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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 17, 2017	Jul. 02, 2016
Document Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CARTERS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001060822
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,600,818
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 5,220,125,196

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 299,358	$ 381,209
Accounts receivable, net	202,471	207,570
Finished goods inventories	487,591	469,934
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,180	37,815
Deferred income taxes	35,486	34,080
Total current assets	1,057,086	1,130,608
Property, plant, and equipment, net	385,874	371,704
Tradenames and other intangible assets, net	308,928	310,848
Goodwill	176,009	174,874
Other assets	18,700	15,620
Total assets	1,946,597	2,003,654
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	158,432	157,648
Other current liabilities	119,177	105,070
Total current liabilities	277,609	262,718
Long-term debt, net	580,376	578,972
Deferred income taxes	130,656	128,838
Other long-term liabilities	169,832	158,075
Total liabilities	1,158,473	1,128,603
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock; par value $.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016	0	0
Common stock, voting; par value $.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 48,948,670 and 51,764,309 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively	489	518
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(34,740)	(36,367)
Retained earnings	822,375	910,900
Total stockholders’ equity	788,124	875,051
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 1,946,597	$ 2,003,654

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock; par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock; shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock; issued	0	0
Preferred stock; outstanding	0	0
Common stock, voting; par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, voting; shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock voting; shares issued	48,948,670	51,764,309
Common stock voting; shares outstanding	48,948,670	51,764,309

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Net sales	$ 934,203	$ 901,425	$ 639,471	$ 724,085	$ 866,544	$ 849,806	$ 612,765	$ 684,764		$ 3,199,184	$ 3,013,879	$ 2,893,868
Cost of goods sold										1,820,035	1,755,855	1,709,428
Gross profit	410,492	375,546	282,182	310,929	363,538	347,539	262,895	284,052		1,379,149	1,258,024	1,184,440
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	282,624	255,322	228,464	228,996	258,737	230,017	209,296	211,183		995,406	909,233	890,251
Royalty income	(11,545)	(10,670)	(9,525)	(11,075)	(11,378)	(12,699)	(8,353)	(11,636)		(42,815)	(44,066)	(39,156)
Operating income	139,413	130,894	63,243	93,008	116,179	130,221	61,952	84,505		426,558	392,857	333,345
Interest expense										27,044	27,031	27,653
Interest income										(563)	(500)	(403)
Other expense (income), net										4,007	(1,862)	3,189
Income before income taxes										396,070	368,188	302,906
Provision for income taxes										137,964	130,366	108,236
Net income	$ 87,117	$ 80,811	$ 36,198	$ 53,980	$ 72,599	$ 79,326	$ 36,105	$ 49,792		$ 258,106	$ 237,822	$ 194,670
Basic net income per common share	$ 1.77	$ 1.62	$ 0.72	$ 1.05	$ 1.40	$ 1.52	$ 0.69	$ 0.94		$ 5.13	$ 4.55	$ 3.65
Diluted net income per common share	1.76	$ 1.60	$ 0.71	$ 1.04	$ 1.39	1.51	0.68	$ 0.94		5.08	4.50	3.62
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.33					$ 0.16	$ 0.16		$ 0.22	$ 1.32	$ 0.88	$ 0.76

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 258,106	$ 237,822	$ 194,670
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,962	(14,189)	(7,845)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,627	(13,330)	(12,955)
Comprehensive income	259,733	224,492	181,715
Unrealized (loss) gain on OshKosh defined benefit plan, net of tax of $400, ($470), $2,920 for the fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively	(666)	803	(4,963)
Unrealized gain (loss) on Carter's post-retirement benefit obligation, net of (tax) or tax benefit of ($200), ($30), $91 for fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively	$ 331	$ 56	$ (147)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Pension Plans
Unrealized gain (loss) on OshKosh defined benefit and postretirement plans, tax	$ 400	$ (470)	$ 2,920
Postretirement Benefit
Unrealized gain (loss) on OshKosh defined benefit and postretirement plans, tax	$ (200)	$ (30)	$ 91

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 258,106	$ 237,822	$ 194,670
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	71,522	61,982	58,487
Amortization of tradenames	1,919	6,417	16,437
Accretion of contingent consideration	0	809	1,348
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,461	1,603	1,533
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	16,847	17,029	17,598
Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss, net	33	4	2,378
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(4,800)	(8,839)	(4,700)
Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment	1,167	870	1,157
Deferred income taxes	1,294	8,657	3,911
Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	5,041	(23,837)	8,405
Inventories	(17,482)	(34,352)	(32,151)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	2,060	(3,496)	(2,719)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	32,061	43,318	16,043
Net cash provided by operating activities	369,229	307,987	282,397
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(88,556)	(103,497)	(103,453)
Acquisition of tradenames	0	0	(3,550)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	216	72	2,271
Net cash used in investing activities	(88,340)	(103,425)	(104,732)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of debt issuance costs	0	(1,628)	(177)
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	0	205,586	0
Payments on Secured Revolving Credit Facility	0	205,237	0
Repurchases of common stock	(300,445)	(110,290)	(82,099)
Payment of contingent consideration	0	(7,572)	(8,901)
Dividends paid	(66,355)	(46,028)	(40,477)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,800	8,839	4,700
Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock	(8,673)	(12,651)	(4,548)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,166	6,976	9,064
Net cash used in financing activities	(363,507)	(162,005)	(122,438)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	767	(1,986)	(1,135)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(81,851)	40,571	54,092
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	381,209	340,638	286,546
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$ 299,358	$ 381,209	$ 340,638

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balance at Dec. 28, 2013	$ 700,731	$ 545	$ 4,332	$ (10,082)	$ 705,936
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2013		54,541,879
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,700		4,700
Exercise of stock options	9,064	$ 3	9,061
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		287,511
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(4,548)	$ (1)	(4,547)
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock (in shares)		(66,352)
Restricted stock activity	0	$ 1	(1)
Restricted stock activity (in shares)		70,349
Stock-based compensation expense	16,517		16,517
Issuance of common stock	1,081		1,081
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		14,859
Repurchases of common stock	(82,099)	$ (21)	(31,143)		(50,935)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(2,136,053)
Cash dividends declared and paid	(40,477)				(40,477)
Comprehensive income	181,715			(12,955)	194,670
Balance at Jan. 03, 2015	786,684	$ 527	0	(23,037)	809,194
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2015		52,712,193
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	8,839		8,839
Exercise of stock options	6,976	$ 2	6,974
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		214,420
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(12,651)	$ (1)	(12,650)
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock (in shares)		(147,339)
Restricted stock activity	0	$ 1	(1)
Restricted stock activity (in shares)		128,390
Stock-based compensation expense	15,934		15,934
Issuance of common stock	1,095		1,095
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		10,933
Repurchases of common stock	(110,290)	$ (11)	(20,191)		(90,088)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(1,154,288)
Cash dividends declared and paid	(46,028)				(46,028)
Comprehensive income	224,492	$ 0	0	(13,330)	237,822
Balance at Jan. 02, 2016	$ 875,051	$ 518	0	(36,367)	910,900
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 02, 2016	51,764,309	51,764,309
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	$ 4,800		4,800
Exercise of stock options	$ 7,166	$ 2	7,164
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	160,200	160,200
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	$ (8,673)	$ (1)	(8,672)
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock (in shares)		(91,629)
Restricted stock activity	0	$ 1	(1)
Restricted stock activity (in shares)		152,413
Stock-based compensation expense	15,662		15,662
Issuance of common stock	1,185		1,185
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		12,758
Repurchases of common stock	(300,445)	$ (31)	(20,138)		(280,276)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(3,049,381)
Cash dividends declared and paid	(66,355)				(66,355)
Comprehensive income	259,733			1,627	258,106
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 788,124	$ 489	$ 0	$ (34,740)	$ 822,375
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	48,948,670	48,948,670

THE COMPANY	12 Months Ended
THE COMPANY	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
THE COMPANY	THE COMPANY Carter's, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") design, source, and market branded childrenswear under the Carter’s, Child of Mine, Just One You, Precious Firsts, OshKosh, and other brands. The Company's products are sourced through contractual arrangements with manufacturers worldwide for wholesale distribution to major domestic and international retailers and for the Company's own retail stores and websites. As of December 31, 2016, the Company operated 495 Carter's and 138 OshKosh stand-alone stores in the U.S., 159 "side-by-side" and "co-branded" stores in the U.S., and 164 "co-branded' stores in Canada.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

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

FISCAL YEAR

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

USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS

Translation adjustments

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

Transaction adjustments

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

Foreign Currency Contracts

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

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

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

Concentration of cash deposits risk

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

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

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



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Trade receivables from wholesale customers, net	$	182,194		$	185,046
Royalties receivable	9,218			11,164
Tenant allowances and other receivables	19,810			20,303
Total gross receivables	$	211,222		$	216,513
Less:
Wholesale accounts receivable reserves	(8,751		)	(8,543		)
Wholesale sales returns reserve	—			(400		)
Total reserves	(8,751		)	(8,943		)
Accounts receivable, net	$	202,471		$	207,570

Concentration of credit risk

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

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

VALUATION ACCOUNTS FOR WHOLESALE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable reserves

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

Sales returns reserves

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

INVENTORIES

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

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

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

INTERNAL-USE SOFTWARE

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

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

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

Annual impairment reviews

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

Goodwill

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

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

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

Indefinite-lived tradenames

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

IMPAIRMENT OF OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS

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

DEFERRED DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS

Debt issuance costs associated with the Company's secured revolving credit facility and senior tern notes are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs associated with Company's senior notes are presented on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as a direct reduction in the carrying value of the associated debt liability. Fees paid to lenders by the Company to obtain its secured revolving credit facility are included within Other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and classified as either current or non-current based on the expiration date of the credit facility. See the subsequent section under "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in this Note 2 for information on the retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance related to the presentation of debt costs.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value framework requires the Company to categorize certain assets and liabilities into three levels, based upon the assumptions used to price those assets or liabilities. The three levels are defined as follows:



Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:	Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable.
Level 3:	Unobservable inputs reflecting management's own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company measures its pension assets, deferred compensation plan investment assets, unsettled foreign currency forward contracts, and contingent consideration liability for acquisitions at fair value. The Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are short-term in nature. As such, their carrying value approximates fair value.

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

REVENUE RECOGNITION

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

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

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

COSTS OF GOODS SOLD

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

ACCOUNTING FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING FEES AND COSTS

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

INCOME FROM ROYALTIES AND LICENSE FEES

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

ADVERTISING EXPENSES

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

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

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

Stock Options

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards

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

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards

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

Stock Awards

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

INCOME TAXES

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

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

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

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

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

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

EARNINGS PER SHARE

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

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

OPEN MARKET REPURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK

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

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

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

FACILITY CLOSURE AND OFFICE CONSOLIDATION

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

LEASES AND DEFERRED RENT

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

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

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

SEASONALITY

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

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Adopted in Fiscal 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

Required Assessment of Going Concern (ASU 2014-15)

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

To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simplified Subsequent Measurement of Inventory (ASU 2015-11)

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory ("ASU 2015-11"). Upon adoption, ASU 2015-11 simplifies subsequent measurements of inventory by replacing the lower of cost or market test, required under prior guidance, with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. ASU 2015-11 applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in-first-out (LIFO) and the retail inventory method. For inventory within the scope of ASU 2015-11, entities are required to compare the cost of inventory to only one measure, its net realizable value, and not the three measures required by prior guidance ("market," "subject to a floor," and a "ceiling"). When evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is less than its cost (due to damage, physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels or other causes), entities recognize the difference as a loss in earnings in the period in which it occurs. The provisions of ASU 2015-11 are effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2017. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 is not material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

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

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

Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)

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

Leases (ASU 2016-02)

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

ACQUISITION OF BONNIE TOGS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

ACQUISITION OF BONNIE TOGS

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

The following table summarizes the changes in the contingent consideration liability related to the 2011 acquisition of Bonnie Togs during fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 (dollars in thousands):



Balance at Beginning of Fiscal 2014	$16,348
Payments made in fiscal 2014	(8,901		)
Accretion expense in fiscal 2014	1,348
Foreign currency translation adjustment in fiscal 2014	(1,084		)
Balance at End of Fiscal 2014	7,711
Payments made in fiscal 2015	(8,568		)
Accretion expense in fiscal 2015	809
Foreign currency translation adjustment in fiscal 2015	(1,029		)
Final contingent adjustment	1,077
Balance at End of Fiscal 2015	$	—

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

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

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+ Details

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment, net consists of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Fixtures, equipment, computer hardware and software	$	398,536		$	367,593
Land, building, and leasehold improvements	305,844			260,809
Marketing fixtures	7,015			12,336
Construction in progress	20,386			21,602
	731,781			662,340
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(345,907		)	(290,636		)
Total	$	385,874		$	371,704

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

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Acquisition of Tradenames

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

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

Balance Sheet Components

The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets at the end of the fiscal year:



		December 31, 2016						January 2, 2016
(dollars in thousands)	Weighted-average useful life	Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount		Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount

Carter’s goodwill (1)	Indefinite	$	136,570	$	—	$	136,570	$	136,570	$	—	$	136,570
Bonnie Togs goodwill (2)	Indefinite	39,439		—		39,439		38,304		—		38,304
Total goodwill		$	176,009	$	—	$	176,009	$	174,874	$	—	$	174,874

Carter’s tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233	$	—	$	220,233	$	220,233	$	—	$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500		—		85,500		85,500		—		85,500
Other tradenames (3)	2 - 20 years	42,005		38,810		3,195		41,992		36,877		5,115
Total tradenames and other intangibles, net		$	347,738	$	38,810	$	308,928	$	347,725	$	36,877	$	310,848


(1)	$45.9 million is assigned to the Carter’s wholesale segment, $82.0 million is assigned to the Carter’s retail segment, and $8.6 million is assigned to the International segment.


(2)	Assigned to the International segment. The change in the gross amount of goodwill and other intangible assets in the International segment reflects foreign currency translation adjustments for the applicable periods.


(3)	Relates to the acquisition of rights to the Carter's brand in Chile in December 2014, the Carter's Watch the Wear and H.W. Carter & Sons brands worldwide in 2013, and the Bonnie Togs (Canada) acquisition in 2011. At December 31, 2016, the remaining unamortized balance relates only to the Carter's brand in Chile.

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

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is summarized as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	Pension liability adjustment			Post-retirement liability adjustment			Cumulative translation adjustment			Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Balance at December 28, 2013	$	(4,025	)	$	1,495		$	(7,552	)	$	(10,082	)
Fiscal year 2014 change	(4,963		)	(14		)	(7,845		)	(12,955		)
Balance at January 3, 2015	(8,988		)	1,348			(15,397		)	(23,037		)
Fiscal year 2015 change	803			56			(14,189		)	(13,330		)
Balance at January 2, 2016	(8,185		)	1,404			(29,586		)	(36,367		)
Fiscal year 2016 change	(666		)	331			1,962			1,627
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(8,851	)	$	1,735		$	(27,624	)	$	(34,740	)

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

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

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

LONG-TERM DEBT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Senior notes at amounts repayable	$	400,000		$	400,000
Less: unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes (1)	(4,601		)	(5,459		)
Senior notes, net	$	395,399		$	394,541
Secured revolving credit facility (2)	184,977			184,431
Total long-term debt, net	$	580,376		$	578,972


	(1) Required by the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03. See Note 2.

(2) Reported balance that is payable in Canadian dollars is subject to currency exchange rate changes.

SENIOR NOTES

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

The senior notes are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter's, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of TWCC. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by Carter's, Inc. and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional.

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



Year	Percentage
2017	102.63	%
2018	101.31	%
2019 and thereafter	100.00	%

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

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

SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

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

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

Amended and Restated Credit Facility

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

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

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

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

At December 31, 2016, U.S. dollar borrowings outstanding under the secured revolving credit facility accrued interest at a LIBOR rate plus the applicable base rate, which was 2.08% on that date, and Canadian borrowing outstanding accrued interest at a CDOR rate plus the applicable base rate, which was 2.28% on that date.

Covenants

Subject to certain customary exceptions, the amended revolving credit facility contains covenants that restrict the Company's ability to, among other things: (i) create or incur liens, debt, guarantees or other investments, (ii) engage in mergers and consolidations, (iii) pay dividends or other distributions to, and redemptions and repurchases from, equity holders, (iv) prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated or junior debt, (v) amend organizational documents, and (vi) engage in certain transactions with affiliates.

The amended revolving credit facility also contains affirmative financial covenants. Specifically, TWCC and its subsidiaries will not (i) permit at the end of any four consecutive fiscal quarters the Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio (defined as, with certain adjustments, the ratio of the Company's consolidated indebtedness plus six times rent expense, as defined, to consolidated net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and rent expense ("EBITDAR")) to exceed 4.00:1.00 (provided, however, that if any "Material Acquisition" occurs and the Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio on a pro forma basis giving effect to the consummation of the Material Acquisition is less than 4.00:1.00, then the maximum Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio may be increased to 4.50:1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition is consummated and the three fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition occurs) or (ii) permit at the end of any four consecutive fiscal quarters the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (defined as, with certain adjustments, the ratio of consolidated EBITDAR to consolidated fixed charges (defined as interest plus rent expense)), for any such period to be less than 2.25:1.00 (provided, however, that if any Material Acquisition occurs and the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a pro forma basis giving effect to the consummation of the Material Acquisition is at least 2.25:1.00, then the minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio may be decreased to 2.00:1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition is consummated and the three fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition occurs).

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

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

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

COMMON STOCK

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

COMMON STOCK

SHARE REPURCHASES

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

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



	Fiscal year ended
	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Number of shares repurchased	3,049,381		1,154,288		1,111,899
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)	$	300,445	$	110,290	$	82,099
Average price per share	$	98.53	$	95.55	$	73.84

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

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

Future share repurchases may occur from time to time in the open market, in negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined by the Company based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, other investment priorities, and other factors. The share repurchase authorizations have no expiration dates.

DIVIDENDS

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

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

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

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

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

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+ Details

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

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

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

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

The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost as follows:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Stock options	$	4,237	$	4,350	$	4,672
Restricted stock:
Time-based awards	7,451		6,855		7,018
Performance-based awards	3,974		4,728		4,827
Stock awards	1,185		1,096		1,081
Total	$	16,847	$	17,029	$	17,598

STOCK OPTIONS

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

Changes in the Company's stock options for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:



	Number of shares		Weighted- average exercise price	Weighted-average remaining contractual terms (years)	Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)

Outstanding, January 2, 2016	1,423,660		$46.56

Granted	221,740		$91.23
Exercised	(160,200	)	$44.73
Forfeited	(43,315	)	$77.31
Expired	(675	)	$72.10
Outstanding, December 31, 2016	1,441,210		$52.70	5.62	$	49,696

Vested and Expected to Vest, December 31, 2016	1,384,830		$51.34	5.50	$	49,504
Exercisable, December 31, 2016	953,780		$38.08	4.31	$	46,103

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

The table below presents the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted in each of the respective fiscal years:



	For the fiscal years ended
	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015
Expected volatility	26.95		%	31.65		%	30.85		%
Risk-free interest rate	1.33		%	1.65		%	1.82		%
Expected term (years)	6.0			6.0			6.0
Dividend yield	1.45		%	1.06		%	1.11		%
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$	21.41		$	24.59		$	19.86

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

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

The following table summarizes activity related to all restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016:



	Restricted stock awards		Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Outstanding, January 2, 2016	460,727		$	68.14
Granted	190,092		$	91.66
Vested	(218,335	)	$	62.98
Forfeited	(26,785	)	$	77.91
Outstanding, December 31, 2016	405,699		$	81.29

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

Time-based Restricted Stock Awards

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

Performance-based Restricted Stock Awards



Fiscal year	Number of shares granted	Weighted-average fair value per share
2014	61,200	$	68.49
2015	50,600	$	82.40
2016	53,070	$	90.66

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

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

Stock Awards

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



	Number of shares issued	Fair value per share	Aggregate value (in thousands)
2014	14,859	$72.72	$1,081
2015	10,933	$100.21	$1,096
2016	12,758	$101.10	$1,290

The Company received no proceeds from the issuance of these shares.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

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

OSHKOSH B'GOSH PENSION PLAN

Funded Status

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



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of fiscal year	$	60,375		$	63,515
Interest cost	2,515			2,493
Actuarial loss (gain)	1,697			(3,329		)
Benefits paid	(2,160		)	(2,304		)
Projected benefit obligation at end of fiscal year	$	62,427		$	60,375

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year	$	50,619		$	52,484
Actual return on plan assets	2,754			439
Benefits paid	(2,160		)	(2,304		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	$	51,213		$	50,619

Unfunded status	$	11,214		$	9,756

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

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

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



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015
Recognized in the statement of operations:
Interest cost	$	2,515		$	2,493		$	2,488
Expected return on plan assets	(2,701		)	(3,138		)	(3,193		)
Recognized actuarial loss (a)	578			643			85
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$	392		$	(2	)	$	(620	)

Changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss:
Net loss (gain) arising during the fiscal year	$	1,644		$	(630	)	$	7,968
Amortization of net loss (a)	(578		)	(643		)	(85		)
Total changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	1,066		$	(1,273	)	$	7,883
Total net periodic cost (benefit) and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	1,458		$	(1,275	)	$	7,263

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

Assumptions

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



Benefit obligation	2016	2015
Discount rate	4.00%	4.25%

Net periodic pension cost	2016	2015	2014
Discount rate	4.25%	4.00%	4.75%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.00%	6.00%	6.50%

The discount rates used at December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015 were determined with consideration given to the Citigroup Pension Discount and Liability Index and the Barclay Capital Aggregate AA Bond Index, adjusted for the timing of expected plan distributions. The Company believes these indexes reflect a risk-free rate consistent with a portfolio of high quality debt instruments with maturities that are comparable to the timing of the expected payments under the plan. The expected long-term rate of return assumption considers historic returns adjusted for changes in overall economic conditions that may affect future returns and a weighting of each investment class.

A 0.25% change in the assumed discount rate would result in an increase or decrease in the amount of the pension plan's projected benefit obligation of approximately $2.2 million.

The Company currently expects benefit payments for its defined benefit pension plans as follows for the next ten fiscal years;



(dollars in thousands)
Fiscal Year
2017	$	2,540
2018	$	2,250
2019	$	2,290
2020	$	2,620
2021	$	2,640
2022-2026	$	16,400

Plan Assets

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

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

The fair value of the Company's pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, by asset category, were as follows:



	December 31, 2016						January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands) Asset Category	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2
Cash and cash equivalents	$	175	$	175	$	—	$	149	$	149	$	—
Equity Securities:
U.S. Large-Cap blend (a)	8,462		4,221		4,241		8,438		4,222		4,216
U.S. Large-Cap growth	4,220		4,220		—		4,216		4,216		—
U.S. Mid-Cap growth	2,533		—		2,533		2,550		—		2,550
U.S. Small-Cap blend	2,514		2,514		—		2,523		2,523		—
International blend	2,569		2,569		—		2,523		2,523		—
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds (b)	25,573		25,573		—		25,097		25,097		—
Real estate (c)	5,167		5,167		—		5,123		5,123		—
	$	51,213	$	44,439	$	6,774	$	50,619	$	43,853	$	6,766

(a) This category comprises low-cost equity index funds not actively managed that track the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

(b) This category invests in both U.S. Treasuries and mid-term corporate debt from U.S. issuers from diverse industries.

(c) This category represents an investment in a mutual fund that invests primarily in real estate securities, including common stocks, preferred stock and other equity securities issued by real estate companies.

POST-RETIREMENT LIFE AND MEDICAL PLAN

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

Accumulated Post-Retirement Benefit Obligation

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



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
APBO at beginning of fiscal year	$	4,938		$	5,331
Service cost	123			130
Interest cost	177			178
Actuarial (gain) loss	(740		)	(278		)
Plan participants' contribution	10			17
Prior service cost	11			—
Benefits paid	(394		)	(440		)
Curtailment gain	—			—
APBO at end of fiscal year	$	4,125		$	4,938

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

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

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



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015

Recognized in the statement of operations:
Service cost – benefits attributed to service during the period	$	123		$	130		$	113
Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation	177			178			230
Amortization net actuarial gain (a)	(198		)	(192		)	(206		)
Curtailment gain	—			—			(291		)
Net periodic post-retirement cost (benefit)	$	102		$	116		$	(154	)

Changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss:
Net (gain) loss arising during the fiscal year	$	(740	)	$	(278	)	$	32
Prior service cost	11			—			—
Amortization of net gain (a)	198			192			206
Total changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	(531	)	$	(86	)	$	238
Total net periodic (benefit) cost and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	(429	)	$	30		$	84

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

Curtailment

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

Assumptions

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



	2016	2015
Benefit obligation
Discount rate	3.50%	3.75%

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

The discount rates used at December 31, 2016, January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2015, were determined with primary consideration given to the Citigroup Pension Discount and Liability Index adjusted for the timing of expected plan distributions. The Company believes this index reflects a risk-free rate with maturities that are comparable to the timing of the expected payments under the plan.

The effects on the Company's plan of all future increases in health care costs are borne primarily by employees; accordingly, increasing medical costs are not expected to have any material effect on the Company's future financial results.

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

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

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

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

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

INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Current tax provision:
Federal	$	113,326		$	103,316	$	88,635
State	11,407			10,277		9,049
Foreign	11,937			8,116		6,641
Total current provision	$	136,670		$	121,709	$	104,325

Deferred tax provision (benefit):
Federal	$	1,435		$	6,577	$	5,519
State	345			1,193		41
Foreign	(486		)	887		(1,649		)
Total deferred provision	1,294			8,657		3,911
Total provision	$	137,964		$	130,366	$	108,236

The foreign portion of the tax position substantially relates to Canada, Hong Kong and China income taxes on the Company's international operations and foreign tax withholdings related to the Company's foreign royalty income. The components of income before income taxes were as follows:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Domestic	$	345,304	$	335,955	$	286,177
Foreign	50,766		32,233		16,729
Total	$	396,070	$	368,188	$	302,906

EFFECTIVE RATE RECONCILIATION

The difference between the Company's effective income tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate is reconciled below:



	For the fiscal years ended
	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015

Statutory federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2.3	%	2.5	%	2.5	%
Impact of foreign operations	(2.1	)%	(1.3	)%	(1.2	)%
Settlement of uncertain tax positions	(0.4	)%	(0.8	)%	(0.6	)%
Total	34.8	%	35.4	%	35.7	%

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

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

DEFERRED TAXES

Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Deferred tax assets:	Assets (Liabilities)
Accounts receivable allowance	$	3,873		$	4,394
Inventory	9,226			9,019
Accrued liabilities	16,037			15,156
Equity-based compensation	9,967			10,022
Deferred employee benefits	10,340			8,929
Deferred rent	46,685			43,616
Other	5,192			5,125
Total deferred tax assets	$	101,320		$	96,261
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(90,317	)	$	(84,610	)
Tradename and licensing agreements	(101,632		)	(101,160		)
Other	(4,541		)	(5,249		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(196,490	)	$	(191,019	)

The net deferred tax liability was classified on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
	Assets (Liabilities)
Current net deferred tax asset	$	35,486		$	34,080
Non-current net deferred tax liability	(130,656		)	(128,838		)
Total deferred tax liability	$	(95,170	)	$	(94,758	)

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

UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS

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



(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 28, 2013	$	11,182
Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2014	2,572
Additions for prior year tax positions	(471		)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations	(1,536		)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements	(436		)
Balance at January 3, 2015	$	11,311
Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2015	2,840
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(260		)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations	(1,427		)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements	(3,049		)
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	9,415
Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2016	2,849
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(39		)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations	(995		)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements	(693		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	10,537

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $10.5 million, of which $7.5 million, if ultimately recognized, will affect the Company's effective tax rate in the period settled. The Company has recorded tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is more likely than not, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductions. Because of deferred tax accounting, changes in the timing of these deductions would not affect the annual effective tax rate, but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authorities.

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

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

EARNINGS PER SHARE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE

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



	For the fiscal years ended
	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	49,917,858			51,835,053			52,614,425
Dilutive effect of equity awards	457,849			499,583			479,114
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding	50,375,707			52,334,636			53,093,539

Earnings per share:
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	258,106		$	237,822		$	194,670
Income allocated to participating securities	(2,049		)	(2,184		)	(2,586		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	256,057		$	235,638		$	192,084

Basic net income per common share	$	5.13		$	4.55		$	3.65

Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	258,106		$	237,822		$	194,670
Income allocated to participating securities	(2,035		)	(2,167		)	(2,568		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	256,071		$	235,655		$	192,102

Diluted net income per common share	$	5.08		$	4.50		$	3.62

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from dilutive earnings per share calculations (1)	247,460			192,740			230,150

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

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

SEGMENT INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT INFORMATION

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

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

The table below presents certain segment information for the periods indicated:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			% of Total		January 2, 2016			% of Total		January 3, 2015			% of Total
Net sales:
Carter’s Retail (a)	$	1,254,140		39.2	%	$	1,151,268		38.2	%	$	1,087,165		37.6	%
Carter’s Wholesale	1,128,371			35.3	%	1,107,706			36.8	%	1,081,888			37.4	%
Total Carter’s	2,382,511			74.5	%	2,258,974			75.0	%	2,169,053			75.0	%
OshKosh Retail (a)	402,274			12.6	%	363,087			12.0	%	335,140			11.6	%
OshKosh Wholesale	49,663			1.6	%	65,607			2.2	%	73,201			2.5	%
Total OshKosh	451,937			14.2	%	428,694			14.2	%	408,341			14.1	%
International (b)	364,736			11.3	%	326,211			10.8	%	316,474			10.9	%
Total net sales	$	3,199,184		100.0	%	$	3,013,879		100.0	%	$	2,893,868		100.0	%
Operating income:				% of segment net sales					% of segment net sales					% of segment net sales
Carter’s Retail (a)	$	202,164		16.1	%	$	199,040		17.3	%	$	211,297		19.4	%
Carter’s Wholesale	250,132			22.2	%	232,497			21.0	%	185,463			17.1	%
Total Carter’s	452,296			19.0	%	431,537			19.1	%	396,760			18.3	%
OshKosh Retail (a)	10,417			2.6	%	11,931			3.3	%	8,210			2.4	%
OshKosh Wholesale	10,821			21.8	%	13,270			20.2	%	8,842			12.1	%
Total OshKosh	21,238			4.7	%	25,201			5.9	%	17,052			4.2	%
International (b) (c)	59,194			16.2	%	47,004			14.4	%	39,470			12.5	%
Corporate expenses (d) (e)	(106,170		)			(110,885		)			(119,937		)
Total operating income	$	426,558		13.3	%	$	392,857		13.0	%	$	333,345		11.5	%


(a)	Includes eCommerce results.


(b)	Net sales include international retail, eCommerce, and wholesale sales. Operating income includes international licensing income.


(c)	Includes the following charges:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in millions)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Revaluation of contingent consideration	$	—	$	1.9	$	1.3
Exit from Japan retail operations	$	—	$	—	$	0.5


(d)	Corporate expenses include expenses related to incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, executive management, severance and relocation, finance, building occupancy, information technology, certain legal fees, consulting, and audit fees.

(e) Includes the following charges:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in millions)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Office consolidation costs	$	—	$	—	$	6.6
Amortization of H.W. Carter and Sons tradenames	$	1.7	$	6.2	$	16.4
Closure of distribution facility in Hogansville, GA (1)	$	—	$	—	$	0.9
Direct sourcing initiative	$	0.7	$	—	$	—
Acquisition-related costs	$	2.4	$	—	$	—

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

ADDITIONAL DATA BY SEGMENT

Inventory

The table below represents inventory by segment:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Carter's Wholesale	$	278,664	$	271,117
Carter's Retail	81,505		68,694
OshKosh Retail	17,496		31,136
OshKosh Wholesale	49,773		50,027
International	60,153		48,960
Total	$	487,591	$	469,934

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

The table below represents consolidated net sales by product:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016 (52 Weeks)		January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)		January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
Baby	$	1,241,701	$	1,173,002	$	1,107,973
Playclothes	1,215,238		1,182,281		1,146,797
Sleepwear	407,160		378,419		381,574
Other (a)	335,085		280,177		257,524
Total net sales	$	3,199,184	$	3,013,879	$	2,893,868

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

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA

Revenue

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

Long-Lived Assets

The following represents property, plant, and equipment, net, by geographic area:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
United States	$	349,877	$	342,354
International	35,997		29,350
Total	$	385,874	$	371,704

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

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 29
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8906-108599

+ Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:



	December 31, 2016						January 2, 2016
(dollars in millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Investments	$	12.3	$	—	$	—	$	8.6	$	—	$	—
Foreign exchange forward contracts (1)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2.1	$	—

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

INVESTMENTS

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

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

FOREIGN EXCHANGE FORWARD CONTRACTS

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

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

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

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

BORROWINGS

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

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

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

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

following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation	$	16,834	$	17,934
Accrued employee benefits	17,165		19,751
Accrued and deferred rent	15,632		12,590

Other long-term liabilities that exceeded five percent of total liabilities (at the end of either fiscal year) consisted of the

following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Deferred lease incentives	$	74,015	$	70,060

LEASE COMMITMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Leases [Abstract]

LEASE COMMITMENTS

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

Minimum annual rental commitments under current noncancellable operating leases, as of December 31, 2016, substantially all of which relate to leased real estate, were as follows:



Fiscal Year	Operating Leases
2017	$	168,196
2018	161,073
2019	148,086
2020	135,174
2021	121,468
Thereafter	379,712
Total	$	1,113,709

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

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company is subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the normal course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings that it believes would have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company's contractual obligations and commitments also include obligations associated with leases, the secured revolving credit agreement, senior notes, employee benefit plans, and facility consolidations/closures as disclosed elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Information regarding accounts receivable is as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	Wholesale accounts receivable reserves			Wholesale sales returns reserves			Total
Balance at December 28, 2013	$	9,308		$	400		$	9,708
Additional provisions	9,919			715			10,634
Charges to reserve	(7,419		)	(715		)	(8,134		)
Balance at January 3, 2015	$	11,808		$	400		$	12,208
Additional provisions	4,170			264			4,434
Charges to reserve	(7,435		)	(264		)	(7,699		)
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	8,543		$	400		$	8,943
Additional provisions	6,088			—			6,088
Charges to reserve	(5,879		)	(400		)	(6,279		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	8,752		$	—		$	8,752

UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The unaudited summarized financial data by quarter for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 is presented in the table below:



(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter 1			Quarter 2			Quarter 3			Quarter 4
Fiscal 2016
Net sales	$	724,085		$	639,471		$	901,425		$	934,203
Gross profit	310,929			282,182			375,546			410,492
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	228,996			228,464			255,322			282,624
Royalty income	(11,075		)	(9,525		)	(10,670		)	(11,545		)
Operating income	93,008			63,243			130,894			139,413
Net income	53,980			36,198			80,811			87,117
Basic net income per common share (1)	1.05			0.72			1.62			1.77
Diluted net income per common share (1)	1.04			0.71			1.60			1.76

Fiscal 2015:
Net sales	$	684,764		$	612,765		$	849,806		$	866,544
Gross profit	284,052			262,895			347,539			363,538
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	211,183			209,296			230,017			258,737
Royalty income	(11,636		)	(8,353		)	(12,699		)	(11,378		)
Operating income	84,505			61,952			130,221			116,179
Net income	49,792			36,105			79,326			72,599
Basic net income per common share (1)	0.94			0.69			1.52			1.40
Diluted net income per common share (1)	0.94			0.68			1.51			1.39

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

GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s senior notes constitute debt obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, The William Carter Company ("TWCC" or the "Subsidiary Issuer"), are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Carter’s, Inc. (the "Parent"), by each of the Parent's current domestic subsidiaries (other than TWCC), and, subject to certain exceptions, future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee the Company’s amended revolving credit facility or certain other debt of the Company or the subsidiary guarantors. Under specific customary conditions, the guarantees are not full and unconditional because subsidiary guarantors can be released and relieved of their obligations under customary circumstances contained in the indenture governing the senior notes. These circumstances include among others the following, so long as other applicable provisions of the indentures are adhered to: any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any subsidiary guarantor, any sale or other disposition of capital stock of any subsidiary guarantor, or designation of any restricted subsidiary that is a subsidiary guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary.

The condensed consolidating financial information for the Parent, the Subsidiary Issuer, and the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries has been prepared from the books and records maintained by the Company. The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows, had the Parent, Subsidiary Issuer, guarantor or non-guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities.

Intercompany revenues and expenses included in the subsidiary records are eliminated in consolidation. As a result of this activity, an amount due to/due from affiliates will exist at any time. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. The Company has accounted for investments in subsidiaries under the equity method. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by the Parent and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional.

In December 2015, as part of a foreign subsidiary restructuring, certain non-guarantor subsidiaries became subsidiaries of certain other non-guarantor subsidiaries. The restructuring did not retroactively impact the prior status of the guarantor and the non-guarantor subsidiaries, and accordingly the condensed consolidating financial information for periods prior to the restructuring have not been adjusted to reflect the restructuring.

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	229,056	$	11,817	$	58,485	$	—		$	299,358
Accounts receivable, net	—		176,825		18,315		7,331		—			202,471
Intercompany receivable	—		55,902		74,681		14,601		(145,184		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		278,696		174,542		60,153		(25,800		)	487,591
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		11,402		16,028		4,750		—			32,180
Deferred income taxes	—		18,476		15,440		1,570		—			35,486
Total current assets	—		770,357		310,823		146,890		(170,984		)	1,057,086
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		155,187		194,691		35,996		—			385,874
Goodwill	—		136,570		—		39,439		—			176,009
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	—		223,428		85,500		—		—			308,928
Other assets	—		17,771		605		324		—			18,700
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		428,436		—		(428,436		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	788,124		753,753		145,076		—		(1,686,953		)	—
Total assets	$	788,124	$	2,157,066	$	1,165,131	$	222,649	$	(2,386,373	)	$	1,946,597

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	97,103	$	41,947	$	19,382	$	—		$	158,432
Intercompany payables	—		85,894		55,257		4,033		(145,184		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		16,473		90,718		11,986		—			119,177
Total current liabilities	—		199,470		187,922		35,401		(145,184		)	277,609

Long-term debt	—		561,399		—		18,977		—			580,376
Deferred income taxes	—		87,116		43,540		—		—			130,656
Intercompany long-term liability	—		428,436		—		—		(428,436		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		66,721		89,252		13,859		—			169,832
Stockholders' equity	788,124		813,924		744,417		154,412		(1,712,753		)	788,124
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	788,124	$	2,157,066	$	1,165,131	$	222,649	$	(2,386,373	)	$	1,946,597

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	325,771	$	14,652	$	40,786	$	—		$	381,209
Accounts receivable, net	—		178,842		23,980		4,748		—			207,570
Intercompany receivable	—		52,676		133,092		3,317		(189,085		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		271,148		184,618		48,960		(34,792		)	469,934
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		17,460		14,261		6,094		—			37,815
Deferred income taxes	—		19,502		13,544		1,034		—			34,080
Total current assets	—		865,399		384,147		104,939		(223,877		)	1,130,608
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		162,031		180,322		29,351		—			371,704
Goodwill	—		136,570		—		38,304		—			174,874
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	—		225,348		85,500		—		—			310,848
Other assets	—		14,634		665		321		—			15,620
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		294,070		—		(294,070		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	875,051		652,598		100,146		—		(1,627,795		)	—
Total assets	$	875,051	$	2,156,580	$	1,044,850	$	172,915	$	(2,245,742	)	$	2,003,654

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	93,585	$	44,951	$	19,112	$	—		$	157,648
Intercompany payables	—		134,694		51,362		3,029		(189,085		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		12,996		80,908		11,166		—			105,070
Total current liabilities	—		241,275		177,221		33,307		(189,085		)	262,718

Long-term debt	—		560,541		—		18,431		—			578,972
Deferred income taxes	—		84,038		44,800		—		—			128,838
Intercompany long-term liability	—		294,070		—		—		(294,070		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		66,813		79,568		11,694		—			158,075
Stockholders' equity	875,051		909,843		643,261		109,483		(1,662,587		)	875,051
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	875,051	$	2,156,580	$	1,044,850	$	172,915	$	(2,245,742	)	$	2,003,654

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,881,919		$	1,762,882		$	300,533		$	(746,150	)	$	3,199,184
Cost of goods sold	—			1,358,209			1,033,403			155,571			(727,148		)	1,820,035
Gross profit	—			523,710			729,479			144,962			(19,002		)	1,379,149
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			177,605			753,874			101,494			(37,567		)	995,406
Royalty income	—			(32,728		)	(19,660		)	—			9,573			(42,815		)
Operating income (loss)	—			378,833			(4,735		)	43,468			8,992			426,558
Interest expense	—			26,475			5,435			442			(5,308		)	27,044
Interest income	—			(5,756		)	—			(115		)	5,308			(563		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(258,106		)	4,413			(29,306		)	—			282,999			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(383		)	482			3,908			—			4,007
Income (loss) before income taxes	258,106			354,084			18,654			39,233			(274,007		)	396,070
Provision for income taxes	—			104,970			23,067			9,927			—			137,964
Net income (loss)	$	258,106		$	249,114		$	(4,413	)	$	29,306		$	(274,007	)	$	258,106

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,813,950		$	1,639,826		$	246,158		$	(686,055	)	$	3,013,879
Cost of goods sold	—			1,286,411			989,284			136,317			(656,157		)	1,755,855
Gross profit	—			527,539			650,542			109,841			(29,898		)	1,258,024
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			181,150			679,532			88,257			(39,706		)	909,233
Royalty income	—			(32,978		)	(19,414		)	—			8,326			(44,066		)
Operating income (loss)	—			379,367			(9,576		)	21,584			1,482			392,857
Interest expense	—			26,550			5,331			557			(5,407		)	27,031
Interest income	—			(5,826		)	—			(81		)	5,407			(500		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(237,822		)	19,775			(9,742		)	—			227,789			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(6		)	(60		)	(1,796		)	—			(1,862		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	237,822			338,874			(5,105		)	22,904			(226,307		)	368,188
Provision for income taxes	—			102,534			20,590			7,242			—			130,366
Net income (loss)	$	237,822		$	236,340		$	(25,695	)	$	15,662		$	(226,307	)	$	237,822

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,770,238		$	1,564,717		$	241,191		$	(682,278	)	$	2,893,868
Cost of goods sold	—			1,271,260			936,260			138,838			(636,930		)	1,709,428
Gross profit	—			498,978			628,457			102,353			(45,348		)	1,184,440
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			203,371			646,728			91,521			(51,369		)	890,251
Royalty income	—			(30,741		)	(18,896		)	—			10,481			(39,156		)
Operating income (loss)	—			326,348			625			10,832			(4,460		)	333,345
Interest expense	—			27,651			5,310			343			(5,651		)	27,653
Interest income	—			(5,998		)	—			(56		)	5,651			(403		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(194,670		)	20,226			(15,050		)	—			189,494			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(235		)	2,263			1,161			—			3,189
Income (loss) before income taxes	194,670			284,704			8,102			9,384			(193,954		)	302,906
Provision for income taxes	—			85,574			19,441			3,221			—			108,236
Net income (loss)	$	194,670		$	199,130		$	(11,339	)	$	6,163		$	(193,954	)	$	194,670

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	258,106		$	249,114		$	(4,413	)	$	29,306	$	(274,007	)	$	258,106
Post-retirement benefit plans	(335		)	(335		)	(666		)	—		1,001			(335		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,962			1,962			1,962			1,962		(5,886		)	1,962
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	259,733		$	250,741		$	(3,117	)	$	31,268	$	(278,892	)	$	259,733

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	237,822		$	236,340		$	(25,695	)	$	15,662		$	(226,307	)	$	237,822
Post-retirement benefit plans	859			859			803			—			(1,662		)	859
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(14,189		)	(14,189		)	(29,574		)	(14,189		)	57,952			(14,189		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	224,492		$	223,010		$	(54,466	)	$	1,473		$	(170,017	)	$	224,492

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	194,670		$	199,130		$	(11,339	)	$	6,163		$	(193,954	)	$	194,670
Post-retirement benefit plans	(5,110		)	(5,110		)	(4,963		)	—			10,073			(5,110		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7,845		)	(7,845		)	(251		)	(7,845		)	15,941			(7,845		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	181,715		$	186,175		$	(16,553	)	$	(1,682	)	$	(167,940	)	$	181,715

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	$	—		$	206,843		$	127,018		$	35,368		$	—		$	369,229

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(22,934		)	(55,072		)	(10,550		)	—			(88,556		)
Intercompany investing activity	368,307			480			(2,118		)	131			(366,800		)	—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			23			—			193			—			216
Net cash provided by(used in) investing activities	$	368,307		$	(22,431	)	$	(57,190	)	$	(10,226	)	$	(366,800	)	$	(88,340	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(283,909		)	(74,681		)	(8,210		)	366,800			—
Dividends paid	(66,355		)	—			—			—			—			(66,355		)
Repurchase of common stock	(300,445		)	—			—			—			—			(300,445		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			2,782			2,018			—			—			4,800
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(8,673		)	—			—			—			—			(8,673		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,166			—			—			—			—			7,166
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(368,307		)	(281,127		)	(72,663		)	(8,210		)	366,800			(363,507		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			767			—			767
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(96,715		)	(2,835		)	17,699			—			(81,851		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	—			325,771			14,652			40,786			—			381,209
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$	—		$	229,056		$	11,817		$	58,485		$	—		$	299,358

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	$	—		$	148,656		$	115,589		$	43,742		$	—		$	307,987

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(27,813		)	(64,707		)	(10,977		)	—			(103,497		)
Intercompany investing activity	161,993			5,642			(2,735		)	(8,582		)	(156,318		)	—
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan	—			35,000			—			—			(35,000		)	—
Issuance of intercompany loan	—			(15,000		)	—			—			15,000			—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			65			—			7			—			72
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	161,993		$	(2,106	)	$	(67,442	)	$	(19,552	)	$	(176,318	)	$	(103,425	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(108,761		)	(46,672		)	(885		)	156,318			—
Repayment of intercompany loan	—			—			—			(35,000		)	35,000			—
Proceeds from intercompany loan	—			—			—			15,000			(15,000		)	—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			166,000			—			39,586			—			205,586
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	—			(186,000		)	—			(19,237		)	—			(205,237		)
Payment of debt issuance costs	—			(1,628		)	—			—			—			(1,628		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			(7,572		)	—			—			—			(7,572		)
Dividends paid	(46,028		)	—			—			—			—			(46,028		)
Repurchase of common stock	(110,290		)	—			—			—			—			(110,290		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			6,104			2,735			—			—			8,839
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(12,651		)	—			—			—			—			(12,651		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,976			—			—			—			—			6,976
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(161,993		)	(131,857		)	(43,937		)	(536		)	176,318			(162,005		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			(1,986		)	—			(1,986		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			14,693			4,210			21,668			—			40,571
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	—			311,078			10,442			19,118			—			340,638
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$	—		$	325,771		$	14,652		$	40,786		$	—		$	381,209

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	$	—		$	189,945		$	83,439		$	9,013		$	—		$	282,397

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(45,868		)	(46,694		)	(10,891		)	—			(103,453		)
Intercompany investing activity	118,060			15,864			(2,445		)	(8,901		)	(122,578		)	—
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan	—			15,000			—			—			(15,000		)	—
Issuance of intercompany loan	—			(35,000		)	—			—			35,000			—
Acquisition of tradenames	—			(3,550		)	—			—			—			(3,550		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			2,267			—			4			—			2,271
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	118,060		$	(51,287	)	$	(49,139	)	$	(19,788	)	$	(102,578	)	(104,732		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(99,018		)	(26,302		)	2,742			122,578			—
Proceeds from intercompany loan	—			—			—			(15,000		)	15,000			—
Repayment of intercompany loan	—			—			—			35,000			(35,000		)	—
Payment of debt issuance costs	—			(177		)	—			—			—			(177		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			(8,901		)	—			—			—			(8,901		)
Dividends paid	(40,477		)	—			—			—			—			(40,477		)
Repurchase of common stock	(82,099		)	—			—			—			—			(82,099		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			2,256			2,444			—			—			4,700
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(4,548		)	—			—			—			—			(4,548		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	9,064			—			—			—			—			9,064
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(118,060		)	(105,840		)	(23,858		)	22,742			102,578			(122,438		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			(1,135		)	—			(1,135		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			32,818			10,442			10,832			—			54,092
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	—			278,260			—			8,286			—			286,546
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$	—		$	311,078		$	10,442		$	19,118		$	—		$	340,638

- Definition

The entire disclosure for condensed financial information, including the financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations of the registrant (parent company) as of the same dates or for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements are being presented. Alternatively, the details of this disclosure can be reported by the specific parent company taxonomy elements, indicating the appropriate date and period contexts in an instance document.

+ References + Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Notes)	12 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Notes)	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Segments At the beginning of fiscal 2017, the Company combined four of its prior U.S. operating segments into two new operating segments to align with how the Company's executive management currently views and manages the business. Carter's Retail and OshKosh Retail were combined into a single U.S. Retail operating segment, and Carter's Wholesale and OshKosh Wholesale were combined into a single U.S. Wholesale operating segment. The Company's International segment was not affected by these changes. The Company's reportable segments at the beginning of fiscal 2017 are U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. Business Acquisition On February 22, 2017, the Company purchased all of the outstanding equity of Skip Hop Holding's, Inc. ("Skip Hop") for a total purchase price of $140 million in cash consideration, subject to a working capital adjustment, plus a potential future payment of up to $10 million contingent upon the achievement of certain fiscal targets in 2017, as outlined in the purchase agreement.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

FISCAL YEAR

USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS

Translation adjustments

Transaction adjustments

Foreign Currency Contracts

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Concentration of cash deposits risk

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

VALUATION ACCOUNTS FOR WHOLESALE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable reserves

Sales returns reserves

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

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Concentration of credit risk

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

INVENTORIES

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

INTERNAL-USE SOFTWARE

VALUATION OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBILE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Annual impairment reviews

Goodwill

Indefinite-lived tradenames

IMPAIRMENT OF OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS

DEFERRED DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS



Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:	Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable.
Level 3:	Unobservable inputs reflecting management's own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

COST OF GOODS SOLD

COSTS OF GOODS SOLD

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

ACCOUNTING FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING FEES AND COSTS

ROYALTIES AND LICENSE FEES

INCOME FROM ROYALTIES AND LICENSE FEES

ADVERTISING EXPENSES

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

Stock Options

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

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

Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards

Stock Awards

INCOME TAXES

EARNINGS PER SHARE

OPEN MARKET REPURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

FACILITY CLOSURE AND OFFICE CONSOLIDATION

LEASES AND DEFERRED RENT

SEASONALITY

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Adopted in Fiscal 2016

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

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

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

Required Assessment of Going Concern (ASU 2014-15)

To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2016

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

Simplified Subsequent Measurement of Inventory (ASU 2015-11)

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

Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)

Leases (ASU 2016-02)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Components of accounts receivable

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



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Trade receivables from wholesale customers, net	$	182,194		$	185,046
Royalties receivable	9,218			11,164
Tenant allowances and other receivables	19,810			20,303
Total gross receivables	$	211,222		$	216,513
Less:
Wholesale accounts receivable reserves	(8,751		)	(8,543		)
Wholesale sales returns reserve	—			(400		)
Total reserves	(8,751		)	(8,943		)
Accounts receivable, net	$	202,471		$	207,570

ACQUISITION OF BONNIE TOGS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Summary of changes in contingent consideration liability

The following table summarizes the changes in the contingent consideration liability related to the 2011 acquisition of Bonnie Togs during fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 (dollars in thousands):



Balance at Beginning of Fiscal 2014	$16,348
Payments made in fiscal 2014	(8,901		)
Accretion expense in fiscal 2014	1,348
Foreign currency translation adjustment in fiscal 2014	(1,084		)
Balance at End of Fiscal 2014	7,711
Payments made in fiscal 2015	(8,568		)
Accretion expense in fiscal 2015	809
Foreign currency translation adjustment in fiscal 2015	(1,029		)
Final contingent adjustment	1,077
Balance at End of Fiscal 2015	$	—

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, plant, and equipment

Property, plant, and equipment, net consists of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Fixtures, equipment, computer hardware and software	$	398,536		$	367,593
Land, building, and leasehold improvements	305,844			260,809
Marketing fixtures	7,015			12,336
Construction in progress	20,386			21,602
	731,781			662,340
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(345,907		)	(290,636		)
Total	$	385,874		$	371,704

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible assets table

The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets at the end of the fiscal year:



		December 31, 2016						January 2, 2016
(dollars in thousands)	Weighted-average useful life	Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount		Gross amount		Accumulated amortization		Net amount

Carter’s goodwill (1)	Indefinite	$	136,570	$	—	$	136,570	$	136,570	$	—	$	136,570
Bonnie Togs goodwill (2)	Indefinite	39,439		—		39,439		38,304		—		38,304
Total goodwill		$	176,009	$	—	$	176,009	$	174,874	$	—	$	174,874

Carter’s tradename	Indefinite	$	220,233	$	—	$	220,233	$	220,233	$	—	$	220,233
OshKosh tradename	Indefinite	85,500		—		85,500		85,500		—		85,500
Other tradenames (3)	2 - 20 years	42,005		38,810		3,195		41,992		36,877		5,115
Total tradenames and other intangibles, net		$	347,738	$	38,810	$	308,928	$	347,725	$	36,877	$	310,848


(1)	$45.9 million is assigned to the Carter’s wholesale segment, $82.0 million is assigned to the Carter’s retail segment, and $8.6 million is assigned to the International segment.


(2)	Assigned to the International segment. The change in the gross amount of goodwill and other intangible assets in the International segment reflects foreign currency translation adjustments for the applicable periods.


(3)	Relates to the acquisition of rights to the Carter's brand in Chile in December 2014, the Carter's Watch the Wear and H.W. Carter & Sons brands worldwide in 2013, and the Bonnie Togs (Canada) acquisition in 2011. At December 31, 2016, the remaining unamortized balance relates only to the Carter's brand in Chile.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is summarized as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	Pension liability adjustment			Post-retirement liability adjustment			Cumulative translation adjustment			Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Balance at December 28, 2013	$	(4,025	)	$	1,495		$	(7,552	)	$	(10,082	)
Fiscal year 2014 change	(4,963		)	(14		)	(7,845		)	(12,955		)
Balance at January 3, 2015	(8,988		)	1,348			(15,397		)	(23,037		)
Fiscal year 2015 change	803			56			(14,189		)	(13,330		)
Balance at January 2, 2016	(8,185		)	1,404			(29,586		)	(36,367		)
Fiscal year 2016 change	(666		)	331			1,962			1,627
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(8,851	)	$	1,735		$	(27,624	)	$	(34,740	)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of long-term debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Senior notes at amounts repayable	$	400,000		$	400,000
Less: unamortized issuance-related costs for senior notes (1)	(4,601		)	(5,459		)
Senior notes, net	$	395,399		$	394,541
Secured revolving credit facility (2)	184,977			184,431
Total long-term debt, net	$	580,376		$	578,972


	(1) Required by the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03. See Note 2.

(2) Reported balance that is payable in Canadian dollars is subject to currency exchange rate changes.

Schedule of redemption price applicable where redemption occurs

The redemption price applicable where the redemption occurs during the twelve-month period beginning on August 15 of each of the years indicated is as follows:



Year	Percentage
2017	102.63	%
2018	101.31	%
2019 and thereafter	100.00	%

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

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+ Details

COMMON STOCK (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Open Market Repurchases

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



	Fiscal year ended
	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Number of shares repurchased	3,049,381		1,154,288		1,111,899
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased (dollars in thousands)	$	300,445	$	110,290	$	82,099
Average price per share	$	98.53	$	95.55	$	73.84

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of an entity's stock, including par or stated value per share, number and dollar amount of share subscriptions, shares authorized, shares issued, shares outstanding, number and dollar amount of shares held in an employee trust, dividend per share, total dividends, share conversion features, par value plus additional paid in capital, the value of treasury stock and other information necessary to a fair presentation, and EPS information. Stock by class includes common, convertible, and preferred stocks which are not redeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer. Includes preferred stock with redemption features that are solely within the control of the issuer and mandatorily redeemable stock if redemption is required to occur only upon liquidation or termination of the reporting entity. If more than one issue is outstanding, state the title of each issue and the corresponding dollar amount; dollar amount of any shares subscribed but unissued and the deduction of subscriptions receivable there from; number of shares authorized, issued, and outstanding.

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+ Details

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Summary of recorded stock-based compensation cost

The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost as follows:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Stock options	$	4,237	$	4,350	$	4,672
Restricted stock:
Time-based awards	7,451		6,855		7,018
Performance-based awards	3,974		4,728		4,827
Stock awards	1,185		1,096		1,081
Total	$	16,847	$	17,029	$	17,598

Summary of stock option activity

Changes in the Company's stock options for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:



	Number of shares		Weighted- average exercise price	Weighted-average remaining contractual terms (years)	Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)

Outstanding, January 2, 2016	1,423,660		$46.56

Granted	221,740		$91.23
Exercised	(160,200	)	$44.73
Forfeited	(43,315	)	$77.31
Expired	(675	)	$72.10
Outstanding, December 31, 2016	1,441,210		$52.70	5.62	$	49,696

Vested and Expected to Vest, December 31, 2016	1,384,830		$51.34	5.50	$	49,504
Exercisable, December 31, 2016	953,780		$38.08	4.31	$	46,103

Assumptions used for grants and summary of stock options and restricted stock activity

The table below presents the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted in each of the respective fiscal years:



	For the fiscal years ended
	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015
Expected volatility	26.95		%	31.65		%	30.85		%
Risk-free interest rate	1.33		%	1.65		%	1.82		%
Expected term (years)	6.0			6.0			6.0
Dividend yield	1.45		%	1.06		%	1.11		%
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$	21.41		$	24.59		$	19.86

Summary of restricted stock award activity

The following table summarizes activity related to all restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016:



	Restricted stock awards		Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Outstanding, January 2, 2016	460,727		$	68.14
Granted	190,092		$	91.66
Vested	(218,335	)	$	62.98
Forfeited	(26,785	)	$	77.91
Outstanding, December 31, 2016	405,699		$	81.29

Summary of issued shares of common stock to non-management board members

During fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014, such awards were as follows:



	Number of shares issued	Fair value per share	Aggregate value (in thousands)
2014	14,859	$72.72	$1,081
2015	10,933	$100.21	$1,096
2016	12,758	$101.10	$1,290



Fiscal year	Number of shares granted	Weighted-average fair value per share
2014	61,200	$	68.49
2015	50,600	$	82.40
2016	53,070	$	90.66

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Reconciliation of changes in the projected pension benefit obligation and plan assets

A reconciliation of changes in the projected pension benefit obligation and plan assets is as follows:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of fiscal year	$	60,375		$	63,515
Interest cost	2,515			2,493
Actuarial loss (gain)	1,697			(3,329		)
Benefits paid	(2,160		)	(2,304		)
Projected benefit obligation at end of fiscal year	$	62,427		$	60,375

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year	$	50,619		$	52,484
Actual return on plan assets	2,754			439
Benefits paid	(2,160		)	(2,304		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	$	51,213		$	50,619

Unfunded status	$	11,214		$	9,756

Components of post retirement benefit expense and pension expense

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



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015

Recognized in the statement of operations:
Service cost – benefits attributed to service during the period	$	123		$	130		$	113
Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation	177			178			230
Amortization net actuarial gain (a)	(198		)	(192		)	(206		)
Curtailment gain	—			—			(291		)
Net periodic post-retirement cost (benefit)	$	102		$	116		$	(154	)

Changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss:
Net (gain) loss arising during the fiscal year	$	(740	)	$	(278	)	$	32
Prior service cost	11			—			—
Amortization of net gain (a)	198			192			206
Total changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	(531	)	$	(86	)	$	238
Total net periodic (benefit) cost and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	(429	)	$	30		$	84

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



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015
Recognized in the statement of operations:
Interest cost	$	2,515		$	2,493		$	2,488
Expected return on plan assets	(2,701		)	(3,138		)	(3,193		)
Recognized actuarial loss (a)	578			643			85
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$	392		$	(2	)	$	(620	)

Changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss:
Net loss (gain) arising during the fiscal year	$	1,644		$	(630	)	$	7,968
Amortization of net loss (a)	(578		)	(643		)	(85		)
Total changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	1,066		$	(1,273	)	$	7,883
Total net periodic cost (benefit) and changes recognized in other comprehensive income or loss	$	1,458		$	(1,275	)	$	7,263

Schedule of assumptions used in actuarial computations

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



	2016	2015
Benefit obligation
Discount rate	3.50%	3.75%

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

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



Benefit obligation	2016	2015
Discount rate	4.00%	4.25%

Net periodic pension cost	2016	2015	2014
Discount rate	4.25%	4.00%	4.75%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.00%	6.00%	6.50%

Expected benefit payments for defined benefit pension plans for the next ten fiscal years

The Company currently expects benefit payments for its defined benefit pension plans as follows for the next ten fiscal years;



(dollars in thousands)
Fiscal Year
2017	$	2,540
2018	$	2,250
2019	$	2,290
2020	$	2,620
2021	$	2,640
2022-2026	$	16,400

Fair value of the Company's pension plan assets by category

The fair value of the Company's pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, by asset category, were as follows:



	December 31, 2016						January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands) Asset Category	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2
Cash and cash equivalents	$	175	$	175	$	—	$	149	$	149	$	—
Equity Securities:
U.S. Large-Cap blend (a)	8,462		4,221		4,241		8,438		4,222		4,216
U.S. Large-Cap growth	4,220		4,220		—		4,216		4,216		—
U.S. Mid-Cap growth	2,533		—		2,533		2,550		—		2,550
U.S. Small-Cap blend	2,514		2,514		—		2,523		2,523		—
International blend	2,569		2,569		—		2,523		2,523		—
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds (b)	25,573		25,573		—		25,097		25,097		—
Real estate (c)	5,167		5,167		—		5,123		5,123		—
	$	51,213	$	44,439	$	6,774	$	50,619	$	43,853	$	6,766

(a) This category comprises low-cost equity index funds not actively managed that track the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

(b) This category invests in both U.S. Treasuries and mid-term corporate debt from U.S. issuers from diverse industries.

Reconciliation of accumulated post retirement benefit obligation

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



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
APBO at beginning of fiscal year	$	4,938		$	5,331
Service cost	123			130
Interest cost	177			178
Actuarial (gain) loss	(740		)	(278		)
Plan participants' contribution	10			17
Prior service cost	11			—
Benefits paid	(394		)	(440		)
Curtailment gain	—			—
APBO at end of fiscal year	$	4,125		$	4,938

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Provision for income taxes

The components of income before income taxes were as follows:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Domestic	$	345,304	$	335,955	$	286,177
Foreign	50,766		32,233		16,729
Total	$	396,070	$	368,188	$	302,906

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Current tax provision:
Federal	$	113,326		$	103,316	$	88,635
State	11,407			10,277		9,049
Foreign	11,937			8,116		6,641
Total current provision	$	136,670		$	121,709	$	104,325

Deferred tax provision (benefit):
Federal	$	1,435		$	6,577	$	5,519
State	345			1,193		41
Foreign	(486		)	887		(1,649		)
Total deferred provision	1,294			8,657		3,911
Total provision	$	137,964		$	130,366	$	108,236

Federal statutory tax rate reconciliation

The difference between the Company's effective income tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate is reconciled below:



	For the fiscal years ended
	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015

Statutory federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2.3	%	2.5	%	2.5	%
Impact of foreign operations	(2.1	)%	(1.3	)%	(1.2	)%
Settlement of uncertain tax positions	(0.4	)%	(0.8	)%	(0.6	)%
Total	34.8	%	35.4	%	35.7	%

Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities

Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
Deferred tax assets:	Assets (Liabilities)
Accounts receivable allowance	$	3,873		$	4,394
Inventory	9,226			9,019
Accrued liabilities	16,037			15,156
Equity-based compensation	9,967			10,022
Deferred employee benefits	10,340			8,929
Deferred rent	46,685			43,616
Other	5,192			5,125
Total deferred tax assets	$	101,320		$	96,261
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(90,317	)	$	(84,610	)
Tradename and licensing agreements	(101,632		)	(101,160		)
Other	(4,541		)	(5,249		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(196,490	)	$	(191,019	)

Net deferred tax liability

The net deferred tax liability was classified on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016
	Assets (Liabilities)
Current net deferred tax asset	$	35,486		$	34,080
Non-current net deferred tax liability	(130,656		)	(128,838		)
Total deferred tax liability	$	(95,170	)	$	(94,758	)

Unrecognized tax benefits

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



(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 28, 2013	$	11,182
Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2014	2,572
Additions for prior year tax positions	(471		)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations	(1,536		)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements	(436		)
Balance at January 3, 2015	$	11,311
Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2015	2,840
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(260		)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations	(1,427		)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements	(3,049		)
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	9,415
Additions based on tax positions related to fiscal 2016	2,849
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(39		)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations	(995		)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements	(693		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	10,537

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of basic common shares outstanding to diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding

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



	For the fiscal years ended
	December 31, 2016			January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	49,917,858			51,835,053			52,614,425
Dilutive effect of equity awards	457,849			499,583			479,114
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding	50,375,707			52,334,636			53,093,539

Earnings per share:
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$	258,106		$	237,822		$	194,670
Income allocated to participating securities	(2,049		)	(2,184		)	(2,586		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	256,057		$	235,638		$	192,084

Basic net income per common share	$	5.13		$	4.55		$	3.65

Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$	258,106		$	237,822		$	194,670
Income allocated to participating securities	(2,035		)	(2,167		)	(2,568		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	256,071		$	235,655		$	192,102

Diluted net income per common share	$	5.08		$	4.50		$	3.62

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from dilutive earnings per share calculations (1)	247,460			192,740			230,150

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

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of segment information

The table below presents certain segment information for the periods indicated:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016			% of Total		January 2, 2016			% of Total		January 3, 2015			% of Total
Net sales:
Carter’s Retail (a)	$	1,254,140		39.2	%	$	1,151,268		38.2	%	$	1,087,165		37.6	%
Carter’s Wholesale	1,128,371			35.3	%	1,107,706			36.8	%	1,081,888			37.4	%
Total Carter’s	2,382,511			74.5	%	2,258,974			75.0	%	2,169,053			75.0	%
OshKosh Retail (a)	402,274			12.6	%	363,087			12.0	%	335,140			11.6	%
OshKosh Wholesale	49,663			1.6	%	65,607			2.2	%	73,201			2.5	%
Total OshKosh	451,937			14.2	%	428,694			14.2	%	408,341			14.1	%
International (b)	364,736			11.3	%	326,211			10.8	%	316,474			10.9	%
Total net sales	$	3,199,184		100.0	%	$	3,013,879		100.0	%	$	2,893,868		100.0	%
Operating income:				% of segment net sales					% of segment net sales					% of segment net sales
Carter’s Retail (a)	$	202,164		16.1	%	$	199,040		17.3	%	$	211,297		19.4	%
Carter’s Wholesale	250,132			22.2	%	232,497			21.0	%	185,463			17.1	%
Total Carter’s	452,296			19.0	%	431,537			19.1	%	396,760			18.3	%
OshKosh Retail (a)	10,417			2.6	%	11,931			3.3	%	8,210			2.4	%
OshKosh Wholesale	10,821			21.8	%	13,270			20.2	%	8,842			12.1	%
Total OshKosh	21,238			4.7	%	25,201			5.9	%	17,052			4.2	%
International (b) (c)	59,194			16.2	%	47,004			14.4	%	39,470			12.5	%
Corporate expenses (d) (e)	(106,170		)			(110,885		)			(119,937		)
Total operating income	$	426,558		13.3	%	$	392,857		13.0	%	$	333,345		11.5	%


(a)	Includes eCommerce results.


(b)	Net sales include international retail, eCommerce, and wholesale sales. Operating income includes international licensing income.


(c)	Includes the following charges:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in millions)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Revaluation of contingent consideration	$	—	$	1.9	$	1.3
Exit from Japan retail operations	$	—	$	—	$	0.5


(d)	Corporate expenses include expenses related to incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, executive management, severance and relocation, finance, building occupancy, information technology, certain legal fees, consulting, and audit fees.

(e) Includes the following charges:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in millions)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016		January 3, 2015
Office consolidation costs	$	—	$	—	$	6.6
Amortization of H.W. Carter and Sons tradenames	$	1.7	$	6.2	$	16.4
Closure of distribution facility in Hogansville, GA (1)	$	—	$	—	$	0.9
Direct sourcing initiative	$	0.7	$	—	$	—
Acquisition-related costs	$	2.4	$	—	$	—

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

Inventory, net, by segment

The table below represents inventory by segment:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Carter's Wholesale	$	278,664	$	271,117
Carter's Retail	81,505		68,694
OshKosh Retail	17,496		31,136
OshKosh Wholesale	49,773		50,027
International	60,153		48,960
Total	$	487,591	$	469,934

Consolidated Net Sales by Product

The table below represents consolidated net sales by product:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016 (52 Weeks)		January 2, 2016 (52 Weeks)		January 3, 2015 (53 Weeks)
Baby	$	1,241,701	$	1,173,002	$	1,107,973
Playclothes	1,215,238		1,182,281		1,146,797
Sleepwear	407,160		378,419		381,574
Other (a)	335,085		280,177		257,524
Total net sales	$	3,199,184	$	3,013,879	$	2,893,868

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

Property, plant, and equipment, net, by geographic area

The following represents property, plant, and equipment, net, by geographic area:



	For the fiscal years ended
(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
United States	$	349,877	$	342,354
International	35,997		29,350
Total	$	385,874	$	371,704

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value table

The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:



	December 31, 2016						January 2, 2016
(dollars in millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Investments	$	12.3	$	—	$	—	$	8.6	$	—	$	—
Foreign exchange forward contracts (1)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2.1	$	—

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

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value, including those classified in shareholders' equity measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Disclosures include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements, level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized and transfers between levels 1 and 2. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are those that are required or permitted in the statement of financial position in particular circumstances.

+ References + Details

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of other current liabilities

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

following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation	$	16,834	$	17,934
Accrued employee benefits	17,165		19,751
Accrued and deferred rent	15,632		12,590

Schedule of other long-term liabilities

Other long-term liabilities that exceeded five percent of total liabilities (at the end of either fiscal year) consisted of the

following:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Deferred lease incentives	$	74,015	$	70,060

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Leases [Abstract]

Minimum annual rental commitments under current operating leases

Minimum annual rental commitments under current noncancellable operating leases, as of December 31, 2016, substantially all of which relate to leased real estate, were as follows:



Fiscal Year	Operating Leases
2017	$	168,196
2018	161,073
2019	148,086
2020	135,174
2021	121,468
Thereafter	379,712
Total	$	1,113,709

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Accounts receivable reserves

Information regarding accounts receivable is as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	Wholesale accounts receivable reserves			Wholesale sales returns reserves			Total
Balance at December 28, 2013	$	9,308		$	400		$	9,708
Additional provisions	9,919			715			10,634
Charges to reserve	(7,419		)	(715		)	(8,134		)
Balance at January 3, 2015	$	11,808		$	400		$	12,208
Additional provisions	4,170			264			4,434
Charges to reserve	(7,435		)	(264		)	(7,699		)
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	8,543		$	400		$	8,943
Additional provisions	6,088			—			6,088
Charges to reserve	(5,879		)	(400		)	(6,279		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	8,752		$	—		$	8,752

UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Unaudited summarized financial data

The unaudited summarized financial data by quarter for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 is presented in the table below:



(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter 1			Quarter 2			Quarter 3			Quarter 4
Fiscal 2016
Net sales	$	724,085		$	639,471		$	901,425		$	934,203
Gross profit	310,929			282,182			375,546			410,492
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	228,996			228,464			255,322			282,624
Royalty income	(11,075		)	(9,525		)	(10,670		)	(11,545		)
Operating income	93,008			63,243			130,894			139,413
Net income	53,980			36,198			80,811			87,117
Basic net income per common share (1)	1.05			0.72			1.62			1.77
Diluted net income per common share (1)	1.04			0.71			1.60			1.76

Fiscal 2015:
Net sales	$	684,764		$	612,765		$	849,806		$	866,544
Gross profit	284,052			262,895			347,539			363,538
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	211,183			209,296			230,017			258,737
Royalty income	(11,636		)	(8,353		)	(12,699		)	(11,378		)
Operating income	84,505			61,952			130,221			116,179
Net income	49,792			36,105			79,326			72,599
Basic net income per common share (1)	0.94			0.69			1.52			1.40
Diluted net income per common share (1)	0.94			0.68			1.51			1.39

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

GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	229,056	$	11,817	$	58,485	$	—		$	299,358
Accounts receivable, net	—		176,825		18,315		7,331		—			202,471
Intercompany receivable	—		55,902		74,681		14,601		(145,184		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		278,696		174,542		60,153		(25,800		)	487,591
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		11,402		16,028		4,750		—			32,180
Deferred income taxes	—		18,476		15,440		1,570		—			35,486
Total current assets	—		770,357		310,823		146,890		(170,984		)	1,057,086
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		155,187		194,691		35,996		—			385,874
Goodwill	—		136,570		—		39,439		—			176,009
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	—		223,428		85,500		—		—			308,928
Other assets	—		17,771		605		324		—			18,700
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		428,436		—		(428,436		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	788,124		753,753		145,076		—		(1,686,953		)	—
Total assets	$	788,124	$	2,157,066	$	1,165,131	$	222,649	$	(2,386,373	)	$	1,946,597

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	97,103	$	41,947	$	19,382	$	—		$	158,432
Intercompany payables	—		85,894		55,257		4,033		(145,184		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		16,473		90,718		11,986		—			119,177
Total current liabilities	—		199,470		187,922		35,401		(145,184		)	277,609

Long-term debt	—		561,399		—		18,977		—			580,376
Deferred income taxes	—		87,116		43,540		—		—			130,656
Intercompany long-term liability	—		428,436		—		—		(428,436		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		66,721		89,252		13,859		—			169,832
Stockholders' equity	788,124		813,924		744,417		154,412		(1,712,753		)	788,124
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	788,124	$	2,157,066	$	1,165,131	$	222,649	$	(2,386,373	)	$	1,946,597

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	325,771	$	14,652	$	40,786	$	—		$	381,209
Accounts receivable, net	—		178,842		23,980		4,748		—			207,570
Intercompany receivable	—		52,676		133,092		3,317		(189,085		)	—
Finished goods inventories	—		271,148		184,618		48,960		(34,792		)	469,934
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		17,460		14,261		6,094		—			37,815
Deferred income taxes	—		19,502		13,544		1,034		—			34,080
Total current assets	—		865,399		384,147		104,939		(223,877		)	1,130,608
Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		162,031		180,322		29,351		—			371,704
Goodwill	—		136,570		—		38,304		—			174,874
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	—		225,348		85,500		—		—			310,848
Other assets	—		14,634		665		321		—			15,620
Intercompany long-term receivable	—		—		294,070		—		(294,070		)	—
Intercompany long-term note receivable	—		100,000		—		—		(100,000		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	875,051		652,598		100,146		—		(1,627,795		)	—
Total assets	$	875,051	$	2,156,580	$	1,044,850	$	172,915	$	(2,245,742	)	$	2,003,654

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	93,585	$	44,951	$	19,112	$	—		$	157,648
Intercompany payables	—		134,694		51,362		3,029		(189,085		)	—
Other current liabilities	—		12,996		80,908		11,166		—			105,070
Total current liabilities	—		241,275		177,221		33,307		(189,085		)	262,718

Long-term debt	—		560,541		—		18,431		—			578,972
Deferred income taxes	—		84,038		44,800		—		—			128,838
Intercompany long-term liability	—		294,070		—		—		(294,070		)	—
Intercompany long-term note payable	—		—		100,000		—		(100,000		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—		66,813		79,568		11,694		—			158,075
Stockholders' equity	875,051		909,843		643,261		109,483		(1,662,587		)	875,051
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	875,051	$	2,156,580	$	1,044,850	$	172,915	$	(2,245,742	)	$	2,003,654

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,881,919		$	1,762,882		$	300,533		$	(746,150	)	$	3,199,184
Cost of goods sold	—			1,358,209			1,033,403			155,571			(727,148		)	1,820,035
Gross profit	—			523,710			729,479			144,962			(19,002		)	1,379,149
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			177,605			753,874			101,494			(37,567		)	995,406
Royalty income	—			(32,728		)	(19,660		)	—			9,573			(42,815		)
Operating income (loss)	—			378,833			(4,735		)	43,468			8,992			426,558
Interest expense	—			26,475			5,435			442			(5,308		)	27,044
Interest income	—			(5,756		)	—			(115		)	5,308			(563		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(258,106		)	4,413			(29,306		)	—			282,999			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(383		)	482			3,908			—			4,007
Income (loss) before income taxes	258,106			354,084			18,654			39,233			(274,007		)	396,070
Provision for income taxes	—			104,970			23,067			9,927			—			137,964
Net income (loss)	$	258,106		$	249,114		$	(4,413	)	$	29,306		$	(274,007	)	$	258,106

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,813,950		$	1,639,826		$	246,158		$	(686,055	)	$	3,013,879
Cost of goods sold	—			1,286,411			989,284			136,317			(656,157		)	1,755,855
Gross profit	—			527,539			650,542			109,841			(29,898		)	1,258,024
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			181,150			679,532			88,257			(39,706		)	909,233
Royalty income	—			(32,978		)	(19,414		)	—			8,326			(44,066		)
Operating income (loss)	—			379,367			(9,576		)	21,584			1,482			392,857
Interest expense	—			26,550			5,331			557			(5,407		)	27,031
Interest income	—			(5,826		)	—			(81		)	5,407			(500		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(237,822		)	19,775			(9,742		)	—			227,789			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(6		)	(60		)	(1,796		)	—			(1,862		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	237,822			338,874			(5,105		)	22,904			(226,307		)	368,188
Provision for income taxes	—			102,534			20,590			7,242			—			130,366
Net income (loss)	$	237,822		$	236,340		$	(25,695	)	$	15,662		$	(226,307	)	$	237,822

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	1,770,238		$	1,564,717		$	241,191		$	(682,278	)	$	2,893,868
Cost of goods sold	—			1,271,260			936,260			138,838			(636,930		)	1,709,428
Gross profit	—			498,978			628,457			102,353			(45,348		)	1,184,440
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	—			203,371			646,728			91,521			(51,369		)	890,251
Royalty income	—			(30,741		)	(18,896		)	—			10,481			(39,156		)
Operating income (loss)	—			326,348			625			10,832			(4,460		)	333,345
Interest expense	—			27,651			5,310			343			(5,651		)	27,653
Interest income	—			(5,998		)	—			(56		)	5,651			(403		)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries	(194,670		)	20,226			(15,050		)	—			189,494			—
Other (income) expense, net	—			(235		)	2,263			1,161			—			3,189
Income (loss) before income taxes	194,670			284,704			8,102			9,384			(193,954		)	302,906
Provision for income taxes	—			85,574			19,441			3,221			—			108,236
Net income (loss)	$	194,670		$	199,130		$	(11,339	)	$	6,163		$	(193,954	)	$	194,670



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	258,106		$	249,114		$	(4,413	)	$	29,306	$	(274,007	)	$	258,106
Post-retirement benefit plans	(335		)	(335		)	(666		)	—		1,001			(335		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,962			1,962			1,962			1,962		(5,886		)	1,962
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	259,733		$	250,741		$	(3,117	)	$	31,268	$	(278,892	)	$	259,733

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	237,822		$	236,340		$	(25,695	)	$	15,662		$	(226,307	)	$	237,822
Post-retirement benefit plans	859			859			803			—			(1,662		)	859
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(14,189		)	(14,189		)	(29,574		)	(14,189		)	57,952			(14,189		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	224,492		$	223,010		$	(54,466	)	$	1,473		$	(170,017	)	$	224,492

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	194,670		$	199,130		$	(11,339	)	$	6,163		$	(193,954	)	$	194,670
Post-retirement benefit plans	(5,110		)	(5,110		)	(4,963		)	—			10,073			(5,110		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7,845		)	(7,845		)	(251		)	(7,845		)	15,941			(7,845		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	181,715		$	186,175		$	(16,553	)	$	(1,682	)	$	(167,940	)	$	181,715

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	$	—		$	206,843		$	127,018		$	35,368		$	—		$	369,229

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(22,934		)	(55,072		)	(10,550		)	—			(88,556		)
Intercompany investing activity	368,307			480			(2,118		)	131			(366,800		)	—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			23			—			193			—			216
Net cash provided by(used in) investing activities	$	368,307		$	(22,431	)	$	(57,190	)	$	(10,226	)	$	(366,800	)	$	(88,340	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(283,909		)	(74,681		)	(8,210		)	366,800			—
Dividends paid	(66,355		)	—			—			—			—			(66,355		)
Repurchase of common stock	(300,445		)	—			—			—			—			(300,445		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			2,782			2,018			—			—			4,800
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(8,673		)	—			—			—			—			(8,673		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,166			—			—			—			—			7,166
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(368,307		)	(281,127		)	(72,663		)	(8,210		)	366,800			(363,507		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			767			—			767
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(96,715		)	(2,835		)	17,699			—			(81,851		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	—			325,771			14,652			40,786			—			381,209
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$	—		$	229,056		$	11,817		$	58,485		$	—		$	299,358

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	$	—		$	148,656		$	115,589		$	43,742		$	—		$	307,987

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(27,813		)	(64,707		)	(10,977		)	—			(103,497		)
Intercompany investing activity	161,993			5,642			(2,735		)	(8,582		)	(156,318		)	—
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan	—			35,000			—			—			(35,000		)	—
Issuance of intercompany loan	—			(15,000		)	—			—			15,000			—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			65			—			7			—			72
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	161,993		$	(2,106	)	$	(67,442	)	$	(19,552	)	$	(176,318	)	$	(103,425	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(108,761		)	(46,672		)	(885		)	156,318			—
Repayment of intercompany loan	—			—			—			(35,000		)	35,000			—
Proceeds from intercompany loan	—			—			—			15,000			(15,000		)	—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			166,000			—			39,586			—			205,586
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	—			(186,000		)	—			(19,237		)	—			(205,237		)
Payment of debt issuance costs	—			(1,628		)	—			—			—			(1,628		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			(7,572		)	—			—			—			(7,572		)
Dividends paid	(46,028		)	—			—			—			—			(46,028		)
Repurchase of common stock	(110,290		)	—			—			—			—			(110,290		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			6,104			2,735			—			—			8,839
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(12,651		)	—			—			—			—			(12,651		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,976			—			—			—			—			6,976
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(161,993		)	(131,857		)	(43,937		)	(536		)	176,318			(162,005		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			(1,986		)	—			(1,986		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			14,693			4,210			21,668			—			40,571
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	—			311,078			10,442			19,118			—			340,638
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$	—		$	325,771		$	14,652		$	40,786		$	—		$	381,209

CARTER’S, INC.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015

(dollars in thousands)



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	$	—		$	189,945		$	83,439		$	9,013		$	—		$	282,397

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(45,868		)	(46,694		)	(10,891		)	—			(103,453		)
Intercompany investing activity	118,060			15,864			(2,445		)	(8,901		)	(122,578		)	—
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan	—			15,000			—			—			(15,000		)	—
Issuance of intercompany loan	—			(35,000		)	—			—			35,000			—
Acquisition of tradenames	—			(3,550		)	—			—			—			(3,550		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			2,267			—			4			—			2,271
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	118,060		$	(51,287	)	$	(49,139	)	$	(19,788	)	$	(102,578	)	(104,732		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(99,018		)	(26,302		)	2,742			122,578			—
Proceeds from intercompany loan	—			—			—			(15,000		)	15,000			—
Repayment of intercompany loan	—			—			—			35,000			(35,000		)	—
Payment of debt issuance costs	—			(177		)	—			—			—			(177		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			(8,901		)	—			—			—			(8,901		)
Dividends paid	(40,477		)	—			—			—			—			(40,477		)
Repurchase of common stock	(82,099		)	—			—			—			—			(82,099		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			2,256			2,444			—			—			4,700
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(4,548		)	—			—			—			—			(4,548		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	9,064			—			—			—			—			9,064
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(118,060		)	(105,840		)	(23,858		)	22,742			102,578			(122,438		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			(1,135		)	—			(1,135		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			32,818			10,442			10,832			—			54,092
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	—			278,260			—			8,286			—			286,546
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$	—		$	311,078		$	10,442		$	19,118		$	—		$	340,638



	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	$	—		$	148,656		$	115,589		$	43,742		$	—		$	307,987

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(27,813		)	(64,707		)	(10,977		)	—			(103,497		)
Intercompany investing activity	161,993			5,642			(2,735		)	(8,582		)	(156,318		)	—
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany loan	—			35,000			—			—			(35,000		)	—
Issuance of intercompany loan	—			(15,000		)	—			—			15,000			—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			65			—			7			—			72
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	161,993		$	(2,106	)	$	(67,442	)	$	(19,552	)	$	(176,318	)	$	(103,425	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	—			(108,761		)	(46,672		)	(885		)	156,318			—
Repayment of intercompany loan	—			—			—			(35,000		)	35,000			—
Proceeds from intercompany loan	—			—			—			15,000			(15,000		)	—
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	—			166,000			—			39,586			—			205,586
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	—			(186,000		)	—			(19,237		)	—			(205,237		)
Payment of debt issuance costs	—			(1,628		)	—			—			—			(1,628		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			(7,572		)	—			—			—			(7,572		)
Dividends paid	(46,028		)	—			—			—			—			(46,028		)
Repurchase of common stock	(110,290		)	—			—			—			—			(110,290		)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—			6,104			2,735			—			—			8,839
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock	(12,651		)	—			—			—			—			(12,651		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,976			—			—			—			—			6,976
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(161,993		)	(131,857		)	(43,937		)	(536		)	176,318			(162,005		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			—			(1,986		)	—			(1,986		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			14,693			4,210			21,668			—			40,571
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	—			311,078			10,442			19,118			—			340,638
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$	—		$	325,771		$	14,652		$	40,786		$	—		$	381,209

THE COMPANY (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016 store
UNITED STATES \| Dual-Branded [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Stores	159
UNITED STATES \| Carter's [Member] \| Standalone [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Stores	495
UNITED STATES \| OshKosh [Member] \| Standalone [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Stores	138
Canada [Member] \| Co-Branded [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Stores	164

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Accounts Receivable) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) customer	Jan. 02, 2016 USD ($) customer	Jan. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2013 USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 299,358	$ 381,209	$ 340,638	$ 286,546
Accounts receivable, gross	211,222	216,513
Less: reserves	(8,751)	(8,943)
Accounts receivable, net	202,471	$ 207,570
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Number of largest wholesale customers being discussed \| customer		10
Geographic Distribution, Foreign [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 58,500
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Customer concentration risk, gross accounts receivable	30.00%	60.00%
Number of largest wholesale customers being discussed \| customer	2	5
Maximum disclosure percentage for gross accounts receivable	10.00%	10.00%
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Less: reserves	$ (8,751)	$ (8,543)
Sales returns reserve [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Less: reserves	0	(400)
Trade receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, gross	182,194	185,046
Royalties receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, gross	9,218	11,164
Tenant allowances and other receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, gross	$ 19,810	$ 20,303

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Property, Plant, and Equipment) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)	3 years
Buildings [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)	15 years
Buildings [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)	26 years
Retail Store Fixtures, Equipment, and Computers [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)	3 years
Retail Store Fixtures, Equipment, and Computers [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)	10 years
Computer Software [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)	3 years
Computer Software [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)	10 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Intangible Assets) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Tradenames [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	20 years
Carter's Watch the Wear and H.W Carter and Sons [Member] \| Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Revenue Recognition) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cooperative advertising arrangements, fair value	$ 3.7	$ 3.9

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Wholesale shipping and handling costs	$ 66.4	$ 67.2	$ 72.1
Retail shipping and handling costs	$ 87.3	$ 75.4	$ 74.3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Supplemental Cash Flow Information) (Details) $ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 04, 2015 CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest paid in cash			$ 25.4	$ 25.1	$ 26.1
Income taxes paid in cash			120.6	108.4	95.8
Property, plant and equipment additions			$ 2.6	$ 6.1	$ 2.0
Original debt amount	$ 20.0
Converted debt amount	$ 20.3	$ 25.5
Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured revolving credit facility						$ 185.2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Recent Accounting Pronouncements) (Details) - Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Long-term Debt [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Unamortized issuance related costs	$ (4.6)	$ (5.5)
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Unamortized issuance related costs	$ (4.6)	$ (5.5)

ACQUISITION OF BONNIE TOGS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payment of contingent consideration		$ 0	$ 7,572	$ 8,901
Bonnie Togs [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Maximum consideration paid for business acquired	$ 95,000
Cash paid at closing for business acquired	$ 61,200
Payment of contingent consideration		$ 8,600	$ 8,568	$ 8,901	$ 14,700

ACQUISITION OF BONNIE TOGS (Contingent Consideration) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 0
Payments made	0	$ (7,572)	$ (8,901)
Accretion expense		809
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1,029)
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability		1,077
Ending balance		0
Bonnie Togs [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning balance		7,711	16,348
Payments made	(8,600)	(8,568)	(8,901)	$ (14,700)
Accretion expense	$ 0	$ 1,900	1,348
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(1,084)
Ending balance			$ 7,711	$ 16,348

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	$ 71,500	$ 62,000	$ 58,500
Property, plant and equipment, gross	731,781	662,340
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(345,907)	(290,636)
Property, plant, and equipment, net	385,874	371,704
Fixtures, Equipment, and Computers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	398,536	367,593
Land, Buildings, and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	305,844	260,809
Marketing Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	7,015	12,336
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 20,386	$ 21,602

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 17, 2014	Jul. 04, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount				$ 176,009	$ 174,874
Goodwill				176,009	174,874
Finite intangible assets, Gross amount				347,738	347,725
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated amortization				38,810	36,877
Tradenames and other intangible, net				308,928	310,848
Amortization of intangible assets				1,900	6,400	$ 16,500
Future amortization expense, 2017				200
Wholesale Segment [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill				45,900
Retail Segment [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill				82,000
International Segment [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill				8,600
Other Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Tradenames acquired, cash consideration	$ 3,600	$ 38,000
Weighted-average useful life	20 years
Weighted-average useful life			3 years
Finite intangible assets, Gross amount				42,005	41,992
Finite intangible assets, Accumulated amortization				38,810	36,877
Finite intangible assets, Net amount				3,195	5,115
Amortization of intangible assets				$ 1,700	6,200	$ 16,400
Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life				20 years
Carter's Goodwill [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount				$ 136,570	136,570
Goodwill				136,570	136,570
Bonnie Togs Goodwill [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross amount				39,439	38,304
Goodwill				39,439	38,304
Carter's Tradename [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite intangible assets				220,233	220,233
Oshkosh Tradename [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite intangible assets				$ 85,500	$ 85,500
Minimum [Member] \| Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life				2 years
Maximum [Member] \| Tradenames [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life				20 years

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cumulative translation adjustment, beginning balance	$ (29,586)	$ (15,397)	$ (7,552)
Cumulative translation adjustment, current year change	1,962	(14,189)	(7,845)
Cumulative translation adjustment, ending balance	(27,624)	(29,586)	(15,397)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	(36,367)	(23,037)	(10,082)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,627	(13,330)	(12,955)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	(34,740)	(36,367)	(23,037)
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustment, beginning balance	(8,185)	(8,988)	(4,025)
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustment, current year change	(666)	803	(4,963)
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustment, ending balance	(8,851)	(8,185)	(8,988)
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustments, tax benefit	5,200	4,800
Postretirement Benefit
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustment, beginning balance	1,404	1,348	1,495
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustment, current year change	331	56	(14)
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustment, ending balance	1,735	1,404	$ 1,348
Pension/post-retirement liability adjustments, tax benefit	1,000	$ 800
Japan Retail Operations
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 100

LONG-TERM DEBT (Schedule of Long Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS	$ 580,376	$ 500,000	$ 578,972
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS	$ 400,000

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the noncurrent portion of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Senior Notes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Jan. 02, 2016	Sep. 16, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Aug. 12, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, net				$ 580,376		$ 578,972
Redeemable debt instrument, percentage of principal				100.00%
Changes of Control [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage				101.00%
Sale of Certain Assets [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage				100.00%
Redemption, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage			102.63%
Redemption, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage		101.31%
Redemption, 2019 and Thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				$ 400,000		400,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				(4,601)		(5,459)
Long-term Debt				395,399		394,541
Secured revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross							$ 1,600
Long-term Debt				184,977		$ 184,431
TWCC [Member] \| Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross									$ 400,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross								$ 7,000
Stated interest rate									5.25%
Proceeds from senior notes					$ 394,200
Restricted amount of dividends payable				$ 100,000
Restriction on dividends payable, net income benchmark				50.00%
Ownership percentage of notes, to declare notes due and payable				25.00%

LONG-TERM DEBT (Secured Revolving Credit Facility) (Details)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 16, 2015 USD ($) yr	Aug. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 22, 2011 USD ($)	Oct. 15, 2010 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS		$ 580,376,000	$ 578,972,000		$ 500,000,000
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility		$ 0	205,586,000	$ 0
Debt instrument debt issuance cost amortization period \| yr						5
Debt covenants, EBITDAR restrictions (as a ratio)		4.00
Debt covenant, fixed charge coverage ratio		2.25
fiscal quarter of material acquisition [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt covenants, EBITDAR restrictions (as a ratio)		4.50
Debt covenant, fixed charge coverage ratio		2.00
CDOR Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate (in hundredths)		2.28%
LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		1.375%
Effective interest rate (in hundredths)		2.08%
LIBOR [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate, basis spread (as a percentage)		1.125%
LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate, basis spread (as a percentage)		1.875%
Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		0.375%
Base Rate [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate, basis spread (as a percentage)		0.125%
Base Rate [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate, basis spread (as a percentage)		0.875%
U.S. dollar facility revolving loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS							$ 340,000,000	$ 340,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity					400,000,000
U.S. dollar facility revolving loans [Member] \| Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate, basis spread (as a percentage)		0.50%
Multicurrency credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS							35,000,000	35,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity					100,000,000
Multicurrency facility loans denominated in U.S. dollars [Member] \| Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate, basis spread (as a percentage)		0.50%
Multicurrency facility loans denominated in Canadian dollars [Member] \| CDOR Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate, basis spread (as a percentage)		0.50%
Line of Credit BOA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS									$ 375,000,000
Letter of Credit BOA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS									130,000,000
Letter of Credit BOA [Member] \| U.S. dollar facility revolving loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS							$ 175,000,000	130,000,000
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	$ 175,000,000
Letter of Credit BOA [Member] \| Multicurrency credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS		$ 40,000,000						15,000,000
Secured revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross						$ 1,600,000
Long-term Debt		184,977,000	$ 184,431,000
Outstanding letters of credit		4,800,000
Available for future borrowing		310,200,000
Secured revolving credit facility \| Incremental Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity						50,000,000
Secured revolving credit facility \| Incremental Facilities [Member] \| United States of America, Dollars
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity						200,000,000
Swingline BOA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity									$ 40,000,000
Swingline BOA [Member] \| U.S. dollar facility revolving loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 50,000,000			40,000,000
Swingline BOA [Member] \| Multicurrency credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 15,000,000						$ 5,000,000
Multi currency incremental facility [Member] \| Incremental Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity						$ 250,000,000

COMMON STOCK (Share Repurchases) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 24, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Stock repurchase, authorized amount	$ 962,500
Stock repurchase, additional authorized amount	$ 500,000				$ 462,500
Remaining capacity under authorization		$ 274,400
Stock Repurchased, shares		3,049,381	1,154,288	1,111,899
Average price of repurchased and retired shares		$ 98.53	$ 95.55	$ 73.84
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value		$ 300,445	$ 110,290	$ 82,099	$ 195,300

COMMON STOCK (Dividends) (Details) - $ / shares		3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
COMMON STOCK (Dividends) (Details) - $ / shares	Feb. 15, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend declared per common share		$ 0.33	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.22	$ 1.32	$ 0.88	$ 0.76
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.37

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	May 13, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in the number of shares under the existing plan (in shares)				3,725,000
Original number of shares available under the plan (in shares)				12,053,392
Stock available under the existing plan (in shares)				15,778,392
Available for grant under the Plan (in shares)	1,625,371
Intrinsic value of basic stock options exercised	$ 9.0	$ 13.2	$ 12.9
Weighted- average exercise price per share, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 38.08
Vested and expected to vest (in shares)	1,384,830
Weighted- average exercise price per share, Vested and Expected to Vest (in dollars per share)	$ 51.34
Weighted-average expense recognition period (in years)	2 years 4 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	218,335	352,396	184,133
Granted (in shares)	190,092
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 91.66
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period (in years)	4 years
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 6.4
Weighted-average expense recognition period (in years)	2 years 6 months
Performance-based Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost		$ 4.7
Weighted-average expense recognition period (in years)		1 year 8 months 12 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	94,200
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 17.5
Time-based restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted- average exercise price per share, Vested and Expected to Vest (in dollars per share)	$ 65.80
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 12.8
Weighted-average expense recognition period (in years)	2 years 7 months 6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	124,135	148,396	184,133
Performance-based restricted stock awards to the CEO
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)	53,070	50,600	61,200
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 90.66	$ 82.40	$ 68.49

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock-Based Compensation by Award Type) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	218,335	352,396	184,133
Stock-based compensation	$ 16,847	$ 17,029	$ 17,598
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 62.98	$ 43.20	$ 42.24
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	405,699	460,727
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 81.29	$ 68.14
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 4,237	$ 4,350	$ 4,672
Time-based restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	124,135	148,396	184,133
Vested (in dollars per share)		$ 51.67	$ 42.24
Time-based awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 7,451	$ 6,855	$ 7,018
Performance-based Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	94,200
Stock-based compensation	$ 3,974	4,728	4,827
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 59.27
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	151,810
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 80.47
Stock awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,185	$ 1,096	$ 1,081

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock Option Activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Stock Options (Number of shares)
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	1,423,660
Granted (in shares) \| shares	221,740
Exercised (in shares) \| shares	(160,200)
Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	(43,315)
Expired (in shares) \| shares	(675)
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) \| shares	1,441,210
Vested and expected to vest (in shares) \| shares	1,384,830
Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	953,780
Stock Options (Weighted-average exercise price)
Weighted- average exercise price per share beginning balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 46.56
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	91.23
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	44.73
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	77.31
Expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	72.10
Weighted- average exercise price per share ending balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	52.70
Weighted- average exercise price per share, Vested and Expected to Vest (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	51.34
Weighted- average exercise price per share, Exercisable (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 38.08
Weighted-average remaining contractual terms (years), Outstanding	5 years 7 months 13 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual terms (years), Vested and Expected to Vest	5 years 6 months
Weighted-average remaining contractual terms (years), Exercisable	4 years 3 months 22 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, Outstanding \| $	$ 49,696
Aggregate intrinsic value, Vested and Expected to Vest \| $	49,504
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercisable \| $	$ 46,103

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Weighted-Average Assumptions) (Details) - Stock options - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected Volatility	26.95%	31.65%	30.85%
Risk-free interest rate	1.33%	1.65%	1.82%
Expected term (years)	6 years	6 years	6 years
Dividend yield	1.45%	1.06%	1.11%
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$ 21.41	$ 24.59	$ 19.86

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Restricted Stock
Shares outstanding (in shares)	460,727
Granted (in shares)	190,092
Vested (in shares)	(218,335)	(352,396)	(184,133)
Forfeited (in shares)	(26,785)
Shares outstanding (in shares)	405,699	460,727
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Weighted-average grant-date fair value outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 68.14
Granted (in dollars per share)	91.66
Vested (in dollars per share)	62.98	$ 43.20	$ 42.24
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	77.91
Weighted-average grant-date fair value outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 81.29	$ 68.14
Weighted-average expense recognition period (in years)	2 years 4 months 24 days
Performance-based restricted stock awards to the CEO
Restricted Stock
Granted (in shares)	53,070	50,600	61,200
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 90.66	$ 82.40	$ 68.49
Time-based restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 12.8
Restricted Stock
Vested (in shares)	(124,135)	(148,396)	(184,133)
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Vested (in dollars per share)		$ 51.67	$ 42.24
Weighted-average expense recognition period (in years)	2 years 7 months 6 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 17.5
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost		$ 4.7
Restricted Stock
Vested (in shares)	(94,200)
Shares outstanding (in shares)	151,810
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 59.27
Weighted-average grant-date fair value outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 80.47
Weighted-average expense recognition period (in years)		1 year 8 months 12 days

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Non-Management Board Directors) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value per share	$ 91.66
Non-Management Board Members
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued	12,758	10,933	14,859
Fair value per share	$ 101.10	$ 100.21	$ 72.72
Aggregate value	$ 1,290,000	$ 1,096,000	$ 1,081,000

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Defined Benefit Plans Narratives) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) fund	Jan. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.00%
2015	$ 400		$ 500
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	11,214	$ 9,756
Effect of 0.25% increase on projected benefit obligation	2,200
Effect of 0.25% decrease on projected benefit obligation	$ 2,000
Portfolio description, number of mutual funds or group annuity contracts \| fund	10
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.00%	6.00%	6.50%
Benefit payments	$ 2,540
Expected contribution and benefit payment, five years subsequent to 2017	16,400
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	$ 2,250
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation for plan assets in equity securities (as a percent)	40.00%
Pension Plans \| Bond Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation for plan assets in equity securities (as a percent)	50.00%
Pension Plans \| Real Estate Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation for plan assets in equity securities (as a percent)	10.00%
Pension Plans \| International Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity securities maximum investment in international equities (as a percent)	5.00%
Postretirement Benefit
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2015		$ 500	$ 500
Benefit payments				$ 300	$ 400
Expected contribution and benefit payment, five years subsequent to 2017	$ 1,400

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$ 60,375
Benefit obligation at end of period	62,427	$ 60,375
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	50,619
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	51,213	50,619
Pension Plans
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	60,375	63,515
Interest cost	2,515	2,493	$ 2,488
Actuarial (gain) loss	1,697	(3,329)
Benefits paid	(2,160)	(2,304)
Benefit obligation at end of period		60,375	63,515
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	50,619	52,484
Actual return on plan assets	2,754	439
Benefits paid	(2,160)	(2,304)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	51,213	50,619	52,484
Postretirement Benefit
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	4,938	5,331
Service cost	123	130	113
Interest cost	177	178	230
Actuarial (gain) loss	(740)	(278)
Plan participants' contribution	10	17
Benefits paid	(394)	(440)
Curtailment gain	0	0	(291)
Benefit obligation at end of period	4,125	4,938	$ 5,331
Net prior service cost	11	0
Change in plan assets:
Benefits paid	(394)	(440)
Postretirement Benefit \| Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	4,300
Benefit obligation at end of period	$ 3,500	$ 4,300

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Interest cost on accumulated benefit obligation	$ 2,515	$ 2,493	$ 2,488
Expected return on assets	(2,701)	(3,138)	(3,193)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	578	643	85
Total net periodic (benefit) cost	392	(2)	(620)
Total net periodic cost (benefit) and changes recognized in OCI	1,458	(1,275)	7,263
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	1,644	(630)	7,968
Amortization of actuarial gain/loss	(578)	(643)	(85)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	1,066	(1,273)	7,883
Postretirement Benefit
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost - benefits attributed to service during the period	123	130	113
Interest cost on accumulated benefit obligation	177	178	230
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	(198)	(192)	(206)
Curtailment gain	0	0	(291)
Total net periodic (benefit) cost	102	116	(154)
Total net periodic cost (benefit) and changes recognized in OCI	(429)	30	84
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	(740)	(278)	32
Amortization of actuarial gain/loss	198	192	206
Net prior service cost	11	0	0
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(531)	(86)	$ 238
Net prior service cost	11	$ 0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income \| Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	700
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income \| Postretirement Benefit
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	$ 200

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Assumptions) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Net periodic pension cost
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.00%
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Bond Indices	0.0025
Benefit obligation
Discount rate	4.00%	4.25%
Net periodic pension cost
Discount rate	4.25%	4.00%	4.75%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.00%	6.00%	6.50%
Postretirement Benefit
Benefit obligation
Discount rate	3.50%	3.75%
Net periodic pension cost
Discount rate	3.75%	3.50%	4.25%

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
2015	$ 400		$ 500
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	2,540
2017	2,290
2018	2,620
2019	2,640
2020 and thereafter	16,400
Postretirement Benefit
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
2015		$ 500	$ 500
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months				$ 300	$ 400
2017	500
2018	500
2019	500
2020 and thereafter	$ 1,400

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 51,213	$ 50,619
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	51,213	50,619	$ 52,484
Pension Plans \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	44,439	43,853
Pension Plans \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,774	6,766
Pension Plans \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	175	149
Pension Plans \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	175	149
Pension Plans \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Large-Cap blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8,462	8,438
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Large-Cap blend [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,221	4,222
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Large-Cap blend [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,241	4,216
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Large-Cap growth [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,220	4,216
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Large-Cap growth [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,220	4,216
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Large-Cap growth [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Mid-Cap growth [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,533	2,550
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Mid-Cap growth [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Mid-Cap growth [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,533	2,550
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Small-Cap blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,514	2,523
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Small-Cap blend [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,514	2,523
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| US Small-Cap blend [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| International blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,569	2,523
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| International blend [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,569	2,523
Pension Plans \| Equity Securities [Member] \| International blend [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Pension Plans \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	25,573	25,097
Pension Plans \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Corporate Bonds [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	25,573	25,097
Pension Plans \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Corporate Bonds [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Pension Plans \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Real estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,167	5,123
Pension Plans \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Real estate [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,167	5,123
Pension Plans \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Real estate [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Defined Contribution Plans) (Details) - Defined Contribution Plan - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Minimum age participation for the defined contribution plan (in years)	21 years
Minimum service participation for the defined contribution plan (in months)	3 months
Minimum hours service participation for the defined contribution plan (in hours)	250 hours
Defined contribution plan expense for the fiscal year	$ 10.5	$ 12.2	$ 10.5

INCOME TAXES (Provision for Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Current tax provision:
Federal	$ 113,326	$ 103,316	$ 88,635
State	11,407	10,277	9,049
Foreign	11,937	8,116	6,641
Total current provision	136,670	121,709	104,325
Deferred tax provision (benefit):
Federal	1,435	6,577	5,519
State	345	1,193	41
Foreign	(486)	887	(1,649)
Total deferred provision (benefit)	1,294	8,657	3,911
Total provision	$ 137,964	$ 130,366	$ 108,236

INCOME TAXES (Income Before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic	$ 345,304	$ 335,955	$ 286,177
Foreign	50,766	32,233	16,729
Total	$ 396,070	$ 368,188	$ 302,906

INCOME TAXES (Effective Rate Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax reserves applicable to the ongoing examination				$ 1.8
Income tax rate reconciliation [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2.30%	2.50%	2.50%
Impact of foreign operations	(2.10%)	(1.30%)	(1.20%)
Settlement of uncertain tax positions	(0.40%)	(0.80%)	(0.60%)
Total	34.80%	35.40%	35.70%

INCOME TAXES (Deferred Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Current net deferred tax asset	$ 35,486	$ 34,080
Non-current net deferred tax liability	(130,656)	(128,838)
Total deferred tax liability	(95,170)	(94,758)
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable allowance	3,873	4,394
Inventory	9,226	9,019
Accrued liabilities	16,037	15,156
Equity-based compensation	9,967	10,022
Deferred employee benefits	10,340	8,929
Deferred rent	46,685	43,616
Other	5,192	5,125
Total deferred tax assets	101,320	96,261
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(90,317)	(84,610)
Tradename and licensing agreements	(101,632)	(101,160)
Other	(4,541)	(5,249)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(196,490)	$ (191,019)
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Undistributed earnings from subsidiary	$ 137,500

INCOME TAXES (Uncertain Tax Provisions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015
Unrecognized income tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 9,415	$ 11,311	$ 11,182
Additions based on fiscal year tax positions	2,849	2,840	2,572
Additions for prior year tax positions			(471)
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(39)	(260)
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations	(995)	(1,427)	(1,536)
Reductions for prior year tax settlements	(693)	(3,049)	(436)
Ending Balance	10,537	9,415	$ 11,311
Impact of recognized tax benefit on effective tax rate, if recognized	7,500
Tax reserve for which statute of limitations is expected to expire	1,500
Tax reserves applicable to the ongoing examination				$ 1,800
Interest accrued for uncertain tax positions	$ 800	$ 800

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding (in shares)									49,917,858	51,835,053	52,614,425
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock awards (in shares)									457,849	499,583	479,114
Diluted number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)									50,375,707	52,334,636	53,093,539
Basic net income per common share:
Net income	$ 87,117	$ 80,811	$ 36,198	$ 53,980	$ 72,599	$ 79,326	$ 36,105	$ 49,792	$ 258,106	$ 237,822	$ 194,670
Income allocated to participating securities									(2,049)	(2,184)	(2,586)
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 256,057	$ 235,638	$ 192,084
Basic net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.77	$ 1.62	$ 0.72	$ 1.05	$ 1.40	$ 1.52	$ 0.69	$ 0.94	$ 5.13	$ 4.55	$ 3.65
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income	$ 87,117	$ 80,811	$ 36,198	$ 53,980	$ 72,599	$ 79,326	$ 36,105	$ 49,792	$ 258,106	$ 237,822	$ 194,670
Income allocated to participating securities									(2,035)	(2,167)	(2,568)
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 256,071	$ 235,655	$ 192,102
Diluted net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.76	$ 1.60	$ 0.71	$ 1.04	$ 1.39	$ 1.51	$ 0.68	$ 0.94	$ 5.08	$ 4.50	$ 3.62
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from dilutive earnings per share calculations (1)									247,460	192,740	230,150

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Reportable Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 934,203	$ 901,425	$ 639,471	$ 724,085	$ 866,544	$ 849,806	$ 612,765	$ 684,764	$ 3,199,184	$ 3,013,879	$ 2,893,868
Percentage of total net sales									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Operating income (loss)	$ 139,413	$ 130,894	$ 63,243	$ 93,008	$ 116,179	$ 130,221	$ 61,952	$ 84,505	$ 426,558	$ 392,857	$ 333,345
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									13.30%	13.00%	11.50%
Corporate expenses									$ (106,170)	$ (110,885)	$ (119,937)
Charges associated with the revaluation of contingent consideration										809
Amortization of H.W. Carter and Sons tradenames									1,900	6,400	16,500
Sourcing Initiative [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate expenses									(700)
Japan \| Japan Retail Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Office consolidation costs									0	0	500
Facility Closing \| Office Consolidation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Office consolidation costs											6,600
Facility Closing \| Hogansville Distribution Facility [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Office consolidation costs									0	0	900
H. W. Carter and Sons Tradenames [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of H.W. Carter and Sons tradenames									1,700	6,200	16,400
Bonnie Togs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Charges associated with the revaluation of contingent consideration									0	1,900	1,348
Heathrow [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate expenses									(2,400)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Carter's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 2,382,511	$ 2,258,974	$ 2,169,053
Percentage of total net sales									74.50%	75.00%	75.00%
Operating income (loss)									$ 452,296	$ 431,537	$ 396,760
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									19.00%	19.10%	18.30%
Operating Segments [Member] \| OshKosh [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 451,937	$ 428,694	$ 408,341
Percentage of total net sales									14.20%	14.20%	14.10%
Operating income (loss)									$ 21,238	$ 25,201	$ 17,052
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									4.70%	5.90%	4.20%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Wholesale [Member] \| Carter's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 1,128,371	$ 1,107,706	$ 1,081,888
Percentage of total net sales									35.30%	36.80%	37.40%
Operating income (loss)									$ 250,132	$ 232,497	$ 185,463
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									22.20%	21.00%	17.10%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Wholesale [Member] \| OshKosh [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 49,663	$ 65,607	$ 73,201
Percentage of total net sales									1.60%	2.20%	2.50%
Operating income (loss)									$ 10,821	$ 13,270	$ 8,842
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									21.80%	20.20%	12.10%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Retail [Member] \| Carter's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 1,254,140	$ 1,151,268	$ 1,087,165
Percentage of total net sales									39.20%	38.20%	37.60%
Operating income (loss)									$ 202,164	$ 199,040	$ 211,297
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									16.10%	17.30%	19.40%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Retail [Member] \| OshKosh [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 402,274	$ 363,087	$ 335,140
Percentage of total net sales									12.60%	12.00%	11.60%
Operating income (loss)									$ 10,417	$ 11,931	$ 8,210
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									2.60%	3.30%	2.40%
Operating Segments [Member] \| International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 364,736	$ 326,211	$ 316,474
Percentage of total net sales									11.30%	10.80%	10.90%
Operating income (loss)									$ 59,194	$ 47,004	$ 39,470
Operating income as percentage of segment net sales									16.20%	14.40%	12.50%

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Inventory) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net inventory	$ 487,591	$ 469,934
Operating Segments [Member] \| Wholesale [Member] \| Carter's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net inventory	278,664	271,117
Operating Segments [Member] \| Wholesale [Member] \| OshKosh [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net inventory	49,773	50,027
Operating Segments [Member] \| Retail [Member] \| Carter's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net inventory	81,505	68,694
Operating Segments [Member] \| Retail [Member] \| OshKosh [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net inventory	17,496	31,136
Operating Segments [Member] \| International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net inventory	$ 60,153	$ 48,960

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Revenue) (Details)	12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Revenue) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of total net sales	66.50%	65.60%

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Long-Lived Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 385,874	$ 371,704
UNITED STATES
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	349,877	342,354
International [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 35,997	$ 29,350
Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
International long-lived assets, as a percent of total long-lived assets	91.50%	89.50%

SEGMENT INFORMATION Net Sales (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 934,203	$ 901,425	$ 639,471	$ 724,085	$ 866,544	$ 849,806	$ 612,765	$ 684,764	$ 3,199,184	$ 3,013,879	$ 2,893,868
Baby [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									1,241,701	1,173,002	1,107,973
Playclothes [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									1,215,238	1,182,281	1,146,797
Sleepwear [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									407,160	378,419	381,574
Other Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 335,085	$ 280,177	$ 257,524

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Investments	$ 900
Liabilities
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		$ 0
Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Investments	12,300	8,600
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Investments	0	0
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	2,100
Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Investments	0	0
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Unobservable Inputs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Investments	$ 900
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		$ 0

- Definition

This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments.

+ References + Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Borrowings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS	$ 580,376	$ 500,000	$ 578,972
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, BS	400,000
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 416,000

- Definition

+ References + Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Foreign currency contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Foreign currency contracts [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 59.0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives		2.1
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized	$ 3.2	$ 3.1

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Other Current Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued bonuses and incentive compensation	$ 16,834	$ 17,934
Accrued 401 (k) contributions	17,165	$ 19,751
Restructuring Reserve, Current	$ 15,632

OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Other Long-Term Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred lease incentives	$ 74,015	$ 70,060

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
LEASE COMMITMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rent expense under operating leases	$ 150,600	$ 136,600	$ 123,600
Operating Leases, 2015	168,196
Operating Leases, 2016	161,073
2017	148,086
Operating Leases, 2018	135,174
Operating Leases, 2019	121,468
Operating Leases, thereafter	379,712
Operating Leases, total	$ 1,113,709
Minimum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
International retail store average lease term	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
International retail store average lease term	10 years

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Accounts receivable reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 8,943	$ 12,208	$ 9,708
Additions, charged to expense	6,088	4,434	10,634
Charges to reserve	(6,279)	(7,699)	(8,134)
Ending balance	8,752	8,943	12,208
Accounts receivable reserves [Member]
Accounts receivable reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	8,543	11,808	9,308
Additions, charged to expense	6,088	4,170	9,919
Charges to reserve	(5,879)	(7,435)	(7,419)
Ending balance	8,752	8,543	11,808
Sales returns reserve [Member]
Accounts receivable reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	400	400	400
Additions, charged to expense	0	264	715
Charges to reserve	(400)	(264)	(715)
Ending balance	$ 0	$ 400	$ 400

UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 934,203	$ 901,425	$ 639,471	$ 724,085	$ 866,544	$ 849,806	$ 612,765	$ 684,764	$ 3,199,184	$ 3,013,879	$ 2,893,868
Gross profit	410,492	375,546	282,182	310,929	363,538	347,539	262,895	284,052	1,379,149	1,258,024	1,184,440
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	282,624	255,322	228,464	228,996	258,737	230,017	209,296	211,183	995,406	909,233	890,251
Royalty income	(11,545)	(10,670)	(9,525)	(11,075)	(11,378)	(12,699)	(8,353)	(11,636)	(42,815)	(44,066)	(39,156)
Operating income	139,413	130,894	63,243	93,008	116,179	130,221	61,952	84,505	426,558	392,857	333,345
Net income	$ 87,117	$ 80,811	$ 36,198	$ 53,980	$ 72,599	$ 79,326	$ 36,105	$ 49,792	$ 258,106	$ 237,822	$ 194,670
Basic net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.77	$ 1.62	$ 0.72	$ 1.05	$ 1.40	$ 1.52	$ 0.69	$ 0.94	$ 5.13	$ 4.55	$ 3.65
Diluted net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.76	$ 1.60	$ 0.71	$ 1.04	$ 1.39	$ 1.51	$ 0.68	$ 0.94	$ 5.08	$ 4.50	$ 3.62

GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 299,358	$ 381,209	$ 340,638	$ 286,546
Accounts receivable, net	202,471	207,570
View	0	0
Intercompany loan receivable	0	0
Finished goods inventories	487,591	469,934
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,180	37,815
Deferred income taxes	35,486	34,080
Total current assets	1,057,086	1,130,608
Property, plant, and equipment, net	385,874	371,704
Goodwill	176,009	174,874
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	308,928	310,848
Other assets	18,700	15,620
Intercompany long term receivable	0	0
Intercompany long term note receivable	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total assets	1,946,597	2,003,654
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	158,432	157,648
Inventory	0	0
Intercompany loan payables	0	0
Other current liabilities	119,177	105,070
Total current liabilities	277,609	262,718
Long-term debt, net	580,376	578,972
Deferred income taxes	130,656	128,838
Goodwill	0	0
Intercompany long term note payable	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	169,832	158,075
Total stockholders’ equity	788,124	875,051	786,684	700,731
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,946,597	2,003,654
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
View	(145,184)	(189,085)
Intercompany loan receivable	0	0
Finished goods inventories	(25,800)	(34,792)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	(170,984)	(223,877)
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Intercompany long term receivable	(428,436)	(294,070)
Intercompany long term note receivable	(100,000)	(100,000)
Investment in subsidiaries	(1,686,953)	(1,627,795)
Total assets	(2,386,373)	(2,245,742)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Inventory	(145,184)	(189,085)
Intercompany loan payables	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	(145,184)	(189,085)
Long-term debt, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Goodwill	(428,436)	(294,070)
Intercompany long term note payable	(100,000)	(100,000)
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	(1,712,753)	(1,662,587)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	(2,386,373)	(2,245,742)
Parent [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
View	0	0
Intercompany loan receivable	0	0
Finished goods inventories	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	0	0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Intercompany long term receivable	0	0
Intercompany long term note receivable	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	788,124	875,051
Total assets	788,124	875,051
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Intercompany loan payables	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intercompany long term note payable	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	788,124	875,051
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	788,124	875,051
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	229,056	325,771	311,078	278,260
Accounts receivable, net	176,825	178,842
View	55,902	52,676
Intercompany loan receivable	0	0
Finished goods inventories	278,696	271,148
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	11,402	17,460
Deferred income taxes	18,476	19,502
Total current assets	770,357	865,399
Property, plant, and equipment, net	155,187	162,031
Goodwill	136,570	136,570
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	223,428	225,348
Other assets	17,771	14,634
Intercompany long term receivable	0	0
Intercompany long term note receivable	100,000	100,000
Investment in subsidiaries	753,753	652,598
Total assets	2,157,066	2,156,580
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	97,103	93,585
Inventory	85,894	134,694
Intercompany loan payables	0	0
Other current liabilities	16,473	12,996
Total current liabilities	199,470	241,275
Long-term debt, net	561,399	560,541
Deferred income taxes	87,116	84,038
Goodwill	428,436	294,070
Intercompany long term note payable	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	66,721	66,813
Total stockholders’ equity	813,924	909,843
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,157,066	2,156,580
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	11,817	14,652	10,442	0
Accounts receivable, net	18,315	23,980
View	74,681	133,092
Intercompany loan receivable	0	0
Finished goods inventories	174,542	184,618
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,028	14,261
Deferred income taxes	15,440	13,544
Total current assets	310,823	384,147
Property, plant, and equipment, net	194,691	180,322
Goodwill	0	0
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	85,500	85,500
Other assets	605	665
Intercompany long term receivable	428,436	294,070
Intercompany long term note receivable	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	145,076	100,146
Total assets	1,165,131	1,044,850
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	41,947	44,951
Inventory	55,257	51,362
Intercompany loan payables	0	0
Other current liabilities	90,718	80,908
Total current liabilities	187,922	177,221
Long-term debt, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes	43,540	44,800
Goodwill	0	0
Intercompany long term note payable	100,000	100,000
Other long-term liabilities	89,252	79,568
Total stockholders’ equity	744,417	643,261
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,165,131	1,044,850
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	58,485	40,786	$ 19,118	$ 8,286
Accounts receivable, net	7,331	4,748
View	14,601	3,317
Intercompany loan receivable	0	0
Finished goods inventories	60,153	48,960
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,750	6,094
Deferred income taxes	1,570	1,034
Total current assets	146,890	104,939
Property, plant, and equipment, net	35,996	29,351
Goodwill	39,439	38,304
Tradenames and other intangibles, net	0	0
Other assets	324	321
Intercompany long term receivable	0	0
Intercompany long term note receivable	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total assets	222,649	172,915
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	19,382	19,112
Inventory	4,033	3,029
Intercompany loan payables	0	0
Other current liabilities	11,986	11,166
Total current liabilities	35,401	33,307
Long-term debt, net	18,977	18,431
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intercompany long term note payable	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	13,859	11,694
Total stockholders’ equity	154,412	109,483
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 222,649	$ 172,915

GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Income Statement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 934,203	$ 901,425	$ 639,471	$ 724,085	$ 866,544	$ 849,806	$ 612,765	$ 684,764	$ 3,199,184	$ 3,013,879	$ 2,893,868
Cost of goods sold									1,820,035	1,755,855	1,709,428
Gross profit	410,492	375,546	282,182	310,929	363,538	347,539	262,895	284,052	1,379,149	1,258,024	1,184,440
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	282,624	255,322	228,464	228,996	258,737	230,017	209,296	211,183	995,406	909,233	890,251
Royalty income	(11,545)	(10,670)	(9,525)	(11,075)	(11,378)	(12,699)	(8,353)	(11,636)	(42,815)	(44,066)	(39,156)
Operating income	139,413	130,894	63,243	93,008	116,179	130,221	61,952	84,505	426,558	392,857	333,345
Interest expense									27,044	27,031	27,653
Interest income									(563)	(500)	(403)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries									0	0	0
Other expense (income), net									4,007	(1,862)	3,189
Income before income taxes									396,070	368,188	302,906
Provision for income taxes									137,964	130,366	108,236
Net income	$ 87,117	$ 80,811	$ 36,198	$ 53,980	$ 72,599	$ 79,326	$ 36,105	$ 49,792	258,106	237,822	194,670
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									(746,150)	(686,055)	(682,278)
Cost of goods sold									(727,148)	(656,157)	(636,930)
Gross profit									(19,002)	(29,898)	(45,348)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									(37,567)	(39,706)	(51,369)
Royalty income									9,573	8,326	10,481
Operating income									8,992	1,482	(4,460)
Interest expense									(5,308)	(5,407)	(5,651)
Interest income									5,308	5,407	5,651
(Income) loss in subsidiaries									282,999	227,789	189,494
Other expense (income), net									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									(274,007)	(226,307)	(193,954)
Provision for income taxes									0	0	0
Net income									(274,007)	(226,307)	(193,954)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									0	0	0
Cost of goods sold									0	0	0
Gross profit									0	0	0
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Royalty income									0	0	0
Operating income									0	0	0
Interest expense									0	0	0
Interest income									0	0	0
(Income) loss in subsidiaries									(258,106)	(237,822)	(194,670)
Other expense (income), net									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									258,106	237,822	194,670
Provision for income taxes									0	0	0
Net income									258,106	237,822	194,670
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									1,881,919	1,813,950	1,770,238
Cost of goods sold									1,358,209	1,286,411	1,271,260
Gross profit									523,710	527,539	498,978
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									177,605	181,150	203,371
Royalty income									(32,728)	(32,978)	(30,741)
Operating income									378,833	379,367	326,348
Interest expense									26,475	26,550	27,651
Interest income									(5,756)	(5,826)	(5,998)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries									4,413	19,775	20,226
Other expense (income), net									(383)	(6)	(235)
Income before income taxes									354,084	338,874	284,704
Provision for income taxes									104,970	102,534	85,574
Net income									249,114	236,340	199,130
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									1,762,882	1,639,826	1,564,717
Cost of goods sold									1,033,403	989,284	936,260
Gross profit									729,479	650,542	628,457
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									753,874	679,532	646,728
Royalty income									(19,660)	(19,414)	(18,896)
Operating income									(4,735)	(9,576)	625
Interest expense									5,435	5,331	5,310
Interest income									0	0	0
(Income) loss in subsidiaries									(29,306)	(9,742)	(15,050)
Other expense (income), net									482	(60)	2,263
Income before income taxes									18,654	(5,105)	8,102
Provision for income taxes									23,067	20,590	19,441
Net income									(4,413)	(25,695)	(11,339)
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									300,533	246,158	241,191
Cost of goods sold									155,571	136,317	138,838
Gross profit									144,962	109,841	102,353
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									101,494	88,257	91,521
Royalty income									0	0	0
Operating income									43,468	21,584	10,832
Interest expense									442	557	343
Interest income									(115)	(81)	(56)
(Income) loss in subsidiaries									0	0	0
Other expense (income), net									3,908	(1,796)	1,161
Income before income taxes									39,233	22,904	9,384
Provision for income taxes									9,927	7,242	3,221
Net income									$ 29,306	$ 15,662	$ 6,163

GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 87,117	$ 80,811	$ 36,198	$ 53,980	$ 72,599	$ 79,326	$ 36,105	$ 49,792	$ 258,106	$ 237,822	$ 194,670
Post-retirement benefit plans									(335)	859	(5,110)
Foreign currency translation adjustments									1,962	(14,189)	(7,845)
Comprehensive income									259,733	224,492	181,715
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									(274,007)	(226,307)	(193,954)
Post-retirement benefit plans									1,001	(1,662)	10,073
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(5,886)	57,952	15,941
Comprehensive income									(278,892)	(170,017)	(167,940)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									258,106	237,822	194,670
Post-retirement benefit plans									(335)	859	(5,110)
Foreign currency translation adjustments									1,962	(14,189)	(7,845)
Comprehensive income									259,733	224,492	181,715
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									249,114	236,340	199,130
Post-retirement benefit plans									(335)	859	(5,110)
Foreign currency translation adjustments									1,962	(14,189)	(7,845)
Comprehensive income									250,741	223,010	186,175
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									(4,413)	(25,695)	(11,339)
Post-retirement benefit plans									(666)	803	(4,963)
Foreign currency translation adjustments									1,962	(29,574)	(251)
Comprehensive income									(3,117)	(54,466)	(16,553)
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									29,306	15,662	6,163
Post-retirement benefit plans									0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments									1,962	(14,189)	(7,845)
Comprehensive income									$ 31,268	$ 1,473	$ (1,682)

GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 369,229	$ 307,987	$ 282,397
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(88,556)	(103,497)	(103,453)
Intercompany investing activity	0	0	0
Receipts from collection of intercompany loan		0	0
Payment of Intercompany Loan		0	0
Acquisition of tradenames	0	0	(3,550)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	216	72	2,271
Net cash used in investing activities	(88,340)	(103,425)	(104,732)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	0	0	0
Proceeds from Intercompany Loan		0	0
Repayment of intercompany loan		0	0
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility	0	205,586	0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility	0	(205,237)	0
Payments of debt issuance costs	0	(1,628)	(177)
Payment of contingent consideration	0	(7,572)	(8,901)
Dividends paid	(66,355)	(46,028)	(40,477)
Repurchases of common stock	(300,445)	(110,290)	(82,099)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,800	8,839	4,700
Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock	(8,673)	(12,651)	(4,548)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,166	6,976	9,064
Net cash used in financing activities	(363,507)	(162,005)	(122,438)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	767	(1,986)	(1,135)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(81,851)	40,571	54,092
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	381,209	340,638	286,546
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	299,358	381,209	340,638
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Intercompany investing activity	(366,800)	(156,318)	(122,578)
Receipts from collection of intercompany loan		15,000	(15,000)
Payment of Intercompany Loan		(35,000)	35,000
Acquisition of tradenames		0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(366,800)	(176,318)	(102,578)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	(366,800)	156,318	122,578
Proceeds from Intercompany Loan		(15,000)	15,000
Repayment of intercompany loan		35,000	(35,000)
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility		0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility		0
Payments of debt issuance costs		0	0
Payment of contingent consideration		0	0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0	0
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	366,800	176,318	102,578
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	0	0	0
Parent [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Intercompany investing activity	368,307	161,993	118,060
Receipts from collection of intercompany loan		0	0
Payment of Intercompany Loan		0	0
Acquisition of tradenames		0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	368,307	161,993	118,060
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	0	0	0
Proceeds from Intercompany Loan		0	0
Repayment of intercompany loan		0	0
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility		0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility		0
Payments of debt issuance costs		0	0
Payment of contingent consideration		0	0
Dividends paid	(66,355)	(46,028)	(40,477)
Repurchases of common stock	(300,445)	(110,290)	(82,099)
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock	(8,673)	(12,651)	(4,548)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,166	6,976	9,064
Net cash used in financing activities	(368,307)	(161,993)	(118,060)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	0	0	0
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	206,843	148,656	189,945
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(22,934)	(27,813)	(45,868)
Intercompany investing activity	480	5,642	15,864
Receipts from collection of intercompany loan		(15,000)	15,000
Payment of Intercompany Loan		35,000	(35,000)
Acquisition of tradenames		0	(3,550)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	23	65	2,267
Net cash used in investing activities	(22,431)	(2,106)	(51,287)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	283,909	(108,761)	(99,018)
Proceeds from Intercompany Loan		0	0
Repayment of intercompany loan		0	0
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility		166,000
Payments on secured revolving credit facility		(186,000)
Payments of debt issuance costs		(1,628)	(177)
Payment of contingent consideration		(7,572)	(8,901)
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0	0
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,782	6,104	2,256
Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(281,127)	(131,857)	(105,840)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(96,715)	14,693	32,818
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	325,771	311,078	278,260
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	229,056	325,771	311,078
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	127,018	115,589	83,439
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(55,072)	(64,707)	(46,694)
Intercompany investing activity	(2,118)	(2,735)	(2,445)
Receipts from collection of intercompany loan		0	0
Payment of Intercompany Loan		0	0
Acquisition of tradenames		0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(57,190)	(67,442)	(49,139)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	74,681	(46,672)	(26,302)
Proceeds from Intercompany Loan		0	0
Repayment of intercompany loan		0	0
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility		0
Payments on secured revolving credit facility		0
Payments of debt issuance costs		0	0
Payment of contingent consideration		0	0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0	0
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,018	2,735	2,444
Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(72,663)	(43,937)	(23,858)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,835)	4,210	10,442
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	14,652	10,442	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	11,817	14,652	10,442
Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	35,368	43,742	9,013
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(10,550)	(10,977)	(10,891)
Intercompany investing activity	131	(8,582)	(8,901)
Receipts from collection of intercompany loan		0	0
Payment of Intercompany Loan		0	0
Acquisition of tradenames		0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	193	7	4
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,226)	(19,552)	(19,788)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activity	8,210	(885)	2,742
Proceeds from Intercompany Loan		15,000	(15,000)
Repayment of intercompany loan		(35,000)	35,000
Borrowings under secured revolving credit facility		39,586
Payments on secured revolving credit facility		(19,237)
Payments of debt issuance costs		0	0
Payment of contingent consideration		0	0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0	0
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Withholdings of taxes from vesting of restricted stock	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,210)	(536)	22,742
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	767	(1,986)	(1,135)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	17,699	21,668	10,832
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	40,786	19,118	8,286
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	$ 58,485	$ 40,786	$ 19,118

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) $ in Millions	Feb. 23, 2017 segment	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments \| segment		4
Business acquisition, estimated purchase price \| $		$ 140
Business acquisition, estimate earn-out \| $		$ 10
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments \| segment	2