Carter's, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

- CONSOLIDATED NET SALES INCREASED 5%

ATLANTA, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carter's, Inc. (NYSE: CRI), the
largest branded marketer in the United States of apparel exclusively for
babies and young children, reported its second quarter fiscal 2008 results.
"Our second quarter sales were better than expected due to the strength of
our Carter's retail segment," noted Michael D. Casey, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer, who will become the Company's Chief Executive
Officer on August 1, 2008. "Our results reflect the benefit of investments
made in our new retail leadership team over the past year, the strengthening
of our product offerings, and better inventory management," continued Mr.
Casey. "In this difficult economic period, our stores continue to offer
significant value to the consumer."
Second Quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to Second Quarter of Fiscal 2007
Consolidated net sales increased 4.8% to $301.7 million. Net sales of the
Company's Carter's brands increased 4.1% to $238.0 million. Net sales of the
Company's OshKosh brand increased 7.7% to $63.6 million.
Consolidated retail store sales increased 13.9% to $142.5 million.
Carter's retail store sales increased 21.5% to $92.7 million, driven by a
comparable store sales increase of 17.3%, or $13.2 million, and sales of $3.5
million from new Carter's stores opened since the second quarter of fiscal
2007. OshKosh retail store sales increased 2.0% to $49.9 million, driven by
sales of $1.8 million from new OshKosh stores opened since the second quarter
of fiscal 2007. Comparable OshKosh retail store sales declined 0.9%, or $0.4
million.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company opened two Carter's
retail stores. As of June 28, 2008, the Company had 231 Carter's and 163
OshKosh stores. The Company plans to open a total of 25 Carter's and two
OshKosh stores during fiscal 2008. The Company also plans to close five
Carter's and three OshKosh stores during fiscal 2008.
The Company's wholesale sales increased 4.4% to $108.1 million. Carter's
wholesale sales increased $1.0 million, or 1.1%, to $94.3 million. OshKosh
wholesale sales increased $3.5 million, or 34.5%, to $13.8 million, due
primarily to an increase in off-price shipments in the second quarter of
fiscal 2008.
The Company's mass channel sales, which are comprised of sales of our Just
One Year brand to Target and Child of Mine brand to Wal-Mart, decreased 13.6%
to $51.1 million. Sales of our Just One Year brand increased $0.5 million, or
2.3%, to $21.2 million. Child of Mine brand sales decreased $8.5 million, or
22.2%, to $29.9 million, due primarily to product performance.
In connection with the retirement of Frederick J. Rowan, II, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, the Company recorded charges during the second
quarter of $5.3 million, $3.1 million of which relates to severance and
benefit obligations and $2.2 million relates to the vesting of Mr. Rowan's
performance-based stock options.
Consolidated operating income in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was
$9.3 million as compared to a consolidated operating loss of $137.9 million in
the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Excluding executive retirement charges in
the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs in the
second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted operating income
decreased $3.5 million, or 19.5%. This decrease was due to Child of Mine
product performance, higher inventory and bad debt provisions, and provisions
for incentive compensation.
Net income was $2.8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to a net
loss of $143.4 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, in the second quarter of
fiscal 2007. Excluding executive retirement charges in the second quarter of
fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs in the second quarter of fiscal
2007, the Company's adjusted net income decreased $1.6 million, or 20.9%, and
adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 23.1%.
"While our second quarter sales were better than expected, we will
continue to take a cautious outlook for the year given the uncertainty of the
current economic environment. Our business continues to produce very healthy
levels of cash flow, which enables us to invest in our business," noted Mr.
Casey. "As expected, OshKosh continued to negatively impact our results for
the quarter. With the improvement in our product offerings and better
inventory management disciplines, however, we expect to achieve improved
profitability from our OshKosh retail segment in the second half of this
year."
The reconciliation of income as reported under accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") to adjusted income
is as follows:

(dollars in millions, except EPS)
Three-month period ended June 28, 2008

Operating Net Diluted
Income Income EPS

Income, as reported (GAAP) $ 9.3 $2.8 $0.05

Executive retirement charges 5.3 3.3 0.05

Income, as adjusted (a) $14.6 $6.1 $0.10

(a) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
discussed above. We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
comparison of the Company's results. The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
measurements included in this earnings release should not be
considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The adjusted, non-
GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
condition or results of operations.

(dollars in millions, except EPS)
Three-month period ended June 30, 2007

Operating Net
(Loss) (Loss) Diluted
Income Income EPS

Loss, as reported (GAAP) ($137.9) ($143.4) ($2.48)

Intangible asset impairment (a) 154.9 150.5 2.60
Distribution facility closure
costs (b) 0.5 0.3 0.00
Accelerated depreciation (c) 0.6 0.3 0.01

Income, as adjusted (d) $18.1 $7.7 0.13

(a) OshKosh-related intangible asset impairment charges.

(b) Costs associated with the closure of OshKosh's White House, Tennessee
distribution facility

(c) Accelerated depreciation charges (included in selling, general, and
administrative expenses) related to the closure of the OshKosh
distribution facility.

(d) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
discussed above. We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
comparison of the Company's results. The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
measurements included in this earnings release should not be
considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The adjusted, non-
GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
condition or results of operations.

First Half of Fiscal 2008 compared to First Half of Fiscal 2007
Consolidated net sales increased 3.9% to $631.6 million. Net sales of the
Company's Carter's brands increased 5.7% to $505.2 million. Net sales of the
Company's OshKosh brand decreased 2.7% to $126.5 million.
Consolidated retail store sales increased 11.2% to $273.3 million.
Carter's retail store sales increased 18.5% to $179.1 million, driven by a
comparable store sales increase of 14.9%, or $22.3 million, and sales of $6.2
million from Carter's stores opened since the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
OshKosh retail store sales decreased 0.5% to $94.2 million, due to a
comparable store sales decrease of $3.4 million, or 3.7%, and the impact of
store closures of $0.8 million, partially offset by sales of $3.7 million from
OshKosh stores opened since the second quarter of fiscal 2007. In the first
half of fiscal 2008, the Company opened three Carter's retail stores.
The Company's wholesale sales increased 1.3% to $244.4 million. Carter's
wholesale sales increased $6.2 million, or 3.0%, to $212.2 million, due
primarily to the timing of shipments in fiscal 2008. OshKosh wholesale sales
decreased $3.0 million, or 8.5%, to $32.2 million due to product performance.
The Company's mass channel sales decreased 5.7% to $114.0 million. Sales
of our Just One Year brand increased $5.3 million, or 12.1%, to $48.7 million,
driven by new door growth. Sales of our Child of Mine brand decreased $12.2
million, or 15.7%, to $65.3 million due primarily to product performance.
Consolidated operating income in the first half of fiscal 2008 was $29.8
million as compared to a consolidated operating loss of $116.7 million in the
first half of fiscal 2007. Excluding charges related to the executive
retirement in the first half of fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs
in the first half of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted operating income
decreased $10.2 million, or 22.4%. This decrease was due to a decline in
gross margin in our OshKosh retail stores due to the performance of our 2007
Fall and Holiday product lines, performance of our Child of Mine brand, higher
inventory provisions, and provisions for incentive compensation.
Net income was $14.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to a
net loss of $133.8 million, or $2.30 per diluted share, in the first half of
fiscal 2007. Excluding executive retirement charges in the first half of
fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs in the first half of fiscal 2007,
the Company's adjusted net income decreased $3.4 million, or 16.2%, and
adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 14.3%.

(dollars in millions, except EPS)
Six-month period ended June 28, 2008

Operating Net Diluted
Income Income EPS

Income, as reported (GAAP) $29.8 $14.3 $0.24

Executive retirement charges 5.3 3.3 0.06

Income, as adjusted (a) $35.1 $17.6 $0.30

(a) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
discussed above. We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
comparison of the Company's results. The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
measurements included in this earnings release should not be
considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The adjusted, non-
GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
condition or results of operations.

(dollars in millions, except EPS)
Six-month period ended June 30, 2007

Operating Net
(Loss) (Loss) Diluted
Income Income EPS

Loss, as reported (GAAP) ($116.7) ($133.8) ($2.30)

Intangible asset impairment (a) 154.9 150.5 2.58
Distribution facility closure
costs (b) 5.0 3.1 0.05
Accelerated depreciation (c) 2.1 1.3 0.02

Income, as adjusted (d) $45.3 $21.1 $0.35

(a) OshKosh-related intangible asset impairment charges.
(b) Costs associated with the closure of the OshKosh distribution
facility.
(c) Accelerated depreciation charges (included in selling, general, and
administrative expenses) related to the closure of the OshKosh
distribution facility.
(d) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
discussed above. We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
comparison of the Company's results. The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
measurements included in this earnings release should not be
considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The adjusted,
non-GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
condition or results of operations.

Net cash provided by operating activities in the first half of fiscal 2008
was $24.1 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $8.3
million in the first half of fiscal 2007, driven largely by favorable changes
in working capital.
During the first half of fiscal 2008, the Company repurchased 1,320,085
shares of its common stock for approximately $20 million at an average price
of $15.20 per share.
Quarterly Conference Call
The Company will broadcast its quarterly conference call on July 23, 2008
at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial
1-913-312-1518. To listen to the live broadcast over the internet, please log
on to www.carters.com, click on "Investor Relations," and click on the link
"Second Quarter Conference Call." The conference call will be simultaneously
broadcast over the internet at www.carters.com. Presentation materials for
the call can be accessed on the Company's website at www.carters.com by
clicking on the "Investor Relations" tab and choosing "conference calls &
webcasts" on the left side of the screen. A replay of the call will be
available shortly after the broadcast through August 1, 2008, at
1-719-457-0820, passcode 5030435. The replay will be archived on the
Company's website at the same location.
For more information on Carter's, Inc., please visit www.carters.com.
Cautionary Language
Statements contained herein that relate to the Company's future
performance, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the
Company's anticipated results for fiscal 2008 or any other future period, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are
based on current expectations only, and are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or
projected. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ
include: a decrease in sales to, or the loss of one or more of, the Company's
key customers; increased competition in the baby and young children's apparel
market; the acceptance of our products in the marketplace; deflationary
pressures on our prices; disruptions in foreign supply sources; negative
publicity; our leverage, which increases our exposure to interest rate risk
and could require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to
repay principal; changes in consumer preference and fashion trends; a decrease
in the overall level of consumer spending; the impact of governmental
regulations and environmental risks applicable to the Company's business; our
ability to adequately forecast demand, which could create significant levels
of excess inventory; our ability to identify new retail store locations, and
negotiate appropriate lease terms for our retail stores; our ability to
improve the performance of our retail and OshKosh wholesale segments; our
ability to attract and retain key individuals within the organization; failure
to realize the revenue growth, cost savings and other benefits that we expect
from our acquisition of OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc., which could impact the carrying
value of our intangible assets; and seasonal fluctuations in the children's
apparel business. These risks are further described in our most recently
filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking
Statements." The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
Contact: Eric Martin
Vice President, Investor Relations
(404) 745-2889

CARTER'S, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except for share data)
(unaudited)

Three-month periods ended Six-month periods ended
June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
Net sales:
Wholesale:
Carter's $94,322 $ 93,294 $212,154 $205,947
OshKosh 13,760 10,227 32,209 35,220
Total Wholesale
sales 108,082 103,521 244,363 241,167
Retail:
Carter's 92,656 76,275 179,058 151,101
OshKosh 49,883 48,885 94,248 94,733
Total Retail
sales 142,539 125,160 273,306 245,834
Mass Channel 51,054 59,094 113,978 120,902
Total net sales 301,675 287,775 631,647 607,903
Cost of goods sold 202,094 192,357 427,151 406,105
Gross profit 99,581 95,418 204,496 201,798
Selling, general, and
administrative
expenses 92,207 84,635 184,483 172,881
Executive retirement
charges 5,325 -- 5,325 --
Intangible asset
impairment -- 154,886 -- 154,886
Closure costs -- 470 -- 4,977
Royalty income (7,203) (6,700) (15,117) (14,245)
Operating income
(loss) 9,252 (137,873) 29,805 (116,701)
Interest expense, net 4,789 5,704 9,309 11,432
Income (loss) before
income taxes 4,463 (143,577) 20,496 (128,133)
Provision for (benefit
from) income taxes 1,684 (128) 6,158 5,705
Net income (loss) $2,779 ($143,449) $14,338 ($133,838)

Basic net income (loss)
per common share $0.05 ($2.48) $0.25 ($2.30)

Diluted net income
(loss) per common
share $0.05 ($2.48) $0.24 ($2.30)

Basic weighted-
average number
of shares
outstanding 56,156,795 57,838,075 56,685,914 58,142,782

Diluted weighted-
average number
of shares
outstanding 58,163,705 57,838,075 58,741,653 58,142,782

CARTER'S, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except for share data)
(unaudited)

June 28, December 29, June 30,
2008 2007 2007
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $45,223 $49,012 $19,848
Accounts receivable, net 102,593 119,707 104,534
Finished good inventories,
net 250,817 225,494 231,588
Assets held for sale 6,109 6,109 6,109
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 15,464 9,093 15,000
Deferred income taxes 23,727 24,234 19,087

Total current assets 443,933 433,649 396,166
Property, plant, and equipment,
net 70,014 75,053 72,693
Tradenames 306,733 308,233 310,233
Cost in excess of fair value
of net assets acquired 136,570 136,570 136,570
Deferred debt issuance costs,
net 4,176 4,743 5,320
Licensing agreements, net 7,087 8,915 10,767
Leasehold interests, net 451 684 918
Other assets 7,570 6,821 9,568

Total assets $976,534 $974,668 $942,235

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of
long-term debt $4,379 $3,503 $2,627
Accounts payable 73,822 56,589 85,303
Other current liabilities 36,803 46,666 29,132

Total current liabilities 115,004 106,758 117,062

Long-term debt 336,275 338,026 340,653
Deferred income taxes 113,316 113,706 115,150
Other long-term liabilities 30,979 34,049 32,708

Total liabilities 595,574 592,539 605,573

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; par value $.01
per share; 100,000 shares
authorized; none issued or
outstanding at June 28, 2008,
December 29, 2007, and June 30,
2007 -- -- --
Common stock, voting; par value
$.01 per share; 150,000,000
shares authorized; 56,422,592,
57,663,315, and 58,185,355
shares issued and outstanding at
June 28, 2008, December 29,
2007, and June 30, 2007,
respectively 564 576 582
Additional paid-in capital 217,741 232,356 247,587
Accumulated other
comprehensive income 1,791 2,671 5,187
Retained earnings 160,864 146,526 83,306

Total stockholders'
equity 380,960 382,129 336,662

Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $976,534 $974,668 $942,235

SOURCE Carter's, Inc.

Eric Martin, Vice President, Investor Relations, of Carter's Inc.,
+1-404-745-2889