v2.3.0.11

COMMON STOCK (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jun. 15, 2010	Feb. 16, 2007
COMMON STOCK [Abstract]
Share repurchase authorization amount					$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Repurchased and retired shares	1,686,830		1,686,830
Cost of repurchased and retired shares	41,100,000		41,100,000
Average price of repurchased and retired shares	$ 24.37		$ 24.37
Remaining capacity under this authorization	58,900,000		58,900,000
Issuance Of Common Stock Shares	38,520	24,032	38,520	24,032
Fair market value of common stock issued (in dollars per share)	$ 30.38	$ 33.29	$ 30.38	$ 33.29
Compensation expense recorded in connection with common stock grant	$ 1,200,000	$ 800,000	$ 1,200,000	$ 800,000

X

- Definition

The cumulative number of shares that have been repurchased and retired as of the balance sheet date.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The cumulative value of stock that has been repurchased and retired as of the balance sheet date.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cri
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Per share fair market value of common stock issued during the period.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cri
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Definition not provided

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cri
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount authorized by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cri
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The remaining repurchase amount authorized by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan as of the balance sheet date.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cri
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The cumulative cost of shares repurchased divided by the cumulative number of shares repurchased.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cri
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Equity-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6406099&loc=d3e25284-112666

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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Balance Type:	debit
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