credit of up to 47 billion South Korean Won (approximately $4144 million) through October 31, 20162018.
As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, borrowings outstanding under the Pan-Asia Credit Facilities were $26$10.1 million, which have been classified as short-term debt in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.



F-30

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

14.12.Fair Value Measurements
U.S. GAAP establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The determination of the applicable level within the hierarchy for a particular asset or liability depends on the inputs used in its valuation as of the measurement date, notably the extent to which the inputs are market-based (observable) or internally-derived (unobservable). A financial instrument's categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology based on quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology based on unobservable prices or valuation techniques that are significant to the fair value measurement.
The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components:
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
  (millions)
Financial assets recorded at fair value:    
Corporate bonds — non-U.S.(a)
 $8
 $8
Derivative financial instruments(b)
 22
 87
Total $30
 $95
Financial liabilities recorded at fair value:    
Derivative financial instruments(b)
 $59
 $19
Total $59
 $19
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (millions)
Investments in commercial paper(a)(b)
 $234.2
 $—
Derivative assets(a)
 12.3
 32.6
Derivative liabilities(a)
 110.0
 21.7
 
(a) 
Based on Level 12 measurements.
(b) 
Based on Level 2 measurements.$15.0 million included within cash and cash equivalents and $219.2 million included within short-term investments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018.
To the extent the Company invests



F-32

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company's investments in bonds, such investmentscommercial paper are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets using external pricing data, based uponon interest rates and credit ratings for similar issuances with the same remaining term as the Company's investments. To the extent the Company invests in bonds, such investments are also classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets based on quoted prices in active markets.
The Company's derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets and are valued using pricing models that are primarily based on market observable external inputs, including spot and forward currency exchange rates, benchmark interest rates, and discount rates consistent with the instrument's tenor, and consider the impact of the Company's own credit risk, if any. Changes in counterparty credit risk are also considered in the valuation of derivative financial instruments.
The Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and time deposits are recorded at carrying value, which approximates fair value based on Level 1 measurements.
The Company's debt instruments are recorded at their carrying values in its consolidated balance sheets, which may differ from their respective fair values. The fair values of the Senior Notes are estimated based on external pricing data, including available quoted market prices, and with reference to comparable debt instruments with similar interest rates, credit ratings, and trading frequency, among other factors. The fair values of the Company's commercial paper notes and borrowings outstanding under its credit facilities, if any, are estimated using external pricing data, based on interest rates and credit ratings for similar issuances with the same remaining term as the Company's outstanding borrowings. Due to their short-term nature, the fair values of the Company's commercial paper notes and borrowings outstanding under its credit facilities, at April 2, 2016if any, generally approximate their carrying values.



F-31

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table summarizes the carrying values and the estimated fair values of the Company's debt instruments:
 April 2, 2016 March 28, 2015 March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017
 Carrying Value 
Fair Value(a)
 Carrying Value 
Fair Value(a)
 Carrying Value 
Fair Value(a)
 Carrying Value 
Fair Value(a)
 (millions) (millions)
$300 million 2.125% Senior Notes $301
(b) 
$306
 $298
(b) 
$304
 $298.1
(b) 
$299.4
 $298.1
(b) 
$302.2
$300 million 2.625% Senior Notes 296
(b) 
308
 —
 —
 288.0
(b) 
298.7
 290.1
(b) 
302.8
Commercial paper notes 90
 90
 234
 234
Borrowings outstanding under credit facilities 26
 26
 —
 —
 10.1
 10.1
 —
 —
 
 
(a) 
Based on Level 2 measurements.
(b) 
See Note 1311 for discussion of the carrying values of the Company's Senior Notes as of April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015.Notes.
Unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the Company's debt do not result in the realization or expenditure of cash, unless the debt is retired prior to its maturity.
Non-financial Assets and Liabilities
The Company's non-financial assets, which primarily consist of goodwill, other intangible assets, and property and equipment, are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are reported at carrying value. However, on a periodic basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be fully recoverable (and at least annually for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets), non-financial instrumentsassets are assessed for impairment and, if applicable, written down to and recorded at fair value, considering external market participant assumptions.
During Fiscal 20162018, Fiscal 20152017, and Fiscal 2014,2016, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $41.2 million, $248.6 million, and $48.8 million, respectively, to reducefully write off the carrying values of certain long-lived store and shop-within-shop assets based upon their assumed fair values of zero. Additionally, as a result of a change in the planned usage of a certain intangible asset, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8.8 million to theirreduce the carrying value of the intangible asset from $11.7 million to its estimated fair values.value of $2.9 million. The fair values of these long-lived and intangible assets were determined based on Level 3 measurements. Inputs to these fair value measurements included estimates of the amount and timing of the stores' or shop-within-shops'assets' net future discounted cash flows based on historical experience, current trends, and market conditions.
The following table summarizes See Note 8 for further discussion of the non-cash impairment charges recorded by the Company during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014:the fiscal years presented.
  Fiscal Years Ended
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
  (millions)
Aggregate carrying value of long-lived assets written down to fair value $49
 $7
 $1
Impairment charges(a)
 (49) (7) (1)

(a)


See Note 10 for details of impairment charges recorded in Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014.
F-33
No goodwill impairment charges have been recorded during any of the three fiscal years presented.

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In Fiscal 2016,2018, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment as of the beginning of the second quarter of the fiscal year using a qualitative approach. In performing the assessment, the Company identified and considered the significance of relevant key factors, events, and circumstances that affected the fair values and/or carrying amounts of its reporting units.units with allocated goodwill. These factors included external factors such as macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions, as well as entity-specific factors, such as the Company's actual and plannedexpected financial performance. Additionally, the results of the Company's most recent quantitative goodwill impairment test indicated that the fair values of itsthese reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values. Based on the results of its qualitative goodwill impairment assessment, the Company concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units are less than their respective carrying values, and there were no reporting units at risk of impairment. No goodwill impairment charges were recorded during any of the three fiscal years presented in connection with the Company's annual goodwill impairment assessments.

Subsequent to the Company's Fiscal 2017 annual goodwill impairment assessment, the Company realigned its segment reporting structure during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 as a result of significant organizational changes implemented in connection with the Way Forward Plan. As a result of the realignment of its segment reporting structure, the Company reallocated the carrying amount of goodwill to its new reporting units based upon each reporting unit's relative fair value as of the first day of the Company's fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017. In connection with this reallocation, the Company performed an interim assessment of the recoverability of goodwill assigned to its new reporting units using a quantitative approach. The estimated fair values of the Company's new reporting units were determined using discounted cash flows and market comparisons. Based on the results of the quantitative impairment assessment performed, the Company concluded that the fair value of one of its new reporting units was less than its carrying value. As a result, a goodwill impairment charge of $5.2 million was recorded to fully write off the carrying value of the reporting unit's reallocated goodwill. The fair values of the remaining new reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values and were not at risk of impairment.


F-32

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

15.13.Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company is exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily relating to certain anticipated cash flows and the value of the reported net assets of its international operations, as well as changes in the fair value of its fixed-rate debt attributed to changes in the benchmark interest rate. Consequently, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage and mitigate such risks. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes.
The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding derivative instruments on a gross basis as recorded in its consolidated balance sheets as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 and March 28, 2015April 1, 2017:
 Notional Amounts Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities Notional Amounts Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities
Derivative Instrument(a)
 April 2, 2016 March 28, 2015 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
     
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
     
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
 
Fair
Value
 (millions) (millions)
Designated Hedges:                        
FC — Inventory purchases $532
 $587
 PP $1
 PP $49
 AE $14
 AE $9
FC — Other(c)
 210
 118
 — —
 PP 5
 AE 9
 AE 1
FC — Cash flow hedges $514.5
 $533.2
 PP $1.1
 PP $17.7
 
(e) 
 $13.5
 AE $3.7
IRS — Fixed-rate debt 600
 —
 ONCA 2
 — —
 ONCL 2
 — —
 600.0
 600.0
 
 —
 
 —
 
(f) 
 12.4
 ONCL 9.4
CCS — NI 630
 —
 — —
 — —
 ONCL 31
 — —
Net investment hedges(c)
 1,081.2
 591.2
 PP 0.1
 ONCA 9.6
 
(g) 
 82.6
 
 —
Total Designated Hedges $1,972
 $705
 $3
 $54
 $56
 $10
 2,195.7
 1,724.4
 1.2
 27.3
 108.5
 13.1
Undesignated Hedges:                        
FC — Other(d)
 $541
 $464
 
(e) 
 $19
 
(f) 
 $33
 AE $3
 
(g) 
 $9
FC — Undesignated hedges(d)
 459.2
 375.1
 PP 11.1
 PP 5.3
 AE 1.5
 AE 8.6
Total Hedges $2,513
 $1,169
 $22
 $87
 $59
 $19
 $2,654.9
 $2,099.5
 $12.3
 $32.6
 $110.0
 $21.7
 
(a) 
FC = Forward foreign currency exchange contracts; IRS = Interest rate swap contracts; CCS = Cross-currency swap contracts; NI = Net investment hedges.contracts.
(b) 
PP = Prepaid expenses and other current assets; AE = Accrued expenses and other current liabilities; ONCA = Other non-current assets; ONCL = Other non-current liabilities.




F-34

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(c) 
Primarily includesIncludes cross-currency swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as hedges of the Company's net investment in certain foreign currency-denominated intercompany royalty payments and other operational exposures.operations.
(d) 
Primarily includes undesignated hedges of foreign currency-denominated intercompany loans and other intercompany balances.
(e) 
$1512.9 million included within prepaidaccrued expenses and other current assetsliabilities and $4$0.6 million included within other non-current assets.liabilities.
(f) 
$111.6 million included within prepaidaccrued expenses and other current assetsliabilities and $22$10.8 million included within other non-current assets.liabilities.
(g) 
$844.8 million included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $1$37.8 million included within other non-current liabilities.



F-33

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company records and presents the fair values of all of its derivative assets and liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis, even thoughwhen they are subject to master netting arrangements. However, if the Company were to offset and record the asset and liability balances of all of its derivative instruments on a net basis in accordance with the terms of each of its master netting arrangements, spread across eight separate counterparties, the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 and March 28, 2015April 1, 2017 would be adjusted from the current gross presentation as detailed in the following table:
 April 2, 2016 March 28, 2015 March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017
Derivative Instrument Gross Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Arrangements Net
Amount		 Gross Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Arrangements Net
Amount
 Gross Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements Net
Amount		 Gross Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements Net
Amount
 (millions) (millions)
Derivative assets $22
 $(11) $11
 $87
 $(14) $73
 $12.3
 $(10.7) $1.6
 $32.6
 $(18.3) $14.3
Derivative liabilities $59
 $(11) $48
 $19
 $(14) $5
 110.0
 (10.7) 99.3
 21.7
 (18.3) 3.4
The Company's master netting arrangements do not require cash collateral to be pledged by the Company or its counterparties. Refer toSee Note 3 for further discussion of the Company's master netting arrangements.
The following tables summarize the pretax impact of the effective portion of gains and losses from the Company's designated derivative instruments on its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years presented:
  
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in OCI
 
Gains (Losses) Reclassified
from AOCI to Earnings
 
Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from
AOCI to Earnings
  Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended 
Derivative Instrument April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 
  (millions)  
Designated Cash Flow Hedges:              
FC — Inventory purchases $(7) $50
 $(10) $44
 $3
 $10
 Cost of goods sold
FC — Other (14) 19
 —
 (5) 14
 —
 Foreign currency gains (losses)
  $(21) $69
 $(10) $39
 $17
 $10
  
Designated Hedges of Net Investments:              
CCS(a)
 $(28) $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
  
Total Designated Hedges $(49) $69
 $(10) $39
 $17
 $10
  
  Gains (Losses)
Recognized in OCI
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Designated Hedges:      
FC — Cash flow hedges $(45.5) $30.4
 $(20.5)
Net investment hedges(a)
 (90.9) 37.7
 (28.4)
Total Designated Hedges $(136.4) $68.1
 $(48.9)
  Gains (Losses) Reclassified
from AOCI to Earnings		 
Location of
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings
  Fiscal Years Ended 
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 
  (millions)  
Designated Hedges:        
FC — Cash flow hedges $(8.2) $0.5
 $43.7
 Cost of goods sold
FC — Cash flow hedges (2.9) 0.5
 (4.7) Other expense, net
Total Designated Hedges $(11.1) $1.0
 $39.0
  
 
(a)
Amounts recognized in OCI would be recognized in earnings only upon the sale or liquidation of the hedged net investment.
During Fiscal 2014, the Company also recorded a foreign currency gain of $2 million associated with the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges, as the related forecasted transactions were no longer probable of occurring.



F-35

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

As of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, it is expectedestimated that approximately $13$17.6 million of pretax net losses on both outstanding and matured derivative instrumentsdeferred in AOCI related to derivative instruments will be recognized in earnings over the next twelve months. The amounts ultimately recognized in earnings will depend on exchange rates in effect when outstanding derivative instruments are settled. No material gains or losses relating to ineffective cash flow hedges were recognized during any of the fiscal years presented.



F-34

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table summarizes the pretax impact of gains and losses from the Company's undesignated derivative instruments on its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years presented:
 
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Earnings
 
Location of Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Earnings
 
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Earnings
 
Location of
Gains (Losses)
Recognized
in Earnings
 Fiscal Years Ended  Fiscal Years Ended 
Derivative Instrument April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 
 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 
Location of
Gains (Losses)
Recognized
in Earnings
 (millions)   (millions) 
Undesignated Hedges:              
FC — Other $(7) $18
 $20
 Foreign currency gains (losses)
FC — Undesignated hedges $2.4
 $(3.6) $(6.6) Other expense, net
Total Undesignated Hedges $(7) $18
 $20
  $2.4
 $(3.6) $(6.6) 
Risk Management Strategies
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Company enters intouses forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce its risk related to exchange rate fluctuations on inventory transactions made in an entity's non-functional currency, intercompany royalty payments made by certain of its international operations, and otherthe settlement of foreign currency-denominated operational and intercompany balances, and cash flows.the translation of certain foreign operations' net assets into U.S. Dollars. As part of its overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily to changes in the value of the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the South Korean Won, the Australian Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the British Pound Sterling, the Swiss Franc, the Swedish Krona, the Chinese Renminbi, the New Taiwan Dollar, and the Hong Kong Dollar, the Company hedges a portion of its foreign currency exposures anticipated over a two-year period. In doing so, the Company uses forward foreign currency exchange contracts that generally have maturities of two months to two years to provide continuing coverage throughout the hedging period.period of the respective exposure.
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
During Fiscal 2016, the Company entered into two pay-floating rate, receive-fixed rate interest rate swap contracts which it designated as hedges against changes in the respective fair values of its fixed-rate 2.125% Senior Notes and its fixed-rate 2.625% Senior Notes attributed to changes in the benchmark interest rate (the "Interest Rate Swaps"). The Interest Rate Swaps, which mature on September 26, 2018 and August 18, 2020, respectively, both have notional amounts of $300 million and swap the fixed interest rates on the Company's 2.125% Senior Notes and 2.625% Senior Notes for variable interest rates based on the 3-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread. Changes in the fair values of the Interest Rate Swaps were offset by changes in the respective fair values of the 2.125% Senior Notes and 2.625% Senior Notes attributed to changes in the benchmark interest rate, with no resulting ineffectiveness recognized in earnings during Fiscal 2016.any of the fiscal years presented.
Cross-Currency Swap Contracts
During Fiscal 2016, the Company entered into two pay-floating rate, receive-floating rate cross-currency swap contracts, with notional amounts of €280 million and €274 million, which it designated as hedges of its net investment in certain of its European subsidiaries (the "Cross-Currency Swaps"). The Cross-Currency Swaps, which mature on September 26, 2018 and August 18, 2020, respectively, swap the U.S. Dollar-denominated variable interest rate payments based on 3-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread (as paid under the Interest Rate Swaps described above) for Euro-denominated variable interest rate payments based on the 3-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate plus a fixed spread. As a result, the Cross-Currency Swaps, in conjunction with the Interest Rate Swaps, economically convert the Company's $300 million fixed-rate 2.125% and $300 million fixed-rate 2.625% obligations to €280 million and €274 million floating-rate Euro-denominated liabilities, respectively. No material gains or losses related to the ineffective portion, or the amount excluded from effectiveness testing, were recognized in interest expense within the consolidated statementstatements of incomeoperations during Fiscal 2016.any of the fiscal years presented.




F-36

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

See Note 3 for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies relating to its derivative financial instruments.



F-35

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Investments
As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, the Company's short-term investments consisted of $621$480.2 million of time deposits and $8$219.2 million of non-U.S. corporate bonds,commercial paper, and its non-current investments consisted of $187$86.2 million of time deposits. As of March 28, 2015,April 1, 2017, the Company'sCompany held short-term investments of $684.7 million and non-current investments consisted of $644$21.4 million, both consisting of time deposits and $8 million of non-U.S. corporate bonds, respectively. The Company's non-current investments as of both April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015 have maturities of one to two years.deposits.
No significant realized or unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments or other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded in any of the fiscal years presented. Refer to Note 18 for further detail.
See Note 3 for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies relating to its investments.
16.14.Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company operates most of its retail stores under various leasing arrangements. The Company also occupies various office and warehouse facilities and uses certain equipment under numerous lease agreements. Such leasing arrangements are accounted for as either operating leases or capital leases. In this context, capital leases include leases whereby the Company is considered to have the substantive risks of ownership during construction of a leased property. Information on the Company's operating and capital leasing activities is set forth below.
Operating Leases
The Company is typically required to make minimum rental payments, and often contingent rental payments, under its operating leases. Many of the Company's retail store leases provide for contingent rental payments based upon sales, and certain rental agreements require payment based solely on a percentage of sales. Terms of the Company's leases generally contain renewal options, rent escalation clauses, and landlord incentives. Rent expense, net of sublease income, was approximately $472443.1 million, $466460.5 million, and $455472.4 million in Fiscal 20162018, Fiscal 20152017, and Fiscal 20142016, respectively. Such amounts include contingent rental charges of approximately $163175.9 million, $172164.0 million, and $176163.4 million in Fiscal 20162018, Fiscal 20152017, and Fiscal 20142016, respectively. In addition to such amounts, the Company is normally required to pay taxes, insurance, and certain occupancy costs relating to the leased real estate properties.
As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, future minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases with lease terms in excess of one year were as follows:
 
Minimum Operating
Lease Payments(a)(b)
 
Minimum Operating
Lease Payments(a)
 (millions) (millions)
Fiscal 2017 $346
Fiscal 2018 329
Fiscal 2019 305
 $343.8
Fiscal 2020 279
 318.1
Fiscal 2021 215
 262.6
Fiscal 2022 and thereafter 733
Fiscal 2022 220.1
Fiscal 2023 199.1
Fiscal 2024 and thereafter 504.5
Total net minimum rental payments $2,207
 $1,848.2
 
(a) 
Net of sublease income, which is not significant in any period.
(b)
Includes a $58 million operating lease obligation related to the land portion of the build-to-suit lease agreement for the Company's Polo flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, as further described below.




F-36F-37 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Capital Leases
Assets under capital leases, including build-to-suit leases, amounted to approximately $278$243.2 million and $251$264.9 million at the end of Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 2015,2017, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of approximately $53$104.5 million and $30$77.6 million,, respectively. Such assets are classified within property and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheets based on their nature.
As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, future minimum rental payments under noncancelable capital leases, including build-to-suit leases, with lease terms in excess of one year were as follows:
 
Minimum Capital
 Lease Payments(a)(b)
 
Minimum Capital
 Lease Payments(a)(b)
 (millions) (millions)
Fiscal 2017 $30
Fiscal 2018 28
Fiscal 2019 26
 $29.6
Fiscal 2020 28
 31.9
Fiscal 2021 27
 30.5
Fiscal 2022 and thereafter 106
Fiscal 2022 29.4
Fiscal 2023 28.9
Fiscal 2024 and thereafter 78.5
Total net minimum rental payments 245
 228.8
Less: amount representing interest (59) (73.4)
Present value of net minimum rental payments $186
 $155.4
 
(a) 
Net of sublease income, which is not significant in any period.
(b) 
Includes lease payments related to the Company's build-to-suit lease agreement for its former Polo flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.City, which was closed during the first quarter of Fiscal 2018. The total remaining commitment related to this lease was $185$135.1 million as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, comprised of a $58$41.2 million operating lease obligation related to the land portion of the lease (included in the minimum operating lease payments table above) and a $127$93.9 million obligation related to the building portion of the lease (included in this minimum capital lease payments table).
U.S. Tax Reform
In connection with the TCJA's provision that subjects previously deferred foreign earnings to a one-time mandatory transition tax, the Company recorded net charges of $209.3 million within its income tax provision during Fiscal 2018 on a provisional basis (as described in Note 10). The related income tax payable obligation of $147.8 million, which is net of foreign tax credits and other federal income tax activity of $61.5 million that the Company expects to utilize to partially reduce this tax obligation, is expected to be paid over an eight-year period as follows:
  
Mandatory Transition
Tax Payments(a)
  (millions)
Fiscal 2019 $23.0
Fiscal 2020 11.6
Fiscal 2021 11.6
Fiscal 2022 11.6
Fiscal 2023 19.2
Fiscal 2024 and thereafter 70.8
Total mandatory transition tax payments $147.8
(a)
Included within current and non-current income tax payable in the consolidated balance sheets based upon the estimating timing of payments.
See Note 10 for further discussion of the TCJA and its enactment-related impacts on the Company's consolidated financial statements.




F-38

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Employee Agreements
The Company has employment agreements with certain executives in the normal course of business which provide for compensation and certain other benefits. These agreements also provide for severance payments under certain circumstances.
Other Commitments
Other off-balance sheet firm commitments amounted to approximately $1.151 billion880.9 million as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, including inventory purchase commitments of approximately $941$741.7 million, outstanding letters of credit of approximately $10$9.3 million, interest payments related to the Company's Senior Notes of approximately $51$22.9 million, and other commitments of approximately $149$107.0 million, comprised of the Company's legally-binding obligations under sponsorship, licensing, and other marketing and advertising agreements, distribution-related agreements, information technology-related service agreements, and pension-related obligations.
Customs Audit
In September 2014, one of the Company's international subsidiaries received a pre-assessment notice from the relevant customs officials concerning the method used to determine the dutiable value of imported inventory. The notice communicated the customs officials' assertion that the Company should have applied an alternative duty method, which could result in up to approximately $46 million in incremental duty and non-creditable value-added tax, including approximately $11 million in interest and penalties. The Company believes that the alternative duty method claimed by the customs officials is not applicable to the Company's facts and circumstances and is vigorously contesting their asserted methodology.



F-37

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In October 2014, the Company filed an appeal of the pre-assessment notice in accordance with the standard procedures established by the relevant customs authorities. In response to the filing of the Company's appeal of the pre-assessment notice, the review committee instructed the customs officials to reconsider their assertion of the alternative duty method and conduct a re-audit to evaluate the facts and circumstances noted in the pre-assessment notice. In December 2015, the Company received the results of the re-audit conducted and a customs audit assessment notice in the amount of approximately $34$34.1 million, which the Company recorded within restructuring and other charges in its consolidated statements of incomeoperations during the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 (see Note 11)9). Although the Company disagrees with the assessment notice, in order to secure the Company's rights, the Company was required to pay the assessment amount and then subsequently file an appeal with the customs authorities.
In October 2017, the tax tribunal presiding over the Company's appeal instructed the customs officials to reconsider their assertions under the alternative duty method and conduct a second re-audit to evaluate the facts and circumstances noted in the pre-assessment notice. In March 2018, the Company received the results of the second re-audit conducted and a related net refund in the amount of $15.6 million. Also in March 2018, the Company filed voluntary disclosure requests to the relevant customs authorities for certain post-audit periods and made related payments of $40.6 million, which included recoverable value-added tax of $14.8 million. In connection with the re-audit refund received and the non-tax portion of the voluntary disclosure payment made, the Company recorded a net charge of $10.2 million within restructuring and other charges in its consolidated statements of operations during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018 (see Note 9).
The Company continues to maintain its original filing position and will vigorouslyis assessing its options to contest any otherthe proposed methodology asserted by the customs officials.officials, including further appeal of the re-audit decision within the courts. Should the Company be successful in its merits, a full refund for the amounts paid plus interest will be required to be paid by the customs authorities. If the Company is unsuccessful in its current appeal with the customs authorities, it may further appeal this decision within the courts. At this time, while the Company believes that the customs officials' claims are not meritorious and that the Company should prevail, the outcome of the appeals process is subject to risk and uncertainty.
Other Matters
The Company is involved, from time to time, in litigation, other legal claims, and proceedings involving matters associated with or incidental to its business, including, among other things, matters involving credit card fraud, trademark and other intellectual property, licensing, importation and exportation of its products, taxation, unclaimed property, and employee relations. The Company believes at present that the resolution of currently pending matters will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements. However, the Company's assessment of the current litigation or other legal claims could potentially change in light of the discovery of facts not presently known or determinations by judges, juries, or other finders of fact which are not in accord with management's evaluation of the possible liability or outcome of such litigation or claims.




F-39

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that provide general indemnifications. The Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements in the past, and does not currently anticipate incurring any material indemnification payments.
17.15.Equity
Capital Stock
The Company's capital stock consists of two classes of common stock. There are 500 million shares of Class A common stock and 100 million shares of Class B common stock authorized to be issued. Shares of Class A and Class B common stock have substantially identical rights, except with respect to voting rights. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Holders of both classes of stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the stockholders for their approval, except with respect to the election and removal of directors or as otherwise required by applicable law. All outstanding shares of Class B common stock are owned by Mr. Ralph Lauren, the Company's Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and entities controlled by the Lauren family, and are convertible at any time into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.
Class B Common Stock ConversionsRepurchase Program
During Fiscal 2015,In June 2016, as part of its common stock repurchase program, the Lauren Family, L.L.C.,Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase program with a limited liability company managed by the childrenthird-party financial institution under which it made an upfront payment of Mr. R. Lauren, converted 1.0$100 million in exchange for an initial delivery of 0.9 million shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares ofits Class A common stock, pursuant to the termsrepresenting 90% of the security,total shares ultimately expected to be delivered over the program's term (the "ASR Program"). The initial shares received, which were subsequently soldhad an aggregate cost of $90 million based on the open marketJune 20, 2016 closing share price, were immediately retired and recorded as part ofan increase to treasury stock.

In September 2016, at the ASR Program's conclusion, the Company received 0.1 million additional shares and recorded a pre-determined, systematic trading plan.
During Fiscal 2014, Mr. R. Lauren converted 3.0related $10 million shares of Class B common stock into an equalincrease to treasury stock. The number of additional shares delivered was based on the volume-weighted average price per share of the Company's Class A common stock pursuant toover the termsterm of the security, which were subsequently sold in a block trade.
These transactions resulted in reclassifications within equity, and had no other effect onASR Program, less an agreed upon discount. The average price per share paid for all of the Company's consolidated balance sheets.



F-38

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Common Stock Repurchaseshares delivered under the ASR Program was $98.48.
A summary of the Company's repurchases of Class A common stock under its common stock repurchase program, including the ASR Program, is as follows:
Fiscal Years Ended  Fiscal Years Ended
April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
(in millions)  (in millions)
Cost of shares repurchased$480
 $500
 $548
(a) 
 $—
 $200.0
 $479.9
Number of shares repurchased4.2
 3.2
 3.2
(a) 
 0.0
 2.2
 4.2
(a)
Includes a $50 million prepayment made in March 2013 under a share repurchase program with a third-party financial institution, in exchange for the right to receive shares of the Company's Class A common stock at the conclusion of the 93-day repurchase term. The $50 million prepayment was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of March 30, 2013. The related 0.3 million shares were delivered to the Company during Fiscal 2014, based on the volume-weighted average market price of the Company's Class A common stock over the 93-day repurchase term, less a discount.
As of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, the remaining availability under the Company's Class A common stock repurchase program was approximately $100 million. On May 11, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved an expansion of the program that allows it to repurchase up to an additional $200 million of Class A common stock. Repurchases of shares of Class A common stock are subject to overall business and market conditions.
In addition, during each of Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014, 0.2 million, 0.2 million, and 0.4 million shares of Class A common stock respectively, at a cost of $20$17.1 million, $32$15.2 million, and $60$20.5 million, respectively, were surrendered to or withheld by the Company in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of awards under the Company's 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "1997 Incentive Plan"), and its Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "2010 Incentive Plan").
Repurchased and surrendered shares are accounted for as treasury stock at cost and held in treasury for future use.
Dividends
Since 2003, the Company has maintained a regular quarterly cash dividend program on its common stock. On November 5, 2013,During Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase to the Company's quarterly cash dividend on its common stock from $0.40 per share to $0.45 per share. On February 3, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a further increase to the Company's quarterly cash dividend on its common stock from $0.45 per share towas $0.50 per share. Dividends paid amounted to $170$162.4 million,, $158 $164.8 million,, and $149$170.3 million in Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016,, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014, respectively.
Conversion of Stock-based Compensation Awards
During Fiscal 2015, in connection with employment agreements with certain of its executive officers, the Company converted certain fully-vested and expensed stock-based compensation awards to a cash contribution into a deferred compensation account. Additionally, in connection with the formation of the Office of the Chairman, the Company entered into employment agreements with certain of its executive officers, which became effective during Fiscal 2014, and converted certain fully-vested and expensed stock-based compensation awards to a cash contribution into a deferred compensation account. The Company recorded the excess of both these awards' then current redemption values over their original grant-date fair values to retained earnings, with a corresponding increase to other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.




F-39F-40 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

18.16.Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents OCI activity, net of tax, which is accumulated in equity:
 
Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses)(a)
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges(b)
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Investments(c)
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Defined Benefit Plans(d)
 Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 
Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses)(a)
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges(b)
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Defined Benefit Plans(c)
 Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 (millions) (millions)
Balance at March 30, 2013 $73
 $23
 $5
 $(7) $94
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:          
OCI before reclassifications 52
 (20) (4) —
 28
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings —
 (7) (1) —
 (8)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 52
 (27) (5) —
 20
Balance at March 29, 2014 125
 (4) —
 (7) 114
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:          
OCI before reclassifications (318) 62
 —
 (9) (265)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings —
 (15) —
 1
 (14)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (318) 47
 —
 (8) (279)
Balance at March 28, 2015 (193) 43
 —
 (15) (165) $(194.0) $43.2
 $(14.8) $(165.6)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:                  
OCI before reclassifications 36
 (19) —
 1
 18
 36.4
 (18.8) 1.4
 19.0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings —
 (36) —
 2
 (34) —
 (36.4) 1.5
 (34.9)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 36
 (55) —
 3
 (16) 36.4
 (55.2) 2.9
 (15.9)
Balance at April 2, 2016 $(157) $(12) $—
 $(12) $(181) (157.6) (12.0) (11.9) (181.5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:        
OCI before reclassifications (48.6) 28.2
 1.8
 (18.6)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings —
 (1.6) 3.3
 1.7
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (48.6) 26.6
 5.1
 (16.9)
Balance at April 1, 2017 (206.2) 14.6
 (6.8) (198.4)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:        
OCI before reclassifications 126.9
 (40.5) 0.9
 87.3
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings —
 9.9
 2.7
 12.6
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 126.9
 (30.6) 3.6
 99.9
Balance at March 31, 2018 $(79.3) $(16.0) $(3.2) $(98.5)
 
(a) 
OCI before reclassifications to earnings related to foreign currency translation gains (losses) includes income tax benefits of $11$23.3 million and $5$10.7 million for Fiscal 20162018 and Fiscal 2015,2016, respectively, and includes an income tax provision of $2$15.0 million for Fiscal 2014.2017. OCI before reclassifications to earnings for Fiscal 2016 includes losses of $17$59.6 million (net of a $31.3 million income tax benefit) and $17.4 million (net of an $11$11.0 million income tax benefit) for Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2016, respectively, and includes a gain of $23.4 million (net of a $14.3 million income tax provision) for Fiscal 2017, related to the effective portion of changes in the fair values of the Cross-Currency Swapsinstruments designated as hedges of the Company's net investment in certain of its European subsidiariesforeign operations (see Note 15)13).
(b) 
OCI before reclassifications to earnings related to net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges includes anare presented net of income tax benefitbenefits of $2$5.0 million and $1.7 million for Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2016, respectively, and are presented net of an income tax provision of $7$2.2 million for Fiscal 2015. The tax effect for Fiscal 2014 activity was not material.2017. The tax effects on amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings are presented in a table below.
(c) 
All amounts areActivity is presented net of taxes, which were not material.
(d)
OCI before reclassifications to earnings related to net unrealized gains (losses) on defined benefit plans includes an income tax benefit of $1 millionimmaterial for Fiscal 2015. The tax effects for both Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2014 were not material. The tax effects on amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings were not material for any periodall periods presented.



F-40

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table presents reclassifications from AOCI to earnings for cash flow hedges, by component:
 Fiscal Years Ended  Fiscal Years Ended 
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 
Location of Gains (Losses)
Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings
 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 
Location of Gains (Losses)
Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings
 (millions)  (millions) 
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges(a):
              
FC — Inventory purchases $44
 $3
 $10
 Cost of goods sold
FC — Other (5) 14
 —
 Foreign currency gains (losses)
FC — Cash flow hedges $(8.2) $0.5
 $43.7
 Cost of goods sold
FC — Cash flow hedges (2.9) 0.5
 (4.7) Other expense, net
Tax effect (3) (2) (3) Provision for income taxes 1.2
 0.6
 (2.6) Income tax benefit (provision)
Net of tax $36
 $15
 $7
  $(9.9) $1.6
 $36.4
 
 
(a)
FC = Forward foreign currency exchange contracts.




F-41

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

19.17.Stock-based Compensation
Long-term Stock Incentive Plans
The Company's stock-based compensation awards are currently issued under the 2010 Incentive Plan, which was approved by its stockholders on August 5, 2010. However, any prior awards granted under the 1997 Incentive Plan remain subject to the terms of that plan. Any awards that expire, are forfeited, or are surrendered to the Company in satisfaction of taxes are available for issuance under the 2010 Incentive Plan. On September 24, 2013,1, 2016, the Company registered with the SECSecurities and Exchange Commission an additional 1.70.9 million shares of its Class A common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan. As of April 2, 2016, 2.5March 31, 2018, 3.1 million shares remained available for future issuance under the Company's incentive plans.
Stock-based compensation awards that may be made under the 2010 Incentive Plan include, but are not limited to, (i) stock options, (ii) restricted stock, and (iii) RSUs. In recent years, the Company's annual grants of stock-based compensation awards to its employees primarily consisted of stock options and RSUs. However,Beginning in Fiscal 2016, the annual grants consisted entirely of RSUs, as the Company elected to issue service-based RSUs in lieu of stock options. Additionally, new vesting provisions for certain awards granted to retirement-eligible employees were introduced. Specifically, beginning in Fiscal 2016, for certain service-based and performance-based RSUs granted to retirement-eligible employees, or employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the awards' respective stated vesting periods, vesting continues post-retirement for all or a portion of the remaining unvested RSUs.
Impact on Results
A summary of the totalstock-based compensation expense and the associatedrelated income tax benefits recognized related to stock-based compensation arrangements is as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended  Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		��April 2,
2016
 (millions)  (millions)
Compensation expense(a) $97
(a) 
$81
 $93
(a) 
 $74.5
 $63.6
 $97.0
Income tax benefit $(37) $(30) $(34)  (25.3) (22.6) (36.8)
 
(a) 
Fiscal 20162018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2014 include approximately $92016 includes $2.8 million, $4.3 million, and $10$8.9 million, respectively, of accelerated stock-based compensation expense recorded within restructuring and other charges in the consolidated statements of incomeoperations (see Note 11)9). All other stock-based compensation expense was recorded within SG&A expenses.



F-41

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company issues its annual grants of stock-based compensation awards in the first half of each fiscal year. Due to the timing of the annual grants and other factors, including the timing and magnitude of forfeiture and performance goal achievement adjustments, as well as changes to the size and composition of the eligible employee population, stock-based compensation expense recognized during any given fiscal period is not indicative of the level of compensation expense expected to be incurred in future periods.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted to employees and non-employee directors with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant. Generally, options become exercisable ratably (graded-vesting schedule) over a three-year vesting period, subject to the employee's continuing employment. Stock options generally expire seven years from the date of grant.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of No stock options granted, which requires the input of both subjective and objective assumptions including the following:
Expected Term— The estimate of expected term is based on the historical exercise behavior of employees and non-employee directors, as well as the contractual life of the option grants.
Expected Volatility— The expected volatility factor is based on the historical volatility of the Company's Class A common stock for a period equal to the stock option's expected term.
Expected Dividend Yield— The expected dividend yield is based on the Company's quarterly cash dividend rate in effect on the date of grant.
Risk-free Interest Rate— The risk-free interest rate is determined using the implied yield for a traded zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond with a term equal to the option's expected term.
The Company's weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock optionswere granted during any of the fiscal years presented were as follows:
  Fiscal Years Ended
  
April 2,
2016(a)
 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
Expected term (years) N/A 4.2
 4.2
Expected volatility N/A 30.2% 32.9%
Expected dividend yield N/A 1.10% 0.98%
Risk-free interest rate N/A 1.4% 1.1%
Weighted-average option grant date fair value N/A $37.91
 $45.83
(a)presented.
No stock options were granted during Fiscal 2016.





F-42 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

A summary of stock option activity during Fiscal 20162018 is as follows:
  
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value(a)
  (thousands)   (years) (millions)
Options outstanding at March 28, 2015 3,225
 $129.28
 4.0 $69
Granted —
 N/A
    
Exercised (625) 52.37
    
Cancelled/Forfeited (182) 163.56
    
Options outstanding at April 2, 2016 2,418
 $146.58
 3.7 $6
         
Options vested and expected to vest at April 2, 2016(b) 
 2,391
 $145.60
 3.7 $6
Options exercisable at April 2, 2016 1,818
 $140.34
 3.3 $6
  
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value(a)
  (thousands)   (years) (millions)
Options outstanding at April 1, 2017 1,720
 $146.35
 2.6 $1.0
Granted —
 N/A
    
Exercised —
 N/A
    
Cancelled/Forfeited (569) 122.91
    
Options outstanding at March 31, 2018 1,151
 $157.86
 2.1 $—
         
Options vested at March 31, 2018(b) 
 1,151
 $157.86
 2.1 $—
Options exercisable at March 31, 2018 1,151
 $157.86
 2.1 $—
 
(a) 
Aggregate intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price of the Company's Class A common stock at the end of the period exceeds the exercise price of the stock option, multiplied by the number of options.
(b) 
The numberThere were no nonvested stock options as of options expected to vest takes into consideration expected forfeitures.March 31, 2018. Accordingly, there was no related unrecognized compensation expense as of March 31, 2018.
Additional information pertaining to the Company's stock option plans is as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised(a)
 $44
 $35
 $63
 $—
 $3.0
 $43.8
Cash received from the exercise of stock options 34
 52
 52
 0.1
 5.0
 33.2
Tax benefits realized on exercise of stock options 17
 12
 24
 —
 1.0
 16.8
 
(a) 
Aggregate intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price of the Company's Class A common stock exceeded the stock option's exercise price when exercised, multiplied by the number of options.
As of April 2, 2016, there was $5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year.
Restricted Stock Awards and Service-based RSUs
Restricted shares granted to non-employee directors vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to the director's continued service to the Company. The fair values of restricted stock awards are based on the fair value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant. Holders of restricted shares are entitled to receive cash dividends in connection with the payments of dividends on the Company's Class A common stock.
Service-based RSUs granted to certain of the Company's senior executives as well as certain of itsand other employees generally vest over a three-year period, subject to the employee's continuing employment (except for awards granted in Fiscal 2016 to retirement-eligible employees, or employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the awards' respective stated vesting periods, as previously discussed). The fair values of service-based RSUs are based on the fair value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant, adjusted to reflect the absence of dividends for any awards not entitled to accrue dividend equivalents while outstanding.




F-43 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

A summary of restricted stock and service-based RSU activity during Fiscal 20162018 is as follows:
 
Restricted
Stock
 
Service-
based RSUs
 
Restricted
Stock
 
Service-
based RSUs
 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
 (thousands)   (thousands)   (thousands)   (thousands)  
Nonvested at March 28, 2015 5
 $164.73
 47
 $150.01
Nonvested at April 1, 2017 19
 $92.11
 922
 $94.31
Granted 17
 111.94
 508
 125.19
 —
 N/A
 701
 73.59
Vested (7) 153.53
 (18) 149.28
 —
 N/A
 (366) 98.65
Forfeited (1) 139.87
 (47) 129.60
 —
 N/A
 (185) 83.64
Nonvested at April 2, 2016 14
 $110.68
 490
 $126.30
Nonvested at March 31, 2018 19
 $92.11
 1,072
 $81.27
 
Restricted
Stock
 
Service-
based RSUs
 
Restricted
Stock
 
Service-
based RSUs
Total unrecognized compensation expense at April 2, 2016 (millions) $1
 $25
Total unrecognized compensation expense at March 31, 2018 (millions) $0.4
 $26.8
Weighted-average period expected to be recognized over (years) 1.8
 1.5
 1.5
 1.6
Additional information pertaining to restricted stock and service-based RSU activity is as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
Restricted Stock:            
Weighted-average grant date fair value of awards granted $111.94
 $162.36
 $164.76
 N/A
 $81.78
 $111.94
Total fair value of awards vested (millions) $1
 $1
 $1
 N/A
 $0.5
 $0.7
Service-based RSUs:            
Weighted-average grant date fair value of awards granted $125.19
 $150.23
 N/A
 $73.59
 $82.89
 $125.19
Total fair value of awards vested (millions) $2
 $1
 $16
 $30.0
 $13.8
 $2.1
Performance-based RSUs
The Company grants performance-based RSUs to its senior executives and other key executives, as well as certain of its other employees.executives. Performance-based RSUs generally vest (i) upon the completion of a three-year period of time (cliff vesting), subject to the employee's continuing employment (except for awards granted in Fiscal 2016 to retirement-eligible employees, or employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the awards' respective stated vesting periods, as previously discussed) and the Company's achievement of certain performance goals established at the beginning of the three-year performance period or (ii) ratably, over a three-year period of time (graded vesting), subject to the employee's continuing employment during the applicable vesting period (except for awards granted in Fiscal 2016 to retirement-eligible employees, or employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the awards' respective stated vesting periods, as previously discussed) and the achievement by the Company of certain performance goals in the initial year of the three-year vesting period. For performance-based RSUs subject to cliff vesting, the number of shares that may be earned ranges between 0% (if the specified threshold performance level is not attained) and 150% (if performance meets or exceeds the maximum achievement level) of the awards originally granted. If actual performance exceeds the pre-established threshold, the number of shares earned is calculated based on the relative performance between specified levels of achievement.
Certain of the cliffCliff vesting performance-based RSU awards granted by the Company, in addition to being subject to continuing employment requirements and the Company's performance goals noted above, aremay also be subject to a market condition in the form of a total shareholder return ("TSR") modifier. The actual number of shares that vest at the end of the respective three-year period is determined based on the Company's achievement of the three-year performance goals described above, as well as its TSR relative to the S&P 500 over the related three-year performance period. At the end of the three-year performance period, if the performance condition is achieved at or above the pre-established threshold, the number of shares earned is further adjusted by a TSR modifier



F-44

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

payout percentage, which ranges between 75% and 125%, based on the Company's TSR performance relative to that of the S&P 500 index




F-44

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

over the respective three-year period. Depending on the total level of achievement, the actual number of shares that vest for performance-based RSU awards with a TSR modifier may range from 0% to 187.5% of the awards originally granted.
The fair value of the Company's performance-based RSUs that are not subject to a TSR modifier is based on the fair value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant, adjusted to reflect the absence of dividends for those securities that are not entitled to dividend equivalents. The fair value of the Company's performance-based RSUs with a TSR modifier is determined on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model. This pricing model uses multiple simulations to evaluate the probability of the Company achieving various stock price levels to determine its expected TSR performance ranking. The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value ofNo such performance-based RSUs with a TSR modifier were granted during any of the fiscal years presented were as follows:presented.
  Fiscal Years Ended
  
April 2,
2016(a)
 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
Expected term (years) N/A 3.0
 2.9
Expected volatility N/A 29.8% 32.6%
Expected dividend yield N/A 1.09% 0.98%
Risk-free interest rate N/A 0.9% 0.4%
Weighted-average grant date fair value N/A $169.47
 $169.14
(a)
No performance-based RSUs with a TSR modifier were granted during Fiscal 2016.
A summary of performance-based RSUs without TSR Modifier and performance-based RSUs with TSR Modifier activity during Fiscal 20162018 is as follows:
 
Performance-based
RSUs — without TSR Modifier
 
Performance-based
RSUs — with TSR Modifier
 
Performance-based
RSUs — without TSR Modifier
 
Performance-based
RSUs — with TSR Modifier
 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Number of
Shares
 Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
 (thousands)   (thousands)   (thousands)   (thousands)  
Nonvested at March 28, 2015 697
 $155.47
 214
 $158.65
Nonvested at April 1, 2017 788
 $109.87
 61
 $170.03
Granted 341
 126.48
 —
 N/A
 585
 69.40
 —
 N/A
Change due to performance/market condition achievement (8) 137.08
 (20) 136.27
 (12) 158.76
 (21) 170.03
Vested (293) 147.26
 (50) 136.30
 (149) 142.08
 (40) 170.03
Forfeited (46) 155.61
 (2) 167.64
 (55) 90.90
 —
 N/A
Nonvested at April 2, 2016 691
 $144.81
 142
 $169.46
Nonvested at March 31, 2018 1,157
 $85.73
 —
 N/A
  
Performance-based
RSUs — without TSR Modifier
 
Performance-based
RSUs — with TSR Modifier
Total unrecognized compensation expense at April 2, 2016 (millions) $25
 $3
Weighted-average period expected to be recognized over (years) 1.6
 1.1



F-45

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

  
Performance-based
RSUs — without TSR Modifier
 
Performance-based
RSUs — with TSR Modifier
Total unrecognized compensation expense at March 31, 2018 (millions) $39.6
 $—
Weighted-average period expected to be recognized over (years) 1.8
 N/A
Additional information pertaining to performance-based RSUs without TSR Modifier and performance-based RSUs with TSR Modifier activity is as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
Performance-based RSUs — without TSR Modifier:            
Weighted-average grant date fair value of awards granted $126.48
 $157.10
 $171.93
 $69.40
 $86.11
 $126.48
Total fair value of awards vested (millions) $38
 $65
 $109
 $10.3
 $19.7
 $38.3
Performance-based RSUs — with TSR Modifier:            
Weighted-average grant date fair value of awards granted N/A
 $169.47
 $169.14
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Total fair value of awards vested (millions) $7
 $—
 $—
 $2.6
 $4.7
 $6.6




F-45

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

20.18.Employee Benefit Plans
Profit Sharing Retirement SavingsDefined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors defined contribution benefit plans covering substantially all eligible employees in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The plans include a savings plan feature under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company makes matching contributions to the plans equal to 50% of the first 6% of salary contributed by an eligible employee. Additionally, the Company makes a supplemental matching contribution for plan years in which the Company achieves a "stretch" or a "maximum" performance target based on certain goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year, increasing the matching contribution to 75% or 100%, respectively, of the first 6% of salary contributed by eligible employees, not to exceed the maximum contribution permitted by the plan.
Under the terms of the plans, a participant becomes 100% vested in the Company's matching contributions after five years of credited service. Contributions made by the Company under these plans were $11$10.6 million, $10.1 million, and $10.5 million in each ofFiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, and Fiscal 2015, and $10 million in Fiscal 2014.respectively.
International Defined Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors certain single-employer defined benefit plans and cash balance plans at international locations which are not considered to be material individually or in the aggregate to the Company's financial statements. Pension benefits under these plans are based on formulas that reflect the employees' years of service and compensation levels during their employment period. The aggregate funded status of the single-employer defined benefit plans reflected net liabilities of $5$1.1 million and $8$3.0 million as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015,1, 2017, respectively, and were primarily recorded within other non-current liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. These single-employer defined benefit plans had aggregate projected benefit obligations of $65$43.4 million and aggregate fair values of plan assets of $60$42.3 million as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, compared to aggregate projected benefit obligations of $6055.6 million and aggregate fair values of plan assets of $5252.6 million as of March 28, 2015April 1, 2017. The asset portfolio of the single-employer defined benefit plans primarily consists of fixed income securities, which have been measured at fair value largely using Level 2 inputs, as described in Note 14. Pension12. Net pension expense for these plans was $6.6 million, $9.2 million, and $5.8 million in Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, respectively. The service cost component of $4.6 million, $6.7 million, and $4.9 million in Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, respectively, was recorded within SG&A expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of income, was $6 millionoperations. All other components of net pension expense during the fiscal years presented were recorded within other expense, net, in Fiscal 2016 and $5 million in eachthe Company's consolidated statement of Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014.operations.
Union Pension Plan
The Company participates in a multi-employer pension plan and is required to make contributions to the Workers United union (which was previously known as UNITE HERE) (the "Union") for dues based on wages paid to union employees. A portion of these dues is allocated by the Union to a retirement fund which provides defined benefits to substantially all unionized workers. The Company does not participate in the management of the plan and has not been furnished with information with respect to the type of benefits provided, vested and non-vested benefits, or assets.



F-46

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, an employer, upon withdrawal from or termination of a multi-employer plan, is required to continue funding its proportionate share of the plan's unfunded vested benefits. Such liability was assumed in conjunction with the acquisition of certain assets from a non-affiliated licensee. The Company has no current intention of withdrawing from the plan.
Other Compensation Plans
The Company had a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for certain highly compensated employees whose benefits under the 401(k) profit sharing retirement savings plans were expected to be constrained by the operation of Internal Revenue Code limitations. These supplemental benefits vested over time and the related compensation expense was recognized over the vesting period. Effective August 2008, the Company amended this plan, resulting in a suspension of the annual contributions for substantially all plan participants. Further, affected participants were provided with a one-time election to either withdraw all benefits vested in the plan in a lump sum amount or remain in the plan and receive future distributions of benefits. As of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015,1, 2017, amounts accrued under this plan totaled approximately $8$7.0 million and $9$7.8 million, respectively, and were classified within other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Total compensation expense recognized related to these benefits was not material in any of the three fiscal years presented.
Additionally, the Company has available deferred compensation arrangements for certain executives that are utilized from time to time and generally provide for payments upon retirement, death, or termination of employment. The Company funds a portion of these obligations through the establishment of trust accounts on behalf of the executives participating in the plans. During Fiscal 2015, these plans were cash settled, inclusive of the cash contributions made during Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 related to the conversions of certain fully-vested and expensed stock-based compensation awards (see Note 17). Accordingly, there was no remaining amount accrued under these plans as of April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015. Total compensation expense related to these compensation arrangements was not material in any of the three fiscal years presented.



F-46

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

21.19.Segment Information
The Company has three reportable segments based on its business activities and organization: Wholesale, Retail, and Licensing. These segments offer a variety
North America — The North America segment primarily consists of products through different channelssales of distribution. The Wholesale segment consists ofRalph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products which are sold to major department stores, specialty stores, golf and pro shops, andmade through the Company's licensedwholesale and franchised retail storesbusinesses in the U.S. and overseas.Canada, excluding Club Monaco. In North America, the Company's wholesale business is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, and to a lesser extent, specialty stores. The RetailCompany's retail business in North America is comprised of its Ralph Lauren stores, its factory stores, and its digital commerce site, www.RalphLauren.com.
Europe — The Europe segment primarily consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's integrated worldwidewholesale and retail operations,businesses in Europe and the Middle East, excluding Club Monaco. In Europe, the Company's wholesale business is comprised of a varying mix of sales to both department stores and specialty stores, depending on the country. The Company's retail business in Europe is comprised of its Ralph Lauren stores, its factory stores, its concession-based shop-within-shops, and its various digital commerce sites.
Asia — The Asia segment primarily consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The Company's retail business in Asia is comprised of its Ralph Lauren stores, its factory stores, and its concession-based shop-within-shops. In addition, the Company sells its products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites. In Asia, the Company's wholesale business is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, with related products distributed through shop-within-shops.
No operating segments were aggregated to form the Company's reportable segments. In addition to these reportable segments, the Company also has other non-reportable segments, which sellprimarily consist of (i) sales of Club Monaco branded products made through its retail stores, concession-based shop-within-shops,businesses in the U.S., Canada, and e-commerce sites, which are purchased from theEurope, and its licensing alliances in Europe and Asia, (ii) sales of Ralph Lauren branded products made through its wholesale business in Latin America, and (iii) royalty revenues earned through its global licensing alliances, excluding Club Monaco.
The Company's licenseessegment reporting structure is consistent with how it establishes its overall business strategy, allocates resources, and suppliers. The Licensing segment generates revenues from royalties earned on the saleassesses performance of the Company's apparel, home, and other products internationally and domestically through licensing alliances. The licensing agreements grant the licensees rights to use the Company's various trademarks in connection with the manufacture and sale of designated products in specified geographical areas for specified periods.
its business. The accounting policies of the Company's segments are consistent with those described in Notes 2 and 3. Sales and transfers between segments are generally recorded at cost and treated as transfers of inventory. All intercompany revenues including such sales between segments, are eliminated in consolidation and are not reviewed when evaluating segment performance. Each segment's performance is evaluated based upon net revenues and operating income before restructuringrestructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other one-time items, such as legal charges, if any. Certain corporate overhead expenses related to global functions, most notably the Company's executive office, information technology, finance and accounting, human resources, and legal departments, largely remain at corporate. Additionally, other costs that cannot be allocated to the segments based on specific usage are also maintained at corporate, including corporate advertising and marketing expenses, depreciation and amortization of corporate assets, and other general and administrative expenses resulting from corporate-level activities and projects. Asset information by segment is not utilized for purposes of assessing performance or allocating resources, and therefore such information has not been presented.
Net revenues for each of the Company's segments are as follows:
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Net revenues:      
North America $3,231.0
 $3,783.0
 $4,479.6
Europe 1,585.0
 1,543.4
 1,561.7
Asia 933.7
 882.5
 892.4
Other non-reportable segments 432.6
 443.9
 471.5
Total net revenues(a)
 $6,182.3
 $6,652.8
 $7,405.2




F-47 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Net revenues for each of the Company's reportable segments are as follows:
  Fiscal Years Ended
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
  (millions)
Net revenues:      
Wholesale $3,297
 $3,495
 $3,486
Retail 3,933
 3,956
 3,798
Licensing 175
 169
 166
Total net revenues(a)
 $7,405
 $7,620
 $7,450
 
(a) 
The Company's sales to its largest wholesale customer, Macy's, accounted for approximately 8%, 10%, and 11%, of its total net revenues in Fiscal 2016 and approximately 12% of its total net revenues in each of2018, Fiscal 20152017, and Fiscal 2014.2016, respectively. Substantially all of the Company's sales to Macy's related to its North America segment.
Operating income (loss) for each of the Company's reportable segments is as follows:
  Fiscal Years Ended
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
  (millions)
Operating income:      
Wholesale(a)
 $822
 $943
 $963
Retail(b)
 359
 527
 572
Licensing 155
 152
 150
  1,336
 1,622
 1,685
Unallocated corporate expenses (611) (577) (553)
Gain on acquisition of Chaps(c)
 —
 —
 16
Unallocated restructuring and other charges(d)
 (143) (10) (18)
Total operating income $582
 $1,035
 $1,130
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Operating income (loss)(a):
      
North America $677.6
 $666.8
 $941.3
Europe 356.7
 305.2
 281.0
Asia 137.2
 (86.3) (1.2)
Other non-reportable segments 107.5
 81.0
 119.3
  1,279.0
 966.7
 1,340.4
Unallocated corporate expenses (672.8) (740.4) (615.0)
Unallocated restructuring and other charges(b)
 (108.0) (318.6) (142.6)
Total operating income (loss) $498.2
 $(92.3) $582.8

(a) 
During Fiscal 2016,Segment operating income (loss) and unallocated corporate expenses during the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $6 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to its shop-within-shops in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan. During Fiscal 2014, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $1 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to its European wholesale operations. See Notes 10 and 11 for additional information.
(b)
During Fiscal 2016, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $43 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to its stores and concession-based shop-within-shops in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan. During Fiscal 2015, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $7 million, primarily to write off certain fixed assets related to its domestic and international retail stores. See Notes 10 and 11 for additional information.
(c)
See Note 5 for a description of the gain on acquisition of Chaps recorded during Fiscal 2014.
(d)
The fiscal years presented included certain unallocated restructuring and otherrestructuring-related inventory charges (see Note 11)9) and asset impairment charges (see Note 8), which are detailed below:
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Restructuring-related inventory charges:      
North America $(2.8) $(33.9) $(7.2)
Europe (1.5) (20.1) (2.4)
Asia (2.9) (137.6) (10.8)
Other non-reportable segments (0.4) (6.3) —
Total restructuring-related inventory charges $(7.6) $(197.9) $(20.4)
  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Asset impairment charges:      
North America $(4.7) $(62.5) $(20.5)
Europe (1.2) (3.1) (8.2)
Asia (1.0) (42.0) (18.2)
Other non-reportable segments (22.4) (29.2) (1.9)
Unallocated corporate expenses (20.7) (117.0) —
Total asset impairment charges $(50.0) $(253.8) $(48.8)





F-48 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(b)
The fiscal years presented included certain unallocated restructuring and other charges (see Note 9), which are detailed below:
   Fiscal Years Ended
   April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
   (millions)
 Restructuring and other charges:      
 Restructuring charges:      
 Wholesale-related $(13) $(4) $—
 Retail-related (27) (4) —
 Licensing-related (1) —
 —
 Corporate operations-related (54) (2) (8)
 Unallocated restructuring charges (95) (10) (8)
 Other charges (see Note 11) (48) —
 (10)
 Total unallocated restructuring and other charges $(143) $(10) $(18)

  Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
  (millions)
Unallocated restructuring and other charges:      
North America-related $(15.5) $(34.7) $(26.1)
Europe-related (4.5) (27.7) (5.6)
Asia-related 2.5
 (68.3) (3.2)
Other non-reportable segment-related (8.5) (7.7) (5.6)
Corporate operations-related (53.2) (155.6) (54.4)
Unallocated restructuring charges (79.2) (294.0) (94.9)
Other charges (see Note 9) (28.8) (24.6) (47.7)
Total unallocated restructuring and other charges $(108.0) $(318.6) $(142.6)
The following tables summarize the Company's depreciation and amortization expense and capital expenditures for each of its reportablethe Company's segments:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Depreciation and amortization:            
Wholesale $61
 $66
 $66
Retail 157
 154
 125
Licensing 1
 —
 —
North America $82.5
 $110.0
 $112.4
Europe 34.8
 31.8
 35.2
Asia 50.3
 47.8
 58.2
Other non-reportable segments 10.7
 14.5
 13.7
Unallocated corporate 91
 74
 67
 102.8
 103.4
 89.9
Unallocated restructuring and other charges (see Note 9) 14.1
 —
 —
Total depreciation and amortization $310
 $294
 $258
 $295.2
 $307.5
 $309.4
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Capital expenditures:            
Wholesale $43
 $48
 $53
Retail 173
 237
 252
Licensing 4
 4
 1
North America $41.9
 $62.8
 $84.9
Europe 28.5
 43.6
 48.2
Asia 40.7
 30.2
 49.1
Other non-reportable segments 5.3
 20.1
 38.0
Unallocated corporate 198
 102
 84
 45.2
 127.3
 197.5
Total capital expenditures $418
 $391
 $390
 $161.6
 $284.0
 $417.7




F-49 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table summarizes total assets for each of the Company's reportable segments:
  April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015
  (millions)
Total assets:    
Wholesale $2,569
 $2,643
Retail 2,540
 2,395
Licensing 188
 197
Corporate 916
 871
Total assets $6,213
 $6,106
Net revenues and long-lived assets by geographic location of the reporting subsidiary are as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Net revenues(a):
            
The Americas(b)
 $4,938
 $5,077
 $4,983
 $3,652.1
 $4,214.7
 $4,938.2
Europe(c)
 1,573
 1,627
 1,580
 1,595.2
 1,554.1
 1,572.7
Asia(d)
 894
 916
 887
 935.0
 884.0
 894.3
Total net revenues $7,405
 $7,620
 $7,450
 $6,182.3
 $6,652.8
 $7,405.2
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
 (millions) (millions)
Long-lived assets(a):
        
The Americas(b)
 $1,206
 $1,106
 $915.4
 $1,061.7
Europe(c)
 212
 148
 154.8
 141.8
Asia(d)
 165
 182
 116.1
 112.5
Total long-lived assets $1,583
 $1,436
 $1,186.3
 $1,316.0
 
(a) 
Net revenues and long-lived assets for certain of the Company's licensed operations are included within the geographic location of the reporting subsidiary which holds the respective license.
(b) 
Includes the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Net revenues earned in the U.S. were $4.688$3.427 billion, $4.827$3.990 billion, and $4.7444.688 billion in Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016,, Fiscal 2015, and Fiscal 2014, respectively. Long-lived assets located in the U.S. were $1.160 billion$889.7 million and $1.069$1.033 billion as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 and March 28, 2015April 1, 2017, respectively.
(c) 
Includes the Middle East.
(d) 
Includes Australia and New Zealand.
20.Additional Financial Information
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 from the consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:
  March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017
  (millions)
Cash and cash equivalents $1,304.6
 $668.3
Restricted cash included within prepaid expenses and other current assets 15.5
 9.8
Restricted cash included within other non-current assets 35.4
 33.7
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $1,355.5
 $711.8
Amounts included in restricted cash relate to cash placed in escrow with certain banks as collateral, primarily to secure guarantees in connection with certain international tax matters.




F-50 

RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

22.Additional Financial Information
Cash Interest and Taxes
Cash paid for interest and income taxes is as follows:
 Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Years Ended
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016
 (millions) (millions)
Cash paid for interest $15
 $15
 $20
 $11.7
 $13.0
 $15.0
Cash paid for income taxes $172
 $317
 $302
 54.0
 81.7
 171.7
Non-cash Transactions
Non-cash investing activities included capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid of $65$37.0 million, $6245.7 million, and $4565.2 million as of the end of Fiscal 20162018, Fiscal 20152017, and Fiscal 20142016, respectively.
Additionally, during Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016, the Company recorded capital lease assets and corresponding capital lease obligations of $49$3.3 million, $10.9 million, and $48.7 million, respectively, within its consolidated balance sheet. During Fiscal 2014, the Company recorded a capital lease asset and a corresponding capital lease obligation of $230 million within its consolidated balance sheet in connection with the lease for the Polo flagship store in New York City (see Note 16).
Non-cash investing activities in Fiscal 2015 also included the capitalization of a fixed asset, for which a $19 million non-binding advance payment was made during Fiscal 2014 and recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets as of March 29, 2014.
There were no other significant non-cash investing or financing activities for any of the fiscal years presented.




F-51 


MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The management of Ralph Lauren Corporation is responsible for the preparation, objectivity, and integrity of the consolidated financial statements and other information contained in this Annual Report. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include some amounts that are based on management's informed judgments and best estimates.
These consolidated financial statements have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP in Fiscal 20162018, Fiscal 20152017, and Fiscal 20142016, which is an independent registered public accounting firm. They conducted their audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and have expressed herein their unqualified opinions on those financial statements.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which oversees all of the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors, consists solely of independent directors, meets with the independent registered accountants, internal auditors, and management periodically to review their respective activities and the discharge of their respective responsibilities. Both the independent registered public accountants and the internal auditors have unrestricted access to the Audit Committee, with or without management, to discuss the scope and results of their audits and any recommendations regarding the system of internal controls.
May 19, 201623, 2018
 
/s/ STEFAN LARSSONPATRICE LOUVET /s/ ROBERT L. MADOREJANE HAMILTON NIELSEN
Stefan LarssonPatrice Louvet Robert L. MadoreJane Hamilton Nielsen
President and Chief Executive Officer Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)






F-52 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ralph Lauren Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ralph Lauren Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015,1, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income,operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at March 31, 2018 and April 2, 2016. 1, 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated May 23, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on thesethe Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includesmisstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An auditOur audits also includes assessingincluded evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement presentation.statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Ralph Lauren Corporation and subsidiaries at April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 2, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of April 2, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated May 19, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2009.
New York, New York
May 19, 2016

23, 2018




F-53 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ralph Lauren Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Ralph Lauren Corporation and subsidiaries' (the "Company's")subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of April 2, 2016,March 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Ralph Lauren Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2018, and the related notes and our report dated May 23, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 2, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of April 2, 2016 and March 28, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 2, 2016 of the Company, and our report dated May 19, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
May 19, 2016

23, 2018




F-54 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table sets forth selected historical financial information as of the dates and for the periods indicated.
The consolidated statement of incomeoperations data for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended April 2, 2016March 31, 2018, as well as the consolidated balance sheet data as of April 2, 2016March 31, 2018 and March 28, 2015April 1, 2017 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited financial statements, footnotesnotes, and other financial information presented elsewhere herein. The consolidated statements of incomeoperations data for the fiscal years ended March 30, 201328, 2015 and March 31, 201229, 2014 and the consolidated balance sheet data at March 29, 2014April 2, 2016, March 30, 201328, 2015, and March 31, 201229, 2014 have been derived from audited financial statements not included herein. Capitalized terms are as defined and described in the consolidated financial statements or elsewhere herein. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.
 
Fiscal Years Ended(a)
 
Fiscal Years Ended(a)(b)
 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 
March 29,
2014(b)
 
March 30,
2013(c)
 March 31,
2012		 
March 31, 2018(c)
 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 
March 29,
2014(d)
 (millions, except per share data) (millions, except per share data)
Statement of Income Data:          
Net revenues:          
Net sales $7,230
 $7,451
 $7,284
 $6,763
 $6,679
Licensing revenue 175
 169
 166
 182
 181
Statement of Operations Data:          
Net revenues 7,405
 7,620
 7,450
 6,945
 6,860
 $6,182.3
 $6,652.8
 $7,405.2
 $7,620.3
 $7,449.8
Gross profit 4,187
 4,378
 4,310
 4,156
 3,998
Depreciation and amortization expense (310) (294) (258) (233) (225)
Gross profit(e)
 3,751.7
 3,651.1
 4,186.7
 4,377.9
 4,310.1
Impairment of assets (49) (7) (1) (19) (2) (50.0) (253.8) (48.8) (6.9) (1.3)
Restructuring and other charges (143) (10) (18) (12) (12) (108.0) (318.6) (142.6) (10.1) (17.8)
Operating income 582
 1,035
 1,130
 1,127
 1,039
Operating income (loss) 498.2
 (92.3) 582.8
 1,035.5
 1,130.1
Interest expense, net (15) (11) (17) (16) (13) (5.9) (5.1) (14.7) (9.0) (14.7)
Net income $396
 $702
 $776
 $750
 $681
Net income per common share:          
Net income (loss) $162.8
 $(99.3) $396.4
 $702.2
 $775.5
Net income (loss) per common share:          
Basic $4.65
 $7.96
 $8.55
 $8.21
 $7.35
 $1.99
 $(1.20) $4.65
 $7.96
 $8.55
Diluted $4.62
 $7.88
 $8.43
 $8.00
 $7.13
 $1.97
 $(1.20) $4.62
 $7.88
 $8.43
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic 85.2
 88.2
 90.7
 91.3
 92.7
 81.7
 82.7
 85.2
 88.2
 90.7
Diluted 85.9
 89.1
 92.0
 93.7
 95.5
 82.5
 82.7
 85.9
 89.1
 92.0
Dividends declared per common share $2.00
 $1.85
 $1.70
 $1.60
 $0.80
 $2.00
 $2.00
 $2.00
 $1.85
 $1.70
 
(a) 
Fiscal 2016 consisted of 53 weeks. All other fiscal years presented consisted of 52 weeks. The inclusion of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2016 resulted in incremental net revenues of $72.2 million and net income of $8.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share.
(b) 
Reflects the Chaps Menswear License Acquisition effective in April 2013,Company's adoption of ASU No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost" during Fiscal 2018 on a retrospective basis, which resulted in the recognitionrequires that certain components of a $16 million gain on acquisition, as well as the Australia and New Zealand Licensed Operations Acquisition effective in July 2013net pension expense be presented outside of operating income (see Note 54 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).
(c) 
Reflects TCJA enactment-related charges of $221.4 million recorded within the income tax provision (see Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements).
(d)
Reflects the acquisition of the North American Chaps-branded men's sportswear business effective in April 2013, which resulted in the recognition of a $16.4 million gain on acquisition, as well as the acquisition of the Ralph Lauren-branded apparel and accessories business in Latin AmericaAustralia and New Zealand effective in June 2012, the discontinuanceJuly 2013.
(e)
Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2016 reflect non-cash inventory-related charges of the majority of products sold under the American Living brand effective$7.6 million, $197.9 million, and $20.4 million, respectively, recorded in connection with the Fall 2012 wholesale selling season, andCompany's restructuring plans (see Note 9 to the wind down of the Rugby brand operations during the second half of the fiscal year.accompanying consolidated financial statements).




F-55 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014		 March 30,
2013		 March 31,
2012		 March 31,
2018		 April 1,
2017		 April 2,
2016		 March 28,
2015		 March 29,
2014
 (millions) (millions)
Balance Sheet Data:                    
Cash and cash equivalents $456
 $500
 $797
 $974
 $672
 $1,304.6
 $668.3
 $456.3
 $499.7
 $797.4
Investments 816
 652
 490
 406
 616
 785.6
 706.1
 816.0
 652.2
 490.1
Working capital(a)
 1,855
 2,138
 2,359
 1,842
 1,954
 1,961.2
 1,794.6
 1,854.4
 2,137.4
 2,359.0
Total assets 6,213
 6,106
 6,088
 5,418
 5,416
 6,143.3
 5,652.0
 6,213.1
 6,105.8
 6,087.7
Total debt (including current maturities of debt) 713
 532
 298
 267
 274
 596.2
 588.2
 713.1
 532.3
 297.9
Other non-current obligations(b)
 361.2
 250.9
 265.7
 237.5
 255.0
Equity 3,744
 3,891
 4,034
 3,785
 3,653
 3,457.4
 3,299.6
 3,743.5
 3,891.6
 4,034.3
 
(a) 
Working capital is calculated as total current assets less total current liabilities (including current maturities of debt). Working capital as of March 31, 2018, April 1, 2017, and April 2, 2016 reflectsreflect the Company's adoption of ASU No. 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes," which requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities, together with any related valuation allowances, to be classified as non-current on the consolidated balance sheet.sheet (past guidance required deferred tax assets and liabilities to be broken out as current and non-current on the consolidated balance sheet). Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted (see Note 4 toadjusted.
(b)
Comprised of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).Company's non-current capital lease and income tax payable obligations.





F-56 


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The following table sets forth the quarterly financial information of the Company:
 
Quarterly Periods Ended(a)(b)
 
Quarterly Periods Ended(a)(b)
 June 27,
2015		 September 26,
2015		 December 26,
2015		 
April 2,
2016(c)
 July 1,
2017		 September 30,
2017		 
December 30, 2017(c)
 
March 31,
2018(c)
 (millions, except per share data) (millions, except per share data)
Net revenues $1,618
 $1,970
 $1,946
 $1,871
 $1,347.1
 $1,664.2
 $1,641.8
 $1,529.2
Gross profit 966
 1,113
 1,094
 1,014
 851.2
 995.8
 996.2
 908.5
Net income 64
 160
 131
 41
Net income per common share(d):
        
Net income (loss) 59.5
 143.8
 (81.8) 41.3
Net income (loss) per common share(d):
        
Basic $0.74
 $1.87
 $1.55
 $0.49
 $0.73
 $1.76
 $(1.00) $0.51
Diluted $0.73
 $1.86
 $1.54
 $0.49
 $0.72
 $1.75
 $(1.00) $0.50
Dividends declared per common share $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
                
 
Quarterly Periods Ended(a)
 
Quarterly Periods Ended(a)(e)
 June 28,
2014		 September 27,
2014		 December 27,
2014		 March 28,
2015		 July 2,
2016		 October 1,
2016		 December 31,
2016		 April 1,
2017
 (millions, except per share data) (millions, except per share data)
Net revenues $1,708
 $1,994
 $2,033
 $1,885
 $1,552.2
 $1,820.6
 $1,714.6
 $1,565.4
Gross profit 1,043
 1,132
 1,159
 1,044
 894.6
 954.2
 983.2
 819.1
Net income 162
 201
 215
 124
Net income per common share(d):
        
Net income (loss) (22.3) 45.7
 81.3
 (204.0)
Net income (loss) per common share(d):
        
Basic $1.82
 $2.27
 $2.44
 $1.43
 $(0.27) $0.55
 $0.98
 $(2.48)
Diluted $1.80
 $2.25
 $2.41
 $1.41
 $(0.27) $0.55
 $0.98
 $(2.48)
Dividends declared per common share $0.45
 $0.45
 $0.45
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 $0.50
 
(a) 
The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016 consisted of 14 weeks. All other fiscal quarters presented consisted of 13 weeks.
(b) 
Net income (loss) and net income (loss) per common share for the three-month periods ended June 27, 2015,July 1, 2017, September 26, 2015,30, 2017, December 26, 2015,30, 2017, and April 2, 2016 have been affectedMarch 31, 2018 were negatively impacted by pretax restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges of $45$47.2 million, $38$30.4 million, $77$27.2 million, and $52$60.8 million, respectively recorded in connection with the Global Reorganization Plan, a pending customs audit, the settlement of certain litigation claims, and other non-cash impairment charges related to underperforming stores subject to potential future closure (see Notes 108 and 119 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements).
(c) 
The inclusionNet loss and net loss per common share for the three months ended December 30, 2017 reflected the negative impact of TCJA enactment-related charges of $231.3 million. During the 14th week in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016 resulted in incrementalthree months ended March 31, 2018, net revenues of approximately $72 millionincome and net income per common share were favorably impacted by TCJA measurement period adjustments of $8$9.9 million or approximately $0.10 per diluted share.(see Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements).
(d) 
Per common share amounts for the quarters and full years have been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amount because of differences in the average number of common shares outstanding during each period.

(e)
Net income (loss) and net income (loss) per common share for the three-month periods ended July 2, 2016, October 1, 2016, December 31, 2016, and April 1, 2017 were negatively impacted by pretax restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges of $159.1 million, $149.5 million, $91.4 million, and $370.3 million, respectively (see Notes 8 and 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements).






F-57