Carter's
Annual Report 2021

Plain-text annual report

C a r t e r ’ s , I n c . 2 0 2 1 A n n u a l R e p o r t Carter’s, Inc. 2021 Annual Report APRIL 8, 2022 DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS, Carter’s is the largest branded marketer of young children’s apparel in North America, with the leading share of a $37 billion newborn to ten-year-old apparel market. We own two of the most highly recognized and trusted brand names in the children’s apparel market, Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh. We also own Skip Hop, a leading young children’s lifestyle brand, and little planet, a brand focused on organic fabrics and sustainable materials. We believe we provide a strong value in our product offerings, including baby apparel, sleepwear, playwear, and related accessories. We have a unique multi-channel, global business model, which includes retail stores, eCommerce, and wholesale distribution capabilities. We believe no other company in the world has our scope of distribution and success in branded children’s apparel. Carter’s is emerging from the pandemic a stronger and more profitable company. In 2021, sales increased to $3.5 billion, up 15% compared to 2020, and were comparable to the pre-pandemic period in 2019. Our operating income in 2021 increased to a record-level of $497 million. Our growth in earnings in 2021 was driven by structural changes made to our business over the past two years. When the pandemic began, we focused our efforts on fewer, better, and higher margin sales. We reduced lower-margin product choices, closed over 100 low-margin stores, and reduced off-price wholesale sales by over 50%. With leaner inventories, we reduced our low-margin clearance sales by nearly $50 million and focused our marketing investments on brand building versus margin- erosive promotions. Collectively, these strategies enabled us to achieve record profitability in 2021. We believe the benefits realized from these structural changes are sustainable, and we are committed to build on our higher level of earnings in the years ahead. GROWTH OBJECTIVES Given the strong performance we achieved in 2021, we are now forecasting sales to exceed $4 billion by 2026. Our U.S. Retail segment is expected to be the largest contributor to our sales growth. We expect our stores will continue to be an important component of consumers’ experiences with our brands. Over 60% of young children’s apparel in the United States is purchased in stores. Stores are also our highest source of new customer acquisition. Consumers who shop both online and in our stores are our highest value customers. They spend three times more on children’s apparel each year than our single channel customers. With our focus on fewer, better, higher margin product choices, better inventory management, and new pricing capabilities, our store unit economics have improved. Fewer stores need to be closed and more profitable store opening opportunities are now available to us. We now plan to open 100 or more stores in the United States over the next five years, net of closures. Our U.S. Wholesale segment is expected to be the second largest contributor to our sales growth over the next five years. We are expecting the largest growth in wholesale sales will come from our exclusive Carter’s brands sold through Target, Walmart, and Amazon. These retailers saw the biggest benefit in consumer traffic over the past two years. They offer one-stop shopping for families with young children, and we benefit from that frequent traffic for essential core products, including groceries, baby formula, and diapers. We also expect to see the benefits of a good multi-year recovery with our other wholesale customers in the years ahead. We are expecting good growth in International sales, with over 70% of our growth expected to be driven by our operations in Canada and Mexico. We are also planning good growth with our wholesale partner in Brazil and with Amazon. Assuming continued benefits from the structural changes made to our business and success with our growth strategies, we are forecasting operating income to exceed $600 million by 2026. When considering the repayment of $500 million in pandemic-related borrowings, which thankfully were not needed, and $1.0 billion in planned share repurchases, we expect earnings per share to exceed $12 by 2026. Since 2007, we have returned $2.5 billion in excess capital to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Over the next five years, we are projecting cumulative operating cash flow of over $2 billion, which we expect will enable continued investment in our growth strategies and support a meaningful return of capital to our shareholders. Given this outlook for growth, our Board of Directors declared a 25% increase in our quarterly dividend earlier this year. GROWTH STRATEGIES To achieve our growth objectives, we are focused on four key strategic priorities: Lead in eCommerce We operate the largest specialty retail store chain and most highly rated online platform focused on children’s apparel in the United States, with omnichannel capabilities to support the shopping preferences of families with young children. eCommerce continued to be our highest margin business in 2021. It contributed nearly 40% of our total U.S. Retail sales, up from 31% before the pandemic in 2019. Over the next five years, we expect eCommerce sales to grow to nearly 50% of our total U.S. Retail sales. Carter’s is the best-selling young children’s apparel brand online in North America. We have unparalleled relationships with leading eCommerce retailers of young children’s apparel, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, and Macy’s. Together with our wholesale partners, the global online sales of our brands grew to nearly $1.4 billion last year and nearly doubled versus 2019. Win in Baby Our Carter’s brand has a unique position in the marketplace. It is the leading brand in the newborn to 10-year-old apparel market in the United States. Over 50% of Carter’s annual apparel sales are for newborn to two-year old children. In this segment of the apparel market, our Carter’s brand has nearly four times the share of its nearest competitor. Annual births in the United States peaked at 4.3 million in 2007. With the Great Recession that followed, births have decreased nearly every year since. And yet, given the strengths of our brands and market distribution capabilities, Carter’s sales and earnings have more than doubled during this same time period. Our sales of baby apparel continued to be robust in 2021, up 10% for the year. The latest government data suggests that birth trends in the United States are stabilizing. Weddings, many rescheduled more than once during the pandemic, are expected to be at a near 40-year high in 2022. With a record level of weddings in the months ahead, new family formations hopefully will follow. Age Up Our long track record of success suggests consumers trust Carter’s for their baby apparel purchases and, as their children grow, many stay with us and appreciate the high value our product offerings provide in those early years of life. The total addressable apparel market for newborn to 10-year-old children in the United States is over $30 billion. It is a highly fragmented market, and our Carter’s brand share is 70% larger than our nearest competitor. We own the largest share of the baby and toddler apparel markets, and we have successfully extended the scope of our product offerings to outfit older children. Last year, we saw over 30% growth in our sales of apparel for children ages four to 10 years old. This older age apparel market is larger than the baby and toddler apparel markets combined. We believe our Age Up strategy will continue to be a good source of growth for us in the years ahead. Expand Globally Within the United States, our brands are sold through over 17,000 points of distribution. Outside the United States, our brands are sold through approximately 3,900 points of distribution. Last year, our International sales grew 29%, the highest growth rate of our three segments. We have the largest share of the children’s apparel market in Canada, with more than twice the share of our nearest competitor. We have strengthened our leading position in this market by investing in omnichannel capabilities, including the same-day pickup and curbside pickup of online purchases. In Mexico, we are executing the same strategy that served us well in Canada and the United States by building retail store, eCommerce, and wholesale distribution capabilities. We plan to continue opening co-branded stores with the very best of our Carter’s, OshKosh, and Skip Hop brands and converting our legacy, smaller stores in Mexico to this more productive and profitable model. Our global capabilities are further strengthened through our relationships with multi-national retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Costco, and wholesale partners in over 90 countries. THE PATH FORWARD With the lingering effects of pandemic-related supply chain delays and high inflation, the path forward near term may be bumpy and recovery uneven, but the outlook for our business is very positive. Beautiful babies are born every day and the apparel brand their families purchase more so than any other brand is Carter’s. Carter’s is beginning its 157th year in operation. Our Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh and Skip Hop brands are a special part of a family’s experience raising their young children. We’ve invested in capabilities that enable Carter’s to provide the best value and experience in young children’s apparel. We believe no other company in the world has the scope or depth of relationships with the largest retailers of young children’s apparel. Carter’s has also earned the highest ratings for store and online shopping experiences. Our strong recovery in 2021 was made possible by our nearly 20,000 employees who persevered through the historic health crisis. I am grateful to each and every one of them for their passion for our brands and the success they continue to make possible for our Company. With their support, Carter’s best years are ahead of us. On behalf of our Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and our dedicated employees, thank you for your investment in Carter’s. Sincerely, Michael D. Casey Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Forward-looking statements in this letter are subject to risks which are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. 2022 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Carter’s, Inc. (the “Annual Meeting”) will be held at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 18, 2022. The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual-only meeting format, via live webcast that will provide shareholders with the ability to participate in the Annual Meeting, vote their shares and ask questions. We believe that this year’s virtual Annual Meeting will enable increased shareholder participation from locations around the world, and lower the cost to our shareholders, the Company, and the environment. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting physically in person. The business matters for the Annual Meeting are as follows: 1) The election of the twelve nominated directors; 2) An advisory approval of compensation for our named executive officers (the “say-on-pay” vote); 3) The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022; and 4) Any other business that may properly come before the meeting. Only shareholders of record and beneficial owners of shares of our common stock as of the close of business on March 22, 2022, the record date, may attend and participate in the Annual Meeting, including voting and asking questions during the virtual Annual Meeting. In order to attend the Annual Meeting, you must register at www.proxydocs.com/CRI. Upon completing your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including a unique link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting and to vote and submit questions during the Annual Meeting. As part of the registration process, you must enter the control number located on your proxy card or voting instruction form. If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, you will also need to provide the registered name on your account and the name of your broker, bank or other nominee as part of the registration process. On the day of the Annual Meeting, May 18, 2022, shareholders may begin to login to the Annual Meeting fifteen minutes (15) minutes prior to the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2022 are entitled to receive notice of, attend (virtually), and vote at the Annual Meeting. Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, to ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting, please submit your voting instructions over the internet, by telephone, by completing, signing, dating, and returning your proxy card in the enclosed envelope, or by following the instructions you have received from your broker or other nominee. P r o x y Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Carter’s, Inc. to be held on May 18, 2022: The proxy materials and the Annual Report to Shareholders are available at http://www.carters.com/annuals The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of proposals 1-3 listed above. By order of the Board of Directors, Scott F. Duggan Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs, General Counsel & Secretary Atlanta, Georgia April 8, 2022 PROXY STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS General Information about the Proxy Materials and the Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Board of Directors and Corporate Governance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proposal Number One – Election of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compensation of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Officers’ Biographical Information and Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compensation Discussion and Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compensation Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiscal 2021 Summary Compensation Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiscal 2021 Grants of Plan-Based Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2021 Year-End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nonqualified Deferred Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Perquisites and Other Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pay Ratio Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters, and Certain Control Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors, and Executive Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delinquent Section 16 Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proposal Number Two – Advisory Vote on Approval of Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audit Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proposal Number Three – Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 8 19 20 22 24 36 37 39 40 42 42 43 44 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 P r o x y GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING Why am I receiving this proxy statement? The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Carter’s, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Carter’s,” or the “Company”) is soliciting proxies for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (the “Annual Meeting”). This proxy statement and accompanying proxy card are being mailed on or about April 8, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 22, 2022, the record date (the “Record Date”) for the Annual Meeting. You are receiving this proxy statement because you owned shares of Carter’s common stock on the Record Date and are therefore entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. By use of a proxy, you can vote regardless of whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement provides information on the matters on which the Board would like you to vote so that you can make an informed decision. What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting? The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to address the following business matters: 1. The election of the twelve nominated directors (see page 19); 2. An advisory approval of the compensation for our named executive officers (“NEOs”) (the “say-on-pay” vote) (see page 49); 3. The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022 (see page 51); and 4. All other business that may properly come before the meeting. Who is asking for my vote? The Company is soliciting your proxy on behalf of the Board. The Company is paying for the costs of this solicitation and proxy statement. Who can attend the Annual Meeting? P r o x y All shareholders of record, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the virtual-only Annual Meeting. Beneficial holders who hold shares “in street name” may also attend provided they obtain the appropriate documents from their broker or other nominee and present them at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 40,683,845 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In order to attend the Annual Meeting, you must register at www.proxydocs.com/CRI. Upon completing your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including a unique link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting and to vote and submit questions during the Annual Meeting. As part of the registration process, you must enter the control number located on your proxy card or voting instruction form. If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, you will also need to provide the registered name on your account and the name of your broker, bank or other nominee as part of the registration process. 1 On the day of the Annual Meeting, May 18, 2022, shareholders may begin to login to the virtual-only Annual Meeting fifteen (15) minutes prior to the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time. How will the virtual meeting work? We have designed the format of the Annual Meeting to provide our shareholders the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting. During the Annual Meeting, we will hold a question and answer session during which we intend to answer questions submitted during the meeting that are pertinent to the Company, as time permits, and in accordance with our Rules and Procedures for Conduct of the Annual Meeting. On the day of and during the Annual Meeting, you can view our Rules and Procedures for Conduct of the Annual Meeting and submit any questions on the virtual meeting platform which you can access with your unique link included in the email you will receive one (1) hour prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. Answers to any questions not addressed during the meeting will be posted following the meeting on the investor relations page of our website. Questions and answers will be grouped by topic, and substantially similar questions will be answered only once. To promote fairness, efficiently use the Company’s resources, and ensure all shareholder questions are able to be addressed, we will respond to no more than three questions from any single shareholder. Prior to and during the Annual Meeting, we will have support available to assist shareholders with any technical difficulties they may have accessing or hearing the virtual meeting. Technical support will be available if you encounter any difficulty accessing, or during, the virtual meeting. The technical support telephone number will be included in the access email you will receive one (1) hour prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. What are my voting rights? Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to shareholders at the Annual Meeting. What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner “in street name”? If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered the shareholder of record for these shares. As the shareholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the persons listed on your proxy card or vote in person (virtually) at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or through another nominee, such as a trustee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held “in street name.” These proxy materials are being forwarded to you together with a voting instruction card. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other nominee how to vote, and you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Because you are a beneficial owner and not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person (virtually) at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a proxy from the broker or other nominee that holds your shares. Your broker or other nominee should have provided directions for you to instruct the broker or nominee on how to vote your shares. What is a broker non-vote? If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held “in street name” and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, your shares will not be voted on any proposal as to which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is called a “broker non-vote.” Your broker only has discretionary authority 2 to vote on Proposal Number Three. Therefore, your broker will not have discretion to vote on any other proposal unless you specifically instruct your broker how to vote your shares by returning your completed and signed voting instruction card. What constitutes a quorum? A quorum is the minimum number of shares required to be present to transact business at the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to the Company’s by-laws, the presence at the Annual Meeting, in person, by proxy, or by remote communication, of the holders of at least a majority of the shares entitled to be voted will constitute a quorum. Broker non-votes and abstentions will be counted as shares that are present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. If a quorum is not present, the meeting will be adjourned until a quorum is obtained. What are my choices when casting a vote with respect to the election of the twelve nominated directors, and what vote is needed to elect the director nominees? In voting on the election of the director nominees (Proposal Number One), shareholders may: 1. 2. 3. vote for any of the nominees; vote against any of the nominees; or abstain from voting on any of the nominees. Pursuant to our by-laws, a nominee must receive the vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote, which means that the number of votes cast “for” a director nominee must exceed the aggregate of the number of votes cast “against” that nominee and shares as to which the holder “abstains” with respect to that nominee. Any nominee not receiving such majority, who is then serving as a director, must tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Board. Any nominee appointed to the Board, subject to shareholder approval, will not have been elected as a director at the Annual Meeting. Votes to abstain on Proposal Number One will have the practical effect of a vote “against” a director nominee. Broker non-votes will not be considered shares entitled to vote on the election of directors and thus will not affect the outcome of this vote. What are my choices when casting an advisory vote on approval of compensation of the Company’s NEOs, commonly referred to as the “say-on-pay” vote, and what vote is needed to approve this proposal? In voting on the compensation of the Company’s NEOs (Proposal Number Two), shareholders may: 1. 2. 3. vote for the approval of compensation of the Company’s NEOs, on an advisory basis, as described in this proxy statement; vote against the approval of compensation of the Company’s NEOs, on an advisory basis, as described in this proxy statement; or abstain from voting on compensation of the Company’s NEOs, on an advisory basis, as described in this proxy statement. Because Proposal Number Two asks for a non-binding, advisory vote, there is no required vote that would constitute approval. We value the opinions expressed by our shareholders in this advisory vote, and our Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating our compensation programs and making future compensation decisions for our NEOs. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have any effect on this advisory vote. 3 P r o x y What are my choices when voting on the ratification of the appointment of PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022, and what vote is needed to approve this proposal? In voting on the ratification of PwC (Proposal Number Three), shareholders may: 1. 2. 3. vote to ratify PwC’s appointment; vote against ratifying PwC’s appointment; or abstain from voting on ratifying PwC’s appointment. The approval of Proposal Number Three requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes properly cast at our Annual Meeting. Abstentions are not considered votes cast and thus will not affect the outcome of this proposal. A broker or other nominee will generally have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal because it is considered a routine matter, and, therefore, we do not expect broker non-votes with respect to this proposal. How does the Board recommend that I vote? The Board recommends a vote: FOR the election of the twelve nominated directors (Proposal Number One); FOR the approval of the compensation of the Company’s NEOs, on an advisory basis, as described in this proxy statement (Proposal Number Two); and FOR the ratification of the appointment of PwC (Proposal Number Three). How do I vote? You may hold company shares in multiple accounts and therefore receive more than one set of the Proxy Materials. To ensure that all of your shares are voted, please submit your proxy or voting instructions for each account for which you have received a set of the Proxy Materials. Shares Held of Record. If you hold your shares in your own name as a holder of record with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, you may authorize that your shares be voted at the Annual Meeting in one of the following ways: By Internet If you received a printed copy of the Proxy Materials, follow the instructions on the proxy card. By Telephone If you received a printed copy of the Proxy Materials, follow the instructions on the proxy card. By Mail In Person (Virtual) If you received a printed copy of the Proxy Materials, complete, sign, date, and mail your proxy card in the enclosed, postage-prepaid envelope. You may also vote by attending the meeting virtually through www.proxydocs.com/CRI. To attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares, you must register for the Annual Meeting and provide the control number located on your proxy card. Shares Held in Street Name. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee (that is, in street name), you will receive instructions from your broker, bank or nominee that you must follow in order to submit 4 your voting instructions and have your shares voted at the Annual Meeting. If you want to vote in person virtually at the Annual Meeting, you must register in advance at www.proxydocs.com/CRI. You may be instructed to obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee and to submit a copy in advance of the meeting. Further instructions will be provided to you as part of your registration process. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy or voting instructions in advance of the Annual Meeting as described above so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend or are unable to attend the Annual Meeting. Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card? Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy card, you may change or revoke your vote at any time before your proxy votes your shares by submitting written notice of revocation to Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting, or by submitting another proxy card bearing a later date. Alternatively, if you have voted over the internet or by telephone, you may change your vote by calling 866-649-0070 and following the instructions. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not constitute a revocation of a previously provided proxy unless you affirmatively indicate at the Annual Meeting that you intend to vote your shares in person by completing and delivering a written ballot. If you hold your shares through a broker or other nominee and would like to change your voting instructions, please review the directions provided to you by that broker or nominee. May I vote confidentially? Yes. Our policy is to keep your individual votes confidential, except as appropriate to meet legal requirements, to allow for the tabulation and certification of votes, or to facilitate proxy solicitation. Who will count the votes? A representative of Mediant, Inc. will count the votes and act as the inspector of election for the Annual Meeting. What happens if additional matters are presented at the Annual Meeting? As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board knows of no matters other than those set forth herein that will be presented for determination at the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting and call for a vote of shareholders, the Board intends proxies to be voted in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders. P r o x y Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting? We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and publish final results in our current report on Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting. What is “householding” of the Annual Meeting materials? The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries, such as brokers, to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for shareholders and 5 cost savings for companies. The Company and some brokers “household” proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement and annual report to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, or if you are receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement and annual report and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account, or the Company if you hold shares registered directly in your name. You can notify the Company by sending a written request to Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting or by calling us at (678) 791-1000. How may I obtain a copy of the Company’s Annual Report? A copy of our fiscal 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”) accompanies this proxy statement and is available at http://www.carters.com/annuals. Shareholders may also obtain a free copy of our Annual Report by sending a request in writing to Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting or by calling us at (678) 791-1000. When are shareholder proposals due for consideration in next year’s proxy statement or at next year’s annual meeting? Shareholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and for consideration at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders by submitting their proposals in writing to Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting in a timely manner. If the proposal is to be included in next year’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), then the proposal must be submitted and received on or before December 9, 2022. If we hold our 2023 annual meeting of shareholders more than 30 days before or after May 18, 2023 (the one-year anniversary date of the 2022 Annual Meeting), we will disclose the new deadline by which shareholders’ proposals must be received under Item 5 of Part II of our earliest possible Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or, if impracticable, by any means reasonably determined to inform shareholders. Our by-laws also establish an advance notice procedure for shareholders who wish to present a proposal before an annual meeting but do not intend for the proposal to be included in our proxy statement or wish to nominate a director for consideration at an annual meeting of shareholders. Such proposals or nominations must be submitted and received no earlier than January 18, 2023, and no later than February 17, 2023 for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2023. If we hold our 2023 annual meeting of shareholders more than 30 days before or after May 18, 2023 (the one-year anniversary date of the 2022 Annual Meeting), the notice of a shareholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement or a nomination must be received not later than the close of business on the earlier of the following two dates: • • the 10th day following the day on which notice of the meeting date is mailed, and the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the meeting date is made. To comply with the universal proxy rules (once effective), shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 no later than March 19, 2023. Please note that there are additional requirements under our by-laws and the proxy rules to nominate a director or present a proposal, including continuing to own a minimum number of shares of our stock until next year’s annual meeting and appearing in person at the annual meeting to present the nomination or explain your proposal. 6 What do you mean by fiscal years in this proxy statement? 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 2021 (which ended on January 1, 2022) contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2020 (which ended on January 2, 2021) contained 53 weeks and fiscal 2019 (which ended on December 28, 2019) contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2022 (which will end on December 31, 2022) and Fiscal 2023 (which will end on December 30, 2023) will each contain 52 weeks. Who can help answer my questions? If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting or how to submit or revoke your proxy, or to request an invitation to the Annual Meeting, contact Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting or by calling us at (678) 791-1000. P r o x y 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFORMATION Board of Directors Each of our directors stands for election annually and thereafter holds office for a one-year term. We are asking our shareholders to elect twelve proposed nominees set forth below at the Annual Meeting. Giuseppina Buonfantino and David Pulver are not seeking re-election in light of other obligations, in the case of Ms. Buonfantino, and pursuant to our Retirement Policy, in the case of Mr. Pulver. The Company is grateful to each of them for their service to our Company. In addition to the eight continuing director nominees, the Board is recommending four new candidates for election – Rochester (Rock) Anderson, Jr., Jeffrey H. Black, Stacey S. Rauch and Stephanie P. Stahl. Last year, we disclosed our plan to focus on Board candidates with diverse backgrounds. In executing on that commitment, four of the five directors and nominees appointed by the Board during 2021 and newly proposed for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting represent diverse backgrounds. Assuming all nominees are elected at the Annual Meeting, four of our twelve directors will be female and two have self-identified as ethnically or racially diverse. Going forward, the Board plans to continue our focus on candidates with diverse backgrounds, including gender, race and ethnicity. Please see “—Retirement Policy” below for additional information regarding planned Board transition and “—Consideration of Director Nominees” for more information on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s philosophy and commitment to including in each search candidates who reflect diverse backgrounds. The Board believes that each director and candidate nominated for election has valuable skills and experiences that, taken together, provide the Company with the variety and depth of knowledge, judgment, and strategic vision necessary to provide effective oversight of the Company’s business operations. Our directors have extensive experience, both domestically and internationally, in different fields, including apparel and retail, consumer products, brand marketing, human capital management, technology, cyber and data security, global sourcing, sustainability, risk management, finance, and accounting. The Board also believes that, as indicated in the following biographies, each director has demonstrated significant leadership in positions such as chief executive officer, chief financial officer, division president, and other senior executive positions. In addition, many of our directors and candidates who are not currently directors have significant experience in the oversight of public companies due to their service as directors of Carter’s and other companies. Rochester (Rock) Anderson, Jr. has been appointed to the Board, subject to his election as a director by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Anderson has more than 15 years of experience leading human resource organizations and more than ten years of operational experience with public and private corporations and non-profit organizations. Mr. Anderson is currently Senior Vice President—Human Resources of AutoNation, Inc., the nation’s largest automobile dealer with over 21,000 Associates, working in over 300 locations across 18 states. Mr. Anderson previously served as Senior Vice President, People Solutions for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and served from 2006 to 2018 in various human resource focused and operational roles at Cox Automotive Inc. serving from 2014 to 2018 as Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President. Mr. Anderson’s experience focuses on human capital management, career development and training, operational management, and diversity and inclusion. Mr. Anderson also serves on the Board of Trustees of Dillard University. Director Qualifications: Mr. Anderson brings to the Board significant human capital management, organizational improvement, compensation and benefits, and executive management experience, as well as valuable insights into workforce dynamics, diversity, equity and inclusion, and executive development. Jeffrey H. Black has been appointed to the Board, subject to his election as a director by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Black served as Senior Partner and Vice Chairman of Deloitte LLP from 2002 to 2016 and as Partner-in-Charge of Arthur Andersen LLP’s Metro New York audit practice from 1988-2002. Mr. Black 8 has served on the Board of Directors and as Audit Committee Chair of Otis Elevator since 2020 and serves as a member of the board of directors of two non-public companies, Vantage Airport Group, Ltd., a private company that invests in, develops, and manages airports around the world, and Basin Holdings LLC., a private company focused on providing products and services to energy and industrial customers around the world. Director Qualifications: Mr. Black brings to the Board significant accounting, financial reporting, and executive leadership experience, as well as valuable insights into risk and crisis management and oversight of publicly-traded, global businesses. Mr. Black also has experience in cyber and information governance oversight and has earned a CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight issued by the CERT Divisions of the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Hali Borenstein became a director in December 2019. Ms. Borenstein is the Chief Executive Officer of Reformation LLC, a women’s lifestyle brand focused on fashion and sustainability, a position she has held since June 2020. From December 2017 until June 2020, Ms. Borenstein was President of Reformation LLC, and from 2014 to 2017, Ms. Borenstein held various merchandising and design roles of increasing responsibility at Reformation LLC. Prior to joining Reformation LLC, Ms. Borenstein was a senior merchandiser at Gymboree Group, Inc., and began her career at Bain & Company. Director Qualifications: Ms. Borenstein brings to the Board valuable perspective and insight in eCommerce, brand marketing, sustainable sourcing, and retail businesses, as well as expertise in apparel marketing and merchandising. Luis A. Borgen became a director in November 2021. Since 2019, Mr. Borgen has been the Chief Financial Officer of athenahealth, Inc., a healthcare technology company. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer for Vistaprint, an e-commerce company that produces marketing products for small and micro businesses. Prior to that, he served from 2012 to 2017 as Chief Financial Officer for DAVIDsTEA Inc., a specialty tea retailer in the United States and Canada that went public in 2015, and from 2010 to 2012 he served as Chief Financial Officer of DaVita Inc., a publicly traded healthcare provider. Mr. Borgen has been a director of Eastern Bankshares, Inc., the publicly traded parent of Eastern Bank, and a trustee of its predecessor holding company, Eastern Bank Corporation, since 2016. Director Qualifications: Mr. Borgen brings to the Board valuable accounting, financial, and public company reporting experience, as well as valuable insights into executive oversight of information and data governance and security. Michael D. Casey became a director in August 2008 and was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in August 2009. Mr. Casey joined the Company in 1993 as Vice President of Finance. Mr. Casey was named Senior Vice President of Finance in 1997, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1998, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2003, and Chief Executive Officer in 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Casey worked for Price Waterhouse LLP, a predecessor firm to PwC, from 1982 to 1993. He also served on the board of directors of The Fresh Market, Inc. from 2015 until 2016. P r o x y Director Qualifications: Mr. Casey brings to the Board valuable perspective and insight with respect to our business, industry, challenges, and opportunities as a result of his years serving in a variety of senior executive positions at the Company. Mr. Casey also represents management’s perspective on important matters to the Board. His service as a director of The Fresh Market, Inc. provided him with additional insight into public company corporate governance matters. A. Bruce Cleverly became a director in March 2008. Mr. Cleverly retired as President of Global Oral Care from The Procter & Gamble Company/The Gillette Company in September 2007, a position he held since October 2005. Mr. Cleverly joined The Gillette Company in 1975 as a marketing assistant and held positions of increasing responsibility in brand management and general management in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In 2001, Mr. Cleverly became President of Gillette’s worldwide Oral Care business. Gillette was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2005. 9 Mr. Cleverly is currently a director of Rain Bird Corporation, a privately held global manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, and was previously a director of Shaser BioScience, Inc. and WaterPik, Inc. Pursuant to our Retirement Policy for directors, Mr. Cleverly will not stand for election at our 2023 annual meeting. Director Qualifications: Mr. Cleverly brings to the Board extensive experience in general management, consumer products, international operations, brand management, and brand marketing after spending over 30 years at The Procter & Gamble Company and The Gillette Company. His thorough understanding and appreciation for the corporate governance of the Board is reflected by his service on the above-listed boards of directors. Jevin S. Eagle became a director in July 2010. Mr. Eagle served as Chief Executive Officer and director of DAVIDsTEA Inc., a specialty tea retailer in the United States and Canada, from April 2012 to April 2014. Mr. Eagle previously held several senior leadership positions at Staples, Inc. from 2002 to 2012, including Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing. Prior to joining Staples, Inc., Mr. Eagle worked for McKinsey & Company, Inc. from 1994 to 2001, ultimately serving as a partner in the firm’s retail practice. Mr. Eagle is currently the Executive Director of Boston University Hillel. Director Qualifications: Mr. Eagle brings to the Board broad experience in a number of areas, as the former Chief Executive Officer and director of DAVIDsTEA Inc. and Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing of Staples, Inc., including retail, management, merchandising, strategic planning, and brand marketing. His experience in the retail industry provides our Board with critical insights. Mark P. Hipp became a director in February 2018. Since January 2013, Mr. Hipp has been the co-Chief Executive Officer of H2IDD, an advisory firm focused on public and private mergers and acquisitions. From November 2013 until April 2017, Mr. Hipp was the operating partner at Sterling Partners, a private equity firm. Prior to that, he spent over 13 years at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, most recently as Vice President & General Manager, HP Global Networking Business Management. Mr. Hipp currently serves on the boards of directors of private-equity controlled companies including Eye Care Partners, a clinically integrated eye care group, and Purchasing Power LLC, a provider of purchasing finance programs delivered as a benefit to employees. Director Qualifications: Mr. Hipp brings to the Board valuable perspective and insight with respect to issues relating to information technology, including cybersecurity and eCommerce, and mergers and acquisitions. William J. Montgoris became a director in August 2007. Mr. Montgoris retired as Chief Operating Officer of The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. in 1999, a position he held since August 1993, after spending 20 years with the company. While at Bear Stearns, Mr. Montgoris also served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer from April 1987 until October 1996. Mr. Montgoris is a trustee of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and a trustee emeritus of Colby College and St. John’s University. Mr. Montgoris was previously a director of OfficeMax Incorporated, where he served from 2007 to 2013, and of Stage Stores, Inc., where he served from 2004 to 2020 and was chairman of the board from 2010 until 2020. Director Qualifications: Mr. Montgoris brings to the Board valuable perspective and insight with respect to finance and accounting after spending over 20 years in the investment banking industry. His financial expertise offers our Board a deep understanding of financial and audit-related matters. As the former chairman of the board of directors for Stage Stores, Inc., Mr. Montgoris also brings valuable insight with respect to the retail industry and the oversight of public companies. Stacey S. Rauch has been appointed to the Board, subject to her election as a director by shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Ms. Rauch is a Senior Partner Emeritus of McKinsey & Company from which she retired in 2010. Ms. Rauch was a leader in McKinsey’s Retail and Consumer Goods Practices, served as Head of the North American Retail and Apparel Practice, and as Global Retail Practice Convener. A 24-year veteran of McKinsey, 10 Ms. Rauch led engagements for a wide range of retailers, apparel wholesalers, and consumer goods manufacturers in the U.S. and internationally. Ms. Rauch was a co-founder of McKinsey’s New Jersey office and was the first woman at McKinsey appointed as an industry practice leader. Ms. Rauch is currently the Chair of the Board of the Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc (owner and operator of quick-casual restaurants), where she chairs the corporate governance and nominating committee and sits on the remuneration committee. She also serves on the board of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc, (a leadership advisory firm providing executive search, consulting, and on-demand talent services) where she serves on the audit and finance committee and the nominating and board governance committee. Ms. Rauch was formerly a member of the boards of Land Securities Group, PLC, Ascena Retail Group, CEB, Inc, Ann, Inc., and the Tops Holding Corporation. Director Qualifications: Ms. Rauch brings to the Board strategic leadership expertise and deep experience in international business with a significant focus on the retail, apparel and consumer goods industries. Ms. Rauch, through her board service, also brings meaningful experience in the oversight of executive compensation, corporate governance, and financial reporting. Gretchen W. Schar became a director in July 2019. From 2011 until June 2018, Ms. Schar served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Arbonne International LLC, a beauty and nutritional products company, and from 2008 until 2011 served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of philosophy, inc., an international prestige beauty brand. Prior to that, Ms. Schar spent over 30 years at The Procter & Gamble Company in finance and general management roles of increasing responsibility. Since 2002, Ms. Schar has served on the board of directors of Cincinnati Financial Corporation, and previously served as a director of Beam Inc. from 2012 until 2015. Director Qualifications: Ms. Schar brings to the Board broad experience in a number of areas, including accounting, auditing and financial reporting, investor relations, capital management, human resources, information technology, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic and business planning. Stephanie P. Stahl has been appointed to the Board, subject to her election as a director by shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Ms. Stahl is a former Global Marketing & Strategy Officer of Coach, Inc. She is the Founder of her investment and advisory company Studio Pegasus LLC which she launched in 2015 to focus on supporting early stage consumer ventures. Ms. Stahl previously held executive positions at several leading retail and consumer products companies, and served as a Partner at The Boston Consulting Group until 2003. Ms. Stahl currently serves on the boards of directors of Dollar Tree where she serves as Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee and a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee; and Founders Table Restaurant Group, a private restaurant company. Ms. Stahl previously served on the Board of Directors of Knoll, Inc., where she chaired the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and was a member of the Audit Committee. Director Qualifications: Ms. Stahl brings to the Board significant experience in marketing, data analytics, digital, sustainability, brand building, and strategy. Ms. Stahl has spent her career focused on the retail/ consumer sector with extensive experience in developing, executing and optimizing major change initiatives including fundamental business transformation, mergers and acquisitions, and post-merger integrations. Ms. Stahl, through her board service, also brings meaningful experience in the oversight of corporate governance and ESG. Board Leadership Structure The Company’s Corporate Governance Principles provide that the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be combined if the non-management directors determine it is in the best interest of the Company. In August 2009, the non-management directors appointed Mr. Casey as Chairman of the Board. The Board believes it is appropriate to continue to combine the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Casey has nearly 30 years of management, finance, and administrative leadership experience at the 11 P r o x y Company. In addition, Mr. Casey has extensive knowledge of, and experience with, all other aspects of the Company’s business, including with its employees, customers, vendors, and shareholders. Having Mr. Casey serve as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer helps promote unified leadership and direction for both the Board and management. In connection with Mr. Casey’s appointment as Chairman, the non-management directors also created the position of Lead Independent Director (“Lead Director”). This position was created to, among other things, ensure that the non-management directors maintain proper oversight of management and Board process. The responsibilities of the Lead Director include: • • • • • • • • • • • • presiding at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors; calling additional meetings of the independent directors; facilitating discussion and open dialogue among the independent directors during Board meetings, executive sessions and outside of Board meetings; serving as principal liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman, without inhibiting direct communication between them; communicating to the Chairman and management, as appropriate, any decisions reached, and suggestions, views or concerns expressed, by independent directors in executive sessions or outside of Board meetings; providing the Chairman with feedback and counsel concerning the Chairman’s interactions with the Board; working with the Chairman to develop and approve Board meeting agendas and meeting schedules; working with the Chairman on the appropriateness (including quality and quantity) and timeliness of information provided to the Board; authorizing the retention of advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board when appropriate; in consultation with the Nominating and Governance Committee, reviewing and reporting on the results of the Board performance self-evaluations; at least annually, meeting individually with independent directors to discuss Board and committee performance, effectiveness and composition; and if appropriate, and in coordination with management, being available for consultation and direct communication with major shareholders. Mr. Pulver was appointed to serve as Lead Director in November 2018. The Board expects to elect Mr. Montgoris to succeed Mr. Pulver as Lead Director upon Mr. Pulver’s retirement at the Annual Meeting. Director Independence The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards and the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles require a majority of the Company’s directors to be independent from the Company and the Company’s management. For a director to be considered independent, the Board must determine that the director has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. The Board considers all relevant information provided by each director regarding any relationships each director may have with the Company or management. 12 As a result of this review, our Board has determined that all of our non-management directors (all directors other than Mr. Casey) and all candidates not currently serving on the Board are independent and meet the independence requirements under the listing standards of the NYSE, the rules and regulations of the SEC, and the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles. Board and Committee Evaluations The Board recognizes that a robust and constructive evaluation process is an essential component of good corporate governance and Board and committee effectiveness. Through this process, directors provide feedback and assess Board, committee and director performance, including areas where the Board believes it is functioning effectively and areas where the Board believes it can improve. The Board and the committees may, from time to time, engage outside third parties to help with this process. In fiscal 2021, under the leadership of the Lead Director and the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversaw the Board’s annual evaluation process, which focused on the Board and each of the committees, as well as individual peer-to-peer assessments conducted by a third-party with significant experience in board and individual director assessments. These assessments included individual interviews with each director with feedback given to each director by the third-party assessor. Retirement Policy In February 2019, the Board adopted an amendment to the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles to include a retirement policy. Under this policy, each independent director’s retirement will be automatic at the annual meeting of shareholders following such director reaching the age of seventy five (75), and no person shall be eligible for nomination or election as an independent director after reaching the age of seventy five (75), subject to the following exceptions: (a) Mr. Pulver will retire at the Annual Meeting to the extent he is still serving as a director at such time. Each of Mr. Cleverly and Mr. Montgoris will retire at the annual meeting of shareholders following his seventy-eighth (78th) birthday (in 2023 and 2025, respectively) to the extent he is still serving as a director at such time. (b) The Board may waive this policy with respect to an individual upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. A waiver may be granted on a case-by-case basis for any reasonable purpose including, but not limited to, the particular skills and experiences the director brings to the Board, the director’s past performance and ability to continue to constructively contribute going forward, and the then-current composition of the Board. The affected individual shall not participate in any vote regarding the waiver if he or she is an incumbent director. P r o x y The Board determined that the above exceptions were appropriate in order to promote continuity of experience on the Board, both in the short term, by allowing Messrs. Pulver, Cleverly, and Montgoris to serve beyond their 75th birthdays if the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board determine it is otherwise appropriate, and in the long term, by allowing the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to use reasonable discretion to allow a director to serve past his or her 75th birthday in the future. Board and Annual Meetings Our Corporate Governance Principles require at least four regularly scheduled Board meetings each year, and each director is expected to attend each meeting. The Board held four regularly scheduled quarterly meetings during fiscal 2021. The Board also held nine (9) additional special meetings in fiscal 2021, primarily to oversee the Company’s response to and progress during the COVID-19 pandemic and management’s progress against the Company’s annual and long-term plans. 13 In fiscal 2021, no director participated in less than 75% of the aggregate number of all the Board and applicable committee meetings except for Mr. Borgen who was appointed in November 2021. Although the Company does not have a policy regarding director attendance at annual meetings of shareholders, all directors then standing for election attended the Company’s virtual annual meeting of shareholder in fiscal 2021. Executive Sessions Executive sessions of non-management directors are held at least four times a year. Any non-management director can request that additional executive sessions be scheduled. The Lead Director presides at the executive sessions of non-management directors. Board Committees Our Board has the following standing committees: Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance. The charters for each committee are available in the investor relations section of our website at ir.carters.com or in print by contacting Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting. The Board may also establish other committees to assist in the discharge of its responsibilities. The table below identifies the committee members and committee chairperson (as indicated by a “C”) as of the Record Date. The Board, with the guidance of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, expects to evaluate committee compositions after the Annual Meeting in light of the potential election of new Board members at the Annual Meeting and will consider each independent Board member’s experience and skills as part of this evaluation. Director Audit Compensation Hali Borenstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luis A. Borgen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Giuseppina Buonfantino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Bruce Cleverly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jevin S. Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark P. Hipp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Montgoris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Pulver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gretchen W. Schar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Number of Fiscal 2021 Committee Meetings . . . . . . ✓ ✓ ✓ C 6 ✓ C ✓ ✓ 8 Nominating & Corporate Governance ✓ ✓ ✓ C ✓ 10 Audit Committee During fiscal 2021, the members of the Audit Committee were Ms. Schar and Messrs. Borgen (who joined in November 2021), Hipp and Montgoris. Ms. Schar serves as chairperson. During fiscal 2021, the Audit Committee held 6 meetings. Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the members of the Audit Committee will be Ms. Schar and Messrs. Borgen and Hipp, with Ms. Schar serving as chairperson. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, oversight of: • • • the quality and integrity of, and risks related to, the consolidated financial statements, including the accounting, auditing, reporting and disclosure practices of the Company; the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; the Company’s audit process; 14 • • • • • • the Company’s enterprise risk management program; the Company’s related party transaction policy; the independent auditor, including sole responsibility for its selection and retention and oversight of its performance, qualifications and independence; the Company’s cybersecurity programs and policies, including its network security and information security practices; the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, except to the extent delegated to other Board committees; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter that addresses the requirements of the NYSE listing standards. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee during fiscal 2021 was, and as currently structured is, independent and meets the financial literacy requirements, each as set forth in the NYSE’s listing standards. The Board has also determined that each of Ms. Schar and Messrs. Borgen and Montgoris is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC rules. The Audit Committee Report is included in this proxy statement on page 50. Compensation Committee During fiscal 2021, the members of the Compensation Committee were Mses. Buonfantino and Schar, and Messrs. Eagle and Hipp. Mr. Eagle serves as chairperson. During fiscal 2021, the Compensation Committee held eight meetings. In addition to the four regularly scheduled meetings, additional meetings were held to oversee compensation decisions during the pandemic and to discuss talent management, including succession planning. Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the members of the Compensation Committee will be Ms. Schar and Messrs. Eagle and Hipp, with Mr. Eagle serving as chairperson. The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things: • • • • • • establishing the Company’s philosophy, policies, and strategies relative to executive compensation, including the mix of base salary, short-term and long-term incentive compensation, within the context of stated guidelines for compensation relative to peer companies, as determined from time to time by the Compensation Committee; P r o x y evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers relative to approved performance goals and objectives; setting the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers based upon the evaluation of performance, market benchmarks, and other factors; assisting the Board in developing and evaluating candidates for key executive positions and ensuring succession plans are in place for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers; evaluating compensation plans, policies, and programs with respect to executive officers, independent directors, and certain key personnel; monitoring and evaluating benefit programs for the Company’s executive officers and certain key personnel; 15 • • reviewing and discussing with management, and recommending to the Board for inclusion in the proxy statement, proposals relating to shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation (the “say-on-pay” proposal) and on the frequency of the “say-on-pay” proposal (the “say-on-frequency” proposal); and reviewing and discussing with management the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) and producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the proxy statement, as applicable. This year’s Compensation Committee Report is included in this proxy statement on page 36. The CD&A, which begins on page 24, discusses how the Compensation Committee makes compensation- related decisions regarding our NEOs. The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a written charter that addresses the requirements of the NYSE’s listing standards. The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2021 was, and as currently structured is, independent as defined in the NYSE’s listing standards. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation None of the members of our Compensation Committee serving during fiscal 2021 has been an officer or other employee of the Company. None of our executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee During fiscal 2021, the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee were Ms. Borenstein, and Messrs. Cleverly, Eagle, Montgoris and Pulver. Mr. Montgoris serves as chairperson. During fiscal 2021, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held ten meetings. Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be Ms. Borenstein and Messrs. Cleverly, Eagle, and Montgoris, with Mr. Montgoris serving as chairperson. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things: • • • identifying and recommending candidates qualified to become Board members, including candidates with diverse backgrounds, and reviewing existing members for re-election; recommending directors for appointment to Board committees; and developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles and monitoring the Company’s compliance with and effectiveness of such principles. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to a written charter that addresses the requirements of the NYSE’s listing standards. The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during fiscal 2021 was, and as currently structured is, independent as defined in the NYSE’s listing standards. Consideration of Director Nominees The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the appropriateness of the size of the Board. In the event that vacancies occur or are anticipated, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider prospective nominees that come to its attention through current Board members, search firms, or other sources. 16 The Board believes that it is appropriate to limit the group of shareholders who can propose nominees due to time constraints on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by shareholders who hold more than 1% of our common stock for inclusion as nominees for election to the Board if the names of such persons are submitted to Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting. This submission must be made in writing and in accordance with our by-laws, including mailing the submission in a timely manner and maintaining share ownership at the time of the applicable annual meeting, and the submission must include the nominee’s name, address, and qualifications for Board membership. When evaluating a potential candidate for membership on the Board, including candidates properly submitted by shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers each candidate’s skills and experience and assesses the needs of the Board and its committees at that point in time. Consistent with this philosophy, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is committed to including in each search candidates who reflect diverse backgrounds, including diversity of gender, ethnicity and race, and seeks to have Board members with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and points of view. In connection with its assessment of all prospective nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will determine whether to interview such prospective nominees, and if warranted, one or more members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and others as appropriate, will interview such prospective nominees in person or by telephone or virtual meeting technology. Once this evaluation is completed, if warranted, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee selects the nominees and recommends to the Board that they be nominated for election at the annual meeting. Shareholder Communication with Directors A shareholder or other interested party may submit a written communication to the Board, the Lead Director, or other individual non-management directors. The submission must be delivered to Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting. The Board, the Lead Director, or other non-management directors may require the submitting shareholder to furnish such information as may be reasonably required or deemed necessary to sufficiently review and consider the submission of such shareholder. Each submission will be forwarded, without editing or alteration, to the Board, the Lead Director, or individual non-management directors, as appropriate, at, or prior to, the next scheduled meeting of the Board. The Board, the Lead Director, or other individual non-management directors, as appropriate, will determine, in their sole discretion, the method by which such submission will be reviewed and considered. Risk Oversight The Company’s management is responsible for identifying, assessing, managing, and mitigating the Company’s strategic, financial, operational, and compliance risks. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management at the Company and management’s efforts in these areas. The Board exercises direct oversight of strategic risks to the Company and other risk areas not delegated to one of its committees. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the processes, procedures, and capabilities of the Company’s enterprise risk management program, risks related to its financial statements, financial reporting, internal controls, and IT and cybersecurity, as well as compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the Company’s related party transaction policy. The Compensation Committee oversees risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices with respect to both executive compensation and compensation generally, as well as other human 17 P r o x y capital-related risks. The Compensation Committee also oversees compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to compensation. and reviews the Company’s compensation policies and practices with management to confirm that there are no risks arising from such compensation policies and practices that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company, and has confirmed that no such risks exist. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as such requirements relate to corporate governance, and for overseeing risks related to the Company’s lobbying and other political activities, and environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) efforts, including its social compliance program. The Board and its committees receive updates from senior management on relevant risks and management efforts in these areas at its Board and committee meetings at least annually and more frequently, as appropriate. Information Security Oversight The Audit Committee provides oversight of the Company’s information security initiatives. Management reports to the Audit Committee on information security matters, generally on a quarterly basis. Our information security initiatives are led internally by our Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, who reports to our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and includes a comprehensive information security training and compliance program. An external firm assists the Company in the independent evaluation of its information security maturity. ESG Oversight We believe a strong team and governance are essential to demonstrating accountability and driving our desired results when it comes to important ESG matters, including climate change, product quality and safety, workers’ rights, product design and innovation, supply chain management, and employee engagement. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides oversight of the Company’s ESG initiatives. Management reports to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on ESG matters on a quarterly basis. Our ESG initiatives are led internally by our Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, who reports directly to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Our Corporate Social Responsibility executive is supported by the Company’s ESG Council, which includes employees from across the Company’s business. The Company’s ESG initiatives are implemented by various functions throughout the Company. More information about our ESG efforts can be found at https://www.carters.com/esg (the contents of which are not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement). Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Ethics The Company is committed to conducting its business with the highest level of integrity and maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Our Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Ethics provide the structure within which our Board and management operate the Company. The Company’s Code of Ethics applies to all directors and Company employees, including each of the Company’s executive officers. Our Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Ethics are available in the investor relations section of our website at ir.carters.com or in print by contacting Mr. Duggan at the Company’s address set forth in the 2022 Notice of Annual Meeting. 18 PROPOSAL NUMBER ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Board proposes that the following twelve director nominees be elected to the Board to serve until the next annual meeting in 2023, or until his or her earlier resignation, death, or removal. Each nominee is listed below, along with their age as of the date of the Annual Meeting. For more information about each of the director nominees, including individual biographies. Please see “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance Information—Board of Directors.” Name Rochester (Rock) Anderson, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffrey H. Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hali Borenstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luis Borgen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Bruce Cleverly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jevin S. Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark P. Hipp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Montgoris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacey S. Rauch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gretchen W. Schar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie P. Stahl Age 60 68 37 52 61 77 55 60 75 64 67 55 The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the director nominees listed above. Vote Required Pursuant to our by-laws and our Corporate Governance Principles, the number of votes properly cast “for” a director nominee must exceed the aggregate number of votes cast “against” that nominee and shares to which the holder “abstains” with respect to that nominee for that nominee to be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards a quorum, and abstentions will have the practical effect of a vote “against” a director nominee. Broker non-votes are not considered shares entitled to vote in the election of directors. Any nominee who is an existing director who does not receive a majority of votes cast “for” their election is required to tender their resignation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is then required to make a recommendation to the Board as to whether it should accept or reject such resignation. The Board, taking into account such recommendation, will decide whether to accept such resignation. The Board’s decision will be publicly disclosed within ninety (90) days after the results of the election are certified. A director whose resignation is under consideration shall abstain from participating in any recommendation or decision regarding his or her resignation. If the resignation is not accepted, the director will continue to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified. In addition to the eight continuing director nominees, the Board is recommending four new candidates for election – Rochester (Rock) Anderson, Jr., Jeffrey H. Black, Stacey S. Rauch and Stephanie P. Stahl. The Board has appointed each of these candidates to the Board, subject to election by shareholders at the Annual Meeting. If any new candidate does not receive a majority of votes cast “for” their election, such nominee will not have been elected to serve on our Board. P r o x y 19 COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS When they are initially appointed to the Board, each of our non-management directors receives a one-time restricted stock grant, equal to the value of the annual retainer, that cliff vests after three years. Thereafter, each of our non-management directors receives an annual cash retainer and an annual stock award, and each of our committee chairpersons and our Lead Director receives an additional annual retainer. Non-management directors also receive fees for each meeting they attend. For fiscal 2021, each director’s annual retainer was comprised of a $85,000 cash payment and an immediately vested grant of our common stock valued at approximately $155,000. In addition, our Lead Director received a $40,000 cash retainer. The chairperson of our Audit Committee received a $30,000 cash retainer and the chairpersons of our Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees each received $25,000 cash retainers. Each director received meeting fees of $2,500 for each regularly scheduled Board meeting, and $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board and regularly scheduled or special meeting of the standing Board committees. We reimburse directors for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and committee meetings and for other expenses incurred while conducting Company business. During fiscal 2021, all meetings were held telephonically or virtually. Mr. Casey receives no additional compensation for serving on the Board. The following table provides information concerning the compensation of our non-management directors serving during fiscal 2021. FISCAL 2021 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE(a) Name Hali Borenstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luis Borgen (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Brinkley (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Giuseppina Buonfantino . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Bruce Cleverly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jevin S. Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark P. Hipp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Montgoris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard A. Noll (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Pulver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gretchen W. Schar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas E. Whiddon (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (b) Stock Awards ($) (c) Total ($) $113,000 $ 42,500 $ 11,500 $113,000 $138,000 $147,000 $109,000 $140,000 $ 10,500 $153,000 $116,000 1,000 $ $155,054 $268,054 $275,136 $232,636 $ — $ 11,500 $268,054 $155,054 $293,054 $155,054 $302,054 $155,054 $264,054 $155,054 $155,054 $295,054 $ — $ 10,500 $308,054 $155,054 $271,054 $155,054 1,000 $ — $ (a) As a named executive officer, Mr. Casey’s compensation information is omitted from this table and presented in the Summary Compensation Table. (b) This column reports the amount of cash compensation earned in fiscal 2021 through annual cash retainers and meeting fees. (c) On May 20, 2021, we issued 1,532 fully vested shares of common stock to each non-management director who was a member of the Board on that date with a grant date fair value of $101.21 per share. Ms. Borenstein and Mr. Eagle deferred receipt of their shares under the director deferred compensation program. (d) Mr. Borgen joined the Board in November 2021 and received a pro-rated annual cash retainer and stock grant upon appointment, consisting of 2,343 shares of common stock with a grant date fair value of $99.29 per share. The grant consisted of 1,562 shares of restricted stock that will cliff vest on the third anniversary of the issuance, and 781 shares which vested immediately upon grant. 20 (e) Ms. Brinkley and Mr. Noll did not stand for election at the 2021 annual meeting. (f) Mr. Whiddon resigned from the Board in January 2021 and received Board compensation for one meeting that he attended. For complete beneficial ownership information of our common stock for each director, see heading “Securities Ownership of Beneficial Owners, Directors, and Executive Officers” on page 47. In November 2020, the Board approved a deferred compensation program for non-management directors, under which beginning in 2021 directors may opt to defer cash retainer payments and stock grants in the form of deferred stock units until the fifth anniversary of the grant date or until the director leaves the Board. Under the Company’s minimum ownership guidelines, no director may sell Company stock unless he or she owns shares of Company stock with a total market value in excess of five times his or her annual cash retainer, or $425,000, by the end of his or her sixth year of service on the Board. Each of our directors complied with these ownership guidelines in fiscal 2021. There are no family relationships among any of the directors or our executive officers and none of our non-management directors performed any services for the Company other than services as directors. P r o x y 21 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS’ BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCE The following table sets forth the name, age, and position of each of our executive officers as of the Annual Meeting date. Name Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie A. D’Emilio . . . . . . . . . . Scott F. Duggan . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffrey M. Jenkins . . . . . . . . . Kendra D. Krugman . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . Benjamin L. Pivar . . . . . . . . . Antonio D. Robinson . . . . . . . Peter R. Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . . Jill A. Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age 61 59 55 56 44 44 52 55 50 61 53 55 Position Chairman of the Board of Directors & Chief Executive Officer President Executive Vice President, Global Sales Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs, General Counsel & Secretary Executive Vice President, Global Marketing Executive Vice President, Merchandising & Design Executive Vice President, North America Retail Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Talent Development Michael D. Casey joined the Company in 1993 as Vice President of Finance. Mr. Casey was named Senior Vice President of Finance in 1997, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1998, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2003, and Chief Executive Officer in 2008. Mr. Casey became a director in 2008 and was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Casey worked for Price Waterhouse LLP, a predecessor firm to PwC, from 1982 to 1993. Brian J. Lynch joined the Company in 2005 as Vice President of Merchandising. Mr. Lynch was named Senior Vice President in 2008. In 2009, Mr. Lynch was named Executive Vice President and Brand Leader for Carter’s. In 2012, Mr. Lynch was named President. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lynch was with The Walt Disney Company from 1995 to 2005 in various merchandising, brand management, and strategy roles in the Disney Parks & Resorts division. Prior to Disney, Mr. Lynch worked for Champion, a division of Hanesbrands Inc., where he held finance, sales management, and marketing positions. Julie A. D’Emilio joined the Company in 2006 as Vice President of Sales. Ms. D’Emilio was named Senior Vice President of Sales in 2013, and then Executive Vice President, Sales in 2016. In 2020, Ms. D’Emilio was appointed Executive Vice President, Global Sales. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. D’Emilio was with Calvin Klein Jeans, a division of The Warnaco Group, Inc., in various management positions, including Executive Vice President of Juniors’ and Girls, and Vice President of the Women’s Division. Ms. D’Emilio began her career with Liz Claiborne Inc. and also worked for London Fog Industries, Inc. and Jones Apparel Group, a predecessor of The Jones Group, Inc. Scott F. Duggan joined the Company in 2019 as Senior Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs, General Counsel & Secretary. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Duggan was Senior Vice President – General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Compliance Officer at The Fresh Market, Inc. from 2010 until 2019, and from October 2017 to 2019 he also served as Head of Real Estate. Prior to joining The Fresh Market, Inc., Mr. Duggan was a partner at Boston-based law firm Goodwin Procter LLP. Jeffrey M. Jenkins joined the Company in 2019 as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing. From July 2017 to July 2019, Mr. Jenkins was with CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., the parent company of the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s fast food restaurant brands, serving most recently as Global Chief Digital Officer and previously as Chief Marketing Officer. From June 2015 to July 2017, Mr. Jenkins was with Whole Foods Market, Inc. as Vice President, Digital Marketing & Channel Activation and Vice President, Digital Strategy & Marketing. From 2008 to June 2015, Mr. Jenkins was with Yum! Brands, Inc. in marketing roles of increasing responsibility. 22 Kendra D. Krugman joined the Company in 2007 as Manager, Merchandising. Ms. Krugman was named Director, Merchandising in 2008, Vice President Sales and Merchandising, Mass Channel in 2012, Senior Vice President Carter’s Brands and Licensing in 2016, and Executive Vice President, Merchandising & Design in July 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Krugman held positions at The Gap, Inc. and French Connection Group PLC. Patrick Q. Moore joined the Company in 2017 as Executive Vice President, Strategy & Business Development. Mr. Moore was named Executive Vice President, Strategy & Global Business Development in February 2019 and Executive Vice President, North America Retail in December 2019. From 2013 to 2017, Mr. Moore was Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer with YP Holdings, a portfolio company of Cerberus Capital Management and one of the largest digital media businesses in the United States. While at YP, Mr. Moore was responsible for a number of functions including strategy, corporate development, labor, compliance, real estate, and business development. From 2001 to 2013, Mr. Moore was with McKinsey & Company, Inc., where he served as a partner from 2006 to 2013, and managed clients across a variety of industries, including consumer products, retail, media, hospitality, and technology. Benjamin L. Pivar joined the Company in 2015 as Vice President Information Technology (IT) Supply Chain. Mr. Pivar was named Vice President Retail IT in 2017, Vice President & Chief Information Officer in 2018, and Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer in 2019. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Pivar spent 12 years at Capgemini, most recently as Senior Vice President, North America Retail Lead. Antonio D. Robinson joined the Company in 2010 as Vice President, Associate General Counsel. Mr. Robinson was named Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer in 2019, and Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility in 2020. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Robinson was a shareholder and attorney in private practice in the Atlanta office of Littler Mendelson P.C. Peter R. Smith joined the Company in 2015 as Executive Vice President, Supply Chain. From 2006 to 2015, Mr. Smith was with V.F. Corporation, serving most recently as Vice President, Supply Chain, EMEA & APAC based in Switzerland and previously as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, V.F. Sportswear Coalition based in New York. Mr. Smith began his career at Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation and also worked for London Fog Industries, Inc. in various management positions, including Chief Operations Officer and President of London Fog Retail, Pacific Trail Outerwear and other roles in planning, operations, and business systems. Richard F. Westenberger joined the Company in 2009 as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Westenberger’s responsibilities include management of the Company’s finance and information technology functions. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Westenberger served as Vice President of Corporate Finance and Treasurer of Hewitt Associates, Inc. from 2006 to 2008. From 1996 to 2006, Mr. Westenberger held various senior financial management positions at Sears Holdings Corporation and its predecessor organization, Sears, Roebuck and Co., including Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Lands’ End, Inc., Vice President of Corporate Planning & Analysis, and Vice President of Investor Relations. Prior to Sears, Mr. Westenberger was with Kraft Foods, Inc. He began his career at Price Waterhouse LLP, a predecessor firm to PwC, and is a certified public accountant. P r o x y Jill A. Wilson joined the Company in 2009 as Vice President of Human Resources. In 2010, Ms. Wilson was promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Talent Development. Ms. Wilson joined the Company after more than 20 years with The May Company and Macy’s, Inc. While at Macy’s, Ms. Wilson held various human resource positions of increasing responsibility, including Group Vice President of Human Resources. Ms. Wilson has extensive experience in a broad range of human resource disciplines including global talent management, organizational development, learning and development, compensation, benefits, talent acquisition, and merger integration. 23 COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Overview This Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or CD&A, is intended to provide information regarding the Company’s executive compensation program and practices. This CD&A covers a variety of topics, including the Company’s compensation philosophy regarding executive compensation, the role of our Compensation Committee in setting the compensation of our executive officers, including our NEOs, and our executive compensation decisions for fiscal 2021. Our NEOs for fiscal 2021 were: • Michael D. Casey, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer; • • • • Richard F. Westenberger, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer; Brian J. Lynch, President; Patrick Q. Moore, Executive Vice President, North America Retail; and Kendra D. Krugman, Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Design. Each of our NEOs was employed by the Company in their respective roles for all of fiscal 2021. Continuing Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Executive Compensation Highlights for Fiscal 2021 During fiscal 2021, the global pandemic caused by the spread of the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) continued to negatively affect the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created significant disruption in a wide range of markets. Forecasting expected demand for baby and children’s apparel and related products, as well as the costs associated with designing, producing, transporting, marketing, and selling baby and children’s apparel and related products continued to be challenging at the start of, and throughout, fiscal 2021. Some compensation decisions regarding incentive compensation programs that were established in, and prior to, fiscal 2020 were made early in fiscal 2021. Fiscal 2021 compensation programs were also designed and established early in fiscal 2021. This CD&A presents information regarding these decisions, as well as outcomes of some of these decisions. 2021 Company Performance Highlights • • Achieved net sales of $3.5 billion, a fifteen percent increase from 2020 and in-line with 2019’s pre-pandemic sales Record profitability driven by • • • Rationalization of product choices Closure of low-margin stores Leaner inventories • More impactful and effective marketing • Improved price realization 24 • • • Resumed return of capital program distributing $359 million to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases in fiscal 2021 Published our first Corporate Social Responsibility Report Recognized as a top employer by Forbes® Executive Compensation Highlights for Fiscal 2021 The Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation program is appropriately designed to attract and retain superior executive talent and also to drive performance. As described more fully in this CD&A, the Compensation Committee took the following actions, among others, with respect to fiscal 2021 compensation for our NEOs: • • • • reviewed the peer group used by the Compensation Committee as a source of comparative compensation data in fiscal 2021, and determined no changes were needed; paid out annual cash incentive compensation for 2021 at 200% of target based on the Company’s strong performance during fiscal 2021 versus goals for performance in net sales and adjusted operating income that were established in the midst of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic; vested 75% of performance-based restricted stock granted in 2019 driven by strong adjusted operating income in fiscal 2021, the performance measurement period for the shares granted in 2019; and approved new awards of time-based restricted stock in 2021. The Compensation Committee re-introduced a fifty-fifty mix of performance-based restricted stock and time-based restricted stock in 2022. P r o x y 25 Compensation Governance The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors have established executive compensation-related policies and procedures, including those discussed below, that they believe are appropriate for the Company and its shareholders in light of the industries in which the Company operates, its business model, and its financial and operational performance. What We Do: What We Do Not Do No Guaranteed Annual Salary Increases or Guaranteed Bonuses No Re-Pricing of Stock Options Without Shareholder Approval No Hedging, Pledging, or Short Sales of Company Stock No Special Perquisites Provided to Our NEOs No Equity Grants Below 100% Fair Market Value Align Pay with Company Performance: A significant portion of our NEOs’ total direct compensation is linked to Company performance in the form of annual incentive compensation and long-term equity compensation tied to performance criteria; provided that as described on page 30, we awarded only time-based restricted stock in 2021 and reinstituted a fifty-fifty mix of time- based and performance-based restricted stock for 2022. Retain an Independent Compensation Consultant: The Compensation Committee retains an independent consultant to advise it on executive and director compensation matters and to help analyze comparative compensation data to confirm that the design and pay levels of our compensation program are consistent with market practices. Utilize Stock Ownership Guidelines: We have minimum stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers to encourage them to maintain a meaningful equity interest in the Company in order to align their interests more closely with those of our shareholders. Utilize Equity Retention Guidelines: Our equity retention policy for executive officers requires holding periods for time-based restricted stock and time-based stock option grants. Have Double-Trigger Cash Severance Arrangements in the Event of a Change of Control: Our severance agreements with our NEOs provide for cash severance benefits to be paid only if there is a qualifying termination in connection with a change of control. Compensation Philosophy The Company is committed to achieving long-term, sustainable growth and increasing shareholder value. Our compensation philosophy is to set our NEOs’ total direct compensation at levels that will attract, motivate, and retain superior executive talent in a highly competitive environment. The Company’s compensation program 26 for our NEOs is designed to support these objectives and encourage strong financial performance on an annual and long-term basis, without encouraging excessive risks, by linking a significant portion of our NEOs’ total direct compensation to Company performance in the form of incentive compensation and long-term performance stock. Compensation Structure and Determination The principal components of the compensation structure for our NEOs are: • • • base salary; annual cash incentive compensation; and long-term equity incentive compensation. Together, the Company refers to these three components as “total direct compensation.” General In setting a total direct compensation target for each NEO, our Compensation Committee considers both the objective and subjective factors set forth below. The Compensation Committee also reviews total direct compensation, and its individual components, at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile levels paid to executives in similar positions at the companies in our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey, in order to understand where the compensation it sets falls relative to market practices. These levels are selected because the Compensation Committee reviews this peer data as a reference point in determining whether the total compensation opportunity is likely to provide sufficient motivation and retention as well as whether it properly reflects the NEO’s role and scope of responsibilities relative to the companies in our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey. The Compensation Committee chooses the actual amount of each element of compensation and the total compensation opportunity of each executive officer based, in part, on its review of data for the companies in our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey. In setting compensation of all NEOs, our Compensation Committee considered multiple objective and subjective factors, including: • • • • • • • the nature and scope of each executive’s responsibilities; comparative compensation data for executives in similar positions at companies in our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey; P r o x y each executive’s experience, performance, and contribution to the Company; the Company’s performance; prior equity awards and potential future earnings from equity awards; retention needs; and any other factors the Compensation Committee deems relevant. Base Salary When setting base salaries for our NEOs, our Compensation Committee considers the objective and subjective factors set forth above and also reviews base salaries at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile levels paid to executives in similar positions at the companies in our peer group and a broader retail survey, as appropriate. 27 Annual Cash Incentive Compensation The Company makes annual cash incentive compensation (through our Incentive Compensation Plan) a significant component of our NEOs’ targeted total direct compensation in order to motivate our executives to meet and exceed the Company’s annual operating plans. For each NEO, our Compensation Committee approves target annual cash incentive compensation as a percentage of such NEO’s base salary. In establishing these annual cash incentive compensation targets, the Compensation Committee considers our NEOs’ potential total direct compensation in light of the Company’s compensation philosophy and comparative compensation data. Our Compensation Committee has the discretion to reduce or not to award annual cash incentive compensation, even if the Company achieves its financial performance targets, and to take into account personal performance in determining the percentage of each NEO’s annual cash incentive compensation to be paid, if any. For example, our Compensation Committee has discretion to reduce future incentive compensation awards based on financial restatements or misconduct. In addition, in accordance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Messrs. Casey and Westenberger are subject to the adjustment, cancellation, or recovery of incentive awards or payments made to them in the event of a financial restatement, and all of our NEOs are subject to the clawback policy described below. Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Our Equity Incentive Plan allows for various types of equity awards, including stock options, restricted stock (both time and performance-based), restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and deferred stock. Awards under our Equity Incentive Plan are granted to recruit, motivate, and retain employees and in connection with promotions or increased responsibility. Historically, our Compensation Committee has awarded a combination of time-based stock options, time and performance-based restricted stock, and time-based restricted stock units, although it may choose to use other forms of equity awards in the future. All awards under our Equity Incentive Plan must be approved by our Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee determines the type, timing, and amount of equity awards granted to each of our NEOs after considering their previous equity awards, base salary, and target annual cash incentive compensation in light of the Company’s compensation philosophy. Our Compensation Committee also considers the comparative compensation data in our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey, and our desire to retain and motivate our NEOs and to align their goals with the long-term goals of our shareholders. Our Compensation Committee’s practice is to approve equity grants at regularly scheduled meetings, but may also make equity grants at special meetings or by unanimous written consent, and could select a date subsequent to a regularly scheduled meeting on which to grant equity awards. The exercise prices of equity awards are set at the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on the date of grant. In considering the value of equity awards, we calculate the value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards using the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. Role of the Compensation Committee, Independent Consultant and Management Our Compensation Committee sets the total direct compensation of our NEOs, as well as the financial performance targets for our NEOs’ annual cash incentive compensation and vesting terms for their equity awards, including performance-based awards. For fiscal 2021, our Compensation Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, an independent compensation consultant (“Meridian”), to advise it on executive and director compensation matters. 28 Meridian informs the Compensation Committee on market trends, as well as regulatory issues and developments and how they may impact the Company’s executive compensation program. Meridian also, among other things: • • • participates in the design of the executive compensation program to help the Compensation Committee evaluate, among other things, the linkage between pay and performance; reviews market data and advises the Compensation Committee regarding the compensation of the Company’s executive officers; and reviews and advises the Compensation Committee regarding director compensation. With the goal of maintaining the effectiveness of our executive compensation program, and not to alter our compensation philosophy, our Compensation Committee reviews the reasonableness of compensation for our executive officers, including our NEOs, and compares it with compensation data paid to executives in similar positions at the companies in our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey. Meridian serves at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and regularly attended executive sessions with the Compensation Committee at which management was not present. At the direction of the Compensation Committee, our Chief Executive Officer worked with Meridian to review comparative compensation data and made recommendations for base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentive compensation for our NEOs, other than himself. Compensation for our Chief Executive Officer is set by the Compensation Committee, without any involvement by the Chief Executive Officer, based on recommendations made by Meridian. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC pursuant to the NYSE’s and the SEC’s rules and has determined that it is independent, and the work provided by it did not raise a conflict of interest. Peer Group Analysis and Retail Survey To assess the market competitiveness of our NEOs’ compensation, the committee and management review data provided by Meridian from two sources: data from our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey. Our Compensation Committee has established a peer group, which is generally comprised of companies in the retail or wholesale industries which primarily conduct business in apparel or related accessories, sell products under multiple brands through retail and outlet stores, and have net sales generally between one-half and two times the Company’s net sales. In setting fiscal 2021 compensation, our peer group was comprised of the following fifteen companies: P r o x y Abercrombie & Fitch Co. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. The Children’s Place, Inc. Columbia Sportswear Company GIII Apparel Group, Ltd. Gildan Activewear, Inc. Guess?, Inc. Hanesbrands Inc. Kontoor Brands, Inc. Levi Strauss & Co. Skechers USA, Inc. Tapestry, Inc. Under Armour, Inc. Urban Outfitters, Inc. William-Sonoma, Inc. The Compensation Committee, with the advice of Meridian, also uses select information from a broader retail survey – that includes apparel and related products retailers or department stores who primarily sell apparel and related products – for executive compensation market assessment in order to supplement compensation data provided by the peer group analysis for roles outside of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President that may not be adequately represented in the data that is available from our peer group. 29 Say-on-Pay Results At the 2021 Annual Meeting of shareholders, approximately 97.5% of the votes cast were in favor of the advisory vote to approve executive compensation. While this vote was advisory and not binding, the Compensation Committee carefully considered the result of the say-on-pay vote in the context of our overall compensation philosophy, as well as our compensation policies and decisions. After reflecting on the say-on-pay vote, our Compensation Committee decided that no changes to the compensation philosophy updated in 2020 were necessary. At the Annual Meeting, the Company plans to again hold an annual advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Proposal Number Two). The Compensation Committee plans to continue to consider the results from this year’s and future advisory votes on executive compensation. 2021 Total Direct Compensation Throughout fiscal 2021, our Compensation Committee reviewed compensation data from our peer group and, as needed, a broader retail survey, and compared that data to the compensation of our NEOs. In addition, for fiscal 2021, the Compensation Committee took into account the Company’s performance in light of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related uncertainty. The Company achieved record operating performance and profitability in 2021 as the Company and the broader marketplace recovered from the global pandemic and consumer confidence improved. The Company and its employees also overcame significant challenges in delivering this performance including supply chain and transportation challenges, significant inflationary pressures, and ongoing disruptions caused by the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. The Compensation Committee recognized these efforts by the Company’s employees and provided enhanced compensation and benefits for all employees including special bonuses in late 2021 and early 2022 and enhanced 401(k) and similar matches throughout the Company’s footprint. The Company also meaningfully enhanced its contribution to the Carter’s Charitable Foundation which makes contributions focused on childhood well-being. The components of total direct compensation are discussed more fully below. 2021 Base Salary In February 2021, the Compensation Committee determined to increase the base salaries, effective in May 2021, for each of our NEOs. These increases were based on market data, the nature and scope of each NEOs responsibilities, and each NEOs performance during fiscal 2020. The base salary for each NEO for fiscal 2021 is set forth below. Michael Casey Richard Westenberger Brian Lynch Patrick Moore Kendra Krugman Base salary rate—2020 (effective August 2020) . . . $1,050,000 Base salary rate—2021 (effective May 2021) . . . . . $1,085,000 $635,000 $655,000 $780,000 $575,000 $550,000 $805,000 $600,000 $570,000 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the increases for fiscal 2020 did not become effective until August 22, 2020, and the base salaries for each of the NEOs, as well as all other employees of Carter’s, were temporarily reduced from April 26, 2020 to August 22, 2020. Mr. Casey’s base salary was temporarily reduced by 50%, and the other NEO’s salaries were temporarily reduced by 10%. The total salary for each NEO in fiscal 2020 is shown in the Summary Compensation Table in the “Salary” column. 2021 Annual Cash Incentive Compensation In February 2021, our Compensation Committee set the following fiscal 2021 annual cash incentive compensation targets for our NEOs: 150% of base salary for Mr. Casey, 100% for Mr. Lynch, and 75% for Messrs. Moore and Westenberger and Ms. Krugman based on each NEO’s responsibilities, expected contribution and market data. In accordance with our Incentive Compensation Plan, for fiscal 2021, the Compensation 30 Committee established two financial performance metrics to determine the amount, if any, of annual cash incentive compensation to be paid under our Incentive Compensation Plan: net sales (weighted at 25%) and operating income, as adjusted, if applicable, in the same manner as for presentation to the financial markets (weighted at 75%). (Please see additional information in our quarterly earnings releases for how adjusted operating income is determined, which amount is then used, for the purposes of determining our NEOs’ compensation.) Our Compensation Committee selected net sales and operating income (as it may be adjusted) as performance metrics because it believes these metrics are key measures that are aligned with the interests of our shareholders and provide a means to measure the quality of our earnings. Our NEOs could have earned from 0% to 200% of their target annual cash incentive compensation in fiscal 2021 based upon the Company’s achievement of net sales and operating income (as it may be adjusted) financial performance metrics. The payment grid for the 2021 annual incentive compensation program is set forth below. 2021 Annual Cash Incentive Compensation – Performance Metrics Net Sales (25%) (in millions) Adj. Operating Income (75%) (in millions) 25% of Target (Threshold Performance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100% of Target (Target Performance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200% of Target (Maximum Performance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiscal 2021 Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,024 $3,187 $3,317 $3,486 $280 $335 $401 $501 In February 2022, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company exceeded the “Maximum” performance levels for both the net sales and operating income (as it may be adjusted) financial performance metrics. As a result, our NEOs were awarded 200% of their annual cash incentive compensation targets for fiscal 2021 as summarized below. Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Targets ($) Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Payment ($) Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,627,500 $ 491,250 $ 805,000 $ 450,000 $ 427,500 $3,255,000 $ 982,500 $1,610,000 $ 900,000 $ 855,000 Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation The discussion below includes information regarding: • • Long-term equity incentive compensation awarded in fiscal 2021; and Performance-based restricted stock awarded in fiscal 2019, the vesting of which was based on fiscal 2021 performance. Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Awarded in 2021. In February 2021, our Compensation Committee approved annual time-based restricted stock grants for each NEO that were larger than in past years due to the unique circumstances and challenges of COVID-19 and the Company’s successful response to these challenges. A significant portion of the time-based restricted stock awarded to all NEOs except for Mr. Casey included a three year cliff vest feature which the Compensation Committee granted to encourage retention. All of the time-based restricted stock awards granted to our NEOs in fiscal 2021: • are subject to the equity retention policy described below; 31 P r o x y • • are contingent on the NEO’s continued employment with the Company, subject to a qualifying retirement; and vest, • • in the case of the annual restricted stock grants made to all NEOs, in four equal annual installments on the first through fourth anniversaries of each grant date, and in the case of the three year cliff vesting restricted stock grants made to all NEOs, except for the CEO, on the third anniversary of their grant date. The Compensation Committee, with advice from Meridian, determined that granting additional restricted stock with a three year cliff vest feature, would promote long-term team cohesion and aid in retention of valuable members of the senior management team. The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of Meridian, considered the use of performance-based restricted stock for a portion of the long-term equity incentive compensation for 2021 and determined that: • • • in light of the significant, ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, setting meaningful financial performance targets for performance-based restricted stock would present a level of uncertainty that could result in meaningful underpayment or overpayment to the NEOs, and the balance of financial performance driven compensation under the 2021 annual incentive compensation program and the delivery of value through long-term restricted shares that align the NEOs with the Company’s shareholders, was appropriate for fiscal 2021 compensation, and accordingly, performance-based vesting provisions were not used for the 2021 restricted stock grants. The following table details the number of time-based restricted shares underlying the grants to each of our NEOs for Fiscal 2021. A more detailed description of such grants can be seen below in the table “Fiscal 2021 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” and its footnotes. Michael Casey Richard Westenberger Brian Lynch Patrick Moore Kendra Krugman Vesting in Four Annual Installments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cliff Vesting on Third Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,296 — 11,220 11,220 13,260 13,260 5,868 10,200 5,868 10,200 The Compensation Committee reinstituted its historical use of performance-based restricted stock for 2022 executive officer equity grants with performance-based restricted stock and time-based restricted stock each representing fifty percent (50%) of 2022 long-term equity incentive compensation awarded to NEOs. Certifying Performance Under February 2019 Performance-Based Restricted Stock. In February 2022, the Compensation Committee also certified the performance criteria for the performance-based restricted stock that was granted in February 2019 and vested based on the Company’s fiscal 2021 net sales (50%) and adjusted operating income (50%). The Compensation Committee determined that seventy-five percent (75%) of the performance-based restricted stock granted in 2019 vested based upon (a) the Net Sales performance metric threshold not being met, and (b) the Fiscal 2021 Adjusted Operating Income performance metric’s maximum being exceeded. The threshold, target, and maximum metrics are set out below (dollars in millions): 25% of Target 2019 Performance-Based Restricted Stock (Threshold) . . . . . . . . . . 100% of Target 2019 Performance-Based Restricted Stock (Target) . . . . . . . . . . . . 150% of Target 2019 Performance-Based Restricted Stock (Maximum) . . . . . . . . . Fiscal 2021 Adjusted Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,542 $3,783 $3,897 $3,486 $423 $469 $491 $501 Fiscal 2021 Net Sales Fiscal 2021 Adj Operating Income 32 Stock Ownership Guidelines and Equity Retention Policy Our Compensation Committee regularly reviews the equity ownership of our NEOs compared to the Company’s minimum ownership guidelines. Under the Company’s minimum ownership guidelines, no NEO may sell shares of Company stock (other than to cover the tax obligations resulting from the vesting of Company restricted stock or from exercising vested stock options) unless they own shares of Company stock with a total market value in excess of a specified multiple of his or her base salary and continues to maintain such level of ownership after such sale. For fiscal 2021, the ownership multiples for our NEOs were as follows: Multiple of Base Salary Chief Executive Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Vice Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7x 4x 3x During fiscal 2021 each of our NEOs was in compliance with his applicable ownership requirement. Our equity retention policy for NEOs requires that, prior to any sale, any time-based restricted stock granted to an NEO be held for four years following the date of grant, except for any withholding to cover tax obligations resulting from the vesting of such shares. The policy also requires that shares underlying time-based options granted be held for at least one year from the date of vesting. 401(k) Plan The Company’s 401(k) matching program provides Company matching of employee contributions, including contributions by NEOs, at the discretion of the Company, based on the Company’s performance. In February 2022, the Company announced that employee contributions made to the Company’s 401(k) plan in fiscal 2021 would be matched by the Company 125% up to the maximum amount permitted by the Internal Revenue Service. This match was approved by the Compensation Committee following its consideration of the Company’s employees’ efforts in delivering financial and operating performance above expectations and significantly better than in 2020 as the Company recovered from the pandemic related disruptions experienced in 2020. Accounting and Tax Considerations Accounting, tax, and related financial implications to the Company and our NEOs are considered during the analysis of our compensation and benefits program and individual elements of each. Overall, the Compensation Committee seeks to balance attainment of our compensation objectives with the need to maximize current tax deductibility of compensation that may impact earnings and other measures of importance to shareholders. In general, base salary, annual cash incentive bonus payments, and the costs related to benefits and perquisites are recognized as compensation expense at the time they are earned or provided. Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period in our consolidated statements of operations for stock options and restricted stock (both time and performance-based). Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), we may not deduct compensation of more than $1 million paid to the Company’s NEOs. Prior to January 1, 2018, certain grants may have qualified as “performance-based compensation” and, as such, would be exempt from the $1 million limitation on deductible compensation. Such performance-based compensation exception was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act with respect to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. While the Compensation Committee is mindful of the benefit to our performance of full deductibility of compensation, the Compensation Committee believes that it should not be constrained by the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code where those requirements would impair flexibility in compensating our executive officers in a manner that can best 33 P r o x y promote our corporate objectives and support our compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee intends to continue to compensate our executive officers in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company and our shareholders. Clawback and Hedging Policies The Board has adopted a policy for the recovery of cash and equity performance-based compensation from executives (these are generally referred to as “recoupment” or “clawback” policies). The policy provides that the Board may require an executive to reimburse or forfeit a performance-based award or repay performance-based compensation if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement as a result of misconduct, if such executive knowingly caused or failed to prevent such misconduct. Further, hedging and pledging of Company stock by any Board member or employee of the Company, including our NEOs, is prohibited under the Company’s policies to ensure that the interests of the holders of Company stock are fully aligned with those of shareholders in general. During fiscal 2021, none of our NEOs entered into hedging arrangement or pledged any shares of Company stock. Severance Agreements with NEOs Each of our NEOs has a severance agreement with the Company. In the event that an NEO is terminated by the Company for “cause,” retires, becomes disabled, or dies, the executive or his estate will be provided his base salary and medical and other benefits through the termination of his employment. If an NEO is terminated without “cause,” or an NEO terminates for “good reason” (with “cause” and “good reason” defined in each executive’s respective agreement and summarized below) the Company will be obligated to pay such executive’s base salary for 24 months in the case of Mr. Casey, for 18 months in the case of Mr. Lynch, and for 12 months in the cases of Messrs. Moore and Westenberger and Ms. Krugman. In each case, base salary will be paid in bi-weekly installments. The Company is also obligated to pay each NEO a pro-rated annual cash incentive compensation amount that would have been earned by each such executive if he had been employed at the end of the year in which his employment was terminated. The determination of whether annual cash incentive compensation is payable to the NEO will not take into account any individual performance goals and shall be based solely on the extent to which Company performance goals have been met. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay the Company’s contribution to the medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for 24 months in the case of Mr. Casey, for 18 months in the case of Mr. Lynch, and for 12 months in the case of Messrs. Moore and Westenberger and Ms. Krugman. The payment of severance is contingent on the NEO (a) executing a timely and effective release of claims, and (b) complying with post-termination obligations including confidentiality, noncompetition, and non-solicitation covenants. In the event that within two years following a “change of control” (with “change of control” defined in each executive’s agreement) the Company terminates the NEO’s employment, other than for “cause” or such executive terminates his employment for “good reason,” the Company shall pay such NEO’s base salary, and the Company’s contribution to the medical, dental, and life insurance benefits, for 36 months in the case of Mr. Casey, 30 months in the case of Mr. Lynch, and 24 months in the case of Messrs. Moore and Westenberger and Ms. Krugman. In the event of a “change of control” of the Company, all unvested stock options and all unvested shares of restricted stock held by the NEO will fully vest. Severance payments made to the NEOs are subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Under the agreements with each of our NEOs, “cause” is generally deemed to exist when such NEO has: (a) been convicted of a felony or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony; (b) committed fraud or other act involving dishonesty for personal gain which is materially injurious to the Company; (c) materially breached his obligations of confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, non-competition, non-solicitation, or 34 non-disparagement against the Company after a cure period, provided such breach by its nature was curable; (d) willfully engaged in gross misconduct which is injurious to the Company; or (e) after a cure period, willfully refused to substantially perform his duties or is grossly negligent in performance of such duties. Under the agreements with our NEOs, “good reason” is generally deemed to exist when there is: (a) a material reduction in the executive’s title, duties, or responsibilities; (b) a material change in the geographic location at which the executive must perform services; or (c) a material breach of the executive’s agreement by the Company. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below for a discussion and presentation of amounts our NEOs may be entitled to in the event of their termination, including following a change in control. P r o x y 35 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT The Compensation Committee of the Board has reviewed and discussed with Company management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement for filing with the SEC. Submitted by the Compensation Committee Mr. Jevin S. Eagle, Chairperson Ms. Giuseppina Buonfantino Mr. Mark P. Hipp Ms. Gretchen W. Schar 36 FISCAL 2021 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE* The table below provides information concerning the compensation of our NEOs. In the “Salary” column, we disclose the base salary paid to each of our NEOs during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019. In the “Bonus” column, we disclose the discretionary bonus that was awarded based on Fiscal 2020 performance in light of the challenges faced by the Company due to the ongoing pandemic. In the “Stock Awards” column, we disclose the total fair value of the grants made in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, without a reduction for assumed forfeitures, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. For restricted stock, the fair value is calculated using the closing price on the NYSE of our stock on the date of grant. In the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column, we disclose the dollar value of all compensation earned in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan, including all annual cash incentive compensation. In the “All Other Compensation” column, we disclose the dollar value of all other compensation that could not properly be reported in other columns of the Fiscal 2021 Summary Compensation Table, including perquisites, amounts reimbursed for the payment of taxes, and other payments paid by the Company for the benefit of our NEOs. Name and Principal Position Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Richard F. Westenberger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Vice President, North America Retail Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Vice President, Merchandising & Design Fiscal Year Salary ($) (a) Bonus ($) (b) Stock Awards ($) (c) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) All Other Compensation ($) (d) 2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019 $1,072,885 $ 868,269 $1,050,000 $ — $6,500,323 $328,200 $6,000,392 $ — $5,500,698 $ 648,077 $ 600,635 $ 615,000 $ — $2,200,242 $119,100 $1,100,852 $ — $ 800,541 $ 796,346 $ 737,519 $ 755,000 $ — $2,600,286 $1,300,364 $195,000 $ — $1,100,566 $ 591,346 $ 564,327 $ 515,000 $ — $1,575,467 $107,900 $ 575,586 $ — $1,150,428 $ 563,077 $ 503,096 $ 498,846 $ — $1,575,467 $103,200 $ 575,586 $ — $ 575,167 $3,255,000 $ $ 790,000 — $ 982,500 $ $ 278,000 — $1,610,000 $ $ 455,000 — $ 900,000 $ $ 260,000 — $ 855,000 $ $ 228,000 — $228,177 $100,257 $287,214 $ 82,885 $ 27,259 $ 55,375 $ 93,356 $ 31,959 $ 72,057 $ 72,721 $ 25,928 $ 37,903 $ 58,381 $ 19,770 $ 29,098 Total ($) $11,056,385 $ 7,297,118 $ 7,627,912 $ 3,913,703 $ 1,847,845 $ 1,748,916 $ 5,099,989 $ 2,264,842 $ 2,382,623 $ 3,139,535 $ 1,273,741 $ 1,963,331 $ 3,051,926 $ 1,201,652 $ 1,331,111 (a) Base salary for each NEO was based on a 371-day fiscal year for fiscal 2020, and a 364-day fiscal year for fiscal 2021 and 2019. (b) Reflects the discretionary bonus that was awarded in fiscal 2021 based on fiscal 2020 performance in light of the challenges faced by the Company due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. (c) The amounts disclosed in this column represent the total grant date fair value for the following grants computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718: • • • As set forth in the table below, a portion of the time-based restricted stock awards made in 2021 vest in four equal, annual installments beginning one year from the date of the grant and a portion cliff vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The time-based restricted stock awards made in 2020 and 2019 vest in four equal, annual installments beginning one year from the date of the grant. Vesting of the performance-based restricted stock awards granted in fiscal 2019 is contingent upon meeting specific performance targets for fiscal 2021 and vest in 2022. * Dollars in rows may not foot across due to rounding. 37 P r o x y Name Grant Date Time-Based Restricted Shares – 4 Year Vest Time-Based Restricted Shares – 3 Year Cliff Vest Performance- Based Restricted Shares Grant Date Fair Value per Share Michael D. Casey . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . Kendra B. Krugman . . . 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 11/20/2019 2/13/2019 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 66,296 27,188 30,948 11,220 4,988 4,504 13,260 5,892 6,192 5,868 2,608 5,744 3,236 5,868 2,608 3,236 — 11,220 13,260 10,200 10,200 — 27,188 30,948 — 4,988 4,504 — 5,892 6,192 — 2,608 — 3,236 — 2,608 3,236 $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 $ 98.05 $110.35 $100.15 $ 88.87 $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 (d) The amounts shown as “All Other Compensation” for fiscal 2021 consist of the following: Name Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 (k) Company Match $32,500 $32,500 $32,500 $32,500 $24,375 Dividends Paid on Unvested Restricted Stock $190,355 $ 47,979 $ 57,119 $ 37,931 $ 32,396 Other (i) $5,322 $2,405 $3,738 $2,291 $1,610 Total $228,177 $ 82,885 $ 93,356 $ 72,721 $ 58,381 (i) These amounts include imputed income from health and life insurance contributions, imputed income from bring-your-own technology to work programs, and benefits from healthcare programs, each of which are available to all employees. 38 FISCAL 2021 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS The following table provides information concerning each grant of plan-based awards made to an NEO in fiscal 2021. This includes incentive compensation awards granted under our Incentive Compensation Plan and restricted stock awards granted under our Equity Incentive Plan. The threshold, target, and maximum columns reflect the range of estimated payouts under these plans for fiscal 2021. The last column reports the aggregate grant date fair value of all awards made in fiscal 2021 as if they were fully vested on the grant date, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Name Award Type Grant Date Threshold ($) Target ($) Maximum ($) Threshold (#) Target (#) Maximum (#) Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (a) Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Name Awards Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash Incentive Compensation Shares (b) Richard F. Westenberger . . . . . . . . . . . Cash Incentive Compensation Shares (b) Shares (c) Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash Incentive Compensation Shares (b) Shares (c) Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash Incentive Compensation Shares (b) Shares (c) Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash Incentive Compensation Shares (b) Shares (c) — $406,875 — 2/10/2021 $1,627,500 — $3,255,000 — — $122,813 — — 2/10/2021 2/10/2021 $ 491,250 — — $ 982,500 — — — $201,250 — — 2/10/2021 2/10/2021 $ 805,000 — — $1,610,000 — — — $112,500 — — 2/10/2021 2/10/2021 $ 450,000 — — $ 900,000 — — — $106,875 — — 2/10/2021 2/10/2021 $ 427,500 — — $ 855,000 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 66,296 — 66,296 — $6,500,323 — 11,220 11,220 — 13,260 13,260 — 5,868 10,200 — 5,868 10,200 — 11,220 11,220 — $1,100,121 $1,100,121 — 13,260 13,260 — $1,300,143 $1,300,143 — 5,868 10,200 — $ 575,357 $1,000,110 — 5,868 10,200 — $ 575,357 $1,000,110 (a) (b) (c) The amounts shown under the “Threshold” column represent 25% of the target cash incentive compensation, assuming threshold-level performance is achieved under the financial performance measures. The amounts shown under the “Target” column represent 100% of the target cash incentive compensation, assuming target-level performance is achieved under the financial performance measures. The amounts shown under the “Maximum” column represent 200% of the target cash incentive compensation, assuming maximum-level performance is achieved under the financial performance measures. The Company exceeded the “Maximum” financial performance metrics for 2021. Shares of time-based restricted stock were granted pursuant to the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan. These restricted shares vest ratably in four equal, annual installments beginning one year from the date of the grant. The Compensation Committee reinstituted a mix of performance-based and time-based restricted stock in 2022. Shares of time-based restricted stock were granted pursuant to the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan. These restricted shares cliff vest after three years. P r o x y 39 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2021 YEAR-END The following table provides information regarding unexercised stock options, stock that has not yet vested, and equity incentive plan awards for each NEO outstanding as of the end of fiscal 2021. Each outstanding award is represented by a separate row that indicates the number of securities underlying the award. Stock Awards Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (a) Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) (b) 135,968 $13,762,681 34,271 $ 3,468,911 40,799 $ 4,129,675 26,044 $ 2,636,174 Name Michael D. Casey . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . . . Option Awards Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) (Exercisable) Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) (Unexercisable) Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) 36,951 69,000 44,500 28,000 30,000 50,000 3,786 7,000 5,220 3,400 3,800 7,383 13,920 10,400 7,000 7,500 4,500 3,786 14,900 1,131 1,131 2,068 1,404 2,260 960 960 2,360 1,200 400 1,400 600 1,400 600 12,317 — — — — — 1,262 — — — — 2,461 — — — — — 1,262 — 377 377 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Option Exercise Price ($) Option Expiration Date $120.25 $ 83.84 $ 90.66 $ 82.40 $ 68.49 $ 59.27 2/21/2028 2/14/2027 2/16/2026 2/18/2025 2/18/2024 2/20/2023 $120.25 $ 83.84 $ 90.66 $ 82.40 $ 68.49 $120.25 $ 83.84 $ 90.66 $ 82.40 $ 68.49 $ 59.27 2/21/2028 2/14/2027 2/16/2026 2/18/2025 2/18/2024 2/21/2028 2/14/2027 2/16/2026 2/18/2025 2/18/2024 2/20/2023 $120.25 $ 85.71 2/21/2028 8/16/2027 2/21/2028 $120.25 2/21/2028 $120.25 2/14/2027 $ 83.84 2/14/2027 $ 83.84 8/17/2026 $ 98.98 2/16/2026 $ 90.66 $ 90.66 2/16/2026 $ 86.88 11/11/2025 2/18/2025 $ 82.40 2/18/2025 $ 82.40 2/18/2024 $ 68.49 2/18/2024 $ 68.49 2/20/2023 $ 59.27 2/20/2023 $ 59.27 [See next page for footnotes to table] 23,140 $ 2,342,231 40 (a) Equity Incentive Plan awards relate to the following grants: • • • As set forth in the table below, a portion of the time-based restricted stock awards made in 2021 vest in four equal, annual installments beginning one year from the date of the grant and a portion cliff vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The time-based restricted stock awards made in 2020 and 2019 vest in four equal, annual installments beginning one year from the date of the grant. Vesting of the performance-based restricted stock awards granted in fiscal 2019 is contingent upon meeting specific performance targets for fiscal 2021 and vest in 2022. Name Grant Date Time-Based Restricted Shares – 4 Year Vest # Time-Based Restricted Shares – 3 Year Cliff Vest # Performance- Based Restricted Shares Grant Date Fair Value per Share Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 2/21/2018 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 2/21/2018 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 2/21/2018 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 11/20/2019 2/13/2019 2/21/2018 2/10/2021 2/12/2020 2/13/2019 2/21/2018 66,296 27,188 30,948 11,436 11,220 4,988 4,504 5,336 13,260 5,892 6,192 2,288 5,868 2,608 5,744 3,236 1,176 5,868 2,608 3,236 1,048 — 11,220 13,260 10,200 10,200 — — 30,948 — — — 4,504 — — — 6,192 — — — — 3,236 — — — 3,236 — $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 $120.25 $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 $120.25 $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 $120.25 $ 98.05 $110.35 $100.15 $ 88.87 $120.25 $ 98.05 $110.35 $ 88.87 $120.25 (b) Amount based on the closing market price per share of the Company’s common stock as traded on the NYSE on December 31, 2021, the last trading day of fiscal 2021 of $101.22. P r o x y 41 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL 2021 The following table provides information concerning our NEOs’ exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock during fiscal 2021. The table reports, on an aggregate basis, the number of securities acquired upon exercise of stock options, the dollar value realized upon exercise of stock options, the number of shares of restricted stock that have vested, and the dollar value realized upon the vesting of restricted stock. Name Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . Option Awards Stock Awards Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) 70,000 6,000 — — 2,800 Value Realized on Exercise ($) (a) $4,438,243 $ 306,562 — $ $ — $ 168,830 Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) 21,486 4,117 4,418 3,992 2,038 Value Realized on Vesting ($) (b) $2,059,470 $ 391,618 $ 423,533 $ 405,979 $ 195,381 (a) Aggregate dollar amount was calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired by the difference between the market price of the underlying securities at the time of exercise and the exercise price of the stock options. (b) Aggregate dollar amount was calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired on vesting by the closing market price of the Company’s common stock as traded on the NYSE on the date of vesting. NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION Eligible employees, including our NEOs, may elect annually to defer a portion of their base salary and annual cash incentive compensation under The William Carter Company Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). Under this plan, participants can defer up to 75% of their salary and/or 90% of their cash bonus. At the option of the participant, these amounts may be deferred to a specific date at least two years from the last day of the year in which deferrals are credited into the participant’s account. Interest on deferred amounts is credited to the participant’s account based upon the earnings and losses of one or more of the investments selected by the participant from the various investment alternatives available under the Deferred Compensation Plan. At the time of deferral, a participant must indicate whether he or she wishes to receive the amount deferred in either a lump sum or in substantially equal annual installments over a period of up to five years for “Specified Date” accounts or up to ten years for “Retirement” accounts. If a participant who is an employee of the Company separates from service prior to the elected commencement date for distributions and has not attained age 62 or age 55 and completed ten years of service, then the deferred amounts will be distributed as a lump sum, regardless of the method of distribution originally elected by the participant. If the participant in question has attained age 62 or age 55 with ten years of service and has previously elected to do so on a timely basis, then the participant may receive the amounts in substantially equal annual installments over a period of up to ten years. There is a six-month delay in the commencement of distributions for all participants, if triggered by the participant’s termination or retirement. Changes to deferral elections with respect to previously deferred amounts are permitted only under the limited terms and conditions specified in the Code and early withdrawals from deferred accounts are permitted only in extreme cases, such as unforeseen financial hardship resulting from an illness or accident of the participant that is demonstrated to the Company’s Retirement Committee. 42 Name Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendra B. Krugman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Employee Contributions (a) $ — $5,611 $5,000 $ — $ — Company Contributions $— $— $— $— $— Aggregate Earnings (b) $ — $ 34,406 $186,951 — $ — $ Withdrawals or Distributions $— $— $— $— $— Aggregate Balance (c) $ — $ 269,429 $1,626,784 — $ — $ (a) All of the amounts reported in this column for Messrs. Westenberger and Lynch are also included within the amount reported for that officer in the 2021 Summary Compensation Table. (b) None of the amounts reported in this column are reported in the All Other Compensation column of the 2021 Summary Compensation Table because the Company does not pay guaranteed or preferential earnings on deferred compensation. (c) Amounts reported in this column for each NEO include amounts previously reported in the Company’s Summary Compensation Table in previous years when earned if that NEO’s compensation was required to be disclosed in a previous year. POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL Termination As described in more detail above under the heading “Severance Agreements with NEOs,” we have entered into certain agreements and maintain certain plans that may require us in the future to make certain payments and provide certain benefits in the event of a termination of employment. For purposes of the table below, a hypothetical termination without “cause” or for “good reason” is assumed to have occurred as of January 1, 2022, the last day of fiscal 2021. The table below indicates the payment and provision of other benefits that would be owed to each of our NEOs as the result of such a termination. There can be no assurance that a termination of employment of any of our NEOs would produce the same or similar results as those set forth below on any other date. The terms “without cause” and “good reason” are defined in the agreements with our executives and summarized above under the heading “Severance Agreements with NEOs.” Michael Casey Richard Westenberger Brian Lynch Patrick Moore Kendra Krugman Base Salary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash Incentive Compensation (a) . . . . . . . . Health and Other Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,170,000 3,255,000 24,166 $ 655,000 982,500 12,088 $1,207,500 1,610,000 10,904 $ 600,000 900,000 12,088 $ 570,000 855,000 729 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,449,166 $1,649,588 $2,828,404 $1,512,088 $1,429,725 (a) Cash incentive compensation calculations are based on cash incentive compensation targets achieved in fiscal 2021 described in more detail under the heading “Annual Cash Incentive Compensation” above. P r o x y Change of Control and Termination Following a Change of Control In the event of a change of control, as that term is defined under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan and individual awards, all unvested stock options and all unvested shares of restricted stock will fully vest, and all unvested shares of performance stock will vest at their respective “target” amounts. In addition, as described in more detail above under the heading “Severance Agreements with NEOs,” we have entered into certain agreements that may require us to make certain payments and provide certain benefits to our NEOs in the event of their termination in relation to a change of control (with “change of control” defined in each executive’s agreement). For purposes of the table below, we have assumed that all unvested stock options, and all unvested shares of restricted stock and performance stock, have fully vested immediately prior to a change of control on January 1, 2022, the last day of fiscal 2021, and that a termination without “cause” occurred immediately following a change of control on January 1, 2022. The estimated benefit amount for unvested options was calculated by multiplying the number of in-the-money unvested options held by the applicable NEO by the difference between 43 the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021 (which was the last trading day before the end of fiscal 2021), as reported by the NYSE, which was $101.22, and the exercise price of the option. The estimated benefit amount of unvested restricted stock was calculated by multiplying the number of restricted shares held by the applicable NEO by the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021 (which was the last trading day before the end of fiscal 2021), as reported by the NYSE, which was $101.22. There can be no assurance that a change of control would produce the same or similar results as those set forth below on any other date or at any other price. These amounts do not include vested stock options, vested shares of restricted stock, or vested shares of performance stock. For a list of earned vested stock options, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2021 Year-End” table beginning on page 40. Michael Casey Richard Westenberger Brian Lynch Patrick Moore Kendra Krugman Base Salary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash Incentive Compensation (a) . . . . . . . Health and Other Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . Option Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stock Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,255,000 3,255,000 36,250 — 13,762,681 $1,310,000 982,500 24,175 — 3,468,911 $2,012,500 1,610,000 18,173 — 4,129,675 $1,200,000 900,000 24,175 — 2,636,174 $1,140,000 855,000 1,458 — 2,342,231 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,308,931 $5,785,586 $7,770,348 $4,760,349 $4,338,689 (a) Cash incentive compensation calculations are based on cash incentive compensation targets achieved in fiscal 2021 described in more detail under the heading “Annual Cash Incentive Compensation” above. PERQUISITES AND OTHER BENEFITS Our NEOs do not receive any perquisites or other benefits on an annual basis that are not otherwise available to all employees. The cost of providing these benefits and perquisites to the NEOs is included in the amounts shown in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table and detailed in the footnotes to such table. PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE In August 2015, pursuant to a mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC adopted a rule requiring annual disclosure of the ratio of our median employee’s (the “Median Employee”) annual total compensation to the total annual compensation of the principal executive officer (“PEO”). The Company’s PEO is Mr. Casey. We selected a new Median Employee in fiscal 2021 due to changes in our employee population and compensation as a result of the pandemic. Specifically, our retail stores were open for much of fiscal 2021, which meaningfully improved the number of hours and corresponding compensation available to retail store employees from fiscal 2020. Our Median Employee is a part-time employee at one of our U.S. retail locations whose annual total compensation for fiscal 2021 (as calculated pursuant to Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K) was $8,587. The annual total compensation for fiscal 2021 for our PEO was $11,056,385. The resulting ratio of our PEO’s pay to the pay of our Median Employee for fiscal 2021 was 1,288:1. Methodology to Identify Our Median Employee In order to identify our Median Employee, we began with a list of all of our employees, world-wide, who were employed by Carter’s or one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries on October 2, 2021. Of these employees, approximately 19% were full-time employees, 55% were part-time employees, and 26% were seasonal or temporary employees. Approximately 77% of our employees were employed in our retail stores in North America, and approximately 85% of those retail employees were part-time. 44 We then calculated each employee’s compensation for 2021. When making this calculation, we: • • • • consistently used each employee’s total salary for the 2021 calendar year as stated on the gross compensation line on their Form W-2 (or international equivalent); annualized salaries for those full-time and part-time employees that were not employed for the full calendar year of 2021 (but we did not annualize seasonal or temporary employee data); excluded benefits, such as health care contributions; and for compensation paid in currencies other than U.S. dollars, applied an exchange rate into U.S. dollars that was based on rates published by the xe.com on October 2, 2021. P r o x y 45 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS, PROMOTERS, AND CERTAIN CONTROL PERSONS The Company has a written policy that requires all transactions with related persons required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act be reviewed by our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel (or their designees) with our Audit Committee and approved by our Audit Committee. The Company considers the following to be related parties: any director or executive officer of the Company; any nominee for election as a director; any security holder who is known to the Company to own more than five percent of any class of the Company’s voting securities; and any member of the immediate family of any of the parties listed above including such party’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, and brothers and sisters-in-law. There were no such transactions during fiscal 2021. 46 SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The following table sets forth the number of shares of Carter’s common stock owned by each of the following parties as of March 22, 2022, or as of such other date as indicated: (a) each person known by Carter’s to own beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding common stock; (b) our NEOs; (c) each director; and (d) all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated below, the holder’s address is 3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. Name of Beneficial Owner Wellington Management Group LLP (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Vanguard Group, Inc. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BlackRock, Inc. (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JPMorgan Chase & Co. (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mackenzie Financial Corporation (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael D. Casey (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian J. Lynch (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendra D. Krugman (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rochester Anderson, Jr. (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffrey H. Black (7) Hali Borenstein (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luis A. Borgen (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Giuseppina Buonfantino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Bruce Cleverly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jevin S. Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark P. Hipp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Montgoris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Pulver (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacey S. Rauch (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gretchen W. Schar (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie P. Stahl (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All directors, including nominees, and executive officers as a group (25 persons) (6) . . . . . . Shares Percent 3,803,084 3,755,143 3,431,346 3,105,392 2,210,484 715,307 133,440 112,278 58,813 56,964 9.3% 9.2% 8.4% 7.6% 5.4% 1.8% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% — — — — 5,665 2,343 10,334 11,148 11,387 7,731 36,550 78,579 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.2% — — 6,413 0.0% — — 1,445,411 3.6% * Indicates less than 1% of our common stock. (1) This information is based on Schedule 13G/A, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022. Wellington Management Group LLP has shared voting power covering 3,337,294 shares and shared dispositive power covering 3,803,084 shares of our common stock; Wellington Group Holdings LLP has shared voting power covering 3,337,294 shares and shared dispositive power covering 3,803,084 shares of our common stock; Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP has shared voting power covering 3,337,294 shares and shared dispositive power covering 3,803,084 shares of our common stock; and Wellington Management Company LLP has shared voting power covering 3,311,498 shares and shared dispositive power covering 3,709,143 shares of our common stock. The address for each entity is c/o Wellington Management Company LLP, 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210. (2) This information is based on Schedule 13G/A, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2022. The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole dispositive power covering 3,695,102 shares of our common stock. The Vanguard Group, Inc. has shared voting power covering 22,019 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power covering 60,041 shares of our common stock. The address for The Vanguard Group, Inc. is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355. (3) This information is based on Schedule 13G/A, filed with the SEC on February 1, 2022. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power covering 3,346,499 shares and sole dispositive power covering 3,431,346 shares of our common stock. The address for BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. (4) This information is based on Schedule 13G/A, filed with the SEC on January 7, 2022. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has sole voting power covering 2,926,377 shares and sole dispositive power covering 3,105,255 shares of our common stock. 47 P r o x y JPMorgan Chase & Co. has shared voting power covering 11,659 shares of our common stock and does not have shared dispositive power covering any shares of our common stock. The address for JPMorgan Chase & Co. is 383 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10179. (5) This information is based on Schedule 13G/A, filed with the SEC on February 4, 2022. Mackenzie Financial Corporation has sole voting power covering 2,210,484 shares and sole dispositive power covering 2,210,484 shares of common stock. The address for Mackenzie Financial Corporation is 180 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (6) This amount includes the (a) number of shares subject to exercisable stock options, including stock options that will become exercisable during the 60 days after March 22, 2022, and (b) shares of unvested restricted stock and unvested performance stock. See the detail for each NEO and all executive officers as a group below. Name Michael D. Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard F. Westenberger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian J. Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Q. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendra D. Krugman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All executive officers as a group . . . . . . . . . Owned & Vested Common Stock 302,150 50,835 30,625 8,295 10,638 445,860 Exercisable Stock Options Restricted Common Stock Unvested Performance Stock 270,768 24,468 53,164 19,948 18,628 440,317 106,721 30,115 38,675 25,078 22,206 312,079 35,668 6,860 10,976 5,492 5,492 87,004 (7) Messrs. Anderson and Black and Mses. Rauch and Stahl have been appointed to the Board, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting. (8) Mr. Borgen holds 1,562 shares of restricted stock, Ms. Schar holds 1,603 shares of restricted stock, and Ms. Borenstein holds 1,442 shares of restricted stock, and are the only independent directors who hold restricted stock. (9) Mr. Pulver holds 8,000 shares of common stock indirectly through Cornerstone Capital, Inc. and 40,082 shares of common stock indirectly through the Carol Pulver 2020 Trust. Mr. Pulver disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock held indirectly through the Carol Pulver 2020 Trust. DELINQUENT SECTION 16 REPORTS Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires that the Company’s executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s common stock, file initial reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company with respect to fiscal 2021, the Company believes that all forms were filed in a timely manner during fiscal 2021, except for one late Form 4 filed by the Company on behalf of each of Ms. Borenstein and Mr. Eagle to report, in each case, less than six (6) shares of common stock credited to the Reporting Person as a result of a dividend payment with respect to the Company’s common stock in accordance with and to be settled pursuant to the terms of the Company’s director deferred compensation program, due to an inadvertent administrative oversight by the Company. 48 PROPOSAL NUMBER TWO ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement beginning on page 24 describes the Company’s executive compensation program and the compensation decisions that the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors made in fiscal 2021 with respect to the compensation of the Company’s NEOs. The Company is committed to achieving long-term, sustainable growth and increasing shareholder value. The Company’s compensation program for its NEOs is designed to support these objectives and encourage strong financial performance on an annual and long-term basis by linking a significant portion of the NEOs’ total direct compensation to Company performance in the form of incentive compensation. The Board of Directors is asking shareholders to cast a non-binding, advisory vote FOR the following resolution: “RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s NEOs, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.” This proposal is commonly referred to as the “say-on-pay” vote and is required pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our NEOs and the policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Although the vote we are asking you to cast is non-binding, the Compensation Committee and the Board value the views of our shareholders and intend to consider the outcome of the vote when determining future compensation arrangements for our NEOs. The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of compensation of the Company’s NEOs as disclosed in this proxy statement. Vote Required Because this Proposal Number Two asks for a non-binding, advisory vote, there is no required vote that would constitute approval. We value the opinions expressed by our shareholders in this advisory vote, and our Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when designing our compensation programs and making future compensation decisions for our NEOs. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have any impact on this advisory vote. P r o x y 49 AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s accounting, auditing, and financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. The Audit Committee’s charter is available in the investor relations section of our website at ir.carters.com. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial controls, for preparing the financial statements, and for the public reporting process. PwC, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and PwC the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 and PwC’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has discussed with PwC the matters that are required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with PwC the firm’s independence. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2021 for filing with the SEC. Submitted by the Audit Committee Ms. Gretchen W. Schar, Chairperson Mr. Luis A. Borgen Mr. Mark P. Hipp Mr. William J. Montgoris The Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate the Audit Committee Report by reference therein. 50 PROPOSAL NUMBER THREE RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed PwC to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022. The Board is submitting the appointment of PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for shareholder ratification and recommends that shareholders ratify this appointment. The Board recommends that shareholders ratify this appointment at the Annual Meeting. Shareholder ratification of the appointment of PwC is not required by law or otherwise. The Board is submitting this matter to shareholders for ratification because the Board believes it to be a good corporate governance practice. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may reconsider whether or not to retain PwC. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if, in its discretion, it determines that such a change would be in the Company’s best interest and that of the Company’s shareholders. A representative of PwC is expected to attend the Annual Meeting, and he or she will have the opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. For additional information regarding the Company’s relationship with PwC, please refer to the Audit Committee Report above. The Audit Committee has also adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving all non-audit work performed by PwC. The Audit Committee has pre-approved the use, as needed, of PwC for specific types of services that fall within categories of non-audit services, including various tax services. The Audit Committee receives regular updates as to the fees associated with the services that are subject to pre-approval. Services that do not fall within a pre-approved category require specific consideration and pre-approval by the Audit Committee. All services rendered by PwC in the table below were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The aggregate fees that the Company incurred for professional services rendered by PwC for fiscal years 2021 and 2020 were as follows: 2021 2020 Audit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audit-Related Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tax Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All Other Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,986,500 — 10,000 4,500 $2,485,000 — 6,000 4,500 Total Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,001,000 $2,495,000 • • • • Audit Fees for fiscal years 2021 and 2020 were for professional services rendered for the integrated audit of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of the Company, other auditing procedures related to the adoption of new accounting pronouncements, review of other significant transactions, and related out-of-pocket expenses. P r o x y There were no Audit-Related Fees for fiscal year 2021 or 2020. Tax Fees for fiscal years 2021 and 2020 were for assistance with transfer pricing matters. All Other Fees for fiscal years 2021 and 2020 consisted of software license fees. The Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022. Vote Required The approval of Proposal Number Three requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes properly cast at our Annual Meeting. Abstentions will not affect the outcome of this proposal. A broker or other nominee will generally have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal because it is considered a routine matter, and, therefore, we do not expect broker non-votes with respect to this proposal. 51 OTHER MATTERS As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no business that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, other than the items referred to above. If any other matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting for action by shareholders, proxies in the enclosed form returned to the Company will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holder. * * * The following performance graph and return to shareholders information shown below are provided pursuant to Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act. The graph and information are not deemed to be “filed” under the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to liabilities thereunder, nor are they to be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or Exchange Act unless we specifically incorporate them by reference. COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN* Among Carter's, Inc., the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Midcap 400 Index, and S&P Composite 1500 Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods $250 $200 $150 $100 $50 $0 12/16 3/17 6/17 9/17 12/17 3/18 6/18 9/18 12/18 3/19 6/19 9/19 12/19 3/20 6/20 9/20 12/20 3/21 6/21 9/21 12/21 Carter's, Inc. S&P 500 S&P Midcap 400 S&P Composite 1500 Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods *$100 invested on 12/31/16 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31. Copyright© 2022 Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved 52 Form 10-K F o r m 1 0 - K 2021 Annual Report [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K È ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 2022 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 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 13-3912933 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Phipps Tower 3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800 Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) (678) 791-1000 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Common stock, par value $0.01 per share CRI Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None New York Stock Exchange Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes È 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 È 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 È No ‘ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes È No ‘ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large Accelerated Filer È Non-Accelerated Filer ‘ Accelerated Filer ‘ Smaller Reporting Company ‘ Emerging Growth Company ‘ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ‘ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. È Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ‘ No È The approximate aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based upon the closing sale price of the registrant’s common stock on July 3, 2021 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $3,415,209,703. For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, which is required by Form 10-K, the Registrant has included in the shares owned by affiliates those shares owned by directors and executive officers of the Registrant, and such inclusion shall not be construed as an admission that any such person is an affiliate for any purpose. As of February 18, 2022, there were 40,910,501 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding. 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 18, 2022, 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 January 1, 2022. CARTER’S, INC. INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 2022 Part I Part II Part III Part IV Item 1 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 1A Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 2 Item 3 Item 4 Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 5 Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 6 Item 7 [Reserved] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 8 Item 9 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 9A Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 9B Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 9C Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 11 Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 15 Item 16 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Form 10-K Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SIGNATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 1 10 25 25 26 26 27 27 29 29 49 50 101 101 102 102 102 102 102 103 103 103 104 104 107 108 This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to our future performance. 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 our current expectations and assumptions 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 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 market share data is based on information provided by the NPD Group, Inc. (“NPD”). NPD data is based upon Consumer Panel TrackSM (consumer-reported sales) calibrated with selected retailers’ point of sale data for children’s apparel in the United States (“U.S.”) and represents the twelve-month period through the end of December 2021. F o r m 1 0 - K 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. Some NPD market share data is presented based on age segments. The baby and young children’s apparel market in which we compete includes apparel products for ages zero to 10, and is divided into the zero to two-year-old baby market, the three- to four-year-old toddler market, and the five- to 10-year-old kids market. Note that Carter’s defines its product offerings by sizes: baby (sizes newborn to 24 months), toddlers (sizes 2T to 5T), and kids (sizes 4-14). In addition, other NPD market share data is presented based on NPD’s definition of the baby and playclothes categories, which are different from Carter’s definitions of these categories. Certain NPD data cited in prior Annual Reports on Form 10-K were based on an alternate methodology no longer employed by NPD and are not comparable to the current year presentation. Our trademarks and copyrights that are referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Carter’s, OshKosh, OshKosh B’gosh, Baby B’gosh, Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Little Collections, little planet, Carter’s My First Love, Carter’s KID, Rewarding Moments, and Count on Carter’s, many of which are registered in the United States and in over 100 other countries and territories, are each the property of one or more subsidiaries of Carter’s, Inc. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday in December or January nearest December 31. Every five or six years, our fiscal year includes an additional 53rd week of results. Fiscal 2021, which ended on January 1, 2022, contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2020, which ended on January 2, 2021, contained 53 weeks. Fiscal 2019, which ended on December 28, 2019, contained 52 weeks. ITEM 1. BUSINESS OVERVIEW We are the largest branded marketer in North America 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 1 and OshKosh B’gosh (or “OshKosh”). Our brand portfolio also includes Skip Hop, a leading baby and young child lifestyle brand, exclusive Carter’s brands developed for specific wholesale customers, and little planet, a brand focused on organic fabrics and sustainable materials. Established in 1865, our Carter’s brand is recognized and trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel and accessories for children in sizes newborn to 14. Established in 1895, OshKosh is a well-known brand, trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel and accessories for children in sizes newborn to 14, with a focus on playclothes for toddlers and young children. We acquired OshKosh in 2005. Established in 2003, the Skip Hop brand re-thinks, re-energizes, and re-imagines durable necessities to create higher value, superior quality, and top-performing products for parents, babies, and toddlers. We acquired Skip Hop in 2017. Additionally, Child of Mine, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is sold at Walmart; Just One You, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is sold at Target, and Simple Joys, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is available on Amazon. Launched in 2021, the little planet brand focuses on sustainable clothing through the sourcing of mostly organic cotton as certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard. This brand includes a wide assortment of baby apparel and accessories, sleepwear, and gift bundles. Our mission is to serve the needs of all families with young children, with a vision to be the world’s favorite brands in young children’s apparel and related products. We believe our brands provide a complementary product offering and aesthetic, are each uniquely positioned in the marketplace, and offer strong value to families with young children. The baby and young children’s apparel market ages zero to 10 in the U.S. is approximately $31 billion as of December 2021. In this market, our Carter’s brands, including our exclusive brands, hold the #1 position with approximately 10% market share and our OshKosh brand has approximately 1% market share as of December 2021. Our multi-channel, global business model, which includes retail stores, eCommerce, and wholesale sales channels, as well as retail omni-channel capabilities in the United States and Canada, enables us to reach a broad range of consumers around the world. At the end of fiscal 2021, our channels included 980 retail stores, approximately 18,800 wholesale locations, and eCommerce websites in North America, as well as our international wholesale accounts and licensees who operate in over 90 countries. During fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021, the global pandemic, caused by the spread of the novel strain of coronavirus (including variants, “COVID-19”), negatively affected the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created significant disruption of the financial and retail markets, including a disruption in consumer demand for baby and children’s clothing and accessories during fiscal 2020. For more information on the effects of the pandemic on the Company, and our response to the pandemic, see “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our three business segments are: U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. These segments are our operating and reporting segments. Our U.S. Retail segment consists of revenue primarily from sales of products in the United States through our retail stores and eCommerce websites. Similarly, our U.S. Wholesale segment consists of revenue primarily from sales in the United States of products to our wholesale partners. Finally, our International segment consists of revenue primarily from sales of products outside the United States, largely through our retail stores and eCommerce websites in Canada and Mexico, and sales to our international wholesale customers and licensees. Additional financial and geographical information about our segments is contained in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and under Note 14, Segment Information, to the consolidated financial statements. We have extensive experience in the young children’s apparel and accessories market and focus on delivering products that satisfy our consumers’ needs. Our long-term growth strategy focuses on: • providing the best value and experience in apparel and related products for young children; 2 • • extending the reach of our brands; and improving profitability. Our Brands Carter’s & OshKosh B’gosh Our Carter’s and OshKosh product offerings include apparel and accessories for babies (sizes newborn to 24 months), toddlers (sizes 2T to 5T), and kids (sizes 4-14). For our Carter’s brand, our focus is on essential, high-volume apparel products for babies and young children, including bodysuits, pants, dresses, multi-piece knit sets, blankets, layette essentials, bibs, booties, sleep and play, rompers, and jumpers. We attribute our leading market position to our strong value proposition, brand strength, unique colors, distinctive prints, and commitment to quality, as well as our broad wholesale distribution channel that includes successful and long-standing relationships with leading global and national retailers. Our marketing programs are targeted toward first-time parents, experienced parents, and gift-givers. Our core baby product line, the largest component of our baby business, provides families with essential products and accessories, including value-focused multi-piece sets. We also have three exclusive Carter’s brands: our Child of Mine brand, which we sell at Walmart, our Just One You brand, which we sell at Target, and our Simple Joys brand, which we sell on Amazon. In 2021, we launched our little planet brand, which focuses on organic fabrics and sustainable materials. Carter’s is the leading brand in the zero to 10-year-old market in the United States, with particular strength in the zero to two-year-old segment. As of December 2021, our multi-channel business model enabled our Carter’s brands to maintain leading market share of approximately 10% in the zero to 10-year-old market, which represented nearly double the market share of the next largest brand. In addition, our Carter’s brands maintained the leading market position with approximately 21% in the zero to two-year-old baby market, which represented nearly four times the market share of the next largest brand, and maintained its leading market position with approximately 11% in the three to four-year-old toddler market, which represented approximately 1.5 times the market share of the next largest brand. The slight decrease in market share compared to fiscal 2020 is primarily due to our strategic focus on growing operating profitability, which increased more than the sales growth in the overall market. The focus of the OshKosh brand is high-quality playclothes, including denim apparel products with multiple wash treatments and coordinating garments, overalls, woven bottoms, knit tops, and bodysuits for everyday use. Our OshKosh brand is generally positioned towards an older age segment and at slightly higher average prices relative to the 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. As of December 2021, our OshKosh brand’s market share was approximately 1% of the zero to 10-year-old apparel market in the United States. For both our Carter’s and OshKosh brands, we employ cross-functional product teams to focus on the development of the brands and products. The teams include members from merchandising, art, design, sourcing, product development, marketing and planning, and follow a disciplined approach to fabric usage, color selection, and assortment productivity. We believe this disciplined approach to product development, which includes consumer research, results in a compelling product offering to consumers, reduces our exposure to short-term trends, and supports efficient operations. We believe that we continue to strengthen our brand image with the consumer by differentiating our products through fabric and material improvements, new artistic applications, new packaging and presentation strategies, and marketing. We also attempt to differentiate our products and presentation through in-store fixturing, branding, signage, photography, and advertising, both in our stores and on our websites, as well as with our major wholesale customers. 3 F o r m 1 0 - K Licensed Products We license our Carter’s, OshKosh, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, and Carter’s My First Love brands to partners to expand our product offerings to include footwear, outerwear, accessories (such as hair accessories and jewelry), toys, paper goods, home décor, cribs and baby furniture, and bedding. 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 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 prices to provide value to the consumer. We also partner with other brand owners to further expand our product offerings, including apparel with collegiate and professional sport teams’ logos. Skip Hop Under our Skip Hop brand, we design, source, and market products that are sold primarily to families with young children. Our Skip Hop brand is best known for its diaper bags, which we believe combine innovative functionality with attractive design. The Skip Hop brand offering also includes products for playtime, travel, mealtime, kid’s bags, bath time, and home gear. We believe Skip Hop is a global lifestyle brand. Skip Hop’s core philosophy and positioning begins and ends with its brand promise — “Must-Haves * Made Better.” This reflects the brand’s goal of creating innovative, smartly designed, and highly functional essentials for parents, babies, and toddlers. The Skip Hop team includes both an in-house design and a creative team, each of which is dedicated to meeting that goal. We carry Skip Hop brand products in our retail stores, and have made investments in in-store fixturing, branding, and signage packages, along with digital advertising, to further strengthen the position of the Skip Hop brand. Our Sales Channels We sell our Carter’s, OshKosh, and Skip Hop branded products through multiple channels, both in the United States and globally. U.S. Retail Our U.S. Retail segment includes sales of our products through our U.S. retail stores and eCommerce sites, including through our omni-channel capabilities to allow our customers to buy on-line and pick-up in store (or curbside), buy-online and ship-to-store, and in-store buy on-line services. Our U.S. retail stores are generally located in high-traffic strip shopping centers and malls in or near major cities or in outlet centers that are near densely-populated areas. We believe our brand strength and our product assortment have made our retail stores a destination for consumers seeking young children’s apparel and accessories. Each of our stores carries an assortment of Carter’s, OshKosh, and/or Skip Hop branded products, as well as other products, depending on the store and location. As of the end of fiscal 2021, our stores averaged approximately 5,000 square feet per location, ranging from on average approximately 4,300 square feet for our formerly single-branded stores to approximately 7,400 square feet for our stores that consist of adjacent and connected Carter’s and OshKosh stores. As of the end of fiscal 2021, in the United States we operated 751 stores. We regularly assess potential new retail store locations and closures based on demographic factors, retail adjacencies, competitive factors, and population density as part of a rigorous real estate portfolio optimization process. 4 We also sell our products through our U.S. eCommerce websites at www.carters.com, www.oshkoshbgosh.com, www.oshkosh.com, and www.skiphop.com, and our mobile application. We focus on the customer experience through store and eCommerce website design, visual aesthetics, clear product presentation, and experienced customer service. Our eCommerce websites also feature product recommendations and on-line-only offerings. We strive to create a seamless omni-channel experience between our retail stores and our eCommerce websites, as more fully described below under “Our Customer and Marketing Strategy.” U.S. Wholesale Our U.S. Wholesale segment includes sales of our products to our U.S. wholesale customers. Our Carter’s brand wholesale customers in the United States include major retailers, such as, in alphabetical order, buybuy BABY, Costco, Kohl’s, and Macy’s. Additionally, we sell our Child of Mine exclusive brand at Walmart, our Just One You exclusive brand at Target, and our Simple Joys exclusive brand on Amazon. Our OshKosh brand wholesale customers in the United States include major retailers, such as, in alphabetical order, Amazon, buybuy BABY, and Target. Our Skip Hop brand wholesale customers in the United States include major retailers, such as, in alphabetical order, Amazon, buybuy BABY, and Target. We collaborate with our wholesale customers to provide a consistent and high-level of service, and to drive growth through eCommerce, replenishment, product mix, and brand presentation initiatives. We also have frequent meetings with the senior management of key accounts to align on strategic growth plans. International Our International segment includes sales of our products through our retail stores and eCommerce sites in Canada and Mexico. As of the end of fiscal 2021, in Canada we operated 186 co-branded Carter’s and OshKosh retail stores and an eCommerce site at www.cartersoshkosh.ca, and in Mexico we operated 43 retail stores and an eCommerce site at www.carter.com.mx. Our International segment includes sales of our products to wholesale accounts outside of the United States, such as, in alphabetical order, Amazon, Costco, and Walmart. In addition, we license our Carter’s and OshKosh brands to international customers that sell our products through branded retail and online stores, as well as to wholesale customers, within their licensed territories. Our International segment includes sales of our products to these licensees, and royalty income based on sales made by certain licensees. As of the end of fiscal 2021, we had approximately 38 international licensees who operated in over 90 countries. Our Customer and Marketing Strategy For all of our brands, our marketing is predominantly focused on driving brand preference and engagement with first-time parents, experienced parents, and gift-givers, including through strengthening and evolving our digital programs. Our omni-channel approach allows the customer to experience our brands as a seamless shopping experience in the channel of their choice. In fiscal 2019, we launched capabilities in the United States to allow our customers to buy on-line and pick-up in store, complementing our existing buy-on-line, ship-to-store and in-store buy on-line services. In fiscal 2020, we enhanced and expanded our omni-channel capabilities in the United States, including curbside pick-up at our retail stores and buy-on-line, deliver-from-store. In fiscal 2021, we expanded our omni-channel capabilities further by implementing omni-channel programs in our retail stores in Canada. 5 F o r m 1 0 - K We operate our Rewarding Moments loyalty and rewards program in the United States to drive customer traffic, sales, and brand loyalty. This program is integrated across our U.S. retail stores and online businesses. During fiscal 2021, our U.S. retail sales were predominantly made to customers who are members of Rewarding Moments. In fiscal 2019, we launched a new Carter’s credit card program in the United States. The Carter’s credit card complements and enhances our existing Rewarding Moments loyalty program and provides new benefits for our customers, including free shipping on every eCommerce order, double Rewarding Moments points, and exclusive cardholder-only events. Our investments in marketing, our loyalty program, and new consumer-facing technologies are focused on acquiring new customers, developing stronger relationships with our existing customers, and extending their connections with our brands. Our goal is to have the most top-of-mind, preferred brands in the young children’s apparel market and to connect with a diverse, digitally savvy customer. Our Global Sourcing Network We do not own any raw materials or manufacturing facilities. We source all of our garments and other products from a global network of third-party suppliers, primarily located in Asia. We source the remainder of our products primarily through North America, Africa, and Central America. During fiscal 2021, approximately 74% of our product was sourced from Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China, and approximately 80% of the fabric that was used in the manufacture of our products was sourced from China, with the remainder primarily from Thailand and Taiwan. Our sourcing operations are based in Hong Kong in order to facilitate better service and manage the volume of manufacturing in Asia. Our Hong Kong office acts as an agent for substantially all of our sourcing in Asia and monitors production at manufacturers’ facilities to ensure quality control, compliance with our manufacturing specifications and social responsibility standards, as well as timely delivery of finished garments to our distribution facilities. We also have sourcing operations in Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Bangladesh to help support these efforts. 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, and we conduct assessments of our manufacturers and supply chain, as discussed under “—Corporate Social Responsibility” below. In connection with the manufacture of our products, manufacturers purchase raw materials including fabric and other materials (such as linings, zippers, buttons, and trim) at our direction. We regularly inspect and supervise the manufacture of our products in order to maintain quality control, monitor compliance with our manufacturing specifications and social responsibility standards and to ensure timely delivery. We also inspect finished products at the manufacturing facilities. We generally arrange for the production of products on a purchase order basis with completed products manufactured to our design specifications. We assume the risk of loss predominantly on a Freight-On-Board (F.O.B.) basis when goods are delivered to a shipper and are insured against losses arising during shipping. As is customary, we have not entered into any long-term contractual arrangements with any contractor or manufacturer. We believe that the production capacity of foreign manufacturers with which we have developed, or are developing, a relationship is adequate to meet our production requirements for the foreseeable future. We believe that alternative foreign manufacturers are readily available. We expect all of our suppliers shipping to the United States to adhere to the requirements of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (“C-TPAT”) program, 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 have determined that the supplier will be unable to correct a deficiency, we may move that supplier’s product through alternative supply chain channels or we may terminate our business relationship with the supplier. 6 Corporate Social Responsibility We have adopted a factory on-boarding program that allows us to assess each factory’s compliance with our social responsibility standards before we place orders for product with that factory, including factories utilized by companies that we may acquire. Additionally, we regularly assess the manufacturing facilities we use through periodic on-site facility inspections, including the use of independent auditors to supplement our internal staff. We use audit data and performance results to suggest improvements when necessary, and we integrate this information into our on-going sourcing decisions. Our vendor code of conduct, with which we require our factories to comply, outlines our standards for supplier behavior in creating a fair and safe workplace, and 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. In addition, our social responsibility policy establishes our expectations for our global suppliers and guides our oversight. This policy is derived from the policies, standards, and conventions of the International Labor Organization, and includes a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our Global Distribution Network The majority of all finished goods manufactured for us is shipped to our distribution facilities or to designated third-party facilities for final inspection, allocation, and reshipment to customers. The goods are delivered to our customers and us by independent shippers. We choose the form of shipment based upon needs, costs, and timing considerations. In the United States, we operate two distribution centers in Georgia: an approximately 1.1 million square-foot multi-channel facility in Braselton and a 0.5 million square-foot facility in Stockbridge. We also outsource distribution activities to third-party logistics providers located 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 wholesale customers, retail stores, and eCommerce customers. Internationally, we operate directly or outsource our distribution activities to third-party logistics providers in Canada, China, Mexico, and Vietnam to support shipment to the United States, as well as our international wholesale accounts, international licensees, international eCommerce operations, and Canadian and Mexican retail store networks. Governmental Regulation We are subject to laws, regulations and standards set by various governmental authorities around the world, including in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including: • • • • • • those imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”); the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and similar world-wide anti-bribery laws; health care, employment and labor laws; product and consumer safety laws, including those imposed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; data privacy laws, including the E.U. General Data Protection Act and the California Consumer Privacy Act; trade, transportation and logistics related laws, including tariffs and orders issued by Customs and Border Protection; and 7 F o r m 1 0 - K • applicable environmental laws. A substantial portion of our products is imported into the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These products are subject to various customs laws, which may impose tariffs, as well as quota restrictions. In addition, each of the countries in which our products are sold has laws and regulations covering imports. The United States and other countries in which our products are sold may impose, from time to time, new duties, tariffs, surcharges, or other import controls or restrictions, or adjust presently prevailing duty or tariff rates or levels. We, therefore, actively monitor import restrictions and developments and seek to minimize our potential exposure to import related risks through shifts of production among countries, including consideration of countries with tariff preference and free trade agreements, manufacturers, and geographical diversification of our sources of supply. Additionally, we are subject to various other federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations that govern our activities, operations, and products, including data privacy, truth-in-advertising, accessibility, customs, wage and hour laws and regulations, and zoning and occupancy ordinances that regulate retailers generally and govern the promotion and sale of merchandise and the operation of retail stores and eCommerce sites. Noncompliance with these laws and regulations may result in substantial monetary penalties and criminal sanctions. Competition The baby and young children’s apparel and accessories market is highly competitive. Competition is generally based on a variety of factors, including comfort and fit, quality, pricing, experience, and selection. Both branded and private label manufacturers as well as specialty apparel retailers aggressively compete in the baby and young children’s apparel market. Our primary competitors include (in alphabetical order): Gap, Old Navy, and The Children’s Place (specialty apparel); Cat & Jack and Garanimals (private label); and Disney, Nike, and Under Armour (national brands). 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 brand names, combined with our breadth and value of product offerings, longevity in the marketplace, distribution footprint, and operational expertise, position us well against these competitors. Seasonality and Weather 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. In addition, our business is susceptible to unseasonable weather conditions, which could influence consumer trends, customer traffic, and shopping habits. For example, extended periods of unseasonably warm temperatures during the winter season or cool temperatures during the summer season could affect the timing of, and reduce or shift, demand. Human Capital Resources As of the end of fiscal 2021, we had approximately 15,900 employees globally. Of these, approximately 12,200 of our employees worked in our retail stores across North America, 2,200 employees worked in our distribution centers, and 1,500 employees worked in our various corporate offices around the world. Approximately 13,000 employees worked in the United States, 2,200 employees worked in Canada, 350 employees worked in Mexico, and 350 employees worked in other countries, including Hong Kong. As of the end of fiscal 2021, approximately 150 employees were unionized employees, all of whom were in Mexico. We believe we have good labor relationships with our employees. Talent and Development Everything we do is guided by our core values: • Act with Integrity 8 • • • • Exceed Expectations Inspire Innovation Succeed Together Invest in People We believe that to succeed as a business and to positively impact families and our communities, we must first create and maintain an inclusive, supportive workplace culture that fosters high employee engagement. We believe deeply in developing our employees and offer numerous formal training opportunities as well as ongoing informal on-the-job learning, including: • • • • mentoring, reverse mentoring, and executive development programs that nurture emerging talent and facilitate cross-generational knowledge sharing, benefiting employees at all stages of their careers; development days, when employees step away from their day-to-day responsibilities for curated professional growth opportunities; online courses and formal development programs designed to enhance personal leadership skills, business acumen, and people management skills, as well as specialized development resources for our retail store, distribution center and office employees; and each year, we award 20 scholarships to Carter’s employees and children of employees to attend an accredited college or university. F o r m 1 0 - K Diversity and Inclusion Additionally, we are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects our diverse world through a range of efforts to broaden diversity and ensure fairness across our global enterprise. Our Diversity & Inclusion (“D&I”) efforts are driven by cross-functional teams charged with guiding and implementing the organization’s D&I efforts. These teams oversee our efforts to establish and improve inclusive policies in four key areas of our management processes: leadership, strategies and processes, programs and benefits, and policies and compliance. We continually measure and monitor diversity metrics including pay equity, retention, new hires, internal promotions and identified successors, and our D&I education equips employees with the tools and support needed to further enhance a workplace culture of inclusion. Health and Safety We maintain a safety culture with the goal of eliminating workplace incidents, risks and hazards. We have created and implemented processes to help eliminate safety events by reducing their frequency and severity. We also review and monitor our performance closely. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented and continue to implement safety measures in all our facilities to protect our customers and employees, including ensuring social distancing, frequent cleaning, and use of personal protective equipment for all in our retail stores, and maintaining safe working distances and conditions at our distribution centers. Available Information Our primary internet address is www.carters.com. On our investor relations website (ir.carters.com), 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 SEC. Our SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of our website. We also make available 9 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. 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. The SEC maintains an internet site, www.sec.gov, containing reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. 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. Risks Related to Global and Macroeconomic Conditions The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises have had and may in the future have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Global crises, including political instability or other global events that result in the disruption of trade, the production and distribution of our products, or our sales operations, have had and may in the future have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. For example, in December 2019, an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus (including variants, “COVID-19”) began in Wuhan, China. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic and a national emergency was declared in the United States and many other countries. National, state, and local governments and private entities mandated and continue to mandate various restrictions as new waves of the pandemic and new strains of the virus spread across the globe, including travel restrictions, restrictions on public gatherings, stay at home orders and advisories, and quarantining of people who may have been exposed to the virus. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created significant disruption of the financial and retail markets, including increased unemployment rates and a disruption in consumer demand for baby and children’s clothing and accessories. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 have had, and will likely continue to have, a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business, results of operations, and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19, the effectiveness and availability of vaccines and boosters, and the efficacy, scope, and duration of other actions to limit the spread of COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. Similarly, we are also subject to general political and economic risks in connection with our global operations, including political instability, terrorist attacks, and changes in diplomatic and trade relationships, any of which may have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Our business is sensitive to overall levels of consumer spending, particularly in the young children’s apparel market. Both retail and wholesale consumer demand for young children’s apparel and accessories, specifically brand name apparel products, is affected by the overall level of consumer spending. Overall spending in the market is affected by a number of global and macroeconomic factors, such as overall economic conditions and employment levels, uncertainty in the political climate, gasoline and utility costs, business conditions, availability of consumer credit, tax rates, the availability of tax credits, interest rates, inflationary pressures, levels of consumer indebtedness, foreign currency exchange rates, weather, and overall levels of consumer 10 confidence. We have experienced many of these factors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the related responses of national, state, and local government and public health officials. Furthermore, any increases in consumer discretionary spending during times of crisis may be temporary, such as those related to government stimulus programs, including programs specifically targeted to assist families with young children. Additionally, birth rate fluctuations, which in turn affect the number of customers that are acquired and retained, can have a material impact on consumer spending and our business. For instance, in recent years we have seen a reduction in the birth rate in the United States, and a reduction in the size of the market for young children’s apparel and accessories. 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. Risks Related to Our Brands and Product Value The acceptance of our products in the marketplace is affected by consumer tastes and preferences, along with fashion trends. We believe that our continued success depends on our ability to create products that provide a compelling value proposition for our consumers in all of 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 sell out-of-season or excess merchandise, and our profitability and results of operations could be adversely affected. 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 assets and rights. The steps taken by us or by our licensees and vendors to 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 trademarks, 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 or through acquisitions, 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. The value of our brands, and our sales, could be diminished if we are associated with negative publicity, including through actions by our employees, and our vendors, third-party manufacturers, and licensees, over whom we have limited control. Although we maintain policies with our employees, vendors, third-party 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, third-party manufacturers, or licensees, or their 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 employees, vendors, third-party 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 reputations of our brands are 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. 11 F o r m 1 0 - K We may experience delays, product recalls, or loss of revenues if our products do not meet our quality standards. From time to time, we receive shipments of product from our third-party vendors that fail to conform to our quality control standards. A failure in our quality control program may result in diminished inventory levels and product quality, which in turn may result in increased order cancellations and product 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. Risks Related to Operating a Global Business 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. The global baby and young children’s apparel and accessories 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 including in certain instances some of our wholesale accounts. 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 acquisitions 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. Financial difficulties for, or the loss of one or more of, our major wholesale customers could result in a material loss of revenues. A significant amount of our business is with our wholesale customers. For fiscal 2021, we derived approximately 32% of our consolidated net sales from our U.S. Wholesale segment and approximately 32% of our consolidated net sales from our top ten wholesale customers. As of the end of fiscal 2021, approximately 80% of our gross accounts receivable were from our ten largest wholesale customers, with three of these customers having individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of our total accounts receivable. Furthermore, we do not enter into long-term sales contracts with our major wholesale customers, relying instead on product performance, long- standing relationships, and our position in the marketplace. As we have experienced in the past, we face the risk that if one or more of these customers significantly decreases their business or terminates their relationship with us as a result of financial difficulties (including bankruptcy or insolvency), competitive forces, consolidation, reorganization, or other reasons, then we may have significant levels of excess inventory that we may not be able to place elsewhere, a material decrease in our sales, or material impact on our operating results. In addition, 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 were to deteriorate, or such customer 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. Our retail success is dependent upon identifying locations and negotiating appropriate lease terms for retail stores. A significant portion of our revenues is through our retail stores in leased retail locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Successful operation of a retail store depends, in part, on the overall ability of the retail location to attract a consumer base sufficient to generate profitable store sales volumes. If we are unable to 12 identify new retail locations with consumer traffic sufficient to support a profitable sales level, our retail growth may be limited. Some new stores may be located in areas where we have existing sales channels. Increasing the number of stores in these markets may result in inadvertent diversion of customers and sales from our existing sales channels in the same market, thereby negatively affecting our results of operations. 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 shopping preferences transition more from brick-and-mortar stores to online retail experiences, with us or other retailers, 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, particularly in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may seek to renegotiate existing lease terms or 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 lease terms, 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 United States and internationally. This could impact the quality of our decisions to exercise lease options and 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 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico include: • • • • • • • • • • the failure of the computer systems, including those of third-party vendors, that operate our eCommerce sites and mobile applications, including, among others, inadequate system capacity, service outages, computer viruses, human error, changes in programming, security breaches, system upgrades or migration of these services to new systems; disruptions in telecommunications services or power outages; reliance on third parties for computer hardware and software, as well as delivery of merchandise to our customers on-time and without damage; limitations of shipping volumes which may be imposed by service providers; rapid technology changes; the failure to deliver products to customers on-time and within customers’ expectations; credit or debit card, or other electronic payment-type, fraud, or disruptions in payment systems; the diversion of sales from our physical stores; natural disasters or adverse weather conditions; changes in applicable federal, state and international regulations; 13 F o r m 1 0 - K • • 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. In addition, in fiscal 2021 we experienced a decrease in net sales in our eCommerce channel compared to fiscal 2020. Our eCommerce business may continue to be negatively impacted if consumers shift back to traditional brick-and-mortal retail after the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 (which occurred, for example, in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) 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 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. Our profitability may decline as a result of increasing pressure on margins, including deflationary pressures on our selling prices and increases in production costs and costs to serve. The global apparel industry is subject to pricing pressure caused by many factors, including intense competition, the promotional retail environment, and changes in consumer demand. The demand for baby and young children’s apparel and accessories in particular may also be subject to other external factors, such as general inflationary pressures, as well as the costs of our products, which are driven in part by the costs of raw materials (including cotton and other commodities), labor, fuel, transportation and duties, any increases in mandatory minimum wages, and the costs to deliver those products to our customers. If external pressures, including deflation, cause us to reduce our sales prices and we fail to sufficiently reduce our product costs or operating expenses, or if we are unable to fully optimize prices or pass on increased costs to our customers, our profitability could decline. Additionally, while deflation could positively impact our product costs, it could have an adverse effect on our average selling prices per unit, resulting in lower sales and operating results. This could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition. We may not be able to increase prices to fully offset inflationary pressures on costs, such as raw materials, labor, and transportation costs, which may impact our expenses and profitability. We rely on vendors, distribution resources and transportation providers. In fiscal 2021 and the early part of 2022, the costs of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, energy, fuel, transportation, and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products have rapidly increased. We also expect the pressures of input cost inflation to continue into 2022. Our attempts to offset these cost pressures, such as through increases in the selling prices of some of our products, may not be successful. Higher product prices may result in reductions in sales volume, as consumers may choose less expensive options, or forego some purchases altogether, during an economic downturn. To the 14 extent that price increases are not sufficient to offset these increased costs adequately or in a timely manner, and/ or if they result in significant decreases in sales volume, our business, financial condition, or operating results may be adversely affected. Our revenues, product costs, and other expenses are subject to foreign economic and currency risks due to our operations outside of the United States. We have operations in Canada, Mexico, and Asia, and our vendors, third-party manufacturers, and licensees are located around the world. The value of the U.S. dollar against other foreign currencies has experienced significant volatility in recent years. 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 businesses of our third-party 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. Our business could suffer a material adverse effect from unseasonable or extreme weather conditions, or other effects of climate change. Our business is susceptible to unseasonable weather conditions, which could influence customer demand, consumer traffic, and shopping habits. For example, extended periods of unseasonably warm temperatures during the winter season or cool temperatures during the summer season have in the past and could in the future affect the timing of and reduce or shift demand for our products, and thereby could have an adverse effect on our operating 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, operating results, financial position, and cash flows. For example, frequent or unusually heavy or intense snowfall, flooding, hurricanes, or other extreme weather conditions over an extended period have caused and could in the future cause our stores to close for a period of time or permanently, and could make it difficult for our customers to travel to our stores or to receive products shipped to them, which in turn could negatively impact our operating results. In addition, there is concern that climate changes could cause significant changes in weather patterns around the globe and an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters. These changes may increase the effects described above, and changing weather patterns could result in decreased agricultural productivity in certain regions, which may limit availability and/or increase the cost of certain key materials, such as cotton. Public expectations for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could result in increased energy, transportation, and raw material costs, and may require us to make additional investments in facilities and equipment. As a result, the effects of climate change could have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations. Risk Relating to Litigation We are and may become subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits, including as a result of investigations or other proceedings related to previously disclosed investigations. We are subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the course of our business, including claims that our designs infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties. We are also affected by trends in litigation, including class action litigation brought under various laws, including 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 15 F o r m 1 0 - K 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 claims or lawsuits, such amounts could exceed applicable insurance coverage, if any, 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. In addition, as previously reported, in 2009 the SEC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office began conducting investigations, with which we cooperated, related to customer margin support provided by us, including undisclosed margin support commitments and related matters. In December 2010, we entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the SEC pursuant to which the SEC agreed not to charge us with any violations of federal securities laws, commence any enforcement action against us, or require us to pay any financial penalties in connection with the SEC investigation of customer margin support provided by us, conditioned upon our continued cooperation with the SEC’s investigation and with any related proceedings. We have 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. We also expect to bear additional costs pursuant to our advancement and indemnification obligations to directors and officers under the terms of 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. Risks Related to Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, and Information Technology Our systems, and those of our third-party vendors, containing personal information and payment 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 to protect our proprietary information and information about our customers, employees, and vendors, including customer payment information. We have established physical, electronic, and organizational measures to safeguard and secure our systems to prevent data compromise and rely on commercially available systems, software, tools, and monitoring to provide security for our IT systems and the processing, transmission and storage of digital information. We have also outsourced elements of our IT systems, including to cloud-based solution vendors, and, as a result, a number of third-party vendors may or could have access to our confidential information. Our IT systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including physical damage, telecommunications or network failures or interruptions, system malfunction, natural disasters, malicious human acts, terrorism, and war, and we have experienced interruptions in the past. These systems, including our servers, are also vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees, third-party service providers, contractors, consultants, business partners, and/or other third parties, or from cyber-attacks by malicious third parties (including the deployment of harmful malware, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering, and other means to affect service reliability and threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information). Cyber criminals are constantly devising schemes to circumvent information technology security safeguards and other retailers have recently suffered serious data security breaches. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments, and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity, and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. We may not be able to anticipate all types of security threats, and we may not be able to implement preventive measures effective against all such security threats. The techniques used by cyber criminals change frequently, may not be recognized until launched, and can originate from a wide variety of sources, including outside groups such as external service providers, organized crime affiliates, terrorist organizations, or hostile foreign governments or agencies. It is possible that we or our third- party vendors may experience cybersecurity and other breach incidents that remain undetected for an extended period. Even when a security breach is detected, the full extent of the breach may not be determined 16 immediately. The costs to us to mitigate network security issues, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant and, while we have implemented security measures to protect our IT and data security infrastructure, our efforts to address these issues may not be successful. If unauthorized parties gain access to our networks or databases, or those of our vendors, they may be able to steal, publish, delete, modify, or block our access to our private and sensitive internal and third-party information, including payment information and personally identifiable 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 (including the E.U. General Data Protection Act and the California Consumer Privacy Act) 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 standards established by banks and the payment processing industry, we may be subject to fines, restrictions, and expulsion from payment acceptance programs, which could adversely affect our retail operations. In addition, we may be required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future. If our IT systems fail and our redundant systems or disaster recovery plans are not adequate to address such failures, or if our business interruption insurance does not sufficiently compensate us for any losses that we may incur, our revenues and profits could be reduced and the reputation of our brand and our business could be materially and adversely affected. We are also reliant on the security practices of our third-party service providers, which may be outside of our direct control. The services provided by these third parties are subject to the same risk of outages, other failures and security breaches described above. If these third parties fail to adhere to adequate security practices, or experience a breach of their systems, the data of our employees and customers may be improperly accessed, used or disclosed. In addition, our third-party providers may take actions beyond our control that could harm our business, including discontinuing or limiting our access to one or more services, increasing pricing terms, terminating, or seeking to terminate our contractual relationship altogether, or altering how we are able to process data in a way that is unfavorable or costly to us. Although we expect that we could obtain similar services from other third parties, if our arrangements with our current providers were terminated, we could experience interruptions in our business, as well as delays and additional expenses in arranging for alternative cloud infrastructure services. Any loss or interruption to our systems or the services provided by third parties would adversely affect our business, 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 continues to grow in size, complexity, and geographic footprint, 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 operational 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 investments needed to upgrade and expand our information technology infrastructure may require significant investment of additional resources and capital, which may not always be available or available on favorable terms. F o r m 1 0 - K 17 Risks Related to our Global Supply Chain and Labor Force 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 global supply chain could be negatively affected due to a number of factors, including: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • political instability or other global events resulting in the disruption of operations or trade in or with foreign countries from which we source our products; the occurrence of a natural disaster, unusual weather conditions, or a disease epidemic in foreign countries from which we source our products; financial instability, including bankruptcy or insolvency, of one or more of our major vendors; the imposition of new laws and regulations relating to imports, duties, taxes, and other charges on imports, including those that the U.S. government has implemented and may further implement on imports from China; increased costs of raw materials (including cotton and other commodities), labor, fuel, and transportation; interruptions in the supply of raw materials, including cotton, fabric, and trim items; increases in the cost of labor in our sourcing locations; changes in the U.S. customs procedures concerning the importation of apparel products; unforeseen delays in customs clearance of any goods; disruptions in the global transportation network, such as a port strikes or delays, 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, third-party 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; and other events beyond our control that could interrupt our supply chain and delay receipt of our products into the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as the ninety additional countries in which our international partners and international wholesale customers operate. 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 deliver to our customers. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and continues to impact global supply chain operations, causing delays in the production and transportation of our product. For example, in fiscal 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic had a material adverse effect on our sourcing operations, particularly in China and the rest of Asia, and has slowed our 18 ability to import products into North America. In addition, in fiscal 2021, we experienced increased inbound transportation and freight costs, and we expect these increased costs to continue and to adversely impact our financial and operating results in fiscal 2022. Also, in fiscal 2020 and 2021, the U.S. Government placed sanctions on China’s Xinjiang Production and Construction Corporation (“XPCC”) for human rights violations and took other significant steps to address the forced labor concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (the “XUAR”) of China, including withhold release orders issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, (“US CBP”), which may in turn have an adverse effect on global supply chains, including our own supply chains for cotton and cotton-containing products, and the price of cotton in the marketplace. The XUAR is the source of large amounts of cotton and textiles for the global apparel supply chain. Although we do not knowingly source any products from the XUAR and we have no known involvement with China’s Xinjiang Production and Construction Corporation (“XPCC”) or its affiliates, we could be subject to penalties, fines or sanctions if any of the vendors from which we purchase goods is found or suspected to have dealings, directly or indirectly, with XPCC or entities with which it may be affiliated. Additionally, our products have been and, in the future, could be held or delayed by the US CBP under the withhold release orders, which would cause delays and unexpectedly affect our inventory levels. Even if we were not subject to penalties, fines, or sanctions, if products we source are associated in any way to XPCC or the XUAR, our reputation could be damaged. A relatively 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. In fiscal 2021, we purchased approximately 54% of our products from ten vendors, of which approximately half comes from three vendors. Additionally, we estimate that approximately 80% of the fabric that is used in the manufacture of our products is sourced from China. 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 become insolvent or experience financial difficulties, manufacturing capacity constraints, significant labor disputes, or restrictions imposed by foreign governments) our business, results of operations, and financial condition may be adversely affected. 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 third- party factories where our goods are produced, the shipping ports we use, or within 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 United States. Work slowdowns and stoppages relating to labor agreement negotiations involving the operators of this west coast port and unions have in the past resulted in a significant backlog of cargo containers entering the United States. We have also shifted some of our product deliveries to other ports of entry which may experience volume increases that may create delays at these ports that did not exist before we, and others, shifted significant volume to them. Further, in the past, the insolvency of a major shipping company has also had an effect 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. 19 F o r m 1 0 - K Our inability to effectively source and manage inventory could negatively impact our ability to timely deliver our inventory supply and disrupt our business, which may adversely affect our operating results. We source all of our products from a global network of third-party suppliers. If we experience significant increases in demand, or need to replace an existing vendor or shift production to vendors in new countries, 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. In the event of a significant disruption in the supply of the fabrics or raw materials (including cotton) used by our vendors in the manufacture of our products, such as an inability to source from a particular vendor or geographic region, 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 or cash flows. Additionally, the nature of our business requires us to carry a significant amount of inventory, especially prior to the peak holiday selling season when we build up our inventory levels, and to support our retail omni-channel strategies, including our buy on-line and pick-up in store program. Merchandise usually must be ordered well in advance of the season and frequently before apparel trends are confirmed by customer purchases. We must enter into contracts for the purchase and manufacture of merchandise well in advance of the applicable selling season. As a result, we are vulnerable to demand and pricing shifts and to suboptimal selection and timing of merchandise purchases and allocations to our sales channels. In the past, we have not always predicted our customers’ preferences and acceptance levels of our trend items with accuracy. If sales do not meet expectations, too much inventory may cause excessive markdowns and, therefore, lower-than-planned margins, and too little inventory may result in lost sales. 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 our U.S. stores and our eCommerce operations from our 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 our distribution facility (such as a high level of demand during peak periods) or because of natural disasters, health issues, 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. We experienced an increase of COVID-19 cases in this facility in connection with the Delta and Omicron variants, which negatively affected and may continue to negatively affect capacity. Additionally, we have experienced significant competition in hiring employees for this facility, which we attribute to the impacts of COVID-19 and to increased competition and rising wages. To address this, we have increased wages and implemented other policies in order to retain existing employees and attract additional employees. These wage increases impacted our operating results. We are likely to continue to face challenges in hiring employees for this facility due to increased competition and we may incur additional employee-related costs, when necessary, which would impact our operating results. These staffing difficulties have caused and may in the future cause additional capacity constraints. Surges in COVID-19 cases among employees could also affect the capacity of this facility, and therefore our operating results. Additionally, if we are unable to adequately staff this facility to meet demand, or if the cost of such staffing is higher than projected due to competition, mandated wage increases, regulatory changes, or other factors, our operating results may be further harmed. 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 orders in a timely manner, 20 and as a result, we could experience a reduction in our direct-to-consumer business, which could negatively impact our sales and profitability. Risks Relating to Our International Expansion 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 North America. 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. Significant changes in foreign laws or relations, such as political uncertainty and potential trade wars between nations in which we operate, may also 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. Risks Related to Governmental and Regulatory Changes 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, financial condition, or results of operations. We are subject to laws, regulations and standards set by various governmental authorities around the world, including in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, 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”); the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and similar world-wide anti-bribery laws; health care, employment and labor laws; product and consumer safety laws, including those imposed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; data privacy laws, including the E.U. General Data Protection Act and the California Consumer Privacy Act; trade, transportation and logistics related laws, including tariffs and orders issued by Customs and Border Protection; and applicable environmental laws. Our failure to comply with these various laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our reputation, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, these laws, regulations, and standards may change from time to time, and the complexity of the regulatory environment in which we operate may increase. 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 our business and results of operations. Also, our inability, or that of our vendors, to comply on a timely 21 F o r m 1 0 - K basis with regulatory requirements could result in product recalls, or significant fines or penalties, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation and sales, and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Issues with respect to 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, product recalls, and increased costs. Risks Related to Executing Our Strategic Plan Our failure to properly manage strategic initiatives in order to achieve our objectives may negatively impact our business. The implementation of our business strategy periodically involves the execution of complex initiatives, such as acquisitions, which may require that we make significant estimates and assumptions about a project. These projects could place significant demands on our accounting, financial, information technology, and other systems, and on our business overall. 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 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. For example, our multi-channel global business model, which includes retail store, eCommerce, and wholesale sales channels, enables us to reach a broad range of consumers around the world. This strategy has and will continue to require significant investment in cross-functional operations and management focus, along with investment in supporting technologies. Omni-channel retailing is rapidly evolving and we must anticipate and meet changing customer expectations and address new developments and technology investments by our competitors. Our omni-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 employees 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 our retail eCommerce sites 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 to consistently meet our brand and delivery promises 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 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, including distribution center and retail store, and support function staffing is key to our success. We cannot be sure that we will be able to attract, retain, and motivate a sufficient number of qualified personnel in the future, or that the compensation costs of doing so will not adversely affect our operating results. We have paid special bonuses across our workforce and have increased, and may continue to increase, our employee compensation and benefits levels in response to competition, as necessary. 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. 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, such as our acquisitions of the Skip Hop brand and our Mexican licensee in fiscal 2017, and we may partially or fully fund future acquisitions 22 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 harmonizing divergent technology platforms, diversion of our management attention, failure to retain key personnel and customers, 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, such as those relating to product safety, anti-bribery or anti-corruption. 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. Risks Related to Financial Reporting, Our Debt, and Tax We may not achieve sales growth plans, profitability objectives, and other assumptions that support the carrying value of our intangible assets. The carrying values of our goodwill and tradename assets 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 and planned profitability objectives. Other assumptions that support the carrying value of these intangible assets, including a deterioration of macroeconomic conditions which would negatively affect the cost of capital and/or discount rates, could also result in impairment of the remaining asset values. For example, as of and for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we recorded intangible asset impairments of $26.5 million and a goodwill impairment of $17.7 million based on forecasted financial information derived from the information reasonably available to us at the time given the unknown future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we recorded a non-cash charge of $30.8 million relative to the impairment of our Skip Hop tradename, reflecting the effect of lower sales and profitability relative to the assumptions supporting the valuation of the tradename at acquisition. 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 the end of fiscal 2021, we had $1.00 billion aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding (excluding $4.1 million of outstanding letters of credit), and $745.9 million of undrawn availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility after giving effect to $4.1 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 liquidity, 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, in certain circumstances, our 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 23 F o r m 1 0 - K 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. For example, provisions in our secured revolving credit facility as amended in May 2020 have the effect of restricting our ability to pay cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of, our common stock through the date we deliver our financial statements and associated certificates relating to the third quarter of fiscal 2021, and could have the effect of restricting our ability to do so thereafter. 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 similarly restricted. In particular, we cannot guarantee 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. 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 United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, and other foreign jurisdictions. The taxable income in each jurisdiction is affected by certain transfer prices between affiliated entities. Challenges to the arms-length nature of these transfer prices could materially affect our taxable income in a taxing jurisdiction, and therefore affect our income tax expense. 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 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 geographic mix and level of earnings. During the requisite service period for compensable equity-based compensation awards that we may grant to certain employees, we recognize a deferred income tax benefit on the compensation expense we incur for these awards for all employees other than our named executive officers. At time of subsequent vesting, exercise, or expiration of an award, the difference between our actual income tax deduction, if any, and the previously accrued income tax benefit is recognized in our income tax expense/benefit during the current period and can consequently raise or lower our effective tax rate for the period. Such differences are largely dependent on changes in the market price for our common stock. We cannot predict whether quotas, duties, taxes, or other similar restrictions will be imposed by the United States 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, treaties between the United States and other countries, 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. For example, our taxable income may be affected by new laws, rulings, initiatives, and other events, which may affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations in future periods, including: • • • the CARES Act, which was enacted in March 2020, and which significantly affects U.S. taxation by providing a retention credit and eases limitations on certain deductions including interest due to potential volatility in 2020 taxable income; a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, under which states may have additional ability to tax entities operating in their state, but lacking physical presence; mandatory country by country reporting of revenue, employees and profits, and certain international initiatives (such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)) that are focused on the equity of international taxation, which 24 may ultimately result in a worldwide minimum tax, or more defined approach around global profit allocation between related companies operating in jurisdictions with disparate income tax rates; and • tax revenue reductions as a result of the economic impact of the pandemic, which may lead to increases in state tax rates or the expansions of their tax base. GENERAL RISK Quarterly cash dividends and share repurchases are subject to a number of uncertainties, and may affect the price of our common stock. Quarterly cash dividends and share repurchases under our share repurchase program have historically been part of our capital allocation strategy. Although we reinstated our share repurchase program in August 2021 and resumed payment of a quarterly dividend in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 we suspended both our quarterly cash dividends and our share repurchase program due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are not required to declare dividends or make any share repurchases under our share repurchase program in the future. Decisions with respect to future dividends and share repurchases are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be based on a variety of factors, including restrictions under our secured revolving credit facility, market conditions, the price of our common stock, the nature and timing of other investment opportunities, changes in our business strategy, the terms of our financing arrangements, our outlook as to the ability to obtain financing at attractive rates, the impact on our credit ratings and the availability of domestic cash. A subsequent reduction or elimination of our cash dividend, or subsequent suspension or elimination of our share repurchase program could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Additionally, there can be no assurance that any share repurchases will enhance shareholder value because the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased shares of common stock, and short-term stock price fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness. F o r m 1 0 - K ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES The following is a summary of our principal owned and leased properties as of January 1, 2022. Our corporate headquarters occupies 278,000 square feet of leased space in a building in Atlanta, Georgia. Our lease for that space expires in April 2030. In addition, our regional headquarters for Canada occupied leased space in a building in Mississauga, Ontario through May 31, 2021; we anticipate we will relocate that office to other leased space in Mississauga, Ontario in 2022. We also occupy leased space in Hong Kong, China, which serves as our principal sourcing office in Asia. We also lease other space in Georgia, and New York, as well as in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Mexico, and Vietnam that, depending on the site, serves as a sourcing, sales, or administrative office. We also own a 224,000 square foot facility in Griffin, Georgia. Our largest distribution centers, which we lease, are located in Braselton, Georgia and Stockbridge, Georgia, and are 1.1 million and 0.5 million square feet, respectively, and supports all of our operating segments. We also lease additional space in or use third-party logistics providers in California, Canada, China, Mexico and Vietnam for warehousing and distribution purposes. We also operate the following number of leased retail stores: 751 in the United States, 186 in Canada, and 43 in Mexico. Our average remaining lease term for retail store leases in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is approximately 3.4 years, excluding renewal options. 25 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 its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Not applicable. 26 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 trading symbol CRI. The last reported sale price per share of our common stock on February 18, 2022 was $88.48. On that date there were 174 holders of record of our common stock. OPEN MARKET SHARE REPURCHASES The following table provides information about shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021: 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 remaining shares that can be purchased under the plans or programs(2) October 3, 2021 through October 30, 2021 . . . . . . . . October 31, 2021 through November 27, 2021 . . . . . November 28, 2021 through January 1, 2022 . . . . . . 887,349 454,342 531,166 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,872,857 $ $ $ $ 98.00 104.86 102.78 887,349 $453,227,014 453,205 $405,703,430 531,166 $351,109,063 101.02 1,871,720 (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 1,137 shares surrendered between October 31, 2021 and November 27, 2021. (2) In August 2021, we reinstated our previously suspended share repurchase program. As of August 19, 2021, total remaining capacity was $650.4 million. The authorization does not have a prescribed expiration date. Share Repurchase Program On February 24, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized share repurchases up to $1.00 billion, inclusive of approximately $301.9 million remaining under previous authorizations. The total remaining capacity under outstanding repurchase authorizations as of January 1, 2022 was approximately $351.1 million, exclusive of the February 2022 share repurchase authorization, based on settled repurchase transactions. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates. We repurchased and retired shares in open market transactions in the following amounts for the fiscal periods indicated: For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Number of shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,967,619 474,684 2,107,472 Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands) . . . . . . . . $ 299,339 $ 45,255 $ 196,910 Average price per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 100.87 $ 95.34 $ 93.43 27 F o r m 1 0 - K In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we reinstated our common stock share repurchase program. We had previously announced the suspension of our common stock share repurchase program, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of the first quarter in fiscal 2020. Future repurchases may occur from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be at our discretion subject to restrictions under our revolving credit facility, market conditions, stock price, other investment priorities, and other factors. DIVIDENDS On February 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.75 per common share, payable on March 18, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2022. Our Board of Directors declared and we paid cash dividends of $0.60 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. On May 1, 2020, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, our Board of Directors suspended our quarterly cash dividend. As a result, the Board of Directors did not declare and we did not pay cash dividends in the second, third, or fourth quarters of fiscal 2020, or in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Board of Directors declared and we paid cash dividends of $0.40 per share in each of the second and third quarters of fiscal 2021 and $0.60 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Our Board of Directors will evaluate future dividend declarations based on a number of factors, including restrictions under our secured revolving credit facility, business conditions, our financial performance, and other considerations. Provisions in our secured revolving credit facility could have the effect of restricting our ability to pay cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of, our common stock, as further described in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” under Note 8, Long-Term Debt, to the consolidated financial statements. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES None. 28 ITEM 6. [RESERVED] 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 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 under “Risk Factors” in Part I, 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 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. For a comparison of our results for fiscal year 2020 to our results for fiscal year 2019 and other financial information related to fiscal year 2019, refer to Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021. Fiscal Years Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday in December or January nearest December 31. Every five or six years, our fiscal year includes an additional 53rd week of results. Fiscal 2021, which ended on January 1, 2022, contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2020, which ended on January 2, 2021, contained 53 weeks. Fiscal 2019, which ended on December 28, 2019, contained 52 weeks. The 53rd week in fiscal 2020 contributed approximately $32.1 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. Consolidated gross margin for revenue in the 53rd week was slightly lower than consolidated gross margin for fiscal 2020 due to increased promotional activity during the 53rd week. Our Business We are the largest branded marketer in North America 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”). Our brand portfolio also includes Skip Hop, a leading baby and young child lifestyle brand, exclusive Carter’s brands developed for specific wholesale customers, and little planet, a brand focused on organic fabrics and sustainable materials. Established in 1865, our Carter’s brand is recognized and trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel and accessories for children in sizes newborn to 14. Established in 1895, OshKosh is a well-known brand, trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel and accessories for children in sizes newborn to 14, with a focus on playclothes for toddlers and young children. We acquired OshKosh in 2005. Established in 2003, the Skip Hop brand re-thinks, re-energizes, and re-imagines durable necessities to create higher value, superior quality, and top-performing products for parents, babies, and toddlers. We acquired Skip Hop in 2017. 29 F o r m 1 0 - K Additionally, Child of Mine, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is sold at Walmart; Just One You, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is sold at Target, and Simple Joys, an exclusive Carter’s brand, is available on Amazon. Launched in 2021, the little planet brand focuses on sustainable clothing through the sourcing of mostly organic cotton as certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard. This brand includes a wide assortment of baby apparel and accessories, sleepwear, and gift bundles. Our mission is to serve the needs of all families with young children, with a vision to be the world’s favorite brands in young children’s apparel and related products. We believe our brands provide a complementary product offering and aesthetic, are each uniquely positioned in the marketplace, and offer strong value to families with young children. The baby and young children’s apparel market ages zero to 10 in the U.S. is approximately $31 billion. In this market, our Carter’s brands, including our exclusive brands, hold the #1 position with approximately 10% market share and our OshKosh brand has approximately 1% market share as of December 2021. Our multi-channel, global business model, which includes retail stores, eCommerce, and wholesale sales channels, as well as omni-channel capabilities in the United States and Canada, enables us to reach a broad range of consumers around the world. At the end of fiscal 2021, our channels included 980 retail stores, approximately 18,800 wholesale locations, and eCommerce websites in North America, as well as our international wholesale accounts and licensees who operate in over 90 countries. We have extensive experience in the young children’s apparel and accessories market and focus on delivering products that satisfy our consumers’ needs. Our long-term growth strategy focuses on: providing the best value and experience in apparel and related products for young children; extending the reach of our brands; and improving profitability. • • • Segments Our three business segments are: U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. These segments are our operating and reporting segments. Our U.S. Retail segment consists of revenue primarily from sales of products in the United States through our retail stores and eCommerce websites. Similarly, our U.S. Wholesale segment consists of revenue primarily from sales in the United States of products to our wholesale partners. Finally, our International segment consists of revenue primarily from sales of products outside the United States, largely through our retail stores and eCommerce websites in Canada and Mexico, and sales to our international wholesale customers and licensees. Additional financial and geographical information about our segments is contained in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and under Note 14, Segment Information, to the consolidated financial statements. Gross Profit and Gross Margin Gross profit is calculated as consolidated net sales less cost of goods sold less adverse purchase commitments (inventory and raw materials), net, and gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by consolidated net sales. Cost of goods sold includes expenses related to the merchandising, design, and procurement of product, including inbound freight costs, purchasing and receiving costs, and inspection costs. Also included in costs of goods sold are the costs of shipping eCommerce product to end consumers. Retail store occupancy costs, distribution expenses, and generally all other expenses other than interest and income taxes are included in Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses. Distribution expenses that are included in SG&A primarily consist of payments to third-party shippers and handling costs to process product through our distribution facilities, including eCommerce fulfillment costs, and delivery to our wholesale customers and to our retail stores. Our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to other entities that define their metrics differently. 30 Recent Developments During fiscal 2020, the global pandemic caused by the spread of the novel strain of coronavirus (inclusive of variants, “COVID-19”) negatively affected the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created significant disruption of financial and retail markets, including a disruption in consumer demand for baby and children’s clothing and accessories. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will likely continue to have adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. There is still potential further disruption to our business due to rolling lockdowns and other precautionary measures in the event of new strains or outbreaks. We cannot estimate with certainty the length or severity of this pandemic, or the extent to which the disruption may materially impact our consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated cash flows. Refer to risks set forth in “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In fiscal 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact our financial results. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact supply chain operations, causing delays in the production and transportation of our product. To help mitigate production delays and meet consumer demand for our products, we have leveraged our strong relationships with our suppliers to shift production schedules when possible. To help mitigate the delay in the transportation of our product and to maintain our strong relationships with our customers, we spent considerably more than typical on inbound air freight, $33.6 million, in fiscal 2021 than in fiscal 2020. We expect these delays, and the increased costs to mitigate these delays, to continue and to adversely impact our financial results in fiscal 2022. Additionally, in fiscal 2021 and the early part of 2022, the costs of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, energy, fuel, and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products have rapidly increased. We also expect the pressures of input cost inflation to continue into 2022. We plan to offset these cost pressures through increases in the selling prices of some of our products, although these actions could have an adverse impact on demand. Our attempts to offset these cost pressures, such as through increases in the selling prices of some of our products, may not be successful. Higher product prices may result in reductions in sales volume, as consumers may choose less expensive options, or forego some purchases altogether, during an economic downturn. To the extent that price increases are not sufficient to offset these increased costs adequately or in a timely manner, and/ or if they result in significant decreases in sales volume, our business, financial condition, or operating results may be adversely affected. Through disciplined inventory management processes, we were largely able to avoid the high inventory charges we took in fiscal 2020 as a result of disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fiscal 2021, we successfully sold through our initial related pack and hold at prices generally above cost by selling through our retail channels at higher gross margins compared to “off-price” channels. As a result, our pack and hold inventory decreased almost 50.0% as of the end of fiscal 2021 compared to the end of fiscal 2020. However, to manage through supply chain delays and preserve strong margins, we decided to pack and hold certain late arriving inventory until future periods. In fiscal 2020, we announced our plan to close approximately 25% of our stores in the United States, when leases come up for renewal or where there is a kick-out provision in the lease. We closed approximately 13%, or 110, of our stores in the United States in fiscal 2021, and we expect to close approximately 30 more stores in fiscal 2022. These retail store closures are primarily related to older, less profitable stores or stores in less trafficked shopping centers. We continue to look for new, profitable retail store locations that allow us to better serve customers, including our omni-channel customers. We do not expect to close as many stores as originally planned, and we are now planning on increasing our store count in the United States in fiscal 2022, with additional net store growth planned over the next five years to serve the needs of families with young children. We continue to innovate and design products that consumers desire. In 2021, we launched the little planet brand, which focuses on sustainable clothing through the sourcing of mostly organic cotton as certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard. This brand includes a wide assortment of baby apparel and accessories, sleepwear, and gift bundles. 31 F o r m 1 0 - K Fiscal Year 2021 Highlights Unless otherwise stated, comparisons are to fiscal 2020. • Consolidated net sales increased $462.1 million, or 15.3%, to $3.49 billion. • U.S. Retail store sales increased 29.1% primarily due to increased average selling prices per unit as a result of decreased promotions as our marketing strategy focused more on emotional marketing and increased retail store traffic in the United States as a result of progress in vaccinations and easing COVID-19 related restrictions. The passage of pandemic relief legislation in March 2021, including enhanced child tax credits, also contributed to this increase. • We closed approximately 110 less profitable retail stores in the United States in fiscal 2021. While these retail store closures negatively impacted total retail store sales, these closures helped improve our operating profitability. We focused on digital marketing and omni-channel capabilities in order to retain customers and to continue to serve their needs. • U.S. Wholesale sales increased 13.1%, primarily due to increased demand in our Carter’s brands, including our exclusive Carter’s brands. Demand from our wholesale customers has remained strong, and although we managed through supply chain and transportation delays, our sales were negatively impacted. • International sales increased 29.2% in fiscal 2021, primarily due to strong performance in our Canadian retail stores and eCommerce channels. Additionally, we saw significant growth in sales from our international wholesale partners as these partners recovered from business disruptions as a result of COVID-19. • Our omni-channel programs continued to deliver growth as a result of our investments and enhancements in these programs, which included implementing omni-channel programs in Canada during fiscal 2021. Gross profit increased $348.8 million, or 26.6%, to $1.66 billion. Gross margin increased 430 basis points (“bps”) to 47.7%, primarily driven by higher consolidated net sales across our business segments, coupled with increased average selling prices per unit. Increased inbound transportation and inbound freight costs, including increased transportation rates and $33.6 million in inbound air freight, primarily related to the U.S. Wholesale segment, were partially offset by a release of adverse purchase commitments related to better than expected sales of inventory and utilization of fabric that were reserved for in fiscal 2020. SG&A expenses as a percentage of total net sales (“SG&A rate”) decreased 240 bps to 34.2%. The decrease in the SG&A rate was primarily driven by increased consolidated net sales and better leverage of retail store expenses as more sales shifted back to the retail stores. Additional drivers include decreased eCommerce fulfillment costs, decreased organizational restructuring charges, and decreased costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which were partially offset by increased performance-based compensation expense. This increase in performance-based compensation, which includes bonuses, 401(k) contributions, and other incentive compensation, is an investment in rewarding and retaining our high quality employees, who have remained focused on providing the best value and experience in young children’s apparel. Operating income increased $307.2 million to $497.1 million, and operating margin increased 800 bps to 14.3%, primarily due to the factors discussed above and the recognition of $44.2 million in goodwill and indefinite-lived tradename assets impairments charges in fiscal 2020 that did not re-occur in fiscal 2021. Net income increased $230.0 million to $339.7 million, primarily due to the factors discussed above, partially offset by an increase in income taxes. 32 • • • • • • • • • Diluted net income per common share increased from $2.50 to $7.81. Because of the significant adverse impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on our operations during the first half of fiscal 2020, we believe that a better understanding of the profitability growth that has resulted from our strong product offerings, increased price realization, and productivity initiatives is obtained by comparing to our pre-pandemic results in fiscal 2019. • Compared to fiscal 2019, consolidated net sales decreased $32.8 million, or 0.9%, primarily due to decreased sales of our Carter’s brands as we focused on more profitable customers and decreased sales in our U.S. retail stores as a result of store closures throughout fiscal 2021. Despite the disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we improved on our average selling prices per unit, increased sales in our overall U.S. Retail segment partially due to investments in eCommerce and omni-channel capabilities, and saw meaningful growth in our exclusive Carter’s brands and in our International segment. • Compared to fiscal 2019, gross profit increased $153.7 million, or 10.2%, and gross margin increased 480 bps, primarily due to increased average selling prices per unit. These drivers were partially offset by the increased inbound transportation and inbound freight costs mentioned above. • Compared to fiscal 2019, operating income increased $125.2 million, or 33.7%, and operating margin increased 370 bps compared to fiscal 2019, primarily due to the increase in gross margin discussed above, partially offset by a 180 bps increase in SG&A rate. The increase in SG&A rate was primarily due to increased performance-based compensation expense, partially offset by better leverage of retail store expenses and the closure of less profitable stores in fiscal 2021. Fiscal 2019 was also impacted by a $30.8 million non-cash impairment charge related to the Skip Hop tradename in fiscal 2019 that did not re-occur in fiscal 2021. Inventories increased $48.5 million, or 8.1%, to $647.7 million primarily due to increased demand and increased in-transit inventory due to delays in the production and transportation of our products. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $320.2 million, primarily due to a decrease in vendor payment terms. In fiscal 2021, we reinstated our common stock repurchase program and resumed paying cash dividends on our common shares. Under these return of capital initiatives, we returned $359.5 million to our shareholders, comprised of $299.3 million in share repurchases and $60.1 million in cash dividends. Compared to fiscal 2019, the return of capital to our shareholders increased 25.5%. F o r m 1 0 - K 33 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 2021 FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 2022 (52 WEEKS) COMPARED TO 2020 FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 2, 2021 (53 WEEKS) The following table summarizes our results of operations. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers. (dollars in thousands, except per share data) Consolidated net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adverse purchase commitments Fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) $3,486,440 1,832,045 $3,024,334 1,696,224 $ Change $462,106 135,821 (inventory and raw materials), net . . . . . (7,879) 14,668 (22,547) Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,662,274 1,313,442 348,832 Gross profit as % of consolidated net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Royalty income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Royalty income as % of consolidated 47.7% 28,681 43.4% 26,276 2,405 net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8% 0.9% % / bps Change 15.3% 8.0% nm 26.6% 430 bps 9.2% (10) bps Selling, general, and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SG&A expenses as % of consolidated net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intangible asset impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income as % of consolidated net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,193,876 1,105,607 88,269 8.0% 34.2% — — 36.6% 17,742 26,500 (17,742) (26,500) 497,079 189,869 307,210 14.3% 60,294 (1,096) (409) 438,290 98,542 6.3% 56,062 (1,515) 338 4,232 419 (747) 134,984 25,267 303,306 73,275 (240) bps nm nm >100% 800 bps 7.5% (27.7)% nm >100% >100% Effective tax rate(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.5% 18.7% 380 bps Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 339,748 $ 109,717 $230,031 Basic net income per common share . . . . . Diluted net income per common share . . . Dividend declared and paid per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ $ 7.83 7.81 1.40 $ $ $ 2.51 2.50 0.60 $ $ $ 5.32 5.31 0.80 >100% >100% >100% >100% (*) Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the provision for income taxes by income before income taxes. Note: Results may not be additive due to rounding. Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with “nm”. CONSOLIDATED NET SALES Consolidated net sales increased $462.1 million, or 15.3%, to $3.49 billion in fiscal 2021. This increase was primarily driven by increased average selling prices per unit as a result of decreased promotions and increased retail store traffic. The passage of pandemic relief legislation in March 2021, including enhanced child tax 34 credits, strong consumer reaction to our product offerings, increased demand with many of our wholesale customers, increased net sales in Canada as we continue to gain market share, and increased demand with our international wholesale partners as these partners began to recover from COVID-19 business disruptions also contributed to this increase. Higher sales in these channels were partially offset by decreased net sales in our domestic eCommerce channel as customer traffic rebounded in our stores. Fiscal 2020 was adversely impacted by the temporary closure of our retail stores in March, April, and May 2020 and reduced demand in our other businesses as a result of disruptions related to COVID-19. The 53rd week in fiscal 2020 contributed approximately $32.1 million in additional consolidated net sales. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, had a favorable effect on our consolidated net sales of approximately $20.0 million. GROSS PROFIT AND GROSS MARGIN Our consolidated gross profit increased $348.8 million, or 26.6%, to $1.66 billion in fiscal 2021. Consolidated gross margin increased 430 bps to 47.7%. The increase in consolidated gross profit and gross margin was primarily driven by higher consolidated net sales across our business segments, coupled with increased average selling prices per unit. Increased inbound transportation and inbound freight costs, including increased transportation rates and $33.6 million in inbound air freight, primarily related to the U.S. Wholesale segment, were partially offset by a release of adverse purchase commitments related to better than expected sales of inventory and utilization of fabric that were reserved in fiscal 2020. As a result of labor shortages, supply chain constraints, and inflation, we expect the increase in transportation rates to continue in fiscal 2022. F o r m 1 0 - K ROYALTY INCOME Royalty income increased $2.4 million, or 9.2%, to $28.7 million in fiscal 2021, primarily due to increased licensee sales volume as our licensees recovered from business disruptions related to COVID-19. SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Consolidated SG&A expenses increased $88.3 million, or 8.0%, to $1.19 billion in fiscal 2021 while the SG&A rate decreased approximately 240 bps to 34.2%. The decrease in the SG&A rate was primarily driven by increased consolidated net sales and better leverage of retail store expenses as sales in retail stores rebounded from COVID-19 related disruptions in fiscal 2020. Additional drivers include decreased eCommerce fulfillment costs, decreased organizational restructuring charges, and decreased costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which were partially offset by increased performance-based compensation expense. Organizational restructuring charges were $2.4 million in fiscal 2021 compared to $16.6 million in fiscal 2020. GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company’s market capitalization declined, and actual and projected sales and profitability decreased as a result of disruptions related to COVID-19. Based on these events, we concluded that a triggering event occurred, and we performed an interim quantitative impairment test as of March 28, 2020. Based upon the results of the impairment test, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $17.7 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 which was recorded to the Other International reporting unit in the International segment. This charge did not reoccur in fiscal 2021. INTANGIBLE ASSET IMPAIRMENT During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, actual and projected sales and profitability decreased as a result of disruptions related to COVID-19. Based on these events, we concluded that a triggering event occurred, and we 35 performed an interim quantitative impairment test as of March 28, 2020. Based upon the results of the impairment test, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $15.5 million and $11.0 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 related to our OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets that were recorded in connection with the acquisition of OshKosh B’Gosh, Inc. in July 2005 and Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017, respectively. This charge did not reoccur in fiscal 2021. OPERATING INCOME Consolidated operating income increased $307.2 million to $497.1 million in fiscal 2021 and increased as a percentage of net sales by approximately 800 bps to 14.3%, primarily due to the factors discussed above. INTEREST EXPENSE Interest expense increased $4.2 million, or 7.5%, to $60.3 million in fiscal 2021. Weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2021 were $1.00 billion at an effective interest rate of 6.02%, compared to weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2020 of $1.03 billion at an effective interest rate of 5.39%. The decrease in weighted- average borrowings was attributable to the absence of borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility during all of fiscal 2021, partially offset by the issuance of $500 million in principal amount of senior notes in May 2020. The increase in the effective interest rate was primarily due to the interest rate differential between our secured revolving credit facility and our senior notes. INCOME TAXES Our consolidated income tax provision increased $73.3 million to $98.5 million in fiscal 2021 and the effective tax rate increased approximately 380 bps to 22.5% in fiscal 2021 from 18.7% in fiscal 2020. The increased effective tax rate in fiscal 2021 primarily reflected a greater proportion of our income earned in the U.S., which has a higher tax rate than other jurisdictions income is generated. NET INCOME Our consolidated net income increased $230.0 million to $339.7 million in fiscal 2021, due to the factors previously discussed. 36 RESULTS BY SEGMENT—FISCAL YEAR 2021 (52 WEEKS) COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR 2020 (53 WEEKS) The following table summarizes net sales and operating income, by segment, for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021: (dollars in thousands) Net sales: Fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) % of consolidated net sales January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) % of consolidated net sales $ Change % Change U.S. Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . International . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,899,262 1,126,415 460,763 54.5% $1,671,644 996,088 32.3% 356,602 13.2% 55.3% $227,618 130,327 32.9% 104,161 11.8% Consolidated net sales . . . $3,486,440 100.0% $3,024,334 100.0% $462,106 13.6% 13.1% 29.2% 15.3% % of segment net sales % of segment net sales Operating income (loss): U.S. Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . International . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unallocated corporate $ 368,221 195,369 63,806 19.4% $ 146,806 141,456 17.3% (1,224) 13.8% 8.8% $221,415 53,913 14.2% 65,030 (0.3)% >100% 38.1% >100% expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (130,317) n/a (97,169) n/a (33,148) (34.1)% Consolidated operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 497,079 14.3% $ 189,869 6.3% $307,210 >100% F o r m 1 0 - K COMPARABLE SALES METRICS As a result of the temporary store closures in fiscal 2020 in response to COVID-19, we have not included a discussion of fiscal 2021 retail comparable sales as we do not believe it is a meaningful metric during the period. U.S. RETAIL U.S. Retail segment net sales increased $227.6 million, or 13.6%, to $1.90 billion in fiscal 2021. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by increased retail store traffic due to more stores being open throughout fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 and increased average selling prices per unit as a result of decreased promotions. These drivers were partially offset by decreased net sales through our eCommerce channel. The 53rd week in fiscal 2020 contributed approximately $18.2 million in additional sales to the U.S. Retail segment. As of January 1, 2022, we operated 751 retail stores in the U.S. compared to 864 in fiscal 2020. All stores were open as of January 1, 2022. U.S. Retail segment operating income increased $221.4 million to $368.2 million, and operating margin increased 1,060 bps to 19.4%. The primary drivers of the increase in operating margin were a 600 bps increase in gross margin and a 390 bps decrease in SG&A rate. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to increased average selling prices per unit and a release of adverse purchase commitment reserves related to better than expected sales of inventory and utilization of fabric that were reserved in fiscal 2020. The decrease in the SG&A rate was primarily due to increased net sales, better leverage of retail store expenses due to increased store traffic, and decreased COVID-19 related charges, partially offset by increased performance-based compensation expense. Additional drivers include operating lease assets impairment charges in fiscal 2020 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2021 and decreased organizational restructuring expenses, partially offset by increased marketing expense. The increase in operating margin was also impacted by intangible assets impairment charges in fiscal 2020 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2021. 37 U.S. WHOLESALE U.S. Wholesale segment net sales increased $130.3 million, or 13.1%, to $1.13 billion in fiscal 2021, primarily due to increased demand for our Carter’s brands, including our exclusive Carter’s brands. The 53rd week in fiscal 2020 contributed approximately $10.6 million in additional sales to the U.S. Wholesale segment. U.S. Wholesale segment operating income increased $53.9 million, or 38.1%, to $195.4 million, and operating margin increased 310 bps to 17.3%. The primary drivers of the increase in operating margin were a 130 bps increase in gross margin, a 10 bps increase in royalty income, and a 100 bps decrease in SG&A rate. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to favorable customer mix, decreased inventory provisions, and a release of adverse purchase commitment reserves related to better than expected sales of inventory and utilization of fabric that were reserved in fiscal 2020, offset by increased inbound transportation and inbound freight costs. Additional drivers include increased average selling prices per unit and decreased product costs. The increase in royalty income was primarily due to increased licensee sales volume as our licensees recovered from business disruptions related to COVID-19. The decrease in the SG&A rate was primarily due to increased sales, decreased COVID-19 related charges, and decreased bad debt expense, partially offset by increased performance-based compensation expense and increased marketing expense. The increase in operating margin was also impacted by intangible assets impairment charges in fiscal 2020 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2021. INTERNATIONAL International segment net sales increased $104.2 million, or 29.2%, to $460.8 million in fiscal 2021. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, had a $20.0 million favorable effect on International segment net sales. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by increased retail store traffic in Canada, growth in our Canadian eCommerce business due to increased demand and the introduction of omni-channel capabilities, and increased sales to our international partners. The 53rd week in fiscal 2020 contributed approximately $3.3 million in additional sales to the International segment. As of January 1, 2022, we operated 186 retail stores in Canada, compared to 193 at the end of fiscal 2020. As of January 1, 2022, we operated 43 retail stores in Mexico, compared to 44 in fiscal 2020. Due to COVID-19 related disruptions, we temporarily closed a number of retail stores and reduced retail store operating hours throughout fiscal 2021. International segment operating income was $63.8 million in fiscal 2021 compared to an operating loss of $1.2 million in fiscal 2020. Operating margin increased 1,410 bps to 13.8%. The increase in the operating margin was primarily attributable to a 440 bps increase in gross margin and a 400 bps decrease in the SG&A rate. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to increased average selling prices per unit and a release of adverse purchase commitment reserves related to better than expected sales of inventory and utilization of fabric that were reserved in fiscal 2020. The decrease in the SG&A rate was primarily due to increased net sales, better leverage of retail store expenses due to increased store traffic, and decreased COVID-19 related charges, partially offset by increased performance-based compensation expense. The operating loss in fiscal 2020 also included a $17.7 million goodwill impairment charge and intangible assets impairment charges in fiscal 2020 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2021. UNALLOCATED CORPORATE EXPENSES Unallocated corporate expenses include corporate overhead expenses that are not directly attributable to one of our business segments and include unallocated accounting, finance, legal, human resources, and information technology expenses, occupancy costs for our corporate headquarters, and other benefit and compensation programs, including stock-based compensation. Unallocated corporate expenses increased $33.1 million, or 34.1%, to $130.3 million in fiscal 2021. Unallocated corporate expenses, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, increased 50 bps to 3.7%. The increase as a percentage of consolidated net sales was primarily due to increased performance-based compensation expense, partially offset by increased net sales. 38 FINANCIAL CONDITION, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY Our ongoing cash needs are primarily for working capital, capital expenditures, interest on debt, and the return of capital to our shareholders. We expect that our primary sources of liquidity will be cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow from operations, and available borrowing capacity under our secured revolving credit facility. We believe that our sources of liquidity will fund our projected requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, these sources of liquidity may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other events described in our risk factors, as discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As discussed under the heading “Recent Developments” in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we expect delays in the production and transportation of our product, and the increased costs to mitigate these delays, to continue and to adversely impact our financial results in fiscal 2022. We cannot predict the timing and amount of such impact. As of January 1, 2022, we had approximately $984.3 million of cash and cash equivalents held at major financial institutions, including approximately $112.7 million held at financial institutions located outside of the United States. We maintain cash deposits with major financial institutions that exceed the insurance coverage limits provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the United States, and by similar insurers for deposits located outside the United States. To mitigate this risk, we utilize a policy of allocating cash deposits among major financial institutions that have been evaluated by us and third-party rating agencies as having acceptable risk profiles. BALANCE SHEET Net accounts receivable at January 1, 2022 were $231.4 million compared to $186.5 million at January 2, 2021. The increase of $44.8 million, or 24.0%, primarily reflects increased wholesale customer demand and the timing of wholesale customer receipts, partially offset by improved days sales outstanding. Inventories at January 1, 2022 were $647.7 million compared to $599.3 million at January 2, 2021. The increase of $48.5 million, or 8.1%, was primarily due to increased demand and increased in-transit inventory due to delays in production and transportation of our products, partially offset by decreased pack and hold inventory. Accounts payable at January 1, 2022 were $407.0 million compared to $472.1 million at January 2, 2021. The decrease of $65.1 million, or 13.8%, is primarily due a decrease in vendor payment terms, which had been extended in fiscal 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. CASH FLOW Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2021 was $268.3 million, compared to $588.5 million in fiscal 2020. Our cash flow provided by operating activities is driven by net income and changes in our working capital. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in vendor payment terms, partially offset by increased profitability. We facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance (“SCF”) program through participating financial institutions. This SCF program enables our suppliers to sell their receivables due from the Company to a participating financial institution at their discretion. We are not a party to the agreements between the participating financial institutions and the suppliers in connection with the SCF program. The range of payment terms we negotiate with our suppliers is consistent, irrespective of whether a supplier participates in the SCF program. No guarantees are provided by the Company or any of our subsidiaries under the SCF program. The amounts payable to participating financial institutions for suppliers who voluntarily participate in the SCF program are included in Accounts payable on our consolidated statement balance sheets. Payments made under the SCF program, like payments on other Accounts payable, are a reduction to our operating cash flow. 39 F o r m 1 0 - K Net Cash Used in Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities was $32.4 million in fiscal 2021, compared to $31.5 million in fiscal 2020. This increase in net cash used in investing activities is primarily due to increased capital expenditures, partially offset by increased proceeds from sales of investments in marketable securities. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2021 primarily included $22.6 million for information technology initiatives, $9.1 million for omni-channel initiatives and our U.S. and international retail store openings and remodels, and $4.2 million for our distribution facilities. We plan to invest approximately $65 million in capital expenditures in fiscal 2022, which primarily relates to U.S. and international retail store openings and remodels, strategic information technology initiatives, and investments in our distribution facilities. Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities was $352.7 million in fiscal 2021, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $324.8 million in fiscal 2020. This change in cash flow from financing activities was primarily due to an issuance of $500 million in principal amount of senior notes in May 2020, which did not reoccur in fiscal 2021, and an increase in the return of capital to our shareholders through common stock share repurchases and cash dividends in fiscal 2021. SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY As of January 1, 2022, we had no outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $4.1 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of January 2, 2021, we had no outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $5.0 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, there was approximately $745.9 million and $745.0 million available for future borrowing, respectively. Any outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility are classified as non-current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets due to contractual repayment terms under the credit facility. However, these repayment terms also allow us to repay some or all of the outstanding borrowings at any time. TERMS OF THE SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY Our secured revolving credit facility provides for an aggregate credit line of $750 million which includes a $650 million U.S. dollar facility and a $100 million multicurrency facility denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or other currencies agreed to by the applicable lenders. The credit facility matures on September 21, 2023. The facility contains covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things: (i) create or incur liens, debt, guarantees or other investments, (ii) engage in mergers and consolidations, (iii) pay dividends or other distributions to, and redemptions and repurchases from, equity holders, (iv) prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated or junior debt, (v) amend organizational documents, and (vi) engage in certain transactions with affiliates. On May 4, 2020, through our wholly owned subsidiary, The William Carter Company (“TWCC”), we entered into Amendment No. 2 to our fourth amended and restated credit agreement (“Amendment No. 2”). Amendment No. 2 provided for, among other things, access to additional capital and increased flexibility under financial maintenance covenants, which we sought in part due to the unforeseen negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 21, 2021, through our wholly owned subsidiary, TWCC, we entered into Amendment No. 3 to our fourth amended and restated credit agreement (“Amendment No. 3”). Among other things, Amendment No. 3 40 provided that through the remainder of the Restricted Period, which ended on the date the we delivered our financial statements and associated certificates relating to the third quarter of fiscal 2021: • we must have maintained a minimum liquidity (defined as cash-on-hand plus availability under the secured revolving credit facility) on the last day of each fiscal month of at least $950 million (the “Revised Liquidity Requirement”), which was increased by $250 million from $700 million; and • we were permitted to make additional restricted payments, including to pay cash dividends and repurchase common stock, in an amount not to exceed $250 million, provided that (a) no default or event of default will have occurred and be continuing or would result from the payment and (b) after giving effect to the payment, we would have been in compliance with Revised Liquidity Requirement as of the last day of the most recent month. Approximately $0.2 million, including both bank fees and other third-party expenses, has been capitalized in connection with Amendment No. 3 and is being amortized over the remaining term of the secured revolving credit facility. As of January 1, 2022, our secured revolving credit facility returned to its pre-COVID 19 terms that were in effect prior to Amendment No. 2. There were no weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2021 compared to $212.2 million of weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2020. The decrease in weighted-average borrowings for fiscal 2021 was due to the absence of borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility during fiscal 2021. As of January 1, 2022, the interest rate margins applicable to the amended revolving credit facility were 1.125% for LIBOR rate and 0.125% for base rate loans. The effective interest rate for borrowings under the secured revolving credit facility during fiscal 2020 was 2.84%. F o r m 1 0 - K As of January 1, 2022, we were in compliance with our financial and other covenants under our secured revolving credit facility. SENIOR NOTES As of January 1, 2022, TWCC had $500.0 million principal amount of senior notes outstanding, bearing interest at a rate of 5.500% per annum, and maturing on May 15, 2025, and $500.0 million principal amount of senior notes outstanding, bearing interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum, and maturing on March 15, 2027. On our consolidated balance sheet, the $1.00 billion of outstanding senior notes as of January 1, 2022 is reported net of $8.6 million of unamortized issuance-related debt costs, and the $1.00 billion of outstanding senior notes as of January 2, 2021 is reported net of $10.5 million of unamortized issuance-related debt costs. The senior notes mentioned above are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter’s, Inc. and certain domestic subsidiaries of TWCC. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by Carter’s, Inc. and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional. The indentures governing the senior notes provides that 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, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of purchase. The indentures governing the senior notes include 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 certain types of indebtedness that is secured by a lien; (b) enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions; and (c) consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of the issuer’s assets to, another person, under certain circumstances. 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 25.0% 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. 41 FISCAL 2022 DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT We intend to redeem our 5.500% senior notes in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, subject to market conditions, using cash on hand. Redemption of the 5.500% senior notes will require payment of an early redemption premium, which along with transaction fees and unamortized debt issuance costs is estimated to result in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $21 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. SHARE REPURCHASES On February 24, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized share repurchases up to $1.00 billion, inclusive of approximately $301.9 million remaining under previous authorizations. Open-market repurchases of our common stock during fiscal years 2021 and 2020 were as follows: Number of shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands) . . . . . . . . . . . . Average price per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 2,967,619 $ 299,339 100.87 $ January 2, 2021 474,684 $ 45,255 95.34 $ The total remaining capacity under outstanding repurchase authorizations as of January 1, 2022 was approximately $351.1 million, exclusive of the February 2022 share repurchase authorization, based on settled repurchase transactions. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates. In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we reinstated our common stock share repurchase program. We had previously announced the suspension of our common stock share repurchase program, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of the first quarter in fiscal 2020. Future repurchases may occur from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be at our discretion subject to restrictions under our revolving credit facility, market conditions, stock price, other investment priorities, and other factors. DIVIDENDS On February 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.75 per common share, payable on March 18, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2022. Our Board of Directors declared and we paid cash dividends of $0.60 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. On May 1, 2020, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, our Board of Directors suspended our quarterly cash dividend. As a result, the Board of Directors did not declare and we did not pay cash dividends in the second, third, or fourth quarters of fiscal 2020, or in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Board of Directors declared and we paid cash dividends of $0.40 per share in each of the second and third quarters of fiscal 2021 and $0.60 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Our Board of Directors will evaluate future dividend declarations based on a number of factors, including restrictions under our secured revolving credit facility, business conditions, our financial performance, and other considerations. Provisions in our secured revolving credit facility could have the effect of restricting our ability to pay cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of, our common stock, as further described in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” under Note 8, Long-Term Debt, to the consolidated financial statements. 42 COMMITMENTS The following table summarizes as of January 1, 2022, the maturity or expiration dates of mandatory contractual obligations and commitments for the following fiscal years: (dollars in thousands) 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . Interest on debt(1) . . . . . . . . . . Operating leases(2) . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $ — $ 55,625 164,338 231 55,625 141,248 211 — $500,000 41,875 81,206 — 55,625 113,584 — $ — $500,000 14,063 28,125 82,197 57,194 — — $1,000,000 250,938 639,767 442 Total financial obligations . . . Letters of credit . . . . . . . . . . . $220,194 $197,084 — 4,059 $169,209 — $623,081 $85,319 — — $596,260 — $1,891,147 4,059 Total financial obligations and commitments(3)(4)(5) . . . $224,253 $197,084 $169,209 $623,081 $85,319 $596,260 $1,895,206 (1) Reflects: i) a fixed interest rate of 5.500% for the senior notes due 2025, and ii) a fixed interest rate of 5.625% for the senior notes due 2027. (2) The minimum lease obligation includes all lease and non-lease components that were included in the measurement of the lease liability. (3) The table above excludes our reserves for income taxes, as we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement. (4) The table above excludes purchase obligations. Our estimate as of January 1, 2022 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 $550 million and $650 million. (5) The table above excludes any potential future Company funding for obligations under our defined benefit retirement plans. Our estimates of such obligations as of January 1, 2022 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 Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” under Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans, to the consolidated financial statements. F o r m 1 0 - K 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 our longer-term strategic plans, although no assurance can be given in this regard. SEASONALITY We experience seasonal fluctuations in our sales and profitability due to the timing of certain holidays and key retail shopping periods, which generally has resulted in lower sales and gross profit in the first half of our fiscal year versus the second half of the fiscal year. Accordingly, our results of operations during the first half of the year may not be indicative of the results we expect for the full year. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in 43 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 are reported as Net sales, consist of sales to customers, net of returns, discounts, chargebacks, and cooperative advertising. We recognize revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. Generally, the performance obligation is satisfied when we transfer control of the goods to the customer. 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 an asset, representing the goods we expect to receive from the customer, and a liability for estimated sales returns. There are no accounts receivable associated with our retail customers. Our accounts receivable reserves for wholesale customers include an allowance for expected credit losses and an allowance for chargebacks. The allowance for expected credit losses 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 expected credit losses 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. Cooperative advertising arrangements reimburse customers for marketing activities for certain of our products. We record these reimbursements under 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 $0.2 million for fiscal 2021, $0.5 million for fiscal 2020, and $3.1 million for fiscal 2019 as a component of SG&A expenses on our 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. 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 approximately at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis for wholesale inventory and average cost for retail inventories) or net realizable value. 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 goods sold when the related inventory item is 44 sold. The Company also has minimum inventory purchase commitments, including fabric commitments, with our suppliers which secure a portion of our raw material needs for future seasons. In the event anticipated market sales prices are lower than these committed costs or customer orders are canceled, the Company records a reserve for these adverse inventory and fabric purchase commitments. Increases to this reserve are reflected in Costs of goods sold on our consolidated statement of operations. Due to the materiality of these charges in fiscal 2020, these charges have been presented separately on our consolidated statement of operations. 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 “more likely than not” that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. F o r m 1 0 - K Under a quantitative assessment for goodwill, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use the income approach and the market approach to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these approaches include revenue growth and profitability, terminal values, discount rates, and an implied control premium. These assumptions are consistent with those we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. An impairment is recorded for any excess carrying value above the fair value of the reporting unit, not to exceed the carrying value of 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 quantitative 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 revenue growth rates and selecting the appropriate terminal value, discount rate, and royalty rate. 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 annual assessment, performed as of January 1, 2022, using a qualitative assessment, there were no impairments in the values of goodwill or indefinite-lived or definite-lived intangible assets. In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company concluded that impairment indicators existed due to the decrease in the Company’s market capitalization, lower than expected actual sales, and lower projected sales and 45 profitability, primarily due to the impacts from the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company conducted interim quantitative impairment assessments of 1) the goodwill ascribed to the Other International reporting unit recorded in connection with the allocation of goodwill to the newly created International segment as a result of the acquisition of Bonnie Togs in 2011 and 2) on the value of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets that was recorded in connection with the acquisition of OshKosh B’Gosh Inc. in July 2005 and Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017, respectively. The goodwill impairment assessment for the Other International reporting unit was performed in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”) and compares the carrying value of the Other International reporting unit to its fair value. Consistent with prior practice, the fair value of the Other International reporting unit was determined using discounted cash flows (“income approach”) and relevant data from guideline public companies (“market approach”). As a result of this assessment, a goodwill impairment charge of $17.7 million was recorded to our Other International reporting unit in the International segment during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The goodwill impairment charge recorded on our Other International reporting unit included charges of $9.4 million, $5.2 million, and $3.1 million to Skip Hop, Carter’s, and Carter’s Mexico goodwill, respectively. The carrying value of the Company’s goodwill for the Other International reporting unit as of January 1, 2022 was $11.7 million. The OshKosh and Skip Hop indefinite-lived tradename asset assessments were performed in accordance with ASC 350 and were determined using a discounted cash flow analysis which examined the hypothetical cost savings that accrue as a result of not having to license the tradename from another owner. Based on these assessments, charges of $15.5 million and $11.0 million were recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 on our indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets, respectively. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset included charges of $13.6 million, $1.6 million, and $0.3 million in the U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset included charges of $6.8 million, $3.7 million, and $0.5 million in the U.S. Wholesale, International, and U.S. Retail segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset. The carrying values of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets as of January 1, 2022 were $70.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. 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 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 advisers 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 46 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 recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. If it is more likely than not that a tax position would not be sustained, then no tax benefit would be recognized. Where applicable, associated interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is recognized as a component of interest expense and associated penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense. We also assess permanent and temporary differences resulting from differing basis 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. Based on our results for fiscal 2021, a hypothetical 100 bps increase in our effective tax rate would have resulted in an increase in our income tax expense of $4.4 million. 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 Other expense (income), net 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 Other expense (income), net 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 the currencies of Canada and Mexico, we may use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge purchases that are made in U.S. dollars, primarily for inventory purchases in our Canadian and Mexican businesses. 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. Historically, these contracts have not been designated for hedge accounting treatment, and therefore changes in the fair value of these contracts were 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), classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. At January 1, 2022, there were no unsettled foreign currency forward contracts. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 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, 47 F o r m 1 0 - K 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 deferred gains and losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholder’s equity. Deferred 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 average remaining life of inactive plan participants. Any future obligation under our pension plan not funded from 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 Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” under Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans, to the consolidated financial statements. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS We recognize the cost resulting from all stock-based payment transactions in the financial statements at grant date fair value. The fair value of stock awards is determined based on the quoted closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined based on 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. During the requisite service period, we recognize a deferred income tax benefit for the expense recognized for U.S. GAAP. At time of subsequent vesting, exercise, forfeiture, or expiration of an award, the difference between our actual income tax deduction, if any, and the previously accrued income tax benefit is recognized in our income tax expense/benefit during the current period. 48 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 We contract for production with third parties primarily in Asia. While these contracts are stated in U.S. dollars, there can be no assurance that the cost for the future production of our products will not be affected by exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies of these contractors. Due to the number of currencies involved, we cannot quantify the potential impact that future currency fluctuations may have on our results of operations in future periods. The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries that are denominated in functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and weighted-average exchange rates for revenues and expenses. Gains and losses resulting from translating assets and liabilities from the functional currency to U.S. dollars are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Our foreign subsidiaries typically record sales denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which are then translated into U.S. dollars using weighted-average exchange rates. The changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation in fiscal 2021, compared to fiscal 2020, had a $20.0 million favorable effect on our consolidated net sales. Fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies may affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Transactions by our foreign subsidiaries may be denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses also include the impact of intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are marked to market. In our consolidated statement of operations, these gains and losses are recorded within Other expense (income), net. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are of a long-term nature are accounted for as translation adjustments and are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Interest Rate Risk Our operating results are subject to risk from interest rate fluctuations on our amended revolving credit facility, which carries variable interest rates. As of January 1, 2022, there were no variable rate borrowings outstanding under the amended revolving credit facility. As a result, the impact of a hypothetical 100 bps increase in the effective interest rate would not result in a material amount of additional interest expense over a 12-month period. 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. F o r m 1 0 - K 49 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA CARTER’S, INC. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB 238 ID ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 51 53 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 58 50 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Carter’s, Inc. Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Carter’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of changes in stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 1, 2022, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 1, 2022 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 January 1, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO. Basis for Opinions The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated 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 the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 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. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 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 51 F o r m 1 0 - K 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. Critical Audit Matters The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Revenue Recognition—U.S. Wholesale As described in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s U.S. wholesale revenue was $1,126,415 thousand for the year ended January 1, 2022. The Company relies on shipping terms to determine when performance obligations are satisfied. When goods are shipped to wholesale customers “FOB Shipping Point,” control of the goods is transferred to the customer at the time of shipment if there are no remaining performance obligations. The Company recognizes the revenue once control passes to the customer. The transaction price is the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive under the arrangement. The Company is required to estimate variable consideration (if any) and to factor that estimation into the determination of the transaction price. The Company may offer sales incentives to wholesale customers, including discounts. The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures relating to U.S. wholesale revenue recognition is a critical audit matter is the significant audit effort in performing procedures related to the Company’s revenue recognition. Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the revenue recognition process, including controls over the recording of U.S. wholesale revenue at the transaction price once control passes to the customer. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing the completeness, accuracy, and occurrence of revenue recognized for a sample of revenue transactions by obtaining and inspecting source documents, including purchase orders, invoices, proof of shipment, and subsequent cash receipts, where applicable; ii) testing the completeness, accuracy, and occurrence of a sample of sales incentive transactions by obtaining and inspecting source documents, including support for the nature of the incentive, amount, and agreement with the customer; and iii) confirming a sample of outstanding customer invoice balances as of January 1, 2022 and obtaining and inspecting source documents, including invoices, proof of shipment, and subsequent cash receipts, where applicable, for confirmations not returned. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Atlanta, Georgia February 25, 2022 We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1968. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor of the Company. 52 CARTER’S, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (dollars in thousands, except for share data) F o r m 1 0 - K January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $7,281 and $5,940, $ 984,294 $1,102,323 respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231,354 186,512 Finished goods inventories, net of inventory reserves of $14,378 and $14,206, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Property, plant, and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating lease assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tradenames, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill Customer relationships, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 647,742 50,131 1,913,521 216,004 487,748 307,643 212,023 33,969 30,889 599,262 57,927 1,946,024 262,345 593,008 307,893 211,776 37,510 34,024 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,201,797 $3,392,580 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current operating lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 407,044 147,537 176,449 $ 472,140 185,152 135,240 Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long-term debt, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long-term operating lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 731,030 991,370 40,910 441,861 46,440 792,532 989,530 52,770 554,497 65,218 Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,251,611 $2,454,547 Commitments and contingencies—Note 17 Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock; par value $0.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at January 01, 2022 and January 02, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $ — Common stock, voting; par value $0.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 41,148,870 and 43,780,075 shares issued and outstanding at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 — (28,897) 978,672 438 17,752 (32,760) 952,603 Total stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950,186 938,033 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,201,797 $3,392,580 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 53 CARTER’S, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (dollars in thousands, except per share data) Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adverse purchase commitments (inventory and raw materials), For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) $ 3,486,440 1,832,045 $ 3,024,334 1,696,224 $ 3,519,286 2,008,630 net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7,879) 14,668 Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Royalty income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selling, general, and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intangible asset impairment 1,662,274 28,681 1,193,876 — — 1,313,442 26,276 1,105,607 17,742 26,500 Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other (income) expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loss on extinguishment of debt Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Basic net income per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diluted net income per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dividend declared and paid per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ $ $ 497,079 60,294 (1,096) (409) — 438,290 98,542 339,748 7.83 7.81 1.40 $ $ $ $ 189,869 56,062 (1,515) 338 — 134,984 25,267 109,717 2.51 2.50 0.60 $ $ $ $ 2,106 1,508,550 34,637 1,140,515 — 30,800 371,872 37,617 (1,303) (217) 7,823 327,952 64,150 263,802 5.89 5.85 2.00 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 54 CARTER’S, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (dollars in thousands) Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other comprehensive income: Unrealized gain (loss) on OshKosh defined benefit plan, net of (tax expense) or tax benefit of $(1,220), $680, and $(230) for the fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrealized (loss) gain on Carter’s post-retirement benefit obligation, net of tax benefit of $40, $39, and $150 for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) $ 339,748 $ 109,717 $ 263,802 3,973 (2,197) 746 (115) 5 3,863 (144) 5,215 2,874 (483) 6,442 6,705 Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 343,611 $ 112,591 $ 270,507 F o r m 1 0 - K See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 55 CARTER’S, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Depreciation on property, plant, and equipment Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Provisions for (recoveries of) excess and obsolete inventory, net(1) . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intangible asset impairments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other asset impairments and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, net of recoveries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of debt issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss (gain), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Provisions for (recoveries of) doubtful accounts receivable from customers . . . . Loss on extinguishment of debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrealized gains on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred income taxes benefit Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Finished goods inventories(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prepaid expenses and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounts payable and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proceeds from sale of investments(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Disposals and recoveries from property, plant, and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from senior notes due 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proceeds from senior notes due 2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payment of senior notes due 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premiums paid to extinguish debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payments of debt issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payments on secured revolving credit facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proceeds from exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) $ 339,748 $ 109,717 $ 263,802 90,378 3,730 4,042 — — 213 3,052 21,029 371 1,345 — (2,279) (13,532) (46,480) (52,914) 6,866 (87,311) 90,284 3,715 4,866 17,742 26,500 11,374 2,372 12,830 361 6,072 — (1,974) (23,254) 58,275 (8,063) (8,558) 286,235 92,207 3,747 (5,791) — 30,800 452 1,437 16,529 (564) (220) 7,823 (3,977) (13,300) 8,121 (10,892) (9,782) 6,823 $ $ $ $ 268,258 $ 588,494 $ 387,215 (37,442) $ 5,000 — (32,871) $ 1,400 — (61,419) — 749 (32,442) $ (31,471) $ (60,670) — $ — — — (223) — — (299,339) (60,124) (4,019) 10,995 500,000 $ — — 500,000 — (400,000) (5,252) — (5,793) (7,639) 265,000 644,000 (361,000) (744,000) (196,910) (45,255) (89,591) (26,260) (4,328) (5,011) 14,490 9,008 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (352,710) $ 324,843 $ (283,384) Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,135) 6,146 1,073 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year $ (118,029) $ 1,102,323 888,012 $ 214,311 44,234 170,077 Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 984,294 $ 1,102,323 $ 214,311 (1) Cash flows for fiscal 2019 were revised to reflect the reclassification of $11.6 million related to the recoveries of excess and obsolete inventory. (2) Cash flows for fiscal 2020 were revised to reflect the reclassification of $1.4 million proceeds from sale of investments from cash flows from operating activities to cash flows from investing activities. See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 56 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CARTER’S, INC. (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 29, 2018 . . . 45,629,014 $456 $ — $(40,839) $ 909,816 $ 869,433 Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Restricted stock activity . . . . . . . . . Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repurchases of common stock . . . . Cash dividends declared and paid of $2.00 per common share . . . . . . . Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reclassification of tax effects(*) 274,960 (46,429) 213,030 3 — 2 14,487 (4,328) (2) — (2,107,472) — (21) 16,529 (26,686) — — — — — — — — 14,490 (4,328) — — (170,203) 16,529 (196,910) — — — — — — — — — — 6,705 (1,500) (89,591) 263,802 1,500 (89,591) 270,507 — Balance at December 28, 2019 . . . 43,963,103 $440 $ — $(35,634) $ 915,324 $ 880,130 Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Restricted stock activity . . . . . . . . . Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repurchases of common stock . . . . Cash dividends declared and paid of $0.60 per common share . . . . . . . Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . 193,645 (47,337) 145,348 — (474,684) — — 2 — 1 — (5) — — 9,006 (5,011) (1) 12,830 928 — — — — — — — — 9,008 (5,011) — — (46,178) 12,830 (45,255) — — — 2,874 (26,260) 109,717 (26,260) 112,591 Balance at January 2, 2021 . . . . . . 43,780,075 $438 $ 17,752 $(32,760) $ 952,603 $ 938,033 Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Restricted stock activity . . . . . . . . . Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repurchases of common stock . . . . Cash dividends declared and paid of $1.40 per common share . . . . . . . Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . 178,803 (41,523) 199,134 — (2,967,619) — — 1 — 2 — (30) — — 10,994 (4,019) (2) 21,029 (45,754) — — — — — — — — 10,995 (4,019) — — (253,555) 21,029 (299,339) — — — 3,863 (60,124) 339,748 (60,124) 343,611 Balance at January 1, 2022 . . . . . . 41,148,870 $411 $ — $(28,897) $ 978,672 $ 950,186 (*) In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company reclassified $1.5 million of tax benefits from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” to “Retained earnings” for the tax effects resulting from the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act in accordance with the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 57 F o r m 1 0 - K 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, OshKosh, Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Carter’s My First Love, little planet, and other brands. The Company’s products are sourced through contractual arrangements with manufacturers worldwide for: 1) wholesale distribution to leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally and 2) distribution to the Company’s own retail stores and eCommerce sites that market its brand name merchandise and other licensed products manufactured by other companies. 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 December 31. Every five or six years, our fiscal year includes an additional 53rd week of results. Fiscal 2021, which ended on January 1, 2022, contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2020, which ended on January 2, 2021, contained 53 weeks. Fiscal 2019, which ended on December 28, 2019, contained 52 weeks. 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 additional revenue from the 53rd week is slightly lower than the consolidated gross margin for fiscal 2020 due to increased promotional activity during the 53rd week. 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 in each foreign country. 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 sheets. 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 the impact of 58 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in earnings, as a separate component of Other expense (income), net, within the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are of a long-term nature are accounted for as translation adjustments and are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 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 the currencies of Canada and Mexico, 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 and Mexican operations. As part of this 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 have been recorded in Other (income) expense, net in the Company’s consolidated statements 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. 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. However, money market funds held in a rabbi trust that are being used as investments to satisfy the Company’s obligations under its deferred compensation plans are treated as investments and recorded in Other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. CONCENTRATION OF CASH DEPOSITS RISK As of January 1, 2022, the Company had approximately $984.3 million of cash and cash equivalents in major financial institutions, including approximately $112.7 million in financial institutions located outside of the United States. 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 as having acceptable risk profiles. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK In fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, no one customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales. 59 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) At January 1, 2022, three wholesale customers each had individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of gross accounts receivable, and the total receivable balances due from these three wholesale customers in the aggregate equaled approximately 52% of total gross trade receivables outstanding. At January 2, 2021, three wholesale customers each had individual receivable balances in excess of 10% of gross accounts receivable, and the total receivable balances due from these three wholesale customers in the aggregate equaled approximately 69% of total gross trade receivables outstanding. VALUATION ACCOUNTS FOR WHOLESALE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Accounts Receivable Reserves The Company’s accounts receivable reserves for wholesale customers include an allowance for expected credit losses and an allowance for chargebacks. The allowance for expected credit losses 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. 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 expected credit losses are reflected in Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) 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 approximately at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis for wholesale inventory and average cost for retail inventory) or net realizable value. 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. LEASES Financial Presentation The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at its inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease assets, current operating lease liabilities, and long-term operating lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. 60 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) The operating lease ROU asset also includes initial direct costs and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain of our lease agreements include variable rental payments based on a percentage of retail sales over contractual levels and others include variable rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Policy Elections Portfolio approach — In general, the Company accounts for the underlying leased asset and applies a discount rate at the lease level. However, there are certain non-real estate leases for which the Company utilizes the portfolio method by aggregating similar leased assets based on the underlying lease term. Non-lease component — The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The Company has elected a policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for all asset classes. Short-term lease — Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheets. Discount rate — As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Renewal options — The Company evaluates the inclusion of renewal options on a lease by lease basis. In general, for leased retail real estate, the Company does not include renewal options in the underlying lease term. 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 gain 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 licenses from external vendors and also develops software internally using Company employees and consultants. Software license 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. If a software application does not include a purchased license for the software, such as a cloud- based software application, the arrangement is accounted for as a service contract. Cloud computing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract and that meet the applicable criteria are capitalized and reported in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balances sheets. Any capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement, and the expense is presented in the same line item within the consolidated statements of operations as the expense for the service contract’s fees. 61 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 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 revenue growth and profitability, terminal values, discount rates, an implied control premium, and, in the case of tradenames, royalty rates. 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 a goodwill impairment test using quantitative assessments must be performed. If it is determined that it is “not more likely than not” 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. Under a quantitative assessment for goodwill, the Company compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company uses the income approach and the market approach to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these approaches include revenue growth and profitability, terminal values, discount rates, and an implied control premium. These assumptions are consistent with those of hypothetical marketplace participants. An impairment is recorded for any excess carrying value above the fair value of the reporting unit, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill. Based upon our most recent annual assessment, performed as of January 1, 2022, using a qualitative assessment, there were no impairments in the value of goodwill. In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company concluded that impairment indicators existed due to the decrease in the Company’s market capitalization, lower than expected actual sales, and lower projected sales and profitability, primarily due to the impacts from the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company conducted interim quantitative impairment assessments of 1) the goodwill ascribed to the Other International reporting unit recorded in connection with the allocation of goodwill to the newly created International segment as a result of the acquisition of Bonnie Togs in 2011 and 2) on the value of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets that was recorded in connection with the acquisition of OshKosh B’Gosh Inc. in July 2005 and Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017, respectively. The goodwill impairment assessment for the Other International reporting unit was performed in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”) and compares the carrying value of the Other International reporting unit to its fair value. Consistent with prior practice, the fair value of the Other International reporting unit was determined using the income approach and the market approach. As a result of 62 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) this assessment, a goodwill impairment charge of $17.7 million was recorded to our Other International reporting unit in the International segment during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The goodwill impairment charge recorded on our Other International reporting unit included charges of $9.4 million, $5.2 million, and $3.1 million to Skip Hop, Carter’s, and Carter’s Mexico goodwill, respectively. The carrying value of the Company’s goodwill for the Other International reporting unit as of January 1, 2022 was $11.7 million. 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. Based upon our most recent annual assessment, performed as of January 1, 2022, using a qualitative assessment, there were no impairments in the values of our indefinite-lived tradenames. As discussed above, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company conducted interim quantitative impairment assessments on the value of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets that was recorded in connection with the acquisition of OshKosh B’Gosh Inc. in July 2005 and Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017, respectively. The OshKosh and Skip Hop indefinite-lived tradename asset assessments were performed in accordance with ASC 350 and were determined using a discounted cash flow analysis which examined the hypothetical cost savings that accrue as a result of not having to license the tradename from another owner. Based on these assessments, charges of $15.5 million and $11.0 million were recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 on our indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets, respectively. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset included charges of $13.6 million, $1.6 million, and $0.3 million in the U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset included charges of $6.8 million, $3.7 million, and $0.5 million in the U.S. Wholesale, International, and U.S. Retail segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset. The carrying values of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets as of January 1, 2022 were $70.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. IMPAIRMENT OF OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS The Company reviews other long-lived assets, including operating lease assets, 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 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. There were no impairments to other long- lived assets in fiscal 2021. 63 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) DEFERRED DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS Debt issuance costs associated with the Company’s secured revolving credit facility and senior term 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 sheets and classified as either current or non-current based on the expiration date of the credit facility. 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, and any unsettled foreign currency forward contracts at fair value. The 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 8, Long-Term Debt, to the 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 The Company uses the five-step model to recognize revenue: Identify the contract with the customer; Identity the performance obligation(s); 1) 2) 3) Determine the transaction price; 4) Allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation if multiple obligations exist; and 5) Recognize the revenue when the performance obligations are satisfied Performance Obligations The Company identifies each distinct performance obligation to transfer goods (or bundle of goods). The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the goods to the customer. Other than inbound and outbound freight and shipping arrangements, the Company does not use third parties to satisfy its performance obligations in revenue arrangements with customers. 64 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied Wholesale Revenues — The Company typically transfers control upon shipment. However, in certain arrangements where the Company retains the risk of loss during shipment, satisfaction of the performance obligation occurs when the goods reach the customer. Retail Revenues — For transactions in stores, the Company satisfies its performance obligation at point of sale when the customer takes possession of the goods and tenders payment. For purchases made through the Company’s eCommerce channel, revenue is recognized when the goods are physically delivered to the customer. Loyalty program — Retail customers can earn loyalty points that accumulate towards earning reward certificates that are redeemable for a specified amount off of future purchases for a specified period of time. Points and reward certificates earned by retail customers under the Company’s loyalty program represent a separate performance obligation. For transactions where a customer earns loyalty points, the Company allocates revenue between the goods sold and the loyalty points expected to be earned towards a reward certificate based upon the relative standalone selling price. The revenue that is deferred is recorded within Other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and then recognized as revenue upon redemption of the reward certificate. Loyalty program breakage is recognized as revenue based on the customer redemption pattern. Gift Cards — Customer purchases of gift cards are not recognized as revenue until the gift card is redeemed. The revenue that is deferred is recorded within Other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Gift card breakage is recognized as revenue based on the customer redemption pattern. Royalty Revenues — The Company satisfies its performance obligations with licensees over time as customers have the right to use the intellectual property over the contract period. Significant Payment Terms Retail customers tender a form of payment, such as cash or a credit/debit card, at point of sale. For wholesale customers and licensees, payment is due based on established terms. Returns and Refunds The Company establishes return provisions for retail customers. Except in very limited instances, the Company does not allow its wholesale customers to return goods to the Company. Significant Judgments Sale of Goods — The Company relies on shipping terms to determine when performance obligations are satisfied. When goods are shipped to wholesale customers “FOB Shipping Point,” control of the goods is transferred to the customer at the time of shipment if there are no remaining performance obligations. The Company recognizes the revenue once control passes to the customer. For most retail transactions in stores, no significant judgments are involved since revenue is recognized at the point of sale when tender is exchanged and the customer receives the goods. For retail transactions made through the Company’s eCommerce channel, revenue is recognized when the goods are physically delivered to the customer. The Company recognizes revenue from omni-channel sales, including buy on-line and pick up in store, buy-on-line, ship-to-store, and buy-on-line, deliver-from-store, when the product is physically delivered to the customer or when the product arrives at the store and has been picked up by the customer. 65 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Royalty Revenues — The Company transfers the right-to-use benefit to the licensee for the contract term and therefore the Company satisfies its performance obligation over time. Revenue recognized for each reporting period is based on the greater of: 1) the royalties owed on actual net sales by the licensee and 2) a minimum royalty guarantee, if applicable. Transaction Price — The transaction price is the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive under the arrangement. The Company is required to estimate variable consideration (if any) and to factor that estimation into the determination of the transaction price. The Company may offer sales incentives to wholesale and retail customers, including discounts. For retail transactions, the Company has significant experience with return patterns and relies on this experience to estimate expected returns when determining the transaction price. Standalone Selling Prices — For arrangements that contain multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Costs Incurred to Obtain a Contract — Incremental costs to obtain contracts are not material to the Company. Policy Elections In addition to those previously disclosed, the Company has made the following accounting policy elections and practical expedients: • • • • • Portfolio Approach — The Company uses the portfolio approach when multiple contracts or performance obligations are involved in the determination of revenue recognition. Taxes — The Company excludes from the transaction price any taxes collected from customers that are remitted to taxing authorities. Shipping and Handling Charges — Charges that are incurred before and after the customer obtains control of goods are deemed to be fulfillment costs. Time Value of Money — The Company’s payment terms are less than one year from the transfer of goods. Therefore, the Company does not adjust promised amounts of consideration for the effects of the time value of money. Disclosure of Remaining Performance Obligations — The Company does not disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations for contracts that are one year or less in term. Cooperative advertising arrangements reimburse customers for marketing activities for certain of our products. The Company records these reimbursements under 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 $0.2 million for fiscal 2021, $0.5 million for fiscal 2020, and $3.1 million for fiscal 2019 as a component of SG&A expenses on the Company’s 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. COSTS OF GOODS SOLD AND SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES In addition to the cost of product, cost of goods sold include changes to our inventory reserve and expenses related to the merchandising, design, and procurement of product, including inbound freight costs, purchasing 66 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) and receiving costs, and inspection costs. Also included in costs of goods sold are the costs of shipping eCommerce product to end consumers. For omni-channel transactions, costs of goods sold include the costs of shipping product to end customers or to retail stores. Retail store occupancy costs, distribution expenses, and generally all expenses other than interest and income taxes are included in SG&A expenses. Distribution expenses that are included in SG&A primarily consist of payments to third-party shippers and handling costs to process product through our distribution facilities, including eCommerce fulfillment costs, and delivery to our wholesale customers and to our retail stores. Distribution expenses included in SG&A totaled $206.6 million, $190.7 million, and $191.1 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. GROSS PROFIT Gross profit is calculated as consolidated net sales less cost of goods sold, and gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by consolidated net sales. Definitions of gross profit and gross margin vary across the industry and, as such, our metrics may not be comparable to other companies. INCOME FROM ROYALTIES AND LICENSE FEES We license our Carter’s, OshKosh, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, and Carter’s My First Love brands to partners to expand our product offerings to include bedding, cribs, diaper bags, footwear, gift sets, hair accessories, jewelry, outerwear, paper goods, socks, shoes, swimwear, and toys. These royalties are recorded as earned, based upon the sales of licensed products by licensees and reported as royalty income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. ADVERTISING EXPENSES Advertising production costs and costs associated with communicating advertising that has been produced are expensed when the advertising event takes place. Certain other advertising costs where it is uncertain when the expected benefits would occur are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $102.8 million, $75.6 million, and $93.4 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, and are included in SG&A expenses on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Deferred advertising costs for advertisements that have not yet occurred or for advertising services that have not yet been received were $4.1 million and $3.8 million at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively, and are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. 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. For performance awards containing retirement provisions, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if that is expected to occur during the nominal service period, or over the period in which the required performance period has been met. For awards containing retirement provisions that are granted to retirement eligible employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period in which the required performance has been met. 67 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) During the requisite service period, the Company also recognizes a deferred income tax benefit for the expense recognized for U.S. GAAP. At time of subsequent vesting, exercise, forfeiture, or expiration of an award, the difference between the Company’s actual income tax deduction, if any, and the previously accrued income tax benefit is recognized in income tax expense/benefit during the current period. 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 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. For performance awards containing retirement provisions, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if that is 68 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) expected to occur during the nominal service period, or over the period in which the required performance period has been met. For awards containing retirement provisions that are granted to retirement eligible employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period in which the required performance has been met. The Company reassesses the probability of vesting at each reporting period and 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, in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. 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 basis of assets and liabilities using presently enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are a component of non-current Other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. 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. A company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. If it is more likely than not that a tax position would not be sustained, then no tax benefit would be 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 $59.0 million, $55.1 million, and $36.5 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Income taxes paid in cash approximated $115.3 million, $54.7 million and $67.6 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Additions to property, plant and equipment of approximately $15.4 million, $6.0 million, and $1.2 million were excluded from capital expenditures on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, since these amounts were accrued and unpaid at the end of each respective fiscal year. 69 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (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 2021, 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. Any service costs that arise during the period are presented in the same statement line item as other employee compensation on the consolidated statement of operations. All other components of current period costs related to defined benefit plans, such as prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses, are presented in Other (income) expense, net on the consolidated statement of operations. The actuarial 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. Under the provisions of ASU No. 2015-04, Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer’s Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets, the Company is permitted to use December 31 of each year, as opposed to the Company’s last day of each fiscal year, as an alternate measurement date for its defined benefit plans. FACILITY CLOSURE AND SEVERANCE COSTS 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. 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. 70 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 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 To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2021 Reference Rate Reform (ASU 2020-04) In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The optional guidance is provided to ease the potential burden of accounting for reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2020-04 to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. F o r m 1 0 - K NOTE 3—REVENUE RECOGNITION The Company’s revenues are earned from contracts or arrangements with retail and wholesale customers and licensees. Contracts include written agreements, as well as arrangements that are implied by customary practices or law. DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE The Company sells its products directly to consumers (“direct-to-consumer”) and to other retail companies and partners that subsequently sell the products directly to their own retail customers. The Company also earns royalties from certain of its licensees. Disaggregated revenues from these sources for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 were as follows: (dollars in thousands) Fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) U.S. Retail U.S. Wholesale International Total Wholesale channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct-to-consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $1,126,415 — 1,899,262 $171,703 289,060 $1,298,118 2,188,322 $1,899,262 $1,126,415 $460,763 $3,486,440 Royalty income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,541 $ 15,808 $ 4,332 $ 28,681 (dollars in thousands) Fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) U.S. Retail U.S. Wholesale International Total Wholesale channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct-to-consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $996,088 — 1,671,644 $120,244 236,358 $1,116,332 1,908,002 $1,671,644 $996,088 $356,602 $3,024,334 Royalty income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,732 $ 13,120 $ 4,424 $ 26,276 71 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 3—REVENUE RECOGNITION (Continued) (dollars in thousands) Fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) U.S. Retail U.S. Wholesale International Total Wholesale channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct-to-consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,884,150 — $1,205,646 $163,793 — 265,697 $1,369,439 2,149,847 Royalty income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 12,990 $ 17,670 $ 3,977 $ 34,637 $1,884,150 $1,205,646 $429,490 $3,519,286 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FROM CUSTOMERS AND LICENSEES The components of Accounts receivable, net, were as follows: (dollars in thousands) January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Trade receivables from wholesale customers, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Royalties receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenant allowances and other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $233,928 5,769 10,352 $180,830 5,733 12,315 Total receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: Wholesale accounts receivable reserves(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250,049 (18,695) $198,878 (12,366) Accounts receivable, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $231,354 $186,512 (*) Includes allowance for credit losses of $7.3 million and $5.9 million for the periods ended January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively. Information regarding Wholesale accounts receivable reserves is as follows: (dollars in thousands) Balance at December 29, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charges to reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reclassification to Trade receivables(1) Balance at December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charges to reserve(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Balance at January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charges to reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Balance at January 1, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wholesale accounts receivable reserves $11,866 9,047 (7,939) (1,691) $11,283 9,625 (8,542) $12,366 13,282 (6,953) $18,695 (1) The Company reclassified $1.7 million of customer support related items from Wholesale accounts receivable reserves into Trade receivables from wholesale customers, net for the period December 28, 2019. (2) Charges to the reserve include total write-offs of $6.5 million related to the bankruptcy of customers during fiscal 2020. CONTRACT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES The Company’s contract assets are not material. 72 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 3—REVENUE RECOGNITION (Continued) Contract Liabilities The Company recognizes a contract liability when it has received consideration from a customer and has a future obligation to transfer goods to the customer. Total contract liabilities consisted of the following amounts: (dollars in thousands) Contract liabilities-current: January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Unredeemed gift cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unredeemed customer loyalty rewards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carter’s credit card—upfront bonus(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,619 5,659 714 $18,300 5,241 714 Total contract liabilities—current(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,992 $24,255 Contract liabilities—non-current(3) $ 2,143 $ 2,857 Total contract liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30,135 $27,112 (1) The Company received an upfront signing bonus from a third-party financial institution, which will be recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. This amount reflects the current portion of this bonus to be recognized as revenue over the next twelve months. (2) Included with Other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. (3) This amount reflects the non-current portion of the Carter’s credit card upfront bonus. F o r m 1 0 - K Composition of Contract Liabilities Unredeemed gift cards—the Company is obligated to transfer goods in the future to customers who have purchased gift cards. Periodic changes in the gift card contract liability result from the redemption of gift cards by customers and the recognition of estimated breakage revenue for those gift card balances that are not expected to be redeemed. The majority of our gift cards do not have an expiration date; however, all outstanding gift card balances are classified by the Company as current liabilities since gift cards are redeemable on demand by the valid holder. The majority of the Company’s gift cards are redeemed within one year of issuance. Unredeemed loyalty rewards—points and reward certificates earned by customers under the Company’s loyalty program represent obligations of the Company to transfer goods to the customer upon redemption. Periodic changes in the loyalty program contract liability result from reward certificate redemptions and expirations. The earning and redemption cycles for our loyalty program are under one year in duration. NOTE 4—LEASES The Company has operating leases for retail stores, distribution centers, corporate offices, data centers, and certain equipment. The Company’s leases generally have initial terms ranging from 1 year to 10 years, some of which may include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which may include options to early terminate the lease. As of the periods presented, the Company’s finance leases were not material to the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, or statement of cash flows. 73 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 4—LEASES (Continued) The following components of lease expense are included in SG&A expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal periods indicated: (dollars in thousands) For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Operating lease cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Variable lease cost(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $166,481 64,410 $180,056 71,971 $179,982 63,043 Net lease cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $230,891 $252,027 $243,025 (*) Includes short-term leases, which are not material, and operating lease impairment charges. Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Weighted average remaining operating lease term (years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weighted average discount rate for operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.9 3.26% 5.4 3.33% Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 was $209.1 million and $161.7 million, respectively. Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 were $39.6 million and $62.6 million, respectively. As of January 1, 2022, the maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: (dollars in thousands) 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . After 2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total lease payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating leases $164,338 141,248 113,584 81,206 57,194 82,197 $639,767 (50,369) Present value of lease liabilities(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $589,398 (*) As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. As of January 1, 2022, the minimum rental commitments for additional operating lease contracts, primarily for retail stores, that have not yet commenced are $6.8 million. These operating leases will commence between fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023 with lease terms of 3 years to 10 years. 74 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant, and equipment, net consists of the following: (dollars in thousands) January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Land, building, and leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fixtures, equipment, and computer hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Computer software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marketing fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 328,771 280,022 113,284 4,551 18,302 $ 358,121 308,260 159,558 9,819 10,567 Accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744,930 (528,926) 846,325 (583,980) Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 216,004 $ 262,345 Depreciation and amortization expense related to property, plant, and equipment was approximately $90.4 million, $90.3 million, and $92.2 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The balances and changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each segment were as follows: (dollars in thousands) U.S. Retail U.S. Wholesale International Total Balance at December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill impairment(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign currency impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $83,934 — — Balance at January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $83,934 Foreign currency impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — $74,454 — — $74,454 — $ 70,638 (17,742) 492 $229,026 (17,742) 492 $ 53,388 $211,776 247 247 Balance at January 1, 2022(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . $83,934 $74,454 $ 53,635 $212,023 (1) In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a charge of $17.7 million was recorded to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the goodwill in the Other International reporting unit in the International segment. (2) Goodwill for the International reporting unit is net of accumulated impairment losses of $17.7 million. F o r m 1 0 - K 75 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) A summary of the carrying value of the Company’s intangible assets were as follows: (dollars in thousands) Weighted- average useful life January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Gross amount Accumulated amortization Net amount Gross amount Accumulated amortization Net amount Indefinite $220,233 Carter’s tradename . . . . . . . . . . . . OshKosh tradename(1) . . . . . . . . . . 70,000 Indefinite Skip Hop tradename(2) . . . . . . . . . . 15,000 Indefinite 3,911 Finite-life tradenames . . . . . . . . . . 5 -20 years $ — $220,233 $220,233 70,000 70,000 15,000 15,000 3,911 2,410 — — 1,501 $ — $220,233 70,000 15,000 2,660 — — 1,251 Total tradenames, net . . . . . . . . . . $309,144 $ 1,501 $307,643 $309,144 $ 1,251 $307,893 Skip Hop customer relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 years $ 47,300 $15,010 $ 32,290 $ 47,300 $11,834 $ 35,466 Carter’s Mexico customer relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 years 3,047 1,368 1,679 3,108 1,064 2,044 Total customer relationships, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50,347 $16,378 $ 33,969 $ 50,408 $12,898 $ 37,510 (1) In fiscal 2020, a charge of $13.6 million, $1.6 million, and $0.3 million was recorded on our indefinite- lived OshKosh tradename asset in the U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset. (2) In fiscal 2020, a charge of $6.8 million, $3.7 million, and $0.5 million was recorded on our indefinite- lived Skip Hop tradename asset in the U.S. Wholesale, International, and U.S. Retail segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset. 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. Based upon our most recent annual assessment, performed as of January 1, 2022, using a qualitative assessment, there were no impairments in the values of goodwill or indefinite-lived or definite-lived intangible assets. In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company concluded that impairment indicators existed due to the decrease in the Company’s market capitalization, lower than expected actual sales, and lower projected sales and profitability, primarily due to the impacts from the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company conducted interim quantitative impairment assessments of 1) the goodwill ascribed to the Other International reporting unit recorded in connection with the allocation of goodwill to the newly created International segment as a result of the acquisition of Bonnie Togs in 2011 and 2) on the value of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets that was recorded in connection with the acquisition of OshKosh B’Gosh Inc. in July 2005 and Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017, respectively. The goodwill impairment assessment for the Other International reporting unit was performed in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”) and compares the carrying value of the Other International reporting unit to its fair value. Consistent with prior practice, the fair value of the Other International reporting unit was determined using discounted cash flows (“income approach”) and relevant data from guideline public companies (“market approach”). As a result of this assessment, a goodwill impairment charge of $17.7 million was recorded to our Other International reporting unit in the International segment during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The goodwill impairment charge recorded on our Other International reporting 76 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) unit included charges of $9.4 million, $5.2 million, and $3.1 million to Skip Hop, Carter’s, and Carter’s Mexico goodwill, respectively. The carrying value of the Company’s goodwill for the Other International reporting unit as of January 1, 2022 was $11.7 million. The OshKosh and Skip Hop indefinite-lived tradename asset assessments were performed in accordance with ASC 350 and were determined using a discounted cash flow analysis which examined the hypothetical cost savings that accrue as a result of not having to license the tradename from another owner. Based on these assessments, charges of $15.5 million and $11.0 million were recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 on our indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets, respectively. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset included charges of $13.6 million, $1.6 million, and $0.3 million in the U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived OshKosh tradename asset. The charge recorded on our indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset included charges of $6.8 million, $3.7 million, and $0.5 million in the U.S. Wholesale, International, and U.S. Retail segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset. The carrying values of the Company’s indefinite-lived OshKosh and Skip Hop tradename assets as of January 1, 2022 were $70.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company’s Skip Hop business experienced lower than expected actual and projected sales and profitability due to lower domestic demand, including the loss of a significant customer that declared bankruptcy (Toys “R” Us), lower international demand and higher product costs primarily driven by tariffs imposed on products sourced from China. As a result, the Company conducted an interim impairment assessment in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 on the value of the Company’s indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset that was recorded in connection with the acquisition of Skip Hop Holdings, Inc. in February 2017. The indefinite-lived tradename asset assessment was performed in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” and was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis which examined the hypothetical cost savings that accrue as a result of our ownership of the tradename. Based on this assessment, a charge of $30.8 million was recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2019 on our indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset. The charge included charges of $19.1 million, $10.5 million, and $1.2 million in the U.S. Wholesale, International, and U.S. Retail segments, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the value ascribed to the indefinite-lived Skip Hop tradename asset. Changes in the carrying values between comparative periods for goodwill related to the International segment were due to fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates between the Canadian and U.S. dollar that were used in the remeasurement process for preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The changes in the carrying values of goodwill for Skip Hop and Carter’s Mexico and the changes in the carrying value of customer relationships for Carter’s Mexico, including the related accumulated amortization, that were not attributable to amortization expense was also impacted by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was approximately $3.7 million for each of fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019. The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows: (dollars in thousands) Amortization expense 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,727 $3,685 $3,655 $3,655 $3,655 77 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 7—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME The components of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consisted of the following: (dollars in thousands) Pension liability adjustments Post-retirement liability adjustments Cumulative translation adjustments Balance at December 29, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reclassification of tax effects(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiscal year 2019 change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Balance at December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiscal year 2020 change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Balance at January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiscal year 2021 change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (9,562) (1,880) 746 (10,696) (2,197) (12,893) 3,973 $1,687 380 (483) 1,584 (144) 1,440 (115) $(32,964) — 6,442 (26,522) 5,215 (21,307) 5 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income $(40,839) (1,500) 6,705 (35,634) 2,874 (32,760) 3,863 Balance at January 1, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (8,920) $1,325 $(21,302) $(28,897) (*) In fiscal 2019, the Company reclassified $1.5 million of tax benefits from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings for the tax effects resulting from the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act in accordance with the adoption of ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. As of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, the cumulative tax effect on the pension liability adjustments were $2.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively. As of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, the cumulative tax effect on the post-retirement liability adjustments were approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. For the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, 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. For additional information, see Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans, to the consolidated financial statements. NOTE 8—LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consisted of the following: (dollars in thousands) January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 $500 million, 5.500% Senior Notes due 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500 million, 5.625% Senior Notes due 2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 500,000 500,000 $ 500,000 500,000 Total senior notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes . . . . . $1,000,000 (8,630) $1,000,000 (10,470) Senior notes, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secured revolving credit facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 991,370 — $ 989,530 — Total long-term debt, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 991,370 $ 989,530 SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY As of January 1, 2022, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $4.1 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of January 2, 2021, the Company had no outstanding 78 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 8—LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued) borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility, exclusive of $5.0 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, there was approximately $745.9 million and $745.0 million available for future borrowing, respectively. All outstanding borrowings under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility are classified as non-current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets due to contractual repayment terms under the credit facility. TERMS OF THE SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY The Company’s revolving credit facility provides for an aggregate credit line of $750 million which includes a $650 million U.S. dollar facility and a $100 million multicurrency facility denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or other currencies agreed to by the applicable lenders. The credit facility matures on September 21, 2023. The facility contains covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things: (i) create or incur liens, debt, guarantees or other investments, (ii) engage in mergers and consolidations, (iii) pay dividends or other distributions to, and redemptions and repurchases from, equity holders, (iv) prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated or junior debt, (v) amend organizational documents, and (vi) engage in certain transactions with affiliates. On May 4, 2020, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, The William Carter Company (“TWCC”), entered into Amendment No. 2 to its fourth amended and restated credit agreement (“Amendment No. 2”). Amendment No. 2 provided for, among other things, access to additional capital and increased flexibility under financial maintenance covenants, which the Company sought in part due to the unforeseen negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 21, 2021, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, TWCC, entered into Amendment No. 3 to its fourth amended and restated credit agreement (“Amendment No. 3”). Among other things, Amendment No. 3 provided that through the remainder of the Restricted Period, which ended on the date the Company delivered its financial statements and associated certificates relating to the third quarter of fiscal 2021: • • we must have maintained a minimum liquidity (defined as cash-on-hand plus availability under the secured revolving credit facility) on the last day of each fiscal month of at least $950 million (the “Revised Liquidity Requirement”), which was increased by $250 million from $700 million; and we were permitted to make additional restricted payments, including to pay cash dividends and repurchase common stock, in an amount not to exceed $250 million, provided that (a) no default or event of default will have occurred and be continuing or would result from the payment and (b) after giving effect to the payment, we would have been in compliance with Revised Liquidity Requirement as of the last day of the most recent month. Approximately $0.2 million, including both bank fees and other third-party expenses, has been capitalized in connection with Amendment No. 3 and is being amortized over the remaining term of the secured revolving credit facility. As of January 1, 2022, the Company’s secured revolving credit facility returned to its pre-COVID 19 terms that were in effect prior to Amendment No. 2. As of January 1, 2022, the interest rate margins applicable to the amended revolving credit facility were 1.125% for LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rate loans and 0.125% for base rate loans. There were no U.S. dollar borrowings or foreign currency borrowings outstanding on January 1, 2022 or January 2, 2021. 79 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 8—LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued) As of January 1, 2022, the Company was in compliance with its financial and other covenants under the secured revolving credit facility. Senior Notes 2020 Issuance of Senior Notes On May 11, 2020, TWCC issued $500 million principal amount of senior notes at par, bearing interest at a rate of 5.500% per annum, and maturing on May 15, 2025, all of which were outstanding as of January 1, 2022. TWCC received net proceeds from the offering of the senior notes of approximately $494.5 million, after deducting underwriting fees, which TWCC used to repay borrowings outstanding under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility. Approximately $6.5 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 domestic subsidiaries of TWCC. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by Carter’s, Inc. and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional. On and after May 15, 2022, 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 is applicable when the redemption occurs during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15 of each of the years indicated is as follows: Year 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2024 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Percentage 102.75% 101.38% 100.00% 2019 Redemption and Issuance of Senior Notes On March 14, 2019, TWCC redeemed $400 million principal amount of senior notes, bearing interest at a rate of 5.25% per annum, and maturing on August 15, 2021, pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of the notes, which required that TWCC pay the outstanding principal plus accrued interest and an early redemption premium of 1.31% of the outstanding principal amounts of the senior notes. This debt redemption resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $7.8 million, consisting of $5.2 million of early redemption premiums and $2.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs. Concurrently, TWCC issued $500 million principal amount of senior notes at par, bearing interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum, and maturing on March 15, 2027. TWCC received net proceeds from the offering of the senior notes of approximately $494.8 million, after deducting underwriting fees and other expenses, which TWCC used to redeem the senior notes discussed above and repay borrowings outstanding under the Company’s secured revolving credit facility. Approximately $5.8 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. On and after March 15, 2022, 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 80 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 8—LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued) and unpaid interest. The redemption price is applicable when the redemption occurs during the twelve-month period beginning on March 15 of each of the years indicated is as follows: Year 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2024 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . Percentage 102.81% 101.41% 100.00% The senior notes mentioned above are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter’s, Inc. and certain domestic subsidiaries of TWCC. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by Carter’s, Inc. and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional. The indenture governing the senior notes provides that 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, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of purchase. 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 certain types of indebtedness that is secured by a lien; (b) enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions; and (c) consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of the issuer’s assets to, another person, under certain circumstances. 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 25.0% 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. F o r m 1 0 - K NOTE 9—COMMON STOCK OPEN MARKET SHARE REPURCHASES On February 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized share repurchases up to $1.00 billion, inclusive of approximately $301.9 million remaining under previous authorizations. The Company repurchased and retired shares in open market transactions in the following amounts for the fiscal periods indicated: For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Number of shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands) . . . . . . . Average price per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,967,619 $ 299,339 100.87 $ 474,684 $ 45,255 95.34 $ 2,107,472 $ 196,910 93.43 $ The total remaining capacity under outstanding repurchase authorizations as of January 1, 2022 was approximately $351.1 million, exclusive of the February 2022 share repurchase authorization, based on settled repurchase transactions. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates. In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company reinstated its common stock share repurchase program. The Company had previously announced the suspension of its common stock share repurchase program, in 81 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 9—COMMON STOCK (Continued) connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of the first quarter in fiscal 2020. Future repurchases may occur from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be at the discretion of the Company subject to restrictions under the Company’s revolving credit facility, market conditions, stock price, other investment priorities, and other factors. DIVIDENDS On February 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.75 per common share, payable on March 18, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2022. The Board of Directors declared and the Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.60 per common share in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. On May 1, 2020, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company’s Board of Directors suspended the quarterly cash dividend. As a result, the Company’s Board of Directors did not declare and the Company did not pay cash dividends in the second, third, or fourth quarters of fiscal 2020, or in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Board of Directors declared and the Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.40 per common share in each of the second and third quarters of fiscal 2021 and $0.60 per common share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The Board of Directors will evaluate future dividend declarations based on a number of factors, including restrictions under the Company’s revolving credit facility, business conditions, the Company’s financial performance, and other considerations. Provisions in the Company’s secured revolving credit facility could have the effect of restricting the Company’s ability to pay cash dividends on, or make future repurchases of its common stock, as further described in Note 8, Long-Term Debt, to the consolidated financial statements. NOTE 10—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. As of January 1, 2022, the maximum number of shares of stock available under the Plan was 18,778,392, and there were 3,027,361 remaining shares available for grant under the Plan. The Plan makes a 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. 82 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 10—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued) The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost as follows: (dollars in thousands) Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Restricted stock: For the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 $ 1,347 $ 2,694 $ 4,070 Time-based awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performance-based awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stock awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,756 3,608 1,318 10,468 (1,927) 1,595 9,432 1,552 1,475 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,029 $12,830 $16,529 The Company recognizes compensation cost ratably over the applicable performance periods based on the estimated probability of achievement of its performance targets at the end of each period. During fiscal 2020, the achievement of performance target estimates was revised resulting in a reversal of previously recognized stock- based compensation expense for outstanding performance-based awards. Stock Options Stock options vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period. The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock option exercises. There were no stock options granted in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019. Changes in the Company’s stock options for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 were as follows: F o r m 1 0 - K Number of shares Weighted- average exercise price Weighted- average remaining contractual terms (years) Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) Outstanding, January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Granted(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860,711 $ 84.31 — $ — $ 61.49 $115.11 $118.88 (178,803) (7,019) (16,223) Outstanding, January 1, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 658,666 $ 89.32 Vested and expected to vest, January 1, 2022 . . . . . . . . . Exercisable, January 1, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 657,957 617,715 $ 89.29 $ 87.34 4.25 4.25 4.12 $10,827 $10,825 $10,814 (*) The Company did not grant any stock options in fiscal 2021. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 was approximately $7.8 million, $8.2 million, and $13.3 million, respectively. At January 1, 2022, there was approximately $0.2 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 0.2 years. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS Restricted stock awards issued under the Plan vest based upon: 1) continued service (time-based) or 2) a combination of continued service and performance targets (performance-based). 83 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 10—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued) The following table summarizes activity related to all restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022: Restricted stock awards Weighted- average grant-date fair value Outstanding, January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $101.87 462,537 $ 98.28 325,322 (116,238) $ 99.32 (126,908) $110.21 Outstanding, January 1, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544,713 $ 98.33 During fiscal 2020, a total of 140,345 shares of restricted stock vested with a weighted-average fair value of $89.80 per share. During fiscal 2019, a total of 131,924 shares of restricted stock vested with a weighted-average fair value of $93.03 per share. At January 1, 2022, there was approximately $30.9 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 2.5 years. Time-based Restricted Stock Awards Time-based restricted stock awards vest in equal annual installments or cliff vest after a three-year or four-year period. During fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019, a total of 116,238 shares, 125,209 shares, and 102,492 shares, respectively, of time-based restricted stock vested with a weighted-average fair value of $99.32 per share, $90.52 per share, and $93.70 per share, respectively. At January 1, 2022, there was approximately $30.7 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 2.5 years. Performance-based Restricted Stock Awards Fiscal year Number of shares granted Weighted-average fair value per share 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60,700 58,320 — $ 88.87 $108.76 $ — (*) The Company did not grant any performance-based restricted stock awards in fiscal 2021. Performance-based restricted stock awards cliff vest after a three-year period, subject to the achievement of the performance target. During the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022, no performance shares vested. As of January 1, 2022, a total of 56,814 performance shares were unvested with a weighted-average fair value of $88.87 per share. Vesting of these 56,814 performance shares is based on the performance targets for the shares granted in fiscal 2019. As of January 1, 2022, there was $0.2 million unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested performance-based restricted stock awards based on the current estimates of the number of awards that will vest. 84 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 10—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued) The Company recognizes compensation cost ratably over the applicable performance periods based on the estimated probability of achievement of its performance targets at the end of each period. For performance awards containing retirement provisions, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved and required performance has been met, if that is expected to occur during the nominal service period. For awards containing retirement provisions that are granted to retirement eligible employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period in which the required performance has been met. 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 2021, 2020, and 2019, such awards were as follows: Fiscal year Number of shares issued Fair value per share Aggregate value (in thousands) 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,097 21,362 13,037 $ 91.63 $ 74.67 $101.09 $1,475 $1,595 $1,318 F o r m 1 0 - K The Company received no proceeds from the issuance of these shares. NOTE 11—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. 85 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 11—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Continued) 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: (dollars in thousands) For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Change in projected benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Projected benefit obligation at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actual return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fair value of plan assets at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unfunded status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ $ $ $ 74,128 1,818 (2,405) (2,666) 70,875 65,417 5,938 (2,666) 68,689 2,186 $ $ $ $ $ 68,331 2,171 6,666 (3,040) 74,128 61,961 6,496 (3,040) 65,417 8,711 The accumulated benefit obligation is equal to the projected benefit obligation as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 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 2022 as the plan’s funding exceeds the minimum funding requirements. The actuarial gain in fiscal 2021 was primarily attributable to a higher discount rate, and the actuarial loss incurred in fiscal 2020 was primarily attributable to a lower discount rate. 86 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 11—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Continued) Net Periodic Pension Cost and Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income The components of net periodic pension cost recognized in the statement of operations and changes recognized in other comprehensive income were as follows: (dollars in thousands) January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 For the fiscal year ended Recognized in the statement of operations: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest cost Expected return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of net loss(*) Net periodic pension (benefit) cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,818 (3,577) 428 $(1,331) Changes recognized in other comprehensive income: Net (gain) loss arising during the fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of net loss(*) $(4,765) (428) Total changes recognized in other comprehensive $ 2,171 (3,217) 510 $ (536) $ 3,387 (510) $ 2,432 (2,613) 795 $ 614 $ (182) (795) income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(5,193) $ 2,877 $ (977) Total net periodic cost and changes recognized in other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(6,524) $ 2,341 $ (363) (*) Represents pre-tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss. For fiscal 2022, approximately $0.2 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to a component of net periodic pension cost. Assumptions The actuarial assumptions used in determining the benefit obligation and net periodic pension cost for our pension plan is presented in the following table: Benefit obligation 2021 2020 Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.75% 2.50% Net periodic pension cost 2021 2020 2019 Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.50% 3.25% 4.00% 6.00% 6.00% 5.50% The discount rates used at January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 were determined with consideration given to the FTSE Pension Liability Index and the Bloomberg US 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 $2.3 million. 87 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 11—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Continued) The Company currently expects benefit payments for its defined benefit pension plans as follows for the next ten fiscal years: (dollars in thousands) 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2027-2031 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,900 $ 2,980 $ 3,170 $ 3,350 $ 3,610 $19,050 PLAN ASSETS The Company’s investment strategy is to invest in a well-diversified portfolio consisting of 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 60% bond funds, 36% equity securities, and 4% real estate investments. The plan expects to gradually reduce its equity exposure. The Company’s investment policy anticipates a rate of return sufficient to fund pension plan benefits while minimizing the risk to the Company of additional funding. To calculate net periodic pension cost for the next fiscal year, the Company will use an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 5.50%. The Company believes that this annual return on plan assets can be achieved based on actual returns over a long-term basis, 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 a small exposure to 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 January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, by asset category, were as follows: (dollars in thousands) Asset category January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . Equity securities: U.S. Large-Cap blend(1) . . . . . . . U.S. Large-Cap growth . . . . . . . U.S. Mid-Cap growth . . . . . . . . U.S. Small-Cap blend . . . . . . . . International blend . . . . . . . . . . . Fixed income securities: . . . . . . . . . . . Corporate bonds(2) Real estate(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,370 $ 1,370 $ — $ 644 $ 644 $ — 7,508 3,390 3,426 2,054 8,200 7,508 3,390 3,426 2,054 8,200 — — — — — 9,006 4,105 3,913 2,608 9,882 9,006 4,105 3,913 2,608 9,882 — — — — — 39,970 2,771 39,746 2,771 224 — 31,995 3,264 31,751 3,264 244 — $68,689 $68,465 $224 $65,417 $65,173 $244 (1) This category comprises low-cost equity index funds not actively managed that track the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. 88 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 11—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Continued) (2) This category invests in both U.S. Treasuries and mid-term corporate debt from U.S. issuers from diverse industries. (3) 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: (dollars in thousands) For the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 APBO at beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plan participants’ contribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ 2,998 15 57 (140) 20 (288) APBO at end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,662 $ 3,311 25 94 (162) 9 (279) 2,998 Approximately $2.4 million and $2.7 million of the APBO at the end of fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively, were classified as other long term liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. F o r m 1 0 - K 89 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 11—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Continued) Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Cost and Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost recognized in the statement of operations and changes recognized in other comprehensive income were as follows: (dollars in thousands) For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Recognized in the statement of operations: Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of net gain(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net periodic post-retirement benefit (income) cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 15 57 (295) $(223) Changes recognized in other comprehensive income: Net (gain) loss arising during the fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of net gain(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(140) 295 Total changes recognized in other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . $ 155 $ 25 94 (345) $(226) $(162) 345 $ 183 $ 21 123 (396) $(252) $ 238 396 $ 634 Total net periodic post-retirement benefit (income) cost and changes recognized in other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . $ (68) $ (43) $ 382 (*) Represents pre-tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss. For fiscal 2022, approximately $0.3 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to a component of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. Assumptions The actuarial computations utilized the following assumptions, using year-end measurement dates: Post-retirement benefit obligation 2021 2020 Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.50% 2.00% Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost 2021 2020 2019 Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% The discount rates used at January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019, were determined with primary consideration given to the FTSE Pension Discount Curve 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 $0.3 million for fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019. The Company expects that its contribution and benefit payments for post- retirement benefit obligations will be approximately $0.3 million for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, and approximately $0.2 million for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026. For the five years subsequent to fiscal 2026, the aggregate contributions and benefit payments for post-retirement benefit obligations is expected to be approximately $0.8 million. The Company does not pre-fund this plan and as a result there are no plan assets. 90 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 11—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Continued) 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 in the United States and Canada. The U.S. plan covers employees who are at least 21 years of age and have completed one calendar month of service and, if part- time, work a minimum of one thousand hours of service within the one-year period following the commencement of employment or during any subsequent calendar year. The plan provides for a discretionary employer match of employee contributions. The Company’s expense for the U.S. defined contribution savings plan totaled approximately $16.1 million, $7.7 million, and $8.0 million for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019, respectively. Expenses related to the Canadian defined contribution savings plan were approximately $0.3 million in fiscal year 2021, $0.2 million in fiscal year 2020, and $0.1 million in fiscal year 2019. F o r m 1 0 - K NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes consisted of the following: (dollars in thousands) For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Current tax provision: Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ 75,408 16,905 19,761 31,085 6,331 11,105 $ 50,162 10,548 16,740 Total current provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 112,074 $ 48,521 $ 77,450 Deferred tax provision (benefit): Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (10,541) $ (18,449) $ (10,775) (1,882) (643) (2,428) (563) (3,741) (1,064) Total deferred provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (13,532) (23,254) (13,300) Total provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 98,542 $ 25,267 $ 64,150 The foreign portion of the tax position substantially relates to the Company’s international operations in Canada, Hong Kong and Mexico, in addition to foreign tax withholdings related to the Company’s foreign royalty income. The Company plans to repatriate undistributed earnings from Hong Kong and has provided for deferred income taxes related to these earnings. Since the current U.S. tax regime taxes foreign earnings in the year earned, taxes 91 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES (Continued) associated with repatriation are not material. Deferred income taxes have not been provided for undistributed foreign earnings from Canada or Mexico, or any additional outside basis difference inherent in all foreign entities, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Total undistributed earnings from the Company’s subsidiaries in Canada and Mexico amounted to approximately $85.5 million. Unrecognized deferred tax liability related to undistributed earnings from the Company’s subsidiaries in Canada and Mexico is estimated to be approximately $3.6 million, based on applicable withholding taxes, levels of foreign income previously taxed in the U.S. and applicable foreign tax credit limitations. The company accounts for the additional U.S. income tax on its foreign earnings under Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period expense in the period in which additional tax is due. The components of income before income taxes were as follows: (dollars in thousands) Domestic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 $ $ 333,900 104,390 438,290 $ $ 73,525 61,459 134,984 $ $ 225,488 102,464 327,952 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 year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Statutory federal income tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit . . . . . . . . Impact of foreign operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Settlement of uncertain tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefit from stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill impairments and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.0% 3.0% (1.8)% (0.3)% (0.3)% 0.9% 22.5% 21.0% 2.7% (4.8)% (1.3)% (1.1)% 2.2% 18.7% 21.0% 2.5% (2.4)% (0.7)% (0.8)% —% 19.6% The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated United States federal income tax return, as well as separate and combined income tax returns in numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. In most cases, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. tax authority examinations for years prior to fiscal 2018. 92 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES (Continued) DEFERRED TAXES The following table reflects the Company’s calculation of the components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021. (dollars in thousands) Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Equity-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leasing liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 $ $ Assets (Liabilities) 7,026 11,923 22,226 3,410 5,144 97,269 3,845 4,072 11,775 13,807 5,039 7,928 130,776 4,961 Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150,843 178,358 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leasing assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tradename and licensing agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (26,472) (80,818) (76,275) (5,388) (38,777) (107,269) (76,409) (5,593) Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (188,953) (228,048) Net deferred tax liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (38,110) $ (49,690) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets: (dollars in thousands) January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Assets (Liabilities) Deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,800 (40,910) $ 3,080 (52,770) Net deferred tax liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(38,110) $(49,690) 93 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES (Continued) UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits: (dollars in thousands) Balance at December 29, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Balance at December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reductions for prior year tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Balance at January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reductions for prior year tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,917 2,197 (2,191) $13,923 760 (104) (2,056) $12,523 810 (2,207) (2,270) Balance at January 1, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,856 As of January 1, 2022, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $8.9 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 $3.1 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 2022 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 2021, 2020, and 2019, expense recorded on uncertain tax positions was approximately $0.4 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. The Company had accrued interest on uncertain tax positions of approximately $1.8 million and $2.7 million as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively. 94 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 13—EARNINGS PER SHARE The following is a reconciliation of basic common shares outstanding to diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding: Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding: Basic number of common shares outstanding . . . . . . Dilutive effect of equity awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diluted number of common and common For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) 42,853,009 149,619 43,242,967 164,754 44,402,438 305,514 equivalent shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,002,628 43,407,721 44,707,952 Earnings per share: (dollars in thousands, except per share data) Basic net income per common share: Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income allocated to participating securities . . . . . . . Net income available to common shareholders . . . . Basic net income per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diluted net income per common share: Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income allocated to participating securities . . . . . . . Net income available to common shareholders . . . . Diluted net income per common share . . . . . . . . . . . Anti-dilutive shares excluded from dilutive earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . per share calculations (1) $ $ $ $ $ $ 339,748 (4,113) 335,635 7.83 339,748 (4,102) 335,646 7.81 $ $ $ $ $ $ 109,717 (1,118) 108,599 2.51 109,717 (1,115) 108,602 2.50 $ $ $ $ $ $ 263,802 (2,430) 261,372 5.89 263,802 (2,419) 261,383 5.85 176,475 564,131 351,777 (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 10, Stock-based Compensation, to the consolidated financial statements). Prior to vesting of the restricted stock awards, the grant recipients are entitled to receive non-forfeitable cash dividends if the Company 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 represents the lower of the amounts calculated under the treasury stock method or the two-class method of calculating diluted EPS. NOTE 14—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. 95 F o r m 1 0 - K CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued) 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 Company does not evaluate performance or allocate resources based on segment asset data, and therefore total segment assets are not presented. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements. The table below presents certain segment information for our reportable segments and unallocated corporate expenses for the periods indicated: (dollars in thousands) January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) % of Consolidated Net Sales January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) % of Consolidated Net Sales December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) % of Consolidated Net Sales For the fiscal year ended Net sales: U.S. Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,899,262 U.S. Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,126,415 460,763 International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total consolidated net 54.5% $1,671,644 996,088 32.3% 356,602 13.2% 55.3% $1,884,150 32.9% 1,205,646 429,490 11.8% 53.5% 34.3% 12.2% sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,486,440 100.0% $3,024,334 100.0% $3,519,286 100.0% Operating income (loss): % of Segment Net Sales % of Segment Net Sales U.S. Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 368,221 195,369 U.S. Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . 63,806 International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (130,317) Corporate expenses(*) . . . . . . . 19.4% $ 146,806 141,456 17.3% (1,224) 13.8% (97,169) n/a 8.8% $ 225,874 212,558 14.2% 36,650 (0.3)% (103,210) n/a Total operating income . . $ 497,079 14.3% $ 189,869 6.3% $ 371,872 % of Segment Net Sales 12.0% 17.6% 8.5% n/a 10.6% (*) Corporate expenses include expenses related to incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, executive management, severance and relocation, finance, office occupancy, information technology, certain legal fees, consulting fees, and audit fees. The tables below present additional segment information for our reportable segments for the periods presented: (dollars in millions) Charges: Organizational restructuring(1) Incremental costs associated with COVID-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 1, 2022 U.S. Retail U.S. Wholesale $(0.6) $0.1 pandemic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gain on modification of retail store leases(2) 2.0 (2.6) 1.7 — Total charges(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(1.2) $1.8 96 International $2.3 0.2 — $2.5 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued) (1) The fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 also includes corporate charges related to organizational restructuring of $0.7 million. (2) Related to gains on the modification of previously impaired retail store leases. (3) Total charges for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 exclude a customer bankruptcy recovery of $38,000. (dollars in millions) January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Charges: U.S. Retail U.S. Wholesale International U.S. Retail U.S. Wholesale International $ 2.0 — $ 2.2 17.7 $ — $ — — — $ — — 6.8 1.6 3.7 0.3 1.2 — 13.6 9.6 9.6 2.2 — F o r m 1 0 - K 19.1 10.5 — — — — — — — (2.1) — — Organizational restructuring (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5.0 — Goodwill impairment . . . . . . Skip Hop tradename impairment charge . . . . . . 0.5 OshKosh tradename impairment charge . . . . . . Incremental costs associated with COVID-19 pandemic . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retail store operating leases and other long-lived asset impairments, net of gain(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefit related to sale of inventory previously reserved in China . . . . . . . Reversal of store restructuring costs previously recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . Customer bankruptcy recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4 — — — — — — — 0.3 — — — (0.7) — — (0.6) — — Total charges . . . . . . . . . . $36.1 $20.0 $26.4 $ 0.5 $18.5 $ 8.4 (1) The fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 and the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 also includes corporate charges related to organizational restructuring of $7.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. (2) Impairments include an immaterial gain on the remeasurement of retail store operating leases. 97 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued) ADDITIONAL DATA BY SEGMENT Inventory The table below represents inventory by segment: (dollars in thousands) For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 U.S. Wholesale(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . International $513,702 50,563 83,477 $464,229 47,889 87,144 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $647,742 $599,262 (*) U.S. Wholesale inventories also include inventory produced and warehoused for the U.S. Retail segment. The table below represents consolidated net sales by product: (dollars in thousands) Playclothes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sleepwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other(*) For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) $1,261,622 1,124,961 500,596 599,261 January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) $1,052,178 1,026,910 441,358 503,888 December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) $1,362,847 1,228,905 428,541 498,993 Total net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,486,440 $3,024,334 $3,519,286 (*) Other product offerings include bedding, outerwear, 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 65.0%, 70.3%, and 65.6% of total international net sales in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Long-Lived Assets The following represents Property, plant, and equipment, net, and Operating lease assets by geographic area: (dollars in thousands) United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . International Total(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 $ $ 613,111 90,641 703,752 $ $ 753,232 102,121 855,353 (*) Fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 was revised to reflect the inclusion of operating lease assets. 98 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued) Long-lived assets in the international segment primarily relate to Canada. Long-lived assets in Canada were 82.7% and 87.9% of total international long-lived assets at the end of fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. NOTE 15 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS INVESTMENTS The Company invests in marketable securities, principally equity-based mutual funds, to mitigate the risk associated with the investment return on employee deferrals of compensation. All of the marketable securities are included in Other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and their aggregate fair values were approximately $17.5 million and $20.2 million at the end of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. These investments are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. The change in the aggregate fair values of marketable securities is due to the net activity of gains and losses and any contributions and distributions during the period. Gains on the investments in marketable securities were $2.3 million and $2.0 million for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. These amounts are included in Other expense (income), net on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, by asset category, are disclosed in Note 11, Employee Benefits Plans, to the consolidated financial statements. F o r m 1 0 - K BORROWINGS As of January 1, 2022, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility. The fair value of the Company’s senior notes at January 1, 2022 was approximately $1.04 billion. The fair value of these senior notes with a notional value and carrying value (gross of debt issuance costs) of $1.00 billion was estimated using a quoted price as provided in the secondary market, which considers the Company’s credit risk and market related conditions, and is therefore within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE, AND LONG-LIVED TANGIBLE ASSETS Some assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances. These assets can include goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived tangible assets that have been reduced to fair value when impaired. Assets that are written down to fair value when impaired are not subsequently adjusted to fair value unless further impairment occurs. 99 CARTER’S, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) NOTE 16—OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES Other current liabilities at the end of any comparable period, were as follows: (dollars in thousands) Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unredeemed gift cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued salaries and wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 $ $ 47,363 26,517 21,619 13,850 12,883 11,942 10,821 31,454 8,873 22,876 18,300 21,164 10,900 12,092 10,650 30,385 Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 176,449 $ 135,240 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 include obligations associated with leases, the secured revolving credit agreement, senior notes, and employee benefit plans. 100 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 January 1, 2022. 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: F o r m 1 0 - K • • • 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. Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2022. 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 January 1, 2022. The effectiveness of Carter’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2022 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. 101 Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION Not applicable. ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS Not applicable. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 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 18, 2022. 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. 102 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(*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 658,666 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 658,666 $89.32 — $89.32 3,027,361 — 3,027,361 (*) 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. F o r m 1 0 - K ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE The information called for by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive proxy statement referenced above in Item 10. 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. 103 ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES PART IV (A) 1. Financial Statements filed as part of this report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50 51 53 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 58 2. Financial Statement Schedules: None (B) Exhibits: Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits 3.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.2.1 4.3 4.3.1 4.4 Certificate of Incorporation of Carter’s, Inc., as amended on May 22, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2017). Amended and Restated By-laws of Carter’s, Inc., as amended on May 22, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2017). Specimen Certificate of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1A (No. 333-98679) filed on October 10, 2003). Indenture, dated March 14, 2019, by and among The William Carter Company, certain guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 14, 2019). Form of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2027 (included in Exhibit 4.2). Indenture, dated May 11, 2020, by and among The William Carter Company, certain guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2020). Form of 5.500% Senior Notes due 2025 (included in Exhibit 4.3). Description of Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2020). 104 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits 10.1 10.1.1 10.1.2 Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2017, by and among The William Carter Company, as U.S. Borrower, The Genuine Canadian 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/C 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. and Bank of Montreal, as Co-Syndication Agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and BMO Capital Markets Corp., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, Branch Banking & Trust Company, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, SunTrust Bank, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents and certain other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2017). Amendment No. 1, dated as of September 21, 2018, to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 25, 2017, by and among The William Carter Company, as U.S. Borrower, The Genuine Canadian Corp., as Canadian Borrower, Carter’s Holdings B.V., as Dutch Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, U.S. Dollar Facility Swing Line Lender and U.S. Dollar Facility L/C Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, as Canadian Agent, a Multicurrency Facility Swing Line Lender and a Multicurrency Facility L/C 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, each lender from time to time party thereto and the other parties party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2018). Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 4, 2020, to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 25, 2017, by and among The William Carter Company, as U.S. Borrower, The Genuine Canadian Corp., as Canadian Borrower, Carter’s Holdings B.V., as Dutch Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, U.S. Dollar Facility Swing Line Lender and U.S. Dollar Facility L/C Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, as Canadian Agent, a Multicurrency Facility Swing Line Lender and a Multicurrency Facility L/C 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, each lender from time to time party thereto and the other parties party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 24, 2020). F o r m 1 0 - K 105 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits 10.1.3 10.2* 10.3* 10.4* 10.5* 10.6* 10.7 10.8 10.8.1 21 23 31.1 31.2 32 Amendment No. 3, dated as of April 21, 2021, to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 25, 2017, by and among The William Carter Company, as U.S. Borrower, The Genuine Canadian Corp., as Canadian Borrower, Carter’s Holdings B.V., as Dutch Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, U.S. Dollar Facility Swing Line Lender and U.S. Dollar Facility L/C Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, as Canadian Agent, a Multicurrency Facility Swing Line Lender and a Multicurrency Facility L/C Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as European Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch, as a Multicurrency Facility Swing Line Lender and a Multicurrency Facility L/C Issuer, each lender from time to time party thereto and the other parties party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2021). Form of Severance Agreement entered into from time to time between The William Carter Company and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2015). Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B of Carter’s, Inc.’s Schedule 14A filed on April 4, 2018). Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix C of Carter’s, Inc.’s Schedule 14A filed on March 31, 2016). The William Carter Company Severance Plan, amended and restated effective January 1, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2020). The William Carter Company Deferred Compensation Plan, dated as of November 10, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2011). Lease Agreement dated March 29, 2012, between The William Carter Company and Duke Secured Financing 2009-1 ALZ, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 27, 2012). Lease Agreement dated December 14, 2012, between The William Carter Company and Phipps Tower Associates, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2012). Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement dated June 17, 2013, between The William Carter Company and Phipps Tower Associates, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of Carter’s, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 24, 2013). Subsidiaries of Carter’s, Inc. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) and 13a-15(f)/15d-15(f) Certification. Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) and 13a-15(f)/15d-15(f) Certification. Section 1350 Certification. 106 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibits Exhibit No. (101).INS XBRL Instance Document—the instant document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document Exhibit No. (101).SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document Exhibit No. (101).CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document Exhibit No. (101).DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document Exhibit No. (101).LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document Exhibit No. (101).PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document Exhibit No. 104 The cover page from this Current Report on Form 10-K formatted as Inline XBRL * Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan. ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY Omitted at registrant’s option. F o r m 1 0 - K 107 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. SIGNATURES CARTER’S, INC. /s/MICHAEL D. CASEY Michael D. Casey Chief Executive Officer Date: February 25, 2022 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 Michael D. Casey Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) February 25, 2022 /s/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer February 25, 2022 Richard F. Westenberger (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /S/ HALI BORENSTEIN Hali Borenstein /S/ LUIS BORGEN Luis Borgen Director February 25, 2022 Director February 25, 2022 /S/ GIUSEPPINA BUONFANTINO Giuseppina Buonfantino Director February 25, 2022 /S/ A. BRUCE CLEVERLY A. Bruce Cleverly /S/ JEVIN S. EAGLE Jevin S. Eagle Director February 25, 2022 Director February 25, 2022 108 Name /S/ MARK P. HIPP Mark P. Hipp Title Director Date February 25, 2022 /S/ WILLIAM J. MONTGORIS William J. Montgoris Director February 25, 2022 /S/ DAVID PULVER David Pulver /S/ GRETCHEN W. SCHAR Gretchen W. Schar Director February 25, 2022 Director February 25, 2022 F o r m 1 0 - K 109 Exhibit 31.1 CERTIFICATION I, Michael D. Casey, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Carter’s, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. February 25, 2022 /s/ MICHAEL D. CASEY Michael D. Casey Chief Executive Officer 110 Exhibit 31.2 CERTIFICATION I, Richard F. Westenberger, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Carter’s, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. February 25, 2022 /s/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER Richard F. Westenberger Chief Financial Officer 111 F o r m 1 0 - K CERTIFICATION Exhibit 32 Each of the undersigned in the capacity indicated hereby certifies that, to his knowledge, this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in this Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Carter’s, Inc. February 25, 2022 February 25, 2022 /S/ MICHAEL D. CASEY Michael D. Casey Chief Executive Officer /S/ RICHARD F. WESTENBERGER Richard F. Westenberger Chief Financial Officer The foregoing certifications are being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and are not being filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K or as a separate disclosure document. 112 C a r t e r ’ s , I n c . 2 0 2 1 A n n u a l R e p o r t Carter’s, Inc. | 3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1800 | Atlanta, GA 30326 | 678.791.1000 | carters.com | oshkosh.com | skiphop.com 

Continue reading text version or see original annual report in PDF format above