Carter's takes hit on high cotton prices

Children's clothing company Carter's had its sales increase across the board, but high product costs meant it did not earn as much this year as it did last year.

The Atlanta company made $12.7 million in the second quarter, down from $19.1 million the year before, a decrease of a third. Its net sales increased 21 percent.

While the price of cotton has decreased from its highs, the company said in a conference call Thursday that they are still 30 percent higher than they were a year ago.

The company raised prices 10 percent for the fall in some cases, and will raise them another 10 percent for the spring. The move will not pass on the entire price increase to consumers.

Fall shipments are expected to be up 8 percent, the company said. Some retailers asked that fall product shipments arrive earlier, in the second quarter.

On the call, Carter's chairman and CEO Michael Casey said retailers are carrying more summer goods as the weather remains warm.

In the quarter, the company that sells OshKosh B'gosh and Carter's-brand clothes acquired Bonnie Togs, the most significant international licenser of its brands, for $98 million.