Part IIIDepreciation and Useful Lives Presented below is a portion of Note 7 to Starbucks 2012 consolidated financial statements. Excerpts from Note 7: Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (in millions)

Property, Plant and Equipment, net September 30, 2012 October 2, 2011

Land $ 46.2 $ 44.8 Buildings 225.2 218.5 Leasehold improvements 3,957.6 3,617.1 Store equipment 1,251.0 1,101.8 Roasting equipment 322.8 295.1 Furniture, fixtures and other 836.2 757.8 Work in progress 264.1 127.4 Property, plant and equipment, gross $ 6,903.1 $ 6,163.1 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (4,244.2) (3,808.1) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,658.9 $ 2,355.0

REQUIRED a. Estimate the average total estimated useful life of depreciable property, plant, and equipment. Starbucks reports $580.6 million of depreciation and amortization in the statement of cash flows, of which $4.5 million relates to amortization of limited-life intangible assets. Does the estimate reconcile with stated accounting policy on useful lives for property, plant, and equipment? Explain.

b. How should an analyst interpret fluctuations in this estimate for a given company over time? How should an analyst interpret differences in this estimate between a company and its competitors?

c. Estimate the average age of depreciable assets, the percentage of PP&E that has been used up, and the remaining useful life. How might an analyst use this information?