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      <link:roleType id="LONGTERMDEBTTables" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTTables">
        <link:definition>2337306 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="LONGTERMDEBTScheduleDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTScheduleDetails">
        <link:definition>2438423 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Schedule) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>2439424 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Secured Revolving Credit Facility) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>2440425 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Terms of the Secured Revolving Credit Facility ) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="LONGTERMDEBTSeniorNotesDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTSeniorNotesDetails">
        <link:definition>2441426 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Senior Notes) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="LONGTERMDEBTRedemptionScheduleDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTRedemptionScheduleDetails">
        <link:definition>2442427 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT Redemption Schedule (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>2143109 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="COMMONSTOCKTables" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/COMMONSTOCKTables">
        <link:definition>2344307 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK (Tables)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="COMMONSTOCKTotalAuthorizationsandShareRepurchasesDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/COMMONSTOCKTotalAuthorizationsandShareRepurchasesDetails">
        <link:definition>2445428 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK ( Total Authorizations and Share Repurchases) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="COMMONSTOCKDividendsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/COMMONSTOCKDividendsDetails">
        <link:definition>2446429 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK (Dividends) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="COMMONSTOCKDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/COMMONSTOCKDetails">
        <link:definition>2447430 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATION" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATION">
        <link:definition>2148110 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONTables" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONTables">
        <link:definition>2349308 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2450431 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockBasedCompensationbyAwardTypeDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockBasedCompensationbyAwardTypeDetails">
        <link:definition>2451432 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock-Based Compensation by Award Type) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockOptionActivityDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockOptionActivityDetails">
        <link:definition>2452433 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock Option Activity) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails">
        <link:definition>2453434 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Weighted-Average Assumptions) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockActivityDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockActivityDetails">
        <link:definition>2454435 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Restricted Stock Activity) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONNonManagementBoardDirectorsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONNonManagementBoardDirectorsDetails">
        <link:definition>2455436 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Non-Management Board Directors) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANS" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANS">
        <link:definition>2156111 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSTables" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSTables">
        <link:definition>2357309 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSDefinedBenefitPlansNarrativesDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSDefinedBenefitPlansNarrativesDetails">
        <link:definition>2458437 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Defined Benefit Plans Narratives) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSBenefitObligationandPlanAssetsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSBenefitObligationandPlanAssetsDetails">
        <link:definition>2459438 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSNetPeriodicBenefitCostDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSNetPeriodicBenefitCostDetails">
        <link:definition>2460439 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSAssumptionsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSAssumptionsDetails">
        <link:definition>2461440 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Assumptions) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSExpectedBenefitPaymentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSExpectedBenefitPaymentsDetails">
        <link:definition>2462441 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Expected Benefit Payments) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSPlanAssetsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSPlanAssetsDetails">
        <link:definition>2463442 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Plan Assets) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSDefinedContributionPlansDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSDefinedContributionPlansDetails">
        <link:definition>2464443 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Defined Contribution Plans) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="INCOMETAXES" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/INCOMETAXES">
        <link:definition>2165112 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>2366310 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="INCOMETAXESNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/INCOMETAXESNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2467444 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="INCOMETAXESProvisionforIncomeTaxesDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/INCOMETAXESProvisionforIncomeTaxesDetails">
        <link:definition>2468445 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Provision for Income Taxes) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="INCOMETAXESIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxesDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/INCOMETAXESIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxesDetails">
        <link:definition>2469446 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Income Before Income Taxes) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="INCOMETAXESEffectiveRateReconciliationDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/INCOMETAXESEffectiveRateReconciliationDetails">
        <link:definition>2470447 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Effective Rate Reconciliation) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="INCOMETAXESDeferredTaxesDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/INCOMETAXESDeferredTaxesDetails">
        <link:definition>2471448 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Deferred Taxes) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="INCOMETAXESUncertainTaxProvisionsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/INCOMETAXESUncertainTaxProvisionsDetails">
        <link:definition>2472449 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Uncertain Tax Provisions) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>2173113 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="EARNINGSPERSHARETables" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHARETables">
        <link:definition>2374311 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="EARNINGSPERSHAREDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREDetails">
        <link:definition>2475450 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>2176114 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>2377312 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="SEGMENTINFORMATIONReportableSegmentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONReportableSegmentsDetails">
        <link:definition>2478451 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Reportable Segments) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="SEGMENTINFORMATIONNetInventoryDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONNetInventoryDetails">
        <link:definition>2479452 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Inventory) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="SEGMENTINFORMATIONNetSalesDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONNetSalesDetails">
        <link:definition>2480453 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Sales) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="SEGMENTINFORMATIONRevenueDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONRevenueDetails">
        <link:definition>2481454 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Revenue) (Details)</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="SEGMENTINFORMATIONLongLivedAssetsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONLongLivedAssetsDetails">
        <link:definition>2482455 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Long-Lived Assets) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTS" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTS">
        <link:definition>2183115 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS</link:definition>
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        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSForeigncurrencycontractsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSForeigncurrencycontractsDetails">
        <link:definition>2484456 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Foreign currency contracts (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSGoodwillandIntangibleAssetsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSGoodwillandIntangibleAssetsDetails">
        <link:definition>2485457 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails">
        <link:definition>2486458 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Borrowings (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType id="OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIES" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIES">
        <link:definition>2187116 - Disclosure - OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESTables" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESTables">
        <link:definition>2388313 - Disclosure - OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESDetails" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESDetails">
        <link:definition>2489459 - Disclosure - OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="RESTRUCTURING" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/RESTRUCTURING">
        <link:definition>2190117 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="RESTRUCTURINGTables" roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/RESTRUCTURINGTables">
        <link:definition>2391314 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
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  <xs:element id="cri_FivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwentyTwentySevenMemberMember" abstract="true" name="FivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwentyTwentySevenMemberMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
