Carter’s Names Sharon Price John as New CEO

Carter’s ( (CRI) ) has issued an announcement.

On May 1, 2026, Carter’s announced that Sharon Price John, a veteran children’s consumer and retail executive, will become Chief Executive Officer and President and join the board effective June 15, 2026, following her 13-year tenure leading Build-A-Bear Workshop through a profitability-focused transformation. Her compensation package includes a $1.3 million base salary, performance-linked annual and sign-on equity awards, and severance protections designed to align her incentives with long-term shareholder returns.

In connection with her appointment, Douglas C. Palladini departed as CEO, President, and director effective April 28, 2026, with eligibility for severance benefits, while Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Richard F. Westenberger was named interim CEO and President from April 28, 2026, and granted additional cash and restricted stock compensation for the transition period. Carter’s reaffirmed its first-quarter and full-year fiscal 2026 outlook, signaling confidence in its operational momentum as it executes a planned leadership transition aimed at accelerating growth and reinforcing its position as the leading young children’s apparel brand in North America.

The most recent analyst rating on (CRI) stock is a Sell with a $33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Carter’s stock, see the CRI Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on CRI Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, CRI is a Neutral.

The score is held back primarily by weakened profitability and sharply lower cash generation, reinforced by earnings-call guidance for margin pressure and an EPS decline driven largely by tariffs and higher interest. Offsetting factors include improved leverage, supportive valuation (moderate P/E and ~4.6% yield), and moderately positive momentum indicators alongside DTC and international operating momentum.

To see Spark’s full report on CRI stock, click here.

More about Carter’s

Carter’s, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is North America’s largest and longest-standing apparel company focused exclusively on babies and young children. Its core Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh brands, along with retailer-exclusive labels such as Child of Mine, Just One You, and Simple Joys, are sold through more than 1,000 company-operated stores across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as major retail partners and e-commerce channels.

The company also markets emerging brands including Little Planet, Otter Avenue, and Skip Hop, targeting demand for organic, sustainable, and design-led baby and toddler products. Carter’s is a leading supplier of baby and young children’s apparel to North America’s biggest retailers, giving it broad distribution reach and entrenched relationships with mass merchants and online marketplaces.

Average Trading Volume: 1,204,684

Technical Sentiment Signal: Sell

Current Market Cap: $1.33B

For detailed information about CRI stock, go to TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.