Advertising expenses:
Advertising expense consists primarily of expenses related to the Company’s integrated marketing program, which includes television, radio, direct mail and newspaper distribution, in-store and online promotions, and sports and event sponsorships. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company also participates in cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of its vendors. Advertising expense, net of cooperative advertising allowances from vendors that were incremental to the specific advertising program and identifiable, included as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” (“SG&A”) on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income amounted to $78.3 million, $74.8 million and $73.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
