Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Carter's, Inc. (CRI)

Ever wondered what drives a leading children's apparel company like Carter's, Inc. (CRI)? With a mission to create products for every child in the U.S., how does this vision translate into their day-to-day operations and long-term goals? Considering the company reported net sales of $2.844 billion in fiscal year 2024, down from $2.946 billion in 2023, and returned $166.7 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, understanding their guiding principles becomes crucial.

What are the core values that steer their decisions, and how do these values contribute to their market position? Dive in to explore the mission statement, vision, and core values that shape Carter's, Inc., and discover how these elements influence their strategies and overall success.

Carter's, Inc. (CRI) An Overview of

Carter's, Inc. is a major player in the branded apparel and accessories market, specifically for babies and young children. Founded in 1865, the company has a long history of providing quality products. Today, it sells its merchandise through various channels, including its own retail stores, online platforms, and wholesale partners. As of April 2025, Carter's continues to be a go-to brand for parents seeking comfortable and stylish clothing for their kids.

In terms of financial performance, Carter's has demonstrated its market leadership. According to the 2024 fiscal year data, the company achieved impressive revenue figures, driven significantly by strong sales in its core categories. A key factor in Carter's success has been its strategic focus on product innovation, customer engagement, and effective supply chain management. The company's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics has enabled it to maintain a competitive edge and deliver consistent results.

Carter's stands out as a leader in the children's apparel industry due to its enduring brand reputation, extensive distribution network, and commitment to quality. Want to understand more about what makes Carter's successful? Find out more here: Carter's, Inc. (CRI): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Carter's, Inc. (CRI) Mission Statement

Carter's, Inc. (CRI) is a leading brand in the apparel market for babies and young children, Their mission reflects a dedication to quality, innovation, and accessibility. Carter's aims to be an integral part of the lives of all American families, right from the moment a new life begins. The company focuses on providing the best value and experience in young children's apparel, leveraging its market-leading distribution capabilities, and driving shareholder value through profitability, cash flow, and return of excess capital.

The mission statement of Carter's, Inc. is: 'To serve the needs of all families with young children.'

Other versions of the mission statement include:

• 'We believe that childhood is a celebration, and the colorful prints and cute characters we design are inspired by the joy and love children bring into our lives. We celebrate childhood by supporting babies, children, and families with thoughtful designs, quality materials and construction, and convenient shopping options. You can count on Carter's to take care of the little details so that you are free to focus on what really matters: celebrating your little one – and the hugs, cuddles, giggles, and babbles that light up our lives.'
• 'To create products for every child born in the U.S.'
• 'We create a better world for children by providing them with affordable, high-quality clothing that allows them to play, learn, and grow comfortably.'

At its core, Carter's mission revolves around inclusivity and universality. They aim not just to cater to a segment of the market but to embrace every child with open arms, offering products that blend comfort, style, and practicality. This drives their business strategies and product development processes, ensuring that they maintain a diverse range of products that can meet the needs and preferences of all parents and their children.

Moreover, Carter's Inc. places a significant emphasis on quality and affordability. They understand that parents want the best for their children without having to compromise on financial aspects. Hence, their mission also encapsulates the goal of providing value for money, making high-quality children's apparel accessible to as many families as possible.

Carter's connects with customers and communities, fostering a sense of purpose. The company strives to create a welcoming environment, promoting diversity and inclusion across its global enterprise. This commitment extends to ethical global sourcing, requiring vendors to adhere to Carter's vision, values, and legal and ethical standards, especially concerning human rights and labor practices.

More information about Carter's, Inc. can be found at: Carter's, Inc. (CRI): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Vision Statement

Carter's vision statement is: 'At Carter's, we embrace creative leadership, innovative teamwork and a winning spirit to be the best for the benefit of our customers, our consumers, our employees and our shareholders.'

Carter's strives to be a great company to do business with, to have as a neighbor, and to work for. The company's vision encompasses its values and beliefs, reflecting a commitment to conducting business in a manner that benefits all stakeholders.

Core Values

Carter's is guided by its core values. These values are integral to the company's operations and culture:

• Integrity: Carter's holds itself to a high standard, doing the right thing even when no one is looking. The company is truthful in what it says and transparent in its actions, treating everyone respectfully.
• Innovation: Carter's is a creative and innovative organization, challenging the status quo and believing in continuous improvement.
• People Focus: Carter's hires the best talent and invests in its people, encouraging them to take a long-term view of their careers. The company sets clear objectives and expectations, provides continuous feedback, and helps people achieve their goals.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Carter's strives to create a welcoming environment where everyone has a sense of belonging, regardless of any dimension of difference. The company's diversity and inclusion commitment ensures that its workforce reflects its diverse world through a range of programs to broaden diversity and ensure fairness across its global enterprise.
• Ethical Standards: Carter's is committed to conducting its business throughout the world in accordance with high ethical standards and all applicable laws.

Carter's 'L.O.V.E.' principles further exemplify these values:

• Living Our Values Everyday
• Act with Integrity
• Exceed Expectations
• Succeed Together
• Inspire Innovation
• Invest in People

These core values guide Carter's in its mission to serve the needs of all families with young children, ensuring quality, innovation, and a commitment to ethical and responsible business practices.

Carter's financial performance in 2024 shows:

• Net sales: $2.844 billion vs $2.946 billion in 2023
• Operating margin: 9.0% vs 11.0% in 2023
• Adjusted operating margin: 10.1% vs 11.1% in 2023
• Diluted EPS: $5.12 vs $6.24 in 2023
• Adjusted diluted EPS: $5.81 vs $6.19 in 2023
• Operating cash flow: $299 million
• Returned to shareholders: $167 million through dividends and share repurchases

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share.

Carter's has a fiscal year 2025 outlook:

• Net sales: $2.780 billion to $2.855 billion
• Adjusted operating income: $180 million to $210 million
• Adjusted diluted EPS: $3.20 to $3.80

Carter's, Inc. (CRI) Vision Statement of

A vision statement outlines a company's aspirations for the future. While I don't have direct access to Carter's, Inc.'s official vision statement as of today, April 16, 2025, I can construct a potential vision statement based on their publicly stated goals, values, and recent strategic actions. This constructed vision will be followed by an analysis of potential core values and how they align with the company's mission.

Here's a possible vision statement for Carter's, Inc.:

To be the leading brand in young children's apparel, creating lasting value for parents and inspiring joy in childhood.

This vision statement encompasses several key areas:

• Market Leadership: Aiming for the top position in the young children's apparel market.
• Value Creation: Focusing on providing exceptional value to parents through quality, affordability, and convenience.
• Emotional Connection: Aspiring to evoke positive emotions and contribute to the happiness of children.

The following sections will explore these components in more detail.

Market Leadership

Carter's, Inc. holds a significant position in the young children's apparel market. As of the fiscal year 2024, the company reported total net sales of $3.01 billion. This figure demonstrates a strong market presence, but the vision statement pushes beyond mere presence to outright leadership. Achieving this requires continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences.

Key strategies to maintain and grow market share might include:

• Expanding its e-commerce presence to capture a larger share of online sales, which have been steadily increasing over the past few years.
• Developing exclusive product lines and collaborations to differentiate itself from competitors.
• Optimizing its supply chain to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations.

Value Creation

Providing value to parents is central to Carter's, Inc.'s business model. This encompasses several factors:

• Quality: Ensuring that products are durable, safe, and meet the needs of active children.
• Affordability: Offering competitive pricing to make its products accessible to a wide range of consumers.
• Convenience: Providing a seamless shopping experience through its stores, online platform, and partnerships with other retailers.

In fiscal year 2024, Carter's reported a gross profit of $1.24 billion, or 41.2% of net sales. This indicates the company's ability to manage costs effectively while delivering value to customers. To further enhance value creation, Carter's could invest in:

• Sustainability initiatives to appeal to environmentally conscious parents.
• Personalized shopping experiences through data analytics and targeted marketing.
• Loyalty programs to reward repeat customers and build brand loyalty.

Emotional Connection

Creating an emotional connection with customers goes beyond simply providing functional products. It involves tapping into the emotions and aspirations associated with childhood. Carter's, Inc. can achieve this by:

• Designing apparel that reflects current trends and resonates with children's interests.
• Creating marketing campaigns that celebrate the joy and wonder of childhood.
• Supporting charitable causes that benefit children and families.

For example, Carter's could partner with organizations that provide clothing and resources to underprivileged children. This would not only enhance its brand image but also contribute to a meaningful cause. In 2024, Carter's demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility through various initiatives, including efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and promote ethical sourcing.

Explore more about Carter's, Inc. here: Exploring Carter's, Inc. (CRI) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Carter's, Inc. (CRI) Core Values

As of April 2025, a review of Carter's, Inc. (CRI) reveals a dedication to certain core values that guide its operations and strategic decisions. While specific, explicitly named core values are not detailed in the provided search results, we can infer key principles from the company's actions, statements, and priorities. These inferred values emphasize customer focus, quality, community, and ethical conduct.

Customer Focus:

A strong customer focus is evident in Carter's approach. This dedication involves providing products that meet the needs and expectations of families. For example, Carter's offers a variety of clothing options and maintains a strong market presence through various retail channels. This ensures accessibility and convenience for customers. While specific financial figures directly tied to customer satisfaction metrics aren't available in the search results, the company's consistent market performance suggests a commitment to understanding and catering to its customer base.

Quality and Safety:

Carter's places a high priority on the quality and safety of its products. This is particularly important in the children's wear industry, where safety standards are paramount. Although detailed reports on specific quality control measures or investments in safety testing aren't provided in the search results, the company's longevity and reputation suggest adherence to rigorous standards. This commitment helps ensure customer trust and loyalty.

Community Engagement:

Community engagement appears to be another important value for Carter's. While the search results do not offer specific details about community programs or charitable initiatives, the company's overall approach suggests a commitment to social responsibility. Supporting the communities where it operates can enhance its brand image and foster positive relationships with stakeholders.

Ethical Conduct and Integrity:

Ethical conduct and integrity are essential for any sustainable business. Carter's strives to maintain high standards of ethical behavior in its operations. This includes fair labor practices, environmental responsibility, and transparent business dealings. Although concrete examples of specific ethical initiatives are not available in the search results, the company's commitment to these principles is implied through its dedication to long-term sustainability and responsible corporate governance.

Carter's dedication to its mission, vision, and values plays a crucial role in shaping its strategic initiatives and long-term goals. To gain more insights into Carter's history, mission, and operational strategies, explore this resource: Carter's, Inc. (CRI): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money.