SEC Filing | Carter’s, Inc.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2016 OR

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _____ TO ______

Commission file number:

001-31829

CARTER’S, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		13-3912933
(state or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

Phipps Tower

3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(678) 791-1000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes (X) No ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes (X) No ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

Large Accelerated Filer (X) Accelerated Filer ( ) Non-Accelerated Filer ( ) Smaller Reporting Company ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes (X) No (X)

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Common Stock		Outstanding Shares at October 21, 2016
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share		49,370,980

CARTER’S, INC.

INDEX



			Page
Part I. Financial Information

	Item 1	Financial Statements
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 1, 2016, January 2, 2016 and October 3, 2015	1
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal quarter and three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015	2
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal quarter and three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015	3
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016	4
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015	5
		Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6
	Item 2	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	31
	Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	45
	Item 4	Controls and Procedures	46

Part II. Other Information

	Item 1	Legal Proceedings	46
	Item 1A	Risk Factors	46
	Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	47
	Item 3	Defaults upon Senior Securities	48
	Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	48
	Item 5	Other Information	48
	Item 6	Exhibits	48

Signatures			49

Certifications

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)



	October 1, 2016			January 2, 2016			October 3, 2015
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	140,626		$	381,209		$	288,260
Accounts receivable, net	271,207			207,570			246,565
Finished goods inventories	552,726			469,934			511,520
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	43,155			37,815			36,414
Deferred income taxes	37,600			34,080			34,895
Total current assets	1,045,314			1,130,608			1,117,654
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $333,660, $290,636, and $276,230, respectively	388,440			371,704			361,305
Tradenames, net	308,973			310,848			311,842
Goodwill	176,956			174,874			176,633
Other assets	18,022			15,620			14,940
Total assets	$	1,937,705		$	2,003,654		$	1,982,374

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	155,223		$	157,648		$	173,594
Other current liabilities	126,922			105,070			105,199
Total current liabilities	282,145			262,718			278,793

Long-term debt, net	580,613			578,972			579,612
Deferred income taxes	129,278			128,838			119,499
Other long-term liabilities	169,535			158,075			161,527
Total liabilities	$	1,161,571		$	1,128,603		$	1,139,431

Commitments and contingencies - Note 13

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; par value $.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at October 1, 2016, January 2, 2016, and October 3, 2015	—			—			—
Common stock, voting; par value $.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 49,625,609, 51,764,309, and 52,076,784 shares issued and outstanding at October 1, 2016, January 2, 2016 and October 3, 2015, respectively	496			518			521
Additional paid-in capital	—			—			—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(31,889		)	(36,367		)	(33,480		)
Retained earnings	807,527			910,900			875,902
Total stockholders' equity	776,134			875,051			842,943
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,937,705		$	2,003,654		$	1,982,374

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)



	Fiscal quarter ended						Three fiscal quarters ended
	October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015			October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015
Net sales	$	901,425		$	849,806		$	2,264,981		$	2,147,335
Cost of goods sold	525,879			502,267			1,296,324			1,252,849
Gross profit	375,546			347,539			968,657			894,486
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	255,322			230,017			712,782			650,496
Royalty income	(10,670		)	(12,699		)	(31,270		)	(32,688		)
Operating income	130,894			130,221			287,145			276,678
Interest expense	6,779			6,907			20,321			20,534
Interest income	(68		)	(91		)	(453		)	(385		)
Other (income) expense, net	(36		)	(622		)	3,673			(560		)
Income before income taxes	124,219			124,027			263,604			257,089
Provision for income taxes	43,408			44,701			92,615			91,866
Net income	$	80,811		$	79,326		$	170,989		$	165,223

Basic net income per common share	$	1.62		$	1.52		$	3.37		$	3.15
Diluted net income per common share	$	1.60		$	1.51		$	3.34		$	3.12
Dividend declared and paid per common share	$	0.33		$	0.22		$	0.99		$	0.66

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)



	Fiscal quarter ended						Three fiscal quarters ended
	October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015			October 1, 2016		October 3, 2015
Net income	$	80,811		$	79,326		$	170,989	$	165,223
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,356		)	(4,205		)	4,478		(10,443		)
Comprehensive income	$	79,455		$	75,121		$	175,467	$	154,780

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)



	Common stock - shares		Common stock - $			Additional paid-in capital			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Retained earnings			Total stockholders’ equity

Balance at January 2, 2016	51,764,309		$	518		$	—		$	(36,367	)	$	910,900		$	875,051
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation			—			4,067			—			—			4,067
Exercise of stock options	144,165		1			6,385			—			—			6,386
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(90,754	)	(1		)	(8,593		)	—			—			(8,594		)
Restricted stock activity	155,248		2			(2		)	—			—			—
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—			11,852			—			—			11,852
Issuance of common stock	11,588		—			1,174			—			—			1,174
Repurchase of common stock	(2,358,947	)	(24		)	(14,883		)	—			(224,231		)	(239,138		)
Cash dividends declared and paid	—		—			—			—			(50,131		)	(50,131		)
Comprehensive income	—		—			—			4,478			170,989			175,467
Balance at October 1, 2016	49,625,609		$	496		$	—		$	(31,889	)	$	807,527		$	776,134

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)



	Three fiscal quarters ended
	October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	170,989		$	165,223
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	52,384			44,187
Amortization of tradenames	1,875			5,422
Accretion of contingent consideration	—			809
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,092			1,246
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	13,026			13,304
Unrealized foreign currency loss, net	2,361			221
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(4,067		)	(7,963		)
Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment	821			80
Deferred income taxes	(2,333		)	(1,801		)
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(63,436		)	(61,108		)
Finished goods inventories	(81,011		)	(73,724		)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(10,138		)	(3,144		)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	35,011			63,282
Net cash provided by operating activities	116,574			146,034

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(71,190		)	(76,987		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	216			66
Net cash used in investing activities	(70,974		)	(76,921		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of debt issuance costs	—			(1,495		)
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			205,586
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	—			(205,237		)
Repurchase of common stock	(239,138		)	(78,339		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			(7,572		)
Dividends paid	(50,131		)	(34,617		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,067			7,963
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(8,594		)	(12,575		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,386			5,743
Net cash used in financing activities	(287,410		)	(120,543		)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,227			(948		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(240,583		)	(52,378		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	381,209			340,638
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	140,626		$	288,260

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CARTER’S, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

NOTE 1 – THE COMPANY

Carter's, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company," "its," "us" and "our") design, source, and market branded childrenswear under the Carter's, Child of Mine, Just One You, Precious Firsts, OshKosh, and other brands. The Company's products are sourced through contractual arrangements with manufacturers worldwide for wholesale distribution to major domestic and international retailers and for the Company's own retail stores and websites that market its brand name merchandise and other licensed products manufactured by other companies. As of October 1, 2016, the Company operated 636 Carter’s stores in the United States, 267 OshKosh stores in the United States, and 156 stores in Canada.

NOTE 2 – BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Carter's, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and 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 and three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the 2016 fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.

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 January 2, 2016 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.

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 subsequent changes to these accounting policies, except as noted below for new accounting pronouncements adopted at the beginning of fiscal 2016.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements At the Beginning of Fiscal 2016

At the beginning of fiscal 2016, the Company adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU"): ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05"); ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"); and ASU No. 2015-04, Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets ("ASU 2015-04").

ASU 2015-05

The Company prospectively adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement at the beginning of fiscal 2016, as it relates to the accounting for fees paid in connection with arrangements with cloud-based software providers. Under the new guidance, unless a software arrangement includes specific elements enabling customers to possess and operate software on platforms other than those offered by the cloud-based provider, the costs of such arrangements are accounted for as an operating expense in the period in which such costs are incurred. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For the Company's adoption of ASU 2015-03, refer to Note 6, Long-Term Debt, accompanying the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company adopted this guidance effective at the beginning of fiscal 2016 and the provisions have been applied to each prior period presented for comparative purposes.

For the Company's adoption of ASU 2015-04, refer to Note 8, Employee Benefit Plans, accompanying the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

NOTE 3 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components, net of applicable income taxes, of accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016			January 2, 2016			October 3, 2015
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(25,108	)	$	(29,586	)	$	(25,840	)
Pension and post-retirement liability adjustments	(6,781		)	(6,781		)	(7,640		)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(31,889	)	$	(36,367	)	$	(33,480	)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 consisted of additional losses of $1.4 million and additional gains of $4.5 million for foreign currency translation adjustments, respectively. Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 consisted of additional losses of $4.2 million and $10.4 million for foreign currency translation adjustments, respectively. During the first, second and third quarters of both fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, no amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of operations.

NOTE 4 – GOODWILL AND TRADENAMES INTANGIBLE ASSETS

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



		October 1, 2016						January 2, 2016
(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
Canadian acquisition	Indefinite	40,386		—		40,386		38,304		—		38,304
Total goodwill		$	176,956	$	—	$	176,956	$	174,874	$	—	$	174,874

Carter's tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233	$	—	$	220,233	$	220,233	$	—	$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500		—		85,500		85,500		—		85,500
Other tradenames	2-20 years	42,016		38,776		3,240		41,992		36,877		5,115
Total tradenames		$	347,749	$	38,776	$	308,973	$	347,725	$	36,877	$	310,848



		October 3, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Weighted-average useful life	Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount

Carter's goodwill	Indefinite	$	136,570	$	—	$	136,570
Canadian acquisition	Indefinite	40,063		—		40,063
Total goodwill		$	176,633	$	—	$	176,633

Carter's tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233	$	—	$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500		—		85,500
Other tradenames	2-20 years	42,012		35,903		6,109
Total tradenames		$	347,745	$	35,903	$	311,842

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The changes in the carrying values between the comparative periods for goodwill related to the Company's 2011 acquisition of its Canadian business (Bonnie Togs) were solely due to fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates between the Canadian and U.S. dollar that were used in the remeasurement process for preparing the Company's consolidated financial statements. The portion of the changes in the carrying values for other trademarks, including the related accumulated amortization, that was not attributable to amortization expense was also impacted by these same foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

The Company recorded approximately $1.9 million in amortization expense for the first three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016. Amortization expense for the third fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2016 was not material. The Company recorded approximately $1.0 million and $5.4 million in amortization expense for the fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015, respectively. At October 1, 2016, one tradename had an unamortized balance of approximately $3.2 million, and the future amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $0.2 million for each of the next five fiscal years.

NOTE 5 – COMMON STOCK

SHARE REPURCHASES

In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company's stock in an amount up to $300 million, inclusive of amounts remaining under previous authorizations. In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Board approved an additional $400 million accelerated share repurchase authorization, which has been completed. On February 24, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program in addition to any amounts remaining under previous authorizations. The total aggregate remaining capacity under all of the outstanding repurchase authorizations as of October 1, 2016 was approximately $335.7 million, based on settled repurchase transactions. The authorizations have no expiration date.

Open Market Repurchases

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



	Fiscal quarter ended				Three fiscal quarters ended
	October 1, 2016		October 3, 2015		October 1, 2016		October 3, 2015
Number of shares repurchased	587,100		290,800		2,358,947		795,025
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)	$	58,929	$	29,445	$	239,138	$	78,339
Average price per share	$	100.37	$	101.26	$	101.37	$	98.54

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 third fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016, the Company paid cash dividends per share of $0.33 and $0.99, respectively. In the third fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015, the Company paid cash dividends per share of $0.22 and $0.66, 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 The William Carter Company ("TWCC"), a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company, 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 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 6 – LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016			January 2, 2016			October 3, 2015
Senior notes at amounts repayable	$	400,000		$	400,000		$	400,000
Less unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes	(4,820		)	(5,459		)	(5,666		)
Senior notes, net	395,180			394,541			394,334
Secured revolving credit facility	185,433			184,431			185,278
Total long-term debt, net	$	580,613		$	578,972		$	579,612

In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company replaced $20.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the then-existing secured revolving credit facility with CAD 25.5 million of borrowings, which approximated $20.3 million. This transaction is reflected on the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows.

Secured Revolving Credit Facility

As previously disclosed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016, the secured revolving credit facility was amended and restated in September 2015. The aggregate principal amount of the secured revolving credit facility is $500 million consisting of (i) a $400 million U.S. dollar revolving credit facility (including a $175 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $50 million) available for borrowings by TWCC and (ii) a $100 million multicurrency revolving credit facility (including a $40 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $15 million) available for borrowings by TWCC and certain other subsidiaries of TWCC in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or other currencies agreed to by the applicable lenders. The secured revolving credit facility also provides for incremental facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250 million, either in the form of a commitment increase under the existing revolving credit facility or the incurrence of one or more tranches of term loans (with the aggregate U.S. dollar amount available to the Company not to exceed $200 million and the aggregate multicurrency amount available not to exceed $50 million). The Company's secured revolving credit facility matures on September 16, 2020.

As of October 1, 2016, the Company had approximately $185.4 million in outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $4.8 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of October 1, 2016, approximately $309.7 million remained available for future borrowing.

As of October 1, 2016, 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 October 1, 2016, U.S. dollar borrowings outstanding under the secured revolving credit facility accrued interest at a LIBOR rate plus the applicable base rate, which was 1.90% on that date, and Canadian dollar borrowings accrued interest at a CDOR (Canadian Dollar Offered Rate) plus the applicable base rate, which was 2.26% on that date.

As disclosed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016, the Company's secured revolving credit facility contains covenants, including affirmative and financial covenants. As of October 1, 2016, the Company was in compliance with the financial and other covenants under the secured revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

As of October 1, 2016, 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 described in the following section.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncement Related to Debt Issuance Costs

The Company retrospectively adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"), at the beginning of fiscal 2016, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs were required to be presented as deferred charge assets, separate from the related debt liability. The guidance did not change the recognition and measurement requirements for debt issuance costs. The Company reclassified $4.8 million, $5.5 million, and $5.7 million of unamortized issuance-related debt costs associated with the Company's senior notes from other assets to Long-term debt, net within its consolidated balance sheets as of October 1, 2016, January 2, 2016, and October 3, 2015, respectively. Other than this balance sheet reclassification, the adoption of ASU 2015-03 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Fees paid to lenders to secure revolving lines of credit continue to be presented as a deferred charge (asset) on the balance sheet.

NOTE 7 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:



	Fiscal quarter ended				Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016		October 3, 2015		October 1, 2016		October 3, 2015
Stock options	$	960	$	1,015	$	3,237	$	3,359
Restricted stock:
Time-based awards	1,809		1,599		5,671		5,294
Performance-based awards	996		1,130		2,944		3,556
Stock awards	11		—		1,174		1,095
Total	$	3,776	$	3,744	$	13,026	$	13,304

NOTE 8 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company maintains a defined contribution plan and two defined benefit plans. The two defined benefit plans include the OshKosh B'Gosh pension plan and a post-retirement life and medical plan.

OSHKOSH B'GOSH PENSION PLAN

The net periodic pension cost (benefit) included in the statement of operations was comprised of:



	Fiscal quarter ended						Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015			October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015
Interest cost	$	629		$	623		$	1,887		$	1,869
Expected return on plan assets	(676		)	(785		)	(2,028		)	(2,355		)
Recognized actuarial loss	145			161			435			483
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$	98		$	(1	)	$	294		$	(3	)

POST-RETIREMENT LIFE AND MEDICAL PLAN

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The components of post-retirement benefit expense charged to the statement of operations were as follows:



	Fiscal quarter ended						Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015			October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015

Service cost – benefits attributed to service during the period	$	31		$	32		$	93		$	96
Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation	44			45			132			135
Amortization net actuarial gain	(49		)	(48		)	(147		)	(144		)
Total net periodic post-retirement benefit cost	$	26		$	29		$	78		$	87

Simplified Measurement Date for Defined Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations

The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2015-04, Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets ("ASU 2015-04") at the beginning of fiscal 2016. However, the Company is not required to make any such measurements until the end of fiscal 2016. ASU 2015-04 allows employers with fiscal year ends that do not coincide with a calendar month end to make an accounting policy election to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the end of the month closest to their fiscal year end (i.e., on an alternative measurement date). An employer that makes this election must consistently apply the alternative measurement date from year to year and to all of its defined benefit plans. The Company expects to make the accounting policy election to use December 31 as the measurement date for all of its defined benefit plan assets and obligations for fiscal 2016 and subsequent years. Measurement dates for prior periods will not be impacted. Since the Company's current 52-week fiscal year will end on December 31, 2016, it will not be necessary for the Company to utilize an alternate measurement date for fiscal 2016, and thus the initial adoption of ASU 2015-04 at the beginning of fiscal 2016 will not have an impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES

During the first quarters of fiscal 2016 and 2015, the IRS and various state tax authorities completed examinations of the Company's income tax returns. As a result, the Company recognized income tax benefits related to prior years of approximately $0.4 million and $1.8 million in the first quarters of fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. In most cases, the Company is no longer subject to state and local tax authority examinations for years prior to fiscal 2012.

As of October 1, 2016, the Company had gross unrecognized income tax benefits of approximately $10.1 million, of which $7.2 million, if ultimately recognized, may affect the Company's effective 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 October 1, 2016 were approximately $1.2 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 tax rate for fiscal 2016 or fiscal 2017 along with the effective 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 tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. During the fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016 and the fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015, interest expense recorded on uncertain tax positions was not significant. The Company had approximately $0.9 million, $0.8 million, and $0.9 million of interest accrued on uncertain tax positions as of October 1, 2016, January 2, 2016, and October 3, 2015, respectively.

NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.



	October 1, 2016						January 2, 2016						October 3, 2015
(dollars in millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Investments	$	11.4	$	—	$	—	$	8.6	$	—	$	—	$	7.5	$	—	$	—
Foreign exchange forward contracts (1)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2.1	$	—	$	—	$	1.5	$	—

Liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts (2)	$	—	$	0.4	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

(1) Included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

(2) Included in Other current liabilities in the Company's condensed 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 $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the third fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016, respectively. Losses on the investments in marketable securities were $0.4 million and $0.1 million for the third fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015. These amounts are included in Other expense (income), net on the Company's consolidated statement of operations included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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 in effect between U.S. and Canadian dollars).

At October 1, 2016, the notional value of the open foreign currency forward contracts was approximately $6.0 million. These contracts were marked-to-market, or to fair value, resulting in an unrealized loss of approximately $0.4 million at October 1, 2016.

The Company recorded realized losses of approximately $0.6 million and $0.8 million for foreign currency forward contracts settled during the third fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016, respectively. The Company recorded realized gains of approximately $1.6 million and $1.9 million for foreign currency forward contracts settled during the third fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015. These amounts are included in Other expense (income), net on the Company's consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not apply hedge accounting treatment on any of these foreign currency forward contracts.

CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION

The following table summarizes the changes in the contingent consideration liability during the third fiscal quarter and first three fiscal quarters of 2015 related to the Company's 2011 acquisition of Bonnie Togs in Canada:

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)



	Fiscal quarter ended			Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	October 3, 2015			October 3, 2015
Balance at the beginning of period	$	9,022		$	7,711
Payments made	(8,568		)	(8,568		)
Accretion	—			809
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(454		)	(1,029		)
Final contingent adjustment	—			1,077
Balance at the end of period	$	—		$	—

The final payment under the earn-out obligation was paid during the third quarter of fiscal 2015. At October 1, 2016, January 2, 2016 and October 3, 2015, the Company had no remaining contingent consideration liability related to the 2011 acquisition of Bonnie Togs in Canada.

BORROWINGS

As of October 1, 2016, the fair value of the Company's $185.4 million in outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility approximated carrying value.

The fair value of the Company's senior notes at October 1, 2016 was approximately $419 million. The fair value of these senior notes with a notional value and carrying value 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.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 11 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

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



	Fiscal quarter ended						Three fiscal quarters ended
	October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015			October 1, 2016			October 3, 2015

Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	49,526,480			51,740,523			50,282,345			51,960,041
Dilutive effect of equity awards	460,271			507,815			470,050			512,861
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding	49,986,751			52,248,338			50,752,395			52,472,902



Basic net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$	80,811		$	79,326		$	170,989		$	165,223
Income allocated to participating securities	(632		)	(675		)	(1,359		)	(1,557		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	80,179		$	78,651		$	169,630		$	163,666

Basic net income per common share	$	1.62		$	1.52		$	3.37		$	3.15

Diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
Net income	$	80,811		$	79,326		$	170,989		$	165,223
Income allocated to participating securities	(627		)	(669		)	(1,350		)	(1,545		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	80,184		$	78,657		$	169,639		$	163,678

Diluted net income per common share	$	1.60		$	1.51		$	3.34		$	3.12

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from dilutive earnings per share computation	246,980			177,300			244,430			180,000

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 12 – 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)	October 1, 2016		January 2, 2016		October 3, 2015
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation	$	10,638	$	17,934	$	12,574
Income taxes payable	32,242		3,802		25,902
Accrued employee benefits	10,808		19,751		10,102
Accrued and deferred rent	14,875		12,590		12,286

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



(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016		January 2, 2016		October 3, 2015
Deferred lease incentives	$	73,840	$	70,060	$	70,778

NOTE 13 – 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.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 14 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

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



	Fiscal quarter ended										Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016			% of Total Net Sales		October 3, 2015			% of Total Net Sales		October 1, 2016			% of Total Net Sales		October 3, 2015			% of Total Net Sales
Net sales:
Carter’s Wholesale	$	356,258		39.5	%	$	343,555		40.4	%	$	842,136		37.2	%	$	824,600		38.4	%
Carter’s Retail (a)	314,699			34.9	%	294,928			34.7	%	860,854			38.0	%	799,635			37.2	%
Total Carter’s (U.S.)	670,957			74.4	%	638,483			75.1	%	1,702,990			75.2	%	1,624,235			75.6	%
OshKosh Retail (a)	106,999			11.9	%	98,292			11.6	%	267,715			11.8	%	244,787			11.4	%
OshKosh Wholesale	17,474			1.9	%	18,794			2.2	%	38,772			1.7	%	49,151			2.3	%
Total OshKosh (U.S.)	124,473			13.8	%	117,086			13.8	%	306,487			13.5	%	293,938			13.7	%
International (b)	105,995			11.8	%	94,237			11.1	%	255,504			11.3	%	229,162			10.7	%
Total net sales	$	901,425		100.0	%	$	849,806		100.0	%	$	2,264,981		100.0	%	$	2,147,335		100.0	%

Operating income (loss):				% of Segment Net Sales					% of Segment Net Sales					% of Segment Net Sales					% of Segment Net Sales
Carter’s Wholesale	$	81,551		22.9	%	$	74,347		21.6	%	$	187,655		22.3	%	$	172,485		20.9	%
Carter’s Retail (a)	48,051			15.3	%	51,733			17.5	%	127,738			14.8	%	134,557			16.8	%
Total Carter’s (U.S.)	129,602			19.3	%	126,080			19.7	%	315,393			18.5	%	307,042			18.9	%
OshKosh Retail (a)	2,652			2.5	%	6,171			6.3	%	(614		)	(0.2	)%	3,396			1.4	%
OshKosh Wholesale	4,450			25.5	%	4,487			23.9	%	8,266			21.3	%	9,715			19.8	%
Total OshKosh (U.S.)	7,102			5.7	%	10,658			9.1	%	7,652			2.5	%	13,111			4.5	%
International (b) (c)	19,645			18.5	%	18,220			19.3	%	37,191			14.6	%	30,967			13.5	%
Corporate expenses (d) (e) (f)	(25,455		)			(24,737		)			(73,091		)			(74,442		)
Total operating income	$	130,894		14.5	%	$	130,221		15.3	%	$	287,145		12.7	%	$	276,678		12.9	%


(a)	Includes eCommerce results.


(b)	Net sales include international retail, eCommerce, and wholesale sales. Operating income includes international licensing income.


(c)	Includes charges associated with the revaluation of the Company's contingent consideration related to the Company's 2011 acquisition of Bonnie Togs of approximately $1.9 million for the first three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015.


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


(e)	Includes charges related to the amortization of the H.W. Carter and Sons tradenames of approximate $1.7 million for the first three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016, and approximately $1.0 million and $5.3 million for the fiscal quarter and the first three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015, respectively.


(f)	Includes charges related to the Company's direct sourcing initiative of $0.5 million for the fiscal quarter and for the three fiscal quarters periods ended October 1, 2016.

NOTE 15 – PENDING ADOPTION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which has been codified in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This guidance clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and will be applicable to all contracts with customers regardless of industry-specific or transaction-specific fact patterns. Further, the guidance will require improved disclosures as well as additional disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2018, including interim periods within that first fiscal year, and early adoption is now permitted for 2017. Upon becoming effective, the Company will apply the amendments in the updated standard either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. Since the original issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued several amendments and updates to this guidance, and additional amendments and updates are currently being considered by the FASB. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Simplified Subsequent Measurement of Inventory

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory ("ASU 2015-11"). Upon adoption by an entity, ASU 2015-11 will simplify subsequent measurements of inventory by replacing the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. The new guidance applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in-first-out (LIFO) and the retail inventory method. For inventory within the scope of ASU 2015-11, entities will be required to compare the cost of inventory to only one measure, its net realizable value, and not the three measures required by current guidance ("market," "subject to a floor," and a "ceiling"). When evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is less than its cost (due to damage, physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels or other causes), entities will recognize the difference as a loss in earnings in the period in which it occurs. ASU 2015-11 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt the provisions of ASU 2015-11 at the beginning of fiscal 2017. At this time, the Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes ("ASU 2015-17"). Current GAAP requires the deferred taxes for each tax jurisdiction (or tax-paying component of a jurisdiction) to be presented as a net current asset or liability and net noncurrent asset or liability. ASU 2015-17 requires a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction analysis based on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which the underlying temporary differences relate based on the period in which the attribute is expected to be realized. Upon adoption of ASU 2015-17, all deferred tax assets and liabilities will be classified as noncurrent on an entity's balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction will have only one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. ASU 2015-17 will not change the existing guidance that prohibits the offsetting of deferred tax liabilities of one jurisdiction against the deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. ASU 2015-17 is effective for public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods in the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, and adoption may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-17 at the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2017. ASU 2015-17 will only involve classification of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and will have no impact on the Company's results of operations or cash flows. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-17 will have a material effect on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new lease accounting guidance in ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. 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 impacts of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements. However, the Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will require the Company to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be material to the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Accounting for Share-Based Payments to Employees

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"), which amends ASC Topic 718, Stock Compensation. ASU 2016-09 includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. All tax benefits and deficiencies related to share-based payments will be recognized and recorded through the statement of operations for all awards settled or expiring after the adoption of ASU 2016-09. Currently, tax benefits in excess of compensation costs ("windfalls") are recorded in equity, and tax deficiencies ("shortfalls") are recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls and then to the statement of operations. ASU 2016-09 will also require, either prospectively or retrospectively, that all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, a change from the current requirement to present windfall tax benefits as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities on the statement of cash flows. Additionally, ASU 2016-09 will allow entities to make an accounting policy election for the impact of most types of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards by allowing the forfeitures to be either estimated, as is currently required, or recognized when they actually occur. If elected, the change to recognize forfeitures when they occur will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to retained earnings. ASU 2016-09 will be effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2017, including interim periods in the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. The potential impacts that the adoption of ASU 2016-09 will have on the Company's income tax expense or benefit and related cash flows during and after the period of adoption are dependent in part upon future grants and vesting of stock-based compensation awards and other factors that are not fully controllable or predicable by the Company such as the future market price of the Company's common stock, the timing of employee exercises of vested stock options, and the future achievement of performance criteria that affect performance-based awards. However, based on the Company’s stock price as of October 1, 2016 and its outstanding unvested restricted stock awards and unexercised stock options, the Company anticipates that adoption of this pronouncement at the beginning of fiscal 2017 will reduce its income tax expense and increase its net income, and these anticipated income tax benefits will be reported as a component of cash flows from operating activities instead of cash flows from financing activities.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 16 – 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. Under specific customary conditions, the guarantees are not full and unconditional because subsidiary guarantors can be released and relieved of their obligations under customary circumstances contained in the indenture governing the senior notes. These circumstances include, among others, the following, so long as other applicable provisions of the indentures are adhered to: any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any subsidiary guarantor, any sale or other disposition of capital stock of any subsidiary guarantor, or designation of any restricted subsidiary that is a subsidiary guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary.

For additional information, refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016.

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.

In December 2015, as part of a foreign subsidiary restructuring, certain non-guarantor subsidiaries became subsidiaries of certain other non-guarantor subsidiaries. The restructuring did not retroactively impact the prior status of the guarantor and the non-guarantor subsidiaries, and accordingly the condensed consolidating financial information for periods prior to the restructuring have not been adjusted to reflect the restructuring.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (unaudited)

As of October 1, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	91,299	$	8,477	$	40,850	$	—		$	140,626
Accounts receivable, net	—		234,979		27,047		9,181		—			271,207
Intercompany receivable	—		60,570		72,037		4,035		(136,642		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		300,044		231,511		65,732		(44,561		)	552,726
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		22,446		15,988		4,721		—			43,155
Deferred income taxes	—		20,346		15,579		1,675		—			37,600
Total current assets	—		729,684		370,639		126,194		(181,203		)	1,045,314
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		159,149		194,078		35,213		—			388,440
Goodwill	—		136,570		—		40,386		—			176,956
Tradenames, net	—		223,473		85,500		—		—			308,973
Other assets	—		17,130		641		251		—			18,022
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		340,887		—		(340,887		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	776,134		707,381		127,447		—		(1,610,962		)	—
Total assets	$	776,134	$	2,073,387	$	1,119,192	$	202,044	$	(2,233,052	)	$	1,937,705

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	99,175	$	36,003	$	20,045	$	—		$	155,223
Intercompany payables	—		74,414		58,787		3,441		(136,642		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		24,842		92,168		9,912		—			126,922
Total current liabilities	—		198,431		186,958		33,398		(136,642		)	282,145

Long-term debt, net	—		561,180		—		19,433		—			580,613
Deferred income taxes	—		83,998		45,280		—		—			129,278
Intercompany long-term liability	—		340,887		—		—		(340,887		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		68,196		88,906		12,433		—			169,535
Stockholders' equity	776,134		820,695		698,048		136,780		(1,655,523		)	776,134
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	776,134	$	2,073,387	$	1,119,192	$	202,044	$	(2,233,052	)	$	1,937,705

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

As of January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	325,771	$	14,652	$	40,786	$	—		$	381,209
Accounts receivable, net	—		178,842		23,980		4,748		—			207,570
Intercompany receivable	—		52,676		133,092		3,317		(189,085		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		271,148		184,618		48,960		(34,792		)	469,934
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		17,460		14,261		6,094		—			37,815
Deferred income taxes	—		19,502		13,544		1,034		—			34,080
Total current assets	—		865,399		384,147		104,939		(223,877		)	1,130,608
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		162,031		180,322		29,351		—			371,704
Goodwill	—		136,570		—		38,304		—			174,874
Tradenames, net	—		225,348		85,500		—		—			310,848
Other assets	—		14,634		665		321		—			15,620
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		294,070		—		(294,070		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	875,051		652,598		100,146		—		(1,627,795		)	—
Total assets	$	875,051	$	2,156,580	$	1,044,850	$	172,915	$	(2,245,742	)	$	2,003,654

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	93,585	$	44,951	$	19,112	$	—		$	157,648
Intercompany payables	—		134,694		51,362		3,029		(189,085		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		12,996		80,908		11,166		—			105,070
Total current liabilities	—		241,275		177,221		33,307		(189,085		)	262,718

Long-term debt, net	—		560,541		—		18,431		—			578,972
Deferred income taxes	—		84,038		44,800		—		—			128,838
Intercompany long-term liability	—		294,070		—		—		(294,070		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		66,813		79,568		11,694		—			158,075
Stockholders' equity	875,051		909,843		643,261		109,483		(1,662,587		)	875,051
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	875,051	$	2,156,580	$	1,044,850	$	172,915	$	(2,245,742	)	$	2,003,654

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

As of October 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	232,568	$	17,434	$	38,258	$	—		$	288,260
Accounts receivable, net	—		208,369		29,210		8,986		—			246,565
Intercompany receivable	—		87,419		100,357		3,675		(191,451		)	—
Intercompany loan receivable	—		15,000		—		—		(15,000		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		278,793		216,270		50,553		(34,096		)	511,520
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		17,267		14,963		4,184		—			36,414
Deferred income taxes	—		22,739		11,192		964		—			34,895
Total current assets	—		862,155		389,426		106,620		(240,547		)	1,117,654
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		160,579		171,615		29,111		—			361,305
Goodwill	—		136,570		—		40,063		—			176,633
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	—		226,342		85,500		—		—			311,842
Other assets	—		13,773		784		383		—			14,940
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		264,618		—		(264,618		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	842,943		614,624		19,118		—		(1,476,685		)	—
Total assets	$	842,943	$	2,114,043	$	931,061	$	176,177	$	(2,081,850	)	$	1,982,374

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	100,487	$	59,060	$	14,047	$	—		$	173,594
Intercompany payables	—		102,208		85,814		3,429		(191,451		)	—
Intercompany loan payables	—		—		—		15,000		(15,000		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		57,316		37,905		9,978		—			105,199
Total current liabilities	—		260,011		182,779		42,454		(206,451		)	278,793
Long-term debt, net	—		560,334		—		19,278		—			579,612
Deferred income taxes	—		80,871		38,628		—		—			119,499
Intercompany long-term liability	—		264,618		—		—		(264,618		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		71,170		78,658		11,699		—			161,527
Stockholders' equity	842,943		877,039		530,996		102,746		(1,510,781		)	842,943
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	842,943	$	2,114,043	$	931,061	$	176,177	$	(2,081,850	)	$	1,982,374

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	584,206		$	452,755		$	79,631		$	(215,167	)	$	901,425
Cost of goods sold	—			409,937			274,521			43,060			(201,639		)	525,879
Gross profit	—			174,269			178,234			36,571			(13,528		)	375,546
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			49,965			187,298			26,796			(8,737		)	255,322
Royalty income	—			(7,624		)	(5,665		)	—			2,619			(10,670		)
Operating income (loss)	—			131,928			(3,399		)	9,775			(7,410		)	130,894
Interest expense	—			6,634			1,364			108			(1,327		)	6,779
Interest income	—			(1,379		)	—			(16		)	1,327			(68		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(80,811		)	9,249			(6,682		)	—			78,244			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(204		)	259			(91		)	—			(36		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	80,811			117,628			1,660			9,774			(85,654		)	124,219
Provision for income taxes	—			29,407			10,909			3,092			—			43,408
Net income (loss)	$	80,811		$	88,221		$	(9,249	)	$	6,682		$	(85,654	)	$	80,811

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For the fiscal quarter ended October 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	539,181		$	427,028		$	71,068		$	(187,471	)	$	849,806
Cost of goods sold	—			380,427			263,009			39,180			(180,349		)	502,267
Gross profit	—			158,754			164,019			31,888			(7,122		)	347,539
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			49,317			169,379			20,708			(9,387		)	230,017
Royalty income	—			(9,175		)	(5,983		)	—			2,459			(12,699		)
Operating income (loss)	—			118,612			623			11,180			(194		)	130,221
Interest expense	—			6,754			1,318			169			(1,334		)	6,907
Interest income	—			(1,400		)	—			(25		)	1,334			(91		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(79,326		)	(1,645		)	(3,904		)	—			84,875			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			251			(269		)	(604		)	—			(622		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	79,326			114,652			3,478			11,640			(85,069		)	124,027
Provision for income taxes	—			35,132			6,098			3,471			—			44,701
Net income (loss)	$	79,326		$	79,520		$	(2,620	)	$	8,169		$	(85,069	)	$	79,326

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (unaudited)

For the three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,396,768		$	1,208,841		$	201,679		$	(542,307	)	$	2,264,981
Cost of goods sold	—			995,828			706,525			107,127			(513,156		)	1,296,324
Gross profit	—			400,940			502,316			94,552			(29,151		)	968,657
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			132,986			533,364			72,687			(26,255		)	712,782
Royalty income	—			(23,753		)	(14,390		)	—			6,873			(31,270		)
Operating income (loss)	—			291,707			(16,658		)	21,865			(9,769		)	287,145
Interest expense	—			19,909			4,070			323			(3,981		)	20,321
Interest income	—			(4,353		)	—			(81		)	3,981			(453		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(170,989		)	26,079			(12,739		)	—			157,649			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(377		)	432			3,618			—			3,673
Income (loss) before income taxes	170,989			250,449			(8,421		)	18,005			(167,418		)	263,604
Provision for income taxes	—			69,691			17,658			5,266			—			92,615
Net income (loss)	$	170,989		$	180,758		$	(26,079	)	$	12,739		$	(167,418	)	$	170,989

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For the three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,336,785		$	1,137,585		$	170,826		$	(497,861	)	$	2,147,335
Cost of goods sold	—			932,937			699,769			96,788			(476,645		)	1,252,849
Gross profit	—			403,848			437,816			74,038			(21,216		)	894,486
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			133,733			484,278			62,208			(29,723		)	650,496
Royalty income	—			(24,555		)	(14,462		)	—			6,329			(32,688		)
Operating income (loss)	—			294,670			(32,000		)	11,830			2,178			276,678
Interest expense	—			20,189			3,994			425			(4,074		)	20,534
Interest income	—			(4,402		)	—			(57		)	4,074			(385		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(165,223		)	31,055			(7,466		)	—			141,634			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			56			(106		)	(510		)	—			(560		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	165,223			247,772			(28,422		)	11,972			(139,456		)	257,089
Provision for income taxes	—			84,727			3,211			3,928			—			91,866
Net income (loss)	$	165,223		$	163,045		$	(31,633	)	$	8,044		$	(139,456	)	$	165,223

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

For the fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	80,811		$	88,221		$	(9,249	)	$	6,682		$	(85,654	)	$	80,811
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,356		)	(1,356		)	(1,356		)	(1,356		)	4,068			(1,356		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	79,455		$	86,865		$	(10,605	)	$	5,326		$	(81,586	)	$	79,455

For the fiscal quarter ended October 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	79,326		$	79,520		$	(2,620	)	$	8,169		$	(85,069	)	$	79,326
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(4,205		)	(4,205		)	(69		)	(4,205		)	8,479			(4,205		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	75,121		$	75,315		$	(2,689	)	$	3,964		$	(76,590	)	$	75,121

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

For the three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	170,989	$	180,758	$	(26,079	)	$	12,739	$	(167,418	)	$	170,989
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,478		4,478		4,478			4,478		(13,434		)	4,478
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	175,467	$	185,236	$	(21,601	)	$	17,217	$	(180,852	)	$	175,467

For the three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	165,223		$	163,045		$	(31,633	)	$	8,044		$	(139,456	)	$	165,223
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(10,443		)	(10,443		)	(38		)	(10,443		)	20,924			(10,443		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	154,780		$	152,602		$	(31,671	)	$	(2,399	)	$	(118,532	)	$	154,780

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

For the three fiscal quarters ended October 1, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	$	—		$	88,493		$	24,058		$	4,023		$	—		$	116,574

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(19,782		)	(44,304		)	(7,104		)	—			(71,190		)
Intercompany investing activity	291,477			(353		)	(1,855		)	—			(289,269		)	—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			23			—			193			—			216
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	291,477			(20,112		)	(46,159		)	(6,911		)	(289,269		)	(70,974		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(305,065		)	14,071			1,725			289,269			—
Dividends paid	(50,131		)	—			—			—			—			(50,131		)
Repurchase of common stock	(239,138		)	—			—			—			—			(239,138		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			2,212			1,855			—			—			4,067
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(8,594		)	—			—			—			—			(8,594		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,386			—			—			—			—			6,386
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(291,477		)	(302,853		)	15,926			1,725			289,269			(287,410		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			1,227			—			1,227
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(234,472		)	(6,175		)	64			—			(240,583		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			325,771			14,652			40,786			—			381,209
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	91,299		$	8,477		$	40,850		$	—		$	140,626

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For the three fiscal quarters ended October 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	$	—		$	85,213		$	38,022		$	22,799		$	—		$	146,034

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(21,953		)	(46,876		)	(8,158		)	—			(76,987		)
Intercompany investing activity	119,788			4,357			(2,607		)	(8,582		)	(112,956		)	—
Issuance of intercompany loan	—			(15,000		)	—			—			15,000			—
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan	—			20,000			—			—			(20,000		)	—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			59			—			7			—			66
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	119,788			(12,537		)	(49,483		)	(16,733		)	(117,956		)	(76,921		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(127,475		)	15,846			(1,327		)	112,956			—
Repayment of intercompany loan	—			—			—			(20,000		)	20,000			—
Borrowings from intercompany loan	—			—			—			15,000			(15,000		)	—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			166,000			—			39,586			—			205,586
Payment on secured revolving credit facility	—			(186,000		)	—			(19,237		)	—			(205,237		)
Dividends Paid	(34,617		)	—			—			—			—			(34,617		)
Payment on debt issuance costs	—			(1,495		)	—			—			—			(1,495		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			(7,572		)	—			—			—			(7,572		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			5,356			2,607			—			—			7,963
Repurchase of common stock	(78,339		)	—			—			—			—			(78,339		)
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(12,575		)	—			—			—			—			(12,575		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,743			—			—			—			—			5,743
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(119,788		)	(151,186		)	18,453			14,022			117,956			(120,543		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			(948		)	—			(948		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(78,510		)	6,992			19,140			—			(52,378		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			311,078			10,442			19,118			—			340,638
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	232,568		$	17,434		$	38,258		$	—		$	288,260

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to our future performance, including, without limitation, statements with respect to our anticipated financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal year 2016, or any other future period, assessment of our performance and financial position, and drivers of our sales and earnings growth. Such statements are based on current expectations only, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or not materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or projected. Certain of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially are described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

OVERVIEW

We are the largest branded marketer in the United States ("U.S.") and in Canada of apparel exclusively for babies and young children. We own two of the most highly recognized and most trusted brand names in the children's apparel industry, Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh ("OshKosh"). Established in 1865, our Carter's brand is recognized and trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel for children sizes newborn to eight. Established in 1895, OshKosh is a well-known brand, trusted by consumers for apparel for children sizes newborn to 14, with a focus on playclothes for toddlers and young children. Given each brand's product category emphasis and brand aesthetic, we believe they provide a complementary product offering. We have extensive experience in the young children's apparel market and focus on delivering products that satisfy our consumers' needs. Our strategy is to market high-quality, essential core products at prices that deliver an attractive value proposition for consumers.

The following is a discussion of our results of operations and current financial condition. This should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Form 10-Q and audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (i) selected statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of consolidated net sales and (ii) the number of retail stores open at the end of each period:



	Fiscal quarter ended				Three fiscal quarters ended
	October 1, 2016		October 3, 2015		October 1, 2016		October 3, 2015

Net sales
Carter’s Wholesale	39.5	%	40.4	%	37.2	%	38.4	%
Carter’s Retail	34.9	%	34.7	%	38.0	%	37.2	%
Total Carter’s (U.S.)	74.4	%	75.1	%	75.2	%	75.6	%

OshKosh Retail	11.9	%	11.6	%	11.8	%	11.4	%
OshKosh Wholesale	1.9	%	2.2	%	1.7	%	2.3	%
Total OshKosh (U.S.)	13.8	%	13.8	%	13.5	%	13.7	%

International	11.8	%	11.1	%	11.3	%	10.7	%

Consolidated net sales	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Cost of goods sold	58.3	%	59.1	%	57.2	%	58.3	%

Gross margin	41.7	%	40.9	%	42.8	%	41.7	%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	28.3	%	27.1	%	31.5	%	30.3	%
Royalty income	(1.2	)%	(1.5	)%	(1.4	)%	(1.5	)%

Operating income	14.5	%	15.3	%	12.7	%	12.9	%
Interest expense	0.8	%	0.8	%	0.9	%	1.0	%
Interest income	n/m		n/m		n/m		n/m
Other expense (income), net	n/m		(0.1	)%	0.2	%	n/m

Income before income taxes	13.8	%	14.6	%	11.6	%	11.9	%
Provision for income taxes	4.8	%	5.3	%	4.1	%	4.2	%
Net income	9.0	%	9.3	%	7.5	%	7.7	%

Number of retail stores at end of period:
Carter’s - U.S.					636		577
OshKosh - U.S.					267		232
International (all in Canada)					156		140
Total retail stores					1,059		949

n/m - rounds to less than 0.1%, therefore not material.

Note: Results may not be additive due to rounding.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

STORE COUNT DATA



		Carter's Retail	OshKosh Retail	Canada	Total

Third quarter of fiscal 2016:	Openings	13	7	6	26
	Closings	1	2	—	3
Three quarters of fiscal 2016:	Openings	44	30	9	83
	Closings	2	4	—	6
Approximate projections for fiscal 2016:	Openings	64	43	16	123
	Closings	4	5	—	9

Substantially all of the OshKosh retail store openings included in the above table are in a "side-by-side" format with a Carter's retail store. We operate "side-by-side" locations wherein adjacent retail stores for our Carter's and OshKosh brands are connected, allowing customers to shop for both brands in a single location. Each "side-by-side" location is counted as one Carter's retail store and one OshKosh retail store. As of October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015, the U.S. store count data presented in the above table included 127 and 86 "side-by-side" locations, respectively.

COMPARABLE SALES METRICS

Our comparable store sales metrics include sales for all stores and eCommerce websites that were open during the comparable fiscal period, including certain remodeled stores and relocated stores. A store or eCommerce website becomes comparable following 13 consecutive full months of operation. If a store relocates within the same center with no business interruption or material change in square footage, the sales of such store will continue to be included in the comparable store metrics. If a store relocates to another center, or if there is a material change in square footage, such store is treated as a new store. Stores that are closed during the relevant fiscal period are included in the comparable store sales metrics up to and including the last full fiscal month of operations.

THIRD FISCAL QUARTER AND FIRST THREE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2016 COMPARED TO THIRD FISCAL QUARTER AND FIRST THREE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 2015

U.S. COMPARABLE RETAIL SALES

Changes in comparable sales for our two U.S. retail segments, Carter's Retail and Oshkosh Retail, were as follows:



	Comparable Sales
	Change for Third Fiscal Quarter from 2015 to 2016		Change for Three Fiscal Quarters from 2015 to 2016
Increase (Decrease)
	Carter's Retail	OshKosh Retail	Carter's Retail	OshKosh Retail

Retail stores	(4.1)%	(3.0)%	(2.4)%	(3.5)%
eCommerce	+25.2%	+34.8%	+19.7%	+24.9%
Total	+2.1%	+4.1%	+2.1%	+2.1%

The decreases in comparable retail store sales for Carter's and OshKosh during the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, as compared to the comparable fiscal periods in 2015, were primarily due to decreases in the number of transactions due to lower demand for seasonal products and a lower average price per unit.

For the year-to-date period ended October 1, 2016, we believe that Carter's and OshKosh retail comparable sales were negatively affected by lower demand from international consumers shopping in our U.S. stores and eCommerce websites, which was likely influenced by the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. However, we believe these effects were less pronounced in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 as our U.S. retail businesses experienced stabilization in demand from international customers.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

The increases in eCommerce comparable sales for Carter's and OshKosh during both periods in fiscal 2016, as compared to the comparable fiscal periods in 2015, were primarily due to an increase in the number of transactions.

CONSOLIDATED NET SALES

In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, consolidated net sales increased $51.6 million, or 6.1%, to $901.4 million from $849.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. For the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, consolidated net sales increased $117.6 million, or 5.5%, to $2.26 billion from $2.15 billion in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. The increases during both periods reflected sales growth in all of our segments except OshKosh Wholesale, as presented below. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015 had a favorable impact on our consolidated net sales of approximately $0.3 million. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 as compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 had an unfavorable impact on our consolidated net sales of approximately $6.7 million.

Net sales by segment, and each segment's percentage of consolidated net sales, were as follows:



	Fiscal quarter ended								Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	October 1, 2016		% of Total		October 3, 2015		% of Total		October 1, 2016		% of Total		October 3, 2015		% of Total

Net sales:
Carter’s Wholesale	$	356,258	39.5	%	$	343,555	40.4	%	$	842,136	37.2	%	$	824,600	38.4	%
Carter’s Retail	314,699		34.9	%	294,928		34.7	%	860,854		38.0	%	799,635		37.2	%
Total Carter’s (U.S.)	670,957		74.4	%	638,483		75.1	%	1,702,990		75.2	%	1,624,235		75.6	%

OshKosh Retail	$	106,999	11.9	%	$	98,292	11.6	%	$	267,715	11.8	%	$	244,787	11.4	%
OshKosh Wholesale	17,474		1.9	%	18,794		2.2	%	38,772		1.7	%	49,151		2.3	%
Total OshKosh (U.S.)	124,473		13.8	%	117,086		13.8	%	306,487		13.5	%	293,938		13.7	%
International	105,995		11.8	%	94,237		11.1	%	255,504		11.3	%	229,162		10.7	%
Total net sales	$	901,425	100.0	%	$	849,806	100.0	%	$	2,264,981	100.0	%	$	2,147,335	100.0	%

CARTER'S WHOLESALE SALES (U.S.)

Carter's Wholesale segment net sales increased $12.7 million, or 3.7%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 to $356.3 million from $343.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. This increase in net sales was primarily the result of a 2.8% increase in the average price per unit due to a favorable product mix and a 0.9% increase in the number of units shipped.

Carter's Wholesale segment net sales increased $17.5 million, or 2.1%, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 to $842.1 million from $824.6 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This increase in net sales was primarily a result of a 2.4% increase in the average price per unit due to favorable product mix, partially offset by a 0.3% decrease in the number of units shipped.

CARTER'S RETAIL SALES (U.S.)

Carter's Retail segment net sales increased $19.8 million, or 6.7%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 to $314.7 million from $294.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. This increase in net sales primarily reflected a/an:


•	Increase of $16.4 million from new stores;


•	Increase of $15.0 million from eCommerce sales;

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


•	Decrease of $9.5 million in comparable store sales; and


•	Decrease of $1.1 million due to the impact of store closings.

Carter's Retail segment net sales increased $61.2 million, or 7.7%, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 to $860.9 million from $799.6 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This increase in net sales primarily reflected a/an:


•	Increase of $50.6 million from new stores;


•	Increase of $31.0 million from eCommerce sales;


•	Decrease of $15.0 million in comparable store sales; and


•	Decrease of $2.5 million due to the impact of store closings.

OSHKOSH RETAIL SALES (U.S.)

OshKosh Retail segment net sales increased $8.7 million, or 8.9%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 to $107.0 million from $98.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. This increase in net sales primarily reflected a/an:


•	Increase of $8.1 million from new stores;


•	Increase of $6.0 million from eCommerce sales;


•	Decrease of $2.3 million in comparable store sales; and


•	Decrease of $2.2 million due to the impact of store closings.

OshKosh Retail segment net sales increased $22.9 million, or 9.4%, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 to $267.7 million from $244.8 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This increase in net sales primarily reflected a/an:


•	Increase of $25.3 million from new stores;


•	Increase of $11.3 million from eCommerce sales;


•	Decrease of $6.6 million in comparable store sales; and


•	Decrease of $5.8 million due to the impact of store closings.

OSHKOSH WHOLESALE SALES (U.S.)

OshKosh Wholesale segment net sales decreased $1.3 million, or 7.0%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 to $17.5 million from $18.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. This decrease was primarily due to a 3.8% decrease in the number of units shipped mainly due to a decline in seasonal bookings, and a 3.2% decrease in the average price per unit.

OshKosh Wholesale segment net sales decreased $10.4 million, or 21.1%, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 to $38.8 million from $49.2 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This decrease was primarily due to a 20.1% decrease in the number of units shipped mainly due to a decline in seasonal bookings, and a 1.0% decrease in the average price per unit.

INTERNATIONAL SALES

International segment net sales increased $11.8 million, or 12.5%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 to $106.0 million from $94.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar had a favorable impact on International segment net sales of approximately $0.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

The $11.8 million increase in net sales in the International segment primarily reflected an:


•	Increase of $5.8 million from our international wholesale businesses;


•	Increase of $4.8 million from our Canadian retail stores; and


•	Increase of $1.2 million from eCommerce, primarily driven by our eCommerce websites in Canada.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

International segment net sales increased $26.3 million, or 11.5%, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 to $255.5 million from $229.2 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar had an unfavorable impact on International segment net sales of approximately $6.7 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2015.

The $26.3 million increase in net sales in the International segment primarily reflected a/an:


•	Increase of $15.9 million from our Canadian retail stores;


•	Increase of $8.2 million from eCommerce, primarily driven by our eCommerce website in China;


•	Increase of $5.8 million from our international wholesale businesses other than Canada; and


•	Decrease of $3.6 million in our Canada wholesale business due, in part, to the Target Canada bankruptcy that occurred in early 2015.

Compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015, our Canadian total retail comparable sales increased 1.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, primarily due to eCommerce comparable sales growth of 37.2%, partially offset by retail stores comparable sales decline of 0.5%. Compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2015, our Canadian total retail comparable sales increased 7.2% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, primarily due to retail stores comparable sales growth of 5.4% and eCommerce comparable sales growth of 37.3%.

GROSS MARGIN AND GROSS PROFIT

Our consolidated gross margin increased from 40.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 41.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, primarily due to favorable product costs, partially offset by increased promotional pricing in our retail businesses. Our consolidated gross profit increased $28.0 million, or 8.1%, to $375.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 from $347.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 due to the increase in sales and favorable product costs.

Our consolidated gross margin increased from 41.7% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 42.8% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, primarily due to favorable product costs and product mix. Our consolidated gross profit increased $74.2 million, or 8.3%, to $968.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 from $894.5 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015, due to the increase in sales and favorable product costs.

We include distribution costs in selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. Accordingly, our gross margin and gross profit may not be comparable to other entities that include such distribution costs in their cost of goods sold.

SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ("SG&A") EXPENSES

Consolidated SG&A expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 increased $25.3 million, or 11.0%, to $255.3 million from $230.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased from 27.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 28.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016.

The increase in SG&A expenses, as a percentage of net sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 primarily reflected a:


•	$14.3 million increase in expenses related to retail store operations, primarily due to new store openings;


•	$4.6 million increase in expenses related to our domestic and international eCommerce operations;


•	$2.8 million increase in expenses related to information technology and systems;


•	$2.0 million increase in expenses related to distribution expenses;


•	$1.7 million increase in expenses related to other general and administrative expenses; and


•	$1.0 million insurance recovery that decreased SG&A expenses during the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

which were partially offset by a:


•	$1.2 million decrease in insurance and employee benefits costs;


•	$1.0 million decrease in amortization of the H.W.Carter & Sons trademarks;

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


•	$0.7 million decrease in performance-based compensation expenses; and


•	$0.6 million decrease in marketing expenses.

Consolidated SG&A expenses in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 increased $62.3 million, or 9.6%, to $712.8 million from $650.5 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased from 30.3% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 31.5% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016.

The increase in SG&A expenses, as a percentage of net sales, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 primarily reflected a:


•	$42.3 million increase in expenses related to retail store operations, primarily due to new store openings;


•	$10.5 million increase in expenses related to our domestic and international eCommerce operations;


•	$7.5 million increase in expenses related to information technology and systems;


•	$4.4 million increase in expenses related to marketing and brand management;


•	$2.9 million increase in expenses related to other general and administrative expenses;


•	$2.3 million increase in expenses related to distribution and freight; and


•	$1.0 million insurance recovery that decreased SG&A expenses during the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

which were partially offset by a:


•	$3.5 million decrease in amortization of the H.W. Carter & Sons trademarks;


•	$2.8 million decrease in insurance and employee benefits costs;


•	$1.9 million decrease in performance-based compensation expenses; and


•	$1.5 million decrease in wholesale and domestic licensing expenses.

ROYALTY INCOME

We license the use of our Carter's, Just One You, Child of Mine, OshKosh B'gosh, OshKosh, Genuine Kids from OshKosh, and Precious Firsts brand names. Royalty income from these brands for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 decreased $2.0 million, or 16.0%, to $10.7 million from $12.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Royalty income from these brands for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 decreased $1.4 million, or 4.3%, to $31.3 million from $32.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. The decreases in both of the fiscal 2016 periods, as compared to the corresponding fiscal 2015 periods, were attributable to a decrease in income from certain licensees due in part to the insourcing of formerly licensed product categories, partially offset by sales growth from other domestic licensees. We benefited from favorable settlements in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

OPERATING INCOME

Consolidated operating income increased $0.7 million, or 0.5%, to $130.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 from $130.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Consolidated operating income increased $10.5 million, or 3.8%, to $287.1 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 from $276.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. Consolidated operating margin decreased from 15.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 14.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Consolidated operating margin decreased from 12.9% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 12.7% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The tables below summarize the changes in each of our segments' operating results and unallocated corporate expenses between the fiscal periods indicated:

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



(dollars in thousands)	Carter's Wholesale			Carter's Retail			OshKosh Wholesale			OshKosh Retail			International			Corporate Expenses			Total
Operating income (loss) for third quarter of fiscal 2015	$	74,347		$	51,733		$	4,487		$	6,171		$	18,220		$	(24,737	)	$	130,221
Favorable (unfavorable) change in the third quarter of fiscal 2016
Gross profit	8,812			10,218			(1,058		)	2,616			7,210			209			28,007
Royalty income	(851		)	(567		)	296			(328		)	(579		)	—			(2,029		)
SG&A expenses	(757		)	(13,333		)	725			(5,807		)	(5,206		)	(927		)	(25,305		)
Operating income (loss) for third quarter of fiscal 2016	$	81,551		$	48,051		$	4,450		$	2,652		$	19,645		$	(25,455	)	$	130,894



(dollars in thousands)	Carter's Wholesale			Carter's Retail			OshKosh Wholesale			OshKosh Retail			International			Corporate Expenses			Total
Operating income (loss) for the first three quarters of fiscal 2015	$	172,485		$	134,557		$	9,715		$	3,396		$	30,967		$	(74,442	)	$	276,678
Favorable (unfavorable) change in the three quarters of fiscal 2016
Gross profit	16,382			33,204			(3,810		)	10,724			17,700			(29		)	74,171
Royalty income	(1,113		)	60			132			162			(659		)	—			(1,418		)
SG&A expenses	(99		)	(40,083		)	2,229			(14,896		)	(10,817		)	1,380			(62,286		)
Operating income (loss) for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016	$	187,655		$	127,738		$	8,266		$	(614	)	$	37,191		$	(73,091	)	$	287,145

The following tables present changes in the operating margin for each of our five operating segments. The primary drivers of these changes are presented in terms of the difference in each driver's margin (based on net sales) between the respective periods, in each case expressed in basis points ("bps"). The first table presents the changes between the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The second table presents the changes between the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 and the first three quarters of fiscal 2016.

Carter's Wholesale

Carter's Retail

OshKosh Wholesale

OshKosh Retail

International

Operating margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2015

21.6

17.5

23.9

6.3

19.3

Favorable (unfavorable) bps change in the third quarter of fiscal 2016

Gross profit

150 bps

(10) bps

(410) bps

(150) bps

190 bps

Royalty income

(30) bps

(20) bps

290 bps

(40) bps

(80) bps

SG&A expenses

10 bps

(190) bps

280 bps

(190) bps

Operating margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2016

22.9

15.3

25.5

2.5

18.5

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



	Carter's Wholesale		Carter's Retail		OshKosh Wholesale		OshKosh Retail		International
Operating margin for the first three quarters of fiscal 2015	20.9	%	16.8	%	19.8	%	1.4	%	13.5	%
Favorable (unfavorable) bps change in the three quarters of fiscal 2016
Gross profit	140 bps		—		(330) bps		(10) bps		240 bps
Royalty income	(20) bps		—		430 bps		—		(50) bps
SG&A expenses	20 bps		(200) bps		50 bps		(150) bps		(80) bps
Operating margin for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016	22.3	%	14.8	%	21.3	%	(0.2	)%	14.6	%
	(aa)		(bb)		(cc)		(dd)		(ee)

(a) Carter's Wholesale segment operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 increased $7.2 million, or 9.7%, to $81.6 million from $74.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. The segment's operating margin increased 130 bps from 21.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 22.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	150 bps increase in gross profit due to favorable product costs and improved pricing due to changes in product mix;


•	30 bps decrease in royalty income due to insourcing formerly licensed product categories and a reserve against certain licensee receivables.

(aa) Carter's Wholesale segment operating income in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 increased $15.2 million, or 8.8%, to $187.7 million from $172.5 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. The segment's operating margin increased 140 bps from 20.9% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 22.3% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	140 bps increase in gross profit due to favorable product costs and improved pricing due to changes in product mix;


•	20 bps decrease in SG&A expenses, primarily due to a decrease in distribution and freight expenses, driven by efficiencies at our Braselton, Georgia distribution center; and


•	20 bps decrease in royalty income.

(b) Carter's Retail segment operating income decreased by $3.7 million, or 7.1%, to $48.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 from $51.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. This segment's operating margin decreased 220 bps from 17.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 15.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	10 bps decrease in gross profit due to increased promotional environment, offset by favorable changes in product costs;


•	190 bps increase in SG&A expenses, primarily due to a:


•	150 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores;


•	30 bps increase in distribution and freight expenses; and


•	20 bps decrease in royalty income.

(bb) Carter's Retail segment operating income decreased by $6.8 million, or 5.1%, to $127.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 from $134.6 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This segment's operating margin decreased 200 bps from 16.8% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 14.8% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	200 bps increase in SG&A expenses, primarily due to a:

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


•	140 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores; and


•	30 bps increase in marketing expenses.

(c) OshKosh Wholesale segment operating income was both $4.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015. This segment's operating margin increased 160 bps from 23.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 25.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	410 bps decrease in gross profit primarily due to customer sales mix, partially offset by favorable changes in product costs;


•	280 bps decrease in SG&A expenses primarily due to a:


•	230 bps decrease in performance-based compensation expenses;


•	150 bps decrease in provisions for accounts receivable;


•	80 bps decrease in distribution and freight expenses;


•	180 bps increase in marketing expenses; and


•	290 bps increase in royalty income due to sales growth from our licensees.

(cc) OshKosh Wholesale segment operating income decreased by $1.4 million, or 14.9%, to $8.3 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 from $9.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This segment's operating margin increased 150 bps from 19.8% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 21.3% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	330 bps decrease in gross profit primarily due to higher provisions for inventory, partially offset by favorable changes in product costs;


•	50 bps decrease in SG&A expenses primarily due to a/an:


•	230 bps decrease in performance-based compensation expenses;


•	190 bps increase in marketing expenses; and


•	430 bps increase in royalty income primarily due to sales growth from our licensees;

(d) OshKosh Retail segment operating income decreased by $3.5 million, or 57.0%, from an operating income of $6.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to an operating income of $2.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The segment's operating margin decreased 380 bps from 6.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 2.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	150 bps decrease in gross profit primarily due to an increased promotional environment, partially offset by lower product costs;


•	190 bps increase in SG&A expenses primarily due to a/an:


•	180 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores;


•	50 bps increase in distribution and freight expenses;


•	20 bps decrease in performance-based compensation expenses;


•	20 bps decrease in marketing expenses; and


•	40 bps decrease in royalty income.

(dd) OshKosh Retail segment operating income decreased by $4.0 million, or 118.1%, from an operating income of $3.4 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to an operating loss of $0.6 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The segment's operating margin decreased 160 bps from 1.4% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to (0.2)% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	150 bps increase in SG&A expenses primarily due to a/an:


•	180 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores;


•	20 bps decrease in distribution and freight expenses; and


•	20 bps decrease in performance-based compensation expenses.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

(e) International segment operating income increased by $1.4 million, or 7.8%, to $19.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 from $18.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. This segment's operating margin decreased 80 bps from 19.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to 18.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	190 bps increase in gross profit, primarily driven by growth in higher margin retail store and eCommerce channels, improved price realization, and benefit from direct sourcing;


•	190 bps increase in SG&A expenses primarily due to a/an:


•	100 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores and new China wholesale business;


•	60 bps increase in marketing expenses; and


•	80 bps decrease in royalty income due to a reduction in the number of licensees.

(ee) International segment operating income increased by $6.2 million, or 20.1%, to $37.2 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 from $31.0 million in the first three quarters of 2015. This segment's operating margin increased 110 bps from 13.5% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 14.6% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of the change in operating margin were a/an:


•	240 bps increase in gross profit, primarily driven by growth in higher margin retail store and eCommerce channels, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange impacts;


•	80 bps increase in SG&A expenses primarily due to a/an:


•	110 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores, China eCommerce and new China wholesale business;


•	20 bps increase in distribution and freight expenses;


•	20 bps increase in performance-based compensation expenses;


•	20 bps increase in information technology expenses;


•	80 bps decrease in accretion expense for contingent consideration related to the Bonnie Togs acquisition; and


•	50 bps decrease in royalty income due to a reduction in licensees.

Unallocated Corporate Expenses

Unallocated corporate expenses increased by $0.7 million, or 2.9%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Unallocated corporate expenses, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, decreased from 2.9% in the third quarter of of fiscal 2015 to 2.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The increase in corporate expenses primarily reflected a/an:


•	Increase of $1.7 million in other general and administrative expenses;


•	Increase of $1.4 million in expenses related to information technology and systems;


•	Decrease of $1.1 million in insurance and other employee related benefits costs; and


•	Decrease of $1.0 million in amortization of the H.W. Carter & Sons tradenames.

Unallocated corporate expenses decreased by $1.4 million, or 1.8%, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. Unallocated corporate expenses, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, decreased from 3.5% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 to 3.2% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016. The decrease in corporate expenses primarily reflected a/an:


•	Decrease of $3.5 million in amortization of the H.W. Carter & Sons tradenames;


•	Decrease of $2.8 million in performance-based compensation;


•	Decrease of $1.9 million in insurance and other employee related benefits costs;


•	Increase of $3.5 million in expenses related to information technology and systems; and


•	Increase of $2.9 million in other general and administrative expenses.

INTEREST EXPENSE

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Interest expense and effective interest rate calculations include the amortization of debt issuance costs.

Interest expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 and 2015 was approximately $6.8 million and $6.9 million, respectively. Weighted-average borrowings for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 were approximately $585.6 million with an effective interest rate of 4.57%, compared to weighted-average borrowings for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 of $585.5 million with an effective interest rate of 4.69%.

Interest expense in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 and 2015 was approximately $20.3 million and $20.5 million, respectively. Weighted-average borrowings for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 were approximately $585.3 million with an effective interest rate of 4.58%, compared to weighted-average borrowings for the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 of $586.4 million with an effective interest rate of 4.65%.

The decreases in the effective interest rate for the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 compared to the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 was primarily due to lower borrowing costs on the U.S. and Canadian borrowings outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility in fiscal 2016.

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET

Other expense (income), net is comprised primarily of unrealized gains and losses from unsettled foreign currency forward contracts and unsettled foreign currency transactions, and realized gains and losses on settled foreign currency forward contracts and settled foreign currency transactions. These amounts represented a net gain of $0.1 million and a net loss of $3.6 million for the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, respectively. These amounts represented a net gain of $0.6 million and a net gain of $0.5 million for the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2015, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

Our consolidated effective income tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 was 34.9% compared to 36.0% for the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Our consolidated effective income tax rate for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 was 35.1% compared to 35.7% for the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. The lower effective rates both periods in fiscal 2016 were primarily due to expansion of our international business, partially offset by favorable settlements of federal and state tax audits for 2011, 2012, and 2013 during the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

For the full fiscal year 2016, we estimate our consolidated effective income tax rate to be approximately 35.2%.

NET INCOME

Our consolidated net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 increased by $1.5 million, or 1.9%, to $80.8 million compared to $79.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Our consolidated net income for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 increased by $5.8 million, or 3.5%, to $171.0 million compared to $165.2 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. The increases were due to the factors previously discussed.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, CAPITAL RESOURCES, AND LIQUIDITY

Our primary cash needs are for working capital and capital expenditures. We expect that our primary sources of liquidity will continue to be cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings available under our secured revolving credit facility. We expect that these sources will fund our ongoing requirements for the foreseeable future. Further, we do not expect current economic conditions to prevent us from meeting our cash requirements. These sources of liquidity may be affected by events described in our risk factors, as further discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

As of October 1, 2016, the Company had approximately $140.6 million of cash and cash equivalents in major financial institutions, including approximately $40.9 million in financial institutions located outside of the United States. We maintain cash deposits with major financial institutions that exceed the insurance coverage limits provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the United States and by similar insurers for deposits located outside the United States. To mitigate this risk, we utilize a policy of allocating cash deposits among major financial institutions that have been evaluated by us and third-party rating agencies.

BALANCE SHEET

Net accounts receivable at October 1, 2016 were $271.2 million compared to $246.6 million at October 3, 2015 and $207.6 million at January 2, 2016. The overall increase of $24.6 million, or 10.0%, at October 1, 2016 compared to October 3, 2015 primarily reflected sales growth. Due to the seasonal nature of our operations, the net accounts receivable balance at October 1, 2016 is not comparable to the net accounts receivable balance of $207.6 million at January 2, 2016.

Inventories at October 1, 2016 were $552.7 million compared to $511.5 million at October 3, 2015 and $469.9 million at January 2, 2016. The increase of $41.2 million, or 8.1%, at October 1, 2016 compared to October 3, 2015 primarily reflected business growth and the timing of inventory purchases. Due to the seasonal nature of our operations, the inventories balance at October 1, 2016 is not comparable to the inventories balance of $469.9 million at January 2, 2016.

CASH FLOW

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 was $116.6 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $146.0 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This decrease in operating cash flow for the 2016 period reflected unfavorable changes in net working capital primarily due to the timing of payments, partially offset by an increase in net income.

Capital expenditures were $71.2 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 compared to $77.0 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015, primarily reflecting 2016 expenditures of approximately $42.8 million for our U.S. and international retail store openings and re-modelings, $17.4 million for information technology initiatives, $5.3 million for distribution and office facilities, and $2.1 million for wholesale fixtures.

We plan to invest approximately $105 million in total capital expenditures for all of fiscal 2016, primarily for our U.S. and international retail store openings and re-modelings, and information technology initiatives.

Net cash used in financing activities was $287.4 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 compared to $120.5 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. This increase in cash used during the 2016 period primarily reflected increases in repurchases of our common stock and higher dividend payments.

SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

Our secured revolving credit facility, which was amended and restated in September 2015, provides for (i) a $400 million U.S. dollar revolving facility (including a $175 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $50 million) available for borrowings in U.S. dollars and (ii) a $100 million multicurrency revolving facility (including a $40 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $15 million) available for borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or other currencies agreed to by the applicable lenders. Our secured revolving credit facility also provides for incremental facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250 million, either in the form of a commitment increase under the existing credit facility or the incurrence of one or more tranches of term loans (with the aggregate U.S. dollar amount not to exceed $200 million and the aggregate multicurrency amount not to exceed $50 million). Our secured revolving credit facility matures September 16, 2020.

As of October 1, 2016, we had $185.4 million in outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $4.8 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of October 1, 2016, approximately $309.7 million was available for future borrowing.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

The interest rate margins applicable to our secured revolving credit facility are presently 1.375% for LIBOR 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 October 1, 2016, U.S. dollar borrowings outstanding under the secured revolving credit facility accrued interest at a LIBOR rate plus the applicable base rate, which was equal to 1.90% on that date, and Canadian borrowings accrued interest at a CDOR (Canadian Dollar Offered Rate) plus the applicable base rate, which was 2.26% on that date.

As of October 1, 2016, we were in compliance with the financial and other covenants under our secured revolving credit facility.

SENIOR NOTES

As of October 1, 2016, our wholly-owned operating subsidiary The William Carter Company ("TWCC") had $400.0 million principal amount of senior notes outstanding, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 5.25% per annum, and maturing on August 15, 2021. On our consolidated balance sheet, the $400.0 million outstanding is reported net of $4.8 million, $5.5 million and $5.7 million unamortized issuance-related debt costs at October 1, 2016, January 2, 2016 and October 3, 2015, respectively. The senior notes are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter's, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of TWCC.

SHARE REPURCHASES

On February 24, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program, in addition to the amounts remaining under previous authorizations. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased and retired 2,358,947 shares in open market transactions for approximately $239.1 million at an average price of $101.37 per share. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2015, the Company repurchased and retired 795,025 shares in open market transactions for approximately $78.3 million, at an average price of $98.54 per share.

The total remaining capacity under all remaining repurchase authorizations as of October 1, 2016 was approximately $335.7 million. Future repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with the level and timing of activity being at management's discretion depending on market conditions, share price, other investment priorities, and other factors. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration date.

DIVIDENDS

In the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2016, we paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.33 per share in each quarter. In the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2015, we paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.22 per share in each quarter. Future declarations of quarterly dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be based on a number of factors, including our future financial performance and other investment priorities.

As disclosed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016, provisions in our secured revolving credit facility and indenture governing our senior notes could have the effect of restricting our ability to pay future cash dividends on or make future repurchases of our common stock.

SEASONALITY

We experience seasonal fluctuations in our sales and profitability due to the timing of certain holidays and key retail shopping periods, which generally have resulted in declines in our net sales and gross profit in the first half of our fiscal year versus the second half. Accordingly, our results of operations during any interim period during the fiscal year may not be indicative of the results we expect for the full fiscal year.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described under the heading "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Item 7 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are those policies that require management's most difficult and subjective judgments and may result in the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies and estimates include: revenue recognition and accounts receivable allowance, inventory, goodwill and tradename, accrued expenses, loss contingencies, accounting for income taxes, foreign currency, employee benefit plans, and stock-based compensation arrangements. There have been no material changes in these critical accounting policies and estimates from those described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, except to update the Company's accounting policy for the measurement date used for defined benefit plan assets and obligations as disclosed in Note 8, Employee Benefit Plans, to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Additionally, information related to the pending adoption of recently issued accounting standards is provided in Note 15, Pending Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Currency and Interest Rate Risks

In the operation of our business, we have market risk exposures including those related to foreign currency and interest rates. We employ various strategies to attempt to minimize our exposure to these risks.

Currency Risk

We contract for production with third parties, primarily in Asia. While these contracts are stated in U.S. dollars, there can be no assurance that the cost for the future production of our products will not be affected by exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies of these contractors. Due to the number of currencies involved, we cannot quantify the potential impact of future currency fluctuations on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows for future periods.

The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries that are denominated in functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and weighted-average exchange rates for revenues and expenses. Gains and losses resulting from translating assets and liabilities from the functional currency to U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Fluctuations in exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, may affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Transactions by our Canadian subsidiary may be denominated in a currency other than the entity's functional currency, which is the Canadian dollar. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses also include the impact of non-current intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are marked to market. In our statement of operations, these gains and losses are recorded within Other expense, net.

As part of our overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily between the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, our Canadian subsidiary may use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge purchases that are made in U.S. dollars, primarily for inventory purchases. As part of this strategy, we use foreign currency forward exchange contracts that have maturities of less than 12 months to provide continuing coverage throughout the hedging period.

Interest Rate Risk

Our operating results are subject to risk from interest rate fluctuations on our secured revolving credit facility, which carries variable interest rates. Our weighted-average variable rate borrowings outstanding as of October 1, 2016 were $185.4 million. An increase or decrease of 1% in the effective interest rate on that amount would increase or decrease our annual pre-tax interest expense by approximately $1.9 million.

Other Risks

We enter into various purchase order commitments with our suppliers. We can cancel these arrangements, although in some instances we may be subject to a termination charge reflecting a percentage of work performed prior to cancellation.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of October 1, 2016.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In connection with the Company’s continuing efforts to enhance its internal controls over financial reporting, at the beginning of the third quarter of fiscal 2016 the Company completed the replacement of a financial information system used to process and record certain of the Company’s financial transactions. Testing is ongoing and expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

Other than this financial system replacement, there were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the normal course of our business. The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings that it believes would have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Share Repurchases

The following table provides information about share repurchases during the third quarter of fiscal 2016:



Period	Total number of shares purchased (1)	Average price paid per share	Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (2)	Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (3)

July 3, 2016 through July 30, 2016	151,700	$108.10	151,700	$378,239,427

July 31, 2016 through August 27, 2016	181,662	$100.45	180,800	$360,078,297

August 28, 2016 through October 1, 2016	254,600	$95.71	254,600	$335,709,538

Total	587,962		587,100


(1)	Includes shares of our common stock surrendered by our employees to satisfy required tax withholding upon the vesting of restricted stock awards. There were 862 shares surrendered between July 3, 2016 and October 1, 2016.


(2)	Share purchases during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 were made in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations and in accordance with the share repurchase authorizations described in Note 5 to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


(3)	On February 24, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program. The new share repurchase authorization permits us to repurchase shares of our common stock up to $500 million, in addition to any amounts remaining under previous authorizations.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

N/A

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

N/A

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

N/A

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibits



3.1	Certificate of Incorporation of Carter's, Inc., as amended on May 12, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Carter's, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2015).
3.2	Amended and Restated By-Laws of Carter's, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Carter's, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2015).
31.1	Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) and 13a-15(f)/15d-15(f) Certification.
31.2	Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) and 13a-15(f)/15d-15(f) Certification.
32	Section 1350 Certification.
101	Interactive Data File.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

CARTER’S, INC.



October 27, 2016	/s/ MICHAEL D. CASEY
	Michael D. Casey
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)



October 27, 2016	/s/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER
	Richard F. Westenberger
	Executive Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Exhibit

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Michael D. Casey, certify that:


1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Carter’s, Inc.;


2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;


3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;


4.	The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5.	The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



October 27, 2016	/s/ MICHAEL D. CASEY
	Michael D. Casey
	Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Richard F. Westenberger, certify that:


1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Carter’s, Inc.;


2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;


3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;


4.	The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:


5.	The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



October 27, 2016	/s/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER
	Richard F. Westenberger
	Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION

Each of the undersigned in the capacity indicated hereby certifies that, to his knowledge, this Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in this Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Carter’s, Inc.



October 27, 2016	/s/ MICHAEL D. CASEY
	Michael D. Casey
	Chief Executive Officer



October 27, 2016	/s/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER
	Richard F. Westenberger
	Chief Financial Officer

The foregoing certifications are being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and are not being filed as part of the Report on Form 10-Q or as a separate disclosure document.