5. Advertising Costs

        Advertising costs are expensed at first showing or distribution of the advertisement and were $1,360 million in 2011, $1,292 million in 2010 and $1,167 million in 2009. Vendor income that offset advertising expenses was $256 million, $216 million and $179 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Newspaper circulars, internet advertisements and media broadcast made up the majority of our advertising costs in all three years.