SEC Form 10-Q filed by Carter's Inc.

10/25/24 12:05:00 PM ET

$CRI

Apparel

Consumer Discretionary

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cri-20240928

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 28, 2024

☐ 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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share	CRI	New York Stock Exchange

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes x No ☐

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

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes ☐ No x

As of October 18, 2024, there were 36,038,814 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

CARTER’S, INC.

INDEX



Part I. Financial Information			Page

	Item 1	Financial Statements
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023	1
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal quarter and three fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023	2
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal quarter and three fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023	3
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2024, June 29, 2024, March 30, 2024, September 30, 2023, July 1, 2023 and April 1, 2023	4
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023	6
		Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
	Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
	Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	30
	Item 4	Controls and Procedures	30

Part II. Other Information

	Item 1	Legal Proceedings	32
	Item 1A	Risk Factors	32
	Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	32
	Item 3	Defaults upon Senior Securities	32
	Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	32
	Item 5	Other Information	32
	Item 6	Exhibits	33

Signatures			34

Certifications

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)


	September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	175,536	$	351,213	$	169,106
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $8,303, $4,754, and $6,741, respectively	247,013		183,774		240,507
Finished goods inventories, net of inventory reserves of $17,135, $8,990, and $19,014, respectively	607,384		537,125		620,669
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	41,577		29,131		37,604
Total current assets	1,071,510		1,101,243		1,067,886
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $642,420, $615,907, and $605,857, respectively	182,292		183,111		180,888
Operating lease assets	560,246		528,407		506,010
Tradenames, net	298,053		298,186		298,230
Goodwill	209,384		210,537		209,494
Customer relationships, net	24,440		27,238		28,087
Other assets	32,460		29,891		29,211
Total assets	$	2,378,385	$	2,378,613	$	2,319,806

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	273,909	$	242,149	$	222,210
Current operating lease liabilities	130,140		135,369		135,865
Other current liabilities	80,059		134,344		106,122
Total current liabilities	484,108		511,862		464,197
Long-term debt, net	497,930		497,354		567,168
Deferred income taxes	48,890		41,470		41,217
Long-term operating lease liabilities	485,613		448,810		427,280
Other long-term liabilities	32,504		33,867		34,633
Total liabilities	$	1,549,045	$	1,533,363	$	1,534,495

Commitments and contingencies - Note 13

Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock; par value $0.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	$	—	$	—	$	—
Common stock, voting; par value $0.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 36,038,814, 36,551,221, and 36,969,967 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	360		366		370
Additional paid-in capital	—		—		—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(32,361)		(23,915)		(29,142)
Retained earnings	861,341		868,799		814,083
Total shareholders’ equity	829,340		845,250		785,311
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,378,385	$	2,378,613	$	2,319,806

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
	September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023
Net sales	$	758,464	$	791,651	$	1,984,390	$	2,087,730
Cost of goods sold	402,450		415,254		1,030,249		1,109,970

Gross profit	356,014		376,397		954,141		977,760
Royalty income, net	5,740		5,713		14,959		16,573
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	284,714		288,680		797,572		806,988


Operating income	77,040		93,430		171,528		187,345
Interest expense	7,381		8,615		23,156		26,342
Interest income	(2,370)		(1,064)		(8,644)		(2,769)
Other expense (income), net	1,299		507		1,977		(518)

Income before income taxes	70,730		85,372		155,039		164,290
Income tax provision	12,410		19,245		31,047		38,300
Net income	$	58,320	$	66,127	$	123,992	$	125,990

Basic net income per common share	$	1.62	$	1.78	$	3.41	$	3.36
Diluted net income per common share	$	1.62	$	1.78	$	3.41	$	3.36
Dividend declared and paid per common share	$	0.80	$	0.75	$	2.40	$	2.25

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
	September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023
Net income	$	58,320	$	66,127	$	123,992	$	125,990
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Partial pension settlement charge, net of tax of $224 for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2024	725		—		725		—
Unrealized gain on OshKosh B’gosh defined benefit plan, net of tax of $476 for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2024	1,539		—		1,539		—
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,811)		(4,179)		(10,710)		5,196
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	453		(4,179)		(8,446)		5,196
Comprehensive income	$	58,773	$	61,948	$	115,546	$	131,186

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)


	Common stock - shares	Common stock - $		Additional paid-in capital		Accumulated other comprehensive loss		Retained earnings		Total shareholders’ equity
Balance at December 31, 2022	37,692,132	$	377	$	—	$	(34,338)	$	830,370	$	796,409
Exercise of stock options	1,400	—		83		—		—		83
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(61,423)	(1)		(4,404)		—		(371)		(4,776)
Restricted stock activity	303,015	3		(3)		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		4,343		—		—		4,343

Repurchase of common stock	(135,873)	(1)		—		—		(9,585)		(9,586)
Cash dividends declared and paid of $0.75 per common share	—	—		—		—		(28,483)		(28,483)
Comprehensive income	—	—		—		3,926		35,996		39,922
Other	—	—		(19)		—		—		(19)
Balance at April 1, 2023	37,799,251	$	378	$	—	$	(30,412)	$	827,927	$	797,893

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(932)	—		(61)		—		—		(61)
Restricted stock activity	5,626	—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		6,641		—		—		6,641
Repurchase of common stock	(449,481)	(4)		(6,294)		—		(24,038)		(30,336)
Cash dividends declared and paid of $0.75 per common share	—	—		—		—		(28,158)		(28,158)
Comprehensive income	—	—		—		5,449		23,867		29,316
Other	—	—		(286)		—		—		(286)
Balance at July 1, 2023	37,354,464	$	374	$	—	$	(24,963)	$	799,598	$	775,009
Exercise of stock options	4,400	—		301		—		—		301
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(2,359)	—		(170)		—		—		(170)
Restricted stock activity	3,466	—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		3,928		—		—		3,928
Repurchase of common stock	(390,004)	(4)		(3,786)		—		(23,780)		(27,570)
Cash dividends declared and paid of $0.75 per common share	—	—		—		—		(27,862)		(27,862)
Comprehensive income	—	—		—		(4,179)		66,127		61,948
Other	—	—		(273)		—		—		(273)
Balance at September 30, 2023	36,969,967	$	370	$	—	$	(29,142)	$	814,083	$	785,311

CARTER’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)


	Common stock - shares	Common stock - $		Additional paid-in capital		Accumulated other comprehensive loss		Retained earnings		Total shareholders’ equity
Balance at December 30, 2023	36,551,221	$	366	$	—	$	(23,915)	$	868,799	$	845,250
Exercise of stock options	4,408	—		367		—		—		367
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(90,922)	(1)		(5,535)		—		(1,842)		(7,378)
Restricted stock activity	243,120	2		(2)		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		5,170		—		—		5,170
Repurchase of common stock	(107,795)	(1)				—		(8,998)		(8,999)
Cash dividends declared and paid of $0.80 per common share	—	—		—		—		(29,338)		(29,338)
Comprehensive income	—	—		—		(1,752)		38,033		36,281

Balance at March 30, 2024	36,600,032	$	366	$	—	$	(25,667)	$	866,654	$	841,353

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(839)	—		(58)		—		—		(58)
Restricted stock activity	34,956	1		(1)		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		4,120		—		—		4,120
Repurchase of common stock	(354,093)	(4)		(3,854)		—		(20,920)		(24,778)
Cash dividends declared and paid of $0.80 per common share	—	—		—		—		(29,172)		(29,172)
Comprehensive income	—	—		—		(7,147)		27,639		20,492
Other	—	—		(207)		—		—		(207)
Balance at June 29, 2024	36,280,056	$	363	$	—	$	(32,814)	$	844,201	$	811,750

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(2,187)	—		(133)		—		—		(133)
Restricted stock activity	35,480	—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		4,686		—		—		4,686
Repurchase of common stock	(274,535)	(3)		(4,401)		—		(12,345)		(16,749)
Cash dividends declared and paid of $0.80 per common share	—	—		—		—		(28,835)		(28,835)
Comprehensive income	—	—		—		453		58,320		58,773
Other	—	—		(152)		—		—		(152)
Balance at September 28, 2024	36,038,814	$	360	$	—	$	(32,361)	$	861,341	$	829,340

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
	September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	123,992	$	125,990
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment	40,893		45,764
Amortization of intangible assets	2,778		2,805
Provision for (recoveries of) excess and obsolete inventory, net	8,348		(324)
Gain on partial termination of corporate lease	—		(4,366)


Other asset impairments and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, net of recoveries	235		2,807
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,218		1,186
Stock-based compensation expense	13,976		14,912
Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss (gain), net	307		(201)
Provisions for doubtful accounts receivable from customers	3,689		2,402
Unrealized gain on investments	(1,678)		(1,391)
Partial pension plan settlement	949		—
Deferred income taxes expense (benefit)	6,416		(949)

Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(68,035)		(43,623)
Finished goods inventories	(83,268)		127,190
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(12,376)		(3,965)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(26,125)		(62,447)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	11,319	$	205,790

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	$	(39,637)	$	(42,470)


Net cash used in investing activities	$	(39,637)	$	(42,470)

Cash flows from financing activities:





Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	$	—	$	70,000
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	—		(120,000)
Repurchases of common stock	(50,526)		(67,492)
Dividends paid	(87,345)		(84,503)
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(7,569)		(5,007)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	367		384

Net cash used in financing activities	$	(145,073)	$	(206,618)

Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,286)		656
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	$	(175,677)	$	(42,642)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	351,213		211,748
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	175,536	$	169,106

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”) design, source, and market branded childrenswear and related products under the Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh (or “OshKosh”), Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Little Planet, and other brands. The Company’s products are sourced through contractual arrangements with manufacturers worldwide for wholesale distribution to leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally and for sale in the Company’s retail stores and eCommerce sites that market its brand name merchandise and other licensed products manufactured by other companies.

Our trademarks that are referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh, OshKosh, Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Little Planet, and other brands, many of which are registered in the United States and in over 100 other countries and territories, are each the property of one or more subsidiaries of Carter’s, Inc.

NOTE 2 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS, AND OTHER

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the U.S. 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 shareholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented. Except as otherwise disclosed, all such adjustments consist only of those of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the current fiscal year ending December 28, 2024.

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 and disclosures of contingent 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 from those estimates.

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2023 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..

Accounting Policies

The accounting policies the Company follows are set forth in its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to these accounting policies.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Segment Reporting - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07)

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This new guidance is designed to improve the disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and address requests from investors for more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses on an interim and annual basis. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Public entities must adopt the changes to the segment reporting guidance on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-07 on its disclosures, but does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09)

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This new guidance requires consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and greater

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-09 on its disclosures, but does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Supplier Finance Program

We have established a voluntary supply chain finance (“SCF”) program through participating financial institutions. This SCF program enables participating suppliers to accelerate payments for receivables due from the Company by selling them directly to the participating financial institutions at their discretion. As of September 28, 2024, the SCF program has a $70.0 million revolving capacity. We are not a party to the agreements between the participating financial institutions and the suppliers in connection with the SCF program. Payment terms for most of our suppliers are 60 days, regardless of participation in the SCF program. The Company does not provide any guarantees under the SCF program.

The Company’s liability related to amounts payable to the participating financial institution for suppliers who voluntarily participate in the SCF program are included in Accounts payable on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, amounts under the SCF program included in Accounts payable were $14.3 million, $14.8 million, and $16.7 million, respectively. Payments made in connection with the SCF program, like payments of other accounts payable, are reflected as a reduction to our operating cash flow.

NOTE 3 - REVENUE RECOGNITION

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

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company sells its products directly to consumers (“direct-to-consumer”) and to other retail companies and partners that subsequently sell the products directly to their own retail customers (“wholesale channel”). The Company also earns royalties from certain of its licensees. Disaggregated revenues from these sources for the fiscal periods indicated were as follows:


	Fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2024
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total
Direct-to-consumer	$	352,987	$	—	$	67,172	$	420,159
Wholesale channel	—		298,980		39,325		338,305

	$	352,987	$	298,980	$	106,497	$	758,464

Royalty income, net	$	2,539	$	2,884	$	317	$	5,740


	Three fiscal quarters ended September 28, 2024
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total
Direct-to-consumer	$	950,877	$	—	$	176,583	$	1,127,460
Wholesale channel	—		756,022		100,908		856,930

	$	950,877	$	756,022	$	277,491	$	1,984,390

Royalty income, net	$	4,581	$	8,727	$	1,651	$	14,959


	Fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total
Direct-to-consumer	$	374,796	$	—	$	70,675	$	445,471
Wholesale channel	—		300,338		45,842		346,180

	$	374,796	$	300,338	$	116,517	$	791,651

Royalty income, net	$	2,236	$	3,147	$	330	$	5,713

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)


	Three fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2023
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		Total
Direct-to-consumer	$	1,021,983	$	—	$	181,006	$	1,202,989
Wholesale channel	—		767,194		117,547		884,741

	$	1,021,983	$	767,194	$	298,553	$	2,087,730

Royalty income, net	$	5,746	$	8,694	$	2,133	$	16,573

Accounts Receivable from Customers and Licensees

The components of Accounts receivable, net, were as follows:


(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
Trade receivables from wholesale customers, net	$	243,085	$	172,106	$	239,493
Royalties receivable	5,237		4,753		5,825
Other receivables(1)	12,030		20,032		10,898
Total gross receivables	$	260,352	$	196,891	$	256,216
Less: Wholesale accounts receivable reserves(2)(3)	(13,339)		(13,117)		(15,709)
Accounts receivable, net	$	247,013	$	183,774	$	240,507

(1)Includes tenant allowances, tax, payroll, gift card and other receivables. The balance for the fiscal period ended December 30, 2023 includes a receivable for a $6.9 million court approved settlement in December 2023 related to payment card interchange fees. This payment was received in the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

(2)Includes allowance for chargebacks of $5.0 million, $8.4 million, and $9.0 million for the periods ended September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, respectively.

(3)Includes allowance for credit losses of $8.3 million, $4.8 million, and $6.7 million for the periods ended September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The Company’s contract assets are not material.

Contract Liabilities

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


(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
Contract liabilities - current:
Unredeemed gift cards(1)	$	24,638	$	25,162	$	23,983
Unredeemed customer loyalty rewards	2,362		3,355		4,020
Carter’s credit card - upfront bonus(2)	714		714		714
Total contract liabilities - current(3)	$	27,714	$	29,231	$	28,717

Contract liabilities - non-current(4)	$	179	$	714	$	893
Total contract liabilities	$	27,893	$	29,945	$	29,610

(1)During the third quarters of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $1.4 million and $1.1 million related to the gift card liability balance that existed at June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, respectively. Additionally, during the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $7.1 million and $6.4 million related to the gift card liability balance that existed at December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

(2)The Company received an upfront signing bonus from a third-party financial institution, which will be recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. This amount reflects the current portion of this bonus to be recognized as revenue over the next twelve months.

(3)Included with Other current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(4)This amount reflects the non-current portion of the Carter’s credit card upfront bonus and is included within Other long-term liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 4 – OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

The components of Other current liabilities were as follows:


(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
Unredeemed gift cards	$	24,638	$	25,162	$	23,983
Accrued employee benefits	14,995		17,928		17,433
Accrued taxes	10,512		12,909		13,534
Accrued salaries and wages	5,999		12,458		6,030
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation(*)	2,866		20,817		12,184

Income taxes payable	1,099		12,697		6,341
Accrued other	19,950		32,373		26,617
Other current liabilities	$	80,059	$	134,344	$	106,122

(*)Decrease driven by lower than forecasted financial performance in fiscal 2024.

NOTE 5 – LONG-TERM DEBT

The components of Long-term debt, net were as follows:


(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
$500 million 5.625% senior notes due March 15, 2027	$	500,000	$	500,000	$	500,000
Less unamortized debt issuance-related costs	(2,070)		(2,646)		(2,832)
Senior notes, net	$	497,930	$	497,354	$	497,168
Secured revolving credit facility	—		—		70,000
Total long-term debt, net	$	497,930	$	497,354	$	567,168

Secured Revolving Credit Facility

As of September 28, 2024, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $5.7 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of September 28, 2024, there was approximately $844.3 million available for future borrowing. All outstanding borrowings under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility are classified as non-current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets because of the contractual repayment terms under the credit facility.

The Company’s secured revolving credit facility provides for an aggregate credit line of $850 million which includes a $750 million U.S. dollar facility and a $100 million multicurrency facility. The credit facility matures in April 2027. The facility contains covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things: (i) create or incur liens, debt, guarantees or other investments, (ii) engage in mergers and consolidations, (iii) pay dividends or other distributions to, and redemptions and repurchases from, equity holders, (iv) prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated or junior debt, (v) amend organizational documents, and (vi) engage in certain transactions with affiliates.

The Company’s secured revolving credit facility provides for a leverage-based pricing grid which determines an interest rate for borrowings, calculated as the applicable floating benchmark rate plus a credit spread adjustment, if any, plus an amount ranging from 1.125% to 1.625%. As of September 28, 2024, the borrowing rate for an adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) loan would have been 6.44%, which includes a leverage-based adjustment of 1.125%. As of September 28, 2024, the Company was in compliance with its financial and other covenants under the secured revolving credit facility.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 6 – COMMON STOCK

Open Market Share Repurchases

The Company repurchased and retired shares in open market transactions as follows:


	Fiscal quarter ended				Three fiscal quarters ended
	September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023
Number of shares repurchased(1)	274,535		390,004		736,423		975,358
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)(2)	$	16,749	$	27,570	$	50,526	$	67,492
Average price per share(2)	$	61.01	$	70.69	$	68.61	$	69.20

(1)Share repurchases were made in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations and in accordance with the share repurchase authorizations.

(2)The aggregate cost of share repurchases and average price paid per share exclude excise tax on share repurchases.

The total aggregate remaining capacity under outstanding repurchase authorizations as of September 28, 2024 was approximately $599.0 million, based on settled repurchase transactions. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration date.

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 at the discretion of the Company subject to restrictions under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility, market conditions, stock price, other investment priorities, and other factors.

Dividends

In each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, the Board of Directors declared, and the Company paid, a cash dividend per common share of $0.80 (for an aggregate cash dividend per common share of $2.40 for the first three quarters of fiscal 2024). Additionally, in each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2023, the Board of Directors declared, and the Company paid, a cash dividend per common share of $0.75 (for an aggregate cash dividend per common share of $2.25 for the first three quarters of fiscal 2023). The Board of Directors will evaluate future dividend declarations based on a number of factors, including restrictions under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility, business conditions, the Company’s financial performance, and other considerations.

Provisions in the Company’s secured revolving credit facility could have the effect of restricting the Company’s ability to pay cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of, its common stock, as further described in Note 5, Long-term Debt, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 7 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:


	Fiscal quarter ended				Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023

Restricted stock:
Time-based awards	$	4,005	$	4,353	$	12,437	$	12,898
Performance-based awards	444		(425)		(605)		464
Market-based awards	237		—		544		—
Stock awards	—		—		1,600		1,550
Total	$	4,686	$	3,928	$	13,976	$	14,912

The Company recognizes compensation cost ratably over the applicable performance periods based on the estimated probability of achievement of its performance targets at the end of each period. During the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, the achievement of performance target estimates related to certain performance-based grants were revised resulting in a reversal of $1.9 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation expense. During the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2023, performance-based grants were revised resulting in a reversal of previously recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 8 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:


(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(28,943)	$	(18,233)	$	(23,630)
Pension and post-retirement obligations(*)	(3,418)		(5,682)		(5,512)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(32,361)	$	(23,915)	$	(29,142)

(*)Net of income taxes of $1.1 million, $1.8 million, and $1.7 million for the period ended September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, respectively.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2024 the Company made single-sum payments to certain participants in the frozen OshKosh B’Gosh, Inc. Pension Plan (the “pension plan”), thereby reducing its pension benefit obligations. As a result of the single-sum payout, the Company remeasured the funded status of the pension plan as of August 31, 2024. In the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2024, a gain on pension obligations of $1.5 million (net of income taxes of $0.5 million) was recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income related to this remeasurement.

Additionally, in the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2024, $0.7 million of deferred losses on pension obligations (net of income taxes of $0.2 million) were reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Other expense (income), net within the condensed consolidated statement of operations related to the partial settlement of the pension plan. Refer to Note 12, Employee Benefit Plans, to the condensed consolidated financial statement.

During the first three quarters of fiscal 2023, no amounts were reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

NOTE 9 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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. All of the marketable securities are included in Other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, and their aggregate fair values were approximately $19.0 million, $17.3 million, and $16.4 million at September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, respectively. These investments are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. The change in the aggregate fair values of marketable securities is due to the net activity of gains and losses and any contributions and distributions during the period. Gains on the investments in marketable securities were $0.6 million and $1.7 million for the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, respectively. Gains on the investments in marketable securities were $0.8 million and $1.4 million for the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2023, respectively. These amounts are included in Other expense (income), net on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Borrowings

As of September 28, 2024, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility.

The fair value of the Company’s senior notes at September 28, 2024 was approximately $498.1 million. The fair value of these senior notes with a notional value and carrying value (gross of debt issuance costs) of $500.0 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.

Goodwill, Intangible, and Long-Lived Tangible Assets

Some assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances. These assets can include goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived tangible assets that have been reduced to fair value when impaired. Assets that are written down to fair value when impaired are not subsequently adjusted to fair value unless further impairment occurs.

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

As of September 28, 2024, the Company had gross unrecognized income tax benefits of approximately $8.3 million, of which $5.9 million, if ultimately recognized, may affect the Company’s effective income tax rate in the periods settled. The Company has recorded tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is more likely than not, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductions.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Included in the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits at September 28, 2024 is approximately $1.3 million of reserves for which the statute of limitations is expected to expire within the next 12 months. If these tax benefits are ultimately recognized, such recognition, net of federal income taxes, may affect the annual effective income tax rate for fiscal 2024 along with the effective income tax rate in the quarter in which the benefits are recognized.

The Company recognizes interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense and recognizes penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Interest expense recorded on uncertain tax positions was not material for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. The Company had approximately $1.6 million, $1.5 million, and $2.0 million of interest accrued on uncertain tax positions as of September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, respectively.

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
	September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	35,301,131		36,438,403		35,616,875		36,789,140
Dilutive effect of equity awards	619		3,881		1,325		3,781
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding	35,301,750		36,442,284		35,618,200		36,792,921

Earnings per share:
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	58,320	$	66,127	$	123,992	$	125,990
Income allocated to participating securities	(1,210)		(1,267)		(2,401)		(2,254)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	57,110	$	64,860	$	121,591	$	123,736

Basic net income per common share	$	1.62	$	1.78	$	3.41	$	3.36

Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	58,320	$	66,127	$	123,992	$	125,990
Income allocated to participating securities	(1,210)		(1,267)		(2,401)		(2,254)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	57,110	$	64,860	$	121,591	$	123,736

Diluted net income per common share	$	1.62	$	1.78	$	3.41	$	3.36

Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted earnings per share computation(*)	408,799		460,947		428,325		483,921

(*)The volume of anti-dilutive awards is, in part, due to the related unamortized compensation costs.

NOTE 12 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

OshKosh B’Gosh Pension Plan

During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company announced the offering of a single-sum payment option to certain participants in the frozen OshKosh B’Gosh, Inc. Pension Plan (the “pension plan”), which commenced on June 1, 2024 and closed on July 15, 2024. In August 2024, the pension plan paid $6.9 million from pension plan assets to electing participants, thereby reducing its pension benefit obligations. The transaction had no cash impact on the Company but did result in a non-cash pre-tax partial pension settlement charge of $0.9 million, which is included in Other expense (income), net on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Additionally, the Board of Directors authorized the termination of the pension plan, with an anticipated effective date of November 30, 2024. The Company may be required to make a contribution to fully fund the plan for termination prior to the purchase of a group annuity contract to transfer its remaining liabilities under the pension plan. The contribution amount will depend upon the nature and timing of participant settlements and prevailing market conditions. The Company expects to

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

recognize a non-cash charge upon settlement of the pension plan’s obligations in the second half of fiscal 2025. The Company has the right to change the effective date of the termination date or revoke the decision to terminate, but it has no current intent to do so.

Funded Status

As a result of the single-sum payout, the Company remeasured the funded status of its pension plan as of August 31, 2024. The assumptions for net periodic pension cost includes a discount rate of 4.75% through the measurement date and 5.00% thereafter. We expect net periodic pension cost of $0.4 million for fiscal 2024, exclusive of the $0.9 million non-cash pre-tax partial pension settlement charge described above.

The expected rate of return on plan assets is 4.75% through the measurement date and 5.00% thereafter. The fair value of plan assets as of August 31, 2024 was $48.2 million. Plan assets are invested in fixed income securities, which include funds holding corporate bonds of companies from diverse industries and U.S. Treasuries.

The discount rate for determining the benefit obligation at the measurement date is 5.00%.

Presented below is the reconciliation of changes in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets as a result of this remeasurement and single-sum payment:


	For the period ended
(dollars in thousands)	August 31, 2024
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	54,785
Interest cost	1,684
Actuarial gain	(2,345)
Benefits paid	(1,981)
Effect of settlement	(6,887)
Projected benefit obligation at end of period	$	45,256

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	55,959
Actual return on plan assets	1,064
Benefits paid	(1,981)
Effect of settlement	(6,887)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	48,155

Funded status	$	2,899

The accumulated benefit obligation is equal to the projected benefit obligation as of August 31, 2024 because the plan is frozen. The Company does not expect to make any contributions to the pension plan during fiscal 2024 as the plan’s funding exceeds the minimum funding requirements.

The actuarial gain for the period ended August 31, 2024 was attributable to increased discount rates and the removal of participants electing to receive a single-sum payment from the pension plan. The funded status asset is included in Other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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.

The Company’s contractual obligations and commitments include obligations associated with leases, the secured revolving credit agreement, senior notes, and employee benefit plans.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 14 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

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


	Fiscal quarter ended								Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		% of consolidated net sales		September 30, 2023		% of consolidated net sales		September 28, 2024		% of consolidated net sales		September 30, 2023		% of consolidated net sales
Net sales:
U.S. Retail	$	352,987	46.5	%	$	374,796	47.3	%	$	950,877	47.9	%	$	1,021,983	49.0	%
U.S. Wholesale	298,980		39.5	%	300,338		38.0	%	756,022		38.1	%	767,194		36.7	%
International	106,497		14.0	%	116,517		14.7	%	277,491		14.0	%	298,553		14.3	%
Consolidated net sales	$	758,464	100.0	%	$	791,651	100.0	%	$	1,984,390	100.0	%	$	2,087,730	100.0	%

Operating income:			% of segment net sales				% of segment net sales				% of segment net sales				% of segment net sales
U.S. Retail	$	27,309	7.7	%	$	47,983	12.8	%	$	59,681	6.3	%	$	103,132	10.1	%
U.S. Wholesale	63,127		21.1	%	65,702		21.9	%	162,662		21.5	%	147,003		19.2	%
International	10,237		9.6	%	13,379		11.5	%	17,981		6.5	%	23,193		7.8	%
Corporate expenses(*)	(23,633)		n/a		(33,634)		n/a		(68,796)		n/a		(85,983)		n/a
Consolidated operating income	$	77,040	10.2	%	$	93,430	11.8	%	$	171,528	8.6	%	$	187,345	9.0	%

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


(dollars in millions)	Fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023						Three fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2023
Charges:	U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International		U.S. Retail		U.S. Wholesale		International

Organizational restructuring(*)	$	0.6	$	0.4	$	0.3	$	—	$	0.1	$	0.3

(*)Relates to charges for organizational restructuring and related corporate office lease amendment actions. Additionally, the third fiscal quarter and first three fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2023 include a corporate charge of $1.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively, related to organizational restructuring and related corporate office lease amendment actions.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, and otherwise in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the following factors: risks related to the 2024 U.S. presidential election; risks related to public health crises; 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; continued inflationary pressures with respect to labor and raw materials and global supply chain constraints that have had, and could continue to have, an effect on freight, transit, and other costs; risks related to geopolitical conflict, including ongoing geopolitical challenges between the United States and China, the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, Israel, and the Red Sea region, acts of terrorism, mass casualty events, social unrest, civil disturbance or disobedience; risks related to a potential shutdown of the U.S. government; financial difficulties for one or more of our major customers; an overall decrease in consumer spending, including, but not limited to, decreases in birth rates; our products not being accepted in the marketplace and our failure to manage our inventory; increased competition in the marketplace; diminished value of our brands; the failure to protect our intellectual property; the failure to comply with applicable quality standards or regulations; unseasonable or extreme weather conditions; pending and threatened

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

lawsuits; a breach of our information technology systems and the loss of personal data; increased margin pressures, including increased cost of materials and labor and our inability to successfully increase prices to offset these increased costs; our foreign sourcing arrangements; disruptions in our supply chain, including increased transportation and freight costs; the management and expansion of our business domestically and internationally; the acquisition and integration of other brands and businesses; changes in our tax obligations, including additional customs, duties or tariffs; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with corporate responsibility issues; our ability to achieve our forecasted financial results for the fiscal year; our continued ability to declare and pay a dividend and conduct share repurchases in future periods; our planned opening and closing of stores. 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

OVERVIEW

We are the largest branded marketer of young children’s apparel in North America. We own two of the most highly recognized and trusted brand names in the children’s apparel market, Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh (or “OshKosh”). We also own Skip Hop, a leading young children’s lifestyle brand, Little Planet, a brand focused on organic fabrics and sustainable materials, and exclusive Carter’s brands developed for Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

Established in 1865, our Carter’s brand is recognized and trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel and accessories for children in sizes newborn to 14.

Established in 1895, OshKosh is a well-known brand, trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel and accessories for children in sizes newborn to 14, with a focus on playclothes for toddlers and young children. We acquired OshKosh in 2005.

Established in 2003, the Skip Hop brand rethinks, reenergizes, and reimagines durable necessities to create higher value, superior quality, and top-performing products for parents, babies, and toddlers. We acquired Skip Hop in 2017.

Launched in 2021, the Little Planet brand focuses on sustainable clothing through the sourcing of mostly organic cotton as certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (“GOTS”), a global textile processing standard for organic fibers. This brand includes a wide assortment of baby and toddler apparel, accessories, and sleepwear.

Additionally, Child of Mine, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is sold at Walmart; Just One You, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is sold at Target, and Simple Joys, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is available on Amazon.

Our mission is to serve the needs of families with young children, with a vision to be the world’s favorite brands in young children’s apparel and related products. We believe our brands are complementary to one another in product offering and aesthetic. Each brand is uniquely positioned in the marketplace and offers great value to families with young children. Our multichannel, global business model, which includes retail stores, eCommerce, and wholesale distribution capabilities, as well as omni-channel capabilities in the United States and Canada, enables us to reach a broad range of consumers around the world. As of September 28, 2024, our channels included 1,039 company-owned retail stores in North America, eCommerce websites, approximately 19,350 wholesale locations in North America, as well as our international wholesale accounts and licensees who operate in over 1,100 locations outside of North America in over 90 countries.

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 2023 fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.

Segments

Our three business segments are: U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. These segments are our operating and reporting segments. Our U.S. Retail segment consists of revenue primarily from sales of products in the United States through our retail stores and eCommerce websites. Similarly, our U.S. Wholesale segment consists of revenue primarily from sales in the United States of products to our wholesale partners. Our International segment consists of revenue primarily from sales of products outside the United States, largely through our retail stores and eCommerce websites in Canada and Mexico, and sales to our international wholesale customers and licensees.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit is calculated as consolidated net sales less cost of goods sold. Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by consolidated net sales. Cost of goods sold includes expenses related to the merchandising, design, and procurement of product, including inbound freight costs, purchasing and receiving costs, and inspection costs. Also included in costs of goods sold are the costs of shipping eCommerce product to end consumers. Retail store occupancy costs, distribution expenses, and generally all other expenses other than interest and income taxes are included in Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses. Distribution expenses that are included in SG&A primarily consist of payments to third-party shippers and handling costs to process product through our distribution facilities, including eCommerce fulfillment costs, and delivery to our wholesale customers and to our retail stores. Our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to other entities that define their metrics differently.

Known or Anticipated Trends

Macroeconomic Factors and Consumer Demand

Macroeconomic factors, including persistent inflationary pressures on families with young children, increased interest rates, increased consumer debt levels, decreased savings rates, and geopolitical unrest continue to create a complex and challenging retail environment. These macroeconomic factors have had and may continue to have a negative impact on consumer sentiment and consumer demand for our products. In part due to these macroeconomic factors, our business has experienced a shift in consumer demand from the retail channel to the mass channel. As consumers face financial pressures, U.S. Wholesale has benefited from consumers choosing the ease of one-stop shopping available through the mass channel. Additionally, we have observed increased promotional activity across the retail industry, which may negatively impact our financial results, including revenue and operating margins in the future.

We have taken actions to mitigate the impact of decreased consumer demand, including strengthening our product offerings through a focus on style and value, increasing our mix of premium price offerings, including through our Little Planet brand and our PurelySoft collection, optimizing our fleet of retail stores, improving our marketing effectiveness to drive traffic, including through the relaunch of our loyalty program in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, and investing in our exclusive wholesale brands, our international omnichannel capabilities, and the talent in our organization.

Additionally, in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we announced a planned investment of $50.0 million in the second half of fiscal 2024 to strengthen the value proposition of our direct-to-consumer product offerings and to improve customer acquisition, customer retention, and brand awareness. This consists of an investment of $40.0 million to lower prices on select products to be more competitive and to increase clearance velocity on prior season goods and an investment of $10.0 million in brand marketing. We believe these investments, along with better in-store and online shopping experiences, led to improvement in U.S. Retail conversion rates, transactions, unit volume, and new customer acquisition in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. We currently expect to spend a total of $60.0 million on these investments in the second half of fiscal 2024, with the incremental $10.0 million directed towards our investment in pricing.

Supply Chain

The disruption of container shipping traffic through the Red Sea has affected transit times and shipping costs for our inventory from our Asia manufacturers beginning in fiscal 2024. The adverse impact of the disruptions in the region, including additional transportation fees to re-route these shipments, were approximately $1.0 million and $6.0 million in the third quarter and the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, respectively. We believe these issues could result in additional costs of approximately $0.5 million to $1.0 million for the remainder of fiscal 2024. However, if these hostilities continue or escalate, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Additionally, as a result of capacity shortages with some of our carriers in Asia, we incurred approximately $4.0 million in additional transportation costs driven by surcharges on shipments and increased market spot rates associated with the use of non-contractual carriers in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. We are estimating an additional $2.0 million to $3.0 million of such transportation costs through the end of fiscal 2024.

Despite these additional costs, we expect our freight input costs for fiscal 2024 to be favorable to those incurred in fiscal 2023.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Third Fiscal Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

Unless otherwise stated, comparisons are to the third quarter of fiscal 2023:

•Consolidated net sales decreased $33.2 million, or 4.2%, to $758.5 million, driven by lower U.S. Retail sales.

◦Traffic and demand in our U.S. Retail businesses decreased, in part due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds negatively impacting families with young children including inflationary pressures, increased interest rates, increased consumer debt levels, decreased savings rates, and geopolitical unrest. However, U.S. Retail saw improvement in demand around Labor Day, which we believe reflects the positive impact of our investment in pricing and brand marketing. U.S. Retail comparable net sales decreased 7.1%. The effects of macroeconomic headwinds may continue to negatively impact our financial results in the remainder of fiscal 2024.

◦We continue to experience growth in our exclusive Carter’s brands and in our Little Planet brand. We believe we will see continued growth with our exclusive Carter’s brands in the future due to consumer demand trends in the mass channel. We have meaningful growth planned for the Little Planet brand as we expand product assortment and distribution. While we saw sales growth in retail stores in Mexico, this growth was largely offset by movements in foreign currency exchange rates.

•Consolidated gross profit decreased $20.4 million, or 5.4%, to $356.0 million. Consolidated gross margin decreased 60 bps to 46.9%, reflecting in part our investments in our pricing strategies.

•Consolidated operating income decreased $16.4 million, or 17.5%, to $77.0 million driven by decreased net sales. Operating margin decreased 160 bps to 10.2% driven by fixed cost deleverage on decreased net sales and investments in our retail stores.

•Consolidated net income decreased $7.8 million, or 11.8%, to $58.3 million due to the factors discussed above and a non-cash partial pension settlement charge of $0.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in our income tax provision of $6.8 million, an increase in interest income of $1.3 million, and a decrease in interest expense of $1.2 million.

•Diluted net income per common share decreased $0.16, or 9.0%, to $1.62, and adjusted diluted net income per common share decreased $0.20, or 10.9%, to $1.64.

•Inventories decreased $13.3 million, or 2.1%, to $607.4 million, due to decreased “pack and hold” inventory and decreased days of supply.

•We have continued to invest in the optimization of our fleet of U.S. Retail stores, including through opening new retail stores, developing new store formats, and remodeling existing store locations. During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we opened 11 stores and closed 5 stores in the United States. We are projecting approximately 14 store openings and 6 store closures in the remainder of fiscal 2024.

•As a result of our strong financial position and available liquidity, we returned $45.6 million to our shareholders, comprised of $28.8 million in cash dividends and $16.7 million in share repurchases in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. For the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, we returned $137.9 million to our shareholders, comprised of $87.3 million in cash dividends and $50.5 million in share repurchases.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THIRD FISCAL QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 COMPARED TO THIRD FISCAL QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

The following table summarizes our results of operations. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.


	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	September 28, 2024			September 30, 2023			$ Change		% / bps Change
Consolidated net sales	$	758,464		$	791,651		$	(33,187)	(4.2)	%
Cost of goods sold	402,450			415,254			(12,804)		(3.1)	%

Gross profit	356,014			376,397			(20,383)		(5.4)	%
Gross profit as % of consolidated net sales	46.9		%	47.5		%			(60) bps
Royalty income, net	5,740			5,713			27		0.5	%
Royalty income as % of consolidated net sales	0.8		%	0.7		%			10 bps
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	284,714			288,680			(3,966)		(1.4)	%
SG&A expenses as % of consolidated net sales	37.5		%	36.5		%			100 bps


Operating income	77,040			93,430			(16,390)		(17.5)	%
Operating income as % of consolidated net sales	10.2		%	11.8		%			(160) bps
Interest expense	7,381			8,615			(1,234)		(14.3)	%
Interest income	(2,370)			(1,064)			(1,306)		>100%
Other expense (income), net	1,299			507			792		>100%

Income before income taxes	70,730			85,372			(14,642)		(17.2)	%
Income tax provision	12,410			19,245			(6,835)		(35.5)	%
Effective tax rate(*)	17.5		%	22.5		%			(500) bps
Net income	$	58,320		$	66,127		$	(7,807)	(11.8)	%

Basic net income per common share	$	1.62		$	1.78		$	(0.16)	(9.0)	%
Diluted net income per common share	$	1.62		$	1.78		$	(0.16)	(9.0)	%
Dividend declared and paid per common share	$	0.80		$	0.75		$	0.05	6.7	%

(*)Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the provision for income taxes by income before income taxes.

Note: Results may not be additive due to rounding. Percentage changes that are not considered meaningful are denoted with “nm”.

Consolidated Net Sales

Consolidated net sales decreased $33.2 million, or 4.2%, to $758.5 million. This decrease in net sales was driven by decreased traffic and demand in our U.S. Retail businesses, decreased average selling prices per unit, decreased sales of our Carter’s brand to wholesale customers, decreased demand in Canada, and changes in the timing of wholesale shipments to our international partners. These decreases were partially offset by increased sales of our exclusive Carter’s brands in the U.S. and increased sales in retail stores in Mexico. Units sold increased in the low-single digits driven by U.S. Wholesale. Average selling prices per unit decreased mid-single digits due to our investments in our pricing strategies previously mentioned. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation had an unfavorable effect on our consolidated net sales of approximately $3.1 million.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Consolidated gross profit decreased $20.4 million, or 5.4%, to $356.0 million and consolidated gross margin decreased 60 bps to 46.9%. The decrease in consolidated gross profit was primarily driven by decreased net sales. The decrease in gross margin was driven by a benefit in excess inventory provisions in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 that did not reoccur in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, decreased average selling prices per unit mentioned above, and an increase in the mix of U.S. Wholesale net sales, including sales of our exclusive Carter’s brands, which have a lower contribution to gross margin than our U.S. Retail segment. These factors were partially offset by lower average cost per unit sold and decreased sales to off-price wholesale channel customers. Average cost per unit sold decreased mid-single digits, driven by lower product input costs, partially offset by increased freight surcharges and costs to re-route our product around the Red Sea. We expect to experience decreased product input costs for the remainder of fiscal 2024.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Consolidated SG&A expenses decreased $4.0 million, or 1.4%, to $284.7 million and increased as a percentage of consolidated net sales by approximately 100 bps to 37.5%. This increase in SG&A rate was driven by fixed cost deleverage on decreased sales, investments in our brand marketing and retail stores, increased distribution costs, and increased transportation costs, partially offset by decreased performance-based compensation expense and decreased consulting costs.

Operating Income

Consolidated operating income decreased $16.4 million, or 17.5%, to $77.0 million and decreased as a percentage of net sales by approximately 160 bps to 10.2%, primarily due to the factors discussed above.

Interest Expense

Consolidated interest expense decreased $1.2 million, or 14.3%, to $7.4 million. Weighted-average borrowings for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were $500.0 million at an effective interest rate of 6.12%, compared to weighted-average borrowings for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 of $535.0 million at an effective interest rate of 6.13%. The decrease in weighted-average borrowings was attributable to decreased borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility.

Interest Income

Consolidated interest income increased $1.3 million to $2.4 million due to increased cash balances during the period.

Other Expense (Income), Net

Consolidated other expense (income), net increased $0.8 million to $1.3 million primarily due to a non-cash partial pension settlement charge of $0.9 million.

Income Taxes

Our consolidated income tax provision decreased $6.8 million, or 35.5%, to $12.4 million and the effective tax rate decreased 500 bps to 17.5%. The decrease in the effective tax rate was attributable to a favorable resolution of prior period tax items, as well as due to the mix of earnings in our revised full year outlook. This outlook reflects an expectation for a lower proportion of income generated in the United States than the prior year, which is a higher tax rate relative to some of our international jurisdictions.

Net Income

Our consolidated net income decreased $7.8 million, or 11.8%, to $58.3 million, primarily due to the factors previously discussed.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Results by Segment - Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2023

The following table summarizes net sales and operating income, by segment, for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and the third quarter of fiscal 2023:


	Fiscal quarter ended
(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		% of consolidated net sales		September 30, 2023		% of consolidated net sales		$ Change		% Change
Net sales:
U.S. Retail	$	352,987	46.5	%	$	374,796	47.3	%	$	(21,809)	(5.8)	%
U.S. Wholesale	298,980		39.5	%	300,338		38.0	%	(1,358)		(0.5)	%
International	106,497		14.0	%	116,517		14.7	%	(10,020)		(8.6)	%
Consolidated net sales	$	758,464	100.0	%	$	791,651	100.0	%	$	(33,187)	(4.2)	%

Operating income:			% of segment net sales				% of segment net sales
U.S. Retail	$	27,309	7.7	%	$	47,983	12.8	%	$	(20,674)	(43.1)	%
U.S. Wholesale	63,127		21.1	%	65,702		21.9	%	(2,575)		(3.9)	%
International	10,237		9.6	%	13,379		11.5	%	(3,142)		(23.5)	%
Unallocated corporate expenses	(23,633)		n/a		(33,634)		n/a		10,001		(29.7)	%
Consolidated operating income	$	77,040	10.2	%	$	93,430	11.8	%	$	(16,390)	(17.5)	%

Comparable Sales Metrics

We present comparable sales metrics because we consider them an important supplemental measure of our U.S. Retail and International performance, and the Company uses such information to assess the performance of the U.S. Retail and International segments. Additionally, we believe they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in the evaluation of our business.

Our comparable sales metrics include sales for all stores and eCommerce sites that were open and operated by us during the comparable fiscal period, including stand-alone format stores that converted to multi-branded format stores and certain remodeled or relocated stores. A store or site becomes comparable following 13 consecutive full fiscal months of operations. 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 more than five miles away, or 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 the last full fiscal month of operations.

The method of calculating sales metrics varies across the retail industry. As a result, our comparable sales metrics may not be comparable to those of other retailers.

U.S. Retail

U.S. Retail segment net sales decreased $21.8 million, or 5.8%, to $353.0 million. The decrease in net sales was driven by lower traffic and demand in our retail stores and in our eCommerce channels, in part due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds negatively impacting families with young children and decreased average selling prices per unit. These factors were partially offset by sales contribution of our new retail stores. Additionally, U.S. Retail saw improvement in demand around Labor Day, which we believe reflects the positive impact of our investments in pricing and brand marketing. Average selling prices per unit decreased mid-single digits and units sold were consistent with the third quarter of fiscal 2023, driven by our investments in our pricing strategies previously mentioned.

Comparable net sales, including retail store and eCommerce, decreased 7.1%, showing an improvement over the first two quarters of fiscal 2024, when comparable net sales decreased 9.2%. As of September 28, 2024, we operated 795 retail stores in the U.S. compared to 792 as of December 30, 2023, and 768 as of September 30, 2023.

U.S. Retail segment operating income decreased $20.7 million, or 43.1%, to $27.3 million, primarily due to a decrease in gross profit of $15.3 million and an increase in SG&A expenses of $5.7 million. Operating margin decreased 510 bps to 7.7%. The primary drivers of the decrease in operating margin were a 60 bps decrease in gross margin and a 460 bps increase in SG&A

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

rate. The decrease in gross margin was driven by a benefit in excess inventory provisions in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 that did not reoccur in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and decreased average selling prices per unit mentioned above, partially offset by decreased average cost per unit sold. Average cost per unit sold decreased mid-single digits due lower product input costs, partially offset by increased inbound freight costs. The increase in SG&A rate was driven by fixed cost deleverage on decreased net sales, investments in our brand marketing and retail stores, increased retail store employee compensation costs, and increased transportation costs, partially offset by decreased performance-based compensation expense.

U.S. Wholesale

U.S. Wholesale segment net sales decreased $1.4 million, or 0.5%, to $299.0 million, driven by lower seasonal demand for our Carter’s brands, decreased sales to off-price wholesale channel customers as a result of our lower excess inventory levels, unfavorable timing of wholesale shipments, and decreased average selling prices per unit, partially offset by growth in our exclusive Carter’s brands and our Little Planet brand. Units sold increased low-single digits, while average selling prices per unit decreased low-single digits.

U.S. Wholesale segment operating income decreased $2.6 million, or 3.9%, to $63.1 million, primarily due to a decrease in gross profit of $1.7 million and an increase in SG&A expenses of $0.6 million. Operating margin decreased 80 bps to 21.1%. The primary drivers of the decrease in operating margin were a 40 bps decrease in gross margin and a 30 bps increase in SG&A rate. The decrease in gross margin was driven by decreased average selling prices per unit mentioned above and a benefit in excess inventory provisions in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 that did not reoccur in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, partially offset by decreased average cost per unit sold and decreased off-price wholesale channel sales. Average cost per unit sold decreased mid-single digits due to decreased product input costs partially offset by increased inbound freight costs. The increase in the SG&A rate was driven by fixed cost deleverage on decreased sales, increased distribution costs, and investments in brand marketing, partially offset by decreased performance-based compensation expense.

International

International segment net sales decreased $10.0 million, or 8.6%, to $106.5 million. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican Peso, had a $3.1 million unfavorable effect on International segment net sales. The decrease in net sales was driven by decreased net sales in Canada, decreased demand from our international partners, and decreased average selling prices per unit, partially offset by growth in sales in our retail stores in Mexico. Units sold and average selling prices per unit both decreased mid-single digits.

Canadian comparable net sales, including retail stores and eCommerce, decreased 6.8%, driven by decreased traffic in our retail stores and eCommerce channels as a result of macroeconomic headwinds and a slower start to cooler weather apparel sales. As of September 28, 2024, we operated 188 stores and 56 stores in Canada and Mexico, respectively. As of December 30, 2023, we operated 188 and 54 stores in Canada and Mexico, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, we operated 188 and 53 stores in Canada and Mexico, respectively.

International segment operating income decreased $3.1 million, or 23.5%, to $10.2 million, primarily due to a decrease in gross profit of $3.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in SG&A expenses of $0.3 million. Operating margin decreased 190 bps to 9.6%, primarily due to a 310 bps increase in the SG&A rate, partially offset by a 120 bps increase in gross margin. The increase in gross margin was due to decreased average cost per unit sold, partially offset by decreased average selling prices per unit mentioned above. Average cost per unit sold decreased high-single digits due to decreased product input costs. The increase in the SG&A rate was driven by fixed cost deleverage on decreased sales and increased bad debt expense, partially offset by decreased performance-based compensation expense.

Unallocated Corporate Expenses

Unallocated corporate expenses include corporate overhead expenses that are not directly attributable to one of our business segments and include unallocated accounting, finance, legal, human resources, and information technology expenses, occupancy costs for our corporate headquarters, and other benefit and compensation programs, including performance-based compensation.

Unallocated corporate expenses decreased $10.0 million, or 29.7%, to $23.6 million and unallocated corporate expenses, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, decreased 110 bps to 3.1%. The decrease as a percentage of consolidated net sales was driven by decreased performance-based compensation expense, organizational restructuring costs, and consulting costs, partially offset by fixed cost deleverage on decreased sales and increased charitable donations.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

THREE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 COMPARED TO THREE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

The following table summarizes our results of operations. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.


	Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	September 28, 2024			September 30, 2023			$ Change		% / bps Change
Consolidated net sales	$	1,984,390		$	2,087,730		$	(103,340)	(4.9)	%
Cost of goods sold	1,030,249			1,109,970			(79,721)		(7.2)	%

Gross profit	954,141			977,760			(23,619)		(2.4)	%
Gross profit as % of consolidated net sales	48.1		%	46.8		%			130 bps
Royalty income, net	14,959			16,573			(1,614)		(9.7)	%
Royalty income, net as % of consolidated net sales	0.8		%	0.8		%			—
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	797,572			806,988			(9,416)		(1.2)	%
SG&A expenses as % of consolidated net sales	40.2		%	38.7		%			150 bps
Operating income	171,528			187,345			(15,817)		(8.4)	%
Operating income as % of consolidated net sales	8.6		%	9.0		%			(40) bps
Interest expense	23,156			26,342			(3,186)		(12.1)	%
Interest income	(8,644)			(2,769)			(5,875)		>100%
Other expense (income), net	1,977			(518)			2,495		nm
Income before income taxes	155,039			164,290			(9,251)		(5.6)	%
Income tax provision	31,047			38,300			(7,253)		(18.9)	%
Effective tax rate(*)	20.0		%	23.3		%			(330) bps
Net income	$	123,992		$	125,990		$	(1,998)	(1.6)	%

Basic net income per common share	$	3.41		$	3.36		$	0.05	1.5	%
Diluted net income per common share	$	3.41		$	3.36		$	0.05	1.5	%
Dividend declared and paid per common share	$	2.40		$	2.25		$	0.15	6.7	%

(*)Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the provision for income taxes by income before income taxes.

Note: Results may not be additive due to rounding. Percentage changes that are not considered meaningful are denoted with “nm”.

Consolidated Net Sales

Consolidated net sales decreased $103.3 million, or 4.9%, to $1.98 billion. The decrease in net sales was driven by decreased traffic and demand in our U.S. Retail businesses, decreased sales of our Carter’s brand to wholesale customers, decreased sales to off-price wholesale channel customers as a result of our lower excess inventory levels, decreased demand in our International businesses, and decreased average selling prices per unit. These decreases were partially offset by increased sales of our exclusive Carter’s brands and growth from our retail stores in Mexico. Average selling prices per unit decreased mid-single digits and units sold decreased low-single digits. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation had an unfavorable effect on our consolidated net sales of approximately $1.5 million.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Consolidated gross profit decreased $23.6 million, or 2.4%, to $954.1 million and consolidated gross margin increased 130 bps to 48.1%. The decrease in consolidated gross profit was driven by decreased net sales. The increase in gross margin was driven by lower average cost per unit sold and decreased sales to off-price wholesale channel customers. Average cost per unit sold decreased high-single digits, driven by lower ocean freight rates and product input costs. These factors were partially offset by a benefit in excess inventory provisions in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 that did not reoccur in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, decreased average selling prices per unit mentioned above, and an increase in the mix of U.S. Wholesale net sales.

Royalty Income

Consolidated royalty income decreased $1.6 million, or 9.7%, to $15.0 million, driven by decreased wholesale customer demand.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Consolidated SG&A expenses decreased $9.4 million, or 1.2%, to $797.6 million and increased as a percentage of consolidated net sales by 150 bps to 40.2%. The increase in SG&A rate was driven by fixed cost deleverage on decreased sales and investments in our brand marketing and retail stores, partially offset by decreased performance-based compensation expense and decreased consulting costs.

Operating Income

Consolidated operating income decreased $15.8 million, or 8.4%, to $171.5 million and decreased as a percentage of net sales by approximately 40 bps to 8.6% primarily due to the factors discussed above.

Interest Expense

Consolidated interest expense decreased $3.2 million, or 12.1%, to $23.2 million. Weighted-average borrowings for the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 were $500.0 million at an effective interest rate of 6.13%, compared to weighted-average borrowings for the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 of $556.8 million at an effective interest rate of 6.17%. The decrease in weighted-average borrowings was attributable to decreased borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility.

Interest Income

Consolidated interest income increased $5.9 million to $8.6 million due to increased cash balances during the period.

Other Expense (Income), Net

Consolidated other expense (income), net increased $2.5 million to $2.0 million due to a non-cash partial pension settlement charge of $0.9 million and unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar and the Mexican Peso.

Income Taxes

Consolidated income tax provision decreased $7.3 million, or 18.9%, to $31.0 million and the effective tax rate decreased 330 bps to 20.0%. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due to our revised full year outlook, which reflects an expectation for a lower proportion of income generated in the United States that the prior year, where the tax rate is lower relative to some of our international jurisdictions.

Net Income

Consolidated net income decreased $2.0 million, or 1.6%, to $124.0 million, primarily due to the factors previously discussed.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Results by Segment - First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2024 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2023

The following table summarizes net sales and operating income, by segment, for the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023:


	Three fiscal quarters ended
(dollars in thousands)	September 28, 2024		% of consolidated net sales		September 30, 2023		% of consolidated net sales		$ Change		% Change
Net sales:
U.S. Retail	$	950,877	47.9	%	$	1,021,983	49.0	%	$	(71,106)	(7.0)	%
U.S. Wholesale	756,022		38.1	%	767,194		36.7	%	(11,172)		(1.5)	%
International	277,491		14.0	%	298,553		14.3	%	(21,062)		(7.1)	%
Consolidated net sales	$	1,984,390	100.0	%	$	2,087,730	100.0	%	$	(103,340)	(4.9)	%

Operating income:			% of segment net sales				% of segment net sales
U.S. Retail	$	59,681	6.3	%	$	103,132	10.1	%	$	(43,451)	(42.1)	%
U.S. Wholesale	162,662		21.5	%	147,003		19.2	%	15,659		10.7	%
International	17,981		6.5	%	23,193		7.8	%	(5,212)		(22.5)	%
Unallocated corporate expenses	(68,796)		n/a		(85,983)		n/a		17,187		(20.0)	%
Consolidated operating income	$	171,528	8.6	%	$	187,345	9.0	%	$	(15,817)	(8.4)	%

U.S. Retail

U.S. Retail segment net sales decreased $71.1 million, or 7.0%, to $950.9 million. The decrease in net sales was driven by lower traffic in our eCommerce channels and in our retail stores, in part due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds negatively impacting families with young children and decreased average selling prices per unit. These factors were partially offset by sales contribution of our new retail stores. Average selling prices per unit decreased mid-single digits due to investments in our pricing and an increased mix of clearance sales. Units sold decreased mid-single digits. Comparable net sales, including retail store and eCommerce, decreased 8.5% driven by the factors mentioned above.

U.S. Retail segment operating income decreased $43.5 million, or 42.1%, to $59.7 million, primarily due to a decrease in gross profit of $39.6 million and an increase in SG&A expenses of $2.7 million. Operating margin decreased 380 bps to 6.3%, primarily due to a 410 bps increase in SG&A rate, partially offset by a 40 bps increase in gross margin. The increase in gross margin was due to decreased average cost per unit sold, partially offset by a benefit in excess inventory provisions in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 that did not reoccur in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, and decreased average selling prices per unit mentioned above. Average cost per unit sold decreased mid-single digits due to decreased inbound freight rates and product input costs. The increase in the SG&A rate was driven by fixed cost deleverage on decreased net sales, investments in brand marketing and our retail stores, increased retail store employee compensation costs, and increased transportation costs, partially offset by decreased performance-based compensation expense.

U.S. Wholesale

U.S. Wholesale segment net sales decreased $11.2 million, or 1.5%, to $756.0 million, driven by lower seasonal demand of our Carter’s brands, decreased sales to off-price wholesale channel customers as a result of our lower excess inventory levels, and decreased average selling prices per unit. These factors were partially offset by increased sales of our exclusive Carter’s brands and our Little Planet brand. Average selling prices per unit decreased mid-single digits due to investments in our pricing, while units sold increased low-single digits.

U.S. Wholesale segment operating income increased $15.7 million, or 10.7%, to $162.7 million, primarily due to an increase in gross profit of $15.6 million and a decrease in SG&A expenses of $0.1 million. Operating margin increased 230 bps to 21.5%. The drivers of the increase in operating margin were a 250 bps increase in gross margin, partially offset by a 20 bps increase in SG&A rate. The increase in gross margin was driven by decreased average cost per unit sold, partially offset by a benefit in excess inventory provisions in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 that did not reoccur in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, and decreased average selling prices per unit mentioned above. Average cost per unit sold decreased high-single digits due to decreased ocean freight rates and product input costs. The increase in the SG&A rate was driven by fixed cost

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

deleverage on decreased sales and increased investments in brand marketing, partially offset by decreased transportation costs and decreased performance-based compensation expense.

International

International segment net sales decreased $21.1 million, or 7.1%, to $277.5 million. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, had a $1.5 million unfavorable effect on International segment net sales. The decrease in net sales was driven by decreased net sales in Canada, decreased demand from our international partners, and decreased average selling prices per unit. These decreases were partially offset by growth in sales in our retail stores in Mexico. Units sold decreased mid-single digits. Average selling prices per unit decreased low-single digits due to investments in our pricing strategies.

Canadian comparable net sales, including retail store and eCommerce, decreased 6.8% driven by decreased traffic in our eCommerce channel and in our retail stores as a result of macroeconomic headwinds.

International segment operating income decreased $5.2 million, or 22.5%, to $18.0 million, primarily due to an increase in SG&A expenses of $5.1 million, partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $0.4 million. Operating margin decreased 130 bps to 6.5% driven by a 470 bps increase in the SG&A rate, partially offset by a 360 bps increase in gross margin. The increase in gross margin was due to decreased average cost per unit sold. Average cost per unit sold decreased high-single digits due to decreased ocean freight rates and product input costs. The increase in the SG&A rate was due to fixed cost deleverage on decreased sales, increased bad debt expense, and increased retail store employee compensation costs, partially offset by decreased performance-based compensation expense.

Unallocated Corporate Expenses

Unallocated corporate expenses decreased $17.2 million, or 20.0%, to $68.8 million and unallocated corporate expenses, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, decreased 60 bps to 3.5%. The decrease as a percentage of consolidated net sales was driven by organizational restructuring charges in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 that did not reoccur in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, decreased consulting costs, and decreased performance-based compensation expense, partially offset by fixed cost deleverage on decreased sales.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP MEASURES

We have provided non-GAAP adjusted operating income, income taxes, net income, and diluted net income per common share measures, which exclude certain items presented below. We believe that this information provides a meaningful comparison of our results and affords investors a view of what management considers to be our core performance. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). The most comparable GAAP measures are operating income, income tax provision, net income, and diluted net income per common share, respectively. Adjusted operating income, income taxes, net income, and diluted net income per common share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of our results as reported in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate adjusted operating income, income taxes, net income, and diluted net income per common share differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies.


	Fiscal quarter ended
	September 28, 2024										September 30, 2023
(In millions, except earnings per share)	Operating Income		% Net Sales		Income Taxes		Net Income		Diluted Net Income per Common Share		Operating Income		% Net Sales		Income Taxes		Net Income		Diluted Net Income per Common Share
As reported (GAAP)	$	77.0	10.2	%	$	12.4	$	58.3	$	1.62	$	93.4	11.8	%	$	19.2	$	66.1	$	1.78
Partial pension plan settlement(1)	—				0.2		0.7		0.02		—				—		—		—
Organizational restructuring(2)	—				—		—		—		2.9				0.7		2.2		0.06



As adjusted	$	77.0	10.2	%	$	12.6	$	59.0	$	1.64	$	96.3	12.2	%	$	19.9	$	68.4	$	1.84

(1)Relates to a non-cash partial pension settlement charge.

(2)Relates to charges for organizational restructuring and related corporate office lease amendment actions.

Note: Results may not be additive due to rounding.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)


	Three fiscal quarters ended
	September 28, 2024										September 30, 2023
(In millions, except earnings per share)	Operating Income		% Net Sales		Income Taxes		Net Income		Diluted Net Income per Common Share		Operating Income		% Net Sales		Income Taxes		Net Income		Diluted Net Income per Common Share
As reported (GAAP)	$	171.5	8.6	%	$	31.0	$	124.0	$	3.41	$	187.3	9.0	%	$	38.3	$	126.0	$	3.36
Partial pension plan settlement(1)	—				0.2		0.7		0.02		—				—		—		—
Organizational restructuring(2)	—				—		—		—		4.4				1.0		3.4		0.09
As adjusted	$	171.5	8.6	%	$	31.3	$	124.7	$	3.43	$	191.8	9.2	%	$	39.3	$	129.4	$	3.45

(1)Relates to a non-cash partial pension settlement charge.

(2)Relates to charges for organizational restructuring and related corporate office lease amendment actions.

Note: Results may not be additive due to rounding.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our ongoing cash needs are primarily for working capital, capital expenditures, employee compensation, interest on debt, the return of capital to our shareholders, and other general corporate purposes. We expect that our primary sources of liquidity will be cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow from operations, and available borrowing capacity under our secured revolving credit facility. We believe that our sources of liquidity are sufficient to meet our cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, these sources of liquidity may be affected by events described in the “Forward-Looking Statements” section of this Form 10-Q, including, but not limited to, our risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

As discussed under the heading “Known or Anticipated Trends” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, inflationary pressures and declining consumer sentiment have had and may continue to have a negative impact on consumer demand for our products and on our financial results in fiscal 2024. We cannot predict the timing and amount of such impact.

As of September 28, 2024, we had approximately $175.5 million of cash and cash equivalents held at major financial institutions, including approximately $72.1 million held at 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 as having acceptable risk profiles.

Balance Sheet

Net accounts receivable at September 28, 2024 were $247.0 million compared to $240.5 million at September 30, 2023 and $183.8 million at December 30, 2023. The overall increase of $6.5 million, or 2.7%, at September 28, 2024 compared to September 30, 2023 primarily reflects the timing of wholesale customer shipments and associated payments. Due to the seasonal nature of our operations, the net accounts receivable balance at September 28, 2024 is not comparable to the net accounts receivable balance at December 30, 2023.

Inventories at September 28, 2024 were $607.4 million compared to $620.7 million at September 30, 2023 and $537.1 million at December 30, 2023. The decrease of $13.3 million, or 2.1%, at September 28, 2024 compared to September 30, 2023 was driven by decreased “pack and hold” inventory and decreased days of supply, partially offset by increased in-transit inventory due to the disruption of container shipping traffic through the Red Sea. Due to the seasonal nature of our operations, the inventory balance at September 28, 2024 is not comparable to the inventories balance at December 30, 2023.

Operating lease assets at September 28, 2024 were $560.2 million compared to $506.0 million at September 30, 2023 and $528.4 million at December 30, 2023. The increase in operating lease assets compared to September 30, 2023 and

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

December 30, 2023 was driven by the renewal of a contract with a third-party logistics provider in California for warehousing and distribution purposes and investments in our retail store fleet.

Accounts payable at September 28, 2024 were $273.9 million compared to $222.2 million at September 30, 2023 and $242.1 million at December 30, 2023. The increase of $51.7 million, or 23.3%, at September 28, 2024 compared to September 30, 2023 was driven by the timing of payments for purchases of inventory. Due to the seasonal nature of our operations, the accounts payable balance at September 28, 2024 is not comparable to the accounts payable balance at December 30, 2023.

Cash Flow

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $11.3 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $205.8 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023. Our cash flow provided by operating activities is driven by net income and changes in our working capital. The decrease in operating cash flow was driven by smaller reductions in inventory balances due to the sell through of a large portion of our “pack and hold” inventory in fiscal 2023.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $39.6 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 compared to $42.5 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities was driven by decreased capital expenditures. Capital expenditures in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 was driven by U.S. and international retail store openings and remodels and investments in our distribution facilities.

We plan to invest approximately $65.0 million in capital expenditures in fiscal 2024, which primarily relates to U.S. and international retail store openings and remodels, investments in our distribution facilities, and strategic information technology initiatives.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $145.1 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 compared to $206.6 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023. This change in cash flow from financing activities was primarily driven by payments on our secured revolving credit facility in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023.

Secured Revolving Credit Facility

As of September 28, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $5.7 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of September 28, 2024, there was approximately $844.3 million available for future borrowing. Any outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility are classified as non-current liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets due to contractual repayment terms under the credit facility. However, these repayment terms also allow us to repay some or all of the outstanding borrowings at any time.

Our secured revolving credit facility provides for a leverage-based pricing grid which determines an interest rate for borrowings, calculated as the applicable floating benchmark rate plus a credit spread adjustment, if any, plus an amount ranging from 1.125% to 1.625%. As of September 28, 2024, the borrowing rate for an adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) loan would have been 6.44%, which includes a leverage-based adjustment of 1.125%. As of September 28, 2024, the Company was in compliance with its financial and other covenants under the secured revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes

As of September 28, 2024, the Company had outstanding $500.0 million principal amount of senior notes, bearing interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum, and scheduled to mature on March 15, 2027. On our condensed consolidated balance sheets, the $500.0 million of outstanding senior notes as of September 28, 2024 is reported net of $2.1 million of unamortized issuance-related debt costs.

Dividends

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

dividend per common share of $0.75 (for an aggregate cash dividend per common share of $2.25 for the first three quarters of fiscal 2023).

Our Board of Directors will evaluate future dividend declarations based on a number of factors, including restrictions under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility, business conditions, the Company’s financial performance, and other considerations.

Provisions in our secured revolving credit facility could have the effect of restricting our ability to pay cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of, our common stock, as further described in Note 5, Long-term Debt, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Share Repurchases

In the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, we repurchased and retired 736,423 shares in open market transactions for approximately $50.5 million, at an average price of $68.61 per share. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2023, we repurchased and retired 975,358 shares in open market transactions for approximately $67.5 million, at an average price of $69.20 per share.

The total remaining capacity under outstanding repurchase authorizations as of September 28, 2024 was approximately $599.0 million, based on settled repurchase transactions. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates.

The Company paused share repurchases during the third quarter of fiscal 2024. 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 at the discretion of the Company subject to restrictions under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility and considerations given to market conditions, stock price, other investment priorities, and other factors.

In light of the share repurchases and dividends paid in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, along with our projected remaining dividend payments this year, we expect the cumulative distribution of capital through share repurchases and dividends to represent somewhat more than 100% of our projected fiscal 2024 free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure the Company defines as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures.

We do not reconcile forward-looking free cash flow to its most directly comparable GAAP measure because we cannot predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain components of such reconciliation that are not within our control due to factors describe below, or others that may arise, without unreasonable effort. For these reasons, we are unable to assess the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could materially impact the amount of future operating cash flows, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to free cash flow.

Seasonality

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

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The 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 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 2023 fiscal year ended December 30, 2023. 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 other indefinite-lived intangible assets, 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.

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 risk and interest rates. These risks, and our strategies to manage our exposure to them, are discussed below.

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 that future currency fluctuations may have on our results of operations in 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).

Our foreign subsidiaries typically record sales denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which are then translated into U.S. dollars using weighted-average exchange rates. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023, had an unfavorable effect on our consolidated net sales of approximately $3.1 million. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, as compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2023, had an unfavorable effect on our consolidated net sales of approximately $1.5 million.

Fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies may affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Transactions by our foreign subsidiaries may be denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses also include the impact of intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are marked to market. In our condensed consolidated statement of operations, these gains and losses are recorded within Other expense (income), net. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are of a long-term nature are accounted for as translation adjustments and are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

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. As of September 28, 2024, there were no variable rate borrowings outstanding under the secured revolving credit facility. As a result, the impact of a hypothetical 100 bps increase in the effective interest rate would not result in material interest expense over a 12-month period.

Other Risks

We enter into various purchase order commitments with our suppliers. We generally 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 September 28, 2024.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The principal executive officer and principal financial officer also conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (“Internal Control”) to determine whether any changes in Internal Control occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2024 that have materially affected, or which are reasonably likely to materially affect, Internal Control.

There were no changes in the Company’s Internal Control that materially affected, or were likely to materially affect, such control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2024.

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 2023 fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.

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 2024:


Period	Total number of shares purchased(1)	Average price paid per share(2)		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs(3)	Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs(4)
June 30, 2024 through July 27, 2024	203,655	$	61.62	203,655	$	603,165,291

July 28, 2024 through August 24, 2024	73,067	$	59.24	70,880	$	598,966,271

August 25, 2024 through September 28, 2024	—	$	—	—	$	598,966,271

Total	276,722			274,535

(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 2,187 shares surrendered between July 28, 2024 and August 24, 2024.

(2)The average price paid per share excludes excise tax on share repurchases imposed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

(3)Share purchases during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were made in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations and in accordance with the share repurchase authorizations described in Note 6, Common Stock, to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I. Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

(4)Under share repurchase authorizations approved by our Board of Directors. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration date.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

N/A

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

N/A

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers

During the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or officers, as defined in Section 16 of the Exchange Act, adopted, or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of Company securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as defined under Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Number

Exhibit Description

Form

Exhibit Number

Filing Date

Filed Herewith

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Carter’s, Inc.

8-K

3.1

May 23, 2017

3.2

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Carter’s, Inc.

8-K

3.1

August 18, 2023

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.

Section 1350 Certification.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document - the instant document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

The cover page from this Current Report on Form 10-Q formatted as Inline XBRL

SIGNATURES

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

CARTER’S, INC.


October 25, 2024			/s/ MICHAEL D. CASEY
			Michael D. Casey
			Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President
			(Principal Executive Officer)


October 25, 2024			/s/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER
			Richard F. Westenberger
			Senior Executive Vice President,
			Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer
			(Principal Financial & Accounting Officer)

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Date	Price Target	Rating	Analyst
2/26/2024		Buy → Neutral	Monness Crespi & Hardt
1/26/2023	$78.00	Outperform → Neutral	Wedbush
5/23/2022		Neutral → Sell	Citigroup
4/27/2022	$120.00 → $82.00	Buy → Underperform	BofA Securities
3/7/2022	$110.00 → $112.00	Neutral	UBS
3/7/2022	$108.00	Neutral → Outperform	Wedbush
2/28/2022	$124.00 → $127.00	Buy	Citigroup
10/5/2021	$99.00	Neutral	Wedbush

SEC Form 10-Q filed by Carter's Inc.

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