CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 30, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 151,503	$ 183,657	$ 196,033
Restricted cash		2,258	2,195
Accounts receivable	22,760	16,121	18,905
Inventories	244,061	210,523	214,301
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50,056	46,860	46,111
Deferred income taxes	14,520	18,282	36,049
Total current assets	482,900	477,701	513,594
Long-term assets:
Property and equipment, net	331,277	320,601	318,255
Deferred income taxes	55,058	51,931	56,406
Other assets	4,016	4,098	4,270
Total assets	873,251	854,331	892,525
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	67,738	50,730	68,564
Income taxes payable	2,108	1,143	1,029
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	82,903	78,523	80,849
Total current liabilities	152,749	130,396	150,442
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred rent liabilities	99,861	94,394	95,614
Other tax liabilities	15,511	15,184	15,784
Other long-term liabilities	5,251	6,630	5,533
Total liabilities	273,372	246,604	267,373
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 25,491, 26,136 and 27,822 issued; 25,480, 26,136 and 27,822 outstanding	2,549	2,613	2,782
Additional paid-in capital	217,367	209,960	218,571
Treasury stock, at cost (11 shares)	(463)
Deferred compensation	463
Accumulated other comprehensive income	17,893	13,157	10,431
Retained earnings	362,070	381,997	393,368
Total stockholders' equity	599,879	607,727	625,152
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 873,251	$ 854,331	$ 892,525

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jul. 30, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000	100,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,491	26,136	27,822
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,480	26,136	27,822
Treasury stock, shares	11

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jul. 30, 2011

Jul. 31, 2010

Jul. 30, 2011

Jul. 31, 2010

Net sales

$ 343,508

$ 345,301

$ 774,314

$ 767,434

Cost of sales

227,943

231,727

475,102

474,156

Gross profit

115,565

113,574

299,212

293,278

Selling, general and administrative expenses

111,885

107,281

228,607

220,736

Asset impairment charges

980

1,222

1,378

2,152

Depreciation and amortization

18,478

18,199

36,229

35,824

Operating income (loss)

(15,778)

(13,128)

32,998

34,566

Interest (expense), net

(314)

(381)

(585)

(837)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

(16,092)

(13,509)

32,413

33,729

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(6,315)

(5,241)

13,106

13,990

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(9,777)

(8,268)

19,307

19,739

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

(70)

Net income (loss)

$ (9,777)

$ (8,233)

$ 19,307

$ 19,669

Basic earnings (loss) per share amounts

Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)

$ (0.38)

^[1]

$ (0.30)

^[1]

$ 0.74

^[1]

$ 0.71

^[1]

Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)

$ (0.38)

^[1]

$ (0.30)

^[1]

$ 0.74

^[1]

$ 0.71

^[1]

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)

25,738

27,755

25,925

27,669

Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts

Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)

$ (0.38)

^[1]

$ (0.30)

^[1]

$ 0.74

^[1]

$ 0.70

^[1]

Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)

$ (0.38)

^[1]

$ (0.30)

^[1]

$ 0.74

^[1]

$ 0.70

^[1]

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)

25,738

27,755

26,163

28,027

[1]	Table may not add due to rounding

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 19,307	$ 19,669
Less (loss) from discontinued operations		(70)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	19,307	19,739
Reconciliation of income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	36,229	35,824
Stock-based compensation	5,945	7,208
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(6,869)
Deferred taxes	(798)	5,533
Deferred rent expense and lease incentives	(7,389)	(8,354)
Other	2,423	2,616
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(32,406)	(6,977)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(4,512)	(1,652)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	19,893	8,969
Income taxes payable, net of prepayments	4,901	(797)
Deferred rent and other liabilities	10,810	4,819
Total adjustments	28,227	47,189
Net cash provided by operating activities	47,534	66,928
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property and equipment purchases, lease acquisition and software costs	(46,725)	(46,958)
Release of restricted cash	2,351
Purchase of company-owned life insurance policies	(196)	(161)
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,570)	(47,119)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	56,264	75,161
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	(56,264)	(75,161)
Exercise of stock options	2,733	6,820
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	6,869
Purchase and retirement of common stock, including transaction costs	(47,437)	(385)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(37,835)	6,435
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,717	1,409
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(32,154)	27,653
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	183,657	168,380
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	151,503	196,033
OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Net cash paid during the year for income taxes	8,917	9,266
Cash paid during the year for interest	781	376
Increase (decrease) in accrued purchases of property and equipment	$ 938	$ (4,452)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

6 Months Ended

Jul. 30, 2011

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) as of July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010, the results of its consolidated operations for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010, and its consolidated cash flows for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010. The consolidated financial position as of January 29, 2011 was derived from audited financial statements. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, the results of operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for a full fiscal year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform with the current period presentation.

Terms that are commonly used in the Company’s notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are defined as follows:

· Second Quarter 2011 — The thirteen weeks ended July 30, 2011.

· Second Quarter 2010 — The thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010.

· Year-To-Date 2011 — The twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2011.

· Year-To-Date 2010 — The twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010.

· FASB— Financial Accounting Standards Board.

· FASB ASC — FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which serves as the source for authoritative U.S. GAAP, except that rules and interpretive releases by the SEC are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants.

Restricted Cash

On June 11, 2009, the Company received a notice of assessment in the amount of approximately 2.3 million Canadian dollars from Revenue Quebec regarding the Company’s sales tax filings. During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, Revenue Quebec required the Company to guarantee the assessed amount in the form of a deposit into a restricted cash account. During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company settled these outstanding sales tax issues at a net cost of approximately $0.3 million and upon settlement, the restriction was removed. At January 29, 2011 and July 31, 2010 the U.S. dollar value of this deposit was $2.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively, and is shown on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as restricted cash.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company generally grants deferred stock awards and performance awards to employees at management levels and above. The Company also grants deferred stock awards to our non-employee directors. The fair value of all awards issued prior to May 20, 2011 was based on the average of the high and low selling price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Effective with the adoption of the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, the fair value of all awards granted on or after May 20, 2011 is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. This change in estimate is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the related service period reduced for estimated forfeitures of those awards not expected to vest due to employee turnover.

Deferred stock awards generally vest ratably over three years except that deferred awards to non-employee directors vest after one year.

Performance awards generally cliff vest after a three year period and have a performance criteria that must be achieved for the award to vest. Each award has a defined number of shares that an employee can earn (the “Target Shares”). Based on performance levels, the employee can earn up to 200% of their Target Shares.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which is a nonqualified, unfunded plan, for eligible senior level employees. Under the plan, participants may elect to defer up to 80% of his or her base salary and/or up to 100% of his or her bonus to be earned for the year following the year in which the deferral election is made. The Deferred Compensation Plan also permits members of the Board of Directors to elect to defer payment of all or a portion of their retainer and other fees to be earned for the year following the year in which a deferral election is made. In addition, eligible employees and directors of the Company may also elect to defer payment of any shares of Company stock that is earned with respect to deferred stock awards. The Company may, but is not required to, credit participants with additional Company contribution amounts. Deferred amounts are not subject to forfeiture and are deemed invested among investment funds offered under the Deferred Compensation Plan, as directed by each participant. Payments of deferred amounts (as adjusted for earnings and losses) are payable following separation from service or at a date or dates elected by the participant at the time the deferral is elected. Payments of deferred amounts are generally made in either a lump sum or in annual installments over a period not exceeding fifteen years. During fiscal 2010, the Deferred Compensation Plan was amended to allow for cash deferrals made by members of the Board of Directors to be invested in shares of the Company’s common stock. Such elections are irrevocable and will be settled in shares of common stock. All other deferred amounts are payable in the form in which they were made; cash deferrals are payable in cash and stock deferrals are payable in stock. Earlier distributions are not permitted except in the case of an unforeseen hardship.

The Company has established a rabbi trust that serves as an investment to shadow the Deferred Compensation Plan liability; however, the assets of the rabbi trust are general assets of the Company and as such, would be subject to the claims of creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency. The investments of the rabbi trust consist of company-owned life insurance policies (“COLIs”) and Company stock. The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company stock, is included in other long-term liabilities and changes in the balance are recognized as compensation expense. The cash surrender values of the COLIs are included in other assets and related earnings and losses are recognized as investment income or loss, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Company stock deferrals are included in the equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as treasury stock and as a deferred compensation liability. Deferred stock is recorded at fair market value at the time of deferral and any subsequent changes in fair market value are not recognized.

The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company stock, at fair value, was approximately $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million at July 30, 2011, January 29, 2011 and July 31, 2010, respectively. The cash surrender value of the COLIs, at fair value, was approximately $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million at July 30, 2011, January 29, 2011 and July 31, 2010, respectively. Company stock was $0.5 million at July 30, 2011. Prior to fiscal 2011, there was no Company stock in the Deferred Compensation Plan.

Discontinued Operations

Loss from discontinued operations consists primarily of professional fees and accrual adjustments related to the disposal of a business during fiscal 2008.

Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments

The “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure” topic of the FASB ASC provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.

This topic defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

· Level 1 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

· Level 2 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly

· Level 3 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are unobservable for the assets or liabilities

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and credit facility are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan, excluding Company stock, fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company stock included in the Deferred Compensation Plan is not subject to fair value measurement.

Recently Issued Accounting Updates

In May 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update, “Fair Value Measurement”, which amends the “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure” topic of the FASB ASC. This update provides amendments to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect this adoption to have a material impact on its financial statements or related disclosures.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update, “Comprehensive Income”. Under this update, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. This standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect this adoption to have a material impact on its financial statements.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

6 Months Ended

Jul. 30, 2011

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

2. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On August 18, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million (the “2010 Share Repurchase Program”) and on March 3, 2011 authorized another share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million (the “2011 Share Repurchase Program”). Under the programs, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. During Year-To-Date 2011 the Company repurchased approximately 1.0 million shares for approximately $46.6 million, of which $10.1 million was for purchases under the 2010 Share Repurchase Program, which closed out that program, and the other $36.5 million was for purchases under the 2011 Share Repurchase Program. Subsequent to July 30, 2011 and through August 31, 2011, the Company repurchased an additional 0.3 million shares for approximately $11.2 million. All shares repurchased under the programs have been retired. The timing and number of shares repurchased under the 2011 Share Repurchase Program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other business and market conditions. The Company may suspend or discontinue the 2011 Share Repurchase Program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior announcement.

Additionally, under certain conditions, the Company withholds and retires shares of vesting stock awards in exchange for payments to satisfy the withholding tax requirements of certain recipients. The Company’s payment of the withholding taxes in exchange for the shares constitutes a purchase of its common stock. For Year-To-Date 2011, the Company retired approximately 18,000 shares and made related withholding tax payments of approximately $0.8 million. For Year-To-Date 2010, the Company retired approximately 8,000 shares and made related withholding tax payments of approximately $0.4 million.

In accordance with the “Equity” topic of the FASB ASC, the par value of the shares retired is charged against common stock and the remaining purchase price is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. The portion charged against additional paid-in capital is done using a pro rata allocation based on total shares outstanding. Related to all shares retired for Year-To-Date 2011, approximately $39.2 million was charged to retained earnings.

Treasury stock consists of those shares deferred into the Deferred Compensation Plan. During Year-To-Date 2011, approximately 11,000 shares have been deferred into the Deferred Compensation Plan at an aggregate cost of approximately $0.5 million.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)						6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)	Jul. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jan. 29, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Jun. 11, 2009 CAD	Jul. 30, 2011 Deferred Compensation Plan USD ($)	Jan. 29, 2011 Deferred Compensation Plan USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 Deferred Compensation Plan USD ($)	Jul. 30, 2011 Deferred stock awards	Jul. 30, 2011 Deferred stock awards Non employee directors	Jul. 30, 2011 Performance awards
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Sales tax notice assessment		$ 300,000			2,300,000
Restricted cash			2,258,000	2,195,000
Stock awards
Vesting period (in years)									3 years	1 year	3 years
Maximum percentage of Target Shares that can be earned by the participants (as a percent)											200.00%
Deferred Compensation Plan
Maximum percentage of base salary elected to be deferred (as a percent)						80.00%
Maximum percentage of bonus elected to be deferred (as a percent)						100.00%
Maximum period over which annual installments of deferred payments are made (in years)						15 years
Deferred compensation plan liability						700,000	500,000	300,000
Cash surrender value of COLIs						700,000	500,000	300,000
Deferred compensation - Company stock	$ (463,000)					$ 500,000

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 30, 2011 Treasury Stock Deferred stock awards	Jul. 30, 2011 Share Repurchase Program	Jul. 30, 2011 Share Repurchase Program Retained Earnings	Aug. 31, 2010 2010 Share Repurchase Program	Jul. 30, 2011 2010 Share Repurchase Program	Aug. 31, 2011 2011 Share Repurchase Program	Mar. 31, 2011 2011 Share Repurchase Program	Jul. 30, 2011 2011 Share Repurchase Program
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Amount authorized						$ 100.0			$ 100.0
Shares repurchased (in shares)				1,000,000				300,000
Shares repurchased				46.6	39.2		10.1	11.2		36.5
Number of shares exchanged in payment of withholding taxes (in shares)	18,000	8,000
Share-based compensation withholding tax payments	0.8	0.4
Number of shares deferred into deferred compensation plan (in shares)			11,000
Shares deferred into deferred compensation plan, aggregate cost			$ 0.5

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Stock-based compensation expense
Total stock- based compensation expense	$ 3,202,000	$ 3,361,000	$ 5,945,000	$ 7,208,000
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation			2,400,000	2,900,000
Stock Option Plans
Stock-based compensation expense
Total stock- based compensation expense		13,000		35,000
Deferred stock awards
Stock-based compensation expense
Total stock- based compensation expense	2,572,000	1,476,000	4,557,000	3,544,000
Performance awards
Stock-based compensation expense
Total stock- based compensation expense	630,000	1,656,000	989,000	3,197,000
Restricted stock
Stock-based compensation expense
Total stock- based compensation expense		216,000	399,000	432,000
Cost of goods sold
Stock-based compensation expense
Total stock- based compensation expense	$ 600,000	$ 300,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 600,000

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 2) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 2) (USD $)	Jul. 30, 2011 Stock Option Plans	Jan. 29, 2011 Stock Option Plans	Jul. 30, 2011 Deferred and Restricted Stock ("Deferred Awards")	Jul. 30, 2011 Deferred stock awards	Mar. 31, 2011 Deferred stock awards Chief Executive Officer and President	Mar. 28, 2011 Deferred stock awards Chief Executive Officer and President	Jul. 30, 2011 Deferred stock awards Employee and new hire awards	May 31, 2011 Deferred stock awards Board of Directors	Jan. 29, 2011 Deferred stock awards Board of Directors	Jul. 30, 2011 Performance awards	Mar. 31, 2011 Performance awards Chief Executive Officer and President	Jul. 30, 2011 Performance awards Employee and new hire awards
Stock-based compensation
Vesting period (in years)				3 years				1 year	1 year	3 years		3 years
Minimum percentage of Target Shares which can be earned by the participants (as a percent)											50.00%	50.00%
Maximum percentage of Target Shares that can be earned by the participants (as a percent)										200.00%	200.00%	200.00%
Percentage of Target Shares paid out if final operating income below threshold (as a percent)											0.00%	0.00%
Percentage of the award vesting at first anniversary (as a percent)						50.00%
Percentage of the award vesting at second anniversary (as a percent)						25.00%
Percentage of the award vesting at third anniversary (as a percent)						25.00%
Ratio of awards vested on each anniversary, numerator							1
Ratio of awards vested on each anniversary, denominator							3
Deferred and Performance Awards
Unvested awards at the beginning of the period (in shares)			356,000							151,000
Granted (in shares)			282,000		100,725		161,704	1,376	18,640	227,000	100,725	126,176
Vested (in shares)			(104,000)							(144,000)
Forfeited (in shares)			(41,000)							(1,000)
Unvested awards at the end of the period (in shares)			493,000							233,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested awards at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)			$ 36.91							$ 25.16
Granted (in dollars per share)			$ 50.94							$ 51.45
Vested (in dollars per share)			$ 32.08							$ 24.05
Forfeited (in dollars per share)			$ 39.15							$ 52.70
Unvested awards at the end of the period (in dollars per share)			$ 45.78							$ 51.27
Percentage of target shares earned used in computation of unvested awards (as a percent)										100.00%
Target shares expected to be earned, weighted-average percentage (as a percent)										80.00%
Unrecognized costs and period of recognition
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense (in dollars)			$ 17,900,000							$ 8,600,000
Weighted average period for recognition of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense (in years)			2.4							2.6
Number of Options
Options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	351,000
Exercised (in shares)	(84,000)
Forfeited (in shares)	(6,000)
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	261,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 33.93
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 32.68
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 39.09
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 34.21
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
Options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in years)	4.3
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in years)	4.1
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars)	3,311,000
Exercised (in dollars)	1,518,000
Forfeited (in dollars)	89,000
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars)	$ 3,707,000
Changes in Unvested Stock Options
Unvested stock options (in shares)		16,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, unvested stock options
Unvested stock options (in dollars per share)		$ 11.08

CREDIT FACILITY (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2008 Credit Agreement	Jul. 30, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Credit Agreement	Jul. 31, 2010 2008 Credit Agreement Credit Agreement	Jan. 29, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Credit Agreement	Jul. 30, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Credit Agreement Prime rate	Jul. 30, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Credit Agreement LIBOR	Jul. 30, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Revolving Credit Facility	Jan. 29, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Revolving Credit Facility	Jul. 31, 2010 2008 Credit Agreement Revolving Credit Facility	Jul. 30, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Standby and Documentary Letters of Credit	Jul. 31, 2010 2008 Credit Agreement Standby and Documentary Letters of Credit	Jul. 30, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Merchandise Letters of Credit	Jan. 29, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Merchandise Letters of Credit	Jul. 31, 2010 2008 Credit Agreement Merchandise Letters of Credit	Jul. 30, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Standby Letters of Credit	Jan. 29, 2011 2008 Credit Agreement Standby Letters of Credit	Jul. 31, 2010 2008 Credit Agreement Standby Letters of Credit	Aug. 31, 2011 2011 Amendment Credit Agreement	Aug. 16, 2011 2011 Amendment Credit Agreement	Aug. 31, 2011 2011 Amendment Credit Agreement Prime rate	Aug. 31, 2011 2011 Amendment Credit Agreement LIBOR	Aug. 16, 2011 2011 Amendment Standby and Documentary Letters of Credit	Aug. 31, 2011 2011 Amendment Merchandise Letters of Credit	Aug. 31, 2011 2011 Amendment Standby Letters of Credit
Credit facilities
Term of credit agreement (in years)		5
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity								$ 200.0	$ 200.0	$ 200.0										$ 150.0
Maximum sublimit amount under Credit Agreement for standby and documentary letters of credit											175												125
Basis spread on variable rate, low end of range (as a percent)						0.00%	2.00%														0.75%	1.75%
Basis spread on variable rate, high end of range (as a percent)						0.50%	2.50%														1.00%	2.00%
Line of credit facility, unused line fee percentage, low end of range (as a percent)			0.50%
Line of credit facility, unused line fee percentage, high end of range (as a percent)			0.75%
Line of credit facility, unused line fee percentage (as a percent)																			0.375%
Letters of credit facility fee, low end of range (as a percent)													1.25%			2.00%								0.875%	1.25%
Letters of credit facility fee, high end of range (as a percent)													1.75%			2.50%								1.00%	1.50%
Termination fee (as a percent)				0.25%
Extension to the term of credit agreement (in years)																			3
Borrowing capacity, accordion feature																				75.0
Borrowing base, amount committed			168.9	169.8	168.4															25.0
Deferred financing costs paid	0.7																		0.7
Deferred financing costs gross				2.6
Deferred financing costs, remaining unamortized balance			1.2
Letter of credit fees											0.2	0.2
Variable interest rate basis							LIBOR (based on a 1 week or 1, 2, 3, or 6 month interest period)															LIBOR
Components of credit facilities
Letters of credit outstanding													24.2	41.3	37.1	11.1	11.0	10.9
Utilization of credit facility at end of period			35.3	48.0	52.3
Availability			133.6	121.8	116.1
Interest rate at end of period (as a percent)			3.30%	3.30%	3.30%
Highest end of day loan balance during the period			$ 0.2		$ 0.1
Average interest rate (as a percent)			3.30%	3.30%	3.30%

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Jul. 30, 2011	Sep. 02, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CHILDRENS PLACE RETAIL STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001041859
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-29
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,181,325
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2