Carters

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Carter's was founded in 1865 by William Carter. The primary activity is to market and manufacture baby apparel. The baby and sleepwear products include bodysuits, pajamas, blanket sleepers, gowns, bibs, towels, washcloths and receiving blankets. In addition to producing babies' and children's sleepwear, Carter's (which operates through its The William Carter Company unit) is a leading US maker of apparel for fashionable youngsters. The company's play clothes products include knit and woven cotton apparel for everyday use in sizes 3 months to 7 and other products include bedding, outerwear, shoes, socks, diaper bags, gift sets, toys, room decor, and hair accessories. The company sells the products under the Carter's brand in the wholesale channel, which includes over 330 department stores, national chain and specialty store accounts. The company operates 193 Carter's retail stores located primarily in premier outlet centers throughout the United States.

In July 2005 the company acquired OshKosh B'Gosh Inc. Carter's markets its items under names Carter's, Child of Mine, OshKosh B'Gosh, and Just One Year through department and specialty stores and 370-plus company outlets nationwide. Berkshire Partners bought the company and took it public in 2003. Carter's bought OshKosh B'Gosh for about $312 million in 2005. Established in 1895, their OshKosh B'Gosh brand is also highly recognized and well known for its high quality apparel for children sizes newborn to 16. The acquisition has increased their market share in the wholesale can retail channels of distribution.

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