Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 20, 2018
Document Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CARTERS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001060822
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,940,990

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 180,256	$ 178,494	$ 154,278
Accounts receivable, net	221,186	240,561	206,707
Finished goods inventories	479,344	548,722	434,712
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	54,297	52,935	48,396
Total current assets	935,083	1,020,712	844,093
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $416,153, $404,173, and $365,733, respectively	369,064	377,924	386,275
Tradenames, net	365,506	365,551	365,684
Goodwill	230,008	230,424	232,925
Customer relationships, net	47,369	47,996	35,695
Other assets	28,176	28,435	23,034
Total assets	1,975,206	2,071,042	1,887,706
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	116,310	182,114	101,386
Other current liabilities	109,626	149,134	125,634
Total current liabilities	225,936	331,248	227,020
Long-term debt, net	617,541	617,306	581,621
Deferred income taxes	87,422	84,944	133,652
Other long-term liabilities	189,493	180,128	173,280
Total liabilities	1,120,392	1,213,626	1,115,573
Commitments and contingencies - Note 14
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; par value $.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017, and April 1, 2017	0	0	0
Common stock, voting; par value $.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 47,113,576, 47,178,346 and 48,517,417 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017 and April 1, 2017, respectively	471	472	485
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(30,855)	(29,093)	(33,793)
Retained earnings	885,198	886,037	805,441
Total stockholders' equity	854,814	857,416	772,133
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,975,206	$ 2,071,042	$ 1,887,706

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation	$ 416,153	$ 404,173	$ 365,733
Preferred stock; par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock; shares authorized	100,000	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock; issued	0	0	0
Preferred stock; outstanding	0	0	0
Common stock, voting; par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, voting; shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock voting; shares issued	47,113,576	47,178,346	48,517,417
Common stock voting; shares outstanding	47,113,576	47,178,346	48,517,417

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 755,786	$ 732,827
Cost of goods sold	423,309	417,135
Gross profit	332,477	315,692
Royalty income, net	7,994	10,558
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	280,162	247,794
Operating income	60,309	78,456
Interest expense	7,985	7,104
Interest income	(166)	(139)
Other income, net	(382)	(221)
Income before income taxes	52,872	71,712
Provision for income taxes	10,403	25,117
Net income	$ 42,469	$ 46,595
Basic net income per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.96
Diluted net income per common share (USD per share)	0.89	0.95
Dividend declared per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.37

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,469	$ 46,595
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762)	947
Comprehensive income	$ 40,707	$ 47,542

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balance at Dec. 30, 2017	$ 857,416	$ 472	$ 0	$ (29,093)	$ 886,037
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2017	47,178,346	47,178,346
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	$ 4,769	$ 1	4,768
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		95,006
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(6,583)	$ (1)	(6,582)
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock (in shares)		(55,164)
Restricted stock activity	0	$ 1	(1)
Restricted stock activity (in shares)		116,701
Stock-based compensation	4,944		4,944
Repurchase of common stock	(25,195)	$ (2)	(3,129)		(22,064)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(221,313)
Cash dividends declared and paid	(21,244)				(21,244)
Comprehensive income	40,707			(1,762)	42,469
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 854,814	$ 471	$ 0	$ (30,855)	$ 885,198
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	47,113,576	47,113,576

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 42,469	$ 46,595
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment	21,137	19,513
Amortization of intangible assets	921	250
Amortization of debt issuance costs	431	373
Stock-based compensation expense	4,944	4,779
Unrealized foreign currency exchange gain, net	(353)	(62)
Provisions for doubtful accounts receivable	11,051	(1,651)
Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment, net of recoveries	350	189
Deferred income taxes	2,968	3,451
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	8,623	17,898
Finished goods inventories	68,294	82,086
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,970)	(15,008)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(94,758)	(74,233)
Net cash provided by operating activities	64,107	84,180
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,744)	(17,991)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(143,704)
Disposals and recoveries from property, plant, and equipment	373	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(14,371)	(161,695)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	50,000	20,000
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	(50,000)	(18,965)
Repurchases of common stock	(25,195)	(46,627)
Dividends paid	(21,244)	(17,998)
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	(6,583)	(5,552)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	4,769	1,626
Net cash used in financing activities	(48,253)	(67,516)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	279	(49)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,762	(145,080)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	178,494	299,358
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 180,256	$ 154,278

THE COMPANY	3 Months Ended
THE COMPANY	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
THE COMPANY	THE COMPANY Carter's, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company," "its," "us" and "our") design, source, and market branded childrenswear and related products under the Carter's, Child of Mine, Just One You, Precious Firsts, Simple Joys, OshKosh B'gosh ("OshKosh"), Skip Hop and other brands. The Company's products are sourced through contractual arrangements with manufacturers worldwide for: 1) wholesale distribution to leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally and 2) distribution to the Company's own retail stores and eCommerce sites that market its brand name merchandise and other licensed products manufactured by other companies. As of March 31, 2018, the Company operated 1,039 retail stores.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, comprehensive income, statement of stockholders' equity, and cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented. Except as otherwise disclosed, all such adjustments consist only of those of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the 2018 fiscal year ending December 29, 2018.

The preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2017 was derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and the instructions to Form 10-Q. As disclosed in Note 2, Basis of Presentation, and Note 3, Revenue Recognition, at the beginning of fiscal 2018 the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and related amendments (“ASC 606”) using the full retrospective adoption method. The full retrospective method required the Company to apply the standard to the financial statements for the period of adoption as well as to each prior reporting period presented.

Accounting Policies

The accounting policies the Company follows are set forth in its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to these accounting policies, except as noted below for new accounting pronouncements adopted at the beginning of fiscal 2018.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC No. 606)

At the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all related amendments (“ASC 606”) using the full retrospective adoption method. Refer to Note 3, Revenue Recognition, for additional information.

The Company uses the five-step model to recognize revenue:


1)	Identify the contract with the customer


2)	Identity the performance obligation(s)


3)	Determine the transaction price


4)	Allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation if multiple obligations exist


5)	Recognize the revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied

Performance Obligations

The Company identifies each distinct performance obligation to transfer goods (or bundle of goods). The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the goods to the customer. Other than inbound and outbound freight and shipping arrangements, the Company does not use third parties to satisfy its performance obligations in revenue arrangements with customers.

When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied

Wholesale Revenues - The Company typically transfers control upon shipment. However, in certain arrangements where the Company retains the risk of loss during shipment, satisfaction of the performance obligation occurs when the goods reach the customer.

Retail Revenues - For transactions in stores, the Company satisfies its performance obligation at point of sale when the customer takes possession of the goods and tenders payment. The redemption of loyalty points under the Company's rewards program and redemptions of gift cards may be part of a transaction. For purchases made through the Company’s eCommerce channel, revenue is recognized when the goods are physically delivered to the customer.

The Company satisfies its performance obligations with licensees over time as customers have the right to use the intellectual property over the contract period.

Significant Payment Terms

Retail customers tender a form of payment, such as cash or a credit/debit card, at point of sale. For wholesale customers and licensees, payment is due based on established terms.

Returns and Refunds

The Company establishes return provisions for retail customers. It is the Company's policy not to accept returns from wholesale customers.

Significant Judgments

Sale of Goods - The Company relies on shipping terms to determine when performance obligations are satisfied. When goods are shipped to wholesale customers “FOB Shipping Point,” control of the goods is transferred to the customer at the time of shipment if there are no remaining performance obligations. The Company recognizes the revenue once control passes to the customer. For retail transactions, no significant judgments are involved since revenue is recognized at the point of sale when tender is exchanged and the customer receives the goods.

Royalty Revenues - The Company transfers the right-to-use benefit to the licensee for the contract term and therefore the Company satisfies its performance obligation over time. Revenue recognized for each reporting period is based on the greater of: 1) the royalties owed on actual net sales by the licensee and 2) a minimum royalty guarantee, if applicable.

Transaction Price - The transaction price is the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive under the arrangement. The Company is required to estimate variable consideration (if any) and to factor that estimation into the determination of the transaction price. The Company may offer sales incentives to wholesale and retail customers, including discounts. For retail transactions, the Company has significant experience with return patterns and relies on this experience to estimate expected returns when determining the transaction price.

Standalone Selling Prices - For arrangements that contain multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis.

Costs Incurred to Obtain a Contract - Incremental costs to obtain contracts are not material to the Company.

Policy Elections

In addition to those previously disclosed, the Company has made the following accounting policy elections and practical expedients:

Portfolio Approach - The Company uses the portfolio approach when multiple contracts or performance obligations are involved in the determination of revenue recognition.

Taxes - The Company excludes from the transaction price any taxes collected from customers that are remitted to taxing authorities.

Shipping and Handling Charges - Charges that are incurred before and after the customer obtains control of goods are deemed to be fulfillment costs.

Time Value of Money - The Company's payment terms are less than one year from the transfer of goods. Therefore, the Company does not adjust promised amounts of consideration for the effects of the time value of money.

Disclosure of Remaining Performance Obligations - The Company does not disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations for contracts that are one year or less in term.

Classification of Costs Related to Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (ASU 2017-07)

At the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost ("ASU 2017-07"). ASU 2017-07 changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other post-retirement benefit plans present the net periodic benefit costs in the statement of operations. Under this new guidance, an employer's statement of operations presents service cost arising in the current period in the same statement line item as other employee compensation. However, all other components of current period costs related to defined benefit plans, such as prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses, are presented on the statement of operations on a line item outside (or below) operating income. ASU 2017-07 affects only the classification of certain costs on the statement of operations, not the determination of costs. Net periodic pension costs related to the Company's frozen defined benefit pension plan and post-retirement medical benefit plan were not material for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 or prior periods. Prior period results have not been reclassified on the Company's statement of operations due to materiality.

Modifications to Share-based Compensation Awards (ASU 2017-09)

At the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation Topic 718-Scope of Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment awards must be accounted for as modifications. Entities apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions, or classification of an award changes. The Company has not modified any share-based payment awards. Should the Company modify share-based payment awards in the future, it will apply the provisions of ASU 2017-09.

Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01)

At the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business ("ASU 2017-01"). ASU 2017-01 assists entities in determining if acquired assets constitute the acquisition of a business or the acquisition of assets for accounting and reporting purposes. This distinction is important because goodwill can only be recognized in an acquisition of a business. Prior to ASU 2017-01, if revenues were generated immediately before and after a transaction, the acquisition was typically considered a business. Under ASU 2017-01, entities are required to further assess the substance of the processes they acquire. Should the Company commence or complete an acquisition in future periods, it will apply the provisions of ASU 2017-01.

Statement of Cash Flows (ASU 2016-15)

At the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) ("ASU 2016-15"). ASU 2016-15 represents a consensus of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force on eight separate issues that, if present, can impact classifications on the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 only impacted the classification of certain insurance proceeds on the Company consolidated statement of cash flows for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

REVENUE RECOGNITION

NOTE 3 - REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company’s revenues are earned from contracts or arrangements with retail and wholesale customers and licensees. Contracts include written agreements, as well as arrangements that are implied by customary practices or law.

At the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and related amendments (“ASC 606”) using the full retrospective adoption method. Under the full retrospective method, the Company adjusted all periods in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 to reflect the provisions of ASC 606, and retained earnings at January 2, 2016 (beginning of fiscal 2016) were adjusted for the cumulative effect for prior periods. Refer to the section "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC No. 606)" in Note 2, Basis of Presentation, for changes to the Company's accounting policies due to the adoption of ASC 606.

ASC 606 affected the Company's retail channels as follows:


•	Accelerated the recognition of breakage revenue from unredeemed gift cards, which affected net sales, gross profit, income before income taxes, and net income on the Company's statement of operations. Basic and diluted net income per share were affected by $0.01 or less for each reporting period. Related gift card liabilities and income tax liabilities were also affected.


•	A portion of the estimated value of goods expected to be returned by customers were reclassified between net sales and cost of goods sold, with no net effect on gross profit, income before income taxes, or net income on the Company's statement of operations. Related reclassifications were also made between other current assets and other current liabilities on the Company's balance sheet.

The effects of retrospective adoption on the Company's consolidated Statement of Operations were as follows:



	First Quarter			Year		Year
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2017		Fiscal 2016

Net sales	$	72		$	92	$	(637	)
Cost of goods sold	$	182		$	52	$	(7	)
Income before income taxes	$	(110	)	$	40	$	(630	)
Net income	$	(69	)	$	84	(397		)

Basic net income per common share	$	—		$	—	$	(0.01	)
Diluted net income per common share	$	—		$	—	$	—

The cumulative effect to the Company’s retained earnings at January 2, 2016 was an after-tax increase of approximately $0.6 million.

The effects of adoption of ASC 606 on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 30, 2017 were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	As Previously Reported		ASC 606 Adjustments			As Amended for ASC 606
ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	49,892	$	3,043	(1)	$	52,935
Total current assets	$	1,017,669	$	3,043		$	1,020,712
Total assets	$	2,067,999	$	3,043		$	2,071,042

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other current liabilities	$	146,510	$	2,624	(2)	$	149,134
Total current liabilities	$	328,624	$	2,624		$	331,248
Deferred income taxes	$	84,848	$	96		$	84,944
Total liabilities	$	1,210,906	$	2,720		$	1,213,626

Retained earnings	885,714		323		(3)	886,037
Total stockholder's equity	$	857,093	$	323		$	857,416

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,067,999	$	3,043		$	2,071,042

(1) Reclassification of estimated inventory expected to be returned by customers through future sales refund transactions. This amount was reclassified from the returns reserve (current liability) to a current asset. Prior to the Company's adoption of ASC 606, the Company's returns reserve (current liability) was reported net of the estimated inventory expected to be returned by customers through sales refund transactions.

(2) Amount includes a reclassification of approximately $3.0 million for estimated inventory expected to be returned by customers, partially offset by a reclassification of approximately $0.4 million for gift card liabilities.

(3) Cumulative impact of approximately $0.6 million for after-tax adjustments to retained earnings at the beginning of fiscal 2016, offset by ASC 606 effects on fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 results of operations.

The retrospective adoption of ASC 606 at the beginning of fiscal 2018 also had the following effects on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at April 1, 2017:



(dollars in thousands)	As Previously Reported		ASC 606 Adjustments			As Amended for ASC 606
ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	46,153	$	2,243	(1)	$	48,396
Total current assets	$	841,850	$	2,243		$	844,093
Total assets	$	1,885,463	$	2,243		$	1,887,706

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other current liabilities	$	123,661	$	1,973	(2)	$	125,634
Total current liabilities	$	225,047	$	1,973		$	227,020
Deferred income taxes	$	133,552	$	100		133,652
Total liabilities	$	1,113,500	$	2,073		$	1,115,573

Retained earnings	$	805,271	$	170	(3)	$	805,441
Total stockholder's equity	$	771,963	$	170		$	772,133

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,885,463	$	2,243		$	1,887,706

(2) Amount includes a reclassification of approximately $2.2 million for estimated inventory expected to be returned by customers, partially offset by an adjustment of approximately $0.3 million for gift card liabilities.

(3) Cumulative impact of approximately $0.6 million for after-tax adjustments to retained earnings at the beginning of fiscal 2016, offset by ASC 606 impact on fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 results of operations.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company's sells its products directly to consumers ("direct-to-consumer") and to other retail companies and partners that subsequently sell the products directly to their own retail customers. The Company also earns royalties from its licensees. Disaggregated revenues from these sources for the first quarters of fiscal 2018 and 2017 were as follows:



	First Quarter Fiscal 2018
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total

Wholesale channel	$	—	$	280,832	$	37,713	$	318,545
Direct-to-consumer	383,742		—		53,499		437,241
	$	383,742	$	280,832	$	91,212	$	755,786

Royalty income	$	1,585	$	5,845	$	564	$	7,994



	First Quarter Fiscal 2017
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total

Wholesale channel	$	—	$	292,555	$	29,682	$	322,237
Direct-to-consumer	363,842		—		46,748		410,590
	$	363,842	$	292,555	$	76,430	$	732,827

Royalty income	$	3,268	$	6,364	$	926	$	10,558

Accounts Receivable from Customers and Licensees

Accounts receivable, net of allowances, associated with revenue from customers and licensees were approximately $210.2 million, $226.0 million, and $194.4 million as of March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017, and April 1, 2017, respectively. Provisions for doubtful accounts receivable for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, full-year fiscal 2017, and first quarter of fiscal 2017 were approximately $11.1 million, $8.2 million, and $(1.7) million, respectively.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The Company's contract assets are not material.

Contract Liabilities

The Company recognizes a contract liability when it has received consideration from the customer and has a future obligation to transfer goods to the customer. Total contract liabilities consisted of the following amounts:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017

Contract liabilities-current:
Unredeemed gift cards	$	10,903	$	11,945	$	10,569
Unredeemed customer loyalty program coupons	3,571		2,743		6,293
Total contract liabilities-current *	$	14,474	$	14,688	$	16,862

* Included with Other current liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

In the first quarters of fiscal 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized revenue of approximately $2.4 million and $5.7 million related to its contract liabilities that existed at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Composition of Contract Liabilities

Unredeemed gift cards - the Company is obligated to transfer goods in the future to customers who have purchased gift cards. Periodic changes in the gift card contract liability result from the redemption of gift cards by customers and the recognition of estimated breakage revenue for those gift card balances that are not expected to be redeemed. The majority of our gift cards do not have an expiration date; however, all outstanding gift card balances are classified by the Company as current liabilities since gift cards are redeemable on demand by the valid holder.

Unredeemed loyalty program coupons - coupons earned by customers under the Company’s loyalty programs represent stand-ready obligations of the Company to transfer goods to the customer upon coupon redemption. Periodic changes in the loyalty program contract liability result from coupon redemptions and expirations. The earning and redemption cycles for our loyalty program are under one year in duration.

Remaining Performance Obligations

For contracts that are greater than one year, the following table discloses: 1) the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at March 31, 2018, and 2) when the Company expects to recognize this revenue:



	Fiscal 2018		Fiscal 2019		Thereafter		Total
(in thousands)
Unearned gift card breakage	$	389	$	111	$	23	$	523

This disclosure does not include revenue related to performance obligations for the Company's loyalty program because the duration of the obligations is less than one year.

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS IN FISCAL 2017 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS IN FISCAL 2017 (Notes)	Mar. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS IN FISCAL 2017	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS IN FISCAL 2017 Based on their purchase prices and pre-acquisition operating results and assets, neither of the businesses acquired by the Company in fiscal 2017 met the materiality requirements for preparation and presentation of pro forma financial information, either individually or in the aggregate. Skip Hop Acquisition Carter's, Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary, The William Carter Company ("TWCC"), acquired 100% of the voting equity interests of Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively "Skip Hop") after the close of business on February 22, 2017. The Skip Hop purchase was deemed to be the acquisition of a business under the provisions of ASC No. 805, Business Combinations. The Company's consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Skip Hop beginning February 23, 2017. In the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at April 1, 2017, the preliminary purchase price of approximately $147.3 million, net of $0.8 million cash acquired, was comprised of the following acquired assets and assumed liabilities: $56.6 million of goodwill including an assembled workforce; $92.7 million of intangible assets comprised of a tradename and acquired customer relationships; $54.7 million of tangible assets acquired, including finished goods inventory of $28.6 million, accounts receivable of $20.4 million, property and equipment of $4.2 million; and $23.2 million of liabilities in addition to $33.5 million of deferred income tax liabilities. The measurement period (as defined in ASC 805) for Skip Hop was complete at the end of fiscal 2017 and all measurement periods adjustments were reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2017. As a result of the measurement period adjustments recorded between the acquisition date and the end of fiscal 2017, the net assets acquired consisted of the following: $46.0 million of goodwill including an assembled workforce; $104.1 million of intangible assets comprised of a tradename and acquired customer relationships; $53.9 million of tangible assets acquired; and $20.8 million of liabilities in addition to $36.3 million of deferred income tax liabilities. The adjusted purchase price of approximately $142.5 million, net of $0.8 million of cash acquired, includes a $3.6 million change in the fair value of an estimated contingent earn out liability. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company incurred approximately $1.3 million in acquisition-related costs for the Skip Hop transaction. Acquisition of Mexican Licensee On August 1, 2017, the Company, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, acquired the outstanding equity of the Company's licensee in Mexico and a related entity (collectively "Carter's Mexico"). Both entities are incorporated under Mexican law. Prior to the acquisition, Carter's Mexico was primarily a licensee and wholesale customer of the Company. The Carter's Mexico purchase was deemed to be the acquisition of a business under the provisions of ASC No. 805, Business Combinations. The Company's consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Carter's Mexico beginning August 1, 2017. Carter's Mexico became part of the Company's International reportable segment. As of December 30, 2017, preliminary values assigned to assets acquired included inventories of approximately $8.3 million, a customer relationships intangible asset of approximately $3.5 million, and goodwill of approximately $6.2 million. Measurement period adjustments made in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were not material. The measurement period, as defined under the provisions of ASC 805, is still open for this acquisition due primarily to a pending working capital settlement.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 30, 2017			April 1, 2017
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(23,047	)	$	(21,285	)	$	(26,677	)
Pension and post-retirement obligations (1)	(7,808		)	(7,808		)	(7,116		)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(30,855	)	$	(29,093	)	$	(33,793	)

(1) Net of income taxes of $4.4 million, $4.4 million, and $4.2 million, respectively. The deferred income taxes associated with these obligations are subject to adjustments upon the Company's adoption of ASC 2018-02. See Note 16, Pending Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 consisted of other comprehensive losses of approximately $1.8 million for foreign currency translation adjustments. Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 consisted of other comprehensive income of approximately $0.9 million for foreign currency translation adjustments. During the first quarters of both fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, no amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of operations.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company's goodwill and intangible assets were as follows:



		March 31, 2018						December 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)	Weighted-average useful life	Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount		Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount

Carter's goodwill	Indefinite	$	136,570			$	136,570	$	136,570			$	136,570
Canada goodwill	Indefinite	41,106				41,106		42,223				42,223
Skip Hop goodwill	Indefinite	46,022				46,022		45,997				45,997
Carter's Mexico goodwill	Indefinite	6,310				6,310		5,634				5,634
Total goodwill		$	230,008			$	230,008	$	230,424			$	230,424

Carter's tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233			$	220,233	$	220,233			$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500				85,500		85,500				85,500
Skip Hop tradename	Indefinite	56,800				56,800		56,800				56,800
Finite-life tradenames	2-20 years	3,550		$	577	2,973		3,550		$	532	3,018
Total tradenames, net		$	366,083	$	577	$	365,506	$	366,083	$	532	$	365,551

Skip Hop customer relationships	15 years	$	47,300	$	3,098	$	44,202	$	47,300	$	2,304	$	44,996
Carter's Mexico customer relationships	10 years	3,384		217		3,167		3,135		135		3,000
Total customer relationships, net		$	50,684	$	3,315	$	47,369	$	50,435	$	2,439	$	47,996



		April 1, 2017
(dollars in thousands)	Weighted-average useful life	Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount

Carter's goodwill	Indefinite	$	136,570			$	136,570
Canada goodwill	Indefinite	39,800				39,800
Skip Hop goodwill	Indefinite	56,555				56,555
Total goodwill		$	232,925			$	232,925

Carter's tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233			$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500				85,500
Skip Hop tradename	indefinite	56,800				56,800
Finite-life tradenames	2-20 years	42,009		$	38,858	3,151
Total tradenames, net		$	404,542	$	38,858	$	365,684

Skip Hop customer relationships, net	15 years	$	35,900	$	205	$	35,695

Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was approximately $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 and first fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017, respectively. Future amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $3.7 million for each of the next five fiscal years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

COMMON STOCK

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

COMMON STOCK

OPEN MARKET SHARE REPURCHASES

On February 22, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional $500 million of share repurchases. The total aggregate remaining capacity under outstanding repurchase authorizations as of March 31, 2018 was approximately $560.4 million, based on settled repurchase transactions. The authorizations have no expiration date.

The Company repurchased and retired shares in open market transactions in the following amounts for the fiscal periods indicated:



	Fiscal quarter ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Number of shares repurchased	221,313		543,944
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)	$	25,195	$	46,627
Average price per share	$	113.84	$	85.72

Future repurchases may occur from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined by the Company's management, based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, other investment priorities, and other factors.

DIVIDENDS

In the first fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, the Company paid cash dividends per share of $0.45 and $0.37, respectively. Future declarations of dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and based on a number of factors, including the Company's future financial performance and other investment priorities.

Provisions in the indenture governing the senior notes of TWCC and in TWCC's secured revolving credit facility could have the effect of restricting the Company's ability to pay future cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of, its common stock. Provisions related to the indenture governing the senior notes are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2017 fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.

LONG-TERM DEBT

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 30, 2017			April 1, 2017
Senior notes at amounts repayable	$	400,000		$	400,000		$	400,000
Less unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes	(3,459		)	(3,694		)	(4,379		)
Senior notes, net	396,541			396,306			395,621
Secured revolving credit facility	221,000			221,000			186,000
Total long-term debt, net	$	617,541		$	617,306		$	581,621

Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On August 25, 2017, The William Carter Company ("TWCC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and a syndicate of

lenders entered into a fourth amended and restated secured revolving credit agreement.

The secured revolving credit facility provides: (i) a term for the facility lasting through August 22, 2022 and (ii) an aggregate credit line of $750 million which includes a $650 million U.S. dollar facility and a $100 million multicurrency facility denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or other currencies agreed to by the applicable lenders. The $650 million U.S. dollar facility is inclusive of a $100 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $70 million. The $100 million multicurrency facility is inclusive of a $40 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $15 million.

In addition, the secured revolving credit facility includes the opportunity for incremental borrowing facilities up to $425 million, which is comprised of an incremental $350 million U.S. dollar revolving credit facility and an incremental $75 million multicurrency revolving credit facility. The incremental U.S. dollar revolving credit facility can increase to an unlimited borrowing amount so long as the consolidated first lien leverage ratio (as defined in the secured revolving credit facility) does not exceed 2.25:1.00.

Under the secured credit facility, TWCC and its domestic subsidiaries have granted to the collateral agent, for the benefit of the lenders, valid and perfected first priority security interests in substantially all of their present and future assets, excluding certain customary exceptions, and guarantee the obligations of the borrowers. In addition, The Genuine Canadian Corp., as Canadian borrower, and Carter’s Holdings B.V., as Dutch borrower, have each guaranteed the obligations of the other.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $221.0 million in outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $4.5 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of March 31, 2018, approximately $524.5 million remained available for future borrowing. All outstanding borrowings under the Company's secured revolving credit facility are classified as non-current liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet because of the contractual repayment terms under the credit facility.

As of March 31, 2018, the interest rate margins applicable to the secured revolving credit facility were 1.375% for LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rate loans (which may be adjusted based on a leverage-based pricing grid ranging from 1.125% to 1.875%) and 0.375% for base rate loans (which may be adjusted based on a leverage-based pricing grid ranging from 0.125% to 0.875%).

As of March 31, 2018, U.S. dollar borrowings outstanding under the secured revolving credit facility accrued interest at a LIBOR rate plus the applicable base rate, which resulted in a borrowing rate of 3.25%. All outstanding Canadian dollar borrowings were repaid during the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with the financial and other covenants under the secured revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes

As of March 31, 2018, TWCC had outstanding $400 million principal amount of senior notes bearing interest at a fixed rate of 5.25% per annum and maturing on August 15, 2021. The senior notes are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter's, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of TWCC. On the Company's consolidated balance sheet, the senior notes are reported net of certain unamortized issuance-related costs, as shown in the table above.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:



	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Stock options	$	1,344	$	1,244
Restricted stock:
Time-based awards	2,284		2,312
Performance-based awards	1,316		1,223
Total	$	4,944	$	4,779

On February 21, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved the issuance of the following new awards to certain key employees under the Company's existing stock-based compensation plan, subject to vesting: 233,748 stock options with an exercise price of $120.25 and grant-date fair value of $27.88 each; 311,528 shares of time-based restricted stock awards with a grant-date fair value of $120.25 each; and 43,768 shares of performance-based restricted stock awards with a grant-date fair value of $120.25 each.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, a total of 132,292 restricted stock awards (time- and performance-based) vested.

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES As of March 31, 2018, the Company had gross unrecognized income tax benefits of approximately $13.9 million, of which $10.8 million, if ultimately recognized, may affect the Company's effective income tax rate in the periods settled. The Company has recorded tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is more likely than not, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductions. Included in the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2018 were approximately $1.8 million of reserves for which the statute of limitations is expected to expire within the next fiscal year. If these tax benefits are ultimately recognized, such recognition, net of federal income taxes, may affect the annual effective income tax rate for fiscal 2018 or fiscal 2019 along with the effective income tax rate in the quarter in which the benefits are recognized. The Company recognizes interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense and recognizes penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. During the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, interest expense recorded on uncertain tax positions was not significant. The Company had approximately $1.1 million, $1.0 million, and $1.0 million of interest accrued on uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017, and April 1, 2017, respectively. For the full fiscal year 2018, the Company estimates that its consolidated effective income tax rate will be approximately 22.0%. U.S. Tax Reform The provision for income taxes recognized by the Company during the fiscal fourth quarter of 2017 reflected certain provisional estimates for the accounting of the December 22, 2017 enactment of income tax law changes commonly known as the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "2017 Act"). The provisional accounting for the 2017 Act is permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, issued in late December 2017. Subsequent adjustments, if any, to the provisional accounting estimates must be reflected in income tax provisions/benefits during one or more periods in fiscal 2018. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recorded a provisional tax expense estimate for the one-time transition tax liability for all of its foreign subsidiaries, resulting in an increase in income tax expense of approximately $10.4 million related to foreign earnings. The one-time transition tax is based on the Company's total post-1986 earnings and profits ("E&P") that the Company previously deferred from United States income taxes. The Company has not yet completed its calculation of the total post-1986 E&P for these foreign subsidiaries. No adjustments were made to this provisional tax expense estimate during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Further, the transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. This amount may change when the Company finalizes the calculation of post-1986 foreign E&P previously deferred from U.S. federal taxation and finalizes the amounts held in cash or other specified assets. No additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax, or any additional outside basis difference inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any remaining undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax and additional outside basis difference in these entities (i.e., basis difference in excess of that subject to the one-time transition tax) is not practicable, but the related cumulative temporary difference as of December 30, 2017 and March 31, 2018 would not result in a material incremental deferred tax liability.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities that are remeasured at fair value each reporting period:



		March 31, 2018				December 30, 2017				April 1, 2017
(dollars in millions)		Level 1		Level 2	Level 3	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3
Assets
	Investments (1)	$	16.7	—	—	$	16.7	—	—	$	14.8	—	—

Liabilities
	Contingent consideration (2)	—		—	—	—		—	—	—		—	$	3.6

(1) Included in Other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

(2) Included in Other current liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

INVESTMENTS

The Company invests in marketable securities, principally equity-based mutual funds, to mitigate the risk associated with the investment return on employee deferrals of compensation. Gains on the investments in marketable securities were not material for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, and were $0.7 million for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017. These amounts are included in Other income, net on the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION

The estimated fair value of contingent consideration related to the Skip Hop acquisition was based on a weighted payout probability.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE FORWARD CONTRACTS

Fair values for unsettled foreign exchange forward contracts are calculated by using readily observable market inputs (market-quoted currency exchange rates) and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of open foreign currency contracts was not material. At April 1, 2017, there were no open foreign currency contracts.

BORROWINGS

As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of the Company's $221.0 million in outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility approximated carrying value.

The fair value of the Company's senior notes at March 31, 2018 was approximately $410 million. The fair value of these senior notes with a notional value and carrying value (gross of debt cost) of $400 million was estimated using a quoted price as provided in the secondary market, which considers the Company's credit risk and market related conditions, and is therefore within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following is a reconciliation of basic common shares outstanding to diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding:



	Fiscal quarter ended
	March 31, 2018			April 1, 2017

Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	46,772,737			48,322,692
Dilutive effect of equity awards	618,678			554,994
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding	47,391,415			48,877,686

Basic net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$	42,469		$	46,595
Income allocated to participating securities	(325		)	(369		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	42,144		$	46,226

Basic net income per common share	$	0.90		$	0.96

Diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$	42,469		$	46,595
Income allocated to participating securities	(323		)	(367		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	42,146		$	46,228

Diluted net income per common share	$	0.89		$	0.95

Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted earnings per share computation	137,980			530,697

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other current liabilities that exceeded five percent of total current liabilities, at the end of any comparable period, were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation	$	3,322	$	27,566	$	2,924
Income taxes payable	12,101		16,252		25,960
Accrued salaries and wages	11,745		4,264		11,616
Unredeemed gift cards	10,903		11,945		10,569
Accrued employee benefits	9,443		21,735		8,453
Accrued and deferred rent	18,093		18,213		17,022

Other long-term liabilities that exceeded five percent of total liabilities, at the end of any comparable period, were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017
Deferred lease incentives	$	74,608	$	75,104	$	74,447

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company is subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the normal course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings that it believes would have a material adverse impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The table below presents certain information for our reportable segments and unallocated corporate expenses for the periods indicated.



	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			% of Total Net Sales		April 1, 2017			% of Total Net Sales
Net sales:
U.S. Wholesale	$	280,832		37.1	%	$	292,555		39.9	%
U.S. Retail	383,742			50.8	%	363,843			49.7	%
International	91,212			12.1	%	76,429			10.4	%
Total net sales	$	755,786		100.0	%	$	732,827		100.0	%

Operating income (loss):				% of Segment Net Sales					% of Segment Net Sales
U.S. Wholesale (a)	$	50,272		17.9	%	$	69,695		23.8	%
U.S. Retail (b)	29,518			7.7	%	29,790			8.2	%
International	3,762			4.1	%	3,685			4.8	%
Corporate expenses (c) (d)	(23,243		)			(24,714		)
Total operating income	$	60,309		8.0	%	$	78,456		10.7	%


(a)	Includes approximately $12.8 million of charges related to a customer bankruptcy.


(b)	Includes insurance recoveries of approximately $0.4 million associated with storm-related store closures.


(c)	Corporate expenses include expenses related to incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, executive management, severance and relocation, finance, office occupancy, information technology, certain legal fees, consulting, and audit fees.

(d) Includes the following charges:



	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in millions)	April 1, 2017
Direct sourcing initiative	$	239
Acquisition-related costs	$	1,633

PENDING ADOPTION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	3 Months Ended
PENDING ADOPTION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
PENDING ADOPTION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	PENDING ADOPTION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Leases (ASU 2016-02) In February 2016, the FASB issued new lease accounting guidance in ASU No. 2016-02, Leases-Topic 842, which has been codified in ASC 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). Under this new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): 1) a lease liability equal to the lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and 2) a right-of-use asset which will represent the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The new standard will be effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2019, including interim periods within the year of adoption. The new standard requires a modified retrospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is still evaluating the potential effects of ASC 842. The adoption of ASC 842 will require the Company to recognize material non-current assets and liabilities for right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet, but is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or cash flows. ASC 842 will also require additional footnote disclosures to the Company's consolidated financial statements. Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2018-02) In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2018-02"). ASU 2018-02 permits a company to reclassify the income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "2017 Act") on items within accumulated other comprehensive income or loss (AOCI-L) to retained earnings. Because most items that are charged to AOCI-L are recorded net of applicable income taxes, the subsequent reclassification of these items from AOCI-L to the statement of operations will be at different income tax rates due to the 2017 Act, thereby leaving a "stranded" tax balance within AOCI-L. ASU 2018-02 will allow a company to transfer these "stranded" amounts from AOCI-L to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 will be effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company has amounts in its AOCI-L for defined benefit retirement plans that were recorded net of applicable income taxes, thus the Company anticipates the transfer of "stranded" tax amounts from its AOCI-L to retained earnings upon the adoption of ASU 2018-02. The effect of the adoption of ASU 2018-02 will not be material to the Company's financial position, and the adoption will have no impact on the Company's results of operations or cash flows. Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13) In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). This new guidance will change how entities account for credit impairment for trade and other receivables, as well as for certain financial assets and other instruments. ASU 2016-13 will replace the current "incurred loss" model with an "expected loss" model. Under the "incurred loss" model, a loss (or allowance) is recognized only when an event has occurred (such as a payment delinquency) that causes the entity to believe that a loss is probable (i.e., that it has been "incurred"). Under the "expected loss" model, an entity will recognize a loss (or allowance) upon initial recognition of the asset that reflects all future events that will lead to a loss being realized, regardless of whether it is probable that the future event will occur. The "incurred loss" model considers past events and current conditions, while the "expected loss" model includes expectations for the future which have yet to occur. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2020 with early adoption permitted for fiscal 2019, including interim periods therein. The standard will require entities to record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that ASU 2016-13 may have on the timing of recognizing future provisions for expected losses on the Company's accounts receivable. Goodwill Impairment Testing (ASU 2017-04) In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"). ASU 2017-04 will eliminate the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on the current step 1). Any impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to an affected reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 will not change the current guidance for completing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test, and an entity will still be able to perform the current optional qualitative goodwill impairment assessment before determining whether to proceed to Step 1. Upon adoption, ASU 2017-04 will be applied prospectively. Adoption for the Company will be effective for annual and interim impairment test performed beginning in fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The impact that ASU 2017-04 may have on the Company's financial condition or results of operations will depend on the circumstances of any goodwill impairment event that may occur after adoption.

GUARANTOR UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

GUARANTOR UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s senior notes constitute debt obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, The William Carter Company ("TWCC" or the "Subsidiary Issuer"), are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter’s, Inc. (the "Parent"), by certain of the Parent's current domestic subsidiaries (other than TWCC), and, subject to certain exceptions, future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee the Company’s secured revolving credit facility or certain other debt of the Company or the subsidiary guarantors.

For additional information, refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2017 fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.

The condensed consolidating financial information for the Parent, the Subsidiary Issuer, and the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries has been prepared from the books and records maintained by the Company. The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows, had the Parent, Subsidiary Issuer, guarantor or non-guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities.

Intercompany revenues and expenses included in the subsidiary records are eliminated in consolidation. As a result of this activity, an amount due to/due from affiliates will exist at any time. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. The Company has accounted for investments in subsidiaries under the equity method. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by the Parent and all guarantees are joint, several, and unconditional.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (unaudited)

As of March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	84,566		$	28,738	$	66,952	$	—		$	180,256
Accounts receivable, net	—		177,579			29,451		14,156		—			221,186
Intercompany receivable	—		90,437			99,161		52,457		(242,055		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		240,105			214,172		52,853		(27,786		)	479,344
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		18,973			20,813		14,511		—			54,297
Total current assets	—		611,660			392,335		200,929		(269,841		)	935,083
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		144,384			185,172		39,508		—			369,064
Goodwill	—		136,570			45,369		48,069		—			230,008
Tradenames, net	—		223,206			142,300		—		—			365,506
Customer relationships, net	—		—			44,203		3,166		—			47,369
Other assets	—		23,849			2,558		1,769		—			28,176
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—			460,544		—		(460,544		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000			—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	854,814		1,061,836			238,525		—		(2,155,175		)	—
Total assets	$	854,814	$	2,301,505		$	1,511,006	$	293,441	$	(2,985,560	)	$	1,975,206

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	71,349		$	33,204	$	11,757	$	—		$	116,310
Intercompany payables	—		146,337			90,621		5,097		(242,055		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		(5,116		)	102,486		12,256		—			109,626
Total current liabilities	—		212,570			226,311		29,110		(242,055		)	225,936

Long-term debt, net	—		617,541			—		—		—			617,541
Deferred income taxes	—		46,990			39,820		612		—			87,422
Intercompany long-term liability	—		460,544			—		—		(460,544		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—			100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		81,260			92,390		15,843		—			189,493
Stockholders' equity	854,814		882,600			1,052,485		247,876		(2,182,961		)	854,814
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	854,814	$	2,301,505		$	1,511,006	$	293,441	$	(2,985,560	)	$	1,975,206

As of December 30, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	129,463	$	10,030	$	39,001	$	—		$	178,494
Accounts receivable, net	—		182,944		40,286		17,331		—			240,561
Intercompany receivable	—		87,702		162,007		58,980		(308,689		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		296,065		206,556		66,569		(20,468		)	548,722
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		17,012		21,354		14,569		—			52,935
Total current assets	—		713,186		440,233		196,450		(329,157		)	1,020,712
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		147,858		189,511		40,555		—			377,924
Goodwill	—		136,570		45,368		48,486		—			230,424
Tradenames, net	—		223,251		142,300		—		—			365,551
Customer relationships, net	—		—		44,996		3,000		—			47,996
Other assets	—		23,884		2,392		2,159		—			28,435
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		441,294		—		(441,294		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	857,416		1,053,224		231,994		—		(2,142,634		)	—
Total assets	$	857,416	$	2,397,973	$	1,538,088	$	290,650	$	(3,013,085	)	$	2,071,042

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	115,658	$	49,313	$	17,143	$	—		$	182,114
Intercompany payables	—		215,573		91,697		1,419		(308,689		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		11,805		122,989		14,340		—			149,134
Total current liabilities	—		343,036		263,999		32,902		(308,689		)	331,248

Long-term debt, net	—		617,306		—		—		—			617,306
Deferred income taxes	—		46,619		37,647		678		—			84,944
Intercompany long-term liability	—		441,294		—		—		(441,294		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		71,834		92,570		15,724		—			180,128
Stockholders' equity	857,416		877,884		1,043,872		241,346		(2,163,102		)	857,416
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	857,416	$	2,397,973	$	1,538,088	$	290,650	$	(3,013,085	)	$	2,071,042

As of April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	108,944	$	12,992	$	32,342	$	—		$	154,278
Accounts receivable, net	—		168,560		32,642		5,505		—			206,707
Intercompany receivable	—		87,901		60,971		14,810		(163,682		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		197,022		205,335		48,934		(16,579		)	434,712
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		16,386		20,129		11,881		—			48,396
Total current assets	—		578,813		332,069		113,472		(180,261		)	844,093
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		154,119		196,876		35,280		—			386,275
Goodwill	—		136,570		56,072		40,283		—			232,925
Tradenames, net	—		223,384		142,300		—		—			365,684
Customer relationships, net	—		—		35,695		—		—			35,695
Other assets	—		20,635		549		1,850		—			23,034
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		423,287		—		(423,287		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	772,133		905,567		146,266		—		(1,823,966		)	—
Total assets	$	772,133	$	2,119,088	$	1,333,114	$	190,885	$	(2,527,514	)	$	1,887,706

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	56,871	$	34,820	$	9,695	$	—		$	101,386
Intercompany payables	—		71,796		88,529		3,357		(163,682		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		57,324		59,849		8,461		—			125,634
Total current liabilities	—		185,991		183,198		21,513		(163,682		)	227,020
Long-term debt, net	—		581,621		—		—		—			581,621
Deferred income taxes	—		71,250		62,300		102		—			133,652
Intercompany long-term liability	—		423,287		—		—		(423,287		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		68,227		91,385		13,668		—			173,280
Stockholders' equity	772,133		788,712		896,231		155,602		(1,840,545		)	772,133
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	772,133	$	2,119,088	$	1,333,114	$	190,885	$	(2,527,514	)	$	1,887,706

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	460,986		$	426,463		$	84,597		$	(216,260	)	$	755,786
Cost of goods sold	—			329,999			251,082			45,601			(203,373		)	423,309
Gross profit	—			130,987			175,381			38,996			(12,887		)	332,477
Royalty income, net	—			6,927			3,820			—			(2,753		)	7,994
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			41,816			215,166			31,502			(8,322		)	280,162
Operating income (loss)	—			96,098			(35,965		)	7,494			(7,318		)	60,309
Interest expense	—			7,975			1,327			10			(1,327		)	7,985
Interest income	—			(1,342		)	—			(151		)	1,327			(166		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(42,469		)	26,012			(6,588		)	—			23,045			—
Other expense (income), net	—			21			11			(414		)	—			(382		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	42,469			63,432			(30,715		)	8,049			(30,363		)	52,872
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	—			13,645			(4,703		)	1,461			—			10,403
Net income (loss)	$	42,469		$	49,787		$	(26,012	)	$	6,588		$	(30,363	)	$	42,469

For the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	453,515		$	395,850		$	61,032		$	(177,570	)	$	732,827
Cost of goods sold	—			330,634			228,947			37,429			(179,875		)	417,135
Gross profit	—			122,881			166,903			23,603			2,305			315,692
Royalty income, net	—			8,430			4,125			—			(1,997		)	10,558
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			40,932			189,504			26,271			(8,913		)	247,794
Operating income (loss)	—			90,379			(18,476		)	(2,668		)	9,221			78,456
Interest expense	—			6,973			1,369			89			(1,327		)	7,104
Interest income	—			(1,439		)	—			(27		)	1,327			(139		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(46,595		)	21,101			2,449			—			23,045			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(368		)	368			(221		)	—			(221		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	46,595			64,112			(22,662		)	(2,509		)	(13,824		)	71,712
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	—			26,738			(1,559		)	(62		)	—			25,117
Net income (loss)	$	46,595		$	37,374		$	(21,103	)	$	(2,447	)	$	(13,824	)	$	46,595

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	42,469		$	49,787		$	(26,012	)	$	6,588		$	(30,363	)	$	42,469
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762		)	(1,762		)	(1,762		)	(1,762		)	5,286			(1,762		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	40,707		$	48,025		$	(27,774	)	$	4,826		$	(25,077	)	$	40,707

For the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	46,595	$	37,374	$	(21,103	)	$	(2,447	)	$	(13,824	)	$	46,595
Foreign currency translation adjustments	947		947		947			947			(2,841		)	947
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	47,542	$	38,321	$	(20,156	)	$	(1,500	)	$	(16,665	)	$	47,542

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	$	—		$	63,298		$	(19,112	)	$	19,921		$	—		$	64,107

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(4,698		)	(7,569		)	(2,477		)	—			(14,744		)
Intercompany investing activity	48,253			(4,829		)	2,991			24			(46,439		)	—
Disposals and recoveries from property, plant, and equipment	—			—			369			4			—			373
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	48,253			(9,527		)	(4,209		)	(2,449		)	(46,439		)	(14,371		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(98,668		)	42,029			10,200			46,439			—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			50,000			—			—			—			50,000
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	—			(50,000		)	—			—			—			(50,000		)
Dividends paid	(21,244		)	—			—			—			—			(21,244		)
Repurchases of common stock	(25,195		)	—			—			—			—			(25,195		)
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	(6,583		)	—			—			—			—			(6,583		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	4,769			—			—			—			—			4,769
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(48,253		)	(98,668		)	42,029			10,200			46,439			(48,253		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			279			—			279
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(44,897		)	18,708			27,951			—			1,762
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			129,463			10,030			39,001			—			178,494
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	84,566		$	28,738		$	66,952		$	—		$	180,256

For the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	$	—		$	101,915		$	(13,680	)	$	(4,055	)	$	—		$	84,180

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(6,503		)	(9,548		)	(1,940		)	—			(17,991		)
Intercompany investing activity	68,551			(3,926		)	—			—			(64,625		)	—
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	—			(144,520		)	746			70			—			(143,704		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	68,551			(154,949		)	(8,802		)	(1,870		)	(64,625		)	(161,695		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(87,078		)	23,657			(1,204		)	64,625			—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			20,000			—			—			—			20,000
Payment on secured revolving credit facility	—			—			—			(18,965		)	—			(18,965		)
Dividends Paid	(17,998		)	—			—			—			—			(17,998		)
Repurchases of common stock	(46,627		)	—			—			—			—			(46,627		)
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	(5,552		)	—			—			—			—			(5,552		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	1,626			—			—			—			—			1,626
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(68,551		)	(67,078		)	23,657			(20,169		)	64,625			(67,516		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(120,112		)	1,175			(26,143		)	—			(145,080		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			229,056			11,817			58,485			—			299,358
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	108,944		$	12,992		$	32,342		$	—		$	154,278

- Definition

The entire disclosure for condensed financial information, including the financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations of the registrant (parent company) as of the same dates or for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements are being presented. Alternatively, the details of this disclosure can be reported by the specific parent company taxonomy elements, indicating the appropriate date and period contexts in an instance document.

+ References + Details

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC No. 606)

The Company uses the five-step model to recognize revenue:


1)	Identify the contract with the customer


2)	Identity the performance obligation(s)


3)	Determine the transaction price


4)	Allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation if multiple obligations exist


5)	Recognize the revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied

Performance Obligations

When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied

The Company satisfies its performance obligations with licensees over time as customers have the right to use the intellectual property over the contract period.

Significant Payment Terms

Retail customers tender a form of payment, such as cash or a credit/debit card, at point of sale. For wholesale customers and licensees, payment is due based on established terms.

Returns and Refunds

The Company establishes return provisions for retail customers. It is the Company's policy not to accept returns from wholesale customers.

Significant Judgments

Costs Incurred to Obtain a Contract - Incremental costs to obtain contracts are not material to the Company.

Policy Elections

In addition to those previously disclosed, the Company has made the following accounting policy elections and practical expedients:

Portfolio Approach - The Company uses the portfolio approach when multiple contracts or performance obligations are involved in the determination of revenue recognition.

Taxes - The Company excludes from the transaction price any taxes collected from customers that are remitted to taxing authorities.

Shipping and Handling Charges - Charges that are incurred before and after the customer obtains control of goods are deemed to be fulfillment costs.

Classification of Costs Related to Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans

Classification of Costs Related to Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (ASU 2017-07)

Modifications to Share-based Compensation Awards

Modifications to Share-based Compensation Awards (ASU 2017-09)

Definition of a Business

Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01)

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows (ASU 2016-15)

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

ASC 606 Initial Application

The effects of retrospective adoption on the Company's consolidated Statement of Operations were as follows:



	First Quarter			Year		Year
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2017		Fiscal 2016

Net sales	$	72		$	92	$	(637	)
Cost of goods sold	$	182		$	52	$	(7	)
Income before income taxes	$	(110	)	$	40	$	(630	)
Net income	$	(69	)	$	84	(397		)

Basic net income per common share	$	—		$	—	$	(0.01	)
Diluted net income per common share	$	—		$	—	$	—

The cumulative effect to the Company’s retained earnings at January 2, 2016 was an after-tax increase of approximately $0.6 million.

The effects of adoption of ASC 606 on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 30, 2017 were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	As Previously Reported		ASC 606 Adjustments			As Amended for ASC 606
ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	49,892	$	3,043	(1)	$	52,935
Total current assets	$	1,017,669	$	3,043		$	1,020,712
Total assets	$	2,067,999	$	3,043		$	2,071,042

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other current liabilities	$	146,510	$	2,624	(2)	$	149,134
Total current liabilities	$	328,624	$	2,624		$	331,248
Deferred income taxes	$	84,848	$	96		$	84,944
Total liabilities	$	1,210,906	$	2,720		$	1,213,626

Retained earnings	885,714		323		(3)	886,037
Total stockholder's equity	$	857,093	$	323		$	857,416

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,067,999	$	3,043		$	2,071,042

The retrospective adoption of ASC 606 at the beginning of fiscal 2018 also had the following effects on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at April 1, 2017:



(dollars in thousands)	As Previously Reported		ASC 606 Adjustments			As Amended for ASC 606
ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	46,153	$	2,243	(1)	$	48,396
Total current assets	$	841,850	$	2,243		$	844,093
Total assets	$	1,885,463	$	2,243		$	1,887,706

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other current liabilities	$	123,661	$	1,973	(2)	$	125,634
Total current liabilities	$	225,047	$	1,973		$	227,020
Deferred income taxes	$	133,552	$	100		133,652
Total liabilities	$	1,113,500	$	2,073		$	1,115,573

Retained earnings	$	805,271	$	170	(3)	$	805,441
Total stockholder's equity	$	771,963	$	170		$	772,133

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,885,463	$	2,243		$	1,887,706

Disaggregation of Revenue



	First Quarter Fiscal 2018
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total

Wholesale channel	$	—	$	280,832	$	37,713	$	318,545
Direct-to-consumer	383,742		—		53,499		437,241
	$	383,742	$	280,832	$	91,212	$	755,786

Royalty income	$	1,585	$	5,845	$	564	$	7,994



	First Quarter Fiscal 2017
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total

Wholesale channel	$	—	$	292,555	$	29,682	$	322,237
Direct-to-consumer	363,842		—		46,748		410,590
	$	363,842	$	292,555	$	76,430	$	732,827

Royalty income	$	3,268	$	6,364	$	926	$	10,558

Contract Liabilities

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The Company's contract assets are not material.

Contract Liabilities



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017

Contract liabilities-current:
Unredeemed gift cards	$	10,903	$	11,945	$	10,569
Unredeemed customer loyalty program coupons	3,571		2,743		6,293
Total contract liabilities-current *	$	14,474	$	14,688	$	16,862

* Included with Other current liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Remaining Performance Obligation

Remaining Performance Obligations



	Fiscal 2018		Fiscal 2019		Thereafter		Total
(in thousands)
Unearned gift card breakage	$	389	$	111	$	23	$	523

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 30, 2017			April 1, 2017
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(23,047	)	$	(21,285	)	$	(26,677	)
Pension and post-retirement obligations (1)	(7,808		)	(7,808		)	(7,116		)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(30,855	)	$	(29,093	)	$	(33,793	)

(1) Net of income taxes of $4.4 million, $4.4 million, and $4.2 million, respectively.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible assets table

The Company's goodwill and intangible assets were as follows:



		March 31, 2018						December 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)	Weighted-average useful life	Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount		Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount

Carter's goodwill	Indefinite	$	136,570			$	136,570	$	136,570			$	136,570
Canada goodwill	Indefinite	41,106				41,106		42,223				42,223
Skip Hop goodwill	Indefinite	46,022				46,022		45,997				45,997
Carter's Mexico goodwill	Indefinite	6,310				6,310		5,634				5,634
Total goodwill		$	230,008			$	230,008	$	230,424			$	230,424

Carter's tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233			$	220,233	$	220,233			$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500				85,500		85,500				85,500
Skip Hop tradename	Indefinite	56,800				56,800		56,800				56,800
Finite-life tradenames	2-20 years	3,550		$	577	2,973		3,550		$	532	3,018
Total tradenames, net		$	366,083	$	577	$	365,506	$	366,083	$	532	$	365,551

Skip Hop customer relationships	15 years	$	47,300	$	3,098	$	44,202	$	47,300	$	2,304	$	44,996
Carter's Mexico customer relationships	10 years	3,384		217		3,167		3,135		135		3,000
Total customer relationships, net		$	50,684	$	3,315	$	47,369	$	50,435	$	2,439	$	47,996



		April 1, 2017
(dollars in thousands)	Weighted-average useful life	Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount

Carter's goodwill	Indefinite	$	136,570			$	136,570
Canada goodwill	Indefinite	39,800				39,800
Skip Hop goodwill	Indefinite	56,555				56,555
Total goodwill		$	232,925			$	232,925

Carter's tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233			$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500				85,500
Skip Hop tradename	indefinite	56,800				56,800
Finite-life tradenames	2-20 years	42,009		$	38,858	3,151
Total tradenames, net		$	404,542	$	38,858	$	365,684

Skip Hop customer relationships, net	15 years	$	35,900	$	205	$	35,695

COMMON STOCK (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Shares Repurchased and Retired

The Company repurchased and retired shares in open market transactions in the following amounts for the fiscal periods indicated:



	Fiscal quarter ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Number of shares repurchased	221,313		543,944
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)	$	25,195	$	46,627
Average price per share	$	113.84	$	85.72

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of an entity's stock, including par or stated value per share, number and dollar amount of share subscriptions, shares authorized, shares issued, shares outstanding, number and dollar amount of shares held in an employee trust, dividend per share, total dividends, share conversion features, par value plus additional paid in capital, the value of treasury stock and other information necessary to a fair presentation, and EPS information. Stock by class includes common, convertible, and preferred stocks which are not redeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer. Includes preferred stock with redemption features that are solely within the control of the issuer and mandatorily redeemable stock if redemption is required to occur only upon liquidation or termination of the reporting entity. If more than one issue is outstanding, state the title of each issue and the corresponding dollar amount; dollar amount of any shares subscribed but unissued and the deduction of subscriptions receivable there from; number of shares authorized, issued, and outstanding.

+ References

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+ Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of long-term debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 30, 2017			April 1, 2017
Senior notes at amounts repayable	$	400,000		$	400,000		$	400,000
Less unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes	(3,459		)	(3,694		)	(4,379		)
Senior notes, net	396,541			396,306			395,621
Secured revolving credit facility	221,000			221,000			186,000
Total long-term debt, net	$	617,541		$	617,306		$	581,621

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Summary of recorded stock-based compensation cost

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:



	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Stock options	$	1,344	$	1,244
Restricted stock:
Time-based awards	2,284		2,312
Performance-based awards	1,316		1,223
Total	$	4,944	$	4,779

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Assets and liabilities that are remeasured at fair value

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities that are remeasured at fair value each reporting period:



		March 31, 2018				December 30, 2017				April 1, 2017
(dollars in millions)		Level 1		Level 2	Level 3	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3
Assets
	Investments (1)	$	16.7	—	—	$	16.7	—	—	$	14.8	—	—

Liabilities
	Contingent consideration (2)	—		—	—	—		—	—	—		—	$	3.6

(1) Included in Other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

(2) Included in Other current liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value, including those classified in shareholders' equity measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Disclosures include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements, level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized and transfers between levels 1 and 2. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are those that are required or permitted in the statement of financial position in particular circumstances.

+ References + Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of basic common shares outstanding to diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding

The following is a reconciliation of basic common shares outstanding to diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding:



	Fiscal quarter ended
	March 31, 2018			April 1, 2017

Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	46,772,737			48,322,692
Dilutive effect of equity awards	618,678			554,994
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding	47,391,415			48,877,686

Basic net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$	42,469		$	46,595
Income allocated to participating securities	(325		)	(369		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	42,144		$	46,226

Basic net income per common share	$	0.90		$	0.96

Diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$	42,469		$	46,595
Income allocated to participating securities	(323		)	(367		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	42,146		$	46,228

Diluted net income per common share	$	0.89		$	0.95

Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted earnings per share computation	137,980			530,697

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of other current liabilities

Other current liabilities that exceeded five percent of total current liabilities, at the end of any comparable period, were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation	$	3,322	$	27,566	$	2,924
Income taxes payable	12,101		16,252		25,960
Accrued salaries and wages	11,745		4,264		11,616
Unredeemed gift cards	10,903		11,945		10,569
Accrued employee benefits	9,443		21,735		8,453
Accrued and deferred rent	18,093		18,213		17,022

Schedule of other long-term liabilities

Other long-term liabilities that exceeded five percent of total liabilities, at the end of any comparable period, were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017
Deferred lease incentives	$	74,608	$	75,104	$	74,447

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of segment information

The table below presents certain information for our reportable segments and unallocated corporate expenses for the periods indicated.



	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			% of Total Net Sales		April 1, 2017			% of Total Net Sales
Net sales:
U.S. Wholesale	$	280,832		37.1	%	$	292,555		39.9	%
U.S. Retail	383,742			50.8	%	363,843			49.7	%
International	91,212			12.1	%	76,429			10.4	%
Total net sales	$	755,786		100.0	%	$	732,827		100.0	%

Operating income (loss):				% of Segment Net Sales					% of Segment Net Sales
U.S. Wholesale (a)	$	50,272		17.9	%	$	69,695		23.8	%
U.S. Retail (b)	29,518			7.7	%	29,790			8.2	%
International	3,762			4.1	%	3,685			4.8	%
Corporate expenses (c) (d)	(23,243		)			(24,714		)
Total operating income	$	60,309		8.0	%	$	78,456		10.7	%


(a)	Includes approximately $12.8 million of charges related to a customer bankruptcy.


(b)	Includes insurance recoveries of approximately $0.4 million associated with storm-related store closures.


(c)	Corporate expenses include expenses related to incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, executive management, severance and relocation, finance, office occupancy, information technology, certain legal fees, consulting, and audit fees.

(d) Includes the following charges:



	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in millions)	April 1, 2017
Direct sourcing initiative	$	239
Acquisition-related costs	$	1,633

GUARANTOR UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (unaudited)

As of March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	84,566		$	28,738	$	66,952	$	—		$	180,256
Accounts receivable, net	—		177,579			29,451		14,156		—			221,186
Intercompany receivable	—		90,437			99,161		52,457		(242,055		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		240,105			214,172		52,853		(27,786		)	479,344
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		18,973			20,813		14,511		—			54,297
Total current assets	—		611,660			392,335		200,929		(269,841		)	935,083
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		144,384			185,172		39,508		—			369,064
Goodwill	—		136,570			45,369		48,069		—			230,008
Tradenames, net	—		223,206			142,300		—		—			365,506
Customer relationships, net	—		—			44,203		3,166		—			47,369
Other assets	—		23,849			2,558		1,769		—			28,176
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—			460,544		—		(460,544		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000			—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	854,814		1,061,836			238,525		—		(2,155,175		)	—
Total assets	$	854,814	$	2,301,505		$	1,511,006	$	293,441	$	(2,985,560	)	$	1,975,206

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	71,349		$	33,204	$	11,757	$	—		$	116,310
Intercompany payables	—		146,337			90,621		5,097		(242,055		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		(5,116		)	102,486		12,256		—			109,626
Total current liabilities	—		212,570			226,311		29,110		(242,055		)	225,936

Long-term debt, net	—		617,541			—		—		—			617,541
Deferred income taxes	—		46,990			39,820		612		—			87,422
Intercompany long-term liability	—		460,544			—		—		(460,544		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—			100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		81,260			92,390		15,843		—			189,493
Stockholders' equity	854,814		882,600			1,052,485		247,876		(2,182,961		)	854,814
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	854,814	$	2,301,505		$	1,511,006	$	293,441	$	(2,985,560	)	$	1,975,206

As of December 30, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	129,463	$	10,030	$	39,001	$	—		$	178,494
Accounts receivable, net	—		182,944		40,286		17,331		—			240,561
Intercompany receivable	—		87,702		162,007		58,980		(308,689		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		296,065		206,556		66,569		(20,468		)	548,722
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		17,012		21,354		14,569		—			52,935
Total current assets	—		713,186		440,233		196,450		(329,157		)	1,020,712
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		147,858		189,511		40,555		—			377,924
Goodwill	—		136,570		45,368		48,486		—			230,424
Tradenames, net	—		223,251		142,300		—		—			365,551
Customer relationships, net	—		—		44,996		3,000		—			47,996
Other assets	—		23,884		2,392		2,159		—			28,435
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		441,294		—		(441,294		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	857,416		1,053,224		231,994		—		(2,142,634		)	—
Total assets	$	857,416	$	2,397,973	$	1,538,088	$	290,650	$	(3,013,085	)	$	2,071,042

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	115,658	$	49,313	$	17,143	$	—		$	182,114
Intercompany payables	—		215,573		91,697		1,419		(308,689		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		11,805		122,989		14,340		—			149,134
Total current liabilities	—		343,036		263,999		32,902		(308,689		)	331,248

Long-term debt, net	—		617,306		—		—		—			617,306
Deferred income taxes	—		46,619		37,647		678		—			84,944
Intercompany long-term liability	—		441,294		—		—		(441,294		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		71,834		92,570		15,724		—			180,128
Stockholders' equity	857,416		877,884		1,043,872		241,346		(2,163,102		)	857,416
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	857,416	$	2,397,973	$	1,538,088	$	290,650	$	(3,013,085	)	$	2,071,042

As of April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	108,944	$	12,992	$	32,342	$	—		$	154,278
Accounts receivable, net	—		168,560		32,642		5,505		—			206,707
Intercompany receivable	—		87,901		60,971		14,810		(163,682		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		197,022		205,335		48,934		(16,579		)	434,712
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		16,386		20,129		11,881		—			48,396
Total current assets	—		578,813		332,069		113,472		(180,261		)	844,093
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		154,119		196,876		35,280		—			386,275
Goodwill	—		136,570		56,072		40,283		—			232,925
Tradenames, net	—		223,384		142,300		—		—			365,684
Customer relationships, net	—		—		35,695		—		—			35,695
Other assets	—		20,635		549		1,850		—			23,034
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		423,287		—		(423,287		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	772,133		905,567		146,266		—		(1,823,966		)	—
Total assets	$	772,133	$	2,119,088	$	1,333,114	$	190,885	$	(2,527,514	)	$	1,887,706

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	56,871	$	34,820	$	9,695	$	—		$	101,386
Intercompany payables	—		71,796		88,529		3,357		(163,682		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		57,324		59,849		8,461		—			125,634
Total current liabilities	—		185,991		183,198		21,513		(163,682		)	227,020
Long-term debt, net	—		581,621		—		—		—			581,621
Deferred income taxes	—		71,250		62,300		102		—			133,652
Intercompany long-term liability	—		423,287		—		—		(423,287		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		68,227		91,385		13,668		—			173,280
Stockholders' equity	772,133		788,712		896,231		155,602		(1,840,545		)	772,133
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	772,133	$	2,119,088	$	1,333,114	$	190,885	$	(2,527,514	)	$	1,887,706

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	460,986		$	426,463		$	84,597		$	(216,260	)	$	755,786
Cost of goods sold	—			329,999			251,082			45,601			(203,373		)	423,309
Gross profit	—			130,987			175,381			38,996			(12,887		)	332,477
Royalty income, net	—			6,927			3,820			—			(2,753		)	7,994
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			41,816			215,166			31,502			(8,322		)	280,162
Operating income (loss)	—			96,098			(35,965		)	7,494			(7,318		)	60,309
Interest expense	—			7,975			1,327			10			(1,327		)	7,985
Interest income	—			(1,342		)	—			(151		)	1,327			(166		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(42,469		)	26,012			(6,588		)	—			23,045			—
Other expense (income), net	—			21			11			(414		)	—			(382		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	42,469			63,432			(30,715		)	8,049			(30,363		)	52,872
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	—			13,645			(4,703		)	1,461			—			10,403
Net income (loss)	$	42,469		$	49,787		$	(26,012	)	$	6,588		$	(30,363	)	$	42,469

For the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	453,515		$	395,850		$	61,032		$	(177,570	)	$	732,827
Cost of goods sold	—			330,634			228,947			37,429			(179,875		)	417,135
Gross profit	—			122,881			166,903			23,603			2,305			315,692
Royalty income, net	—			8,430			4,125			—			(1,997		)	10,558
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			40,932			189,504			26,271			(8,913		)	247,794
Operating income (loss)	—			90,379			(18,476		)	(2,668		)	9,221			78,456
Interest expense	—			6,973			1,369			89			(1,327		)	7,104
Interest income	—			(1,439		)	—			(27		)	1,327			(139		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(46,595		)	21,101			2,449			—			23,045			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(368		)	368			(221		)	—			(221		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	46,595			64,112			(22,662		)	(2,509		)	(13,824		)	71,712
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	—			26,738			(1,559		)	(62		)	—			25,117
Net income (loss)	$	46,595		$	37,374		$	(21,103	)	$	(2,447	)	$	(13,824	)	$	46,595

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	42,469		$	49,787		$	(26,012	)	$	6,588		$	(30,363	)	$	42,469
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762		)	(1,762		)	(1,762		)	(1,762		)	5,286			(1,762		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	40,707		$	48,025		$	(27,774	)	$	4,826		$	(25,077	)	$	40,707

For the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	46,595	$	37,374	$	(21,103	)	$	(2,447	)	$	(13,824	)	$	46,595
Foreign currency translation adjustments	947		947		947			947			(2,841		)	947
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	47,542	$	38,321	$	(20,156	)	$	(1,500	)	$	(16,665	)	$	47,542

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	$	—		$	63,298		$	(19,112	)	$	19,921		$	—		$	64,107

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(4,698		)	(7,569		)	(2,477		)	—			(14,744		)
Intercompany investing activity	48,253			(4,829		)	2,991			24			(46,439		)	—
Disposals and recoveries from property, plant, and equipment	—			—			369			4			—			373
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	48,253			(9,527		)	(4,209		)	(2,449		)	(46,439		)	(14,371		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(98,668		)	42,029			10,200			46,439			—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			50,000			—			—			—			50,000
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	—			(50,000		)	—			—			—			(50,000		)
Dividends paid	(21,244		)	—			—			—			—			(21,244		)
Repurchases of common stock	(25,195		)	—			—			—			—			(25,195		)
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	(6,583		)	—			—			—			—			(6,583		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	4,769			—			—			—			—			4,769
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(48,253		)	(98,668		)	42,029			10,200			46,439			(48,253		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			279			—			279
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(44,897		)	18,708			27,951			—			1,762
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			129,463			10,030			39,001			—			178,494
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	84,566		$	28,738		$	66,952		$	—		$	180,256

For the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	$	—		$	101,915		$	(13,680	)	$	(4,055	)	$	—		$	84,180

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(6,503		)	(9,548		)	(1,940		)	—			(17,991		)
Intercompany investing activity	68,551			(3,926		)	—			—			(64,625		)	—
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	—			(144,520		)	746			70			—			(143,704		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	68,551			(154,949		)	(8,802		)	(1,870		)	(64,625		)	(161,695		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(87,078		)	23,657			(1,204		)	64,625			—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			20,000			—			—			—			20,000
Payment on secured revolving credit facility	—			—			—			(18,965		)	—			(18,965		)
Dividends Paid	(17,998		)	—			—			—			—			(17,998		)
Repurchases of common stock	(46,627		)	—			—			—			—			(46,627		)
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	(5,552		)	—			—			—			—			(5,552		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	1,626			—			—			—			—			1,626
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(68,551		)	(67,078		)	23,657			(20,169		)	64,625			(67,516		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(120,112		)	1,175			(26,143		)	—			(145,080		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			229,056			11,817			58,485			—			299,358
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	108,944		$	12,992		$	32,342		$	—		$	154,278

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 755,786	$ 732,827
Cost of goods sold	423,309	417,135
Income before income taxes	52,872	71,712
Net income	$ 42,469	$ 46,595
Basic net income per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.96
Diluted net income per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.89	$ 0.95
Total current assets	$ 935,083	$ 844,093	$ 1,020,712
Total assets	1,975,206	1,887,706	2,071,042
Other current liabilities	109,626	125,634	149,134
Total current liabilities	225,936	227,020	331,248
Total liabilities	1,120,392	1,115,573	1,213,626
Retained earnings	885,198	805,441	886,037
Total retained earnings	885,198	805,441	886,037
Total stockholders' equity	854,814	772,133	857,416
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,975,206	1,887,706	2,071,042
Unredeemed customer loyalty program points reserve	3,571	6,293	2,743
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	755,786	732,827
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	210,200	194,400	226,000
Provisions for doubtful accounts receivable	11,051	(1,651)	8,200
Contract Liabilities
Unredeemed gift cards	10,903	10,569	11,945
Unredeemed customer loyalty program points reserve	3,571	6,293	2,743
Total contract liabilities-current	14,474	16,862	14,688
Revenue recognized	2,400	5,700
Wholesale channel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	318,545	322,237
Direct-to-consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	437,241	410,590
Royalty income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	7,994	10,558
Retail [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	383,742	363,842
Retail [Member] \| Wholesale channel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	0	0
Retail [Member] \| Direct-to-consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	383,742	363,842
Retail [Member] \| Royalty income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	1,585	3,268
Wholesale [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	280,832	292,555
Provisions for doubtful accounts receivable	12,800
Wholesale [Member] \| Wholesale channel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	280,832	292,555
Wholesale [Member] \| Direct-to-consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	0	0
Wholesale [Member] \| Royalty income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	5,845	6,364
International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	91,212	76,430
International [Member] \| Wholesale channel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	37,713	29,682
International [Member] \| Direct-to-consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	53,499	46,748
International [Member] \| Royalty income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregated revenue	$ 564	926
ASC 606
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Basic and diluted net income (USD per share)				$ 0.01
Net sales		72	92	$ (637)
Cost of goods sold		182	52	(7)
Income before income taxes		(110)	40	(630)
Net income		$ (69)	$ 84	$ (397)
Basic net income per common share (USD per share)		$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Diluted net income per common share (USD per share)		$ 0.00	$ 0	$ 0.00
Other current assets		$ 48,396	$ 52,935
Total current assets		844,093	1,020,712
Total assets		1,887,706	2,071,042
Other current liabilities		125,634	149,134
Total current liabilities		227,020	331,248
Deferred income taxes		133,652	84,944
Total liabilities		1,115,573	1,213,626
Retained earnings		805,441	886,037
Total retained earnings		805,441	886,037
Total stockholders' equity		772,133	857,416
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		1,887,706	2,071,042
Unredeemed customer loyalty program points reserve		2,200	3,000
Gift card liabilities		300	400
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Net of Tax				$ 600	$ 600
Contract Liabilities
Unredeemed customer loyalty program points reserve		2,200	3,000
ASC 606 \| As Previously Reported
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Other current assets		46,153	49,892
Total current assets		841,850	1,017,669
Total assets		1,885,463	2,067,999
Other current liabilities		123,661	146,510
Total current liabilities		225,047	328,624
Deferred income taxes		133,552	84,848
Total liabilities		1,113,500	1,210,906
Retained earnings		805,271	885,714
Total retained earnings		805,271	885,714
Total stockholders' equity		771,963	857,093
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		1,885,463	2,067,999
ASC 606 \| ASC 606 Adoption Adjustments
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Other current assets		2,243	3,043
Total current assets		2,243	3,043
Total assets		2,243	3,043
Other current liabilities		1,973	2,624
Total current liabilities		1,973	2,624
Deferred income taxes		100	96
Total liabilities		2,073	2,720
Retained earnings		170	323
Total retained earnings		170	323
Total stockholders' equity		170	323
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$ 2,243	$ 3,043

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Remaining Performance Obligations) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2018-12-31
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Unearned gift card breakage	$ 389
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-12-31
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Unearned gift card breakage	111
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Unearned gift card breakage	23
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: (nil)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Unearned gift card breakage	$ 523

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS IN FISCAL 2017 (Skip Hop Acquisition) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		10 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017	Feb. 23, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 232,925	$ 230,008	$ 232,925	$ 230,424
Contingent Consideration				3,600
Net sales		755,786	732,827
Operating Income (Loss)		$ 60,309	78,456
Acquisition-related costs			1,633,000
Skip Hop [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of voting interests acquired					100.00%
Preliminary purchase price				142,500
Cash Acquired				800
Goodwill				46,000
Intangible Assets				104,100
Tangible Assets				53,900
Liabilities Assumed				20,800
Deferred income tax liabilities				$ 36,300
Acquisition-related costs	1,300
Provisional Amounts [Member] \| Skip Hop [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preliminary purchase price	147,300
Cash Acquired	800
Goodwill	56,600		56,600
Intangible Assets	92,700		92,700
Tangible Assets	54,700		54,700
Inventory	28,600		28,600
Accounts Receivable	20,400		20,400
Property and Equipment	4,200		4,200
Liabilities Assumed	23,200		23,200
Deferred income tax liabilities	$ 33,500		$ 33,500

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS IN FISCAL 2017 (Acquisition of Mexican Licensee) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Aug. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 230,008	$ 230,424		$ 232,925
Mexican Licensee [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory			$ 8,300
Intangible Assets			3,500
Goodwill			$ 6,200

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (30,855)	$ (33,793)	$ (29,093)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762)	947
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	(23,047)	(26,677)	(21,285)
Pension and Post-retirement Liability Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,808)	(7,116)	(7,808)
Tax impact	$ 4,400	$ 4,200	$ 4,400

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount	$ 230,008	$ 232,925	$ 230,424
Goodwill, Net amount	230,008	232,925	230,424
Total, Net amount	365,506	365,684	365,551
Amortization costs	1,000	300
Future amortization expense, 2019	3,700
Carter's Goodwill [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount	136,570	136,570	136,570
Goodwill, Net amount	136,570	136,570	136,570
Canada Acquisition Goodwill [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount	41,106	39,800	42,223
Goodwill, Net amount	41,106	39,800	42,223
Skip Hop Goodwill [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount	46,022	56,555	45,997
Goodwill, Net amount	46,022	56,555	45,997
Carters Mexico [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount	6,310		5,634
Goodwill, Net amount	6,310		5,634
Carter's Tradename [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite intangible assets	220,233	220,233	220,233
Oshkosh Trade Name [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite intangible assets	85,500	85,500	85,500
Skip Hop Trade Name [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite intangible assets	56,800	56,800	56,800
Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	577	38,858	532
Intangible assets, Gross amount	366,083	404,542	366,083
Indefinite-lived trademarks	365,506	365,684	365,551
Other Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Gross amount	3,550	42,009	3,550
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	577	38,858	532
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,973	3,151	3,018
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets, Gross amount	50,684		50,435
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	3,315		2,439
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 47,369		47,996
Skip Hop Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life	15 years
Finite intangible assets, Gross amount	$ 47,300	35,900	47,300
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	3,098	205	2,304
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 44,202	$ 35,695	44,996
Carters Mexico Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life	10 years
Finite intangible assets, Gross amount	$ 3,384		3,135
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	217		135
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 3,167		$ 3,000
Minimum \| Other Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life	2 years
Maximum \| Other Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life	20 years

COMMON STOCK (Share Repurchases) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 24, 2016	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Additional authorized amount	$ 500,000
Remaining capacity under authorization		$ 560,400
Number of shares repurchased (shares)		221,313	543,944
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased		$ 25,195	$ 46,627
Average price per share (USD per share)		$ 113.84	$ 85.72
Dividend declared per common share (USD per share)		$ 0.45	$ 0.37

LONG-TERM DEBT (Schedule of Long Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 617,541	$ 617,306	$ 581,621
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	400,000	400,000	400,000
Less unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes	(3,459)	(3,694)	(4,379)
Senior notes, net	396,541	396,306	395,621
Secured revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 221,000	$ 221,000	$ 186,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)		3 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)	Aug. 25, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 22, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 617,541,000	$ 617,306,000		$ 581,621,000
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 4,500,000
LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percentage)		1.375%
LIBOR [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.125%
LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.875%
Base Rate [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		0.125%
Base Rate [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		0.875%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 221,000,000	221,000,000		186,000,000
Available for future borrowing		$ 524,500,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Description of variable rate basis		LIBOR
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percentage)		0.375%
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, face amount		$ 400,000,000
Debt issuance costs		3,459,000	3,694,000		4,379,000
Long-term debt		$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Interest rate (as a percentage)		5.25%
United States of America, Dollars \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate (as a percentage)		3.25%
Amended Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated leverage ratio	2.25
Amended Credit Facility [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, face amount				$ 750,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 425,000,000
Amended Credit Facility [Member] \| United States Dollar Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, face amount				650,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	350,000,000
Amended Credit Facility [Member] \| United States Dollar Credit Facility [Member] \| Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt				100,000,000
Amended Credit Facility [Member] \| United States Dollar Credit Facility [Member] \| Swing Line [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt				70,000,000
Amended Credit Facility [Member] \| Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, face amount				100,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 75,000,000
Amended Credit Facility [Member] \| Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt				40,000,000
Amended Credit Facility [Member] \| Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Swing Line [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt				$ 15,000,000

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017	Feb. 21, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 4,944	$ 4,779
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,344	1,244
Number of shares authorized (in shares)			233,748
Weighted average exercise price (USD per share)			$ 120.25
Grant-date fair value (USD per share)	$ 27.88
Time-based restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,284	2,312
Number of shares authorized (in shares)			311,528
Grant-date fair value, granted (USD per share)	$ 120.25
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,316	$ 1,223
Number of shares authorized (in shares)			43,768
Grant-date fair value, granted (USD per share)	$ 120.25
Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested in period (shares)	132,292

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$ 13,900
Unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would impact effective tax rate	10,800
Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits	1,800
Interest accrued on uncertain tax positions	$ 1,100	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Effective income tax rate	22.00%
Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Of 2017, Incomplete Accounting, Transition Tax For Accumulated Foreign Earnings, Provisional Income Tax Expense		10,400
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	$ 87,422	$ 84,944	$ 133,652

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value measurements (Hierarchy) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investments	$ 16,700	$ 16,700	$ 14,800
Contingent Consideration	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investments	0	0	0
Contingent Consideration	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investments	0	0	0
Contingent Consideration	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3,600

- Definition

Fair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.

+ References + Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Investments) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2017 USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Investments	$ 0.7

- Definition

This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments.

+ References + Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Borrowings) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 617,541,000	$ 617,306,000	$ 581,621,000
Secured revolving credit facility [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	221,000,000	221,000,000	186,000,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Debt Instrument, face amount	400,000,000
Fair Value [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 410,000,000

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	46,772,737	48,322,692
Dilutive effect of equity awards	618,678	554,994
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding	47,391,415	48,877,686
Basic net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$ 42,469	$ 46,595
Income allocated to participating securities	(325)	(369)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 42,144	$ 46,226
Basic net income per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.96
Diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$ 42,469	$ 46,595
Income allocated to participating securities	(323)	(367)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 42,146	$ 46,228
Diluted net income per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.89	$ 0.95
Anti-dilutive shares (in shares)	137,980	530,697

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Other Current Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation	$ 3,322	$ 27,566	$ 2,924
Income taxes payable	12,101	16,252	25,960
Accrued customer loyalty program points reserve	4,605	4,612	4,827
Unredeemed customer loyalty program coupons	3,571	2,743	6,293
Accrued sales and use taxes	9,071	9,430	6,551
Accrued salaries and wages	11,745	4,264	11,616
Unredeemed gift cards	10,903	11,945	10,569
Accrued employee benefits	9,443	21,735	8,453
Accrued and deferred rent	$ 18,093	$ 18,213	$ 17,022

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Other Long-Term Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred lease incentives	$ 74,608	$ 75,104	$ 74,447

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 755,786	$ 732,827
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 60,309	$ 78,456
Operating income (loss) as percentage of segment net sales	8.00%	10.70%
Provisions for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 11,051	$ (1,651)	$ 8,200
Direct sourcing initiative		239,000
Wholesale [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provisions for doubtful accounts receivable	12,800
Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Insurance Recoveries	400
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 755,786	$ 732,827
Percentage of total net sales	100.00%	100.00%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Wholesale [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 280,832	$ 292,555
Percentage of total net sales	37.10%	39.90%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 50,272	$ 69,695
Operating income (loss) as percentage of segment net sales	17.90%	23.80%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 383,742	$ 363,843
Percentage of total net sales	50.80%	49.70%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 29,518	$ 29,790
Operating income (loss) as percentage of segment net sales	7.70%	8.20%
Operating Segments [Member] \| International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 91,212	$ 76,429
Percentage of total net sales	12.10%	10.40%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 3,762	$ 3,685
Operating income (loss) as percentage of segment net sales	4.10%	4.80%
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate expenses	$ (23,243)	$ (24,714)

GUARANTOR UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 180,256	$ 178,494	$ 154,278	$ 299,358
Accounts receivable, net	221,186	240,561	206,707
Intercompany receivable	0	0	0
Finished goods inventories	479,344	548,722	434,712
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	54,297	52,935	48,396
Deferred income taxes		0	0
Total current assets	935,083	1,020,712	844,093
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $416,153, $404,173, and $365,733, respectively	369,064	377,924	386,275
Goodwill	230,008	230,424	232,925
Tradenames, net	365,506	365,551	365,684
Customer relationships, net	47,369	47,996	35,695
Other assets	28,176	28,435	23,034
Intercompany long-term receivable	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note receivable	0	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Total assets	1,975,206	2,071,042	1,887,706
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	116,310	182,114	101,386
Intercompany payables	0	0	0
Other current liabilities	109,626	149,134	125,634
Total current liabilities	225,936	331,248	227,020
Long-term debt, net	617,541	617,306	581,621
Deferred income taxes	87,422	84,944	133,652
Intercompany long-term liability	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note payable	0	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	189,493	180,128	173,280
Total stockholders' equity	854,814	857,416	772,133
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,975,206	2,071,042	1,887,706
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Intercompany receivable	(242,055)	(308,689)	(163,682)
Finished goods inventories	(27,786)	(20,468)	(16,579)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes		0	0
Total current assets	(269,841)	(329,157)	(180,261)
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $416,153, $404,173, and $365,733, respectively	0	0	0
Goodwill	0	0	0
Tradenames, net	0	0	0
Customer relationships, net	0	0	0
Other assets	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term receivable	(460,544)	(441,294)	(423,287)
Intercompany long-term note receivable	(100,000)	(100,000)	(100,000)
Investment in subsidiaries	(2,155,175)	(2,142,634)	(1,823,966)
Total assets	(2,985,560)	(3,013,085)	(2,527,514)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0	0
Intercompany payables	(242,055)	(308,689)	(163,682)
Other current liabilities	0	0	0
Total current liabilities	(242,055)	(308,689)	(163,682)
Long-term debt, net	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term liability	(460,544)	(441,294)	(423,287)
Intercompany long-term note payable	(100,000)	(100,000)	(100,000)
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	(2,182,961)	(2,163,102)	(1,840,545)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	(2,985,560)	(3,013,085)	(2,527,514)
Parent [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Intercompany receivable	0	0	0
Finished goods inventories	0	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes		0	0
Total current assets	0	0	0
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $416,153, $404,173, and $365,733, respectively	0	0	0
Goodwill	0	0	0
Tradenames, net	0	0	0
Customer relationships, net	0	0	0
Other assets	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term receivable	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note receivable	0	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	854,814	857,416	772,133
Total assets	854,814	857,416	772,133
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0	0
Intercompany payables	0	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0	0
Long-term debt, net	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term liability	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note payable	0	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	854,814	857,416	772,133
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	854,814	857,416	772,133
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	84,566	129,463	108,944	229,056
Accounts receivable, net	177,579	182,944	168,560
Intercompany receivable	90,437	87,702	87,901
Finished goods inventories	240,105	296,065	197,022
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,973	17,012	16,386
Deferred income taxes		0	0
Total current assets	611,660	713,186	578,813
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $416,153, $404,173, and $365,733, respectively	144,384	147,858	154,119
Goodwill	136,570	136,570	136,570
Tradenames, net	223,206	223,251	223,384
Customer relationships, net	0	0	0
Other assets	23,849	23,884	20,635
Intercompany long-term receivable	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note receivable	100,000	100,000	100,000
Investment in subsidiaries	1,061,836	1,053,224	905,567
Total assets	2,301,505	2,397,973	2,119,088
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	71,349	115,658	56,871
Intercompany payables	146,337	215,573	71,796
Other current liabilities	(5,116)	11,805	57,324
Total current liabilities	212,570	343,036	185,991
Long-term debt, net	617,541	617,306	581,621
Deferred income taxes	46,990	46,619	71,250
Intercompany long-term liability	460,544	441,294	423,287
Intercompany long-term note payable	0	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	81,260	71,834	68,227
Total stockholders' equity	882,600	877,884	788,712
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,301,505	2,397,973	2,119,088
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	28,738	10,030	12,992	11,817
Accounts receivable, net	29,451	40,286	32,642
Intercompany receivable	99,161	162,007	60,971
Finished goods inventories	214,172	206,556	205,335
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	20,813	21,354	20,129
Deferred income taxes		0	0
Total current assets	392,335	440,233	332,069
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $416,153, $404,173, and $365,733, respectively	185,172	189,511	196,876
Goodwill	45,369	45,368	56,072
Tradenames, net	142,300	142,300	142,300
Customer relationships, net	44,203	44,996	35,695
Other assets	2,558	2,392	549
Intercompany long-term receivable	460,544	441,294	423,287
Intercompany long-term note receivable	0	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	238,525	231,994	146,266
Total assets	1,511,006	1,538,088	1,333,114
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	33,204	49,313	34,820
Intercompany payables	90,621	91,697	88,529
Other current liabilities	102,486	122,989	59,849
Total current liabilities	226,311	263,999	183,198
Long-term debt, net	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	39,820	37,647	62,300
Intercompany long-term liability	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note payable	100,000	100,000	100,000
Other long-term liabilities	92,390	92,570	91,385
Total stockholders' equity	1,052,485	1,043,872	896,231
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,511,006	1,538,088	1,333,114
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	66,952	39,001	32,342	$ 58,485
Accounts receivable, net	14,156	17,331	5,505
Intercompany receivable	52,457	58,980	14,810
Finished goods inventories	52,853	66,569	48,934
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,511	14,569	11,881
Deferred income taxes		0	0
Total current assets	200,929	196,450	113,472
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $416,153, $404,173, and $365,733, respectively	39,508	40,555	35,280
Goodwill	48,069	48,486	40,283
Tradenames, net	0	0	0
Customer relationships, net	3,166	3,000	0
Other assets	1,769	2,159	1,850
Intercompany long-term receivable	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note receivable	0	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Total assets	293,441	290,650	190,885
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	11,757	17,143	9,695
Intercompany payables	5,097	1,419	3,357
Other current liabilities	12,256	14,340	8,461
Total current liabilities	29,110	32,902	21,513
Long-term debt, net	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	612	678	102
Intercompany long-term liability	0	0	0
Intercompany long-term note payable	0	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	15,843	15,724	13,668
Total stockholders' equity	247,876	241,346	155,602
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 293,441	$ 290,650	$ 190,885

GUARANTOR UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Income Statement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 755,786	$ 732,827
Cost of goods sold	423,309	417,135
Gross profit	332,477	315,692
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	280,162	247,794
Royalty income, net	7,994	10,558
Operating income	60,309	78,456
Interest expense	7,985	7,104
Interest income	(166)	(139)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	0	0
Other income, net	(382)	(221)
Income before income taxes	52,872	71,712
Provision for income taxes	10,403	25,117
Net income	42,469	46,595
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(216,260)	(177,570)
Cost of goods sold	(203,373)	(179,875)
Gross profit	(12,887)	2,305
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(8,322)	(8,913)
Royalty income, net	(2,753)	(1,997)
Operating income	(7,318)	9,221
Interest expense	(1,327)	(1,327)
Interest income	1,327	1,327
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	23,045	23,045
Other income, net	0	0
Income before income taxes	(30,363)	(13,824)
Provision for income taxes	0	0
Net income	(30,363)	(13,824)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	0	0
Royalty income, net	0	0
Operating income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Interest income	0	0
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(42,469)	(46,595)
Other income, net	0	0
Income before income taxes	42,469	46,595
Provision for income taxes	0	0
Net income	42,469	46,595
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	460,986	453,515
Cost of goods sold	329,999	330,634
Gross profit	130,987	122,881
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	41,816	40,932
Royalty income, net	6,927	8,430
Operating income	96,098	90,379
Interest expense	7,975	6,973
Interest income	(1,342)	(1,439)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	26,012	21,101
Other income, net	21	(368)
Income before income taxes	63,432	64,112
Provision for income taxes	13,645	26,738
Net income	49,787	37,374
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	426,463	395,850
Cost of goods sold	251,082	228,947
Gross profit	175,381	166,903
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	215,166	189,504
Royalty income, net	3,820	4,125
Operating income	(35,965)	(18,476)
Interest expense	1,327	1,369
Interest income	0	0
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(6,588)	2,449
Other income, net	11	368
Income before income taxes	(30,715)	(22,662)
Provision for income taxes	(4,703)	(1,559)
Net income	(26,012)	(21,103)
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	84,597	61,032
Cost of goods sold	45,601	37,429
Gross profit	38,996	23,603
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	31,502	26,271
Royalty income, net	0	0
Operating income	7,494	(2,668)
Interest expense	10	89
Interest income	(151)	(27)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	0	0
Other income, net	(414)	(221)
Income before income taxes	8,049	(2,509)
Provision for income taxes	1,461	(62)
Net income	$ 6,588	$ (2,447)

GUARANTOR UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 42,469	$ 46,595
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762)	947
Comprehensive income	40,707	47,542
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(30,363)	(13,824)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,286	(2,841)
Comprehensive income	(25,077)	(16,665)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	42,469	46,595
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762)	947
Comprehensive income	40,707	47,542
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	49,787	37,374
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762)	947
Comprehensive income	48,025	38,321
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(26,012)	(21,103)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762)	947
Comprehensive income	(27,774)	(20,156)
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	6,588	(2,447)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,762)	947
Comprehensive income	$ 4,826	$ (1,500)

GUARANTOR UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 64,107	$ 84,180
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,744)	(17,991)
Intercompany investing activity	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	373	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(143,704)
Net cash used in investing activities	(14,371)	(161,695)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	0	0
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	50,000	20,000
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	(50,000)	(18,965)
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Dividends paid	(21,244)	(17,998)
Repurchases of common stock	(25,195)	(46,627)
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	(6,583)	(5,552)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	4,769	1,626
Net cash used in financing activities	(48,253)	(67,516)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	279	(49)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,762	(145,080)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	178,494	299,358
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	180,256	154,278
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0
Intercompany investing activity	(46,439)	(64,625)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		0
Net cash used in investing activities	(46,439)	(64,625)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	46,439	64,625
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	0	0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	46,439	64,625
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0	0
Parent [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0
Intercompany investing activity	48,253	68,551
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		0
Net cash used in investing activities	48,253	68,551
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	0	0
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	0	0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Dividends paid	(21,244)	(17,998)
Repurchases of common stock	(25,195)	(46,627)
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	(6,583)	(5,552)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	4,769	1,626
Net cash used in financing activities	(48,253)	(68,551)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0	0
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	63,298	101,915
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(4,698)	(6,503)
Intercompany investing activity	(4,829)	(3,926)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(144,520)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,527)	(154,949)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	(98,668)	(87,078)
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	50,000	20,000
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	(50,000)	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(98,668)	(67,078)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(44,897)	(120,112)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	129,463	229,056
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	84,566	108,944
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	(19,112)	(13,680)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(7,569)	(9,548)
Intercompany investing activity	2,991	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	369
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		746
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,209)	(8,802)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	42,029	23,657
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	0	0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	42,029	23,657
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	18,708	1,175
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	10,030	11,817
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	28,738	12,992
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,921	(4,055)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(2,477)	(1,940)
Intercompany investing activity	24	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	4
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		70
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,449)	(1,870)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	10,200	(1,204)
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	0	0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	0	(18,965)
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Withholdings from vestings of restricted stock	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	10,200	(20,169)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	279	(49)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	27,951	(26,143)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	39,001	58,485
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 66,952	$ 32,342

THE COMPANY (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018 store
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of stores	1,039