We are the largest branded marketer in the U.S. and Canada of apparel exclusively
for babies and young children. We own two of the most highly recognized and
most trusted brand names in the childrens apparel industry, Carters and OshKosh
Bgosh (or "OshKosh"). Established in 1865, our Carters brand is
recognized and trusted by consumers for high-quality apparel for children sizes
newborn to eight. Established in 1895, OshKosh is a well-known brand, trusted
by consumers for apparel for children sizes newborn to 12, with a focus on playclothes
for toddlers and young children. Given each brands product category emphasis
and brand aesthetic, we believe they provide a complementary product offering.
We have extensive experience in the young childrens apparel market and focus
on delivering products that satisfy our consumers needs. Our strategy is to
market high-quality, essential core products at prices that deliver an attractive
value proposition for consumers.
We believe each of our brands is uniquely positioned in the marketplace. In
the $20.5 billion baby and young childrens apparel market ages zero to seven
in the U.S., our Carters brand has the #1 position with a 14.6% market share
and our OshKosh brand has a 2.3% market share. We offer multiple product categories,
including baby, sleepwear, playclothes, and related accessories. Our multi-channel
business model enables us to reach a broad range of consumers across various
socio-economic groups and geographic regions.
We distribute our products through multiple channels in the U.S. childrens
apparel market, which, included approximately 17,400 wholesale locations (including
department stores, national chain stores, specialty stores and discount retailers),
982 Company-operated stores, and our websites. As of January 2, 2016, we operated
594 Carters and 241 OshKosh stores in the U.S., and our products are sold through
147 Company-operated stores in Canada in addition to our international wholesale,
licensing, and online channels.
Under our Carters brand, we design, source, and market a broad array of products,
primarily for sizes newborn to eight. Our Carters brand is sold in department
stores, national chains, specialty stores, off-price sales channels, through
our Carters retail stores, and online at www.carters.com. Additionally, we
sell our Child of Mine brand at Walmart and our Just One You and Precious Firsts
brands at Target. Our strategy is to drive sales growth through our focus on
essential, high-volume, core apparel products for babies and young children.
Such products include bodysuits, pajamas, blanket sleepers, gowns, bibs, receiving
blankets, and playwear. We believe that our core baby and sleepwear products
are essential consumer staples and less dependent on changes in fashion trends.
Our strategy is to drive our brand image as the leader in baby and young childrens
apparel and to consistently provide high-quality products at a great value to
consumers. We employ a disciplined merchandising strategy that identifies and
focuses on core products. We believe that we have strengthened our brand image
with the consumer by 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 fixturing,
branding and signage packages, and advertising. We have invested in display
fixtures for our major wholesale customers that more clearly present our core
products on their floors to enhance brand and product presentation. We also
strive to provide our wholesale customers with a consistent, high-level of service,
including delivering and replenishing products on time to fulfill customer needs.
Our retail stores and websites focus on the customer experience through store
and website design, visual enhancements, clear product presentation, and experienced
customer service.
Our other product offerings include bedding, outerwear, swimwear, shoes, socks,
diaper bags, gift sets, toys, and hair accessories.