Back to GetFilings.com

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

FORM 10-K

Commission file numbers:

001-31829 and 333-22155

CARTER'S, INC.
THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY
(Exact names of registrants as specified in their charters)

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

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

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 ý    No o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o    No ý

The common equity of Carter's, Inc. was not publicly traded as of the end of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and accordingly Carter's, Inc. does not meet the definition of an accelerated filer under Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

There were 27,985,360 shares of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share outstanding as of the close of business on March 19, 2004.

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., to be held on May 14, 2004, will be incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. Carter's, Inc. intends to file such proxy statement with the SEC not later than 120 days after its fiscal year ended January 3, 2004.

This Form 10-K is a combined annual report being filed separately by two registrants: Carter's, Inc. and The William Carter Company. Unless the context indicates otherwise, any reference in this report to "TWCC" refers to The William Carter Company, the wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Carter's, Inc. "Carter's," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Carter's, Inc. together with TWCC.

The William Carter Company meets the conditions set forth in the General Instructions I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K, and is filing this form with the reduced disclosure format pursuant to General Instruction I(2).

CARTER'S, INC.
AND THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2004

PART I

        For convenience, unless the context indicates otherwise, in this filing on Form 10-K, "TWCC" refers to The William Carter Company, the wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Carter's, Inc. "Carter's," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Carter's, Inc. together with TWCC.

        Our market share data is based on information provided by the NPD Group, Inc. References to market share in this annual report mean our share expressed as a percentage of total retail revenues of a market unless otherwise indicated. The baby's and young children's market includes products in sizes 3 months to size 7.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

        On September 30, 2003, Carter Holdings, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, re-incorporated in Delaware and changed its name by forming and subsequently merging with and into its new wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary. The surviving company is named Carter's, Inc. Carter's, Inc. derives all of its operating income and cash flow from TWCC, a Massachusetts corporation. Carter's, Inc. has no assets or investments other than the shares of stock of TWCC.

        Carter's is the largest branded marketer of apparel for babies and young children in the United States based on our 2003 market share of 6.7%. This share grew from 4.8% in 2002. Over our 139 years of operation, Carter's has become one of the most highly recognized and most trusted brand names in the children's apparel industry. We focus on providing high-quality, basic products at prices that deliver an attractive value to consumers. We sell our products under the Carter's and Carter's Classics brands in our wholesale channel to approximately 370 department store, national chain, and specialty store accounts. Additionally, we operate 169 Carter's retail stores located primarily in premier outlet centers throughout the United States. We also sell our products in the mass channel under the Tykes brand in over 1,200 Target stores and under our Child of Mine brand in over 2,900 Wal-Mart stores. Our wholesale channel represented 51% of our total net sales, our retail stores represented 37% of our total net sales, and the mass channel represented 12% of our total net sales for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2004.

        Since 1992, when the current management team joined Carter's, we have increased net sales from $227 million to $704 million. Over the past five years, we have increased net sales at a compounded annual growth rate of 11.8%, and we have increased operating income from $27.4 million to $74.6 million, yielding a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 22.2%. During this five-year period, our pre-tax results were decreased in 1999 by plant closure costs of $7.1 million, in 2001 by acquisition-related charges of $11.3 million, debt extinguishment charges of $12.5 million, and plant closure costs of $4.0 million, and in 2003 by debt extinguishment charges of $9.5 million, a management fee termination charge of $2.6 million, and plant closure costs of $1.0 million.

        Carter's baby and sleepwear core products are basic, high-volume apparel for babies and young children and include bodysuits, pajamas, blanket sleepers, gowns, bibs, towels, washcloths, and receiving blankets. Our top ten baby and sleepwear core products accounted for more than 80% of our baby and sleepwear net sales in 2003. We believe these core products are consumer staples and are insulated from changes in fashion trends. Whether they are shopping for their own children or purchasing gifts, consumers provide consistent demand for our products as they start wardrobes for the four million babies born each year and replace clothing outgrown by babies and young children. In 2003, we sold over 148 million units of Carter's products to our wholesale customers, mass channel customers, and through our retail stores, an increase of approximately 42% from 2002.

        In the department store, national chain, outlet, specialty store, and off-price sales channels, we are the largest brand of apparel for babies and young children with 9.3% of the market, up from 7.3% last year. Our aggregate market shares in fiscal 2003 in these channels were approximately 25% for layette

1

and 27% for sleepwear for babies and young children, which represent greater than four and three times, respectively, the market shares of the next largest brands. In these channels, our share of the playclothes market for babies and young children grew from 4.8% in 2002 to 7.1% in 2003.

        Carter's top wholesale customers are leading children's retailers in the United States and include: Kohl's, Babies "R" Us, JCPenney, Sears, May Company, Federated, and Mervyn's. In the fourth quarter of 2000, we began selling our products in the mass channel by launching the Tykes brand in all Target stores nationwide. In June of 2003, we began shipping products under our new Child of Mine brand, which are now being sold in substantially all Wal-Mart stores in the United States. In addition, we extend the reach of the Carter's, Carter's Classics, Tykes, and Child of Mine brands in our channels through licensing arrangements with 18 marketers of related baby and young children's products who collectively generated $142.4 million of branded wholesale and mass channel sales in 2003, resulting in $11.0 million of royalty income to us. See "Business—Products and Markets—Licensed Products" for a listing of our licensees.

        Principal executive offices are located at The Proscenium, 1170 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 900, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, and our telephone number is (404) 745-2700. Our Internet address is www.carters.com. We make our SEC filings available through our Internet website and in print upon request. We also make available on our Internet website, the Carter's Code of Business Ethics and Professional Conduct, our Corporate Governance Principles, and the charters for the Compensation, Audit, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors.

PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

        We design, source, manufacture, and market a broad array of baby and young children's apparel. We have three cross-functional product teams focused on baby, sleepwear, and playclothes. These teams are skilled in identifying and developing high-volume, core products. Each team includes members from design, sourcing, product development, forecasting, and supply chain logistics. The teams follow a disciplined approach to fabric usage, color rationalization, and productivity and are supported by a dedicated art department and state-of-the-art design systems. We also license our brand names to other companies to create a complete collection of coordinating products, such as bedding, strollers, underwear, shoes, room décor, and toys. The licensing team directs the use of our designs, art, and selling strategies to all licensees.

        We believe this disciplined approach to product design reduces risk and large seasonal fluctuations while shortening the development cycle. Our product strategy is built on developing and marketing high-volume, core products that are differentiated by creative art and application. We design our products with simple and cost-effective construction. A high percentage of the products continue from season to season with the same fabric and construction, and are varied only through color and the artistic application of embroideries, colors, and/or prints. We have a validation process for testing and introducing products. Artwork, color, and product silhouettes are tested with consumers, key wholesale accounts, and an internal creative steering committee. We also apply quantitative measurements such as pre-season bookings, tests of new products prior to launch in retail stores, weekly over-the-counter selling results, and daily re-order rates on baby products.

Baby

        We are the leading brand in layette. In fiscal 2003, we generated $303.1 million in net sales of these products, in all of our sales channels, representing 43% of our total net sales.

        In fiscal 2003, in the department, national chain, outlet, specialty store, and off-price sales channels, our aggregate market share based on retail sales was approximately 25% for layette, which represents greater than four times the market share of the next largest brand. We sell a complete range of layette products for newborns, primarily made of cotton. Our layette products include bodysuits,

2

undershirts, towels, washcloths, receiving blankets, layette gowns, bibs, caps, and booties. We attribute our leading market position to our brand strength, distinctive print designs, artistic applications, reputation for quality, and ability to manage our dedicated floor space for our retail customers. We tier our products through marketing programs targeted toward gift-givers, experienced mothers, and first-time mothers. Carter's Classics consists of small coordinated layette programs designed for first-time mothers and gift-givers. Carter's Starters, the largest component of our layette business, provides mothers with all the essentials in value-focused multi-packs.

Sleepwear

        Carter's sleepwear products include pajamas, cotton long underwear, and blanket sleepers in sizes 12 months to 7. In fiscal 2003, we generated $159.2 million in net sales of these products, in all of our sales channels, or 23% of our total net sales.

        We are the leading supplier of sleepwear for babies and young children within the department, national chain, outlet, specialty store, and off-price sales channels in the United States. In fiscal 2003, in these channels, our market share was approximately 27%, which represents more than three times the market share of the next largest brand. As in layette, we try to differentiate our sleepwear products from the competition by offering high-volume, core products with creative artwork utilizing consumer-tested prints and embroideries.

Playclothes

        Carter's playclothes products include knit and woven cotton apparel for everyday use in sizes 3 months to 7. In fiscal 2003, we generated $186.2 million in net sales of these products, or 26% of our total net sales. The market for baby and young children's playclothes in fiscal 2003 was more than five times the size of the layette and sleepwear markets combined. The playclothes market in the department, national chain, outlet, specialty store, and off-price sales channels in 2003 was $8.5 billion and our market share in those channels was approximately 7.1%, up from 4.8% in 2002. We continue to focus on strengthening our playclothes products by developing a base of high-volume, core products that utilize original print designs and innovative artistic applications. We believe this product focus, in addition to our high brand name awareness, strong wholesale customer relationships, and expanded global sourcing network, is increasing our playclothes sales.

Other Products

        The remainder of our product offering includes bedding, outerwear, shoes, socks, diaper bags, gift sets, toys, room décor, and hair accessories. In fiscal 2003, we generated $55.3 million in sales of these other products in our retail stores.

Licensed Products

        We extend our consumer reach by licensing our brands to 18 marketers of related products. These licensing partners develop and sell products through our multiple sales channels while leveraging our brand strength, customer relationships, and artwork. Our license agreements require strict adherence to our quality and compliance standards and to a multi-step product approval process. We are very involved with each of our licensing partners in developing the products and ensuring they fit within our vision of high-quality, core products at a good value to the consumer. In addition, we work closely with our wholesale and mass channel customers and our licensees to gain dedicated real estate for licensed product categories. Our licensed products provide our customers and consumers with a range of Carter's, Carter's Classics, Tykes, and Child of Mine products that complement and expand upon our

3

core baby and young children's apparel. In fiscal 2003, our licensees, who are listed below, generated net sales of $142.4 million on which we earned $11.0 million in royalty income.

MULTIPLE SALES CHANNELS

        We have expanded our consumer reach by increasing sales to our wholesale accounts, opening new retail stores, and expanding into the mass channel. We sell our products to top retailers in the country and through our own retail outlet and strip center stores. In fiscal 2003, sales through the wholesale channel accounted for 51% of our total net sales, sales through our retail stores accounted for 37% of our total net sales, while sales through the mass channel accounted for 12% of our total net sales. In 2003, we derived approximately 45.7% of our total net sales from our top eight customers. We expect that these customers will continue to represent a significant portion of our sales in the future. However, we do not enter into long-term sales contracts with our key customers, relying instead on long-standing relationships with these customers and on our position in the marketplace. As a result, we face the risk that one or more of our key customers may significantly decrease its or their business with us or terminate its or their relationships with us. Any such decrease or termination or a decrease in our key customers' business could result in a material decrease in our revenue. In 2003, no one wholesale or mass channel customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated net sales.

        Business segment financial information for the wholesale, retail, and mass channel segments is contained in ITEM 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," Note 14—"Segment Information" to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Wholesale Channel

        Our top wholesale customers are leading children's retailers in the United States and include: Kohl's, Babies "R" Us, JCPenney, Sears, May Company, Federated, and Mervyn's. We sell our products in the United States through a network of approximately 30 sales professionals. Our sales professionals work with their department or specialty store accounts to establish annual plans for our layette and baby apparel products within the Carter's line which we refer to as core basics. Once we establish an annual plan with an account, we place the majority of our accounts on our weekly automatic reorder plan for core basics. Automatic reorder allows us to plan our sourcing requirements and benefits our

4

wholesale customers and us by maximizing our customers' in-stock positions, thereby improving sales and profitability. Our sleepwear and playclothes products are planned and ordered seasonally as we introduce new products.

        We intend to drive continued growth with our wholesale customers through our focus on managing our key accounts' business through product mix, fixturing, brand presentation, and advertising. We believe that we maintain strong account relationships and drive brand growth through frequent meetings with our key wholesale customers.

Retail Channel

        We operate 169 retail stores in 39 states, of which 149 are in outlet centers and 20 are in strip centers. These stores carry a complete assortment of first-quality baby and young children's apparel, accessories, and gift items. Our stores average approximately 4,900 square feet per location and are distinguished by an easy, consumer-friendly shopping environment. We believe our consistent and well-defined pricing strategy, coupled with a broad assortment of basic products, has made our stores a destination location within many outlet and strip centers.

        We have established a disciplined real estate selection process whereby we fully assess all new locations based on demographic factors, retail adjacencies, and population density. We believe that we are located in many of the premier outlet centers in the United States and that we are successfully adding high-volume strip center locations to our portfolio.

Mass Channel

        The market for baby and young children's apparel in the mass channel was $5.6 billion in 2003, or 31%, of total baby and young children's apparel sales. In the fourth quarter of 2000, we entered the mass channel by launching the Tykes brand in all Target stores nationwide. The Tykes product line includes layette, sleepwear, and baby playclothes along with a range of licensed products, such as hosiery, bedding, toys, and room décor products. During the second quarter of 2003, we launched our Child of Mine brand in substantially all Wal-Mart stores in the United States.

MARKETING

        Our strategy has been to drive our brand image as the leader in baby and young children's apparel and to consistently provide quality products at a great value to consumers. We employ a disciplined marketing strategy, which identifies and focuses on core products. This marketing strategy focuses on brand and product presentation at the consumer point-of-purchase as we continue to invest in providing our major retail customers with display units that clearly present our core products on their retail floors. We also strive to provide our wholesale and mass channel customers with consistent, premium service, including delivering and replenishing products on time to fulfill customer and consumer needs.

        We believe that we have strengthened our brand image with the consumer with our marketing focus on differentiating our core products through fabric improvements, new artistic applications, and new packaging and presentation strategies. We also attempt to differentiate our products through store-in-store shops and advertising with wholesale and mass channel customers.

PRODUCT SOURCING

        Growth in recent years has been driven by strong product performance made possible through our global sourcing network. We have hired additional people with experience in sourcing products from the Far East, such as the ability to evaluate vendors, familiarity with foreign supply sources, and experience in sourcing logistics particular to the Far East. We have recruited people with these skills

5

from Disney, Mast Industries, The Limited, The Gap, and other apparel companies. In connection with our global sourcing initiatives we have closed our domestic manufacturing operations, including textile, printing, cutting, embroidery, and sewing facilities. We also closed three offshore sewing facilities. Fabric we previously produced is currently purchased from third-party manufacturers. We continue to operate two sewing facilities in Mexico.

        Since launching our global sourcing initiative, we have experienced significant increases in product quality, lower product costs, and improvement in product margins, enabling us to more competitively price our products, accelerate revenue growth, increase sales, and successfully enter the mass channel. We will attempt to realize further benefits and cost reductions through advanced information systems, the expansion of global sourcing relationships, reductions in stock-keeping units and product complexity, and our continued focus on core product offerings.

        Our network consists of approximately 100 vendors located in more than 15 countries. We believe that our sourcing arrangements are sufficient to meet our current operating requirements and provide significant capacity for growth.

DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS

        In the United States, there were approximately four million births reported in 2002 and demographers project a progressive increase in births over the next 20 years. Favorable demographic trends further support continued strength in the market for baby and young children's products. Highlights of these trends include:

•

parents are having children later in life and have higher incomes when their children are born;



•

40% of all births are first children, which we believe leads to higher initial spending; and



•

grandparents are a large and growing market and are spending more money on their grandchildren than previous generations spent.

COMPETITION

        The baby and young children's apparel markets are highly competitive. Competition generally is based upon product quality, brand name recognition, price, selection, service, and convenience. Both branded and private label manufacturers compete in the baby and young children's apparel markets. Our primary competitors include Oshkosh B'Gosh, Gerber, Disney, and private label product offerings. We also compete with specialty store retailers, including The Gap, Gymboree, and The Children's Place. Most retailers, including our customers, have significant private label product offerings in playclothes and baby that compete with us. Because of the highly fragmented nature of the industry, we also compete with many small manufacturers and retailers. We believe, however, that our combination of brand strength, size, and operational expertise positions us well against these competitors.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

        We are subject to various federal, state, and local laws that govern activities or operations that may have adverse environmental effects. Noncompliance with these laws and regulations can result in significant liabilities, penalties, and costs. Generally, compliance with environmental laws has not had a material impact on our operations, but there can be no assurance that future compliance with such laws will not have a material adverse effect on our operations.

TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, AND LICENSES

        We own many trademarks and tradenames, including Carter's®, Carter's® Classics, Celebrating Childhood™, Celebrating Imagination®, Child of Mine®, Jiffon®, Just One Year®, and Nevabind® as well

6

as copyrights, many of which are registered in the United States and in 60 foreign countries. Under an agreement with The Little Tikes Company, we have licensed the right to use and sublicense the Tykes trademark for use on certain products sold primarily at Target stores.

        We license the Carter's, Carter's Classics, and Child of Mine names, and sublicense the Tykes name along with many of our trademarks and tradenames to third-party manufacturers to produce and distribute children's apparel and related products such as diaper bags, room décor, socks, strollers, hair accessories, outerwear, underwear, bedding, plush toys, and shoes. We license the rights to John Lennon's Real Love artwork collection and the artwork of Eric Carle under agreements that expire December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005.

EMPLOYEES

        As of January 3, 2004, we had 4,214 employees, 1,870 of whom were employed on a full-time basis in our domestic operations, 1,013 of whom were employed on a part-time basis in our domestic operations, and 1,331 of whom were employed on a full-time basis in our offshore operations. None of our employees are unionized. We have had no labor-related work stoppages and believe that our labor relations are good.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

        We operate 169 leased retail stores located primarily in premier outlet and strip centers across the United States, having an average size of approximately 4,900 square feet. Generally, leases have an average term of approximately five years with additional five-year renewal options. Domestically, we own three distribution facilities, two in Georgia and one in Pennsylvania. We also own two office buildings in Georgia. We lease office space in four buildings, two in Georgia, one in Connecticut, and one in New York. We lease one distribution facility in Georgia. In February 2001, we entered into a ten-year lease agreement for our corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia. In January 2003, we entered into a seven-year lease agreement, with a cancellation option after four years, for a new distribution facility in Stockbridge, Georgia. Internationally, we lease two sewing facilities in Mexico and two facilities in Costa Rica. The leases in Costa Rica will be terminated at the end of March 2004, as a result of the recent plant closures. Aggregate lease commitments as of January 3, 2004 for the above rental properties are as follows: fiscal 2004—$17.9 million; fiscal 2005—$15.4 million; fiscal 2006—$12.8 million; fiscal 2007—$9.8 million; fiscal 2008—$6.6 million, and $14.7 million for the balance of these commitments beyond fiscal 2008.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        From time to time, we have been involved in various legal proceedings. We believe that all of such litigation is routine in nature and incidental to the conduct of our business, and we believe that no such litigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.

        On August 21, 2002, a lawsuit was filed against us in the state court of Fulton County, State of Georgia by T.N.S. Mills, Inc. and Bowling Green Spinning Company in which the plaintiffs are claiming damages of approximately $830,000 related to an alleged oral guarantee of money owed to them by a third-party vendor. We have not provided for this exposure, as we believe that this claim is without merit and we intend to vigorously defend this matter.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        On October 9, 2003, the stockholders of Carter's, Inc. acted by written consent to approve our 2003 Equity Incentive Plan and our Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Compensation Plan.

        No other matters were submitted to our stockholders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003.

7

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

        Since October 24, 2003, Carter's, Inc.'s common stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRI. Prior to October 24, 2003, Carter's, Inc.'s common stock was not publicly traded. The last reported sale price per share of Carter's common stock on March 17, 2004 was $30.30, and on that date there were 3,171 holders of record of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock.

        The following table sets forth for the period indicated the high and low sales prices per share of common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange:

DIVIDENDS

        On July 31, 2003, we paid a cash dividend of approximately $24.9 million on the outstanding shares of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock to the stockholders of record as of July 30, 2003. At the same time, we paid a special bonus of approximately $2.5 million to our vested option holders. This special bonus was recorded as compensation expense during the third quarter of 2003.

        Provisions in the senior credit facility restrict us from paying future dividends and making other distributions and transfers (see Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K). We do not anticipate paying additional cash dividends on Carter's, Inc.'s common stock in the foreseeable future but intend to retain future earnings, if any, for debt reduction, reinvestment in the future operation, and expansion of our business and related development activities. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, terms of financing arrangements, capital requirements, and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Provisions in the indenture governing TWCC's senior subordinated notes restrict its ability to pay dividends to Carter's, Inc. except to the extent that TWCC has cumulative net income, in which case it may use 50% of such amount to pay dividends or make other restricted payments.

8

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

        The following table shows certain information concerning Carter's, Inc.'s common stock to be issued in connection with our equity compensation plans as of January 3, 2004:

        For a discussion of our equity compensation plans, see Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

        The following information is furnished with regard to all securities sold by the registrant during the fiscal year ended January 3, 2004, which were not registered under the Securities Act.

(a)

On February 20, 2003, July 8, 2003, and September 17, 2003, Carter's, Inc. issued options, under its 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, to purchase 76,800, 84,000, and 237,200 shares, respectively, of its common stock to employees and directors. Carter's, Inc. did not receive any consideration for these options. All options issued under the plan expire ten years from the date of grant. The weighted-average exercise price of the options granted on February 20, 2003 was $9.88 and the weighted-average exercise price of the options granted on July 8, 2003 and September 17, 2003 was $13.95.



(b)

On May 17, 2003 and September 17, 2003, Carter's, Inc. sold an aggregate of 45,975 shares of its common stock for aggregate consideration of approximately $600,000. These shares were purchased by John R. Welch and Thomas Whiddon, each of whom is a director of Carter's, Inc. Based on representations made by these purchasers, Carter's believes that each of these purchasers was a sophisticated and accredited investor. No general solicitation was made in connection with any of these sales.

        The securities referenced in clause (a) were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 701 of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as securities issued pursuant to certain compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation.

        Based on the circumstances described in clause (b) above, the securities referenced in clause (b) were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.

9

USE OF PROCEEDS

        The registration statement on Form S-1 (SEC file No. 333-98679) for our initial public offering was declared effective October 24, 2003, covering an aggregate of 5,390,625 shares of common stock sold by us and 1,796,875 shares sold by the selling stockholders, primarily Berkshire Partners LLC, and its affiliates, including the underwriters' over-allotment option. The aggregate price of the offering for Carter's, Inc. and the selling stockholders was $136,562,500. The lead underwriter for our initial public offering was Goldman, Sachs & Co.

        On October 29, 2003, we completed the initial public offering of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock. The gross proceeds to us from the offering totaled $102.4 million. We incurred $1.3 million in expenses, in connection with the offering, and paid an underwriting discount of $7.2 million. Net proceeds to us from the offering totaled $93.9 million. On November 28, 2003, we used approximately $68.7 million of the proceeds to redeem approximately $61.3 million in outstanding 10.875% senior subordinated notes and pay a redemption premium of approximately $6.7 million and $0.7 million in related accrued interest charges. We used approximately $2.6 million of the net proceeds to terminate the Berkshire Partners LLC management agreement. We also used approximately $11.3 million to prepay amounts outstanding under the term loan as required by the senior credit facility. The remaining proceeds of approximately $11.3 million were utilized for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following table sets forth selected financial and other data as of and for the five fiscal years ended January 3, 2004 (fiscal 2003). As a result of certain adjustments made in connection with the acquisition of Carter's, Inc. by a special purpose entity formed by Berkshire Partners LLC ("Berkshire Partners"), its affiliates, and associated investors (the "Acquisition"), the results of operations for fiscal 2003 and 2002 and the period from August 15, 2001 through December 29, 2001 (the "Successor" periods) are not comparable to prior periods. The selected financial data for the five fiscal years ended January 3, 2004 were derived from our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday in December or January nearest to the last day of December. Consistent with this policy, fiscal 2003 ended on January 3, 2004 and fiscal 2002 ended on December 28, 2002. As a result, fiscal 2003 contained 53 weeks of financial results and fiscal 2002 contained 52 weeks of financial results.

10

        The following table should be read in conjunction with ITEM 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and ITEM 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

See Notes to Selected Financial Data.

11

NOTES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        (a)    As a result of the Acquisition, we adjusted our assets and liabilities to their estimated fair values as of August 15, 2001. In addition, we entered into new financing arrangements and changed our capital structure in connection with the Acquisition. At the time of the Acquisition, we adopted the provisions of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141, "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141") and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), which affect the amortization of goodwill and other intangibles. Accordingly, the results as of the end of and for the Successor period from August 15, 2001 through December 29, 2001, the Successor fiscal years 2002 and 2003 are not comparable to prior periods.

        (b)    On a pro forma basis, assuming SFAS 142 was in effect for all periods presented, pro forma (loss) income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle for revenue recognition would have been $(21.8) million for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001, $25.1 million for the Predecessor fiscal year 2000, and $(2.3) million for the Predecessor fiscal year 1999. Pro forma net (loss) income would have been $(15.5) million for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001, $14.9 million for the Predecessor fiscal year 2000, and $(1.5) million for the Predecessor fiscal year 1999.

        (c)    The stockholder's equity of TWCC as of January 3, 2004 equals that of Carter's, Inc., however, its components of common stock and additional paid-in capital accounts are different. Subsequent to the Acquisition described in Note (a) above, there are substantially no differences in the statements of operations and cash flows of Carter's, Inc. and TWCC and substantially no differences in the balance sheet other than the components of stockholder's equity. Prior to the Acquisition described in Note (a) above, differences existed between Carter's, Inc. and TWCC that resulted from the treatment of $20.0 million in outstanding 12% senior subordinated notes on Carter's, Inc. (formerly Carter Holdings, Inc.). The proceeds of these senior subordinated notes were used by Carter's, Inc. to purchase all of the outstanding redeemable preferred stock of TWCC. As a result, there were differences in the statements of operations between Carter's, Inc. and TWCC in interest expense, debt issuance amortization expense, and income tax expense. Differences in the balance sheets between Carter's, Inc. and TWCC included deferred debt issuance costs, current and deferred taxes, taxes payable, current and long-term debt, and equity. The following provides a reconciliation of the differences in net (loss) income between Carter's, Inc. and TWCC as of and for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 and for the Predecessor fiscal years ended December 30, 2000 and January 1, 2000 in addition to TWCC's balance sheet, cash flow, and other data ($000):

12

        (d)    In the first quarter of 2003, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections" ("SFAS 145"). SFAS 145 rescinds Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 4, which required all gains and losses from extinguishment of debt to be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item, net of the related income tax effect. As a result, the criteria in Accounting Principles Board Opinion 30 will now be used to classify those gains and losses. Accordingly, charges related to the extinguishment of debt during the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001, as more fully described in note (j) below, have been reclassified to conform to the provisions of SFAS 145.

        (e)    The Acquisition-related charges for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 include $4.5 million in management bonuses and $6.8 million in other seller expenses.

        (f)    The writedown of long-lived assets for the Predecessor 1999 fiscal year represents a $6.9 million writedown in the carrying value of our textile facility assets, for which the operations were closed in December 1999, and a loss of approximately $200,000 on property, plant, and equipment related to the closures of three domestic sewing facilities. The $3.2 million writedown of long-lived assets for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 relates to the closure of two domestic manufacturing facilities in that period. The $150,000 writedown in the Successor fiscal year 2002 relates to a reduction in the carrying value of land and building held for sale located in Barnesville, Georgia that was sold in the Successor fiscal year 2003.

        (g)    The $1.1 million in plant closure costs for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 relate to closure costs associated with two domestic manufacturing facilities. The $1.0 million in plant closure costs for the Successor 2003 fiscal year relates to the closure of our two sewing facilities located in Costa Rica and includes $0.2 million of asset impairment charges, $0.5 million of severance, and $0.3 million of other closure costs.

13

        (h)    The deferred charge write-off in the Successor fiscal year 2002 reflects the write-off of $0.9 million of previously deferred costs associated with the filing of a registration statement on Form S-1 in August 2002, to register an initial public offering of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock.

        (i)    Reflects the payment of $2.6 million to terminate the Berkshire Partners LLC management agreement upon completion of our initial public offering of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock on October 29, 2003.

        (j)    Debt extinguishment charges for the Predecessor period December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 reflect the write-off of debt issuance costs of approximately $4.7 million and a debt redemption premium of approximately $7.8 million. Debt extinguishment charges for the Successor 2003 fiscal year reflect the write-off of $2.4 million of debt issuance costs resulting from the redemption of $61.3 million of our 10.875% senior subordinated notes and the prepayment of $11.3 million in term loan indebtedness, a debt redemption premium of approximately $6.7 million, and a $0.4 million write-off of the related note discount.

        (k)    In fiscal 2000, we recorded the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in order to comply with guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements." On a pro forma basis, assuming this accounting change for revenue recognition is applied retroactively, net income (loss) would have been $13.0 million in fiscal 2000 and $(3.4) million in fiscal 1999.

        (l)    As a result of the Acquisition, our capital structure and the number of outstanding shares were changed. Accordingly, earnings per share in Predecessor periods are not comparable to earnings per share in Successor periods.

        (m)    Represents total current assets less total current liabilities.

        (n)    EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA is presented because it is one measurement used by management in assessing financial performance, and we believe it is helpful to investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties, in evaluating performance of companies in our industry. EBITDA also closely tracks, after specified adjustments, the defined terms "Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA" and "Consolidated Cash Flow" that are the bases for calculating our financial debt covenants and restrictions under the senior credit facility and our senior subordinated notes. EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. It should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity, or an alternative to net income indicating our operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Our definition and calculation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

14

        A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income (loss) is presented below ($000):

15

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 position. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated historical financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Our discussion of our results of operations and financial condition includes various forward-looking statements about our markets, the demand for our products and services, and our future results. We based these statements on assumptions that we consider reasonable. For information about risks and exposures relating to our business and our company, you should read the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our final prospectus dated October 23, 2003. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by our forward-looking statements for various reasons including those discussed in the "Risk Factors" section. Those risk factors expressly qualify all subsequent oral and written forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. Except for any ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, we do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we file this annual report.

OVERVIEW

        We are the largest branded marketer of apparel for babies and young children in the United States based on our market share of 6.7%. We sell our products to approximately 370 department store, national chain, and specialty accounts, which together accounted for 51% of our net sales during fiscal 2003. Additionally, we operate 169 Carter's retail stores, which accounted for 37% of our net sales during fiscal 2003. We also sell our products in the mass channel under the Tykes brand in over 1,200 Target stores and under our Child of Mine brand in over 2,900 Wal-Mart stores. Sales from the mass channel accounted for 12% of our net sales during fiscal 2003.

        Consolidated net sales have increased from $406.9 million in 1999 to $703.8 million in 2003. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%. During this period, wholesale net sales have increased at a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%, from $223.6 million to $356.9 million; net sales at our Carter's retail stores increased at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5% from $183.3 million to $263.2 million; and sales in the mass channel (which began during the fourth quarter of 2000) increased from $4.0 million to $83.7 million. We believe the increase in wholesale net sales resulted primarily from the strength of the Carter's brand in the market place relative to our branded and private label competitors. The increase in our retail stores net sales resulted primarily from new store openings. We believe the mass channel represents a significant growth opportunity for us given the strength of the Tykes brand at Target and our Child of Mine brand at Wal-Mart. In 2003, Target and Wal-Mart together represented 23% of all sales of apparel products for babies and young children in the United States.

        Growth in recent years has been driven by strong product performance made possible through our global sourcing strategy. We have hired additional people with experience in sourcing products from third-party manufacturers throughout the world, primarily from the Far East. Since launching our global sourcing initiative, we have experienced significant improvement in product quality, lower product costs, and improvement in product margins. Our global sourcing network has also provided the opportunity to more competitively price our products and increase market share. Our expanded sourcing network has also enabled us to enter the mass channel. In December 2000, we successfully launched the Tykes brand at all Target stores. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2003, we began shipping products under our Child of Mine brand to substantially all Wal-Mart stores in the United States.

        On October 29, 2003, we completed an initial public offering of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock including the sale of 5,390,625 shares by us and 1,796,875 shares by the selling stockholders, primarily

16

Berkshire Partners LLC and its affiliates. Net proceeds to us from the offering totaled $93.9 million. On November 28, 2003, we used approximately $68.7 million of the proceeds to redeem approximately $61.3 million in outstanding senior subordinated notes and pay a redemption premium of approximately $6.7 million and related accrued interest charges of $0.7 million. We used approximately $2.6 million of the net proceeds to terminate the Berkshire Partners LLC management agreement and used approximately $11.3 million to prepay amounts outstanding under the term loan as required by the senior credit facility. The remaining proceeds were used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

        On August 15, 2001, investment funds affiliated with Berkshire Partners LLC purchased control of Carter's, Inc. from Investcorp S.A., which had been our controlling stockholder since acquiring us in 1996. Financing for the Acquisition and related transactions totaled $468.2 million and was provided by: $24.0 million in new revolving loan facility borrowings; $125.0 million in new term loan borrowings; $173.7 million from the sale by TWCC of senior subordinated notes; and $145.5 million of capital invested by investment funds affiliated with Berkshire Partners LLC and other investors, which included rollover equity by our management of $18.3 million.

        The proceeds of the Acquisition and financing were used to purchase our existing equity ($252.5 million), pay for selling stockholders transactions expenses ($19.1 million), pay for buyers' transaction expenses ($4.0 million), pay debt issuance costs ($13.4 million), and to retire all outstanding balances on previously outstanding long term debt, including accrued interest thereon ($174.8 million). In addition, $4.4 million of proceeds were held as cash for temporary working capital purposes.

        As a result of the Acquisition, our assets and liabilities were adjusted to their estimated fair values as of August 15, 2001. The seven and one-half month period prior to the Acquisition includes certain Acquisition-related charges, principally sellers' expenses, such as management bonuses and professional fees, debt extinguishment charges for debt redemption premiums, and the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs on debt retired as a result of the Acquisition and refinancing. The Predecessor periods include amortization expense on our tradename and goodwill. The Successor periods reflect increased interest expense, the amortization of licensing agreements, and cessation of amortization on our tradename and goodwill due to the adoption of SFAS 141 and SFAS 142. Accordingly, the results of operations for the Predecessor and Successor periods are not comparable.

        For discussion purposes only, our 2001 results discussed below represent the mathematical addition of the historical results for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 and the Successor period from August 15, 2001 through December 29, 2001. This approach is not consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and yields results that are not comparable on a period-to-period basis, due to the new basis of accounting established at the Acquisition date. However, management believes it is the most meaningful way to comment on the results of operations.

        Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in December or January, nearest the last day of December. Consistent with this policy, fiscal 2003 ended on January 3, 2004 and as a result, contained 53 weeks of financial results. Fiscal 2002 ended on December 28, 2002 and contained 52 weeks of financial results. Fiscal 2001 ended on December 29, 2001 and contained 52 weeks of financial results.

17

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (i) selected statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales and (ii) the number of retail stores open at the end of each period:

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2004 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2002

        NET SALES.    Consolidated net sales for fiscal 2003 were $703.8 million, an increase of $124.3 million, or 21.4%, compared to $579.5 million in fiscal 2002. This revenue growth has been driven by strong product performance resulting from our focus on improving the value of our core products through the expansion of our global sourcing network, effective merchandising strategies, and revenue from our new Child of Mine brand launched in June 2003 which is now being sold in substantially all Wal-Mart stores in the United States.

        Total wholesale sales increased $54.9 million, or 18.2%, to $356.9 million in fiscal 2003 from $302.0 million in fiscal 2002. In fiscal 2003, wholesale sales, excluding off-price sales, increased $49.6 million, or 17.4%, to $335.2 million from $285.5 million in fiscal 2002. The increase in wholesale sales during fiscal 2003 reflects the growth of our baby and playclothes product lines offset by lower sleepwear revenue. This performance was driven by our focus on improving the value of our high-volume, core products and focus on improving customer service levels.

        Mass channel sales increased $59.9 million to $83.7 million in fiscal 2003 compared to $23.8 million in fiscal 2002. This revenue growth reflects sales of our new Child of Mine brand. Also contributing to this growth were increased sales of the Tykes brand to Target. This growth resulted from additional floor space and productivity gained in existing stores and the opening of new Target stores.

        Retail store sales increased $9.5 million, or 3.7%, to $263.2 million in fiscal 2003 from $253.8 million in fiscal 2002. The driver of the revenue increase in fiscal 2003 was incremental revenue of $20.6 million generated from new store openings offset by the impact of store closures of

18

$6.8 million and a comparable store sales decline of $4.3 million, or 1.8%, based on 148 locations. During fiscal 2003, we opened 15 stores and closed two stores. There were a total of 169 stores as of January 3, 2004 compared to 156 stores at December 28, 2002.

        GROSS PROFIT.    In fiscal 2003, gross profit increased $27.9 million, or 12.3%, to $255.3 million compared to $227.4 million in fiscal 2002. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales in fiscal 2003 decreased to 36.3% compared to 39.2% in fiscal 2002. The decrease in gross profit, relative to sales, reflects a higher mix of wholesale and mass channel sales, which yield lower margins than similar products sold through our retail channel. Retail sales were 37% of consolidated net sales in 2003 as compared to 44% in 2002. Also contributing to the decline in gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was the impact of accelerated depreciation charges of approximately $1.3 million, recorded in the third and fourth quarters of 2003 relating to the closure of our Costa Rican sewing facilities.

        SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.    In fiscal 2003, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $13.9 million, or 8.0%, to $188.0 million from $174.1 million in fiscal 2002. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 26.7% in fiscal 2003 from 30.0% in fiscal 2002. The decrease, relative to sales, was due primarily to our ability to grow revenue at a faster rate than our selling, general, and administrative expenses and a special executive bonus of $5.0 million paid in fiscal 2002 that did not recur in fiscal 2003, partially offset by higher distribution costs driven by unit volume growth and a $2.5 million payment to vested option holders of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock in July 2003.

        PLANT CLOSURE COSTS.    In July of 2003, we decided to exit our Costa Rican sewing facilities given our ability to obtain lower costs from third-party suppliers. In addition to the accelerated depreciation charges, described above, we recorded approximately $0.2 million of asset impairment charges, $0.5 million of severance, and $0.3 million of other closure costs during the third and fourth quarters of 2003. Approximately $0.9 million of additional closure costs will be recorded during the first quarter of 2004.

        MANAGEMENT FEE TERMINATION.    In the fourth quarter of 2003, upon completion of our initial public offering on October 29, 2003, we paid $2.6 million to terminate the Berkshire Partners LLC management agreement. Under the agreement, which was scheduled to expire in 2005, we paid an annual fee of $1.65 million.

        ROYALTY INCOME.    We license the use of the Carter's, Carter's Classics, and Child of Mine names and sublicense the Tykes name to certain licensees. In fiscal 2003, royalty income increased 32.0% to $11.0 million compared to $8.4 million in fiscal 2002. This increase reflects continued expansion of our licensed product placement with our key wholesale customers and licensed sales of our new Child of Mine brand by our licensee partners who began shipping their products during the third quarter of 2003.

        OPERATING INCOME.    Operating income for fiscal 2003 increased $14.1 million to $74.6 million compared to $60.6 million in fiscal 2002. Operating income, as a percentage of net sales, was 10.6% in fiscal 2003 as compared to 10.5% in fiscal 2002. The increase in operating income reflects the benefit from revenue growth, increased gross profit, and leveraging of operating expenses. Fiscal 2003 results included $1.0 million in plant closure costs, $1.3 million in accelerated depreciation, $2.6 million to terminate the Berkshire Partners LLC management agreement, and a $2.5 million special bonus paid to vested option holders in July 2003. Fiscal 2002 results included a $5.0 million special executive bonus, which did not recur in 2003.

        INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.    Interest expense in fiscal 2003 decreased $2.0 million, or 7.2%, to $26.3 million from $28.3 million in fiscal 2002. This decrease is attributable to lower variable interest rates on reduced levels of term loan indebtedness and the redemption of approximately $61.3 million of

19

our 10.875% senior subordinated notes on November 28, 2003, partially offset by an additional week of interest expense.

        LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT.    On November 28, 2003, we used the proceeds of the initial public offering to redeem $61.3 million of our 10.875% senior subordinated notes. In connection with this redemption, we incurred redemption premiums of approximately $6.7 million, wrote-off $2.2 million of deferred debt issuance costs, and expensed $0.4 million related to the note discount. We also prepaid $11.3 million in term loan indebtedness and subsequently wrote-off $0.2 million of deferred debt issuance costs.

        INCOME TAXES.    Our effective tax rate was 40.2% for fiscal 2003 and 40.3% for fiscal 2002. Our effective tax rates in fiscal 2003 and 2002 were higher than the statutory rate due to the impact of certain non-deductible costs. See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the reconciliation of the statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate.

        NET INCOME.    Our fiscal 2003 net income increased 20.9% to $23.3 million as compared to $19.3 million in fiscal 2002 as a result of the factors described above.

FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2002 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2001

        NET SALES.    Consolidated net sales for fiscal 2002 were $579.5 million, an increase of $61.0 million, or 11.8%, compared to $518.5 million in fiscal 2001. This continued revenue growth and strong product performance was driven by our focus on core products, expansion of our global sourcing network, effective merchandising strategies, investments in display units, and the strength of our Carter's brand.

        Wholesale sales increased $39.1 million, or 14.9%, to $302.0 million in fiscal 2002 from $262.9 million in fiscal 2001. In fiscal 2002, wholesale net sales, excluding off-price sales, increased $35.1 million, or 14.0%, to $285.5 million from $250.5 million in fiscal 2001. The increase in wholesale sales during fiscal 2002 reflects the growth of our baby and playclothes product lines due to our focus on improving the value of our core products. This increase was offset by lower demand for our sleepwear product line.

        Mass channel sales increased $3.4 million, or 16.5%, to $23.8 million in fiscal 2002 compared to $20.4 million in fiscal 2001. This revenue growth came primarily from our sleepwear product line, and was due, in part, to strong product performance and increased sales from additional floor space gained in existing stores and through the opening of new Target stores.

        Retail store sales increased $18.6 million, or 7.9%, in fiscal 2002 to $253.8 million from $235.2 million in fiscal 2001. The increase in sales for the year resulted primarily from increased growth in all of our major product markets. Comparable store sales in our retail channel increased 4.4% in fiscal 2002, based on 142 locations, and increased 6.5% in fiscal 2001, based on 138 locations. In addition, sales increased due to incremental revenues generated from ten new stores added during fiscal 2002. Five stores were closed during fiscal 2002, and during fiscal 2001 we opened nine stores and closed five stores.

        GROSS PROFIT.    In fiscal 2002, gross profit increased $41.1 million, or 22.1%, to $227.4 million compared to $186.3 million in fiscal 2001 due to the increased sales and improved gross margin compared to fiscal 2001. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales in fiscal 2002 increased to 39.2% compared to 35.9% in fiscal 2001. This increase in gross margin reflects the continued expansion of our global sourcing strategy, which has enabled us to source better quality products with improved fabric and garment construction at lower costs. These improvements in gross margin also include the impact of a $4.5 million charge recorded in fiscal 2001 related to the amortization of the step-up in the

20

inventory valuation at Acquisition. Excluding this Acquisition adjustment, gross profit, as a percentage of net sales would have been 36.8% in fiscal 2001. Gross margin in 2001 also included plant closure costs and lower margins on excess inventory dispositions.

        SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.    In fiscal 2002, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $27.2 million, or 18.5%, to $174.1 million from $146.9 million in fiscal 2001. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 30.0% in fiscal 2002 from 28.3% in fiscal 2001. The increase relative to sales was due primarily to a special executive bonus of $5.0 million, increased distribution costs, and fees related to a strategic consulting arrangement. These increases were partially offset by the benefit from our ability to grow revenue at a faster rate than our selling, general, and administrative expenses and $1.3 million in costs incurred in connection with activities leading up to the Acquisition in fiscal 2001.

        ACQUISITION-RELATED CHARGES/WRITEDOWN OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS/DEFFERED CHARGE WRITE-OFF.    In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, we recorded a charge of approximately $150,000 related to a reduction in the carrying value of the land and building held for sale located in Barnesville, Georgia. We also expensed approximately $923,000 of previously deferred costs related to the preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form S-1 in August 2002, to register the initial public offering of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock.

        As described in Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2001, we incurred Predecessor Acquisition-related charges in connection with the sale of our company including $4.5 million in management bonuses and $6.8 million in seller expenses.

        As described in Note 15 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we closed two of our manufacturing facilities during the Predecessor period of fiscal 2001. In the first quarter of fiscal 2001, we closed our Harlingen, Texas sewing facility and recognized a charge of approximately $582,000 related to closure costs and involuntary termination benefits. Additionally, we recorded a non-cash charge of approximately $742,000 related to the writedown of the asset value to the sewing facility's estimated net realizable value. In the second quarter of fiscal 2001, we closed our fabric printing operations located in Barnesville, Georgia and recognized a charge of approximately $534,000 related to closure costs and involuntary termination benefits. Additionally, we recorded a non-cash charge of approximately $2.4 million related to the writedown of the asset value to the printing facility's estimated net realizable value. During the Successor period, we recorded $268,000 in reductions to the estimates of closure and termination costs.

        ROYALTY INCOME.    We license the use of Carter's and Carter's Classics names, and sublicense the Tykes name to certain licensees. In fiscal 2002, royalty income generated through our licensees' revenue increased 9.6% to $8.4 million compared to $7.6 million in fiscal 2001 due to the continued extension of our brand through these licensing arrangements.

        OPERATING INCOME.    Operating income for fiscal 2002 increased $28.8 million to $60.6 million compared to $31.7 million in fiscal 2001. Operating income, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 10.5% in fiscal 2002 from 6.1% in fiscal 2001. These increases are due primarily to higher levels of revenue and gross profit in 2002 and the impact of the charges incurred in 2001.

        LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT.    As described in Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, in connection with the Acquisition and refinancing, we incurred a charge of $12.5 million during the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001, which reflects the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs of approximately $4.7 million and debt redemption premiums of approximately $7.8 million.

        INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.    Interest expense in fiscal 2002 increased $5.5 million, or 24.0%, to $28.3 million from $22.8 million in fiscal 2001. We attribute this increase primarily to the impact of

21

additional borrowings resulting from the Acquisition and refinancing as discussed in Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

        INCOME TAXES.    Our effective tax rate was 40.3% for fiscal 2002; 36.5% for the Successor period from August 15, 2001 through December 29, 2001; and 28.7% for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001. Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2002 was higher than the statutory rate due to the impact of non-deductible costs. The 28.7% benefit against our pre-tax loss for the Predecessor period is primarily a result of seller's expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition. See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the reconciliation of the statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate.

        NET INCOME (LOSS).    Our fiscal 2002 pre-tax income was $32.3 million up from a pre-tax loss of $3.6 million in fiscal 2001. As noted above, fiscal 2002 includes a $150,000 writedown related to a reduction in the carrying value of the land and building held for sale located in Barnesville, Georgia and $923,000 in expenses related to the filing of a registration statement on Form S-1 in August of 2002 to register the initial public offering of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock. Fiscal 2001 includes $11.3 million of Acquisition-related charges, $4.0 million of plant closure and asset impairment charges and $12.5 million in debt extinguishment costs. Our net income for fiscal 2002 was $19.3 million.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        Our primary cash needs are working capital, capital expenditures, and debt service. Historically, we have financed these needs primarily through internally generated cash flow and funds borrowed under our senior credit facility. Our primary source of liquidity will continue to be cash flow from operations and borrowings under our revolving loan facility, and we expect that these sources will fund our ongoing requirements for debt service and capital expenditures. These sources of liquidity may be impacted by continued demand for our products and our ability to meet debt covenants under our credit facility.

        Net accounts receivable at January 3, 2004 were $65.3 million compared to $53.6 million at December 28, 2002. This increase primarily reflects the growth in revenue including the impact of sales of our new Child of Mine brand to Wal-Mart in 2003.

        Net inventory levels at January 3, 2004 were $104.8 million compared to $105.7 million at December 28, 2002. Inventory levels as of January 3, 2004 include inventory required to support our Child of Mind brand for Wal-Mart, which began shipping at the end of the second quarter of 2003. Average net inventory levels were $117.4 million in fiscal 2003 compared to $95.2 million in fiscal 2002. Average inventory levels are expected to be higher in 2004 based on increases in forecasted demand.

        Net cash provided by operating activities during fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002 was approximately $40.5 million and $27.3 million. This increase in net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2003 as compared to fiscal 2002 is due to our ability to effectively manage inventory levels, our growth in earnings, and fluctuations in accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other liabilities due primarily to timing. Net cash provided by our operating activities in fiscal 2001 was approximately $31.3 million. The decrease in net cash flow provided by operating activities in fiscal 2002 from fiscal 2001 was primarily attributed to increases in accounts receivable and inventory levels partially offset by increases in current liabilities.

        We have invested $17.3 million, $18.0 million, and $19.0 million in capital expenditures during fiscal years 2003, 2002, and 2001. We plan to invest approximately $25.0 million in capital expenditures in fiscal 2004. Major areas for investment include expansion of our distribution capabilities, retail store openings and remodeling, and fixturing programs for our key wholesale customers.

22

        On October 29, 2003, we completed an initial public offering of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock including the sale of 5,390,625 shares by us and 1,796,875 shares by the selling stockholders, primarily Berkshire Partners LLC and its affiliates. Net proceeds to us from the offering totaled $93.9 million. On November 28, 2003, we used approximately $68.7 million of the proceeds to redeem approximately $61.3 million in outstanding senior subordinated notes and pay a redemption premium of approximately $6.7 million and related accrued interest charges of $0.7 million. We used approximately $2.6 million of the net proceeds to terminate the Berkshire Partners LLC management agreement and used approximately $11.3 million to prepay amounts outstanding under the term loan as required by the senior credit facility. The remaining proceeds were used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

        In December 2003, we prepaid an additional $6.5 million of term loan indebtedness. At January 3, 2004, we had approximately $212.7 million of debt outstanding, consisting of $113.1 million of senior subordinated notes, $99.6 million in term loan borrowings, and no revolver borrowings, exclusive of approximately $6.5 million of outstanding letters of credit. Average outstanding letters of credit were $8.9 million in fiscal 2003 compared to $12.1 million in fiscal 2002. At January 3, 2004, we had approximately $73.5 million of financing available under our revolver. The revolver will be available to fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and other general corporate purposes.

        Effective July 29, 2003, our credit facility was amended to, among other things, increase the amount of the commitments under the revolving loan facility from $60.0 million to $80.0 million, provide for a 75 basis point reduction in the applicable interest margin by prepaying our existing Tranche B term loan and replacing it with a new Tranche C term loan, reduce the amount of our mandatory loan prepayment requirement from 50% or 75% of excess cash flow to 25% or 50% of excess cash flow, depending on the applicable leverage ratio. Pursuant to the amendment, we are also permitted to repurchase up to $15.0 million of additional senior subordinated notes.

        Interest on the term loan is payable at the end of interest rate reset periods, which vary in length but in no case exceed six months. The outstanding balance of the revolving loan facility is payable in full on August 15, 2006, and interest is payable quarterly, or more frequently in the event we have chosen a Eurodollar rate option available under the terms of the senior credit facility. No principal payments are required on the senior subordinated notes prior to their scheduled maturity in August 2011. Interest is payable semi-annually on the senior subordinated notes in February and August of each year. Prior to the completion of our initial public offering, our semi-annual interest payments on the senior subordinated notes were $9.5 million. After giving effect to the redemption of $61.3 million of the principal amount of these senior subordinated notes, our semi-annual interest payment will be approximately $6.1 million.

        The senior credit facility, as amended, sets forth mandatory and optional prepayment conditions that may result in our use of cash to reduce our debt obligations, including payments of: (i) 50% of the net cash proceeds from an equity issuance by Carter's, Inc., excluding, among other things, any issuance of equity in connection with employee or director stock plans or a permitted acquisition and (ii) 25% or 50% of consolidated excess cash flow (50% or 75% prior to the July 29, 2003 amendment), depending on the applicable leverage ratio, as both terms are defined in the amended senior credit facility. The terms of the consolidated excess cash flow condition were effective for fiscal 2002, and accordingly, we made a principal prepayment of approximately $4.8 million on March 26, 2003 and will be required to make a prepayment of approximately $2.4 million on or before March 31, 2004. The lenders will apply such prepayments first to the term loan and, second, to permanently reduce the revolving loan facility. Subject to certain conditions in the senior credit facility, we may make optional prepayments of our debt obligations without premium or penalty. The lenders will apply such optional prepayments according to our instruction.

23

        As previously provided by a management agreement with Berkshire Partners LLC, we agreed to, among other things, pay Berkshire Partners an annual management fee of $1.65 million per year for four years, commencing on the first anniversary of the Acquisition. We paid this fee quarterly, in advance. As described above, upon completion of our initial public offering, this management fee agreement was terminated.

        On July 31, 2003, we paid a cash dividend of approximately $24.9 million on the outstanding shares of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock to the stockholders of record as of July 30, 2003. Concurrently, we paid a special bonus of approximately $2.5 million to our vested option holders. These payments were funded using cash on hand as well as borrowings under our revolver, as described above. We have no current intention of paying further dividends. Our credit facility imposes certain covenants, requirements, and restrictions on actions by us and our subsidiaries that, among other things, restrict the payment of dividends beyond the dividend noted above.

        In July of 2003, we decided to exit our sewing facilities located in Costa Rica given our ability to obtain lower costs from third-party suppliers. As a result of these closures, we have recorded approximately $1,306,000 of accelerated depreciation (included in cost of goods sold), $184,000 of asset impairment charges, $483,000 of severance, and $374,000 of other exit costs during the third and fourth quarters of 2003. We have also incurred approximately $424,000 of federal income tax expense related to the dissolution of the Costa Rican subsidiary (included in the provision for income taxes). During the first quarter of 2004, we expect to incur $0.9 million in additional severance and other exit costs.

        After giving effect to the principal prepayments, described above, and the required excess cash flow prepayment of $2.4 million to be made on or before March 31, 2004, principal borrowings under the term loan are due and payable in quarterly installments of $244,355 from March 31, 2004 through September 30, 2007, and four quarterly payments of approximately $23.4 million from December 31, 2007 through September 30, 2008.

        The following table summarizes the maturity or expiration dates of mandatory financial obligations and commitments for the following fiscal years ($000):

(a)

Amount includes a mandatory payment of $2.4 million required by the excess cash flow condition described above. This excess cash flow condition may result in future annual prepayments depending on the consolidated excess cash flow generated in each year.

        In addition to the total financial obligations and commitments in the table above, we have post-retirement benefit obligations, included in other current and other long-term liabilities, as further described in Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

        Based on our current level of operations, anticipated cost savings and operating improvements, we believe that cash generated from operations and available cash, together with amounts available under the revolving loan facility, will be adequate to meet our debt service requirements, capital expenditures, and working capital needs for the foreseeable future, although no assurance can be given in this regard. We may, however, need to refinance all or a portion of the principal amount of the senior subordinated notes on or prior to maturity in 2011.

24

EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND DEFLATION

        We are affected by inflation and changing prices primarily through the purchase of raw materials, increased operating costs and expenses, and fluctuations in interest rates. The effects of inflation on our net sales and operations have not been material in recent years. In recent years, there has been deflationary pressure on selling prices. Due to the competitive nature of the children's apparel industry, there is no assurance that this trend will not continue. While we have been successful in offsetting deflationary pressures through product improvements and lower costs with the expansion of our global sourcing network, if deflationary price trends outpace our ability to obtain further price reductions from our global suppliers, our profitability may be affected.

SEASONALITY

        We experience seasonal fluctuations in our sales and profitability, with generally lower sales and gross profit in the first and second quarters of our fiscal year. Over the past five fiscal years, approximately 57% of our consolidated net sales were generated in the second half of our fiscal year. Accordingly, our results of operations for the first and second quarters of any year are not indicative of the results we expect for the full year.

        As a result of the effects of seasonality, our inventory levels and other working capital requirements generally begin to increase during the second quarter and into the third quarter of each year. During these peak periods we have historically borrowed under the revolver.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

        Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be 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 Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The following discussion addresses our critical accounting policies, which are those 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:    We recognize wholesale and mass channel revenue after shipment of products to customers, when title passes and when all risks and rewards of ownership have transferred. In certain cases, in which we retain the risk of loss during shipment, revenue recognition does not occur until the goods have reached the specified customer. We consider revenue realized or realizable and earned when the product has been shipped and when all risks and rewards of ownership have transferred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. In the normal course of business, we grant certain accommodations and allowances to our wholesale and mass channel customers. Such amounts are reflected as reductions of net sales. Retail store revenues are recognized at the point of sale. We reduce revenue for customer returns and deductions. We also maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make payments and reserve for certain accommodations and allowances that we have granted to our wholesale and mass channel customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, an additional allowance could be required.

25

Inventory:    We provide reserves for slow-moving inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those we project, additional write-downs may be required.

Goodwill and tradename:    As of January 3, 2004, we had approximately $360 million in goodwill and tradename assets. The fair value of the Carter's tradename was estimated at the Acquisition to be approximately $220 million using a discounted cash flow analysis, which examined the hypothetical cost savings that accrue as a result of our ownership of the tradename. The cash flows, which incorporated both historical and projected financial performance, were discounted using a discount rate of 12%. The tradename was determined to have an indefinite life. The carrying value of these assets is subject to annual impairment reviews as of the last day of each fiscal year. Factors affecting such impairment reviews include the continued market acceptance of our offered products and the development of new products. Impairment reviews may also be triggered by any significant events or changes in circumstances. Our impairment review of goodwill is based on the estimated fair values of the underlying businesses. These estimated fair values are based on estimates of the future cash flows of the businesses.

Accrued expenses:    Accrued expenses for health insurance, workers compensation, incentive compensation, professional fees, and other outstanding obligations are assessed based on actual commitments, statistical trends, and estimates based on projections and current expectations, and these estimates are updated periodically as additional information becomes available.

Accounting for income taxes:    As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our actual current tax exposure (state, federal, and foreign), together with assessing permanent and temporary differences resulting from differing bases and treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes, such as the carrying value of intangibles, deductibility of expenses, depreciation of property, plant, and equipment, 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 statement of operations.

Stock-based compensation arrangements:    We account for stock-based compensation on stock options under the intrinsic value method, whereby we record compensation expense equal to the difference between the exercise price of the stock option and the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of the option grant. For disclosure purposes only, we also estimate the impact on our net income (loss) of applying the fair value method of measuring compensation cost on stock options with the fair value, prior to our initial public offering, determined under the minimum value method as provided by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." For stock issued or sold outright to employees, directors, or third parties, we measure expense as the difference between the price paid by the recipient and the fair market value of the stock on the date of issuance or sale. Prior to our initial public offering, in the absence of a public market for Carter's, Inc.'s common stock, management and the Board of Directors estimated the market value of Carter's, Inc.'s common stock for all option grants and stock issuances using an approach that applies a multiple to adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and also excludes Acquisition-related charges, write-downs of long-lived assets, plant closure costs, and a deferred charge write-off. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement under generally accepted accounting principles.

26

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

        In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" ("SFAS 143"). SFAS 143 requires recording the fair market value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets is incurred (including certain lease obligations). The statement also requires recording an asset offsetting the initial obligation as an increase to the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciation of that cost over the life of the asset. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 143 in the first quarter of fiscal 2003, and the impact of such adoption was not material to our financial position or results of operations for fiscal 2003.

        In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." SFAS 145 rescinds FASB Statement No. 4, which required all gains and losses from extinguishments of debt to be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item, net of the related income tax effect. As a result, the criteria in Accounting Principles Board Opinion 30 will now be used to classify those gains and losses. The provisions of SFAS 145, as related to the rescission of FASB Statement No. 4, are effective for fiscal 2003. In the first quarter of 2003, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 145 and the extraordinary item of $7.6 million, recorded in our statement of operations for the Predecessor period from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 has been reclassified as a component of income before income taxes of $12.5 million (pre-tax) with the tax benefit of $4.9 million reclassified as a component of income taxes. Additionally, we have classified $9.5 million of costs related to the redemption of $61.3 million of our 10.875% senior subordinated notes on November 28, 2003 and the prepayment of $11.3 million of our term loan indebtedness on October 29, 2003 as a component of income before income taxes.

        In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS 146"). SFAS 146 sets forth various modifications to existing accounting guidance, which prescribes the conditions which must be met in order for costs associated with contract terminations, facility consolidations, employee relocations, and terminations to be accrued and recorded as liabilities in financial statements. Accordingly, SFAS 146 may affect the timing of recognizing any of our future restructuring costs as well as the amount recognized. SFAS 146 also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. The provisions of SFAS 146 are required to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. See Note 15 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements regarding the closure of two of our production facilities in Costa Rica.

        In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Transition, and Disclosure" ("SFAS 148"). SFAS 148 provides alternate methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS 148 also requires that disclosures of the pro forma effect of using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation be displayed more prominently and in tabular format. Additionally, SFAS 148 requires disclosure of the pro forma effect of using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation in interim financial statements. The transition and annual disclosure requirements were effective for us as of December 28, 2002 and the interim disclosure requirements were effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2003. See Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Statements contained herein that relate to our future performance, including, without limitation, statements with respect to our anticipated results of operations or level of business for 2004 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

27

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. Among the factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include a decrease in sales to or the loss of one or more of our key customers, downward pressure on our prices, disruptions in foreign supply sources, negative publicity, the loss of one or more of our major suppliers for raw materials, increased competition in the baby and young children's apparel market, our substantial 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, the impact of governmental regulations and environmental risks applicable to our business, and seasonal fluctuations in the children's apparel business. These risks are described in our final prospectus dated October 23, 2003 under the headings "Risk Factors," "Business—Competition; Certain Risks," and "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        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.

        We contract for production with third parties primarily in the Far East and South and Central America. While these contracts are stated in United States 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 United States dollar and the local currencies of these contractors. Due to the number of currencies involved, we cannot quantify the potential impact of future currency fluctuations on net income in future years. In order to manage this risk, we source products from approximately 100 vendors worldwide, providing us with flexibility in our production should significant fluctuations occur between the United States and various local currencies. To date, such exchange fluctuations have not had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. We do not hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk.

        Our operating results are subject to risk from interest rate fluctuations on our debt, which carries variable interest rates. At January 3, 2004, our outstanding debt aggregated $212.7 million, of which $99.6 million bore interest at a variable rate, so that an increase of 1% in the applicable rate would increase our annual interest cost by $996,000 and could have an adverse effect on our net income and cash flow. Pursuant to the provisions of our credit facility, we purchased an interest rate cap as an economic hedge against approximately $31.3 million of variable rate debt. The cap rate is 7.0% and the arrangement expires on December 7, 2004.

OTHER RISKS

        There also are other risks in the operation of our business specifically related to raw material pricing and our global sourcing network.

        The principal raw materials we use are finished fabrics and trim materials. Prices for these materials are affected by changes in market demand and there can be no assurance that prices for these and other raw materials will not increase in the near future. These materials are available from more than one supplier, which enables us to negotiate pricing. However, the loss of one or more of these suppliers could temporarily interrupt our supply, which could have an adverse effect on our sales and increase our costs.

        We currently source substantially all of our production from our offshore operations and third-party manufacturers located in foreign countries. As a result, we may be adversely affected by political instability resulting in the disruption of trade from foreign countries, the imposition of new regulations

28

relating to imports, duties, taxes, and other charges on imports, any significant decreases in the value of the dollar against foreign currencies, and restrictions on the transfer of funds. These and other factors could result in the interruption of production in offshore facilities, delay receipt of the products into the United States, or affect our operating income. Our future performance may be subject to such factors, which are beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that such factors would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We carefully select our sourcing agents, and in an effort to mitigate the possible disruption in product flow, we place production in various countries we believe to be of lower risk.

        We are continually evaluating opportunities to improve our products and reduce our costs. Our remaining sewing facilities, located in Mexico, continue to provide us with an advantageous cost base. If we determine in the future that we are able to source those products at a significantly lower cost with superior quality, we would incur substantial plant-closure, severance, and other charges that we cannot currently predict related to exiting those facilities.

        We enter into various purchase order commitments with full package 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. Historically, such cancellations and related termination charges have occurred infrequently and have not had a material impact on our business. However, as we rely more heavily on our full-package global sourcing network, we expect to incur more of these termination charges, which could increase our cost of goods sold.

29

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CARTER'S, INC.
AND THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

30

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

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

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Carter's, Inc. and The William Carter Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") at January 3, 2004 and December 28, 2002, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended January 3, 2004 and December 28, 2002, and for the periods from August 15, 2001 through December 29, 2001 ("Successor," as defined in Note 1), and from December 31, 2000 through August 14, 2001 ("Predecessor," as defined in Note 1), in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As explained in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, controlling ownership of Carter's, Inc., was acquired in a purchase transaction as of August 15, 2001. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor based upon their estimated fair value at August 15, 2001. Accordingly, the financial statements of the Successor are not comparable to those of the Predecessor.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets in fiscal 2001 and 2002.

Stamford, Connecticut
February 18, 2004

31

CARTER'S, INC.
AND THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except for share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

32

CARTER'S, INC.
AND THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

33

CARTER'S, INC.
AND THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)