Goodwill is not amortised, but tested annually for impairment with the recoverable amount being determined from value in use calculations. Goodwill has been allocated for impairment testing purposes to groups of cash-generating units (CGUs) which include the combined retail and wholesale businesses for each location.
Brands consist of the per una brand cost of £80.0m and the M&S Mode brands of £32.4m. The per una brand is a definite life intangible asset and is amortised on a straight-line basis over a period of 15 years and is only assessed for impairment where such indicators exist. The M&S Mode brands have been attributed an indefinite life as they give the Group the future right to use the ‘M&S’ brand across Europe. This is consistent with the Group’s expansion plans in Europe and exising M&S brand recognition from its current presence. Similar to goodwill, the M&S Mode brands are assessed for impairment annually based on their value in use. The M&S Mode brands have been allocated for impairment testing across the European business.
The value in use calculations use cash flows based on detailed financial budgets prepared by management covering a three year period. These budgets have regard to historic performance and knowledge of the current market, together with management’s views on the future achievable growth and the impact of committed initiatives. The cash flows which derive from the budgets include ongoing capital expenditure required to maintain the store network. Cash flows beyond this three year period are extrapolated using a long-term growth rate.
The key assumptions in the value in use calculations are the long-term growth rate and the risk adjusted pre-tax discount rate. The long-term growth rate has been determined with reference to forecast GDP growth for the territories in which these businesses operate. Management believe this is the most appropriate indicator of long-term growth rates that is available. The long-term growth rate used is purely for the impairment testing of goodwill and brands under IAS 36 – ‘Impairment of Assets’ and does not reflect long-term planning assumptions used by the Group for investment proposals or for any other assessments.