Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations

U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. (including its subsidiaries) is a distributor of aftermarket auto parts and accessories and was established in 1995. The Company entered the e-commerce sector by launching its first website in 2000 and currently derives the majority of its revenues from online sales channels. The Company sells its products to individual consumers through a network of websites and online marketplaces. Through AutoMD.com, the Company educates consumers on maintenance and service of their vehicles. The site provides auto information, with tools for diagnosing car troubles, locating repair shops and do-it-yourself (“DIY”) repair guides. Our flagship websites are located at www.autopartswarehouse.com, www.jcwhitney.com and www.AutoMD.com and our corporate website is located at www.usautoparts.net. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company’s products consist of body parts, engine parts, performance parts and accessories. The body parts category is primarily comprised of parts for the exterior of an automobile. Our parts in this category are typically replacement parts for original body parts that have been damaged as a result of a collision or through general wear and tear. The majority of these products are sold through our websites. In addition, we sell an extensive line of mirror products, including our own private-label brand called Kool-Vue™, which are marketed and sold as aftermarket replacement parts and as upgrades to existing parts. The engine parts category is comprised of engine components and other mechanical and electrical parts, which are often referred to as hard parts. These parts serve as replacement parts for existing engine parts and are generally used by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for engine and mechanical maintenance and repair. We offer performance versions of many parts sold in each of the above categories. Performance parts and accessories generally consist of parts that enhance the performance of the automobile, upgrade existing functionality of a specific part or improve the physical appearance or comfort of the automobile.

The Company is a Delaware C corporation and is headquartered in Carson, California. The Company also has employees located in Kansas, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming, Illinois and Ohio, as well as in the Philippines.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 28, 2013 and the consolidated results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Company’s results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of those to be expected for the entire fiscal year. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, which was filed with the SEC on March 25, 2013.

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013, the Company’s revenues declined by 15.5% and 19.1%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012. Additionally, the Company incurred a net loss of $1,399 and $14,309 for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013, respectively, after incurring net losses of $35,978 and $15,137 in fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively. Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, investments, cash flows from operations and available debt financing will be sufficient to finance our operational cash needs through at least the next twelve months. We expect the decrease in our revenues and net loss to be significantly lower in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. Should the Company’s expected trend in the fourth quarter of 2013 worsen in 2014, it could negatively impact our liquidity as we may not be able to provide positive cash flows from operations in order to meet our working capital requirements. We may need to borrow additional funds from our credit facility, which under certain circumstances may not be available, sell our assets or seek equity or additional debt financing in the future. There can be no assurance that we would be able to raise such additional financing or engage in such asset sales on acceptable terms, or at all. If our expected downward trend in revenues, and net loss continues for longer than we expect because our strategies to return to positive sales growth and profitability are not successful or otherwise, and if we are not able to raise adequate additional financing or proceeds from asset sales to continue to fund our ongoing operations, we will need to defer, reduce or eliminate significant planned expenditures, restructure or significantly curtail our operations.

 

Fiscal Periods

The Company’s fiscal year is based on a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Quarterly periods are based on the thirteen weeks ending on the Saturday closest to the calendar quarter end date.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, those related to revenue recognition, uncollectible receivables, valuation of inventory, valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, valuation of intangible assets and other long-lived assets, recoverability of software development costs, contingencies and share-based compensation expense that results from estimated grant date fair values, vesting of issued equity awards and modification of awards. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Statement of Cash Flows

The net change in the Company’s book overdraft is presented net of accounts payable in the operating activity of the consolidated statement of cash flows. The book overdraft represents a credit balance in the Company’s general ledger but the Company has a positive bank account balance.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all money market funds and short-term investments purchased with original maturities of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 due to their short-term maturities. Marketable securities and investments are carried at fair value, as discussed below. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of our revolving loan payable, classified as current liability in our consolidated balance sheet, approximates its carrying amount because the interest rate is variable. If the Company’s revolving loan payable (see “Note 6 – Borrowings”) had been measured at fair value at September 28, 2013, it would be categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the estimated value would be based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates available to the Company for debt of the same or similar terms. Accordingly, financial instruments that are not measured at fair value include accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. Refer to “Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements” for additional fair value information.

Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk

Accounts receivable are stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined primarily on the basis of past collection experience and general economic conditions. The Company determines terms and conditions for its customers primarily based on the volume purchased by the customer, customer creditworthiness and past transaction history.

Concentrations of credit risk are limited to the customer base to which the Company’s products are sold. The Company does not believe significant concentrations of credit risk exist.

 

Marketable Securities and Investments

Marketable securities and investments are comprised of closed-end funds primarily invested in mutual funds. Mutual funds are classified as short-term investments available-for-sale and recorded at fair market value, based on quoted prices of identical assets that are trading in active markets as of the end of the period for which the values are determined.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

All of the Company’s marketable securities and investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. The Company recognizes an impairment charge when a decline in the fair value of its investments below the cost basis is judged to be other-than-temporary. The Company considers various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the Company’s cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in the market value. No other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded on any investments during the thirty-nine week periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012.

Inventory

Inventories consist of finished goods available-for-sale and are stated at the lower of cost or market value, determined using the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company purchases inventory from suppliers both domestically and internationally, and routinely enters into supply agreements with U.S.–based suppliers and its primary drop-ship vendors. The Company believes that its products are generally available from more than one supplier and seeks to maintain multiple sources for its products, both internationally and domestically. The Company primarily purchases products in bulk quantities to take advantage of quantity discounts and to ensure inventory availability. Inventory is reported at the lower of cost or market, adjusted for slow moving, obsolete or scrap product. Inventory at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $40,177 and $42,727, respectively, which included items in-transit to our warehouses, in the amount of $5,154 and $6,418, respectively.

Website and Software Development Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with website and software developed for internal use according to ASC 350-50 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Website Development Costs and ASC 350-40 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software, when both the preliminary project design and testing stage are completed and management has authorized further funding for the project, which it deems probable of completion and to be used for the function intended. Capitalized costs include amounts directly related to website and software development such as payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with, and who devote time to, the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs ceases when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. These amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis over two to three years once the software is placed into service.

Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles Subject to Amortization

The Company accounts for the impairment and disposition of long-lived assets, including intangibles subject to amortization, in accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”). Management assesses potential impairments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. An impairment loss will result when the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows estimated to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. Impairment losses will be recognized in operating results to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the discounted future cash flows estimated to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. The Company continually uses judgment when applying these impairment rules to determine the timing of the impairment tests, undiscounted cash flows used to assess impairments, and the fair value of a potentially impaired asset or asset group. The reasonableness of our judgments could significantly affect the carrying value of our long-lived assets. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company recognized an impairment loss on property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization of $4,832 and $1,245, respectively. As of September 28, 2013, the Company’s long-lived assets did not indicate a potential impairment under the provisions of ASC 360, therefore no impairment charges were recorded during the third quarter of 2013. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012, no impairment charges were recorded. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recognized an impairment loss on property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization of $1,960 and $1,745, respectively. If cash flows deteriorate, or if cash flows do not improve and additions to property and equipment continue at their current levels, it may result to future impairments. Refer to “Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements” “Note 4 – Property and Equipment, Net” and “Note 5 – Intangible Assets” for further details.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales and shipping revenues, net of promotional discounts and return allowances, when the following revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, both title and risk of loss or damage have transferred, delivery has occurred, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company retains the risk of loss or damage during transit, therefore, revenue from product sales is recognized at the delivery date to customer, not upon shipment. Return allowances, which reduce product revenue by the Company’s best estimate of expected product returns, are estimated using historical experience.

Revenue from sales of advertising is recorded when performance requirements of the related advertising program agreement are met.

The Company evaluates the criteria of ASC 605-45 Revenue Recognition Principal Agent Considerations in determining whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, when the Company is the primary party obligated in a transaction, the Company is subject to inventory risk, has latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, or has several but not all of these indicators, revenue is recorded at gross.

Payments received prior to the delivery of goods to customers are recorded as deferred revenue.

The Company periodically provides incentive offers to its customers to encourage purchases. Such offers include current discount offers, such as percentage discounts off current purchases and other similar offers. Current discount offers, when accepted by the Company’s customers, are treated as a reduction to the purchase price of the related transaction.

Sales discounts are recorded in the period in which the related sale is recognized. Sales return allowances are estimated based on historical amounts and are recorded upon recognizing the related sales. Credits are issued to customers for returned products.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists of the direct costs associated with procuring parts from suppliers and delivering products to customers. These costs include direct product costs, outbound freight and shipping costs, warehouse supplies and warranty costs, partially offset by purchase discounts and cooperative advertising. Depreciation and amortization expenses are excluded from cost of sales and included in marketing, general and administrative and fulfillment expenses as noted below.

Warranty Costs

The Company or the vendors supplying its products provide the Company’s customers limited warranties on certain products that range from 30 days to lifetime. In most cases, the Company’s vendors are the party primarily responsible for warranty claims. Standard product warranties sold separately by the Company are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized ratably over the life of the warranty, ranging from one to five years. The Company also offers extended warranties that are imbedded in the price of selected private label products we sell. The product brands that include the extended warranty coverage are offered at three different service levels: (a) a five year unlimited product replacement, (b) a five year one-time product replacement, and (c) a three year one-time product replacement. Warranty costs relating to merchandise sold under warranty not covered by vendors are estimated and recorded as warranty obligations at the time of sale based on each product’s historical return rate and historical warranty cost. The standard and extended warranty obligations are recorded as warranty liabilities and included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the activity in our aggregate warranty liabilities was as follows:

		September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012
Warranty liabilities, beginning of period		$	282			$	384
Adjustments to preexisting warranty liabilities			(79	)			(232	)
Additions to warranty liabilities			148				198
Reductions to warranty liabilities			(46	)			(95	)
Warranty liabilities, end of period		$	305			$	255

Marketing Expense

Marketing costs, including advertising, are expensed as incurred. The majority of advertising expense is paid to internet search engine service providers and internet commerce facilitators. For the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the Company recognized advertising costs of $4,000 and $4,977, respectively. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the Company recognized advertising costs of $12,908 and $16,299, respectively. Marketing costs also include depreciation and amortization expense and share-based compensation expense.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense consists primarily of administrative payroll and related expenses, merchant processing fees, legal and professional fees and other administrative costs. General and administrative expense also includes depreciation and amortization expense and share-based compensation expense.

Fulfillment Expense

Fulfillment expense consists primarily of payroll and related costs associated with warehouse employees and the Company’s purchasing group, facilities rent, building maintenance, depreciation and other costs associated with inventory management and wholesale operations. Fulfillment expense also includes share-based compensation expense.

Technology Expense

Technology expense consists primarily of payroll and related expenses of our information technology personnel, the cost of hosting the Company’s servers, communications expenses and Internet connectivity costs, computer support and software development amortization expense. Technology expense also includes share-based compensation expense.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). All stock options issued to employees are recognized as share-based compensation expense in the financial statements based on their respective grant date fair values, and are recognized within the statement of comprehensive income or loss as marketing, general and administrative, fulfillment or technology expense, based on employee departmental classifications. Under this standard, the fair value of each share-based payment award is estimated on the date of grant using an option pricing model that meets certain requirements. The Company currently uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards. The determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards utilizing the Black-Scholes model is affected by the Company’s stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

The Company incorporates its own historical volatility into the grant-date fair value calculations. The expected term of an award is based on combining historical exercise data with expected weighted time outstanding. Expected weighted time outstanding is calculated by assuming the settlement of outstanding awards is at the midpoint between the remaining weighted average vesting date and the expiration date. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the expected life of awards. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s expectation of paying no dividends on its common stock. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures significantly differ from those estimates. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including employee class, economic environment, and historical experience.

The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of services from non-employee directors in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from other than employees in accordance with ASC 505-50 Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earlier of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services. Equity instruments awarded to non-employees are periodically re-measured as the underlying awards vest unless the instruments are fully vested, immediately exercisable and non-forfeitable on the date of grant.

The Company accounts for modifications to its share-based payment awards in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. Incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before its terms are modified, measured based on the share price and other pertinent factors at that date, and is recognized as compensation cost on the date of modification (for vested awards) or over the remaining service (vesting) period (for unvested awards). Any unrecognized compensation cost remaining from the original award is recognized over the vesting period of the modified award.

Other Income, net

Other income, net consists of miscellaneous income or expense such as gains/losses from disposition of assets, and interest income comprised primarily of interest income on investments.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists primarily of interest expense on our outstanding loan balance, deferred financing cost amortization, and interest from capital lease obligations.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. When appropriate, a valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets, which include tax credits and loss carry forwards, to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, taxable income in prior carryback years, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations.

The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating and estimating our tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. As of September 28, 2013, the Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits, interest or penalties related to federal and state income tax matters. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties as income tax expense.

 

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

We present taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis in accordance with the guidance on ASC 605-45-50-3 Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities.

Leases

The Company analyzes lease agreements for operating versus capital lease treatment in accordance with ASC 840 Leases. Rent expense for leases designated as operating leases is expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For capital leases, the present value of future minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease is reflected as a capital lease asset and a capital lease payable in the consolidated balance sheets. Amounts due within one year are classified as current liabilities and the remaining balance as non-current liabilities.

Foreign Currency Translation

For each of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, the functional currency is its local currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates. The effects of the foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Comprehensive Income

The Company reports comprehensive income or loss in accordance with ASC 220 Comprehensive Income. Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, includes foreign currency translation adjustments related to the Company’s foreign operations, and unrealized holding gains and losses from available-for-sale marketable securities and investments. The Company presents the components of net income or loss and other comprehensive income or loss in its consolidated statements of comprehensive operations.

Segment Data

The Company operates in two reportable segments and reporting revenues by product line or geographic location is impracticable. Certain long-lived assets are held in the Philippines (refer to “Note 4 – Property and Equipment, Net”). The criteria the Company used to identify its operating segments are primarily the nature of the products the Company sells and the consolidated operating results that are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to assess performance and make operating decisions. We identified two reporting units, Base USAP, which is the core auto parts business, and AutoMD, an online automotive repair source, in accordance with ASC 280 Segment Reporting. There have been no significant revenues generated from AutoMD. AutoMD incurred total expenses of $369 and $608 during the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively. AutoMD incurred total expenses of $1,601 and $1,715 during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, which are primarily related to depreciation and amortization expense of capitalized website and software development costs. Total assets for AutoMD were $1,649 and $2,059 as of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, which are primarily related to capitalized website and software development costs.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to improve the reporting reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income of various components. The guidance requires presentation of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification either parenthetically on the face of the financial statements or in the notes. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2013-02 beginning fiscal year 2013. The adoption of the amendments did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The amendments in this ASU require an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. An entity is required to apply the amendments effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not anticipate any material impact from the adoption of these amendments to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.