Strategic Structural Shift
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Carter's Wholesale Weakness: Temporary Reset or Structural Shift?
ZACKS· 2026-01-30 18:05
Core Insights - Carter's, Inc. (CRI) has faced a decline in net sales within its U.S. Wholesale segment during Q3 2025, primarily due to reduced demand for the Simple Joys brand on Amazon [1][9] - The company perceives the slowdown of Simple Joys as a structural shift rather than a temporary issue, prompting a strategic realignment with Amazon [2][9] - Management anticipates a low single-digit decline in wholesale sales for Q4 2025, although growth in other brands is expected to partially offset this decline [5][9] U.S. Wholesale Segment Performance - The U.S. Wholesale segment's decline is attributed to lower sales of the Simple Joys brand, which has been impacted by Amazon's new brand management strategy [1][2] - The company expects department stores to contribute less than 20% of total Wholesale channel sales in 2025, indicating a shift towards a more diversified wholesale mix [4] Strategic Adjustments - Under the revised strategy, core brands such as Carter's, OshKosh, Little Planet, and Otter Avenues are expected to gain more prominence [3] - The company plans to enhance collaboration with Amazon and share detailed growth initiatives moving forward [3] Financial Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a significant year-over-year decline in earnings for CRI, with expected decreases of 44.4% for 2025 and 28.5% for 2026 [15] - CRI's shares have increased by 36.3% over the past six months, contrasting with a 17.7% decline in the industry [6]