UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 OR
 
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _____
TO ______
Commission file number:
001-31829
CARTER’S, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
13-3912933
(state or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 

Phipps Tower
3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(678) 791-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
_______________________________________________

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

Title of each class
 
Name of each Exchange on which Registered
Carter's, Inc.'s common stock par value $0.01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
____________________________________________________

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes (X) No ( )

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ( ) No (X)

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

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (X)
 


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

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

The approximate aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of July 1, 2016 (the last business day of our most recently completed second quarter) was $5,220,125,196 .
There were 48,600,818 shares of Carter's, Inc. common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share outstanding as of the close of business on February 17, 2017.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
    
Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A relating to the Annual Meeting of shareholders of Carter's, Inc., scheduled to be held on May 17, 2017, will be incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. Carter's, Inc. intends to file such proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.



CARTER’S, INC.
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K Summary
 



 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions of the Company and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, those discussed in the subsection entitled "Risk Factors" under Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results, events, and performance may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except for any ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by federal securities laws, the Company does not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The inclusion of any statement in this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.


PART I

Our market share data is based on information provided by the NPD Group, Inc ("NPD").  Unless otherwise indicated, references to market share in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are expressed as a percentage of total retail sales of the stated market.  The baby and young children’s apparel market includes apparel products for ages zero to seven.  NPD data is based upon Consumer Panel Track SM (consumer-reported sales) calibrated with selected retailers' point of sale data.  Please note that NPD revised its Consumer Tracker methodology, effective with the most recent data release for annual 2016 and restated annual 2015 data.  NPD data cited in prior Annual Reports on Form 10-K are based on an alternate methodology no longer employed by NPD and are not comparable to current year presentation.

The NPD market share data presented is based on NPD's definition of the baby and playclothes categories, which are different from the Company's definitions of these categories. The data presented is based upon The NPD Group/Consumer Tracking Service for Children's Apparel in the United States ("U.S.") and r epresents the twelve month period ending December 31, 2016.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, in this filing on Form 10-K, "Carter's," the "Company," "we," "us," "its," and "our" refers to Carter's, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in December or January nearest the last day of December, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six years. Fiscal 2016 , which ended on December 31, 2016 , and fiscal 2015 , which ended on January 2, 2016 , both contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2014 , which ended on January 3, 2015 , contained 53 weeks.



    
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

We are the largest branded marketer in the U.S. and Canada of apparel exclusively for babies and young children. We own two of the most highly recognized and most trusted brand names in the children's apparel industry, Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh (or " OshKosh ").

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

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


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We believe our brands provide a complementary product offering and aesthetic, and are each uniquely positioned in the marketplace. In the $20.7 billion baby and young children's apparel market ages zero to seven in the U.S., our Carter's brand has the #1 position with a 14.9% market share and our OshKosh brand has a 2.9% market share.
 
We market high-quality products at an attractive value proposition for consumers, and offer multiple product categories, including baby, sleepwear, playclothes, and related accessories. Our multi-channel international business model - retail stores, online and wholesale - enables us to reach a broad range of consumers around the world. As of December 31, 2016 , our channels included approximately 18,000 wholesale locations (including department stores, national chain stores, specialty stores and discount retailers), 792 stores in the U.S., 164 stores in Canada, and our U.S. and Canadian websites (including www.carters.com), all in addition to our other international wholesale, licensing, and online channels.

We have extensive experience in the young children’s apparel market and focus on delivering products that satisfy our consumers’ needs. Our long-term growth strategy is focused on:
•
providing the best value and experience in young children's apparel;
•
extending the reach of our brands by improving the convenience of shopping for our brands and by strengthening our international operations; and
•
improving profitability by strengthening distribution and direct-sourcing capabilities, as well as inventory management disciplines.

For fiscal 2016 and all comparative fiscal periods presented within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our business was managed and evaluated through five segments: Carter's Retail, Carter's Wholesale, OshKosh Retail, OshKosh Wholesale, and International. Our Carter’s Retail and OshKosh Retail segments consist of income from sales of products in the United States, including Carter’s and OshKosh products, through our Carter’s and OshKosh retail and online stores, respectively. Similarly, our Carter’s Wholesale and OshKosh Wholesale segments consist of income from sales in the United States of Carter’s and OshKosh products, respectively, through our wholesale partners. Finally, our International segment consists of income from sales of Carter’s and OshKosh products through retail and online stores outside the United States, primarily through our retail and online stores in Canada and stores operated by our international partners, as well as sales to our international wholesale partners. Additional financial and geographical information about our segments is contained in Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, under Note 13 - “Segment Information” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Beginning in 2017, to align with changes in how our executive team currently views and manages the business, we combined our two U.S. retail and two U.S. wholesale segments. Our new segments will be U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. Additional information is contained in Item 8 - "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", under Note 21 - "Subsequent Events" to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Our Brands
Carter's
Under our Carter's brand, we design, source, and market products primarily for sizes newborn to eight. Our focus is on essential, high-volume apparel products for babies and young children. Such products include bodysuits, multi-piece knit sets, pajamas, bibs, blankets, outerwear, shoes, swimwear, playwear, and fashion accessories. We believe that a majority of our products are consumer essentials and are therefore less affected by changes in fashion trends and economic cycles.

Carter’s is the leading brand in the baby category in the U.S.. In fiscal 2016, our multi-channel business model enabled our Carter’s brand to maintain its leading market share in the U.S. of approximately 25.0% for the baby market ages zero to two, which represented nearly five times the market share of the next largest brand.
In fiscal 2016, we sold 355 million units of Carter's and related exclusive-brand products in the U.S. through our retail and wholesale channels, an increase of approximately 3.8% from fiscal 2015.
OshKosh
Under our OshKosh brand, we design, source, and market young children’s apparel and high-quality playclothes primarily for children in sizes newborn to 14. Our OshKosh branded products primarily include denim, overalls, t-shirts, fleece, and other playclothes. Our OshKosh brand is generally positioned towards an older segment relative to the Carter's brand, and at slightly

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higher average prices than our Carter’s brand. We believe our OshKosh brand has significant brand name recognition, which consumers associate with high-quality, durable, and authentic playclothes for young children.

We believe our OshKosh brand represents a significant opportunity for us to increase our market share in the playclothes category as the young children’s playclothes market in the U.S. is highly fragmented. For fiscal 2016, this market was nearly four times the size of the baby and sleepwear markets combined. We strive to grow this business by strengthening our product offerings, improving product value, reducing product complexity, and leveraging our strong customer relationships and global supply chain expertise.
In fiscal 2016, we sold 52 million units of OshKosh products in the U.S. through our retail and wholesale channels, an increase of approximately 6.1% from fiscal 2015.
Brand and Product Development
We have cross-functional product teams focused on the development of both our Carter's and our OshKosh brands and products. These teams are skilled and experienced in identifying and developing high-volume, high-value products. Each team includes members from merchandising, art, design, sourcing, product development, and planning. These teams follow a disciplined approach to fabric usage, color selection, and productivity. We also license our brand names to other companies to create a broad collection of lifestyle products, including bedding, hosiery, shoes, room décor, furniture, diaper bags, and toys. The licensing team directs the use of our designs, art, and selling strategies to all licensees.

We believe this disciplined approach to product design results in a compelling product offering to consumers, reduces our exposure to short-term fashion trends, and supports efficient operations. We conduct consumer research as part of our product development process.

Brand Positioning

Our vision is to be the leader in baby and young children's apparel and to consistently provide high-quality products at a compelling value to consumers. We employ a disciplined merchandising strategy that identifies and focuses on essential products. We believe that we have strengthened our brands' image with the consumer by differentiating our products through fabric improvements, new artistic applications, and new packaging and presentation strategies. We also attempt to differentiate our products through in-store fixturing, branding and signage packages, and advertising. We have invested in display fixtures at major wholesale customers that present our products on their floors in a compelling manner intended to enhance brand and product presentation. We also strive to provide our wholesale customers with a consistent, high-level of service, including delivering and replenishing products on time to fulfill customer needs. Our retail stores and websites focus on the customer experience through store and website design, visual aesthetics, clear product presentation, and experienced customer service.

Our Products

Carter's brands

Baby
Carter's brand baby products include bodysuits, pants, dresses, multi-piece sets, blankets, layette essentials, bibs, booties, sleep and play, one-piece rompers and jumpers, which are also sold in multiple compelling configurations. In fiscal 2016 , we generated approximately $1.1 billion in net sales of these products in the U.S. , representing 34.3% of our consolidated net sales.

We sell a complete range of baby products for newborns, primarily made of cotton. We attribute our leading market position to our brand strength, unique colors, distinctive prints, commitment to quality, and ability to manage our dedicated floor space for our wholesale customers. Our marketing programs are targeted toward experienced mothers, first-time mothers, and gift-givers. Our little baby basics™ product line, the largest component of our baby business, provides parents with essential products and accessories, including value-focused multi-piece sets. Our Little Collections® product line consists of coordinated baby items designed for first-time mothers and gift-givers.

Playclothes
Carter's brand playclothes products include knit and woven apparel, primarily in cotton, for everyday use in sizes newborn to eight. In fiscal 2016 , we generated $719.7 million in net sales from the sale of these products in the U.S., representing 22.5% of our consolidated net sales.


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We continue to focus on building our Carter's brand in the playclothes market by developing a base of essential, high-volume products that utilize unique, special, or must-have print designs and innovative artistic applications. Our aggregate fiscal 2016 Carter's brand playclothes market share in the U.S. was approximately 13.5% in the $14.3 billion department store, national chain, outlet, specialty store, and off-price sales channels, which represents two times the market share of the next largest brand.

Sleepwear
Carter's brand sleepwear products include a full range of pajamas in cotton, fleece and poly-jersey, primarily in sizes 12 months to eight. In fiscal 2016 , we generated $356.5 million in net sales from the sale of these products in the U.S., representing 11.1% of our consolidated net sales.

Our Carter's brand is the leading brand of sleepwear for babies and young children within the department store, national chain, outlet, specialty store, and off-price sales channels in the U.S. In fiscal 2016 , in these channels, our Carter's sleepwear brand market share was approximately 31.8% , which represents nearly eight times the market share of the next largest brand. As with our baby product line, we differentiate our sleepwear products by offering high-volume, high-quality, high-value products with distinctive designs and art.

Other Products
Our other product offerings include bedding, outerwear, swimwear, footwear, socks, diaper bags, gift sets, toys, and hair accessories. In fiscal 2016 , we generated $209.3 million in net sales from the sale of these other products in the U.S., representing 6.6% of our consolidated net sales.

Additionally, we license our Carter's, Child of Mine, Just One You, and Precious Firsts brands to partners to expand our product offerings. We had 12 licensees in the U.S. as of December 31, 2016 . These licensing partners develop and sell products through our multiple sales channels, while leveraging our brand strength, customer relationships, and designs. Licensed products provide our customers and consumers with a range of lifestyle products that complement and expand upon our baby and young children's apparel offerings. Our license agreements require strict adherence to our quality and compliance standards and provide for a multi-step product approval process. We work in conjunction with our licensing partners in the development of their products to ensure that they fit within our brand vision of high-quality products at attractive values to the consumer. In addition, we work closely with our wholesale customers and our licensees to gain dedicated floor space for licensed product categories. In fiscal 2016 , our Carter's brand generated $25.1 million in domestic royalty income from these licensees.
    
OshKosh brands

Playclothes
Our OshKosh brand is best known for its playclothes products. OshKosh brand playclothes products include denim apparel products with multiple wash treatments and coordinating garments, overalls, woven bottoms, knit tops, bodysuits, and playclothes products for everyday use in sizes newborn to 14. In fiscal 2016 , we generated $346.3 million in net sales of OshKosh brand playclothes products in the U.S., representing 10.8% of our consolidated net sales. Our fiscal 2016 OshKosh brand playclothes market share in the U.S. was approximately 3.3% of the $14.3 billion young children's playclothes market.

Other Products
The remainder of our OshKosh brand product offering includes baby, sleepwear, outerwear, footwear, hosiery, and accessories. In fiscal 2016 , we generated $105.7 million in net sales of these other products in our OshKosh retail stores and online, which represented 3.4% of our consolidated net sales.

Additionally, we partner with a number of domestic licensees to extend the reach of our OshKosh brand. As of December 31, 2016, we had six licensees selling apparel and accessories. Our largest OshKosh licensing agreement is with Target. All Genuine Kids from OshKosh products sold by Target are sold pursuant to this licensing agreement. Our licensed products provide our customers and consumers with a range of OshKosh products including outerwear, underwear, swimwear, socks, shoes, and accessories. In fiscal 2016 , we earned approximately $13.9 million in domestic royalty income from our OshKosh brands.

Our Sales Channels

We sell our Carter's and OshKosh branded products through multiple channels - brick-and-mortar stores, online, and wholesale - both in the U.S. and internationally.

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U.S. Carter's and OshKosh Retail

Our U.S. retail stores are generally located in high-traffic strip shopping centers in or near major cities or outlet centers that are generally located within 20 to 30 minutes of densely-populated areas. We believe our brand strength and our assortment of products, often localized for climate differences, have made our retail stores a destination for consumers who shop for young children's apparel and accessories.
We operate retail stores in three different formats: Carter's stand-alone stores, OshKosh stand-alone stores, and stores in our dual-branded format. Our dual-branded format includes "side-by-side" locations and "co-branded" locations. The dual-branded format allows customers to shop for both the Carter's and OshKosh brands in a single location. "Side-by-side" locations, which are located only in the U.S., consist of adjacent retail stores for our Carter's and OshKosh brands that are connected and counted as a single dual-branded format location. "Co-branded" locations consist of a single retail store that offers products from our Carter's and Oshkosh brands and are also counted as a single dual-branded format location.
As of December 31, 2016 , we operated 495 Carter's stand-alone retail stores in the U.S. These stores carry a complete assortment of baby and young children's apparel, accessories, and gift items. Our stores average approximately 4,400 square feet per location and are distinguished by an easy, consumer-friendly shopping environment.

As of December 31, 2016 , we operated 138 OshKosh stand-alone retail stores in the U.S. These stores carry a wide assortment of young children's apparel, accessories, and gift items, and average approximately 4,000 square feet per location.

As of December 31, 2016 , we operated 140 “side-by-side” locations in the U.S.

Our “co-branded” stores in the U.S. average approximately 5,000 square feet per location, are slightly larger than our single-brand retail stores in the U.S., and offer a similar product assortment. As of December 31, 2016 , we operated 19 “co-branded” stores in the U.S.
We assess all potential new retail store locations based on demographic factors, retail adjacencies, and population density, as part of a real estate selection process.
We also sell our products through our U.S. websites at www.carters.com, www.oshkoshbgosh.com, and www.oshkosh.com. Each online store offers a full assortment of products from each of our brands.
In fiscal 2016, our U.S. Carter’s and OshKosh retail net sales were $1.3 billion and $402.3 million , representing 39.2% and 12.6% of our consolidated net sales, respectively.
U.S. Carter's and OshKosh Wholesale
Our Carter’s brand wholesale customers in the U.S. include major retailers, such as, in alphabetical order, Costco, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Toys "R" Us. Additionally, we sell our Child of Mine brand at Walmart and our Just One You and Precious Firsts brands at Target. In fiscal 2016, our U.S. Carter’s wholesale net sales were $1.1 billion , representing 35.3% of our consolidated net sales.
Our OshKosh brand wholesale customers in the U.S. include major retailers, such as, in alphabetical order, Costco, JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Toys "R" Us. We also have a licensing agreement with Target Corporation (“Target”) through which Target sells products under our Genuine Kids from OshKosh brand. In fiscal 2016, our U.S. OshKosh wholesale net sales were $49.7 million , representing 1.6% of our consolidated net sales.
We collaboratively plan store assortments with our wholesale customers. We intend to drive continued growth with our wholesale customers through our focus on managing our key accounts’ business through replenishment, product mix, brand presentation, marketing, and frequent meetings with the senior management of our major wholesale customers.
International

Our International segment includes company-operated retail stores and online websites, wholesale operations, and royalty income from our international licensees. In fiscal 2016, our international net sales were $364.7 million , representing 11.3% of our consolidated net sales.

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As of December 31, 2016, we operated 164 “co-branded” Carter’s and OshKosh retail stores in Canada and our online store at www.cartersoshkosh.ca. Additionally, we reach consumers in approximately 60 countries through wholesale and licensing relationships and in over 100 countries through our websites.
As of December 31, 2016, we partnered with 34 licensees to sell the Carter’s and OshKosh brands internationally. In fiscal 2016, our international licensees generated Carter’s brand retail sales of $26.8 million , on which we earned $1.9 million in royalty income, and our OshKosh international licensees generated retail sales of $25.9 million , on which we earned approximately $1.9 million in royalty income.

Our Customer and Marketing Strategy

Our marketing is predominately focused on driving brand preference and engagement with millennial customers. As such, we continue to strengthen and evolve our digital programs to keep our brands in front of the consumer. Our multi-channel approach allows the customer to experience the brand as a seamless shopping experience in the channel of their choice. Our investments in marketing, our loyalty program, and new technologies are focused on new customer acquisition, developing stronger connections with our existing customers, and extending their relationship with our brands. Our goal is to have the most top-of-mind, preferred brands in the young children's market and to connect with a diverse, digitally-savvy customer.
In addition, during fiscal 2015, we launched our Rewarding Moments® loyalty and rewards program in the U.S. to drive customer traffic, sales, and brand loyalty. This program is integrated across our retail stores and online businesses. During fiscal 2016 , our retail sales were predominantly made to customers who are members of Rewarding Moments®.


Our Global Sourcing Network
We source our garments from an international network of suppliers, primarily from Asia and Central America. Prior to placing production, and on a recurring basis, we conduct assessments of political, social, economic, trade, labor and intellectual property protection conditions in the countries in which we source our products.
We regularly assess the manufacturing facilities we use through periodic on-site facility inspections, including the use of independent monitors to supplement our internal staff. We integrate review data and performance results into our sourcing decisions and suggest improvements as a result. Our vendor code of conduct covers employment practices, such as wages and benefits, working hours, health and safety, working age, and discriminatory practices, as well as environmental, ethical and other legal matters.
Additionally, we are a certified and validated member of the United States Customs and Border Protection's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ("C-TPAT") program. We expect all of our suppliers shipping to the United States to adhere to our C-TPAT requirements, including standards relating to facility security, procedural security, personnel security, cargo security and the overall protection of the supply chain. In the event a supplier does not comply with our C-TPAT requirements, or if we determine that the supplier will be unable to correct a deficiency, we may terminate our business relationship with the supplier.
We believe that our sourcing arrangements are sufficient to meet our current operating requirements and provide capacity for growth.


Our Global Distribution Network

Domestically, we operate two distribution centers in Georgia: our approximately 1.1 million square-foot multi-channel facility in Braselton and our facility in Stockbridge. We also outsource distribution activities to a third-party logistics provider in California. Our distribution center activities include receiving finished goods from our vendors, inspecting those products, preparing them for retail and wholesale presentation, and shipping them to our customers and to our own stores.
Internationally, we operate or outsource our distribution activities to third-party logistics providers in Canada and China to support our international wholesale customers, eCommerce operations, and Canadian retail store network.
Competition


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The baby and young children's apparel market is highly competitive. Competition is generally based upon product quality, brand name recognition, price, selection, service, and convenience. Both branded and private label manufacturers aggressively compete in the baby and young children's apparel market. Our primary competitors in the wholesale channel include private label product offerings, and, in alphabetical order, Disney, Garanimals and Gerber. Our primary competitors in the retail channel include, in alphabetical order, Disney, Gap, Gymboree, Old Navy, and The Children's Place. Most retailers, including our wholesale customers, have significant private label product offerings that compete with our products. Because of the highly-fragmented nature of the industry, we also compete with many small manufacturers and retailers. We believe that the strength of our Carter's , OshKosh , and related brand names, combined with our breadth of product offerings, distribution footprint and operational expertise, position us well against these competitors.

Seasonality

We experience seasonal fluctuations in our sales and profitability due to the timing of certain holidays and key retail shopping periods, which generally have resulted in lower sales and gross profit in the first half of our fiscal year versus the second half of the 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 fiscal year.
Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters
Our products are subject to regulation of and regulatory standards with respect to quality and safety set by various governmental authorities around the world, including in the United States, Canada, and China. Our operations also are subject to various international trade agreements and regulations. While we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable governmental regulations, current governmental regulations may change or become more stringent or unforeseen events may occur, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
We are also subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations that govern our activities, operations and products that may have adverse environmental and health and safety effects, including laws and regulations relating to generating emissions, water discharge, waste, product and packaging content and workplace safety. Noncompliance with these laws and regulations may result in substantial monetary penalties and criminal sanctions.
Our Trademarks and Copyrights

We own many trademarks and copyrights, including Carter's®, OshKosh®, OshKosh B'gosh®, Genuine Kids®, Child of Mine®, Just One You®, Simple Joys®, Precious Firsts®, Little Collections®, little baby basics ™, Rewarding Moments®, and Count on Carter’s ®, many of which are registered in the U.S. and in more than 140 countries and territories.

Our Employees

As of December 31, 2016 , we had approximately 18,300 employees globally. We have no unionized employees and believe that our labor relations are good.


Available Information

Our primary internet address is www.carters.com. The information contained on our website is not included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other reports we file with or furnish to the SEC. On our website, we make available, free of charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, director and officer reports on Forms 3, 4, and 5, and any amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Our SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of our website. We also make available on our website the Carter's Code of Ethics , our Corporate Governance Principles, and the charters for the Compensation, Audit, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors. Our SEC filings are also available for reading and copying at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site, www.sec.gov, containing reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Corporate Information

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Carter’s, Inc. is a Delaware corporation, with its principal executive offices are located in the U.S. at Phipps Tower, 3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. Our telephone number is (678) 791-1000. Carter’s, Inc. and its predecessors have been doing business since 1865.


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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risk factors as well as the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC in evaluating our business. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impact our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our operating results may be affected.

The loss of one or more of our major wholesale customers could result in a material loss of revenues.

We derived approximately 25% of our consolidated net sales from our top six wholesale customers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 . We do not enter into long-term sales contracts with our major wholesale customers, relying instead on product performance, long-standing relationships, and on our position in the marketplace. As a result, we face the risk that one or more of these or other customers may significantly decrease their business with us or terminate their relationship with us as a result of competitive forces, consolidation, reorganization, financial difficulties, including bankruptcy or insolvency, or other reasons, which could result in significant levels of excess inventory, a material decrease in our sales, or material impact on our operating results.

Financial difficulties for our major customers or licensees could have a significant impact on us.

A large percentage of our gross accounts receivables are typically from our largest wholesale customers. For example, 74% of our gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2016 were from our ten largest wholesale customers, with two of these customers having individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of our total accounts receivable. Our reserves for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make payments may prove not to be sufficient if any one or more of our customers are unable to meet outstanding obligations to us, which could materially adversely affect our operating results. If the financial condition or credit position of one or more of our customers or licensees were to deteriorate, or such customer or licensee fails, or is unable to pay the amounts owed to us in a timely manner, this could have a significant adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

The acceptance of our products in the marketplace is affected by consumers’ tastes and preferences, along with fashion trends.

We believe that continued success depends on our ability to provide a compelling value proposition for our consumers in our distribution channels. There can be no assurance that the demand for our products will not decline, or that we will be able to successfully and timely evaluate and adapt our products to changes in consumer tastes and preferences or fashion trends. If demand for our products declines, promotional pricing may be required to move seasonal merchandise, and our gross margins and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The value of our brands, and our sales, could be diminished if we are associated with negative publicity, including through actions by our vendors, independent manufacturers and licensees, over whom we have limited control.

Although we maintain policies with our vendors, independent manufacturers and licensees that promote ethical business practices and our employees, agents, and third-party compliance auditors periodically visit and monitor the operations of these entities, we do not control our vendors, independent manufacturers, or licensees, or their labor practices. A violation of our vendor policies, licensee agreements, health and safety standards, labor laws, anti-bribery laws, or other policies or laws by these vendors, independent manufacturers, or licensees could damage the image and reputation of our brands and could subject us to liability. As a result, negative publicity regarding us or our brands or products, including licensed products, could adversely affect our reputation and sales. Further, while we take steps to ensure the reputation of our brands is maintained through license and vendor agreements, there can be no guarantee that our brand image will not be negatively affected through its association with products or actions of our licensees or vendors.

Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights could diminish the value of our brand, weaken our competitive position, and adversely affect our results.

We currently rely on a combination of trademark, unfair competition, and copyright laws, as well as licensing and vendor arrangements, to establish and protect our intellectual property rights. The steps taken by us or by our licensees and vendors to

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protect our proprietary rights may not be adequate to prevent either the counterfeit production of our products or the infringement of our trademarks or proprietary rights by others. In addition, intellectual property protection may be unavailable or limited in some foreign countries where laws or law enforcement practices may not protect our proprietary rights and where third parties may have rights to conflicting marks, and it may be more difficult for us to successfully challenge the use of our proprietary rights by other parties in those countries. If we fail to protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, the value of our brands could be diminished and our competitive position may suffer. Further, third parties may assert intellectual property claims against us, particularly as we expand our business geographically, and any such claim could be expensive and time consuming to defend, regardless of its merit. Successful infringement claims against us could result in significant monetary liability or prevent us from selling some of our products, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We are subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits, including as a result of investigations or other proceedings related to previously disclosed investigations, and as a result, may incur substantial costs that adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

As previously reported, in 2009 the SEC and the U.S. Attorney's Office began conducting investigations, with which the Company cooperated, related to customer margin support provided by the Company, including undisclosed margin support commitments and related matters. In December 2010, the Company and the SEC entered into a non-prosecution agreement pursuant to which the SEC agreed not to charge the Company with any violations of federal securities laws, commence any enforcement action against the Company, or require the Company to pay any financial penalties in connection with the SEC investigation of customer margin support provided by the Company, conditioned upon the Company's continued cooperation with the SEC's investigation and with any related proceedings. The Company has incurred, and may continue to incur, substantial expenses for legal services due to the SEC and U.S. Attorney's Office investigations and any related proceedings. These matters may continue to divert management's time and attention away from operations. The Company also expects to bear additional costs pursuant to its advancement and indemnification obligations to directors and officers under our organizational documents in connection with proceedings related to these matters. Our insurance may not provide coverage to offset all of the costs incurred in connection with these proceedings.

In addition, we are subject to various other claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the course of our business. We are including with respect to claims that our designs infringe on a third party's intellectual property rights. We are also affected by trends in litigation, including class action litigation brought under various consumer protection, employment, and privacy and information security laws. In addition, litigation risks related to claims that technologies we use infringe intellectual property rights of third parties have been amplified by the increase in third parties whose primary business is to assert such claims. Reserves are established based on our best estimates of our potential liability. However, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation. Regardless of the outcome or whether the claims are meritorious, legal and regulatory proceedings may require that management devote substantial time and expense to defend the Company. In the event we are required or determine to pay amounts in connection with any such lawsuits, such amounts could exceed any applicable insurance coverage or contractual rights available to us. As a result, such lawsuits could be significant and have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our and our vendors' systems containing personal information and payment card data of our retail store and eCommerce customers, employees and other third parties could be breached, which could subject us to adverse publicity, costly government enforcement actions or private litigation, and expenses.

We rely on the security of our networks, databases, systems and processes and, in certain circumstances, those of third parties, such as vendors, to protect our proprietary information and information about our customers, employees, and vendors. Criminals are constantly devising schemes to circumvent information technology security safeguards and other retailers have recently suffered serious data security breaches. If unauthorized parties gain access to our networks or databases, or those of our vendors, they may be able to steal, publish, delete, or modify our private and sensitive third-party information including credit card information and personal identification information. In addition, employees may intentionally or inadvertently cause data or security breaches that result in unauthorized release of personal or confidential information. In such circumstances, we could be held liable to our customers, other parties, or employees as well as be subject to regulatory or other actions for breaching privacy law or failing to adequately protect such information. This could result in costly investigations and litigation exceeding applicable insurance coverage or contractual rights available to us, civil or criminal penalties, operational changes or other response measures, loss of consumer confidence in our security measures, and negative publicity that could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and reputation. Further, if we are unable to comply with the security

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standards, established by banks and the payment card industry, we may be subject to fines, restrictions, and expulsion from card acceptance programs, which could adversely affect our retail operations.

Our profitability may decline as a result of increasing pressure on margins, including deflationary pressures on our selling price and increases in production costs.
The apparel industry is subject to pricing pressure caused by many factors, including intense competition, the promotional retail environment and changes in consumer demand. In addition, our product costs are subject to a number of factors, such as the costs related to manufacturing, cotton, labor, fuel, importation, and transportation. If external pressures cause us to reduce our sales prices and we fail to sufficiently reduce our product costs or operating expenses, our profitability could decline. This could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition.

Our business is sensitive to overall levels of consumer spending, particularly in the young children apparel market.

Consumers' demand for young children's apparel, specifically brand name apparel products, is affected by the overall level of consumer spending. Discretionary consumer spending is affected by a number of factors such as the uncertainty in the political climate, overall economy, employment levels, weather, gasoline and utility costs, business conditions, foreign currency exchange rates, availability of consumer credit, tax rates, the availability of tax credits, interest rates, levels of consumer indebtedness, and overall levels of consumer confidence. Reductions, or lower-than-expected growth, in the level of discretionary or overall consumer spending may have a material adverse effect on our sales and results of operations.

Our revenues, product costs and other expenses are subject to foreign economic and currency risks due to our operations outside of the U.S.

We have operations in Canada and Asia and our vendors, independent manufacturers, and licensees are located around the world. The value of the U.S. dollar against other foreign currencies has seen significant volatility recently. While our business is primarily conducted in U.S. dollars, we source substantially all of our production from Asia, and we generate significant revenues in Canada. Cost increases caused by currency exchange rate fluctuations could make our products less competitive or have a material adverse effect on our profitability. Currency exchange rate fluctuations could also disrupt the business of our independent manufacturers that produce our products by making their purchases of raw materials or products more expensive and more difficult to finance. Additionally, fluctuations in exchange rates impact the amount of our reported sales and expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

We source substantially all of our products through foreign production arrangements. Our dependence on foreign supply sources are subject to risks associated with global sourcing and manufacturing which could result in disruptions to our operations.

We source substantially all of our products through a network of vendors primarily in Asia, principally coordinated by our Hong Kong sourcing office. Our foreign supply chain could be negatively affected due to a number of factors, including:

• financial instability, including bankruptcy or insolvency, of one or more of our major vendors;

• the imposition of new regulations relating to imports, duties, taxes, and other charges on imports;

• political instability or other international events resulting in the disruption of trade in foreign countries from which we source our products;

• interruptions in the supply of raw materials, including cotton, fabric, and trim items;

• increases in the cost of labor in our sourcing locations;

• the occurrence of a natural disaster, unusual weather conditions, or a disease epidemic in foreign countries from which we source our products;

• changes in the U.S. customs procedures concerning the importation of apparel products;

• unforeseen delays in customs clearance of any goods;


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• disruptions in the global transportation network such as a port strike, work stoppages or other labor unrest, capacity withholding, world trade restrictions, acts of terrorism or war;

• the application of adverse foreign intellectual property laws;

• the ability of our vendors to secure sufficient credit to finance the manufacturing process including the acquisition of raw materials;

• potential social compliance concerns resulting from our use of international vendors, independent manufacturers, and licensees, over whom we have limited control;

• manufacturing delays or unexpected demand for products may require the use of faster, but more expensive, transportation methods such as air-freight services;

• the use of "conflict minerals" sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or its surrounding countries in our products; and

• other events beyond our control that could interrupt our supply chain and delay receipt of our products into the U.S.

The occurrence of one or more of these events could result in disruptions to our operations, which in turn could increase our cost of goods sold, decrease our gross profit, or impact our ability to get products to our customers.

A small number of vendors supply a significant amount of our products, and losing one or more of these vendors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. 

In fiscal 2016 , we purchased approximately 62% of our products from ten vendors, of which approximately half comes from three vendors. We expect that we will continue to source a significant portion of our products from these vendors.  We do not have agreements with our major vendors that would provide us with assurances on a long-term basis as to adequate supply or pricing of our products.  If any of our major vendors decide to discontinue or significantly decrease the volume of products they manufacture for us, raise prices on products we purchase from them, or become unable to perform their responsibilities (e.g., if our vendors experience financial difficulties, lack of capacity or significant labor disputes) our business, results of operations, and financial condition may be adversely affected.

We have limited control over our vendors and we may experience delays, product recalls, or loss of revenues if our products do not meet our quality standards.

Because we do not control our vendors, our vendors may not continue to provide products that are consistent with our standards. We have occasionally received, and may in the future continue to receive, shipments of product that fail to conform to our quality control standards. A failure in our quality control program may result in diminished product quality, which in turn may result in increased order cancellations and returns, decreased consumer demand for our products, or product recalls, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, products that fail to meet our standards, or other unauthorized products, could end up in the marketplace without our knowledge. This could materially harm our brand and our reputation in the marketplace.

Labor or other disruptions along our supply chain may adversely affect our relationships with customers, reputation with consumers, and results of operations.

Our business depends on our ability to source and distribute products in a timely manner. Labor disputes at independent factories where our goods are produced, the shipping ports we use, or our transportation carriers create significant risks for our business, particularly if these disputes result in work slowdowns, lockouts, strikes, or other disruptions during our peak manufacturing and importing times. For example, we source a significant portion of our products through a single port on the west coast of the U.S. Work slowdowns and stoppages relating to labor agreement negotiations involving the operators of our west coast port and unions have in the past resulted in a significant backlog of cargo containers. Additionally, the insolvency of a major shipping company in 2016 also had an impact on our supply chain. As a result, we have in the past experienced delays in the shipment of our products.  In the event that these slow-downs, disruptions or strikes occur in the future in connection with labor agreement negotiations or otherwise, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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We may experience delays, product recalls, or loss of revenues if our products do not meet regulatory requirements.

Our products are subject to regulation of and regulatory standards with respect to quality and safety set by various governmental authorities around the world, including in the U.S., Canada, China, and the European Union. These regulations and standards may change from time to time. Our inability, or that of our vendors, to comply on a timely basis with regulatory requirements could result in significant fines or penalties, which could adversely affect our reputation and sales. Issues with the compliance of merchandise we sell with these regulations and standards, regardless of our culpability, or customer concerns about such issues, could result in damage to our reputation, lost sales, uninsured product liability claims or losses, merchandise recalls, and increased costs.

Our inability to effectively source inventory directly could negatively impact our ability to timely deliver our inventory supply and disrupt our business, which may adversely affect our operating results.

We source a significant amount of inventory directly and plan to continue to further increase such amounts. If we experience significant increases in demand or need to replace an existing vendor, there can be no assurance that additional manufacturing capacity will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us or that any vendor would allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our requirements. In addition, for any new vendors, we may encounter delays in production and added costs as a result of the time it takes to train our vendors in producing our products and adhering to our quality control standards. Moreover, in the event of a significant disruption in the supply of the fabrics or raw materials used by our vendors in the manufacture of our products, our vendors might not be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials of comparable quality at an acceptable price. Any delays, interruption, or increased costs in the manufacture of our products could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Profitability and our reputation and relationships could be negatively affected if we do not adequately forecast the demand for our products and, as a result, create significant levels of excess inventory or insufficient levels of inventory.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully anticipate changing consumer preferences and product trends or economic conditions and, as a result, we may not successfully manage inventory levels to meet our future order requirements. If we fail to accurately forecast consumer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels or a shortage of product required to meet the demand. Inventory levels in excess of consumer demand may result in inventory write-downs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices, which could have an adverse effect on the image and reputation of our brands and negatively impact profitability. On the other hand, if we underestimate demand for our products, our manufacturing facilities or third-party manufacturers may not be able to produce products to meet consumer requirements, and this could result in delays in the shipment of products and lost revenues, as well as damage to our reputation and relationships. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our brand image as well as our results of operations and financial condition.

We operate in a highly competitive market and the size and resources of some of our competitors may allow them to compete more effectively than we can, resulting in a loss of market share and, as a result, a decrease in revenue and gross profit.

The baby and young children's apparel market is very competitive, and includes both branded and private label manufacturers. Because of the fragmented nature of the industry, we also compete with many other manufacturers and retailers. Some of our competitors have greater financial resources and larger customer bases than we have. As a result, these competitors may be able to adapt to changes in customer requirements more quickly; take advantage of acquisition and other opportunities more readily; devote greater resources to the marketing and sale of their products; and adopt more aggressive pricing strategies than we can.

We expect to make significant capital investments and have significant expenses related to our multi-channel sales strategy and failure to execute our strategy could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and how we meet consumer expectations.

We distribute our products through multiple channels in the U.S. children's apparel market, which, as of December 31, 2016 , included approximately 18,000 wholesale locations (including department stores, national chain and specialty stores, and discount retailers), 792 stores in the U.S., 164 stores in Canada, and our U.S. and Canadian websites (including www.carters.com), all in addition to our other international wholesale, licensing, and online channels. Our multi-channel strategy allows our customers to shop across all sales channels globally, and allows us to meet changing customer experience expectations.


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This strategy has and will continue to require significant investment in cross-functional operations and management focus, along with investment in supporting technologies. Multi-channel retailing is rapidly evolving and we must anticipate and meet changing customer expectations and counteract new developments and technology investments by our competitors. Our multi-channel retailing strategy includes implementing new technology, software, and processes to be able to fulfill customer orders from any point within our system of stores and distribution centers, which is extremely complex and may not meet customer expectations for timely and accurate deliveries. If we are unable to attract and retain team members or contract with third-parties having the specialized skills needed to support our multi-channel efforts, implement improvements to our customer‑facing technology in a timely manner, allow real-time and accurate visibility to product availability when customers are ready to purchase, quickly and efficiently fulfill our customers orders using the fulfillment and payment methods they demand, or provide a convenient and consistent experience for our customers regardless of the ultimate sales channel, our ability to compete and our results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, if carters.com, oshkosh.com, or our other customer‑facing technology systems do not appeal to our customers, reliably function as designed, or maintain the privacy of customer data, or if we are unable consistently meet our brand promise to our customers, we may experience a loss of customer confidence or lost sales, or be exposed to fraudulent purchases, which could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations.

Our retail success and future growth is dependent upon identifying locations and negotiating appropriate lease terms for retail stores.

A significant portion of our revenues are through our retail stores in leased retail locations across the U.S. and Canada. Successful operation of a retail store depends, in part, on the overall ability of the retail location to attract a consumer base sufficient to make store sales volume profitable. If we are unable to identify new retail locations with consumer traffic sufficient to support a profitable sales level, our retail growth may be limited. Further, if existing stores do not maintain a sufficient customer base that provides a reasonable sales volume or we are unable to negotiate appropriate lease terms for the retail stores, there could be a material adverse impact on our sales, gross margin, and results of operations. In addition, if consumer habits transition more from brick-and-mortar stores to online retail experiences, any increase we may see in our eCommerce sales may not be sufficient to offset the decreases in sales from our brick-and-mortar stores.

We also must be able to effectively renew our existing store leases on acceptable terms. In addition, from time to time, we may seek to downsize, consolidate, reposition, or close some of our real estate locations, which in most cases requires a modification of an existing store lease. Failure to renew existing store leases, secure adequate new locations or successfully modify existing locations, or failure to effectively manage the profitability of our existing fleet of stores, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Additionally, the economic environment may at times make it difficult to determine the fair market rent of real estate properties within the U.S. and internationally. This could impact the quality of our decisions to exercise lease options at previously negotiated rents and the quality of our decisions to renew expiring leases at negotiated rents. Any adverse effect on the quality of these decisions could impact our ability to retain real estate locations adequate to meet our targets or efficiently manage the profitability of our existing fleet of stores and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our eCommerce business faces distinct risks, and our failure to successfully manage it could have a negative impact on our profitability.

The successful operation of our eCommerce business as well as our ability to provide a positive shopping experience that will generate orders and drive subsequent visits depends on efficient and uninterrupted operation of our order-taking and fulfillment operations. Risks associated with our eCommerce business include:
• risks associated with the failure of the computer systems, including those of third-party vendors, that operate our website including, among others, inadequate system capacity, computer viruses, human error, changes in programming, security breaches, system upgrades or migration of these services to new systems;
• disruptions in telephone service or power outages;
• reliance on third parties for computer hardware and software, as well as delivery of merchandise to our customers;
• rapid technology changes;
• credit or debit card fraud;

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• the diversion of sales from our physical stores;
• natural disasters or adverse weather conditions;
• changes in applicable federal, state and international regulations;
• liability for online content; and
• consumer privacy concerns and regulation.

Problems in any of these areas could result in a reduction in sales, increased costs and damage to our reputation and brands, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We may be unsuccessful in expanding into international markets.

We cannot be sure that we can successfully complete any planned international expansion or that new international business will be profitable or meet our expectations. We do not have significant experience operating in markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. Consumer demand, behavior, tastes, and purchasing trends may differ in international markets and, as a result, sales of our products may not be successful or meet our expectations, or the margins on those sales may not be in line with those we currently anticipate. We may encounter differences in business culture and the legal environment that may make working with commercial partners and hiring and retaining an adequate employee base more challenging. We may also face difficulties integrating foreign business operations with our current operations. Any of these challenges could hinder our success in new markets. Our entry into new markets may have upfront investment costs that may not be accompanied by sufficient revenues to achieve typical or expected operational and financial performance and such costs may be greater than expected. If our international expansion plans are unsuccessful, our results could be materially adversely affected.

We may not achieve sales growth plans, cost savings, and other assumptions that support the carrying value of our intangible assets.

The carrying value of our goodwill, tradename assets, and brands are subject to annual impairment reviews as of the last day of each fiscal year or more frequently, if deemed necessary, due to any significant events or changes in circumstances. Estimated future cash flows used in these impairment reviews could be negatively affected if we do not achieve our sales plans, planned cost savings, and other assumptions that support the carrying value of these intangible assets, which could result in impairment of the remaining asset values. Any material impairment would adversely affect our results of operations.

We have substantial debt, which could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to obtain financing in the future and to react to changes in our business.

As of December 31, 2016 , we had $585.0 million aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding (excluding $4.8 million of outstanding letters of credit), and $310.2 million of undrawn availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility after giving effect to $4.8 million of letters of credit issued under our senior secured revolving credit facility. As a result, our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, or general corporate or other purposes may be limited, and we may be unable to renew or refinance our debt on terms as favorable as our existing debt or at all.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations and other cash requirements, we could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to sell assets or operations, seek additional capital, or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, such alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations.

In addition, both our senior secured revolving credit facility and indenture governing the senior notes contain restrictive covenants that, subject to specified exemptions, restrict our ability to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make certain investments (including business acquisitions), pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock, engage in mergers, dispose of assets and use the proceeds from any such dispositions, and raise debt or equity capital to be used to repay other indebtedness when it becomes due. These restrictions may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interests, and may make it difficult for us to execute our business strategy successfully or effectively compete with companies that are not

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similarly restricted. In particular, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient cash from operations, borrowing capacity under our debt documents, or the ability to raise additional funds in the capital markets to pursue our growth strategies as a result of these restrictions or otherwise. We may also incur future debt obligations that might subject us to additional restrictive covenants that could affect our financial and operational flexibility.

Our success is dependent upon retaining key individuals within the organization to execute our strategic plan.

Our ability to attract and retain qualified executive management, marketing, merchandising, design, sourcing, operations, and support function staffing is key to our success. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified individuals in these areas, this may result in an adverse impact on our growth and results of operations. Our inability to retain personnel could cause us to experience business disruption due to a loss of historical knowledge and a lack of business continuity and may adversely affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Our failure to properly manage strategic projects in order to achieve our objectives may negatively impact our business.

The implementation of our business strategy periodically involves the execution of complex projects, such as our Rewarding Moments® rewards program, which may require that we make significant estimates and assumptions about a project, and these projects could place significant demands on our accounting, financial, information and other systems and on our business overall. In addition, we are dependent on our management’s ability to oversee these projects effectively and implement them successfully. If our estimates and assumptions about a project, such as our Rewarding Moments® program, are incorrect, or if we miscalculate the resources or time we need to complete a project or fail to implement a project effectively, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

We may be unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses and such acquisitions may fail to achieve the financial results we expected.

From time to time we may acquire other businesses as part of our growth strategy. We may partially or fully fund such acquisitions by taking on additional debt. We may be unable to successfully integrate businesses we acquire and such acquisitions may fail to achieve the financial results we expected. Integrating completed acquisitions into our existing operations, particularly larger acquisitions, involves numerous risks, including diversion of our management’s attention, failure to retain key personnel, and failure of the acquired business to be financially successful. In addition, we cannot be certain of the extent of any unknown or contingent liabilities of any acquired business, including liabilities for failure to comply with applicable laws, including those relating to product safety. We may incur material liabilities for past activities of acquired businesses. Also, depending on the location of the acquired business, we may be required to comply with laws and regulations that may differ from those of the jurisdictions in which our operations are currently conducted. Our inability to successfully integrate businesses we acquire, or if such businesses do not achieve the financial results we expect, may increase our costs and have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.


Failure to implement new information technology systems or needed upgrades to our systems, including operational and financial systems, could adversely affect our business.

As our business has grown in size, complexity, and geography, we have enhanced and upgraded our information technology infrastructure and we expect there to be a regular need for additional enhancements and upgrades as we continue to grow. Failure to implement new systems or upgrade systems, including operation and financial systems, as needed or complications encountered in implementing new systems or upgrading existing systems could cause disruptions that may adversely affect our business and results of operations. Further, additional investment needed to upgrade and expand our information technology infrastructure will require significant investment of additional resources and capital, which may not always be available or available on favorable terms.

Our Braselton, Georgia distribution facility handles a large portion of our merchandise distribution. If we encounter problems with this facility, our ability to deliver our products to the market could be adversely affected.

We handle a large portion of our merchandise distribution for all of our stores, and our online retail operations from a single facility in Braselton, Georgia. Our ability to meet consumer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales, and achieve objectives for operating efficiencies depends on proper operation of this facility. If we are not able to distribute merchandise to our stores or customers because we have exceeded our capacity at the distribution facility (such as due to a high level of

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demand during peak periods) or because of natural disasters, accidents, system failures, disruptions, or other events, our sales could decline, which may have a materially adverse effect on our earnings, financial position, and our reputation. In addition, we use an automated system that manages the order processing for our eCommerce business. In the event that this system becomes inoperable for any reason, we may be unable to ship direct-to-consumer orders in a timely manner, and as a result, we could experience a reduction in our direct-to-consumer business, which could negatively impact our sales and profitability.

Our business could suffer a material adverse effect from extreme or unseasonable weather conditions.

Our business is susceptible to unseasonable weather conditions, which could influence customer trends, consumer traffic and shopping habits. For example, extended periods of unseasonably warm temperatures during the winter season or cool temperatures during the summer season could reduce demand and thereby would have an adverse effect on our operational results, financial position, and cash flows. In addition, extreme weather conditions in the areas in which our stores are located could negatively affect our business, operational results, financial position, and cash flows. Frequent or unusually heavy snowfall, ice storms, rainstorms, or other extreme weather conditions over an extended period could make it difficult for our customers to travel to our stores, which could negatively impact our operational results.

Failure to comply with the various laws and regulations as well as changes in laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our reputation, consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

We must comply with various laws and regulations, including applicable employment and consumer protection laws. Our policies, procedures and internal controls are designed to help us comply with all applicable foreign and domestic laws, accounting and reporting requirements, regulations and tax requirements, including those imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") as well as other laws. Our failure to comply with these various laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our reputation, consolidated financial condition or results of operations. In addition, any changes in regulations, the imposition of additional regulations or the enactment of any new legislation that affects employment and labor, trade, product safety, transportation and logistics, health care, tax, privacy, operations or environmental issues, among other things, may increase the complexity of the regulatory environment in which we operate and the related cost of compliance. Although we undertake to monitor changes in these laws, if these laws change without our knowledge, or are violated by importers, designers, manufacturers, distributors or agents, we could experience delays in shipments and receipt of goods, or be subject to fines or other penalties under the controlling regulations, any of which could negatively affect the our business and results of operations.

Our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows, and our ability to conduct business in international markets may be affected by legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks.

Our ability to conduct business in new and existing international markets is subject to legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks. These include the burdens of complying with foreign laws and regulations, including trade and labor restrictions; unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; and new tariffs or other barriers in some international markets. Additionally, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and similar world-wide anti-bribery laws, prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Our policies mandate compliance with anti-bribery laws. Our internal control policies and procedures, or those of our vendors, may not adequately protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees, agents, or vendors. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

We are also subject to general political and economic risks in connection with our international operations, including political instability and terrorist attacks; differences in business culture; different laws governing relationships with employees and business partners; changes in diplomatic and trade relationships; and general economic fluctuations in specific countries or markets.


We may experience fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate.

We are subject to income taxes in federal and applicable state and local tax jurisdictions in the U.S., Canada, and other foreign jurisdictions. We record tax expense based on our estimates of current and future payments, which include reserves for estimates of uncertain tax positions. At any time, many tax years are subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. The results

17

of these audits and negotiations with taxing authorities may impact the ultimate settlement of these tax positions. As a result, there could be ongoing variability in our quarterly tax rates as taxable events occur and exposures are re-evaluated. Further, our effective tax rate in any financial statement period may be materially affected by changes in the mix and level of earnings.

The current United States political agenda has identified tax reform as a key priority. A variety of tax proposals that would significantly impact US taxation for multinational corporations have been developed, including proposals around a border adjustment tax, changes to repatriation, reductions in the US corporate tax rate, introduction of a capital expense deduction and elimination of the interest deduction. We cannot predict whether or not any of these tax reform proposals will ultimately be adopted and, until the details of each proposal have been developed and reviewed, we cannot determine the impact of the proposed legislation on our tax expense. However, based on our initial understanding, the impact of certain proposals on our tax expense and profitability could be material, and we may not be able to fully offset any such incremental tax increase through product price increases or otherwise.

Furthermore, we cannot predict whether quotas, duties, taxes, or other similar restrictions will be imposed by the U.S. or foreign countries upon the import or export of our products in the future, or what effect any of these actions would have, if any, on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Changes in regulatory, geopolitical, social or economic policies, and other factors may have a material adverse effect on our business in the future or may require us to exit a particular market or significantly modify our current business practices.


Failure to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends to our shareholders could cause the market price for our common stock to decline.

In 2013, we initiated a quarterly cash dividend. Future declarations of quarterly cash dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are at the discretion of our Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including our future financial performance and other investment priorities. Additionally, provisions in our senior credit facility and the indenture governing our senior notes could have the effect of restricting our ability to pay future cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of, our common stock. Any reduction or discontinuance by us of the payment of quarterly cash dividends could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

18


ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.


19


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We utilize space for retail stores, distribution centers, and offices, principally in the U.S. and Canada. All but one of our premises are leased.

The following sets forth information with respect to our key properties:
Location
 
Approx. floor space in square feet
 
Principal use
 
Lease expiration date
Braselton, Georgia
 
1,062,000

 
Distribution/warehousing
 
September 2026
Stockbridge, Georgia
 
505,000

 
Distribution/warehousing
 
April 2018
Chino, California
 
413,000

 
Distribution/warehousing (1)
 
July 2017
Atlanta, Georgia
 
304,000

 
Corporate headquarters
 
April 2030
Griffin, Georgia
 
224,000

 
Information technology/warehousing
 
Owned
Fayetteville, Georgia
 
30,000

 
Information technology
 
September 2020
Cambridge, Ontario
 
277,000

 
Distribution/warehousing
 
March 2020
Mississauga, Ontario
 
28,000

 
Canadian corporate office
 
October 2026
Hong Kong
 
56,000

 
Sourcing office (2)
 
February 2019/ December 2019
(1) This space is leased and operated by a third party service provider.
(2) This includes three spaces leased in two adjoining buildings. The lease for the two spaces with 40,000 square feet expires in February 2019, while the lease for the third space with 16,000 square feet expires in December 2019.
 
Beginning in fiscal 2016, we use a different convention for stating our retail store count data. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis - Store Count Data, for more information.

At December 31, 2016 , we operated 792 leased retail store locations in 48 states in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. In Canada, we operated 164 leased retail stores. The majority of the lease terms for our retail stores range between 5 and 10 years.
                         
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are 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 our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

20

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

HISTORICAL STOCK PRICE AND NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS

Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol CRI. The last reported sale price per share of our common stock on February 17, 2017 was $83.72 . On that date there were 179 holders of record of our common stock.

The high and low market price per share for the Company's common stock in fiscal 2016 and 2015, by quarter, were as follows:
2016
 
High
 
Low
First quarter
 
$
105.93

 
$
83.44

Second quarter
 
$
108.20

 
$
97.54

Third quarter
 
$
112.58

 
$
86.37

Fourth quarter
 
$
94.83

 
$
84.06


2015
 
High
 
Low
First quarter
 
$
94.21

 
$
79.85

Second quarter
 
$
109.30

 
$
91.01

Third quarter
 
$
109.53

 
$
87.22

Fourth quarter
 
$
94.56

 
$
82.22


Note: The high and low market prices in the above table were compiled from prices that considered intra-day high and low prices as well as closing prices on the NYSE. Previously, the company presented high and low prices compiled only from closing prices on the NYSE.


SHARE REPURCHASES
    
The following table provides information about shares repurchased through our repurchase program described below during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 :
Period
 
Total number
of shares
purchased
(1)
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (2)
 
Approximate
dollar value of shares that may
yet be
purchased
under the plans
or programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 2, 2016 through October 29, 2016
 
342,900

 
$
87.23

 
342,900

 
$
305,797,623

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 30, 2016 through November 26, 2016
 
152,120

 
$
88.08

 
152,995

 
$
292,398,702

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 27, 2016 through December 31, 2016
 
195,414

 
$
92.09

 
195,414

 
$
274,402,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
690,434

 


 
691,309

 
 

(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 875 shares surrendered between October 2, 2016 and December 31, 2016 .

(2)
Amounts purchased during the fiscal year were made in accordance with the share repurchase authorizations described below.

21


Share Repurchase Program
    
Prior to 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock in amounts up to $462.5 million. On February 26, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $500 million of share repurchases, thereby authorizing total repurchase amounts up to $962.5 million.

Open-market repurchases of our common stock during fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
Fiscal year ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
January 3, 2015
Number of shares repurchased
3,049,381

 
1,154,288

 
1,111,899

Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)
$
300,445

 
$
110,290

 
$
82,099

Average price per share
$
98.53

 
$
95.55

 
$
73.84


In addition to the open-market repurchases completed in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, we completed open-market repurchases totaling $195.3 million in fiscal years prior to 2014.

The total remaining capacity under the repurchase authorizations was $274.4 million as of December 31, 2016.

Repurchases under the authorizations may be made in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions, with the level and timing of such activity at the discretion of our management depending on market conditions, stock price, other investment priorities, and other factors. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates.


DIVIDENDS

On February 15, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.37 per common share, payable on March 24, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2017.

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

Provisions in our secured revolving credit facility and indenture governing our senior notes could have the effect of restricting our ability to pay future cash dividends on or make future repurchases of our common stock. For more information concerning these dividend restrictions, refer to the "Financial Condition, Capital Resources, and Liquidity" section of Item 7 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

Not applicable.



22

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial and other data has been derived from our consolidated financial statements for each of the five fiscal years presented. The following information should be read in conjunction with Item 7 - "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Item 8-"Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" which includes the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, or the respective prior fiscal years' Form 10-K.

The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in December or January, nearest the last day of December, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six years. All fiscal years for which financial information is set forth below contained 52 weeks, except for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, which contained 53 weeks.
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3, 2015

December 28,
2013
 
December 29, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail sales - Carter's
 
$
1,254,140

 
$
1,151,268

 
$
1,087,165

 
$
954,160

 
$
818,909

Wholesale sales - Carter's
 
1,128,371

 
1,107,706

 
1,081,888


1,035,420

 
981,445

Retail sales - OshKosh
 
402,274

 
363,087

 
335,140


289,311

 
283,343

Wholesale sales - OshKosh
 
49,663

 
65,607

 
73,201


74,564

 
79,752

International
 
364,736

 
326,211

 
316,474


285,256

 
218,285

Total net sales
 
$
3,199,184

 
$
3,013,879

 
$
2,893,868


$
2,638,711

 
$
2,381,734

Cost of goods sold
 
$
1,820,035

 
$
1,755,855

 
$
1,709,428


$
1,543,332

 
$
1,443,786

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
$
1,379,149

 
$
1,258,024

 
$
1,184,440


$
1,095,379

 
$
937,948

Operating income (a)
 
$
426,558

 
$
392,857

 
$
333,345


$
264,151

 
$
261,986

Income before income taxes
 
$
396,070

 
$
368,188

 
$
302,906


$
249,465

 
$
255,391

Net income
 
$
258,106

 
$
237,822

 
$
194,670


$
160,407

 
$
161,150

 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Per Common Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Basic net income
 
$
5.13

 
$
4.55

 
$
3.65


$
2.78

 
$
2.73

Diluted net income
 
$
5.08

 
$
4.50

 
$
3.62


$
2.75

 
$
2.69

Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Working capital (b) (c)
 
$
779,476

 
$
867,890

 
$
792,675


$
700,473

 
$
713,468

Total assets (c)
 
$
1,946,597

 
$
2,003,654

 
$
1,886,825


$
1,805,444

 
$
1,630,109

Total debt (c)
 
$
580,376

 
$
578,972

 
$
579,728


$
578,960

 
$
186,000

Stockholders' equity
 
$
788,124

 
$
875,051

 
$
786,684


$
700,731

 
$
985,479

Cash Flow Data:
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
369,229

 
$
307,987

 
$
282,397


$
209,696

 
$
278,619

Net cash (used in) investing activities
 
$
(88,340
)
 
$
(103,425
)
 
$
(104,732
)

$
(220,532
)
 
$
(83,392
)
Net cash (used in) financing activities
 
$
(363,507
)
 
$
(162,005
)
 
$
(122,438
)

$
(84,658
)
 
$
(46,317
)
Other Data:
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Capital expenditures
 
$
88,556

 
$
103,497

 
$
103,453


$
182,525

 
$
83,398

Dividend declared and paid per common share
 
$
1.32

 
$
0.88

 
$
0.76

 
$
0.48

 
$
—



23


NOTES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


(a) The following selling, general, & administrative expenses were included in the calculation of operating income:
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3,
2015
 
December 28,
2013
 
December 29, 2012
Amortization of H.W. Carter and Sons tradenames
 
$
1,742

 
$
6,239

 
$
16,437

 
$
13,588

 
$
—

Workforce reduction, facility write-down, and closure costs
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
9,126

 
$
38,214

 
9,490

Accretion and adjustment of contingent consideration
 
$
—

 
$
1,886

 
$
1,348

 
$
2,825

 
3,589

Direct sourcing initiative
 
$
720

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
—

Acquisition-related costs
 
$
2,353

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
—


(b)
Represents total current assets less total current liabilities.
 
(c)
All periods have been adjusted to reflect the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost for Term Debt . at the beginning of fiscal 2016. For additional information, see Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.





24

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
        
The following is a discussion of our results of operations and current financial condition. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated historical financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our discussion of our results of operations and financial condition includes various forward-looking statements about our markets, the demand for our products and services, and our future results. We based these statements on assumptions that we consider reasonable. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by our forward-looking statements for various reasons including those discussed in the "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Those risk factors expressly qualify all subsequent oral and written forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. Except for any ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, we do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we file this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Fiscal Years

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in December or January nearest the last day of December, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six years. Fiscal 2016, which ended on December 31, 2016, and Fiscal 2015, which ended on January 2, 2016, both contained 52 calendar weeks. Fiscal 2014, which ended on January 3, 2015, contained 53 calendar weeks.

The 53rd week in fiscal 2014 contributed approximately $44.1 million of incremental consolidated revenue. Certain expenses increased in relationship to the additional revenue from the 53rd week, while other expenses, such as fixed costs and expenses incurred on a calendar-month basis, did not increase. The consolidated gross margin for the incremental revenue was comparable to our consolidated gross margin for all of fiscal 2014.

Our Business

We are the largest branded marketer in the U.S. and Canada of apparel exclusively for babies and young children. We own two of the most highly recognized and most trusted brand names in the children's apparel industry, Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh (or " OshKosh ").

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

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

We market high-quality products at an attractive value proposition for consumers, and offer multiple product categories, including baby, sleepwear, playclothes, and related accessories. We believe our brands provide a complementary product offering and aesthetic, and are each uniquely positioned in the marketplace. In the $20.7 billion baby and young children's apparel market ages zero to seven in the U.S., our Carter's brand has the #1 position with a 14.9% market share and our OshKosh brand has a 2.9% market share.

We have extensive experience in the young children’s apparel market and focus on delivering products that satisfy our consumers’ needs. Our long-term growth strategy is focused on:
•
providing the best value and experience in young children's apparel;
•
extending the reach of our brands by improving the convenience of shopping for our brands and by strengthening our international operations; and
•
improving profitability by strengthening distribution and direct-sourcing capabilities, as well as inventory management disciplines.
 
Our multi-channel international business model - retail stores, online and wholesale - enables us to reach a broad range of consumers around the world. As of December 31, 2016 , our channels included the following:

•
approximately 18,000 wholesale locations (including department stores, national chain stores, specialty stores and discount retailers) in the U.S.;
•
495 Carter's stand-alone stores in the U.S.;

25

•
138 OshKosh stand-alone stores in the U.S.;
•
159 dual-branded stores in the U.S., including 140 side-by-side stores and 19 co-branded stores;
•
164 co-branded stores in Canada;

and our U.S. and Canadian websites, all in addition to our other international wholesale, licensing, and online channels.


STORE COUNT DATA

We operate retail stores in three different formats: Carter's stand-alone stores, OshKosh stand-alone stores, and stores in our dual-branded format. Our dual-branded format includes "side-by-side" locations and "co-branded" locations. The dual-branded format allows customers to shop for both the Carter's and OshKosh brands in a single location. "Side-by-side" locations, which are located only in the U.S., consist of adjacent retail stores for our Carter's and OshKosh brands that are connected and counted as a single dual-branded format location. "Co-branded" locations consist of a single retail store that offers products from our Carter's and Oshkosh brands and are also counted as a single dual-branded format location. Ending store count data for the U.S. dual-branded formats include 140, 97, and 51 "side-by-side" locations as of December 31, 2016 , January 2, 2016 , and January 3, 2015, respectively, and 19 "co-branded" locations as of December 31, 2016. All Canada retail stores are in the "co-branded" format and are also counted as a single location.
 
 
U.S. Carter's Stand-alone
 
U.S. OshKosh Stand-alone
 
U.S. Dual-Branded Formats
 
Canada Co-Branded Format
 
Total Retail Stores
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Store count at January 3, 2015
 
480
 
149
 
51
 
124
 
804
 
Openings
 
34
 
3
 
31
 
23
 
91
 
Closings
 
(4)
 
(6)
 
—
 
—
 
(10)
 
Conversions to dual-branded formats
 
(13)
 
(2)
 
15
 
—
 
—
 
Store count at January 2, 2016
 
497
 
144
 
97
 
147
 
885
 
Openings
 
23
 
1
 
40
 
17
 
81
 
Closings
 
(4)
 
(5)
 
—
 
—
 
(9)
 
Conversions to dual-branded formats
 
(21)
 
(2)
 
22
 
—
 
(1)
*
Store count at December 31, 2016
 
495
 
138
 
159
 
164
 
956
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Approximate new store projections for fiscal 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Openings
 
14
 
—
 
48
 
15
 
77
 
Closings
 
(5)
 
(6)
 
—
 
(2)
 
(13)
 
Conversions to dual-branded formats
 
(25)
 
—
 
25
 
—
 
—
 
Total projections at December 30, 2017
 
479
 
132
 
232
 
177
 
1020
 

* (1) due to two U.S. stand-alone retail stores being converted into one dual-branded format retail store.

In prior years, we used a different convention for stating our store count data, and as a result, the fiscal 2015 and 2014 data above has been restated to conform to the present convention. In particular, "side-by-side" locations were previously reported as two separate locations (one Carter's retail store location and one OshKosh retail store location).


Segments

For fiscal 2016 and all comparative fiscal periods presented within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our business was managed and evaluated through five segments: Carter's Retail, Carter's Wholesale, OshKosh Retail, OshKosh Wholesale, and International. These segments were deemed to be our operating segments and reportable segments for the fiscal periods.

Our Carter’s Retail and OshKosh Retail segments consist of income from sales of products in the United States, including Carter’s and OshKosh products, through our Carter’s and OshKosh retail and online stores, respectively. Similarly, our Carter’s Wholesale and OshKosh Wholesale segments consist of income from sales in the United States of Carter’s and OshKosh products, respectively, through our wholesale partners. Finally, our International segment consists of income from sales of Carter’s and OshKosh products through retail and online stores outside the United States, primarily through our retail and

26

online stores in Canada and stores operated by our international partners, as well as sales to our international wholesale partners. Additional financial and geographical information about our segments is contained in Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under Note 13 - “Segment Information” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events

For information occurring after December 31, 2016, see Note 21, Subsequent Events , to the audited consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.





27
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated selected statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of consolidated net sales.
 
For the fiscal years ended
 
December 31, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
Carter’s Retail
39.2
 %
 
38.2
 %
 
37.6
 %
Carter’s Wholesale
35.3
 %
 
36.8
 %
 
37.4
 %
Total Carter’s (U.S.)
74.5
 %
 
75.0
 %
 
75.0
 %
OshKosh Retail
12.6
 %
 
12.0
 %
 
11.6
 %
OshKosh Wholesale
1.6
 %
 
2.2
 %
 
2.5
 %
Total OshKosh (U.S.)
14.2
 %
 
14.2
 %
 
14.1
 %
International
11.3
 %
 
10.8
 %
 
10.9
 %
Consolidated net sales
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Cost of goods sold
56.9
 %
 
58.3
 %
 
59.1
 %
Gross profit
43.1
 %
 
41.7
 %
 
40.9
 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
31.1
 %
 
30.2
 %
 
30.8
 %
Royalty income
(1.3
)%
 
(1.5
)%
 
(1.4
)%
Operating income
13.3
 %
 
13.0
 %
 
11.5
 %
Interest expense
0.8
 %
 
0.9
 %
 
1.0
 %
Interest income
n/m

 
n/m

 
n/m

Other (income) expense, net
0.1
 %
 
(0.1
)%
 
0.1
 %
Income before income taxes
12.4
 %
 
12.2
 %
 
10.4
 %
Provision for income taxes
4.3
 %
 
4.3
 %
 
3.7
 %
Net income
8.1
 %
 
7.9
 %
 
6.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
n/m - rounds to less than 0.1%, therefore not material.
Note: Results may not be additive due to rounding.



COMPARABLE SALES METRICS

For all periods presented herein, our comparable store sales metrics include sales for all stores and eCommerce websites that were open during the comparable fiscal period, including stand-alone format stores that converted to dual-branded format stores and certain remodeled or relocated stores. A store 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, 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.

Our fiscal years 2016 and 2015 each contained 52 weeks, while our fiscal year 2014 contained 53 weeks. When presenting U.S. and Canada comparable retail sales, comparable 52-week periods were used for all fiscal years. However, in all other discussion and analysis related to fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, the net sales amounts are based on the same fiscal-year periods used to prepare the consolidated financial statements.

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


28
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



2016 FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 (52 WEEKS) COMPARED TO 2015 FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 2, 2016 (52 WEEKS)

U.S. COMPARABLE RETAIL SALES

Changes in comparable sales for our two U.S. retail segments, Carter's Retail and Oshkosh Retail, were as follows:
 
 
Comparable Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change from 2015 to 2016
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carter's Retail
 
OshKosh Retail
 
 
 
 
 
Retail stores
 
(1.7)%
 
(2.6)%
eCommerce
 
+20.4%
 
+25.3%
Total
 
+3.1%
 
+3.3%

The decreases in Carter's Retail store and OshKosh Retail store comparable sales during fiscal 2016 were primarily due to decreases in the number of transactions due to lower demand for seasonal products and a lower average price per unit.

The increase in eCommerce comparable sales during fiscal 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the number of transactions.

During fiscal 2016 and similar to fiscal 2015, we believe that Carter's and OshKosh retail comparable sales continued to be negatively affected overall by lower demand from international consumers shopping in our U.S. stores and eCommerce websites, likely influenced by the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. However, we believe these effects were less pronounced in the second half of fiscal 2016 as our U.S. retail business experienced some stabilization in demand from international customers.


CONSOLIDATED NET SALES

Compared to fiscal 2015 , consolidated net sales in fiscal 2016 increased $ 185.3 million , or 6.1% , to $3.2 billion . This improvement reflected sales growth in all of our operating segments except OshKosh Wholesale, as presented below. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015 had an unfavorable impact on our consolidated net sales of approximately $7.1 million .
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
% of
Total Net Sales
 
January 2, 2016
 
% of
Total Net Sales
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carter’s Retail
$
1,254,140

 
39.2
%
 
$
1,151,268

 
38.2
%
Carter’s Wholesale
1,128,371

 
35.3
%
 
1,107,706

 
36.8
%
Total Carter’s (U.S.)
2,382,511

 
74.5
%
 
2,258,974

 
75.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OshKosh Retail
402,274

 
12.6
%
 
363,087

 
12.0
%
OshKosh Wholesale
49,663

 
1.6
%
 
65,607

 
2.2
%
Total OshKosh (U.S.)
451,937

 
14.2
%
 
428,694

 
14.2
%
International
364,736

 
11.3
%
 
326,211

 
10.8
%
Total net sales
$
3,199,184

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,013,879

 
100.0
%


CARTER’S RETAIL SALES (U.S.)

29
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



Carter’s Retail segment net sales increased $102.9 million , or 8.9% , in fiscal 2016 to $1.3 billion . The growth in net sales in fiscal 2016 was primarily driven by an/a:
•
Increase of $70.4 million from new stores;
•
Increase of $50.6 million in eCommerce sales;
•
Decrease of $14.9 million in comparable store sales; and
•
Decrease of $3.7 million due to the impact of store closings.


CARTER’S WHOLESALE SALES (U.S.)

Carter’s Wholesale segment net sales increased $20.7 million , or 1.9% , in fiscal 2016 to $1.1 billion . Compared to fiscal 2015, the 2016 growth reflected a 2.3% increase in average price per unit due to favorable product mix, partially offset by a 0.4% decrease in number of units shipped.


OSHKOSH RETAIL SALES (U.S.)
    
OshKosh Retail segment net sales increased $39.2 million , or 10.8% , in fiscal 2016 to $402.3 million . The growth in net sales in fiscal 2016 was primarily driven by an/a:
•
Increase of $36.0 million from new stores;
•
Increase of $18.7 million in eCommerce sales;
•
Decrease of $7.8 million due to the impact of store closings; and
•
Decrease of $7.3 million in comparable store sales.
 

OSHKOSH WHOLESALE SALES (U.S.)
    
OshKosh Wholesale segment net sales decreased $15.9 million , or 24.3% , in fiscal 2016 to $49.7 million . Compared to fiscal 2015 , this decrease reflected a 22.9% decline in units shipped mainly due to a decline in seasonal bookings, and a 1.4% decrease in the average price per unit.


INTERNATIONAL SALES

International segment net sales increased $38.5 million , or 11.8% , in fiscal 2016 to $364.7 million . Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, had an unfavorable impact on International segment net sales of approximately $7.1 million in fiscal 2016 .

This overall increase in net sales in our International segment for fiscal 2016 mainly reflected an/a:    
•
Increase of $24.6 million from our Canadian retail stores;
•
Increase of $11.4 million from eCommerce, primarily driven by our eCommerce website in China;
•
Increase of $3.5 million from international wholesale businesses other than Canada; and
•
Decrease of $1.0 million in our Canada wholesale business due, in part, to the Target Canada bankruptcy that occurred in early 2015.

Compared to fiscal 2015 , our Canadian total retail comparable sales increased 8.4% in fiscal 2016 , primarily due to retail stores sales growth of 5.9% and eCommerce sales growth of 46.4% .



30
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


GROSS PROFIT AND GROSS MARGIN

Our consolidated gross profit increased $121.1 million , or 9.6% , to $1.4 billion in fiscal 2016 , primarily due to the increase in net sales and favorable product costs. Consolidated gross margin increased from 41.7% in fiscal 2015 to 43.1% in fiscal 2016 , primarily due to favorable product costs and channel mix.
    
We include distribution costs in selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. Accordingly, our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to other entities that include such distribution costs in their cost of goods sold.


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

Consolidated SG&A expenses in fiscal 2016 increased $86.2 million , or 9.5% , to $995.4 million . As a percentage of consolidated net sales, consolidated SG&A expenses increased from 30.2% in fiscal 2015 to 31.1% in fiscal 2016 .

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

•
$53.3 million increase in expenses related to retail store operations, primarily due to new store openings;
•
$15.8 million increase in expenses related to our domestic and international eCommerce operations;
•
$7.8 million increase in expenses related to marketing and brand management;
•
$7.1 million increase in expenses related to information technology and systems;
•
$5.0 million increase in expenses related to distribution and freight;
•
$2.6 million increase in expenses related to other general and administrative expenses; and
•
$1.7 million increase in provisions for accounts receivable;

which were partially offset by a:

•
$5.9 million decrease in insurance and employer-related costs;
•
$4.5 million decrease in amortization of the H.W. Carter & Sons trademarks; and
•
$0.8 million decrease in performance-based compensation expenses.


ROYALTY INCOME

We license the use of our Carter’s , Just One You , Child of Mine , OshKosh B’gosh, OshKosh , Genuine Kids from OshKosh , and Precious Firsts brand names. Royalty income from these brands decreased $1.3 million , or 2.8% , to $42.8 million in fiscal 2016 . The decrease compared to fiscal 2015 was attributable to a decrease in income from certain licensees due in part to the insourcing of formerly licensed product categories, partially offset by sales growth from other domestic licensees. We also benefited from favorable settlements in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.


OPERATING INCOME

Compared to fiscal 2015 , consolidated operating income for fiscal 2016 increased $33.7 million , or 8.6% , to $426.6 million . Consolidated operating margin increased from 13.0% in fiscal 2015 to 13.3% in fiscal 2016 . The table below summarizes the changes in each of our segments' operating results and unallocated corporate expenses between the fiscal years:




31
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


(dollars in thousands)
 
Carter's Retail
 
Carter's Wholesale
 
OshKosh Retail
 
OshKosh Wholesale
 
International
 
Unallocated Corporate Expenses
 
Total
Operating income for fiscal 2015
 
$
199,040

 
$
232,497

 
$
11,931

 
$
13,270

 
$
47,004

 
$
(110,885
)
 
$
392,857

Favorable (unfavorable) change in fiscal 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
59,650

 
21,520

 
19,442

 
(5,238
)
 
25,438

 
313

 
121,125

Royalty income
 
415

 
(1,632
)
 
109

 
227

 
(370
)
 
—

 
(1,251
)
SG&A expenses
 
(56,941
)
 
(2,253
)
 
(21,065
)
 
2,562

 
(12,878
)
 
4,402

 
(86,173
)
Operating income for fiscal 2016
 
$
202,164

 
$
250,132

 
$
10,417

 
$
10,821

 
$
59,194

 
$
(106,170
)
 
$
426,558

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The following table presents changes in the operating margin for each of our five operating segments between fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016. The primary drivers of these change are presented in terms of the difference in each driver's margin (based on net sales) between fiscal years, in each case expressed in basis points ("bps").
 
 
Carter's Retail
 
Carter's Wholesale
 
OshKosh Retail
 
OshKosh Wholesale
 
International
Operating margin for fiscal 2015
 
17.3
%
 
21.0
%
 
3.3
%
 
20.2
%
 
14.4
%
Favorable (unfavorable) bps changes in fiscal 2016:
 
 
 
 
 


 


 


Gross profit
 
40 bps

 
140 bps

 
20 bps

 
(290) bps

 
220 bps

Royalty income
 
—

 
(20) bps

 
(10) bps

 
530 bps

 
(30) bps

SG&A expenses
 
(160) bps

 
—

 
(80) bps

 
(80) bps

 
(10) bps

Operating margin for fiscal 2016
 
16.1
%
 
22.2
%
 
2.6
%
 
21.8
%
 
16.2
%
 
 
(a)

 
(b)

 
(c)

 
(d)

 
(e)


(a) Carter's Retail segment operating income in fiscal 2016 increased $3.1 million , or 1.6% , from fiscal 2015 to $202.2 million . The segment's operating margin decreased 120 bps from 17.3% in fiscal 2015 to 16.1% in fiscal 2016 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
40 bps increase in gross profit primarily due to favorable product costs, partially offset by lower average price per unit due to an increased promotional environment; and
•
160 bps increase in SG&A expenses mainly due to a:
•
90 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores;
•
30 bps increase in marketing expenses;
•
20 bps increase in freight and distribution expenses; and
•
20 bps increase in performance-based compensation expenses.


(b) Carter's Wholesale segment operating income in fiscal 2016 increased $17.6 million , or 7.6% , from fiscal 2015 to $250.1 million . The segment's operating margin increased 120 bps from 21.0% in fiscal 2015 to 22.2% in fiscal 2016 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

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

32
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


•
20 bps decrease in royalty income primarily due to insourcing formerly licensed product categories.


(c) OshKosh Retail segment operating income in fiscal 2016 decreased $1.5 million , or 12.7% , from fiscal 2015 to $10.4 million . The segment's operating margin decreased 70 bps from 3.3% in fiscal 2015 to 2.6% in fiscal 2016 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
20 bps increase in gross profit primarily due to favorable product costs, partially offset lower average price per unit due to an increased promotional environment; and
•
80 bps increase in SG&A expenses primarily due to a:
•
120 bps increase in expenses associated with new retail stores;
•
20 bps increase in marketing expenses;
•
20 bps decrease in freight and distribution expenses; and
•
20 bps decrease in performance-based compensation expenses.


(d) OshKosh Wholesale segment operating income in fiscal 2016 decreased $2.4 million , or 18.5% , from fiscal 2015 to $10.8 million . The segment's operating margin increased 160 bps from 20.2% in fiscal 2015 to 21.8% in fiscal 2016 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
290 bps decrease in gross profit primarily due to unfavorable sales channel mix, partially offset by favorable product costs;
•
80 bps increase in SG&A expenses due to lower sales volume; and
•
530 bps increase in royalty income primarily due to sales growth from our licensees.


(e) International segment operating income in fiscal 2016 increased $12.2 million , or 25.9% , from fiscal 2015 to $59.2 million . This segment's operating margin increased 180 bps from 14.4% in fiscal 2015 to 16.2% in fiscal 2016 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
220 bps increase in gross profit, primarily driven by growth in higher margin retail store and eCommerce channels, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange rates and higher provisions for inventory; and
•
30 bps decrease in royalty income due to a reduction in licensees.

Unallocated Corporate Expenses

Unallocated corporate expenses decreased by $4.7 million , or 4.3% , from $110.9 million in fiscal 2015 to $106.2 million in fiscal 2016 . Unallocated corporate expenses, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, decreased from 3.7% in fiscal 2015 to 3.3% in fiscal 2016 . The decrease primarily reflected a/an:

•
Decrease of $4.8 million in insurance and other employer-related costs;
•
Decrease of $4.5 million in amortization expense for the H.W. Carter & Sons tradenames;
•
Decrease of $3.2 million in performance-based compensation expenses;
•
Increase of $6.3 million in other general and administrative expenses primarily due to advisory fees; and
•
Increase of $1.4 million in expenses related to information technology and systems.


INTEREST EXPENSE

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


33
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


Interest expense in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 were both approximately $27.0 million . Weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2016 were $585.2 million at an effective interest rate of 4.57% , compared to weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2015 of $585.8 million at an effective interest rate of 4.59% . The decrease in the effective interest rate for fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily due to lower borrowing costs on the U.S. and Canadian borrowings outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility which was amended and restated in September 2015. The change in weighted-average borrowings between fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 was due solely to changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollars. On our consolidated balance sheets, unamortized debt issuance costs associated with our senior notes is presented as a direct reduction in the carrying value of the associated debt liability for all periods presented.


OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET

Other expense (income), net is comprised primarily of gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and foreign currency forward contracts. These net amounts represented a net loss of $3.9 million for fiscal 2016 and a net gain of $1.8 million for fiscal 2015 . As of December 31, 2016, all foreign currency forward contracts were settled.


INCOME TAXES

Our consolidated effective tax rates for fiscal 2016 and 2015 were 34.8% and 35.4% , respectively. The lower effective rate for fiscal 2016 was primarily due to expansion of our business outside the U.S. to countries with generally lower applicable income tax rates, partially offset by favorable settlements of federal and state tax audits for 2011, 2012 and 2013 during fiscal 2015.


NET INCOME

Our consolidated net income for fiscal 2016 increased $20.3 million , or 8.5% , to $258.1 million as compared to $237.8 million in fiscal 2015 . This increase was due to the factors previously discussed.






34
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



2015 FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 2, 2016 (52 WEEKS) COMPARED TO 2014 FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2015 (53 WEEKS)

COMPARABLE SALES METRICS

Our fiscal year 2015 contained 52 weeks while our fiscal year 2014 contained 53 weeks. When presenting U.S. and Canada comparable retail sales, comparable 52-week periods were used. However, in all other discussion and analysis related to fiscal years 2015 and 2014, the net sales amounts are based on the same fiscal-year periods used to prepare the consolidated financial statements.


U.S. COMPARABLE RETAIL SALES

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

 
 
Comparable Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change from 2014 to 2015
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carter's Retail
 
OshKosh Retail
 
 
 
 
 
Retail stores
 
(3.1)%
 
(2.5)%
eCommerce
 
+18.9%
 
+24.0%
Total
 
+1.2%
 
+2.4%


The increases in eCommerce comparable sales during the 2015 period were primarily due to an increase in the number of transactions.


CONSOLIDATED NET SALES

Compared to fiscal 2014 , consolidated net sales in fiscal 2015 increased $120.0 million , or 4.1% , to 3.0 billion . This improvement was primarily due to sales growth in all of our segments except OshKosh Wholesale. The 53rd week in fiscal 2014 contributed approximately $44.1 million in additional consolidated net sales in fiscal 2014. Fiscal 2015 contained 52 weeks. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014 negatively affected consolidated net sales by approximately $35.1 million.


35
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
% of Total Net Sales
 
January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
 
% of Total Net Sales
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carter’s Retail
$
1,151,268

 
38.2
%
 
$
1,087,165

 
37.6
%
Carter’s Wholesale
1,107,706

 
36.8
%
 
1,081,888

 
37.4
%
Total Carter’s
2,258,974

 
75.0
%
 
2,169,053

 
75.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OshKosh Retail
363,087

 
12.0
%
 
335,140

 
11.6
%
OshKosh Wholesale
65,607

 
2.2
%
 
73,201

 
2.5
%
Total OshKosh
428,694

 
14.2
%
 
408,341

 
14.1
%
International
326,211

 
10.8
%
 
316,474

 
10.9
%
Total net sales
$
3,013,879

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,893,868

 
100.0
%


CARTER’S RETAIL SALES

Carter’s Retail net sales increased $64.1 million , or 5.9% , in fiscal 2015 to $1.2 billion . The increase in fiscal 2015 was primarily driven by an/a:
•
Increase of $68.9 million from new store openings;
•
Increase of $38.5 million in eCommerce sales;
•
Decrease of $25.9 million in comparable store sales; and
•
Decrease of $4.0 million due to the impact of store closings.
The 53rd week of fiscal 2014 contributed additional net sales of approximately $13.7 million to fiscal 2014.

CARTER’S WHOLESALE SALES

Carter’s Wholesale net sales increased $25.8 million , or 2.4% , in fiscal 2015 to $1.1 billion . Compared to fiscal 2014, the 2015 growth reflected a 1.5% increase in average price per unit and a 0.9% increase in units shipped, primarily driven by increased seasonal product demand, a new playwear initiative, and favorable replenishment trends. The 53rd week of fiscal 2014 contributed approximately $19.4 million in additional net sales to fiscal 2014.


OSHKOSH RETAIL SALES
    
OshKosh Retail net sales increased $27.9 million , or 8.3% , in fiscal 2015 to $363.1 million . The growth in net sales in fiscal 2015 was primarily driven by an/a:
•
Increase of $30.9 million from new store openings;
•
Increase of $14.2 million in eCommerce sales;
•
Decrease of $6.5 million in comparable store sales; and
•
Decrease of $6.0 million due to the impact of store closings.
The 53rd week of fiscal 2014 contributed additional net sales of approximately $4.8 million to fiscal 2014.


OSHKOSH WHOLESALE SALES
    
OshKosh Wholesale net sales decreased $7.6 million , or 10.3% , in fiscal 2015 to $65.6 million . Compared to fiscal 2014, this decrease reflected a 15.8% decline in units shipped, partially offset by a 5.4% increase in the average price per unit, primarily

36
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


driven by lower seasonal bookings and a decline in sales to the off-price channel. The 53rd week of fiscal 2014 contributed additional net sales of approximately $1.9 million to fiscal 2014.


INTERNATIONAL SALES

Net sales in our International segment include our Canada operations, wholesale sales to our international licensees, China eCommerce and other international eCommerce sales.

International net sales increased $9.7 million , or 3.1% , in fiscal 2015 to $326.2 million . Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, negatively affected the International segment net sales by approximately $35.1 million.

This overall increase in sales for fiscal 2015 primarily reflected an/a:    
•
Increase of $9.6 million from international wholesale locations, excluding Canada;
•
Increase of $7.2 million from eCommerce driven primarily by our Canadian website;
•
Increase of $6.9 million from our Canadian retail stores;
•
Increase of $5.9 million from eCommerce primarily due to the 2015 launch of our website in China;
•
Decrease of $15.0 million in our wholesale business primarily due to the Target Canada bankruptcy that occurred in early 2015; and
•
Decrease of $4.4 million related to the exit of retail operations in Japan during the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

The changes noted above include approximately $4.3 million of additional net sales that occurred in the 53rd week of fiscal 2014.

Comparable store sales in Canada, which were measured based on aligned years as previously discussed, increased 6.4% during the 2015 compared to 2014 . Because 2014 did not contain a full year of sales from our Canadian eCommerce website, comparable eCommerce metrics are not presented for 2015.


GROSS PROFIT AND GROSS MARGIN

Our consolidated gross profit increased $73.6 million , or 6.2% , to $1.3 billion in fiscal 2015 , primarily due to increased sales. Consolidated gross margin increased from 40.9% in fiscal 2014 to 41.7% in fiscal 2015 . The increase was primarily attributable to margin improvements in our domestic wholesale and international segments.
    
We include distribution costs in selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. Accordingly, our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to other entities that include such distribution costs in their cost of goods sold.


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

Consolidated SG&A expenses in fiscal 2015 increased $19.0 million , or 2.1% , to $909.2 million . As a percentage of consolidated net sales, consolidated SG&A expenses decreased from 30.8% in fiscal 2014 to 30.2% in fiscal 2015 .

The decrease in SG&A expenses, as a percentage of net sales, in fiscal 2015 primarily reflected a:
•
$10.2 million decrease in amortization expense for the H.W. Carter & Sons trademarks;
•
$6.7 million decrease in provisions for doubtful receivables;
•
$6.6 million decrease in expenses associated with office consolidations occurring in prior periods;
•
$6.5 million decrease in expenses for legal and consulting services;
•
$6.3 million decrease in fulfillment and distribution expenses;

37
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


•
$4.0 million decrease in expenses related to our exit from Japan retail operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2014; and
•
$2.0 million decrease in incentive compensation expenses;
which were partially offset by a:
•
$29.8 million increase in expenses related to retail store operations, primarily due to new stores;
•
$10.5 million increase in expenses related to marketing and brand management;
•
$6.3 million increase in insurance and other benefits primarily due to higher health insurance costs; and
•
$1.8 million increase in the Company's match of 401(k) contributions due to higher employee participation.



ROYALTY INCOME

We license the use of our Carter’s , Just One You , Child of Mine , OshKosh B’gosh, OshKosh , Genuine Kids from OshKosh , and Precious Firsts brand names. Royalty income from these brands increased $4.9 million , or 12.5% , to $44.1 million in fiscal 2015 . The increase in fiscal 2015 primarily reflected growth in both our domestic Carter's and OshKosh licensing revenues, along with the timing of favorable settlements with our licensees in the first half of fiscal 2015.


OPERATING INCOME

Compared to 2014, consolidated operating income for fiscal 2015 increased $59.5 million , or 17.9% , to $392.9 million . Consolidated operating margin increased from 11.5% in fiscal 2014 to 13.0% in fiscal 2015. The table below summarizes the changes in each of our segments' operating results and unallocated corporate expenses during fiscal 2015:


(dollars in thousands)
 
Carter's Retail
 
Carter's Wholesale
 
OshKosh Retail
 
OshKosh Wholesale
 
International
 
Unallocated Corporate Expenses
 
Total
Operating income for fiscal 2014
 
$
211,297

 
$
185,463

 
$
8,210

 
$
8,842

 
$
39,470

 
$
(119,937
)
 
$
333,345

Favorable (unfavorable) change in fiscal 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
20,214

 
32,872

 
12,073

 
2,114

 
7,974

 
(1,663
)
 
73,584

Royalty income
 
1,627

 
1,832

 
969

 
1,438

 
(956
)
 
—

 
4,910

SG&A expenses
 
(34,098
)
 
12,330

 
(9,321
)
 
876

 
516

 
10,715

 
(18,982
)
Operating income for fiscal 2015
 
$
199,040

 
$
232,497

 
$
11,931

 
$
13,270

 
$
47,004

 
$
(110,885
)
 
$
392,857

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table summarizes the operating margin for each of our five operating segments in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, as well as the primary drivers of the change in operating margin between those two periods. Each driver is presented in terms of the difference in that driver's margin (based on net sales) between fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, in each case expressed in basis points ("bps").

38
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


 
 
Carter's Retail
 
Carter's Wholesale
 
OshKosh Retail
 
OshKosh Wholesale
 
International
Operating margin for fiscal 2014
 
19.4
%
 
17.1
%
 
2.4
%
 
12.1
%
 
12.5
%
Favorable (unfavorable) bps change in fiscal 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
(130) bps

 
240 bps

 
(40) bps

 
540 bps

 
110 bps

Royalty income
 
10 bps

 
10 bps

 
20 bps

 
350 bps

 
(40) bps

SG&A expenses
 
(90) bps

 
140 bps

 
110 bps

 
(80) bps

 
120 bps

Operating margin for fiscal 2015
 
17.3
%
 
21.0
%
 
3.3
%
 
20.2
%
 
14.4
%
 
 
(a)

 
(b)

 
(c)

 
(d)

 
(e)


(a) Carter's Retail operating income in fiscal 2015 decreased $12.3 million , or 5.8% , from fiscal 2014 to $199.0 million . The segment's operating margin decreased 210 bps from 19.4% in fiscal 2014 to 17.3% in fiscal 2015 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
130 bps decrease in gross profit primarily due to lower average price per unit; and
•
90 bps increase in SG&A expenses mainly due to a:
•
60 bps increase in marketing expenses; and
•
50 bps increase in expenses associated with new stores.

(b) Carter's Wholesale operating income in fiscal 2015 increased $47.0 million , or 25.4% , from fiscal 2014 to $232.5 million . The segment's operating margin increased 390 bps from 17.1% in fiscal 2014 to 21.0% in fiscal 2015 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
240 bps increase in gross profit primarily due to strong demand and product performance, supply chain efficiencies, favorable product costs, and higher average price per unit as a result of product mix; and
•
140 bps decrease in SG&A expenses consisting primarily of a:
•
100 bps decrease in distribution and other expenses driven by efficiencies at our Braselton, Georgia distribution center; and
•
20 bps decrease related to provisions for accounts receivable.

(c) OshKosh Retail operating income in fiscal 2015 increased $3.7 million , or 45.3% , from fiscal 2014 to $11.9 million . The segment's operating margin increased 90 bps from 2.4% in fiscal 2014 to 3.3% in fiscal 2015 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
110 bps decrease in SG&A expenses primarily due to a:
•
70 bps decrease in retail administration expenses;
•
60 bps decrease in fulfillment and distribution expenses; and
•
40 bps increase in marketing expenses;
•
20 bps increase in royalty income from our licensees; and
•
40 bps decrease in gross profit due to lower average price per unit.


(d) OshKosh Wholesale operating income in fiscal 2015 increased $4.4 million , or 50.1% , from fiscal 2014 to $13.3 million . The segment's operating margin increased 810 bps from 12.1% in fiscal 2014 to 20.2% in fiscal 2015 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:


39
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


•
540 bps increase in gross profit primarily due to favorable product costs and a higher average price per unit as a result of product mix;
•
350 bps increase in royalty income primarily due to sales growth from our licensees; and
•
80 bps increase in SG&A expenses primarily due to a:
•
190 bps increase in customer service expenses; and
•
80 bps decrease in distribution and freight expenses.


(e) International operating income in fiscal 2015 increased $7.5 million , or 19.1% , from fiscal 2014 to $47.0 million . This segment's operating margin increased 190 bps from 12.5% in fiscal 2014 to 14.4% in fiscal 2015 . The primary drivers of the change in the operating margin were a:

•
110 bps increase in gross profit driven primarily by growth in our eCommerce channel;
•
40 bps decrease in royalty income; and
•
120 bps decrease in SG&A expenses consisting mainly of a:
•
210 bps decrease due to the exit of retail operations in Japan in the first quarter of fiscal 2014;
•
60 bps decrease in customer service expenses;
•
40 bps decrease related to provisions for accounts receivable;
•
90 bps increase in retail expenses associated with new stores in Canada;
•
60 bps increase in marketing expenses; and
•
60 bps increase in distribution and freight expenses.


Unallocated corporate expenses decreased by $9.1 million , from $119.9 million in fiscal 2014 to $110.9 million in fiscal 2015 . Unallocated corporate expenses as a percentage of consolidated net sales decreased from 4.1% in fiscal 2014 to 3.7% in fiscal 2015 . The decrease primarily reflected a/an:
•
Decrease of $10.2 million in amortization expense for the H.W. Carter & Sons tradenames;
•
Decrease of $6.6 million in expenses related to office consolidations that occurred in prior periods;
•
Decrease of $4.0 million in administrative and legal expenses;
•
Increase of $8.0 million in insurance and other benefits, primarily driven by higher employee health insurance costs and higher 401-K match expense due to higher employee participation; and
•
Increase of $4.2 million in expenses related to information technology.


INTEREST EXPENSE

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

Interest expense in fiscal 2015 decreased $0.6 million from fiscal 2014 to $27.0 million . Weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2015 were $585.9 million at an effective interest rate of 4.59% , compared to weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2014 of $586.0 million at an effective interest rate of 4.68% . The decrease in the effective interest rate for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 was primarily due to a lower interest rate on the U.S. borrowings outstanding under our amended revolving credit agreement, partially offset by a higher interest rate on the new Canadian portion of the outstanding borrowings on our amended revolving credit agreement and higher debt issuance costs.

During fiscal 2015, we amended our revolving credit agreement to, among other things, achieve better pricing terms. The change in weighted-average borrowings between fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 was due solely to changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollars.


40
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET

Other expense (income), net is comprised primarily of net gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and foreign currency contracts. The net amounts related to foreign currency represented a gain of $1.8 million for fiscal 2015 and a loss of $3.2 million for fiscal 2014.


INCOME TAXES

Our consolidated effective tax rates for fiscal 2015 and 2014 were 35.4% and 35.7% , respectively.


NET INCOME

Our consolidated net income for fiscal 2015 increased $43.2 million , or 22.2% , to $237.8 million as compared to $194.7 million in fiscal 2014 , due to the factors previously discussed.
 




41
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


FINANCIAL CONDITION, CAPITAL RESOURCES, AND LIQUIDITY

Our ongoing cash needs are primarily for working capital and capital expenditures. We expect that our primary sources of liquidity will continue to be cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings available under our secured revolving credit facility. We expect that these sources will fund our ongoing requirements for the foreseeable future, and we believe that we also have access to the capital markets. Further, we do not expect current economic conditions to prevent us from meeting our cash requirements. These sources of liquidity may be affected by events described in our risk factors, as further discussed in Part I, Item 1.A., Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 .

As of December 31, 2016 , we had approximately $299.4 million of cash and cash equivalents in major financial institutions, including approximately $58.5 million in financial institutions located outside of the U.S. We maintain cash deposits with major financial institutions that exceed the insurance coverage limits provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the U.S. and by similar insurers for deposits located outside the U.S. To mitigate this risk, we utilize a policy of allocating cash deposits among major financial institutions that have been evaluated by us and third-party rating agencies.

BALANCE SHEET

Net accounts receivable at December 31, 2016 were $202.5 million compared to $207.6 million at January 2, 2016 . The decrease of $5.1 million , or 2.5% , as compared to January 2, 2016 was primarily due to the timing of payments from customers, partially offset by higher net sales in fiscal 2016 . Net accounts receivable at January 2, 2016 were $207.6 million compared to $184.6 million at January 3, 2015 . The increase of $23.0 million , or 12.5% , primarily reflected higher sales in fiscal 2015 and higher non-trade receivables such as supply chain rebates and tenant allowances.

Inventories at December 31, 2016 were $487.6 million compared to $469.9 million at January 2, 2016 . The increase of $17.7 million , or 3.8% , compared to January 2, 2016 , primarily reflected business growth and timing of inventory purchases. Inventories at January 2, 2016 were $469.9 million compared to $444.8 million at January 3, 2015 . The increase of $25.1 million , or 5.6% , compared to January 3, 2015 primarily reflected an increase in inventory levels to support business growth and higher product costs as compared to the prior year.

CASH FLOW

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2016 was $369.2 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $308.0 million in fiscal 2015 . The increase in operating cash flow primarily reflected an increase in net income and favorable changes in working capital. The timing of payments and receipts in the normal course of business can impact our working capital.

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2015 was $308.0 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $282.4 million in fiscal 2014 . This increase in operating cash flow for fiscal 2015 primarily reflected an increase in net income and favorable changes in net working capital.

Our capital expenditures were approximately $88.6 million in fiscal 2016 reflecting expenditures of $55.5 million for our U.S. and international retail store openings and remodelings, $20.0 million for information technology initiatives, $4.2 million for the Braselton, Georgia distribution facility, and $2.2 million for wholesale fixtures.

Our capital expenditures were approximately $103.5 million for both fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 . Expenditures in fiscal 2015 primarily reflected expenditures of $66.7 million for our U.S. and international retail store openings and remodelings, $19.5 million for information technology initiatives, $6.3 million for the Braselton, Georgia distribution facility, and $4.9 million for wholesale fixtures.

We plan to invest approximately $100 million in capital expenditures in fiscal 2017 , primarily for U.S. and international retail store openings and remodelings, and information technology initiatives.

Net cash used in financing activities was $363.5 million in fiscal 2016 compared to $162.0 million in fiscal 2015 . This increase in cash used for financing activities in fiscal 2016 reflected more repurchases of our common stock and higher cash dividend payments to our shareholders.


42
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


Net cash used in financing activities was $162.0 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $122.4 million in fiscal 2014. This increase in fiscal 2015 primarily reflected increases in repurchases of our common stock, increases in payments of withholding taxes for vested restricted shares issued under our employee stock-based compensation plan, and increases in the payment of cash dividends. In the first quarter in fiscal 2015, we replaced $20.0 million of outstanding borrowings with CAD $25.5 million of borrowings, which approximated $20.3 million. In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, we amended and extended our revolving credit agreement and, because of a change in the lead administrative agent and certain changes in commitment amounts among the lenders in the syndication, the amendment led to the repayment and simultaneous re-borrowing of the then-outstanding balance on the revolving credit agreement of $185.2 million.

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT FACILITY
On September 16, 2015, we and a syndicate of lenders amended and restated our secured revolving credit facility (the "amended revolving credit facility") to, among other things: (i) refinance amounts outstanding on our existing credit facility in order to achieve better pricing terms and (ii) provide additional liquidity to be used for our ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes. The aggregate principal amount of the amended credit facility was increased from $375 million to $500 million to provide for (i) a $400 million U.S. dollar revolving facility (including a $175 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $50 million) and (ii) a $100 million multicurrency revolving facility (including a $40 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $15 million), available for borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or other currencies agreed to by the applicable lenders. In connection with the amendment and restatement, we incurred approximately $1.7 million in debt issuance costs which, together with the certain existing unamortized debt issuance costs, is being amortized over the remaining term of the amended facility. Our amended revolving credit facility matures September 16, 2020.

The interest rate margins applicable to our amended revolving credit facility were, as of the date here of, 1.375% for LIBOR-rate loans (which may be adjusted based on a leverage-based pricing grid ranging from 1.125% to 1.875%) and 0.375% for base-rate loans (which may be adjusted based on a leverage-based pricing grid ranging from 0.125% to 0.875%).

Our amended revolving credit facility also provides for incremental facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250 million , either in the form of a commitment increase under the existing credit facility or the incurrence of one or more tranches of term loans (with the aggregate U.S. dollar amount available to us not to exceed $200 million and the aggregate multicurrency amount available not to exceed $50 million ).

As of December 31, 2016 , we had approximately $185.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our amended revolving credit facility, exclusive of $4.8 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of December 31, 2016 , there was approximately $310.2 million available for future borrowings.

As of December 31, 2016 , U.S. dollar borrowings outstanding under the amended revolving credit facility accrued interest at a LIBOR rate plus the applicable base rate , which was 2.08% on that date, and Canadian borrowings accrued interest at a CDOR (Canadian Dollar Offered Rate) rate plus the applicable base rate, which was 2.28% on that date.
              
Covenants
Subject to certain customary exceptions, the amended revolving credit facility contains covenants that restrict The William Carter Company's ("TWCC") and certain of its subsidiaries' 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 amended revolving credit facility also contains affirmative financial covenants. Specifically, we will not (i) permit at the end of any four consecutive fiscal quarters the Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio (defined as, with certain adjustments, the ratio of the Company's consolidated indebtedness plus six times rent expense, as defined, to consolidated net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and rent expense (" EBITDAR ")) to exceed 4.00:1.00 (provided, however, that if any "Material Acquisition" occurs and the Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio on a pro forma basis giving effect to the consummation of the Material Acquisition is less than 4.00:1.00, then the maximum Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio may be increased to 4.50:1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition is consummated and the three fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition occurs) or (ii) permit at the end of any four consecutive fiscal quarters the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (defined as, with certain adjustments, the ratio of consolidated

43
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


EBITDAR to consolidated fixed charges (defined as interest plus rent expense)), for any such period to be less than 2.25:1.00 (provided, however, that if any Material Acquisition occurs and the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a pro forma basis giving effect to the consummation of the Material Acquisition is at least 2.25:1.00, then the minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio may be decreased to 2.00:1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition is consummated and the three fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition occurs). As of December 31, 2016 , we were in compliance with our financial debt covenants.

SENIOR NOTES
On August 12, 2013, our 100% owned subsidiary, TWCC issued $400 million principal amount of senior notes at par, bearing interest at a rate of 5.25%  per annum, and maturing on August 15, 2021, all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2016 . TWCC received net proceeds from the offering of the senior notes of approximately $394.2 million , after deducting bank fees. Approximately $7.0 million , including both bank fees and other third party expenses, has been capitalized in connection with the issuance and is being amortized over the term of the senior notes.
The senior notes are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter's, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of TWCC.

At any time prior to August 15, 2017, TWCC may redeem all or part of the senior notes at 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus an applicable premium and accrued and unpaid interest. On and after August 15, 2017, TWCC may redeem all or part of the senior notes at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the senior notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The redemption price applicable where the redemption occurs during the twelve-month period beginning on August 15 of each of the years indicated is as follows:
Year
Percentage
2017
102.63%
2018
101.31%
2019 and thereafter
100.00%

Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of changes of control, unless a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding senior notes has previously or concurrently been mailed or delivered, we will be required to make an offer to purchase the senior notes at 101% of their principal amount. In addition, if we or any of our restricted subsidiaries engages in certain asset sales, under certain circumstances we will be required to use the net proceeds to make an offer to purchase the senior notes at 100% of their principal amount.

The indenture governing the senior notes includes a number of covenants, that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrict TWCC's ability to: (i) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness; (ii) issue disqualified stock and preferred stock; (iii) pay dividends, among other things, or make distributions or other restricted payments; (iv) prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt; (v) make loans and investments (including joint ventures); (vi) incur liens; (vii) create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts from restricted subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes; (viii) sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; (ix) consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of TWCC's assets to, another person; (x) designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and (xi) enter into transactions with affiliates. Additionally, the terms of the notes contain customary affirmative covenants and provide for events of default which, if certain of them occur, would permit the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then total outstanding senior notes to declare all amounts owning under the notes to be due and payable. Carter's, Inc. is not subject to these covenants.

During June 2014, TWCC completed the registration of the exchange offer for the senior notes that was required under the terms of such notes.


BONNIE TOGS ACQUISITION (CANADA)

On June 30, 2011, we purchased Bonnie Togs in Canada for total consideration of up to CAD $95 million, of which $61.2 million was paid in cash at closing and the balance was to be paid contingent upon achieving certain earnings targets. In fiscal 2014, we paid approximately $8.9 million after achieving interim earnings targets. In fiscal 2015, we made a final contingent consideration payment of approximately $8.6 million of which approximately $7.6 million was reported in the our consolidated

44
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


statement of cash flows as a financing use of cash and the remaining portion, which represented a contingency adjustment, was reported as an operating use of cash. We have no remaining contingent consideration liability related to the Bonnie Togs acquisition.


SHARE REPURCHASES

In years prior to fiscal 2014 , our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock in amounts totaling approximately $462.5 million. On February 24, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $500 million of share repurchases, for total authorizations of amounts up to $962.5 million.

Open-market repurchases of our common stock during fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 
Fiscal year ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
January 3, 2015
Number of shares repurchased
3,049,381

 
1,154,288

 
1,111,899

Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)
$
300.445

 
$
110,290

 
$
82,099

Average price per share
$
98.53

 
$
95.55

 
$
73.84



In addition to the open-market repurchases completed in fiscal years 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , open-market repurchases totaling $195.3 million were made in fiscals year prior to 2014 .

Total remaining capacity under the repurchase authorizations as of December 31, 2016 was $274.4 million .

Future share repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with the level and timing of activity being at our discretion depending on market conditions, share price, other investment priorities, and other factors. Our share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates.


DIVIDENDS

Our Board of Directors authorized quarterly cash dividends of $0.33 per share in each quarter of fiscal 2016, and cash dividends of $0.22 per share in each quarter of fiscal 2015. The dividends were paid during the fiscal quarter in which they were declared.

On February 15, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.37 per common share, payable on March 24, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2017.

Future declarations of quarterly dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are at the discretion of our Board of Directors, and are based on a number of factors, including our future financial performance and other investment priorities.

Provisions in our secured revolving credit facility and indenture governing our senior notes could have the effect of restricting our ability to pay future cash dividends on or make future repurchases of our common stock.

COMMITMENTS

The following table summarizes as of December 31, 2016 , the maturity or expiration dates of mandatory contractual obligations and commitments for the following fiscal years:


45
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt (a)
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
184,977

 
$
400,000

 
$
—

 
$
584,977

Interest on debt (b)
24,883

 
24,883

 
24,883

 
23,912

 
14,000

 
—

 
112,561

Operating leases
168,196

 
161,073

 
148,086

 
135,174

 
121,468

 
379,712

 
1,113,709

Other
392

 
392

 
231

 
231

 
231

 
442

 
1,919

Total financial obligations
193,471

 
186,348

 
173,200

 
344,294

 
535,699

 
380,154

 
1,813,166

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
4,800

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,800

Total financial obligations and commitments (c) (d)
$
198,271

 
$
186,348

 
$
173,200

 
$
344,294

 
$
535,699

 
$
380,154

 
$
1,817,966


(a) Does not reflect potential future currency impacts for debt repayable in Canadian dollars.

(b) Reflects: i) estimated variable rate interest on obligations outstanding on our secured revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2016 using an interest rate of 2.08% for U.S. dollar borrowings and an interest rate of 2.28% for Canadian borrowings and ii) a fixed interest rate of 5.25% for the senior notes.

(c) The table above excludes our reserves for income taxes, as we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement.

(d) The table above excludes purchase obligations. Our estimate as of December 31, 2016 for commitments to purchase inventory in the normal course of business, which are cancellable (with or without penalty, depending on the stage of production) and span a period of one year or less, was between $300 and $400 million.

(e) The table above excludes any potential future Company funding for obligations under our defined benefit retirement plans. Our estimates of such obligations as of December 31, 2016 have been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet, as described in Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET OBLIGATIONS

We do not maintain off-balance sheet arrangements, transaction, obligations, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities except for those that are made in the normal course of our business and included in our Commitments table presented above.

LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK

Based on our current outlook, we believe that cash generated from operations and available cash, together with amounts available under our secured revolving credit facility, will be adequate to meet our working capital needs and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future, although no assurance can be given in this regard. Additionally, we believe that we have access to the capital markets.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND DEFLATION

We do not believe that inflation has had a significant effect on our net sales or our profitability. Substantial increases in costs, however, could have a significant impact on our business and the industry in the future. Additionally, while deflation could positively impact our merchandise costs, it could have an adverse effect on our average unit retail price, resulting in lower sales and profitability.


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

46
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


the 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.


47
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with 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 significant accounting policies are described in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. The following discussion addresses our critical accounting policies and estimates, which are those policies that require management’s most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.


REVENUE RECOGNITION AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ALLOWANCE

Our revenues, which is are reported as Net sales, consist of sales to customers, net of returns, discounts, chargebacks, and cooperative advertising. We consider revenue realized or realizable and earned when the product has been shipped, when title passes, when all risks and rewards of ownership have transferred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. In certain cases in which we retain the risk of loss during shipment, revenue recognition does not occur until the goods have reached the specified customer.

We record cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of our major wholesale customers at fair value. Fair value is determined based upon, among other factors, comparable market analysis for similar advertisements. We have included the fair value of these arrangements of approximately $3.7 million for fiscal 2016 and $3.9 million for both fiscal years 2015 and 2014 as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, rather than as a reduction of net sales. Amounts determined to be in excess of the fair value of these arrangements are recorded as a reduction of net sales.

Our retail store revenues, also reported as Net sales, are recognized at the point of sale. Retail sales through our on-line channels are recognized at time of delivery to the customer. We recognize retail sales returns at the time of transaction by recording adjustments to both revenue and cost of goods sold. Additionally, we maintain a liability for retail sales returns in Other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet for estimated future returns. There are no accounts receivable associated with our retail customers.

Our accounts receivable reserves for wholesale customers include an allowance for doubtful accounts and an allowance for chargebacks. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make payments. If the financial condition of a customer were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of its ability to make payments, an additional allowance could be required. Past due balances over 90 days are reviewed individually for collectibility. Our credit and collections department reviews all other balances regularly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. Provisions for the allowance for doubtful accounts are reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations and provisions for chargebacks are reflected as a reduction in Net sales on our consolidated statement of operations.

Except in very limited circumstances, we do not allow our wholesale customers to return goods to us.


INVENTORY

Our inventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated at the approximate lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis for wholesale inventory and average cost for retail inventories) or market. Obsolete, damaged, and excess inventory is carried at net realizable value by establishing reserves after assessing historical recovery rates, current market conditions, and future marketing and sales plans.  Rebates, discounts and other cash consideration received from a vendor related to inventory

48
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


purchases are reflected as reductions in the cost of the related inventory item, and are therefore reflected in cost of sales when the related inventory item is sold.


GOODWILL AND TRADENAME

The carrying values of goodwill and indefinite-lived tradename assets are subject to annual impairment reviews as of the last day of each fiscal year.  Between annual assessments, impairment reviews may also be triggered by any significant events or changes in circumstances affecting our business. Factors affecting such impairment reviews include the continued market acceptance of our current products and the development of new products.  We use qualitative and quantitative methods to assess for impairment, including the use of discounted cash flows ("income approach") and relevant data from guideline public companies ("market approach").

We perform impairment tests of goodwill at the reporting unit level. A qualitative assessment determines if it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to: macroeconomic conditions; industry and market considerations; cost factors that may have a negative effect on earnings; overall financial performance; and other relevant entity-specific events. If the results of a qualitative test determine that it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a goodwill impairment test using quantitative assessments must be performed. If it is determined that it is "not likely" that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required.

Under a quantitative assessment for goodwill, the first step is to compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these models are consistent with those we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the second step of the impairment test must be performed in order to determine the impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill.

A tradename is considered impaired if the estimated fair value of the tradename is less than the carrying amount. Impairment reviews for an indefinite-lived tradename can be conducted using qualitative analysis, and if necessary, by a qualitative impairment test. If a tradename is considered impaired, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the tradename. The process of estimating the fair value of a tradename incorporates the relief-from-royalty method, which requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future cash flows and selecting appropriate discount and royalty rates.

A deterioration of macroeconomic conditions may not only negatively impact the estimated operating cash flows used in our cash flow models, but may also negatively impact other assumptions used in our analysis, including, but not limited to, the estimated cost of capital and/or discount rates.  Additionally, we are required to ensure that assumptions used to determine fair value in our analysis are consistent with the assumptions a hypothetical marketplace participant would use.  As a result, the cost of capital and/or discount rates used in our analysis may increase or decrease based on market conditions and trends, regardless of whether our actual cost of capital has changed.  Therefore, we may recognize an impairment of an intangible asset or assets even though realized actual cash flows are approximately equal to or greater than our previously forecast amounts.

Based upon our most recent assessment, performed as of December 31, 2016 , there were no impairments in the values of goodwill or indefinite-lived tradename assets and no reporting units were at risk for impairment.


ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses for workers’ compensation, incentive compensation, health insurance, 401(k), and other outstanding obligations are assessed based on actual commitments, statistical trends, and/or estimates based on projections and current expectations, and these estimates are updated periodically as additional information becomes available.


LOSS CONTINGENCIES

49
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)



We record accruals for various contingencies including legal exposures as they arise in the normal course of business. We determine whether to disclose and accrue for loss contingencies based on an assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote, reasonably possible, or probable. Our assessment is developed in consultation with our internal and external counsel and other advisors and is based on an analysis of possible outcomes under various strategies. Loss contingency assumptions involve judgments that are inherently subjective and can involve matters that are in litigation, which, by their nature are unpredictable. We believe that our assessment of the probability of loss contingencies is reasonable.


ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES

As part of the process of preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our actual current tax exposure (state, federal, and foreign). We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. We determine whether it is "more likely than not" that a tax position will be sustained upon the examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. For those income tax positions where it is not "more likely than not" that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties are also recognized.

We also assess permanent and temporary differences resulting from differing bases and treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes, such as the carrying value of intangibles, deductibility of expenses, depreciation of property, plant, and equipment, stock-based compensation expense, and valuation of inventories. Temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. Actual results could differ from this assessment if sufficient taxable income is not generated in future periods. To the extent we determine the need to establish a valuation allowance or increase such allowance in a period, we must include an expense within the tax provision in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.


FOREIGN CURRENCY

The functional currency of substantially all of our foreign operations is the local currency.

Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity.

Transaction gains and losses, such as those resulting from the settlement of nonfunctional currency receivables and payables, including intercompany balances, are included in foreign currency gain or loss in our consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, payable and receivable balances denominated in nonfunctional currencies are marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period, and the gain or loss is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations.

As part of our overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily between the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, we use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge purchases that are made in U.S. dollars, primarily for inventory purchases in our Canada business. As part of a hedging strategy, we may use foreign currency forward exchange contracts that typically have maturities of less than 12 months and provide continuing coverage throughout the hedging period. These contracts are not designated for hedge accounting treatment, and therefore changes in the fair value of these contracts are recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. Such foreign currency gains and losses include the mark-to-market fair value adjustments at the end of each reporting period related to any open contracts, as well as any realized gains and losses on contracts settled during the reporting period. Fair values for open contracts are calculated by using readily observable market inputs (market-quoted currency exchange rates in effect between U.S. and Canadian dollars), classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2016, we have no unsettled foreign currency forward contracts.


EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS


50
ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


We sponsor a frozen defined benefit pension plan and other unfunded post-retirement plans.  The defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans require an actuarial valuation to determine plan obligations, and related periodic costs. Plan valuations require economic assumptions, including expected rates of return on plan assets, discount rates to value plan obligations and employee demographic assumptions including mortality rates. The actuarial assumptions used may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions.  Actual results that differ from the actuarial assumptions are reflected as unrecognized gains and losses. Unrecognized gains and losses that exceed 10% of the greater of the plan’s projected benefit obligations or market value of assets are amortized to earnings over the estimated service life of the remaining plan participants. 

Any future obligation under our pension plan not funded from investment returns on plan assets are expected to be funded from cash flows from operations.

The most significant assumption used to determine the Company's projected benefit obligation under its defined benefit plans is the discount rate. For further details on rates and assumptions, see Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.


STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

We account for the cost resulting from stock-based compensation arrangements at grant date fair value, utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include the following:

Volatility – This is a measure of the amount by which a stock price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. We use actual monthly historical changes in the market value of our stock covering the expected life of stock options being valued. An increase in the expected volatility will increase the fair value of the stock option and related compensation expense.

Risk-free interest rate – This is the U.S. Treasury rate as of the grant date having a term equal to the expected term of the stock option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase the fair value of the stock option and related compensation expense.

Expected term – This is the period of time over which the stock options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience and estimated future exercise behavior. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. An increase in the expected term will increase the fair value of the stock option and related compensation expense.

Dividend yield – We estimate a dividend yield based on the current dividend amount as a percentage of our current stock price. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease the fair value of the stock option and related stock-based compensation expense.

Forfeitures – We estimate forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical experience and expected future activity.

Changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

We account for performance-based awards over the vesting term of the awards that are expected to vest based on whether it is probable that the performance criteria will be achieved. We reassess the probability of vesting at each reporting period for awards with performance criteria and adjust stock-based compensation expense based on the probability assessments.


ITEM 7A.    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


51

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 Canadian subsidiary records Canadian denominated sales which are then translated into U.S. dollars using weighted-average exchange rates. The changes in foreign currency exchange rates in fiscal 2016, compared to fiscal 2015, negatively affected our International segment's net sales by approximately $7.1 million , primarily due to the devaluation of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar.

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

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

Interest Rate Risk

Our operating results are subject to risk from interest rate fluctuations on our amended revolving credit facility, which carries
variable interest rates. Weighted-average variable rate borrowings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 were $185.2 million . An increase or decrease of 1% in the effective interest rate on that amount would have increased or decreased our annual pretax interest cost for fiscal 2016 by approximately $1.9 million.


OTHER RISKS

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

52

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CARTER'S, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 
Page
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015




53




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders’ of Carter’s, Inc.:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Carter’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
February 23, 2017





54

CARTER’S, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except for share data)
 
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
  Cash and cash equivalents
$
299,358

 
$
381,209

  Accounts receivable, net
202,471

 
207,570

  Finished goods inventories
487,591

 
469,934

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets
32,180

 
37,815

  Deferred income taxes
35,486

 
34,080

      Total current assets
1,057,086

 
1,130,608

Property, plant, and equipment, net
385,874

 
371,704

Tradenames and other intangible assets, net
308,928

 
310,848

Goodwill
176,009

 
174,874

Other assets
18,700

 
15,620

            Total assets
$
1,946,597

 
$
2,003,654

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
  Accounts payable
$
158,432

 
$
157,648

  Other current liabilities
119,177

 
105,070

      Total current liabilities
277,609

 
262,718

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net
580,376

 
578,972

Deferred income taxes
130,656

 
128,838

Other long-term liabilities
169,832

 
158,075

           Total liabilities
1,158,473

 
1,128,603

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies - Note 17

 

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock; par value $.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016
—

 
—

Common stock, voting; par value $.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 48,948,670 and 51,764,309 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively
489

 
518

Additional paid-in capital
—

 
—

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(34,740
)
 
(36,367
)
Retained earnings
822,375

 
910,900

Total stockholders’ equity
788,124

 
875,051

           Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,946,597

 
$
2,003,654


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

55


CARTER’S, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
For the fiscal years ended
 
December 31, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
Net sales
$
3,199,184

 
$
3,013,879

 
$
2,893,868

Cost of goods sold
1,820,035

 
1,755,855

 
1,709,428

Gross profit
1,379,149

 
1,258,024

 
1,184,440

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
995,406

 
909,233

 
890,251

Royalty income
(42,815
)
 
(44,066
)
 
(39,156
)
Operating income
426,558

 
392,857

 
333,345

Interest expense
27,044

 
27,031

 
27,653

Interest income
(563
)
 
(500
)
 
(403
)
Other expense (income), net
4,007

 
(1,862
)
 
3,189

Income before income taxes
396,070

 
368,188

 
302,906

Provision for income taxes
137,964

 
130,366

 
108,236

Net income
$
258,106

 
$
237,822

 
$
194,670

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per common share
$
5.13

 
$
4.55

 
$
3.65

Diluted net income per common share
$
5.08

 
$
4.50


$
3.62

Dividend declared and paid per common share
$
1.32

 
$
0.88

 
$
0.76


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



56


CARTER’S, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands)

 
For the fiscal years ended
 
December 31, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
Net income
$
258,106

 
$
237,822

 
$
194,670

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on OshKosh defined benefit plan, net of tax of $400, ($470), $2,920 for the fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively
(666
)
 
803

 
(4,963
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on Carter's post-retirement benefit obligation, net of (tax) or tax benefit of ($200), ($30), $91 for fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively
331

 
56

 
(147
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
1,962

 
(14,189
)
 
(7,845
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
1,627

 
(13,330
)
 
(12,955
)
Comprehensive income
$
259,733

 
$
224,492

 
$
181,715



See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

57


CARTER’S, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
 
For the fiscal years ended
 
December 31, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
258,106

 
$
237,822

 
$
194,670

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
71,522

 
61,982

 
58,487

Amortization of tradenames
1,919

 
6,417

 
16,437

Accretion of contingent consideration
—

 
809

 
1,348

Amortization of debt issuance costs
1,461

 
1,603

 
1,533

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
16,847

 
17,029

 
17,598

Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss, net
33

 
4

 
2,378

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
(4,800
)
 
(8,839
)
 
(4,700
)
Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment
1,167

 
870

 
1,157

Deferred income taxes
1,294

 
8,657

 
3,911

Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
5,041

 
(23,837
)
 
8,405

Inventories
(17,482
)
 
(34,352
)
 
(32,151
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
2,060

 
(3,496
)
 
(2,719
)
Accounts payable and other liabilities
32,061

 
43,318

 
16,043

Net cash provided by operating activities
369,229

 
307,987

 
282,397

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(88,556
)
 
(103,497
)
 
(103,453
)
Acquisition of tradenames
—

 
—

 
(3,550
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment
216

 
72

 
2,271

Net cash used in investing activities
(88,340
)
 
(103,425
)
 
(104,732
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
—

 
(1,628
)
 
(177
)
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility
—

 
205,586

 
—

Payments on secured revolving credit facility
—

 
(205,237
)
 
—

Repurchases of common stock
(300,445
)
 
(110,290
)
 
(82,099
)
Payment of contingent consideration
—

 
(7,572
)
 
(8,901
)
Dividends paid
(66,355
)
 
(46,028
)
 
(40,477
)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
4,800

 
8,839

 
4,700

Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock
(8,673
)
 
(12,651
)
 
(4,548
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
7,166

 
6,976

 
9,064

Net cash used in financing activities
(363,507
)
 
(162,005
)
 
(122,438
)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash
767

 
(1,986
)
 
(1,135
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(81,851
)
 
40,571

 
54,092

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year
381,209

 
340,638

 
286,546

Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year
$
299,358

 
$
381,209

 
$
340,638


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

58

CARTER’S, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)

 
Common
stock - shares
 
Common
stock - $
 
Additional
paid-in
capital
 
Accumulated other comprehensive
(loss)
income
 
Retained
earnings
 
Total
stockholders’
equity
Balance at December 28, 2013
54,541,879

 
$
545

 
$
4,332

 
$
(10,082
)
 
$
705,936

 
$
700,731

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
4,700

 
—

 
—

 
4,700

Exercise of stock options
287,511

 
3

 
9,061

 
—

 
—

 
9,064

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock 
(66,352
)
 
(1
)
 
(4,547
)
 
—

 
—

 
(4,548
)
Restricted stock activity
70,349

 
1

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation expense
—

 
—

 
16,517

 
—

 
—

 
16,517

Issuance of common stock
14,859

 
—

 
1,081

 
—

 
—

 
1,081

Repurchase of common stock
(2,136,053
)
 
(21
)
 
(31,143
)
 
—

 
(50,935
)
 
(82,099
)
Cash dividends declared and paid
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(40,477
)
 
(40,477
)
Comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
(12,955
)
 
194,670

 
181,715

Balance at January 3, 2015
52,712,193

 
$
527

 
$
—

 
$
(23,037
)
 
$
809,194

 
$
786,684

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
8,839

 
—

 
—

 
8,839

Exercise of stock options
214,420

 
2

 
6,974

 
—

 
—

 
6,976

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock
(147,339
)
 
(1
)
 
(12,650
)
 
—

 
—

 
(12,651
)
Restricted stock activity
128,390

 
1

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation expense
—

 
—

 
15,934

 
—

 
—

 
15,934

Issuance of common stock
10,933

 
—

 
1,095

 
—

 
—

 
1,095

Repurchases of common stock
(1,154,288
)
 
(11
)
 
(20,191
)
 
—

 
(90,088
)
 
(110,290
)
Cash dividends declared and paid
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(46,028
)

(46,028
)
Comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
(13,330
)
 
237,822

 
224,492

Balance at January 2, 2016
51,764,309

 
$
518

 
$
—

 
$
(36,367
)
 
$
910,900

 
$
875,051

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
4,800

 
—

 
—

 
4,800

Exercise of stock options
160,200

 
2

 
7,164

 
—

 
—

 
7,166

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock
(91,629
)
 
(1
)
 
(8,672
)
 
—

 
—

 
(8,673
)
Restricted stock activity
152,413

 
1

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation expense
—

 
—

 
15,662

 
—

 
—

 
15,662

Issuance of common stock
12,758

 
—

 
1,185

 
—

 
—

 
1,185

Repurchases of common stock
(3,049,381
)
 
(31
)
 
(20,138
)
 
—

 
(280,276
)
 
(300,445
)
Cash dividends declared and paid
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(66,355
)
 
(66,355
)
Comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,627

 
258,106

 
259,733

Balance at December 31, 2016
48,948,670

 
$
489

 
$
—

 
$
(34,740
)
 
$
822,375

 
$
788,124

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

59

CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – THE COMPANY
    
Carter's, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") design, source, and market branded childrenswear under the Carter’s , Child of Mine , Just One You , Precious Firsts , OshKosh , and other brands. The Company's products are sourced through contractual arrangements with manufacturers worldwide for wholesale distribution to major domestic and international retailers and for the Company's own retail stores and websites. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company operated 495 Carter's and 138 OshKosh stand-alone stores in the U.S., 159 "side-by-side" and "co-branded" stores in the U.S., and 164 "co-branded' stores in Canada.


NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Carter's, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.


FISCAL YEAR

The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday in December or January nearest the last day of December, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six fiscal years. Fiscal 2016 , which ended on December 31, 2016 , and fiscal 2015 , which ended on January 2, 2016 , both contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2014 , which ended on January 3, 2015 , contained 53 weeks.


USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("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 period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS

Translation adjustments

 
The functional currency of substantially all of the Company's foreign operations is the local currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Transaction adjustments

The Company also recognizes gains and losses on transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the respective entity's functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses also include intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are of a short-term investment nature. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in earnings, as a separate component of other expense, net, within the consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign Currency Contracts

As part of the Company's overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily between the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, the Company may use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge purchases that are made in U.S. dollars, primarily for inventory purchases in its Canadian operations. As part of this

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


hedging strategy, the Company may use foreign currency forward exchange contracts with maturities of less than 12 months to provide continuing coverage throughout the hedging period. Historically, these contracts were not designated for hedge accounting treatment, and therefore changes in the fair value of these contracts were recorded in other expense (income), net in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. Such foreign currency gains and losses typically include the mark-to-market fair value adjustments at the end of each reporting period related to open contracts, as well as any realized gains and losses on contracts settled during the reporting period. The fair values of any unsettled currency contracts are included in other current assets or other current liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. On the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company includes all activity, including cash settlement of any contracts, as a component of cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had no unsettled foreign currency exchange contracts.


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company considers all highly liquid investments that have original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposit accounts and cash management funds invested in U.S. government instruments. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions; these amounts typically settle in less than five days.

Concentration of cash deposits risk

As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had approximately $299.4 million of cash and cash equivalents in major financial institutions, including approximately $58.5 million in financial institutions located outside of the U.S. The Company maintains cash deposits with major financial institutions that exceed the insurance coverage limits provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the U.S. and by similar insurers for deposits located outside the U.S. To mitigate this risk, the Company utilizes a policy of allocating cash deposits among major financial institutions that have been evaluated by the Company and third-party rating agencies.


ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The components of accounts receivable, net, as of December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
Trade receivables from wholesale customers, net
$
182,194

 
$
185,046

Royalties receivable
9,218

 
11,164

Tenant allowances and other receivables
19,810

 
20,303

Total gross receivables
$
211,222

 
$
216,513

Less:
 
 
 
Wholesale accounts receivable reserves
(8,751
)
 
(8,543
)
Wholesale sales returns reserve
—

 
(400
)
Total reserves
(8,751
)
 
(8,943
)
Accounts receivable, net
$
202,471

 
$
207,570



Concentration of credit risk

In each of fiscal 2016 , 2015, and 2014, no one customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated net sales.

At December 31, 2016 , two wholesale customers each had individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of gross accounts receivable, and the total receivable balances due from these two wholesale customers in the aggregate equaled approximately 30% of total gross accounts receivable outstanding. At January 2, 2016 , five wholesale customers each had individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of gross accounts receivable, and the total receivable balances due from these five wholesale customers in the aggregate equaled approximately 60% of total gross accounts receivable outstanding.


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VALUATION ACCOUNTS FOR WHOLESALE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable reserves

The Company's accounts receivable reserves for wholesale customers include an allowance for doubtful accounts and an allowance for chargebacks. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make payments. If the financial condition of a customer were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of its ability to make payments, an additional allowance could be required. Past due balances over 90 days are reviewed individually for collectibility. The Company's credit and collections department reviews all other balances regularly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. Provisions for the allowance for doubtful accounts are reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations and provisions for chargebacks are reflected as a reduction in Net sales on the consolidated statement of operations.

Sales returns reserves

Except in very limited instances, the Company does not allow its wholesale customers to return goods to the Company.

INVENTORIES

Inventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated at the approximate lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis for wholesale inventory and average cost for retail inventories) or market. Obsolete, damaged, and excess inventory is carried at net realizable value by establishing reserves after assessing historical recovery rates, current market conditions, and future marketing and sales plans. Rebates, discounts and other cash consideration received from a vendor related to inventory purchases are reflected as reductions in the cost of the related inventory item, and are therefore reflected in cost of sales when the related inventory item is sold.


PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. When fixed assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the accounts are relieved of the original cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation or amortization and any resulting profit or loss is credited or charged to income. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation and amortization are computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: buildings and improvements from 15 to 26 years, retail store fixtures, equipment, and computers from 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements and fixed assets purchased under capital lease are amortized over the lesser of the asset life or related lease term. The Company capitalizes the cost of its fixtures designed and purchased for use at major wholesale accounts. The cost of these fixtures is amortized over 3 years.


INTERNAL-USE SOFTWARE

The Company purchases software from external vendors and also develops software internally using Company employees and consultants. Software costs, including certain costs to internally develop software, that meet the applicable criteria are capitalized while all other costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software is depreciated or amortized on the straight-line method over its estimated useful lives, from 3 to 10 years.


GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
    
The Company's goodwill balances are comprised of amounts related to the acquisition of Carter's, Inc. by a predecessor entity and the acquisition of Bonnie Togs. The goodwill balances have indefinite useful lives and are not deductible for income tax purposes. The Company's other intangible assets are comprised of tradenames. The tradenames include Carter's , OshKosh, Carter's Watch the Wear, H.W. Carter & Sons, and the Carter's tradename in the country of Chile . The Carter's and OshKosh tradenames have indefinite useful lives and are not being amortized. The Carter's tradename in Chile is being amortized over an estimated life of 20 years. The Carter's Watch the Wear and H.W. Carter & Sons tradenames were amortized on an accelerated basis over three years and have been fully amortized as of December 31, 2016.

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Annual impairment reviews

The carrying values of the goodwill and indefinite-lived tradename assets are subject to annual impairment reviews which are performed as of the last day of each fiscal year.  Additionally, a review for potential impairment is performed whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Significant assumptions in the impairment models include estimates of future cash flows, discount rates, and, in the case of tradenames, royalty rates. Based upon the Company's most recent assessment, performed as of December 31, 2016 , there were no impairments in the values of goodwill or indefinite-lived tradename assets and no reporting units were at risk of an impairment.

Goodwill

The Company performs impairment tests of its goodwill at the reporting unit level. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used to assess for impairment, including the use of discounted cash flows ("income approach") and relevant data from guideline public companies ("market approach").

Under a qualitative assessment, the Company determines if it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors that may have a negative effect on earnings, overall financial performance, and other relevant entity-specific events. If the Company determines that it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then the Company performs the two-step goodwill impairment test as required. If it is determined that it is "not likely" that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required and the Company documents the relevant qualitative factors that support the strength in the fair value.

The first step of a quantitative assessment is to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company uses a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value, using assumptions consistent with those of hypothetical marketplace participants. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the second step of the impairment test must be performed. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill, in order to determine the amount of the impairment loss and charge to the consolidated statement of operations.

Indefinite-lived tradenames

For indefinite-lived tradenames, the Company may utilize a qualitative assessment, as described above, to determine whether the fair value of an indefinite-lived asset is less than its carrying value. If a quantitative assessment is necessary, the Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow model that uses the relief-from-royalty method. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the tradename, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount of the excess.


IMPAIRMENT OF OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company reviews other long-lived assets, including property, plant, and equipment, and licensing agreements, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset may not be recoverable. Management will determine whether there has been a permanent impairment on such assets held for use in the business by comparing anticipated undiscounted future cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group to the carrying value of the asset. The amount of any resulting impairment will be calculated by comparing the carrying value to fair value, which may be estimated using the present value of the same cash flows. Long-lived assets that meet the definition of held for sale will be valued at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell.


DEFERRED DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS

Debt issuance costs associated with the Company's secured revolving credit facility and senior tern notes are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs associated with Company's senior notes are presented on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as a direct reduction in the carrying value of the associated debt liability. Fees paid to lenders by the Company to obtain its secured revolving credit facility are included within Other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and classified as either current or non-

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current based on the expiration date of the credit facility. See the subsequent section under "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in this Note 2 for information on the retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance related to the presentation of debt costs.


FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value framework requires the Company to categorize certain assets and liabilities into three levels, based upon the assumptions used to price those assets or liabilities. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:
Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable.
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs reflecting management's own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company measures its pension assets, deferred compensation plan investment assets, unsettled foreign currency forward contracts, and contingent consideration liability for acquisitions at fair value. T he Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are short-term in nature. As such, their carrying value approximates fair value.

The carrying values of the Company’s outstanding borrowings are not required to be remeasured and adjusted to the then-current fair values at the end of each reporting period. Instead, the fair values of the Company's outstanding borrowings are disclosed at the end of each reporting period in Note 7, Long-Term Debt , to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Had the Company been required to remeasure and adjust the carrying values of its outstanding borrowings to fair value at the end of each reporting period, such fair value measurements would have been disclosed as a Level 2 liability in the fair value hierarchy.


REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenues consist of sales to customers, net of returns, discounts, chargebacks, and cooperative advertising. The Company considers revenue realized or realizable and earned when the product has been shipped, when title passes, when all risks and rewards of ownership have transferred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. In certain cases, in which the Company retains the risk of loss during shipment, revenue recognition does not occur until the goods have reached the specified customer.

The Company records its cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of its major wholesale customers at fair value. Fair value is determined based upon, among other factors, comparable market analysis for similar advertisements. The Company has included the fair value of these arrangements of approximately $3.7 million for fiscal 2016, and $3.9 million for both of the fiscal years 2015 and 2014 as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, rather than as a reduction of net sales. Amounts determined to be in excess of the fair value of these arrangements are recorded as a reduction of net sales.

Retail store revenues are recognized at the point of sale. Retail sales through the Company's on-line channels are recognized at time of delivery to the customer. The Company recognizes retail sales returns at the time of transaction by recording adjustments to both revenue and cost of goods sold. Additionally, the Company maintains a liability for retail sales returns in Other current liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet for estimated future returns. There are no accounts receivable associated with the Company's retail customers.


COSTS OF GOODS SOLD

Cost of goods sold (CoGS) consists mainly of the cost of merchandise, inventory provisions, and certain costs associated with our sourcing and distribution centers operations.


ACCOUNTING FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING FEES AND COSTS


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Shipping costs consisting of payments to third-party shippers and handling costs consisting of labor costs, shipping supplies, and certain distribution overhead. Such costs for our domestic and international wholesale businesses totaled $66.4 million , $67.2 million , and $72.1 million for fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Such costs for our domestic and international retail businesses totaled $87.3 million , $75.4 million , $74.3 million . The Company recognizes shipping and handling costs in the "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" line on its consolidated statements of operations.

INCOME FROM ROYALTIES AND LICENSE FEES

The Company licenses the Carter's, Just One You, Precious Firsts, Child of Mine, OshKosh B'gosh , OshKosh , and Genuine Kids from OshKosh trademarks to other companies for use on baby and young children's products, including bedding, outerwear, sleepwear, shoes, underwear, socks, room décor, toys, stationery, hair accessories, furniture, and related products. These royalties are recorded as earned, based upon the sales of licensed products by licensees and reported as royalty income in the statements of operations.


ADVERTISING EXPENSES

Costs associated with the production of advertising, such as writing, copy, printing, and other costs, are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with communicating advertising that has been produced, such as magazine costs and website banners, are expensed when the advertising event takes place.


STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

The Company recognizes the cost resulting from all stock-based payment transactions in the financial statements at grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures.

Stock Options

The Company determines the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of the following subjective assumptions:

Volatility - This is a measure of the amount by which a stock price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The Company uses actual monthly historical changes in the market value of its stock covering the expected life of options being valued. An increase in the expected volatility will increase the fair value of the stock option and related compensation expense.

Risk-free interest rate - This is the U.S. Treasury rate as of the grant date having a term equal to the expected term of the stock option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase the fair value of the stock option and related compensation expense.

Expected term - This is the period of time over which the stock options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience and estimated future exercise behavior. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. An increase in the expected term will increase the fair value of the stock option and the related compensation expense.

Dividend yield - The Company estimates a dividend yield based on the current dividend amount as a percentage of the current stock price. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease the fair value of the stock option and the related compensation expenses.

Forfeitures - The Company estimates forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical experience and expected future activity.

Changes in these subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation expense and the related amount recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards

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The fair value of time-based restricted stock awards is determined based on the quoted closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant and is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting term of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards

The Company accounts for its performance-based restricted stock awards based on the quoted closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant and records stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term of the awards based on the probability that the performance criteria will be achieved, net of estimated forfeitures. The Company reassesses the probability of vesting at each reporting period and prospectively adjusts stock-based compensation expense based on its probability assessment.

Stock Awards

The fair value of stock granted to non-management board members is determined based on the quoted closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company records the stock-based compensation expense immediately as there are no vesting terms.


INCOME TAXES

The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect current and deferred tax provisions. The deferred tax provision is determined under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities using presently enacted tax rates. Valuation allowances are established when it is "more likely than not" that a deferred tax asset will not be recovered. The provision for income taxes is the sum of the amount of income taxes paid or payable for the year as determined by applying the provisions of enacted tax laws to the taxable income for that year, the net change during the year in deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the net change during the year in any valuation allowances.

The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. The Company determines whether it is "more likely than not" that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. For those tax positions where it is not "more likely than not" that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit is recognized. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties are also recorded. Interest is recorded as a component of interest expense and penalties, if any, are recorded within the provision for incomes taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and are classified on the consolidated balance sheets with the related liability for uncertain tax contingency liabilities.


SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Interest paid in cash approximated $25.4 million , $25.1 million , and $26.1 million for fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Income taxes paid in cash approximated $120.6 million , $108.4 million and $95.8 million for fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Additions to property, plant and equipment of approximately $2.6 million , $6.1 million , and $2.0 million were excluded from capital expenditures on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows for fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, since these amounts were accrued and unpaid at the end of each respective fiscal year.

The Company's consolidated statement of cash flows shows the following sources and uses of financing cash flows related to the Company's revolving credit facility during fiscal 2015. In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company replaced  $20.0 million  of outstanding borrowings under the then-existing amended revolving credit facility with CAD 25.5 million  of borrowings, which approximated  $20.3 million . Additionally, because of a change in the lead administrative agent and certain changes in commitment amounts among the lenders in the syndication, the third quarter amendment to the Company's secured revolving credit facility led to the repayment and simultaneous re-borrowing of the then-outstanding balance on the secured revolving credit agreement of approximately $185.2 million .

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)




EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company calculates basic and diluted net income per common share under the two-class method for unvested share-based payment awards that contain participating rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid).

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income for the period by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share includes the effect of dilutive instruments and uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.     


OPEN MARKET REPURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK

Shares of the Company's common stock that are repurchased by the Company through open market transactions are retired. Through the end of fiscal 2016, all such open market repurchases have been at prices that exceeded the par value of the repurchased common stock, and the amounts of the purchase prices that exceeded par value were charged to additional paid-in capital or to retained earnings if the balance in additional paid-in capital was not sufficient.


EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has several defined benefit plans. Various actuarial methods and assumptions are used in determining net pension and post-retirement costs and obligations. Key assumptions include the discount rate used to determine the present value of future benefits and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The over-funded or under-funded status of the defined benefit plans is recorded as an asset or liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The gains or losses that arise during the period are recognized as a component of comprehensive income, net of tax. These costs are then subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in the consolidated statements of operations. See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in this Note 2 for information on the adoption of new accounting guidance.


FACILITY CLOSURE AND OFFICE CONSOLIDATION

The Company records severance costs when the appropriate notifications have been made to affected employees or when the decision is made, if the benefits are contractual. When employees are required to work for a period before termination, the severance costs are recognized over the required service period. Relocation and recruitment costs are expensed as incurred. For operating leases, lease termination costs are recognized at fair value at the date the Company ceases to use the leased property, and adjusted for the effects of deferred items recognized under the lease and reduced by estimated sub-lease rental income. Useful lives assigned to fixed assets at the facility to be closed are revised based on the specifics of the exit plan, resulting in accelerated depreciation expense.


LEASES AND DEFERRED RENT

The Company enters into a significant number of lease transactions related to properties for its retail stores in addition to leases for offices, distribution facilities, and other uses. The lease agreements may contain provisions related to allowances for property improvements, rent escalation, and free rent periods. Substantially all of these leases are classified as operating leases for accounting purposes.

For property improvement allowances, the Company records a deferred lease credit on the consolidated balance sheet and amortizes the deferred lease credit as a reduction of rent expense over the terms of the applicable lease. For scheduled rent escalation clauses during the lease term, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The difference between the rent expense and the amount payable under the lease is included within the Company's liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The term of the lease over which the Company amortizes allowances and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis begins on the date of initial possession, which is generally when the Company enters the space and/or begins construction.

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Where leases provide for contingent rents, which are generally determined as a percentage of gross sales, the Company records additional rent expense when management determines that achieving the specified level of revenue during the fiscal year is probable. Amounts accrued for contingent rent are included within the Company's liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

SEASONALITY

The Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in its sales and profitability due to the timing of certain holidays and key retail shopping periods, typically resulting in lower sales and gross profit in the first half of its fiscal year. Accordingly, the Company's results of operations during the first half of the year may not be indicative of the results for the full year.


RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Adopted in Fiscal 2016

Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud-Computing Arrangement (ASU 2015-05)

The Company prospectively adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-05,  Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement,  at the beginning of fiscal 2016 for fees paid in connection with cloud-based software arrangements. ASU 2015-05 provides clarification on whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a software license is included, the customer should account for the license consistent with its accounting for other software licenses. If a software license is not included, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs for Term Debt (ASU 2015-03)

The Company retrospectively adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2015-03,  Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs  ("ASU 2015-03"), at the beginning of fiscal 2016. This new guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to term debt be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, all debt issuance costs were required to be presented as deferred charge assets, separate from the related debt liability. The guidance did not change the recognition and measurement requirements for debt issuance costs. The Company reclassified approximately  $4.6 million and  $5.5 million  of unamortized issuance-related debt costs associated with the Company's senior notes from Other assets (non-current) to Long-term debt, net within its consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively. Other than this balance sheet reclassification, the adoption of ASU 2015-03 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Fees paid to lenders to secure revolving lines of credit continue to be presented as a deferred charge (asset) on the balance sheet.

Simplified Measurement Date for Defined Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations (ASU 2015-04)

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


Required Assessment of Going Concern (ASU 2014-15)


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During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014-15") . Regardless of financial condition, ASU 2014-15 requires every entity to assess its ability to continue operating as a going concern for the period of time that extends one year from the issuance of interim or annual financial statements. If a quarterly or annual assessment indicates the presence of one or more conditions that raise substantial doubt, as defined in ASU 2014-15, about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern for the upcoming one-year period, the ASU requires disclosures in the footnotes that accompany the financial statements. Otherwise, no disclosure is required about the assessment results. The Company's adoption of ASU 2014-15 had no impact on its consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.


To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2016

Accounting for Share-Based Payments to Employees (ASU 2016-09)

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"), which amends ASC Topic 718, Stock Compensation .

ASU 2019-09 requires that all tax benefits and deficiencies related to share-based payments be recognized and recorded through the statement of operations for all awards settled or expiring after the adoption of ASU 2016-09. Under prior guidance, tax benefits in excess of compensation costs ("windfalls") were recorded in equity, and any tax deficiencies ("shortfalls") were recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls and then to the statement of operations. ASU 2016-09 also requires, either prospectively or retrospectively, that all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, a change from prior guidance that required windfall tax benefits to be presented as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities on the statement of cash flows.

Additionally, ASU 2016-09 allows entities to make an accounting policy election for the impact of most types of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards by allowing the forfeitures to be either estimated, as was required under prior guidance, or recognized when they actually occur.

Under ASU 2016-09, it is possible for equity awards to have a more dilutive effect on earnings per share (EPS). Under prior guidance, anticipated income tax windfalls and shortfalls were included in the calculation of assumed proceeds when applying the treasury stock method for computing the dilutive effect of share-based awards in the calculation of diluted EPS. Because there is no longer any excess tax benefits recognized in additional paid capital under ASU 2016-09, when applying the treasury stock method for computing diluted EPS, the assumed proceeds do not include any windfall tax benefits. As a result, fewer hypothetical shares can be repurchased under the treasury stock method, resulting in an assumption of more incremental shares being issued upon the exercise of shared-based awards. Therefore, equity awards have a more dilutive effect on EPS for any period where the average market price of an entity's underlying stock exceeds the average fair value of outstanding dilutive equity awards for the period.

The provisions of ASU 2016-09 are effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2017. The impact of ASU 2016-09 on the Company's income tax expense or benefit and related cash flows during and after the period of adoption are dependent in part upon future grants and vesting of stock-based compensation awards and other factors that are not fully controllable or predicable by the Company such as the future market price of the Company's common stock, the timing of employee exercises of vested stock options, and the future achievement of performance criteria that affect performance-based awards. Under ASU 2016-09, the Company will continue estimating expected forfeitures.


Simplified Subsequent Measurement of Inventory (ASU 2015-11)

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory ("ASU 2015-11"). Upon adoption, ASU 2015-11 simplifies subsequent measurements of inventory by replacing the lower of cost or market test, required under prior guidance, with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. ASU 2015-11 applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in-first-out (LIFO) and the retail inventory method. For inventory within the scope of ASU 2015-11, entities are required to compare the cost of inventory to only one measure, its net realizable value, and not the three measures required by prior guidance ("market," "subject to a floor," and a "ceiling"). When evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is less than its cost (due to damage, physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels or other causes), entities recognize the difference as a loss in earnings in the period in

69
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


which it occurs. The provisions of ASU 2015-11 are effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2017. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 is not material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.


Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (ASU 2015-17)

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes ("ASU 2015-17"). Prior GAAP required the deferred taxes for each tax jurisdiction (or tax-paying component of a jurisdiction) to be presented as a net current asset or liability and net non-current asset or liability. ASU 2015-17 requires a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction analysis based on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which the underlying temporary differences relate based on the period in which the attribute is expected to be realized. Under the provisions of ASU 2015-17, all deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current on an entity's balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction has only one net non-current deferred tax asset or liability. ASU 2015-17 does not change the existing guidance that prohibits the offsetting of deferred tax liabilities of one jurisdiction against the deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. The provisions of ASU 2015-17 are effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2017. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 only involves reclassification of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and therefore does not impact the Company's results of operations or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which since has been codified in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"). This guidance clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and will be applicable to all contracts with customers regardless of industry-specific or transaction-specific fact patterns. Further, the guidance will require improved disclosures as well as additional disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. Since its original issuance, the FASB has issued several amendments and updates to this guidance, and additional amendments and updates are possible. The standard will be effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Upon adoption, the Company will apply the provisions of ASC 606 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. Based on an assessment of the Company's significant sources of revenue, at this time the Company does not believe that the adoption of ASC 606, including any of the policy elections required or permitted by ASC 606, will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Based on this assessment, at this time the Company does not believe the adoption of ASC 606 will have a significant impact on processes, systems, or controls.


Leases (ASU 2016-02)

In February 2016, the FASB issued new lease accounting guidance in ASU No. 2016-02,  Leases . Under this new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): 1) a lease liability equal to the lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and 2) a right-of-use asset which will represent the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 will have little or no impact on an entity's results of operations or cash flows. The new standard will be effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2019, including interim periods within the year of adoption. The new standard requires a modified retrospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated balance sheet. However, the Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will require the Company to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be material to the Company's consolidated balance sheet.



 


70
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


NOTE 3 – ACQUISITION OF BONNIE TOGS

In fiscal 2011, the Company purchased all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Bonnie Togs in Canada for total consideration of up to CAD $95 million , of which USD $61.2 million was paid in cash at closing. The Company made payments of approximately USD $14.7 million and USD $8.9 million related to the contingent consideration liability based on the achievement of interim earnings targets through fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014, respectively. In fiscal 2015, the Company made a final payment under the contingent consideration obligation of approximately USD $8.6 million . Of this amount, approximately USD $7.6 million was reported in the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows as a financing activity and the remaining portion, which represented the contingency adjustment recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, was reported as an operating activity.

The following table summarizes the changes in the contingent consideration liability related to the 2011 acquisition of Bonnie Togs during fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 (dollars in thousands):
Balance at Beginning of Fiscal 2014
$16,348
Payments made in fiscal 2014
(8,901
)
Accretion expense in fiscal 2014
1,348

Foreign currency translation adjustment in fiscal 2014
(1,084
)
Balance at End of Fiscal 2014
7,711

Payments made in fiscal 2015
(8,568
)
Accretion expense in fiscal 2015
809

Foreign currency translation adjustment in fiscal 2015
(1,029
)
Final contingent adjustment
1,077

Balance at End of Fiscal 2015
$
—


As the end of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016, the Company had no remaining contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of Bonnie Togs.

NOTE 4 – PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment, net consists of the following:
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
Fixtures, equipment, computer hardware and software
$
398,536

 
$
367,593

Land, building, and leasehold improvements
305,844

 
260,809

Marketing fixtures
7,015

 
12,336

Construction in progress
20,386

 
21,602

 
731,781

 
662,340

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(345,907
)
 
(290,636
)
Total
$
385,874

 
$
371,704


Depreciation and amortization expense related to property, plant, and equipment was approximately $71.5 million , $62.0 million , and $58.5 million for fiscal years 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively.

NOTE 5 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Acquisition of Tradenames

In December 2014, the Company acquired the exclusive rights to the Carter's brands including trademark registrations in Chile. The Company acquired these rights in order to freely operate in Chile by offering products and service under the Carter's brand. The total consideration paid was approximately $3.6 million in cash and was accounted for as an asset acquisition. This tradename is being amortized over 20 years using a straight-line method.


71
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


In 2013, the Company acquired worldwide rights to the Carter's Watch the Wear and H.W. Carter & Sons brands, including trademark registrations. The Company acquired these worldwide rights for defensive purposes to reduce brand confusion and facilitate expansion in certain key international markets. The total consideration paid was approximately $38.0 million in cash and was accounted for as an asset acquisition. These tradenames were amortized over three years using an accelerated amortization method and have been fully amortized as of December 31, 2016.

Balance Sheet Components

The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets at the end of the fiscal year:
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
January 2, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Weighted-average useful life
 
Gross amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net amount
 
 
Gross amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carter’s goodwill (1)     
Indefinite
 
$
136,570

 
$
—

 
$
136,570

 
 
$
136,570

 
$
—

 
$
136,570

Bonnie Togs goodwill (2)     
Indefinite
 
39,439

 
—

 
39,439

 
 
38,304

 
—

 
38,304

Total goodwill
 
 
$
176,009

 
$
—

 
$
176,009

 
 
$
174,874

 
$
—

 
$
174,874

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carter’s  tradename    
Indefinite
 
$
220,233

 
$
—

 
$
220,233

 
 
$
220,233

 
$
—

 
$
220,233

OshKosh  tradename    
Indefinite
 
85,500

 
—

 
85,500

 
 
85,500

 
—

 
85,500

Other tradenames (3)
2 - 20 years
 
42,005

 
38,810

 
3,195

 
 
41,992

 
36,877

 
5,115

Total tradenames and other intangibles, net
 
 
$
347,738

 
$
38,810

 
$
308,928

 
 
$
347,725

 
$
36,877

 
$
310,848


(1)
$45.9 million is assigned to the Carter’s wholesale segment, $82.0 million is assigned to the Carter’s retail segment, and $8.6 million is assigned to the International segment.
(2)
Assigned to the International segment. The change in the gross amount of goodwill and other intangible assets in the International segment reflects foreign currency translation adjustments for the applicable periods.
(3)
Relates to the acquisition of rights to the Carter's brand in Chile in December 2014, the Carter's Watch the Wear and H.W. Carter & Sons brands worldwide in 2013, and the Bonnie Togs (Canada) acquisition in 2011. At December 31, 2016, the remaining unamortized balance relates only to the Carter's brand in Chile.

Amortization expense for the tradename intangible assets subject to amortization was approximately $1.9 million , $6.4 million , and $16.5 million for fiscal years 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. Future amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $0.2 million for each of the next five fiscal years and relates only to the Chile rights as all other tradenames are fully amortized at the end of fiscal 2016 .

NOTE 6 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
Pension liability adjustment
 
Post-retirement liability adjustment
 
Cumulative translation adjustment
 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Balance at December 28, 2013
$
(4,025
)
 
$
1,495

 
$
(7,552
)
 
$
(10,082
)
Fiscal year 2014 change
(4,963
)
 
(14
)
 
(7,845
)
 
(12,955
)
Balance at January 3, 2015
(8,988
)
 
1,348

 
(15,397
)
 
(23,037
)
Fiscal year 2015 change
803

 
56

 
(14,189
)
 
(13,330
)
Balance at January 2, 2016
(8,185
)
 
1,404

 
(29,586
)
 
(36,367
)
Fiscal year 2016 change
(666
)
 
331

 
1,962

 
1,627

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
(8,851
)
 
$
1,735

 
$
(27,624
)
 
$
(34,740
)


72
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


As of December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 , the cumulative pension liability adjustments were, net of tax effect, $5.2 million and $4.8 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 , the post-retirement liability adjustments were, net of tax effect, approximately $1.0 million and $0.8 million , respectively.

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 , amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the consolidated statements of operations consisted of amortization of actuarial gains and losses related to the Company's defined benefit retirement plans. Such amortization amounts are included in the net periodic cost or benefit recognized for these plans during the respective fiscal year. See Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans , for additional details. Also, during fiscal year 2014, approximately $0.1 million was reclassified from cumulative translation adjustment into other expense, net on the consolidated statement of operations as a result of the completion of the Company's exit from retail operations in Japan.


NOTE 7 – LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
Senior notes at amounts repayable
$
400,000

 
$
400,000

Less: unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes (1)
(4,601
)
 
(5,459
)
      Senior notes, net
$
395,399

 
$
394,541

Secured revolving credit facility (2)
184,977

 
184,431

Total long-term debt, net
$
580,376

 
$
578,972

(1) Required by the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03. See Note 2.
(2) Reported balance that is payable in Canadian dollars is subject to currency exchange rate changes.


SENIOR NOTES

During fiscal 2013, the Company's 100% owned subsidiary, The William Carter Company ("TWCC") issued $400 million principal amount of senior notes (the "senior notes") at par, bearing interest at a rate of 5.25%  per annum, and maturing on August 15, 2021, all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2016 . At issuance, TWCC received net proceeds from the offering of the senior notes of approximately $394.2 million , after deducting bank fees and other related fees. Approximately $7.0 million , including both bank fees and other third party expenses, was capitalized in connection with the issuance and is being amortized over the term of the senior notes.
The senior notes are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter's, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of TWCC. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by Carter's, Inc. and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional.

At any time prior to August 15, 2017, TWCC may redeem all or part of the senior notes at 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus an applicable premium and accrued and unpaid interest. On and after August 15, 2017, TWCC may redeem all or part of the senior notes at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the senior notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The redemption price applicable where the redemption occurs during the twelve-month period beginning on August 15 of each of the years indicated is as follows:
Year
 
Percentage
2017
 
102.63
%
2018
 
101.31
%
2019 and thereafter
 
100.00
%

Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of changes of control, unless a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding senior notes has previously or concurrently been mailed or delivered, TWCC will be required to make an offer to purchase the senior notes at 101% of their principal amount. In addition, if TWCC or any of its restricted subsidiaries engages in certain asset sales,

73
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


under certain circumstances TWCC will be required to use the net proceeds to make an offer to purchase the senior notes at 100% of their principal amount.

The indenture governing the senior notes includes a number of covenants, that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrict TWCC's ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (a) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness; (b) issue disqualified stock and preferred stock; (c) pay dividends or make distributions or other restricted payments; (d) prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt; (e) make loans and investments (including joint ventures); (f) incur liens; (g) create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts from restricted subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes; (h) sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; (i) consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of TWCC's assets to, another person; (j) designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and (k) enter into transactions with affiliates. Specific provisions restrict the ability of the Company's operating subsidiary, TWCC, from paying cash dividends to Carter’s, Inc. in excess of $100.0 million plus an additional amount that builds based on 50% of our consolidated net income on a cumulative basis beginning with the third fiscal quarter of 2013 and subject to certain conditions, unless TWCC and its consolidated subsidiaries meet a leverage ratio requirement under the indenture, which could restrict Carter's, Inc. from paying cash dividends on our common stock. Additionally, the terms of the notes contain customary affirmative covenants and provide for events of default which, if certain of them occur, would permit the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then total outstanding senior notes to declare all amounts owning under the notes to be due and payable. Carter's, Inc. is not subject to these covenants.

    
SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
On October 15, 2010 , the Company entered into a $375 million ( $130 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $40 million ) secured revolving credit facility with Bank of America as sole lead arranger and administrative agent, JP Morgan Chase Bank as syndication agent, and other financial institutions. On December 22, 2011, the Company amended and restated the secured revolving credit facility to, among other things, provide a U.S. dollar secured revolving facility of $340 million (including a $130 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $40 million ) and a $35 million multicurrency secured revolving facility (including a $15 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $5 million ), which is available for borrowings by either TWCC or its Canadian subsidiary, in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars.

On August 31, 2012, the Company and lenders amended and restated the secured revolving credit facility to, among other things, improve interest rates applicable to pricing, extend the maturity of the facility, and allow borrowings in currencies other than U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars subject to the consent of all multicurrency lenders. The aggregate principal amount of the facility remained unchanged at $375 million consisting of a $340 million U.S. dollar secured revolving credit facility and a $35 million multicurrency secured revolving credit facility (although the sub-limit for U.S. dollar letters of credit was increased to $175 million ).

Amended and Restated Credit Facility

On September 16, 2015 , the Company and a syndicate of lenders amended and restated the secured revolving credit facility (the "amended revolving credit facility") to , among other things: (i) refinance the Company's existing credit facility in order to achieve better pricing terms and (ii) provide additional liquidity to be used for ongoing working capital purposes and for general corporate purposes. The aggregate principal amount of the amended revolving credit facility was increased from $375 million to $500 million to provide for (i) a $400 million U.S. dollar revolving facility (including a $175 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $50 million ) available for borrowings by TWCC and (ii) a $100 million multicurrency revolving facility (including a $40 million sub-limit for letters of credit and a swing line sub-limit of $15 million ), available for borrowing by TWCC and certain other subsidiaries of TWCC, in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or other currencies agreed to by the applicable lenders.

In connection with the amendment, the Company paid approximately $1.6 million in debt issuance costs in connection with the amended and restated secured revolving credit agreement in fiscal 2015. These newly-incurred debt issuance costs, together with certain existing unamortized debt issuance costs, are being amortized over the remaining term of the amended revolving credit facility ( five years). The amended revolving credit facility matures September 16, 2020 .

As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had approximately $185.0 million in outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $4.8 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of December 31, 2016 , there was approximately $310.2 million available for future borrowing.


74
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


As of December 31, 2016 , the interest rate margins applicable to the amended revolving credit facility were 1.375% for LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rate loans (which may be adjusted based on a leverage-based pricing grid ranging from 1.125% to 1.875% ) and 0.375% for base rate loans (which may be adjusted based on a leverage-based pricing grid ranging from 0.125% to 0.875% ).

At December 31, 2016 , U.S. dollar borrowings outstanding under the secured revolving credit facility accrued interest at a LIBOR rate plus the applicable base rate, which was 2.08% on that date, and Canadian borrowing outstanding accrued interest at a CDOR rate plus the applicable base rate, which was 2.28% on that date.  
    
Covenants
Subject to certain customary exceptions, the amended revolving credit 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 amended revolving credit facility also contains affirmative financial covenants. Specifically, TWCC and its subsidiaries will not (i) permit at the end of any four consecutive fiscal quarters the Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio (defined as, with certain adjustments, the ratio of the Company's consolidated indebtedness plus six times rent expense, as defined, to consolidated net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and rent expense ("EBITDAR")) to exceed 4.00 :1.00 (provided, however, that if any "Material Acquisition" occurs and the Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio on a pro forma basis giving effect to the consummation of the Material Acquisition is less than 4.00 :1.00, then the maximum Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio may be increased to 4.50 :1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition is consummated and the three fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition occurs) or (ii) permit at the end of any four consecutive fiscal quarters the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (defined as, with certain adjustments, the ratio of consolidated EBITDAR to consolidated fixed charges (defined as interest plus rent expense)), for any such period to be less than 2.25 :1.00 (provided, however, that if any Material Acquisition occurs and the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a pro forma basis giving effect to the consummation of the Material Acquisition is at least 2.25 :1.00, then the minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio may be decreased to 2.00 :1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition is consummated and the three fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition occurs).

The amended revolving credit facility also provides that certain covenants fall away and that the liens over the collateral securing each of the Company and certain subsidiaries' collective obligations are released following, among other things, the achievement of, and during the maintenance of, investment grade ratings by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

The amended revolving credit facility also provides for incremental facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250 million , either in the form of a commitment increase under the existing credit facility or the incurrence of one or more tranches of term loans (with the aggregate U.S. dollar amount available to the Company not to exceed $200 million and the aggregate multicurrency amount available not to exceed $50 million ).

As of December 31, 2016 , the Company was in compliance with its financial debt covenants under the secured revolving credit facility.

NOTE 8 – COMMON STOCK

SHARE REPURCHASES

In fiscal years prior to 2014 , the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company's common stock in amounts up to $462.5 million . On February 24, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional $500 million of share repurchases, thereby authorizing repurchase amounts up to $962.5 million .

Open-market repurchases of our common stock during fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

75
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
Fiscal year ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
January 3, 2015
Number of shares repurchased
3,049,381

 
1,154,288

 
1,111,899

Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)
$
300,445

 
$
110,290

 
$
82,099

Average price per share
$
98.53

 
$
95.55

 
$
73.84



In addition to the open-market repurchases completed in fiscal years 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company completed additional open-market repurchases totaling approximately $195.3 million in fiscal year prior to 2014 .

The total remaining capacity under the repurchase authorizations as of December 31, 2016 was $274.4 million .
Future share repurchases may occur from time to time in the open market, in negotiated transactions, or otherwise.  The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined by the Company based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, other investment priorities, and other factors. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates.


DIVIDENDS

In fiscal 2016, the Company's Board of Directors declared and paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.33 per share during all four quarters. In fiscal 2015, the Company's Board of Directors paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.22 per share during all four quarters.

On February 15, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.37 per common share, payable on March 24, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2017.

Future declarations of dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including the Company's future financial performance and other investment priorities.

Provisions in the Company's secured revolving credit facility and indenture governing its senior notes could have the effect of restricting the Company’s ability to pay future cash dividends on or make future repurchases of its common stock, as further described in Note 7, Long-Term Debt .

NOTE 9 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may award incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock deliverable on a deferred basis (including restricted stock units), and performance-based stock awards.

At the Company's May 13, 2011 shareholders' meeting, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Plan to (i) increase the maximum number of shares of stock available under the existing Plan by 3,725,000 shares from 12,053,392 shares to 15,778,392 shares and (ii) eliminate the Company's ability to grant cash awards and provide tax gross-ups under the Plan. The Plan was last approved for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, at the Company's May 11, 2016 Shareholders' meeting. As of December 31, 2016 , there were 1,625,371 shares available for grant under the Plan. The Plan makes provision for the treatment of awards upon termination of service or in the case of a merger or similar corporate transaction. Participation in the Plan is limited to members of the Company's board of directors, executive officers and other key employees.

The limit on shares available under the Plan, the individual limits, and other award terms are subject to adjustment to reflect stock splits or stock dividends, combinations, and certain other events. All stock options issued under the Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The Company believes that the current level of authorized shares is sufficient to satisfy future grants for the foreseeable future.

76
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


    
The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost as follows:
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3,
2015
Stock options
$
4,237

 
$
4,350

 
$
4,672

Restricted stock:
 
 
 
 
 
   Time-based awards
7,451

 
6,855

 
7,018

   Performance-based awards
3,974

 
4,728

 
4,827

   Stock awards
1,185

 
1,096

 
1,081

Total
$
16,847

 
$
17,029

 
$
17,598



STOCK OPTIONS

Stock options vest in equal annual installments over a four -year period. The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

Changes in the Company's stock options for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
Number of shares
 
Weighted- average exercise price
 
Weighted-average remaining contractual terms (years)
 
Aggregate intrinsic value
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding, January 2, 2016
1,423,660

 
$46.56
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Granted
221,740

 
$91.23
 
 
 
 
Exercised
(160,200
)
 
$44.73
 
 
 
 
Forfeited
(43,315
)
 
$77.31
 
 
 
 
Expired
(675
)
 
$72.10
 
 
 
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
1,441,210

 
$52.70
 
5.62
 
$
49,696

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vested and Expected to Vest, December 31, 2016
1,384,830

 
$51.34
 
5.50
 
$
49,504

Exercisable, December 31, 2016
953,780

 
$38.08
 
4.31
 
$
46,103

    
The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 , January 2, 2016 , and January 3, 2015 was approximately $9.0 million , $13.2 million , and $12.9 million , respectively. At December 31, 2016 , there was approximately $6.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.5 years.

The table below presents the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted in each of the respective fiscal years:
 
For the fiscal years ended
 
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3,
2015
Expected volatility
26.95
%
 
31.65
%
 
30.85
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.33
%
 
1.65
%
 
1.82
%
Expected term (years)
6.0
 
6.0
 
6.0
Dividend yield
1.45
%
 
1.06
%
 
1.11
%
Weighted average fair value of options granted
$
21.41

 
$
24.59

 
$
19.86




77
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

Restricted stock awards issued under the Plan vest based upon continued service (time-based) or performance (performance-based) targets.

The following table summarizes activity related to all restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 :
 
Restricted
stock
awards
 
Weighted-average grant-date
fair value
Outstanding, January 2, 2016
460,727

 
$
68.14

Granted
190,092

 
$
91.66

Vested
(218,335
)
 
$
62.98

Forfeited
(26,785
)
 
$
77.91

Outstanding, December 31, 2016
405,699

 
$
81.29


During fiscal 2015 , a total of 352,396 shares of restricted stock vested with a weighted-average fair value of $43.20 per share. During fiscal 2014 , a total of 184,133 shares of restricted stock vested with a weighted-average fair value of $42.24 per share. At December 31, 2016, there was approximately $17.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to all restricted stock awards which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.4 years.

Time-based Restricted Stock Awards

Time-based restricted stock awards vest in equal annual installments or cliff vest after a three- or four-year period. During fiscal years 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , a total of 124,135 shares, 148,396 shares, and 184,133 shares, respectively, of time-based restricted stock vested with a weighted-average fair value of $65.80 per share, $51.67 per share, and $42.24 per share, respectively. At December 31, 2016 , there was approximately $12.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to time-based restricted stock which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.

Performance-based Restricted Stock Awards

Fiscal year
 
Number of shares granted
 
Weighted-average fair value per share
2014
 
61,200

 
$
68.49

2015
 
50,600

 
$
82.40

2016
 
53,070

 
$
90.66


During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 , a total of 94,200 performance shares vested with a weighted-average fair value of $59.27 per share. As of December 31, 2016 , a total of 151,810 performance shares were unvested with a weighted-average fair value of $80.47 per share. Vesting of these 151,810 performance shares is based on the performance targets for the shares granted in fiscal 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 . As of December 31, 2016 , there was approximately $4.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to the unvested performance-based restricted stock awards which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.

The Company estimates that all of the performance targets will be fully achieved and is recognizing compensation cost ratably over the applicable performance periods based on estimated achievement at the end of each reporting period.


Stock Awards

Included in restricted stock awards are grants to non-management members of the Company's Board of Directors. At issuance, these awards were fully vested and issued as shares of the Company's common stock. During fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, such awards were as follows:

78
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
Number of shares issued
 
Fair value per share
 
Aggregate value (in thousands)
2014
14,859
 
$72.72
 
$1,081
2015
10,933
 
$100.21
 
$1,096
2016
12,758
 
$101.10
 
$1,290
The Company received no proceeds from the issuance of these shares.

NOTE 10 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
    
The Company maintains defined contribution plans, a deferred compensation plan, and two defined benefit plans. The two defined benefit plans include the OshKosh B'Gosh pension plan and a post-retirement life and medical plan.

OSHKOSH B'GOSH PENSION PLAN
    
Funded Status

The retirement benefits under the OshKosh B'Gosh pension plan were frozen as of December 31, 2005. A reconciliation of changes in the projected pension benefit obligation and plan assets is as follows:

 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
Change in projected benefit obligation:
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of fiscal year
$
60,375

 
$
63,515

Interest cost
2,515

 
2,493

Actuarial loss (gain)
1,697

 
(3,329
)
Benefits paid
(2,160
)
 
(2,304
)
Projected benefit obligation at end of fiscal year
$
62,427

 
$
60,375

 
 
 
 
Change in plan assets:
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year
$
50,619

 
$
52,484

Actual return on plan assets
2,754

 
439

Benefits paid
(2,160
)
 
(2,304
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year
$
51,213

 
$
50,619

 
 
 
 
Unfunded status
$
11,214

 
$
9,756

 

The accumulated benefit obligation is equal to the projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 because the plan is frozen. The unfunded status is included in other long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not expect to make any contributions to the OshKosh B'Gosh pension plan during fiscal 2017 as the plan's funding exceeds the minimum funding requirements. The actuarial loss incurred in fiscal 2016 was primarily attributable to a lower discount rate. The actuarial gain incurred in fiscal year 2015 was primarily attributable to a higher discount rate.


Net Periodic Pension Cost (Benefit) and Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss

The components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) recognized in the statement of operations and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss were as follows:

79
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
January 3, 2015
Recognized in the statement of operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
$
2,515

 
$
2,493

 
$
2,488

Expected return on plan assets
(2,701
)
 
(3,138
)
 
(3,193
)
Recognized actuarial loss (a)
578

 
643

 
85

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)
$
392

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(620
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss:
Net loss (gain) arising during the fiscal year
$
1,644

 
$
(630
)
 
$
7,968

Amortization of net loss (a)
(578
)
 
(643
)
 
(85
)
Total changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss
$
1,066

 
$
(1,273
)
 
$
7,883

Total net periodic cost (benefit) and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss
$
1,458

 
$
(1,275
)
 
$
7,263


(a) Represents pre-tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss. For fiscal 2017, approximately $0.7 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to a component of net periodic pension cost.

Assumptions

The actuarial computations utilized the following assumptions, using year-end measurement dates:
Benefit obligation
2016
 
2015
 
 
Discount rate
4.00%
 
4.25%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic pension cost
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Discount rate
4.25%
 
4.00%
 
4.75%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets
6.00%
 
6.00%
 
6.50%

The discount rates used at December 31, 2016 , January 2, 2016 , and January 3, 2015 were determined with consideration given to the Citigroup Pension Discount and Liability Index and the Barclay Capital Aggregate AA Bond Index, adjusted for the timing of expected plan distributions. The Company believes these indexes reflect a risk-free rate consistent with a portfolio of high quality debt instruments with maturities that are comparable to the timing of the expected payments under the plan. The expected long-term rate of return assumption considers historic returns adjusted for changes in overall economic conditions that may affect future returns and a weighting of each investment class.
 
A 0.25% change in the assumed discount rate would result in an increase or decrease in the amount of the pension plan's projected benefit obligation of approximately $2.2 million .

The Company currently expects benefit payments for its defined benefit pension plans as follows for the next ten fiscal years;
(dollars in thousands)
 
Fiscal Year
 
2017
$
2,540

2018
$
2,250

2019
$
2,290

2020
$
2,620

2021
$
2,640

2022-2026
$
16,400





80
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


Plan Assets

The Company's investment strategy is to invest in a well-diversified portfolio consisting of approximately 10 mutual funds or group annuity contracts that minimize concentration of risks by utilizing a variety of asset types, fund strategies, and fund managers. The target allocation for plan assets is 40% equity securities, 50% bond funds, and 10% real estate investments. Based on actual returns over a long-term basis, the Company believes that a 6.0% annual return on plan assets can be achieved based on the current allocation and investment strategy.

Equity securities primarily include funds invested in large-cap and mid-cap companies, primarily located in the U.S., with up to 5% of the plan assets invested in international equities. Fixed income securities include funds holding corporate bonds of companies from diverse industries, and U.S. Treasuries. Real estate funds include investments in actively managed mutual funds that invest in real estate.

The fair value of the Company's pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 , by asset category, were as follows:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
January 2, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Asset Category
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
175

 
$
175

 
$
—

 
 
$
149

 
$
149

 
$
—

Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Large-Cap blend (a)
 
8,462

 
4,221

 
4,241

 
 
8,438

 
4,222

 
4,216

U.S. Large-Cap growth
 
4,220

 
4,220

 
—

 
 
4,216

 
4,216

 
—

U.S. Mid-Cap growth
 
2,533

 
—

 
2,533

 
 
2,550

 
—

 
2,550

U.S. Small-Cap blend
 
2,514

 
2,514

 
—

 
 
2,523

 
2,523

 
—

International blend
 
2,569

 
2,569

 
—

 
 
2,523

 
2,523

 
—

Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate bonds (b)
 
25,573

 
25,573

 
—

 
 
25,097

 
25,097

 
—

Real estate (c)
 
5,167

 
5,167

 
—

 
 
5,123

 
5,123

 
—

 
 
$
51,213

 
$
44,439

 
$
6,774

 
 
$
50,619

 
$
43,853

 
$
6,766


(a) This category comprises low-cost equity index funds not actively managed that track the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
(b) This category invests in both U.S. Treasuries and mid-term corporate debt from U.S. issuers from diverse industries.
(c) This category represents an investment in a mutual fund that invests primarily in real estate securities, including common stocks, preferred stock and other equity securities issued by real estate companies.


POST-RETIREMENT LIFE AND MEDICAL PLAN

Under a defined benefit plan frozen in 1991, the Company offers a comprehensive post-retirement medical plan to current and certain future retirees and their spouses. The Company also offers life insurance to current and certain future retirees. Employee contributions are required as a condition of participation for both medical benefits and life insurance and the Company's liabilities are net of these expected employee contributions.

Accumulated Post-Retirement Benefit Obligation

The following is a reconciliation of the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation ("APBO") under this plan:

81
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
APBO at beginning of fiscal year
$
4,938

 
$
5,331

Service cost
123

 
130

Interest cost
177

 
178

Actuarial (gain) loss
(740
)
 
(278
)
Plan participants' contribution
10

 
17

Prior service cost
11

 
—

Benefits paid
(394
)
 
(440
)
Curtailment gain
—

 
—

APBO at end of fiscal year
$
4,125

 
$
4,938


Approximately $3.5 million and $4.3 million of the APBO at the end of fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively, were classified as other long term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.


Net Periodic Post-Retirement Cost (Benefit) and Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss

The components of net periodic post-retirement cost (benefit) recognized in the statement of operations and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss were as follows:
 
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3,
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized in the statement of operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost – benefits attributed to service during the period
 
$
123

 
$
130

 
$
113

Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation
 
177

 
178

 
230

Amortization net actuarial gain (a)
 
(198
)
 
(192
)
 
(206
)
Curtailment gain
 
—

 
—

 
(291
)
Net periodic post-retirement cost (benefit)
 
$
102

 
$
116

 
$
(154
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss:
Net (gain) loss arising during the fiscal year
 
$
(740
)
 
$
(278
)
 
$
32

Prior service cost
 
11

 
—

 
—

Amortization of net gain (a)
 
198

 
192

 
206

Total changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss
 
$
(531
)
 
$
(86
)
 
$
238

Total net periodic (benefit) cost and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss
 
$
(429
)
 
$
30

 
$
84


(a) Represents pre-tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss. For fiscal 2017, approximately $0.2 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss as a credit to periodic net periodic pension cost.


Curtailment

In fiscal 2014, a curtailment gain was recognized as a result of the Company's facility closures, which decreased the number of employees eligible for retiree medical benefits.

Assumptions

The actuarial computations utilized the following assumptions, using year-end measurement dates:

82
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Benefit obligation
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
3.50%
 
3.75%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net periodic pension cost
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
3.75%
 
3.50%
 
4.25%

The discount rates used at December 31, 2016 , January 2, 2016 , and January 3, 2015 , were determined with primary consideration given to the Citigroup Pension Discount and Liability Index adjusted for the timing of expected plan distributions. The Company believes this index reflects a risk-free rate with maturities that are comparable to the timing of the expected payments under the plan.
    
The effects on the Company's plan of all future increases in health care costs are borne primarily by employees; accordingly, increasing medical costs are not expected to have any material effect on the Company's future financial results.

The Company's contribution for these post-retirement benefit obligations was approximately $0.4 million in both of the fiscal years 2016 and 2015, and $0.5 million in fiscal 2014. The Company expects that its contribution and benefit payments for post-retirement benefit obligations will be approximately $0.4 million for each fiscal year between 2017 and 2019, and $0.3 million for both fiscal years 2020 and 2021. For the five years subsequent to fiscal 2021, the aggregate contributions and benefit payments for post-retirement benefit obligations is expected to be approximately $1.4 million . The Company does not pre-fund this plan and as a result there are no plan assets. The measurement date used to determine the post-retirement benefit obligations is as of the end of the fiscal year.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan allowing voluntary salary and incentive compensation deferrals for qualifying employees as permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. Participant deferrals earn investment returns based on a select number of investment options, including equity, debt, and real estate mutual funds. The Company invests comparable amounts in marketable securities to mitigate the risk associated with the investment return on the employee deferrals.

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

The Company also sponsors defined contribution savings plans within the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. plan covers employees who are at least 21 years of age and have completed three months of service, during which at least 250 hours were served. The plan provides for a discretionary employer match. The Company's expense for the U.S. defined contribution savings plan totaled approximately $10.5 million , $12.2 million , and $10.5 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 , January 2, 2016 , and January 3, 2015 , respectively. Expenses related to the Canadian defined contribution savings plan were not material.


NOTE 11 – INCOME TAXES

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:

83
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
January 3, 2015
Current tax provision:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
113,326

 
$
103,316

 
$
88,635

State
11,407

 
10,277

 
9,049

Foreign
11,937

 
8,116

 
6,641

Total current provision
$
136,670

 
$
121,709

 
$
104,325

 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
1,435

 
$
6,577

 
$
5,519

State
345

 
1,193

 
41

Foreign
(486
)
 
887

 
(1,649
)
Total deferred provision
1,294

 
8,657

 
3,911

Total provision
$
137,964

 
$
130,366

 
$
108,236


The foreign portion of the tax position substantially relates to Canada, Hong Kong and China income taxes on the Company's international operations and foreign tax withholdings related to the Company's foreign royalty income. The components of income before income taxes were as follows:
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
January 3, 2015
Domestic
$
345,304

 
$
335,955

 
$
286,177

Foreign
50,766

 
32,233

 
16,729

Total
$
396,070

 
$
368,188

 
$
302,906


EFFECTIVE RATE RECONCILIATION

The difference between the Company's effective income tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate is reconciled below:
 
For the fiscal years ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
January 3, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statutory federal income tax rate
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
2.3
 %
 
2.5
 %
 
2.5
 %
Impact of foreign operations
(2.1
)%
 
(1.3
)%
 
(1.2
)%
Settlement of uncertain tax positions
(0.4
)%
 
(0.8
)%
 
(0.6
)%
Total
34.8
 %
 
35.4
 %
 
35.7
 %

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, as well as separate and combined income tax returns in numerous state and foreign jurisdictions.

The Internal Revenue Service completed an income tax audit for fiscal years 2011- 2013 in the first quarter of 2015. As a result of the settlement of this audit and on ongoing state income tax audit, the Company recognized prior-year income tax benefits of approximately $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2015. In most cases, the Company is no longer subject to state and local tax authority examinations for years prior to fiscal 2012.

DEFERRED TAXES

Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

84
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Assets (Liabilities)
Accounts receivable allowance
$
3,873

 
$
4,394

Inventory
9,226

 
9,019

Accrued liabilities
16,037

 
15,156

Equity-based compensation
9,967

 
10,022

Deferred employee benefits
10,340

 
8,929

Deferred rent
46,685

 
43,616

Other
5,192

 
5,125

Total deferred tax assets
$
101,320

 
$
96,261

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
$
(90,317
)
 
$
(84,610
)
Tradename and licensing agreements
(101,632
)
 
(101,160
)
Other
(4,541
)
 
(5,249
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
$
(196,490
)
 
$
(191,019
)


The net deferred tax liability was classified on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
 
Assets (Liabilities)
Current net deferred tax asset
$
35,486

 
$
34,080

Non-current net deferred tax liability
(130,656
)
 
(128,838
)
Total deferred tax liability
$
(95,170
)
 
$
(94,758
)

The Company has not provided deferred taxes on undistributed earnings from its foreign subsidiaries, as the Company anticipates that these earnings will be reinvested indefinitely. Undistributed earnings from the Company's foreign subsidiaries at December 31, 2016 amounted to approximately $137.5 million . These earnings have been reinvested in foreign operations and the Company does not currently plan to initiate any action that would result in these earnings being repatriated to the U.S. Because of the availability of foreign tax credits, it is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings were not reinvested indefinitely.

UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS    

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits:

85
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance at December 28, 2013
$
11,182

Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2014
2,572

Additions for prior year tax positions
(471
)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations
(1,536
)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements
(436
)
Balance at January 3, 2015
$
11,311

Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2015
2,840

Reductions for prior year tax positions
(260
)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations
(1,427
)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements
(3,049
)
Balance at January 2, 2016
$
9,415

Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2016
2,849

Reductions for prior year tax positions
(39
)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations
(995
)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements
(693
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
10,537


As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $10.5 million , of which $7.5 million , if ultimately recognized, will affect the Company's effective tax rate in the period 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.  Because of deferred tax accounting, changes in the timing of these deductions would not affect the annual effective tax rate, but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authorities.

Included in the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits are approximately $1.5 million of reserves for which the statute of limitations is expected to expire within the next fiscal year.  If these tax benefits are ultimately recognized, such recognition, net of federal income taxes, may affect the annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2017 and the effective tax rate in the quarter in which the benefits are recognized. 

The Company recognizes interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  During fiscal 2016, 2015, and 2014, interest expense recorded on uncertain tax positions was not significant. The Company had approximately $0.8 million of interest accrued on uncertain tax positions as of both December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 .
    
NOTE 12 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

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

86
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
For the fiscal years ended
 
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3,
2015
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic number of common shares outstanding
49,917,858

 
51,835,053

 
52,614,425

Dilutive effect of equity awards
457,849

 
499,583

 
479,114

Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
50,375,707

 
52,334,636

 
53,093,539

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
258,106

 
$
237,822

 
$
194,670

Income allocated to participating securities
(2,049
)
 
(2,184
)
 
(2,586
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
256,057

 
$
235,638

 
$
192,084

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per common share
$
5.13

 
$
4.55

 
$
3.65

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
258,106

 
$
237,822

 
$
194,670

Income allocated to participating securities
(2,035
)
 
(2,167
)
 
(2,568
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
256,071

 
$
235,655

 
$
192,102

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income per common share
$
5.08

 
$
4.50

 
$
3.62

 
 
 
 
 
 
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from dilutive earnings per share calculations (1)
247,460

 
192,740

 
230,150

(1) The volume of antidilutive shares is, in part, due to the related unamortized compensation costs.

The Company grants shares of its common stock in the form of restricted stock awards to certain key employees under the Company's Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (see Note 8). Prior to vesting of the restricted stock awards, the grant recipients are entitled to receive non-forfeitable cash dividends if the Company's board of directors declares and pays dividends on the Company's common stock. Accordingly, unvested shares of the Company's restricted stock awards are deemed to be participating securities for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share (EPS), and therefore the Company's diluted EPS represent the lower of the amounts calculated under the treasury stock method or the two-class method of calculating diluted EPS.


NOTE 13 – SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
The Company reports segment information based upon a "management approach." The management approach refers to the internal reporting that is used by management for making operating decisions and assessing the performance of the Company's reportable segments. The Company reports its corporate expenses separately as they are not included in the internal measures of segment operating performance used by the Company to measure the underlying performance of its reportable segments.

Segment results include the direct costs of each segment and all other costs are allocated based upon detailed estimates and analysis of actual time and expenses incurred to support the operations of each segment or units produced or sourced to support each segment's revenue. Certain costs, including incentive compensation for certain employees, and various other general corporate costs that are not specifically allocable to segments, are included in corporate expenses below. Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at cost and are treated as a transfer of inventory. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . The Company's reportable segments for fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014 were Carter's Wholesale, Carter’s Retail, OshKosh Retail, OshKosh Wholesale, and International.

87
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)



The table below presents certain segment information for the periods indicated:
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2016
 
% of
Total
 
January 2,
2016
 
% of
Total
 
January 3,
2015
 
% of Total
Net sales :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carter’s Retail (a)
$
1,254,140

 
39.2
%
 
$
1,151,268

 
38.2
%
 
$
1,087,165

 
37.6
%
Carter’s Wholesale
1,128,371

 
35.3
%
 
1,107,706

 
36.8
%
 
1,081,888

 
37.4
%
Total Carter’s
2,382,511

 
74.5
%
 
2,258,974

 
75.0
%
 
2,169,053

 
75.0
%
OshKosh Retail (a)    
402,274

 
12.6
%
 
363,087

 
12.0
%
 
335,140

 
11.6
%
OshKosh Wholesale
49,663

 
1.6
%
 
65,607

 
2.2
%
 
73,201

 
2.5
%
Total OshKosh
451,937

 
14.2
%
 
428,694

 
14.2
%
 
408,341

 
14.1
%
International (b)     
364,736

 
11.3
%
 
326,211

 
10.8
%
 
316,474

 
10.9
%
Total net sales
$
3,199,184

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,013,879

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,893,868

 
100.0
%
Operating income :
 
 
% of
segment
net sales
 
 
 
% of
segment
net sales
 
 
 
% of
segment
net sales
Carter’s Retail (a)
$
202,164

 
16.1
%
 
$
199,040

 
17.3
%
 
$
211,297

 
19.4
%
Carter’s Wholesale
250,132

 
22.2
%
 
232,497

 
21.0
%
 
185,463

 
17.1
%
Total Carter’s
452,296

 
19.0
%
 
431,537

 
19.1
%
 
396,760

 
18.3
%
OshKosh Retail (a)    
10,417

 
2.6
%
 
11,931

 
3.3
%
 
8,210

 
2.4
%
OshKosh Wholesale
10,821

 
21.8
%
 
13,270

 
20.2
%
 
8,842

 
12.1
%
Total OshKosh
21,238

 
4.7
%
 
25,201

 
5.9
%
 
17,052

 
4.2
%
International (b) (c)    
59,194

 
16.2
%
 
47,004

 
14.4
%
 
39,470

 
12.5
%
Corporate expenses (d) (e)
(106,170
)
 
 
 
(110,885
)
 
 
 
(119,937
)
 
 
Total operating income
$
426,558

 
13.3
%
 
$
392,857

 
13.0
%
 
$
333,345

 
11.5
%

(a)
Includes eCommerce results.
(b)
Net sales include international retail, eCommerce, and wholesale sales. Operating income includes international licensing income.
(c)
Includes the following charges:
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in millions)
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3,
2015
Revaluation of contingent consideration
$
—

 
$
1.9

 
$
1.3

Exit from Japan retail operations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
0.5

 
(d)
Corporate expenses include expenses related to incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, executive management, severance and relocation, finance, building occupancy, information technology, certain legal fees, consulting, and audit fees.
(e) Includes the following charges:
 
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in millions)
 
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
 
January 3,
2015
Office consolidation costs
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
6.6

Amortization of H.W. Carter and Sons tradenames
 
$
1.7

 
$
6.2

 
$
16.4

Closure of distribution facility in Hogansville, GA (1)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
0.9

Direct sourcing initiative
 
$
0.7

 
$
—

 
$
—

Acquisition-related costs
 
$
2.4

 
$
—

 
$
—


(1) Continuing operating costs associated with the closure of the Company's distribution facility in Hogansville, Georgia.


88
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)



ADDITIONAL DATA BY SEGMENT

Inventory

The table below represents inventory by segment:
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2016
 
January 2,
2016
Carter's Wholesale
$
278,664

 
$
271,117

Carter's Retail
81,505

 
68,694

OshKosh Retail
17,496

 
31,136

OshKosh Wholesale
49,773

 
50,027

International
60,153

 
48,960

     Total
$
487,591

 
$
469,934


Wholesale inventories include inventory produced and warehoused for the retail segment.

The table below represents consolidated net sales by product:

 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)
 
January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
Baby
$
1,241,701

 
$
1,173,002

 
$
1,107,973

Playclothes
1,215,238

 
1,182,281

 
1,146,797

Sleepwear
407,160

 
378,419

 
381,574

Other (a)
335,085

 
280,177

 
257,524

Total net sales
$
3,199,184

 
$
3,013,879

 
$
2,893,868


(a) Other product offerings include bedding, outwear, swimwear, shoes, socks, diaper bags, gift sets, toys, and hair accessories.



GEOGRAPHICAL DATA

Revenue

The Company's international sales principally represent sales to customers in Canada. Such sales were 66.5% and 65.6% of total international sales in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

The following represents property, plant, and equipment, net, by geographic area:
 
For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
United States
$
349,877

 
$
342,354

International
35,997

 
29,350

     Total
$
385,874

 
$
371,704


Long-lived assets in the international segment relate principally to Canada. Long-lived assets in Canada were 91.5% and 89.5% of total international long-lived assets at the end of fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.


89
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)



NOTE 14 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
January 2, 2016
(dollars in millions)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
$
12.3

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
$
8.6

 
$
—

 
$
—

Foreign exchange forward contracts (1)
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
$
—

 
$
2.1

 
$
—

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

INVESTMENTS

The Company invests in marketable securities, principally equity based mutual funds, to mitigate the risk associated with the investment return on employee deferrals of compensation. All of the marketable securities purchased are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Gains on the investments in marketable securities were $0.9 million for fiscal 2016, and were not material for fiscal 2015.

The fair value of the Company's pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 , by asset category, are disclosed in Note 10, Employee Benefits Plans , to these consolidated financial statements.


FOREIGN EXCHANGE FORWARD CONTRACTS

Fair values of any unsettled foreign exchange forward contracts are calculated by using readily observable market inputs (market-quoted currency exchange rates in effect between U.S. and Canadian dollars) and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Any unsettled foreign exchange forward contracts are included in other current assets or other current liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at the end of each fiscal reporting period.

At December 31, 2016 , there were no open foreign exchange forward contracts. At the end of fiscal 2015, the notional value of the open foreign currency forward contracts was approximately $59.0 million .

For foreign exchange forward contracts, the Company recorded realized losses of approximately $3.2 million for fiscal 2016. During fiscal 2015, the Company recorded unrealized gains of approximately $2.1 million related to the mark-to-market adjustments, and realized gains of approximately $3.1 million for contracts settled. These amounts are included in other expense (income), net on the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

During fiscal 2014, the Company did not utilize foreign exchange contracts.


BORROWINGS

As of December 31, 2016 , the fair value of the Company's $185.0 million in borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility approximated carrying value.

The fair value of the Company's senior notes at December 31, 2016 was approximately $416 million . The fair value of these senior notes with a notional value and carrying value (gross of debt issuance costs) of $400 million was estimated using a quoted price as provided in the secondary market, which considers the Company's credit risk and market related conditions, and is therefore within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

NOTE 15 – OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other current liabilities that exceeded five percent of total current liabilities (at the end of either fiscal year) consisted of the
following:

90
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation
$
16,834

 
$
17,934

Accrued employee benefits
17,165

 
19,751

Accrued and deferred rent
15,632

 
12,590

    


Other long-term liabilities that exceeded five percent of total liabilities (at the end of either fiscal year) consisted of the
following:
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
January 2, 2016
Deferred lease incentives
$
74,015

 
$
70,060



NOTE 16 – LEASE COMMITMENTS

Rent expense under operating leases (including properties and computer and office equipment) was approximately $150.6 million , $136.6 million , and $123.6 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 , January 2, 2016 , and January 3, 2015 , respectively.

Minimum annual rental commitments under current noncancellable operating leases, as of December 31, 2016 , substantially all of which relate to leased real estate, were as follows:
Fiscal Year
Operating Leases
2017
$
168,196

2018
161,073

2019
148,086

2020
135,174

2021
121,468

Thereafter
379,712

    Total
$
1,113,709


Amounts related to property include leases on retail stores as well as various corporate offices, distribution facilities, and other premises. The majority of the Company's lease terms range between 5 and 10 years.


NOTE 17 – 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 effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

The Company's contractual obligations and commitments also include obligations associated with leases, the secured revolving credit agreement, senior notes, employee benefit plans, and facility consolidations/closures as disclosed elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.


NOTE 18 – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

91
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


Information regarding accounts receivable is as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
Wholesale accounts receivable reserves
 
Wholesale sales returns reserves
 
Total
Balance at December 28, 2013
$
9,308

 
$
400

 
$
9,708

  Additional provisions
9,919

 
715

 
10,634

  Charges to reserve
(7,419
)
 
(715
)
 
(8,134
)
Balance at January 3, 2015
$
11,808

 
$
400

 
$
12,208

  Additional provisions
4,170

 
264

 
4,434

  Charges to reserve
(7,435
)
 
(264
)
 
(7,699
)
Balance at January 2, 2016
$
8,543

 
$
400

 
$
8,943

  Additional provisions
6,088

 
—

 
6,088

  Charges to reserve
(5,879
)
 
(400
)
 
(6,279
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
8,752

 
$
—

 
$
8,752


NOTE 19 – UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The unaudited summarized financial data by quarter for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 is presented in the table below:
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Quarter 1
 
Quarter 2
 
Quarter 3
 
Quarter 4
Fiscal 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
724,085

 
$
639,471

 
$
901,425

 
$
934,203

Gross profit
310,929

 
282,182

 
375,546

 
410,492

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
228,996

 
228,464

 
255,322

 
282,624

Royalty income
(11,075
)
 
(9,525
)
 
(10,670
)
 
(11,545
)
Operating income
93,008

 
63,243

 
130,894

 
139,413

Net income
53,980

 
36,198

 
80,811

 
87,117

Basic net income per common share (1)
1.05

 
0.72

 
1.62

 
1.77

Diluted net income per common share (1)
1.04

 
0.71

 
1.60

 
1.76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
684,764

 
$
612,765

 
$
849,806

 
$
866,544

Gross profit
284,052

 
262,895

 
347,539

 
363,538

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
211,183

 
209,296

 
230,017

 
258,737

Royalty income
(11,636
)
 
(8,353
)
 
(12,699
)
 
(11,378
)
Operating income
84,505

 
61,952

 
130,221

 
116,179

Net income
49,792

 
36,105

 
79,326

 
72,599

Basic net income per common share (1)
0.94

 
0.69

 
1.52

 
1.40

Diluted net income per common share (1)
0.94

 
0.68

 
1.51

 
1.39


(1) May not be additive to the net income per common share amounts for the fiscal year due to the calculation provision of ASC 260, Earnings Per Share .






92


NOTE 20 – GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s senior notes constitute debt obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, The William Carter Company ("TWCC" or the "Subsidiary Issuer"), are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter’s, Inc. (the "Parent"), by each of the Parent's current domestic subsidiaries (other than TWCC), and, subject to certain exceptions, future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee the Company’s amended revolving credit facility or certain other debt of the Company or the subsidiary guarantors. Under specific customary conditions, the guarantees are not full and unconditional because subsidiary guarantors can be released and relieved of their obligations under customary circumstances contained in the indenture governing the senior notes. These circumstances include among others the following, so long as other applicable provisions of the indentures are adhered to: any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any subsidiary guarantor, any sale or other disposition of capital stock of any subsidiary guarantor, or designation of any restricted subsidiary that is a subsidiary guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary.
The condensed consolidating financial information for the Parent, the Subsidiary Issuer, and the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries has been prepared from the books and records maintained by the Company. The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows, had the Parent, Subsidiary Issuer, guarantor or non-guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities.
Intercompany revenues and expenses included in the subsidiary records are eliminated in consolidation. As a result of this activity, an amount due to/due from affiliates will exist at any time. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. The Company has accounted for investments in subsidiaries under the equity method. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by the Parent and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional.
In December 2015, as part of a foreign subsidiary restructuring, certain non-guarantor subsidiaries became subsidiaries of certain other non-guarantor subsidiaries. The restructuring did not retroactively impact the prior status of the guarantor and the non-guarantor subsidiaries, and accordingly the condensed consolidating financial information for periods prior to the restructuring have not been adjusted to reflect the restructuring.




93
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
—

 
$
229,056

 
$
11,817

 
$
58,485

 
$
—

 
$
299,358

Accounts receivable, net
—

 
176,825

 
18,315

 
7,331

 
—

 
202,471

Intercompany receivable
—

 
55,902

 
74,681

 
14,601

 
(145,184
)
 
—

Finished goods inventories
—

 
278,696

 
174,542

 
60,153

 
(25,800
)
 
487,591

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
—

 
11,402

 
16,028

 
4,750

 
—

 
32,180

Deferred income taxes
—

 
18,476

 
15,440

 
1,570

 
—

 
35,486

Total current assets
—

 
770,357

 
310,823

 
146,890

 
(170,984
)
 
1,057,086

Property, plant, and equipment, net
—

 
155,187

 
194,691

 
35,996

 
—

 
385,874

Goodwill
—

 
136,570

 
—

 
39,439

 
—

 
176,009

Tradenames and other intangibles, net
—

 
223,428

 
85,500

 
—

 
—

 
308,928

Other assets
—

 
17,771

 
605

 
324

 
—

 
18,700

Intercompany long-term receivable
—

 
—

 
428,436

 
—

 
(428,436
)
 
—

Intercompany long-term note receivable
—

 
100,000

 
—

 
—

 
(100,000
)
 
—

Investment in subsidiaries
788,124

 
753,753

 
145,076

 
—

 
(1,686,953
)
 
—

Total assets
$
788,124

 
$
2,157,066

 
$
1,165,131

 
$
222,649

 
$
(2,386,373
)
 
$
1,946,597

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
—

 
$
97,103

 
$
41,947

 
$
19,382

 
$
—

 
$
158,432

Intercompany payables
—

 
85,894

 
55,257

 
4,033

 
(145,184
)
 
—

Other current liabilities
—

 
16,473

 
90,718

 
11,986

 
—

 
119,177

Total current liabilities
—

 
199,470

 
187,922

 
35,401

 
(145,184
)
 
277,609

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
—

 
561,399

 
—

 
18,977

 
—

 
580,376

Deferred income taxes
—

 
87,116

 
43,540

 
—

 
—

 
130,656

Intercompany long-term liability
—

 
428,436

 
—

 
—

 
(428,436
)
 
—

Intercompany long-term note payable
—

 
—

 
100,000

 
—

 
(100,000
)
 
—

Other long-term liabilities
—

 
66,721

 
89,252

 
13,859

 
—

 
169,832

Stockholders' equity
788,124

 
813,924

 
744,417

 
154,412

 
(1,712,753
)
 
788,124

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
788,124

 
$
2,157,066

 
$
1,165,131

 
$
222,649

 
$
(2,386,373
)
 
$
1,946,597



CARTER’S, INC.

94
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of January 2, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
—

 
$
325,771

 
$
14,652

 
$
40,786

 
$
—

 
$
381,209

Accounts receivable, net
—

 
178,842

 
23,980

 
4,748

 
—

 
207,570

Intercompany receivable
—

 
52,676

 
133,092

 
3,317

 
(189,085
)
 
—

Finished goods inventories
—

 
271,148

 
184,618

 
48,960

 
(34,792
)
 
469,934

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
—

 
17,460

 
14,261

 
6,094

 
—

 
37,815

Deferred income taxes
—

 
19,502

 
13,544

 
1,034

 
—

 
34,080

Total current assets
—

 
865,399

 
384,147

 
104,939

 
(223,877
)
 
1,130,608

Property, plant, and equipment, net
—

 
162,031

 
180,322

 
29,351

 
—

 
371,704

Goodwill
—

 
136,570

 
—

 
38,304

 
—

 
174,874

Tradenames and other intangibles, net
—

 
225,348

 
85,500

 
—

 
—

 
310,848

Other assets
—

 
14,634

 
665

 
321

 
—

 
15,620

Intercompany long-term receivable
—

 
—

 
294,070

 
—

 
(294,070
)
 
—

Intercompany long-term note receivable
—

 
100,000

 
—

 
—

 
(100,000
)
 
—

Investment in subsidiaries
875,051

 
652,598

 
100,146

 
—

 
(1,627,795
)
 
—

Total assets
$
875,051

 
$
2,156,580

 
$
1,044,850

 
$
172,915

 
$
(2,245,742
)
 
$
2,003,654

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
—

 
$
93,585

 
$
44,951

 
$
19,112

 
$
—

 
$
157,648

Intercompany payables
—

 
134,694

 
51,362

 
3,029

 
(189,085
)
 
—

Other current liabilities
—

 
12,996

 
80,908

 
11,166

 
—

 
105,070

Total current liabilities
—

 
241,275

 
177,221

 
33,307

 
(189,085
)
 
262,718

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Long-term debt
—

 
560,541

 
—

 
18,431

 
—

 
578,972

Deferred income taxes
—

 
84,038

 
44,800

 
—

 
—

 
128,838

Intercompany long-term liability
—

 
294,070

 
—

 
—

 
(294,070
)
 
—

Intercompany long-term note payable
—

 
—

 
100,000

 
—

 
(100,000
)
 
—

Other long-term liabilities
—

 
66,813

 
79,568

 
11,694

 
—

 
158,075

Stockholders' equity
875,051

 
909,843

 
643,261

 
109,483

 
(1,662,587
)
 
875,051

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
875,051

 
$
2,156,580

 
$
1,044,850

 
$
172,915

 
$
(2,245,742
)
 
$
2,003,654



95
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)

 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Net sales
 
$
—

 
$
1,881,919

 
$
1,762,882

 
$
300,533

 
$
(746,150
)
 
$
3,199,184

Cost of goods sold
 
—

 
1,358,209

 
1,033,403

 
155,571

 
(727,148
)
 
1,820,035

Gross profit
 
—

 
523,710

 
729,479

 
144,962

 
(19,002
)
 
1,379,149

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
—

 
177,605

 
753,874

 
101,494

 
(37,567
)
 
995,406

Royalty income
 
—

 
(32,728
)
 
(19,660
)
 
—

 
9,573

 
(42,815
)
Operating income (loss)
 
—

 
378,833

 
(4,735
)
 
43,468

 
8,992

 
426,558

Interest expense
 
—

 
26,475

 
5,435

 
442

 
(5,308
)
 
27,044

Interest income
 
—

 
(5,756
)
 
—

 
(115
)
 
5,308

 
(563
)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries
 
(258,106
)
 
4,413

 
(29,306
)
 
—

 
282,999

 
—

Other (income) expense, net
 
—

 
(383
)
 
482

 
3,908

 
—

 
4,007

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
258,106

 
354,084

 
18,654

 
39,233

 
(274,007
)
 
396,070

Provision for income taxes
 
—

 
104,970

 
23,067

 
9,927

 
—

 
137,964

Net income (loss)
 
$
258,106

 
$
249,114

 
$
(4,413
)
 
$
29,306

 
$
(274,007
)
 
$
258,106

























96
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016
(dollars in thousands)


 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Net sales
 
$
—

 
$
1,813,950

 
$
1,639,826

 
$
246,158

 
$
(686,055
)
 
$
3,013,879

Cost of goods sold
 
—

 
1,286,411

 
989,284

 
136,317

 
(656,157
)
 
1,755,855

Gross profit
 
—

 
527,539

 
650,542

 
109,841

 
(29,898
)
 
1,258,024

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
—

 
181,150

 
679,532

 
88,257

 
(39,706
)
 
909,233

Royalty income
 
—

 
(32,978
)
 
(19,414
)
 
—

 
8,326

 
(44,066
)
Operating income (loss)
 
—

 
379,367

 
(9,576
)
 
21,584

 
1,482

 
392,857

Interest expense
 
—

 
26,550

 
5,331

 
557

 
(5,407
)
 
27,031

Interest income
 
—

 
(5,826
)
 
—

 
(81
)
 
5,407

 
(500
)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries
 
(237,822
)
 
19,775

 
(9,742
)
 
—

 
227,789

 
—

Other (income) expense, net
 
—

 
(6
)
 
(60
)
 
(1,796
)
 
—

 
(1,862
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
237,822

 
338,874

 
(5,105
)
 
22,904

 
(226,307
)
 
368,188

Provision for income taxes
 
—

 
102,534

 
20,590

 
7,242

 
—

 
130,366

Net income (loss)
 
$
237,822

 
$
236,340

 
$
(25,695
)
 
$
15,662

 
$
(226,307
)
 
$
237,822




























97
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015
(dollars in thousands)


 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Net sales
 
$
—

 
$
1,770,238

 
$
1,564,717

 
$
241,191

 
$
(682,278
)
 
$
2,893,868

Cost of goods sold
 
—

 
1,271,260

 
936,260

 
138,838

 
(636,930
)
 
1,709,428

Gross profit
 
—

 
498,978

 
628,457

 
102,353

 
(45,348
)
 
1,184,440

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
—

 
203,371

 
646,728

 
91,521

 
(51,369
)
 
890,251

Royalty income
 
—

 
(30,741
)
 
(18,896
)
 
—

 
10,481

 
(39,156
)
Operating income (loss)
 
—

 
326,348

 
625

 
10,832

 
(4,460
)
 
333,345

Interest expense
 
—

 
27,651

 
5,310

 
343

 
(5,651
)
 
27,653

Interest income
 
—

 
(5,998
)
 
—

 
(56
)
 
5,651

 
(403
)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries
 
(194,670
)
 
20,226

 
(15,050
)
 
—

 
189,494

 
—

Other (income) expense, net
 
—

 
(235
)
 
2,263

 
1,161

 
—

 
3,189

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
194,670

 
284,704

 
8,102

 
9,384

 
(193,954
)
 
302,906

Provision for income taxes
 
—

 
85,574

 
19,441

 
3,221

 
—

 
108,236

Net income (loss)
 
$
194,670

 
$
199,130

 
$
(11,339
)
 
$
6,163

 
$
(193,954
)
 
$
194,670




98
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)

 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Net income (loss)
 
$
258,106

 
$
249,114

 
$
(4,413
)
 
$
29,306

 
$
(274,007
)
 
$
258,106

Post-retirement benefit plans
 
(335
)
 
(335
)
 
(666
)
 
—

 
1,001

 
(335
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
1,962

 
1,962

 
1,962

 
1,962

 
(5,886
)
 
1,962

Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
259,733

 
$
250,741

 
$
(3,117
)
 
$
31,268

 
$
(278,892
)
 
$
259,733


 
For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016
(dollars in thousands)

 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Net income (loss)
 
$
237,822

 
$
236,340

 
$
(25,695
)
 
$
15,662

 
$
(226,307
)
 
$
237,822

Post-retirement benefit plans
 
859

 
859

 
803

 
—

 
(1,662
)
 
859

Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(14,189
)
 
(14,189
)
 
(29,574
)
 
(14,189
)
 
57,952

 
(14,189
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
224,492

 
$
223,010

 
$
(54,466
)
 
$
1,473

 
$
(170,017
)
 
$
224,492

 

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015
(dollars in thousands)

 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Net income (loss)
 
$
194,670

 
$
199,130

 
$
(11,339
)
 
$
6,163

 
$
(193,954
)
 
$
194,670

Post-retirement benefit plans
 
(5,110
)
 
(5,110
)
 
(4,963
)
 
—

 
10,073

 
(5,110
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(7,845
)
 
(7,845
)
 
(251
)
 
(7,845
)
 
15,941

 
(7,845
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
181,715

 
$
186,175

 
$
(16,553
)
 
$
(1,682
)
 
$
(167,940
)
 
$
181,715




99
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
$
—

 
$
206,843

 
$
127,018

 
$
35,368

 
$
—

 
$
369,229

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
—

 
(22,934
)
 
(55,072
)
 
(10,550
)
 
—

 
(88,556
)
Intercompany investing activity
 
368,307

 
480

 
(2,118
)
 
131

 
(366,800
)
 
—

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
 
—

 
23

 
—

 
193

 
—

 
216

Net cash provided by(used in) investing activities
 
$
368,307

 
$
(22,431
)
 
$
(57,190
)
 
$
(10,226
)
 
$
(366,800
)
 
$
(88,340
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intercompany financing activity
 
—

 
(283,909
)
 
(74,681
)
 
(8,210
)
 
366,800

 
—

Dividends paid
 
(66,355
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(66,355
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(300,445
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(300,445
)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
 
—

 
2,782

 
2,018

 
—

 
—

 
4,800

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock
 
(8,673
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(8,673
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
7,166

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,166

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(368,307
)
 
(281,127
)
 
(72,663
)
 
(8,210
)
 
366,800

 
(363,507
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
767

 
—

 
767

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
—

 
(96,715
)
 
(2,835
)
 
17,699

 
—

 
(81,851
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year
 
—

 
325,771

 
14,652

 
40,786

 
—

 
381,209

Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year
 
$
—

 
$
229,056

 
$
11,817

 
$
58,485

 
$
—

 
$
299,358












100
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
$
—

 
$
148,656

 
$
115,589

 
$
43,742

 
$
—

 
$
307,987

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
—

 
(27,813
)
 
(64,707
)
 
(10,977
)
 
—

 
(103,497
)
Intercompany investing activity
 
161,993

 
5,642

 
(2,735
)
 
(8,582
)
 
(156,318
)
 
—

Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan
 
—

 
35,000

 
—

 
—

 
(35,000
)
 
—

Issuance of intercompany loan
 
—

 
(15,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
15,000

 
—

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
 
—

 
65

 
—

 
7

 
—

 
72

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
$
161,993

 
$
(2,106
)
 
$
(67,442
)
 
$
(19,552
)
 
$
(176,318
)
 
$
(103,425
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intercompany financing activity
 
—

 
(108,761
)
 
(46,672
)
 
(885
)
 
156,318

 
—

Repayment of intercompany loan
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(35,000
)
 
35,000

 
—

Proceeds from intercompany loan
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
15,000

 
(15,000
)
 
—

Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility
 
—

 
166,000

 
—

 
39,586

 
—

 
205,586

Payments on secured revolving credit facility
 
—

 
(186,000
)
 
—

 
(19,237
)
 
—

 
(205,237
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
 
—

 
(1,628
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,628
)
Payment of contingent consideration
 
—

 
(7,572
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(7,572
)
Dividends paid
 
(46,028
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(46,028
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(110,290
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(110,290
)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
 
—

 
6,104

 
2,735

 
—

 
—

 
8,839

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock
 
(12,651
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(12,651
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
6,976

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,976

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(161,993
)
 
(131,857
)
 
(43,937
)
 
(536
)
 
176,318

 
(162,005
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,986
)
 
—

 
(1,986
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
—

 
14,693

 
4,210

 
21,668

 
—

 
40,571

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year
 
—

 
311,078

 
10,442

 
19,118

 
—

 
340,638

Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year
 
$
—

 
$
325,771

 
$
14,652

 
$
40,786

 
$
—

 
$
381,209


101
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


CARTER’S, INC.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015
(dollars in thousands)

 
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuer
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
$
—

 
$
189,945

 
$
83,439

 
$
9,013

 
$
—

 
$
282,397

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
—

 
(45,868
)
 
(46,694
)
 
(10,891
)
 
—

 
(103,453
)
Intercompany investing activity
 
118,060

 
15,864

 
(2,445
)
 
(8,901
)
 
(122,578
)
 
—

Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan
 
—

 
15,000

 
—

 
—

 
(15,000
)
 
—

Issuance of intercompany loan
 
—

 
(35,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
35,000

 
—

Acquisition of tradenames
 
—

 
(3,550
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,550
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
 
—

 
2,267

 
—

 
4

 
—

 
2,271

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
$
118,060

 
$
(51,287
)
 
$
(49,139
)
 
$
(19,788
)
 
$
(102,578
)
 
(104,732
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intercompany financing activity
 
—

 
(99,018
)
 
(26,302
)
 
2,742

 
122,578

 
—

Proceeds from intercompany loan
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(15,000
)
 
15,000

 
—

Repayment of intercompany loan
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
35,000

 
(35,000
)
 
—

Payment of debt issuance costs
 
—

 
(177
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(177
)
Payment of contingent consideration
 
—

 
(8,901
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(8,901
)
Dividends paid
 
(40,477
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(40,477
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(82,099
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(82,099
)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
 
—

 
2,256

 
2,444

 
—

 
—

 
4,700

Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock
 
(4,548
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(4,548
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
9,064

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
9,064

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(118,060
)
 
(105,840
)
 
(23,858
)
 
22,742

 
102,578

 
(122,438
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,135
)
 
—

 
(1,135
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
—

 
32,818

 
10,442

 
10,832

 
—

 
54,092

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year
 
—

 
278,260

 
—

 
8,286

 
—

 
286,546

Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year
 
$
—

 
$
311,078

 
$
10,442

 
$
19,118

 
$
—

 
$
340,638



102
CARTER’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


NOTE 21 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Segments

At the beginning of fiscal 2017, the Company combined four of its prior U.S. operating segments into two new operating segments to align with how the Company's executive management currently views and manages the business. Carter's Retail and OshKosh Retail were combined into a single U.S. Retail operating segment, and Carter's Wholesale and OshKosh Wholesale were combined into a single U.S. Wholesale operating segment. The Company's International segment was not affected by these changes. The Company's reportable segments at the beginning of fiscal 2017 are U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International.


Business Acquisition

On February 22, 2017, the Company purchased all of the outstanding equity of Skip Hop Holding's, Inc. ("Skip Hop") for a total purchase price of $140 million in cash consideration, subject to a working capital adjustment, plus a potential future payment of up to $10 million contingent upon the achievement of certain fiscal targets in 2017, as outlined in the purchase agreement.  


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. 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 (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2016 .

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

•
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

•
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

•
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


103

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 . In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework . Based on this assessment, management has concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016 .

The effectiveness of Carter's, Inc. and its subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has issued an attestation report on Carter's, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting containing the required disclosures, which appears herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company successfully finished testing related to the Company's completed replacement of a financial information system used to process and record certain of the Company's financial transactions.

There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016  that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



104

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.


PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information called for by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Carter's, Inc. scheduled to be held on May 17, 2017. We intend to file such definitive proxy statement with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information called for by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive proxy statement referenced above in Item 10.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information about our equity compensation plan as of our most recent fiscal year end:

Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in first column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
1,441,210

 
$
52.7

 
1,625,371

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
—

 
—

 
—

Total
1,441,210

 
$
52.7

 
1,625,371


(1)
Represents stock options that are outstanding or that are available for future issuance pursuant to the Carter's, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan.

Additional information called for by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive proxy statement referenced above in Item 10.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information called for by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive proxy statement referenced above in Item 10.


105

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information called for by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive proxy statement referenced above in Item 10.

106

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
  
 
 
 
Page
(A)
1.
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015
 
 
 
2.
Financial Statement Schedules: None
 
 
 
 
 
(B)
 
Exhibits:
 





















107

Exhibit Number
Description of Exhibits
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Carter's, Inc., as amended on October 29, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2015.
3.2
Amended and Restated By-laws of Carter's, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2015.
4.1
Specimen Certificate of Common Stock. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-98679) filed on October 10, 2003.
4.2
Indenture, dated August 12, 2013, by and among The William Carter Company, certain guarantors party thereto from time to time, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Incorporated by reference to Carter’s, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2013.
4.3
First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 25, 2014, by and among The William Carter Company, certain guarantors party thereto from time to time, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. Incorporated by reference to Carter’s, Inc.'s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 27, 2014.
10.1
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2015, among The William Carter Company, as U.S. Borrower, The Genuine Canada Corp., as Canadian Borrower, Carter’s Holdings B.V., as Dutch Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, U.S. Dollar Facility swing Line Lender, U.S. Dollar Facility L/C Issuer and Collateral Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Toronto Branch, as Canadian Agent, a Multicurrency Facility swing Line Lender and a Multicurrency Facility L/A Issuer, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as European Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch, as a Multicurrency Facility swing Line Lender and a Multicurrency Facility L/C Issuer, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and certain other lenders party thereto. Incorporated by reference to Carter’s, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2015.

10.2 *
Form of Severance Agreement entered into from time to time between The William Carter Company and executive officers. Incorporated by reference to Carter’s Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2015.

10.3 *
Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Schedule 14A filed on March 31, 2016.

10.4 *
Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Schedule 14A filed on March 31, 2016.
10.5 *
The William Carter Company Severance Plan, dated as of March 1, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2011.

10.6 *
The William Carter Company Deferred Compensation Plan, dated as of November 10, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2011.

10.7
Lease Agreement dated March 29, 2012 between The William Carter Company and Duke Secured Financing 2009-1 ALZ, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 27, 2012.

10.8
Lease Agreement dated December 14, 2012 between The William Carter Company and Phipps Tower Associates, LLC. & Lease Termination Agreement dated December 14, 2012 between The William Carter Company and John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.). Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2012.

10.9
Phipps Tower Lease - Second Amendment dated June 17, 2013 Incorporated by reference to Carter's, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 26, 2013.

21
Subsidiaries of Carter's, Inc.
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1
Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) and 13a-15(f)/15d-15(f) Certification.
31.2
Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) and 13a-15(f)/15d-15(f) Certification.
32
Section 1350 Certification.

* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

108

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Omitted at registrant's option.



SIGNATURES
 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


CARTER'S, INC.
 
/s/ MICHAEL D. CASEY
Michael D. Casey
Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 23, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Name
Title
Date
 
 
 
/s/ MICHAEL D. CASEY
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
February 23, 2017
Michael D. Casey
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
February 23, 2017
Richard F. Westenberger
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/ AMY WOODS BRINKLEY
Director
February 23, 2017
Amy Woods Brinkley
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ GIUSEPPINA BUONFANTINO
Director
February 23, 2017
Giuseppina Buonfantino
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ VANESSA J. CASTAGNA
Director
February 23, 2017
Vanessa J. Castagna
 
 

109

 
 
 
/s/ A. BRUCE CLEVERLY
Director
February 23, 2017
A. Bruce Cleverly
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JEVIN S. EAGLE
Director
February 23, 2017
Jevin S. Eagle
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PAUL FULTON
Director
February 23, 2017
Paul Fulton
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ WILLIAM J. MONTGORIS
Director
February 23, 2017
William J. Montgoris
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DAVID PULVER
Director
February 23, 2017
David Pulver
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ THOMAS E. WHIDDON
Director
February 23, 2017
Thomas E. Whiddon
 
 
 
 
 

110
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