PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Concurrence Letter on Duane Reade Inc. Change in Inventory Accounting Method
This letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the Board of Directors of Duane Reade Inc. confirms the auditor's concurrence with the company's decision to change its inventory accounting method, as described in the company's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 30, 2002. The letter states that the change is considered preferable based on management's judgment and business planning factors, though the auditor has not audited financial statements after December 29, 2001. The letter is provided for inclusion in the company's SEC filing.
Exhibit 10.25
May 13, 2002
Board of Directors
Duane Reade Inc.
440 Ninth Avenue
New York, New York 10001
Dear Directors:
We are providing this letter to you for inclusion as an exhibit to your Form 10-Q filing pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
We have been provided a copy of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 30, 2002. Note 3 therein describes a change in accounting principle from the retail dollar first-in, first-out method of accounting for inventory to the specific cost based last-in, first-out method of accounting for inventory. It should be understood that the preferability of one acceptable method of accounting over another for inventory has not been addressed in any authoritative accounting literature, and in expressing our concurrence below we have relied on management's determination that this change in accounting principle is preferable. Based on our reading of management's stated reasons and justification for this change in accounting principle in the Form 10-Q, and our discussions with management as to their judgment about the relevant business planning factors relating to the change, we concur with management that such change represents, in the Company's circumstances, the adoption of a preferable accounting principle in conformity with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20.
We have not audited any financial statements of the Company as of any date or for any period subsequent to December 29, 2001. Accordingly, our comments are subject to change upon completion of an audit of the financial statements covering the period of the accounting change.
Very truly yours,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP