Carter's, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

• Net sales $758 million, comparable to prior year
• Diluted EPS $0.32 vs. $1.62 in Q3 2024; adjusted diluted EPS $0.74 vs. $1.64 in Q3 2024
• Returned $47 million to shareholders through dividends in the first three quarters of fiscal 2025
• Company announces productivity improvement actions

Carter's, Inc. (NYSE:CRI), North America's largest and most-enduring apparel company exclusively for babies and young children, today reported its third quarter fiscal 2025 results.

"Our third quarter performance reflected continued improvement in U.S. Retail business demand as we achieved positive comparable sales and improved pricing for the second consecutive quarter," said Douglas C. Palladini, Chief Executive Officer & President. "However, elevated product costs, in part due to the impact of higher tariffs, as well as additional investment, weighed meaningfully on our profitability.

"While we are steadying our business in 2025, there's still meaningful work to do for Carter's to unlock its full potential in terms of exceeding both consumer and shareholder expectations. Our team is acting decisively to improve the Company's financial performance: Today we are announcing a significant acceleration of our productivity agenda. We are pursuing several initiatives, including closing low-margin retail stores, right-sizing our organization, and honing product choices, which we believe will generate significant savings, improve overall cost structure, and provide investment capacity as we establish the foundation to return to consistent, profitable growth going forward. In light of the difficult decisions being made to improve our performance, the Board of Directors and I have also decided to reduce our 2026 compensation.

"Our multi-channel business model affords Carter's brands unparalleled availability and awareness, and deep consumer trust built over our 160-year legacy enables our position as the young children's apparel market leader. I'm confident our new product, marketing, and consumer experience initiatives, which have begun to bear fruit, will further strengthen our market position in the years ahead."

Adjustments to Reported GAAP Results

In addition to the results presented in this earnings release in accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP financial measurements, as presented below. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measurements provide a meaningful comparison of the Company's results and afford investors a view of what management considers to be the Company's underlying performance. These measures are presented for informational purposes only. See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Results to GAAP" section of this release for additional disclosures and reconciliations regarding these non-GAAP financial measures.

Third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2025 results included expenses related to organizational restructuring initiatives, operating model improvement costs, leadership transition costs, a non-cash charge for settlement of the OshKosh B'Gosh Pension Plan, and a tax charge associated with the termination of the Company's deferred compensation plan. Adjustments made to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2024 results reflect a non-cash charge for a partial settlement of the OshKosh B'Gosh Pension Plan.

Consolidated Results

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2025 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024

Net sales decreased $0.6 million, or 0.1%, to $757.8 million, compared to $758.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, reflecting lower U.S. Wholesale segment sales, partially offset by growth in U.S. Retail and International segment sales. U.S. Retail and International segment net sales increased 2.6% and 4.9%, respectively, while U.S. Wholesale segment net sales decreased 5.1%. U.S. Retail comparable net sales increased 2.0%. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2024, had a negligible effect on consolidated net sales.

Operating income decreased $47.9 million, or 62.2% to $29.1 million, compared to $77.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Operating margin decreased to 3.8%, compared to 10.2% in the prior year, reflecting higher tariff costs, investments in product make, lower unit volume, and investments in new stores, partially offset by higher pricing.

Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) decreased $37.7 million, or 48.9% to $39.4 million, compared to $77.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted operating margin decreased to 5.2%, compared to 10.2% in the prior year period, principally due to the factors described above.

Net income was $11.6 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to $58.3 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Third quarter fiscal 2025 net income included an $8.8 million ($6.7 million net of tax) non-cash charge for settlement of the OshKosh B'Gosh Pension Plan and a $0.8 million tax charge associated with the termination of a deferred compensation plan. Third quarter fiscal 2024 net income included a $0.7 million non-cash charge for a partial settlement of the OshKosh B'Gosh Pension Plan.

Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) was $26.8 million, compared to $59.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) was $0.74, compared to $1.64 in the prior-year quarter.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2025 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2024

Net sales decreased $11.4 million, or 0.6%, to $1.97 billion, compared to $1.98 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, reflecting lower U.S. Wholesale segment sales, partially offset by higher International and U.S. Retail segment sales. U.S. Wholesale segment net sales decreased 3.9%, while International and U.S. Retail segment net sales increased 4.4% and 0.6%, respectively. U.S. Retail comparable net sales declined 0.3%. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the first three quarters of fiscal 2025, as compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, had an unfavorable effect on consolidated net sales of approximately $9.7 million, or 0.5%.

Operating income decreased $112.3 million, or 65.5% to $59.2 million, compared to $171.5 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024. Operating margin decreased to 3.0%, compared to 8.6% in the prior year period, reflecting higher tariff costs, investments in product make, investments in new stores, operating model improvement costs, and increased performance-based compensation.

Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) decreased $85.0 million, or 49.6% to $86.5 million, compared to $171.5 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024. Adjusted operating margin decreased to 4.4%, compared to 8.6% in the prior year period, principally due to higher tariff costs, investments in product make, investments in new stores, increased provisions for performance-based compensation, and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

Net income was $27.6 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, compared to $124.0 million, or $3.41 per diluted share, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024. First three quarters fiscal 2025 net income included an $8.8 million ($6.7 million net of tax) non-cash charge for settlement of the OshKosh B'Gosh Pension Plan and a $0.8 million tax charge associated with the termination of a deferred compensation plan. First three quarters fiscal 2024 net income included a $0.7 million non-cash charge for a partial settlement of the OshKosh B'Gosh Pension Plan.

Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) was $56.9 million, compared to $124.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) was $1.57, compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.43 in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024.

Net cash used in operations in the first three quarters of fiscal 2025 was $136.3 million, compared to net cash provided by operations of $11.3 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024. The change in net cash from operating activities was primarily driven by lower earnings and higher inventory levels.

See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Results to GAAP" sections of this release for additional disclosures regarding non-GAAP measures.

Return of Capital

In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.25 per common share totaling $9.1 million. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2025, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $47.2 million. No shares were repurchased in the first three quarters of fiscal 2025.

The Company's Board of Directors will evaluate future distributions of capital, including dividends and share repurchases, based on a number of factors, including business conditions, the Company's future financial performance, investment priorities, and other considerations.

Productivity Improvement Actions

As part of its ongoing transformation efforts, the Company has taken the following actions to right size its cost structure and improve productivity:

• Organizational restructuring: the Company plans to reduce its offices-based roles by approximately 300 positions, or 15%, by the end of 2025. The Company recorded a $6.1 million charge in its fiscal third quarter and expects to incur a $4 million to $5 million charge in the fourth quarter related to severance and outplacement services, to be paid in the first half of 2026. This action is expected to yield annualized savings of approximately $35 million beginning in 2026.
• Other SG&A reductions: the Company is targeting more than $10 million in annual spending reductions across a number of categories, with savings beginning in 2026.
• Store closures: the Company now plans to close approximately 150 stores at lease expiration in North America over the next three years, an increase from its previously-disclosed target of approximately 100 stores, with approximately 100 stores to be closed over the fiscal year 2025 and 2026 periods. The 150 stores collectively represent approximately $110 million in annual net sales on a last 12 months basis. When considering sales transfer to nearby Carter's stores and online and the elimination of fixed store expenses, the net impact of the closures is expected to be accretive to the Company's profitability.

The Company plans to reinvest a portion of the productivity-related savings described above in high return, growth-driving initiatives, to include demand creation.

Refinancing Update

In October 2025, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries, The William Carter Company and The Genuine Canadian Corp., obtained commitments for a new five-year asset-based revolving credit facility with initial borrowing commitments of no less than $750 million, subject to the borrowing base under the new facility. The Company expects to close on the asset-based revolving credit facility in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

The Company is also evaluating opportunities to refinance its existing $500 million in senior notes that mature in March 2027 and expects to share more details when appropriate.

2025 Business Outlook and Tariffs

The Administration has implemented significant new tariffs on products imported into the United States from a wide range of countries. These additional tariffs have begun to add substantially to the approximately $110 million in duties on imported product paid by the Company in fiscal 2024.

The Company estimates that Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India will collectively represent approximately 75%, and China less than 3%, of its product sourcing spend in fiscal year 2025. The Company has estimated the gross pre-tax earnings impact of additional import duties to be approximately $200 million to $250 million on an annualized basis. Over time, the Company intends to partially offset these additional costs through a combination of changes to its product assortments, cost sharing with its vendor partners, changes to the mix of its production by country, and raising prices to end consumers and its wholesale customers. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company anticipates a net adverse impact to pre-tax income of approximately $25 million to $35 million related to additional tariffs.

As announced previously, given the ongoing and significant uncertainty surrounding incremental tariffs and potential related impact on the Company's business, the Company has suspended its fiscal 2025 guidance.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call with investors to discuss third quarter fiscal 2025 results and provide an update on its business on October 27, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. To listen to a live webcast and view the accompanying presentation materials, please visit ir.carters.com and select links for "News & Events" followed by "Events." To access the call by phone, please preregister on https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI3fde58f3c3f34528a1b4be7c2e5a567a to receive your dial-in number and unique passcode.

A webcast replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call at ir.carters.com.

About Carter's, Inc.

Carter's, Inc. is North America's largest and most-enduring apparel company exclusively for babies and young children. The Company's core brands are Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh, iconic and among the sector's most trusted names. These brands are sold through more than 1,000 Company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and online at www.carters.com, www.oshkosh.com, www.cartersoshkosh.ca, and www.carters.com.mx. Carter's also is the largest supplier of baby and young children's apparel to North America's biggest retailers. The Company's Child of Mine brand is available exclusively at Walmart, its Just One You brand is available at Target, and its Simple Joys brand is available on Amazon.com. The Company's emerging brands include Little Planet, crafted with organic fabrics and sustainable materials, Otter Avenue, a toddler-focused apparel brand, and Skip Hop, baby essentials from tubs to toys. Carter's is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information may be found at www.carters.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical fact and use predictive words such as "estimates", "outlook", "guidance", "expect", "believe", "intend", "designed", "target", "plans", "may", "will", "are confident" and similar words are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These forward-looking statements and related assumptions involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any forward-looking statements or views expressed in this press release. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2025 and Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, and otherwise in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the following factors: changes in global economic and financial conditions, and the resulting impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending, as well as other changes in consumer discretionary spending habits; risks related to public health crises; risks related to the organizational restructuring plan, including, but not limited to, our ability to achieve the expected savings from the plan and to fully implement the plan; risks related to consumer tastes and preferences, as well as fashion trends; the failure to protect our intellectual property; the diminished value of our brands, potentially as a result of negative publicity or unsuccessful branding and marketing efforts; delays, product recalls, or loss of revenue due to a failure to meet our quality standards; risks related to uncertainty regarding the future of international trade agreements and the United States' position on international trade, as well as significant political, trade, and regulatory developments and other circumstances beyond our control; increased competition in the marketplace; financial difficulties for one or more of our major customers; identification of locations and negotiation of appropriate lease terms for our retail stores; distinct risks facing our eCommerce business; failure to forecast demand for our products and our failure to manage our inventory; increased margin pressures, including increased cost of materials and labor and our inability to successfully increase prices to offset these increased costs; continued inflationary pressures with respect to labor and raw materials and global supply chain constraints that have, and could continue, to affect freight, transit, and other costs; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; unseasonable or extreme weather conditions; risks associated with corporate responsibility issues; our foreign sourcing arrangements; a relatively small number of vendors supply a significant amount of our products; disruptions in our supply chain, including increased transportation and freight costs; our ability to effectively source and manage inventory; problems with our Braselton, Georgia distribution facility; pending and threatened lawsuits; a breach of our information technology systems and the loss of personal data or a failure to implement new information technology systems successfully; unsuccessful expansion into international markets; failure to comply with various laws and regulations; failure to properly manage strategic initiatives; retention of key individuals; acquisition and integration of other brands and businesses; failure to achieve sales growth plans and profitability objectives to support the carrying value of our intangible assets; our continued ability to meet obligations related to our debt; our ability to close our new asset based lending facility within the timeframe we previously disclosed; changes in our tax obligations, including additional customs, duties or tariffs; our continued ability to declare and pay a dividend; volatility in the market price of our common stock; and the cost or effort required for our shareholders to bring certain claims or actions against us, as a result of our designation of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings. Except for any ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The inclusion of any statement in this press release does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

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Sean McHugh

Vice President & Treasurer

(678) 791-7615