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PART IV

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-K

(Mark One)    

ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fifty-two weeks ended January 29, 2011

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            

Commission file number 0-23071



THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  31-1241495
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)

500 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, New Jersey

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

07094
(Zip Code)

(201) 558-2400
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.10 par value

         Name of each exchange on which registered: Nasdaq Global Select Market

         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.



         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer,""accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ý   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if
smaller reporting Company)
  Smaller reporting company o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

         The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates was $1,160,536,086 at the close of business on July 31, 2010 (the last business day of the registrant's fiscal 2010 second fiscal quarter) based on the closing price of the common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. For purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stock held by persons who hold more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock and shares held by executive officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded because such persons may be deemed affiliates. This determination of executive officer or affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

         Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, outstanding at March 23, 2011: 26,004,400.

         Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III.


Table of Contents

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED JANUARY 29, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   
  PAGE  

PART I

           
 

Item 1.

 

Business

    1  
 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

    14  
 

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

    24  
 

Item 2.

 

Properties

    24  
 

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

    25  
 

Item 4.

 

Reserved

    25  

PART II

           
 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

    26  
 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

    28  
 

Item 7.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    30  
 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

    49  
 

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    50  
 

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    51  
 

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

    51  
 

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

    53  

PART III

           
 

Item 10.

 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance

    53  
 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

    53  
 

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

    53  
 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

    53  
 

Item 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

    53  

PART IV

           
 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

    54  

Table of Contents


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

        The Business section and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. (the "Company") and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, those discussed in the subsection entitled "Risk Factors" under Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results, events, and performance may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

        The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


PART I

ITEM 1.—BUSINESS

        As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the "Company", "The Children's Place", "we", "us", "our" and similar terms refer to The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31. Other terms that are commonly used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are defined as follows:

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General

        The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. is the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. We provide apparel, accessories and shoes for children from newborn to ten years old. We design, contract to manufacture and sell fashionable, high-quality, value-priced merchandise, virtually all of which is under the proprietary "The Children's Place" brand name. Our stores offer spacious, bright and airy shopping in a friendly and convenient environment for both children and adults. The Children's Place has differentiated departments and is dedicated to serving the wardrobe needs of Girls and Boys (sizes 4-14), Baby Girls and Boys (sizes 6 mos.-4T) and Newborn (sizes 0-12 mos.). Stores are distinctly merchandised to appeal to each age and gender segment and they provide for easy shopping of the latest collection available as we flow seasonal merchandise into our stores throughout the year. Our merchandise is also available at our online store located at www.childrensplace.com. Our customers are able to shop at our online store, at their convenience, and receive the same high quality, value-priced merchandise and customer service that are available in our physical stores.

        The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. was incorporated in June 1988 operating fewer than 100 stores. At the time of our initial public offering in September 1997, we had grown to approximately 200 stores located in 26 states in the eastern half of the United States. By April 2003, we had grown to 656 stores and our geographical coverage included 47 states and a newly established presence in Canada. The growth of the Children's Place stores and brand has since continued, and as of January 29, 2011, we operated 995 stores throughout North America as well as our online store. During Fiscal 2010, we opened 67 stores compared to 38 in Fiscal 2009, and we closed 19 stores in Fiscal 2010, compared to eight in Fiscal 2009. Our store growth plan for Fiscal 2011 includes opening approximately 85 new The Children's Place stores and closing approximately 20.

        Jane Elfers, who became our President and Chief Executive Officer on January 4, 2010, has outlined five key growth initiatives that we are executing, as follows:

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Segment Reporting

        After the disposal of our Disney Store Business during Fiscal 2008, management continued its reassessment of our internal reporting structure. At January 31, 2009, net sales of Canadian operations had grown by approximately 56% over the prior three fiscal years, and after the disposal of the Disney Store Business, its percentage of consolidated net sales had grown from approximately 9% to approximately 12%. Further, the fluctuations of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar in recent years have had a significant impact on our Canadian operating results. Beginning in Fiscal 2009, our chief operating decision maker required, and we began reporting, discrete financial information for our Canadian operations.

        We report segment data based on management responsibility: The Children's Place U.S. and The Children's Place Canada. Included in The Children's Place U.S. segment are our U.S. based stores, including Puerto Rico, and our e-commerce store, www.childrensplace.com. We measure our segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income from continuing operations before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment. Certain centrally managed inventory procurement functions such as production and design are allocated to each segment based upon usage. Corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology services are allocated to the segments based primarily on net sales. Included in the allocation of corporate overhead is depreciation and amortization expense; however, the related assets are not allocated. We periodically review these allocations and adjust them based upon changes in business circumstances. Net sales from customers are derived primarily from merchandise sales and we have no customers that account for more than 10% of our net sales. The

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following tables show by segment our net sales and operating income for the past three fiscal years, and total assets as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Net sales:

                   
 

The Children's Place U.S. 

  $ 1,450,116   $ 1,441,562   $ 1,428,073  
 

The Children's Place Canada

    223,883     202,025     202,250  
               
   

Total net sales

  $ 1,673,999   $ 1,643,587   $ 1,630,323  
               

Operating income:

                   
 

The Children's Place U.S. 

  $ 96,881   $ 90,873   $ 85,412  
 

The Children's Place Canada

    39,455     39,199     36,985  
               
   

Total operating income

  $ 136,336   $ 130,072   $ 122,397  
               

Operating income as a percent of net sales

                   
 

The Children's Place U.S. 

    6.7 %   6.3 %   6.0 %
 

The Children's Place Canada

    17.6 %   19.4 %   18.3 %
   

Total operating income as a percent of net sales

    8.1 %   7.9 %   7.5 %

 

 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
 

Total assets:

             
 

The Children's Place U.S. 

  $ 720,951   $ 752,827  
 

The Children's Place Canada

    133,380     101,233  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 854,331   $ 854,060  
           

        All foreign net sales are in The Children's Place Canada segment while certain foreign expenses related to our buying operations are allocated between the two segments. Our foreign subsidiaries, primarily in Canada, have operating results based in foreign currencies and are thus subject to the fluctuations of the corresponding translation rates into U.S. dollars. Included in The Children's Place U.S. operating income for Fiscal 2009 is approximately $2.0 million of exit costs related to the relocation of the Company's e-commerce fulfillment center. We relocated our e-commerce fulfillment center from a leased facility in New Jersey to an owned facility in Alabama as a result of the continued growth in our e-commerce business.

The Disney Store Business

        From November 2004 through April 2008, through four wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company operated the Disney Store retail chain in North America (the "Disney Store Business") under a license agreement (the "License Agreement") with the Walt Disney Company ("Disney"). On March 20, 2008, after a thorough review of the Disney Store Business, including its potential for earnings growth, its capital needs and its ability to fund such needs from its own resources, we decided to exit the Disney Store Business. On March 26, 2008, the Company's subsidiaries that operated the Disney Store Business, Hoop Holdings, LLC, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC, Hoop Canada Holdings, Inc. and Hoop Canada Inc. (collectively "Hoop"), each filed a voluntary petition for relief under bankruptcy provisions in their respective jurisdictions. On April 30, 2008, with approval of the respective bankruptcy courts, Hoop sold the Disney Store Business to affiliates of Disney, including a majority of the Disney stores and related assets and effectively ended the License Agreement. During the remainder of Fiscal 2008,

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those stores not acquired by Disney were closed, and the remaining affairs of Hoop were mostly wound down. For further discussion of the Disney Store Business, see Note 16 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

        As a result of our decision to exit the Disney Store Business and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have reclassified the Disney Store Business as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. Related to the Disney Store Business during Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, we recorded income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $(0.5) million, $(0.5) million and $8.4 million, respectively. Included in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes for Fiscal 2008, are net sales of $129 million.

Key Capabilities

        Our objective is to deliver trend-right, high-quality value-priced assortments for children ranging from newborn to age ten. Our expansive assortment offers one stop shopping across apparel, shoes and accessories. Our strategies to achieve this objective are as follows:

        Our merchandising strategy is to offer a compelling assortment of apparel, shoes, and accessories that enable our customer to wardrobe their child. We strive to ensure that our assortments are modern and colorful, are balanced by category and lifestyle, and are fun and easy to put together. We build our deliveries by season and incorporate basics, key items, and fashion merchandise.

        We believe that offering high quality, trend-right, age appropriate merchandise under "The Children's Place" brand name at value prices is our competitive advantage. We design and merchandise our apparel and accessories to offer a compelling value to our customers.

        We strive to build our brand image and customer loyalty for "The Children's Place" by:

        The Children's Place branded products are sold exclusively in our stores and on our website.

        We control the design, sourcing and production of The Children's Place branded products. We believe that this control is essential in assuring the consistency and quality of our merchandise, as well as our ability to deliver value to our customers. We have established long-standing relationships with

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most of our vendors and suppliers. Through these relationships and our extensive knowledge of low cost sourcing, we are able to offer our customers high-quality products at value prices. Our offices in Hong Kong, China, India and Bangladesh allow us to capitalize on new sourcing opportunities, increase our control over product quality, communicate efficiently and respond to changing business needs effectively.

Merchandising Process

        The strong collaboration between the cross functional teams in Merchandising, Planning and Allocation, Sourcing and Design have enabled us to build and grow our brand. Cross functional teams are aligned by department.

        The Design team gathers information from trends, color services, international and domestic shopping trips, and trade shows. Findings and concepts are presented to the Merchandising team to initiate the cross functional building of a seasonal assortment.

        Each quarter we develop seasonal strategies for each department and for each category within the department. The cross functional teams review prior season results and set the strategies in place for the future season. Merchandising builds a roadmap of our style needs based on historical information with the Design team's input. The Design and Merchandising teams work collaboratively throughout the sketch and sample reviews to ensure we are developing the appropriate balance of fashion and key items within the line.

        The Merchandise Planning and Allocation organization works collaboratively with the Merchandising and Sourcing teams to develop annual and seasonal sales and margin plans to support our financial objectives and merchandising strategies. These plans are developed with consideration of our channels to ensure that we are maximizing key programs each season. Further, this team plans the flow of inventory to ensure that we are adequately supporting floor sets and key promotional periods. Special attention is paid to our store types as they differ in capacity. All allocation methods incorporate visual presentations as well as inventory levels and sales trends.

        We combine management's extensive apparel sourcing experience with a cost-based buying strategy to control merchandise costs, infuse quality features into our products and deliver value to our customers. We believe that our understanding of the economics of apparel manufacturing, including costs of materials and components enables us to identify cost-effective manufacturers and suppliers from which to source a continuous allotment of products and obtain high quality at low product cost.

Production, Quality, Control and Social Compliance

        During Fiscal 2010, we engaged approximately 160 independent manufacturers located primarily in Asia. The availability of raw materials to these manufacturers is subject to price fluctuations due to global market trends. To support our inventory needs and to control merchandise costs, we continue to pursue global sourcing opportunities and consider such factors as product quality, cost, reliability of the manufacturer, service, product lead times, and other factors. We have no exclusive or long-term contracts with our manufacturers and typically transact business on an item-by-item basis under purchase orders at freight on board cost in U.S. dollars.

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        During Fiscal 2010, we purchased approximately 48% of our total merchandise without the aid of commissioned buying agents. We believe our offices in Hong Kong, China, India and Bangladesh enable us to obtain favorable material and manufacturing costs and to quickly identify and act on new sourcing and supplier opportunities. Our Asian offices also facilitate our prototype sample production and enable us to foster stronger relationships with our suppliers, manufacturers, agents and trading companies. In addition, we are party to agency agreements with commissioned independent agents who assist in sourcing and pre-production approval, oversee production, provide quality inspection and ensure timely delivery of merchandise. During Fiscal 2010, we purchased approximately 28% of our products through the support of a commissioned, independent agent in Taiwan, and approximately 12% of our products through an independent Hong Kong-based trading company. We sourced approximately 40% of our total goods from China and approximately 15% each from Vietnam, Cambodia and Sub-Saharan Africa. We did not source more than 15% from any other country or region. Using our purchase order, advanced shipping notification and tracking systems, our independent agents and our sourcing department actively monitor the status of each purchase order from order confirmation to merchandise receipt.

        We augment our manufacturers' testing requirements with our own in-house quality assurance laboratory to test and evaluate fabric, trimming materials and pre-production samples against a comprehensive range of physical performance standards before production begins. The quality control personnel in our Asian offices, independent agents and trading company visit the various manufacturing facilities to monitor the quality control and production process. Our Asian offices enhance our quality control by enabling us to monitor component and manufacturing quality at close range and address related problems at an early stage. With this focus on pre-production quality, we are generally able to detect and correct quality-related problems before bulk production begins. We do not accept finished goods until each purchase order receives formal certification of compliance from our own quality assurance associates, agents or appointed third party inspectors.

        In addition to our quality control procedures, we administer a social compliance program designed to promote compliance with local legal regulations, as well as ethical and socially responsible business practices. This program is comprised of four components as follows:

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        We require all entities that produce or manufacture The Children's Place merchandise to undergo a Social Compliance audit and demonstrate compliance with the requirements of our Vendor Code of Conduct. By requiring our manufacturers and suppliers to participate in our social compliance program, we are able to monitor factories to ensure that they operate using safe and humane working conditions, and that we are working with factory managers that appreciate and comply with socially responsible practices. Additionally, because our social compliance program requires us to be diligent about changes in local laws and other conditions (e.g., political instability) in the countries from which we source, we are able to make informed decisions about where we are sourcing our products and, prior to placing orders, analyze potential risks to our sourcing capabilities arising as a result of factors external to a factory's production capabilities. In the event that external risks to our sourcing capabilities arise with respect to one or more factories, our social compliance program helps to identify such risks early and enables us to source from another factory thereby mitigating the risk and reducing the potential disruption to our business.

Company Stores

        The following section highlights various store information for The Children's Place brand as of January 29, 2011.

        As of January 29, 2011, we operated a total of 995 The Children's Place stores, most of which are clustered in and around major metropolitan areas, and our internet store at www.childrensplace.com. We have 618 stores located in malls, 202 in strip centers, 132 in outlet centers and 43 street stores. The following table sets forth the number of stores in each U.S. state, Puerto Rico and Canadian provinces as of the current and prior fiscal year end:

 
  Number of Stores  
Location
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
 

United States & Puerto Rico

             

Alabama

    11     9  

Arizona

    19     18  

Arkansas

    6     6  

California

    90     86  

Colorado

    14     14  

Connecticut

    14     14  

Delaware

    4     4  

District of Columbia

    1     1  

Florida

    44     46  

Georgia

    28     21  

Hawaii

    4     4  

Idaho

    1     1  

Illinois

    37     39  

Indiana

    19     19  

Iowa

    10     8  

Kansas

    5     5  

Kentucky

    12     8  

Louisiana

    14     14  

Maine

    4     4  

Maryland

    22     22  

Massachusetts

    23     24  

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  Number of Stores  
Location
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
 

Michigan

    22     22  

Minnesota

    12     13  

Mississippi

    12     8  

Missouri

    14     13  

Montana

    1     1  

Nebraska

    3     2  

New Hampshire

    5     5  

New Jersey

    47     48  

New Mexico

    4     3  

New York

    79     79  

Nevada

    7     7  

North Carolina

    21     20  

North Dakota

    1     1  

Ohio

    31     30  

Oklahoma

    6     4  

Oregon

    9     9  

Pennsylvania

    48     49  

Rhode Island

    3     3  

South Carolina

    15     13  

South Dakota

    2     2  

Tennessee

    18     17  

Texas

    78     68  

Utah

    11     8  

Vermont

    1     1  

Virginia

    18     17  

Washington

    13     13  

West Virginia

    1     1  

Wisconsin

    12     13  

Puerto Rico

    16     16  
           

Total United States & Puerto Rico

    892     853  

Canada

             

Alberta

    13     12  

British Columbia

    14     11  

Manitoba

    2     2  

New Brunswick

    3     3  

Nova Scotia

    3     2  

Ontario

    46     44  

Prince Edward Island

    1     1  

Quebec

    18     17  

Saskatchewan

    3     2  
           

Total Canada

    103     94  
           

Total Stores

    995     947  
           

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        At The Children's Place, our store concepts consist of "Apple-Maple", "Technicolor", "Tech2" and "Outlet" formats, as follows:

        Apple-Maple—These stores feature light wood floors, fixtures and trim. They are brightly lit, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows that are open and inviting. A customized grid system throughout the store's upper perimeter displays featured merchandise, marketing photographs and promotions. The average store is approximately 4,300 square feet and as of January 29, 2011, approximately 42% of our stores were of this concept.

        Technicolor—These stores have an atmosphere that is unique, bright, fun and use color to create boutique-like settings that differentiate the various departments within the store. These stores also feature more wall space than an Apple-Maple store allowing for enhanced merchandise presentation and ease of shopping. The average store is approximately 4,800 square feet and as of January 29, 2011, approximately 34% of our stores were of this concept.

        Tech2—These stores have the brand aesthetics of a Technicolor with the functionality of an Apple-Maple. The use of color to brand and create shop identifiers was maintained, while creating an open, brightly lit environment for customers. Tech2 features darker ceilings and floors, along with crisp white floor-wall fixtures to ensure the product is the focal point. Tech2 is a value engineered store which costs approximately 35% less to build than the Technicolor store. The average store is approximately 4,400 square feet and as of January 29, 2011, approximately 11% of our stores were of this concept. It is the Company's intention to use this format for new stores for the foreseeable future.

        Outlet—The average outlet store is approximately 7,600 square feet. As of January 29, 2011, approximately 13% of our stores were in this format. Our outlet stores are strategically placed within each market to provide a discount value alternative, including an assortment of "made for outlet" merchandise.

        Our store expansion program targets growing and underpenetrated markets where we believe that our brand can be successfully marketed. Prior to Fiscal 2009, this initiative had primarily focused on malls in highly populated areas. More than 60% of our stores are located in malls and we believe that our brand is well penetrated in these venues. During Fiscal 2009, we identified growth potential in smaller to mid-sized markets in VOCs, which is a center in which the anchor is a discount retailer. We believe that the lower build-out costs for our Tech2 stores, as noted above, combined with lower lease costs associated with VOCs has enabled us to successfully penetrate these markets and will continue to provide us with a growth opportunity. We opened approximately 42 and 20 VOC stores during Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, respectively. Our store expansion program for Fiscal 2011 is to open approximately 85 new stores of which approximately half will be of the VOC variety.

Internet Sales ("e-commerce")

        E-commerce growth remains one of our top strategic priorities. Over the past five years, e-commerce net sales have grown over 450%, from approximately $26.9 million in fiscal 2005 to approximately $151.2 million in Fiscal 2010, and now accounts for approximately 9% of our total net sales. We expect our e-commerce business to continue to grow in Fiscal 2011.

        We are committed to delivering a world class, end-to-end user experience to our customers; from product assortment and website design to operations, fulfillment and customer service. We are further committed to delivering these experiences to our customers when, where and how they are looking to access the brand, accounting for cross-channel behavior, growth of mobile devices, and the growing

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interest in our brand from international audiences. As such, we will continue to make required investments in back-end infrastructure, as well as front-end technology to deliver on this commitment. We believe that the critical investments made over the past year in areas such as warehousing and distribution as well as customer service have improved our customers' experience.

Store Operations

        The Children's Place store operations are organized into nine regions. We employ two Zone Vice Presidents who oversee our operations and to whom regional managers report. A regional manager oversees each region and has between seven and 10 district managers reporting to them. Each district manager is responsible for approximately nine to 17 stores. Our stores are staffed by a store management team and approximately 10 part-time sales associates, with additional part-time associates hired to support seasonal needs. Our store leadership teams spend a high percentage of their time on the store selling floors providing direction, motivation, and development to store personnel. To maximize selling productivity, our teams emphasize greeting, replenishment, presentation standards, procedures and controls. In order to motivate our store leadership, we offer a monthly incentive compensation plan that awards bonuses for achieving certain financial goals.

Seasonality

        Our business is subject to seasonal influences, with heavier concentrations of sales during the back-to-school and holiday seasons. Our first quarter results are heavily dependent upon sales during the period leading up to the Easter holiday, third quarter results are dependent upon back-to-school sales, and our fourth quarter results are dependent upon sales during the holiday season. The following table shows the quarterly distribution, as a percentage of the full year, of net sales and operating income (loss) (in millions):

 
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
  Full
Year
 

Fiscal 2010

                               
 

Net sales

    422.1     345.3     453.4     453.2     1,674.0  
   

As a % of full year

    25.2 %   20.6 %   27.1 %   27.1 %   100.0 %
 

Operating Income (loss)

   
47.7
   
(13.1

)
 
50.0
   
51.7
   
136.3
 
   

As a % of full year

    35.0 %   (9.6 )%   36.7 %   37.9 %   100.0 %

Fiscal 2009

                               
 

Net sales

    401.9     315.7     463.2     462.8     1,643.6  
   

As a % of full year

    24.5 %   19.2 %   28.2 %   28.2 %   100.0 %
 

Operating Income (loss)

   
36.0
   
(18.7

)
 
64.8
   
48.0
   
130.1
 
   

As a % of full year

    27.7 %   (14.4 )%   49.8 %   36.9 %   100.0 %

Fiscal 2008

                               
 

Net sales

    400.2     338.0     450.6     441.5     1,630.3  
   

As a % of full year

    24.5 %   20.7 %   27.6 %   27.1 %   100.0 %
 

Operating Income(1)

   
34.0
   
4.9
   
50.9
   
32.5
   
122.4
 
   

As a % of full year

    27.8 %   4.0 %   41.6 %   26.6 %   100.0 %

(1)
Does not add across due to rounding

        For more information regarding the seasonality of our business, refer to Item 7.—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quarterly Results and Seasonality.

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Marketing

        We believe that The Children's Place is a well recognized brand, with a strong fashion offering and a compelling value proposition. We build on our brand recognition through a streamlined, multi-channel marketing campaign that aligns direct mail, store front windows, in-store marketing, internet marketing, and customer loyalty programs.

        Our direct marketing program is a robust one that utilizes both off and on-line channels. Direct mail is targeted to our best customers, and serves as both a brand building and loyalty vehicle. The print program consists of catalogs containing branded lifestyle imagery, merchandise details and a discounted coupon as an added shopping incentive. This is complimented by an e-mail program that reiterates the branding and promotional messaging. We further deepen our value proposition and customer loyalty with "bouncebacks", which are coupons given to existing customers for redemption on a future purchase.

        Additionally, we promote customer loyalty through The Children's Place private label credit card and other customer loyalty programs. Our discount programs offer customers additional exclusive discounts upon completion of cumulative purchase or visit thresholds. Our private label credit cards, pursuant to a merchant services agreement, are issued to our customers for use exclusively at The Children's Place stores, and credit is extended to such customers through a third-party financial institution on a non-recourse basis to us. Our private label credit card accounts for approximately 12% of our net sales.

        All programs are aligned with one another and planned by geography and channel to ensure consistency and relevance. We believe that our marketing programs promote affinity and loyalty through specialized incentive programs and facilitate communications with our customers through the delivery of coupons and promotional materials.

Logistics

        We support the distribution of product to our stores through four strategically located warehouses throughout North America. In the United States our warehouse facilities include a 525,000 square foot distribution center in New Jersey, a 250,000 square foot distribution center in California and a 700,000 square foot distribution center in Alabama. In Canada we operate a 95,000 square foot distribution center in Ontario. On occasion, we may lease additional facilities to support seasonal warehousing needs. As a result of the continued growth in our e-commerce business, the processing of online orders was relocated from our former 150,000 square foot online fulfillment center in New Jersey to our warehouse facilities in Alabama in June of 2009.

Competition

        The children's apparel and accessories retail markets are highly competitive. We compete in substantially all of our markets with GapKids, babyGap and Old Navy (each of which is a division of The Gap, Inc.), Target Corporation, The Gymboree Corporation, Justice (a division of The Dress Barn, Inc.), Babies "R" Us and Toys "R" Us (each of which is a division of Toys "R" Us, Inc.), J.C. Penney Company, Inc., Sears (a division of Sears Holdings Corporation), Kohl's Corp. and other department stores as well as discount stores such as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and K-Mart (a division of Sears Holdings Corporation). In addition, given our expansion into the shoe category, we now compete with stores such as Stride Rite and Payless (each a part of Collective Brands, Inc.), as well as smaller shoe retailers. We also compete with a wide variety of specialty stores, other national and regional retail chains, catalog companies and Internet retailers. One or more of our competitors are present in substantially all of the areas in which we have stores.

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Trademarks and Service Marks

        "The Children's Place," "babyPLACE," "Place," "The Place," "TCP," "PLC" and certain other marks have been registered as trademarks and/or service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The registration of the trademarks and the service marks may be renewed to extend the original registration period indefinitely, provided the marks are still in use. We intend to continue to use and protect our trademarks and service marks and maintain their registrations. We have also registered our trademarks in Canada and certain other countries and we are continuing to take steps to register our trademarks in other countries. We believe our trademarks and service marks have received broad recognition and are of significant value to our business.

Government Regulation

        We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting our business, including consumer protection and truth-in-advertising laws and regulations and zoning and occupancy ordinances that regulate retailers generally and/or govern the promotion and sale of merchandise and the operation of retail stores. We also are subject to similar international laws and regulations affecting our business. We believe that we are in material compliance with these laws and regulations.

        We are committed to product quality and safety. We focus our efforts to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations affecting our business, including the provisions of the CPSIA, the Flammable Fabrics Act and the Textile Fiber Product Identification Act, and the regulations of the CPSC and various environmental laws and regulations. Each of our product styles currently covered by the CPSIA are appropriately tested to meet current standards. The cost of compliance with current requirements and any future requirements of the CPSC, new consumer product safety laws, or changes to existing laws could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. See Item 1A. Risk Factors—"Product liability costs, related claims, and the cost of compliance with consumer product safety laws such as the CPSIA or our inability to comply with such laws could have a material adverse effect on our business and reputation." for additional information.

        The substantial majority of our merchandise is manufactured by factories located outside of the United States. These products are imported and are subject to U.S. customs laws, which impose tariffs, anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imported products including textiles, apparel and shoes. We currently are not restricted by any such duties in the operation of our business. In addition, custom duties and tariffs do not comprise a material portion of the cost of our products.

Employees

        As of January 29, 2011, we had approximately 20,800 employees, of whom approximately 1,600 were based at our corporate offices. We had approximately 3,200 full-time store employees and approximately 16,000 part-time and seasonal store employees. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe we have good relations with our employees.

Internet Access to Reports

        We are a public company and are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Accordingly, we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding us and other issuers that file electronically.

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        Our website address is www.childrensplace.com. We make available without charge, through our website, copies of our Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. References in this document to our website are not and should not be considered part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

        We also make available our corporate governance materials, including our corporate governance guidelines and our code of business conduct, on our website. If we make any substantive amendments to our code of business conduct or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the code for the benefit of our Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, or our Principal Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on that website or in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 1A.—RISK FACTORS

        Investors in the Company should consider the following risk factors as well as the other information contained herein:

We may suffer adverse business consequences if we are unable to anticipate and respond to merchandise trends.

        The apparel industry is subject to rapidly changing fashion trends and shifting consumer preferences. Our success depends in part on the ability of our new merchandising team to anticipate and respond to these changes. Our design, manufacturing and distribution process generally takes up to one year, during which time fashion trends and consumer preferences may change. Failure to anticipate, identify or respond to these changes could adversely affect customer acceptance of our products resulting in lower sales, increased inventory levels and/or lower margins, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We may be unable to properly plan inventory purchases or manage new or existing merchandise.

        We maintain an inventory of merchandise in our stores and distribution centers, some of which we anticipate will be in high demand. During Fiscal 2010, a new team was put in place to manage the inventory allocation process. If inventory levels are in excess of customer demand, that may result in inventory write-downs or excessive markdowns and therefore, lower than planned margins. Conversely, if we underestimate consumer demand for our merchandise, particularly higher volume styles, or if our manufacturers fail to supply quality products in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages, which might result in lost sales, a negative impact on our customer relationships or diminished brand loyalty. Any of these, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Changes in Comparable Retail Sales results from period to period could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

        Numerous factors affect our Comparable Retail Sales results, including, among others, merchandise assortment, retail prices, fashion trends, weather conditions, macro-economic conditions, the retail sales environment and our success in executing our business strategies. Many of our stores are located in malls, and as such, a decrease in mall traffic could have a negative effect on our sales, which in turn would reduce our Comparable Retail Sales. During Fiscal 2010, we reported a Comparable Retail Sales decrease of 2.5% compared to a decrease of 2.1% in Fiscal 2009 and an increase of 4.7% Fiscal 2008. Our Comparable Retail Sales results have fluctuated significantly in the

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past and we anticipate that our Comparable Retail Sales will continue to fluctuate in the future, particularly in the current difficult economic climate, which may result in further declines in consumer spending. Moreover, Comparable Retail Sales for any particular period may decrease in the future. The investment community often follows Comparable Retail Sales results closely and fluctuations in these results may affect the price of our common stock. Accordingly, any significant variations in our Comparable Retail Sales results could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials could result in an increase in product costs and/or delivery costs.

        Over the past year, we have seen significant increases in the cost of cotton. Continued increases in the price of cotton, or significant increases or volatility in the prices of other raw materials, including wool and other materials used in the production of fabric and accessories, as well as energy costs, could result in significant cost increases for our products as well as their distribution to our distribution centers, retail locations and to our customers. To the extent we are unable to offset any such increased costs through value engineering or price increases, it could have a material adverse effect on our net sales, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Our success depends upon the service and capabilities of our management team. Changes in management or in our organizational structure could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        Over the past year, we had substantial change in key members of our senior management team. While we have managed through this transition successfully to date, leadership change can be inherently difficult to manage and may cause disruption to our business or further turnover in our workforce or management team. Senior level management establishes the "tone at the top" by which an environment of ethical values, operating style and management philosophy is fostered. Changes in management, or inadequate management, could lead to an environment that lacks integrity, inspiration, and/or a lack of commitment by the employees. The inability of our senior management team to maintain an adequate organizational structure and a proper "tone at the top", or the inability to attract additional qualified managers or other personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may not be able to identify, evaluate or successfully execute business strategies.

        We are continuously seeking new ways to further our brand recognition, expand our geographical coverage, and improve our operational processes. We have a store expansion program and are expanding our internet presence outside of the U.S. If we fail to allocate proper resources to these projects, if we fail to properly execute our plans, or if we fail to identify alternative strategies, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We face significant competition in the retail industry, which could impact our ability to compete successfully against existing or future competition.

        The children's apparel retail market is highly competitive. We compete in substantially all of our markets with GapKids, babyGap and Old Navy (each of which is a division of The Gap, Inc.), Target Corporation, The Gymboree Corporation, Justice (a division of The Dress Barn, Inc.), Babies "R" Us and Toys "R" Us (each of which is a division of Toys "R" Us, Inc.), J.C. Penney Company, Inc., Sears (a division of Sears Holdings Corporation), Kohl's Corp. and other department stores as well as discount stores such as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and K-Mart (a division of Sears Holdings Corporation). In addition, given our expansion into the shoe category, we now compete with well-known national retailers such as Stride Rite and Payless (each a part of Collective Brands, Inc.) as well as smaller shoe retailers. We also compete with a wide variety of specialty stores, other national and regional retail chains, catalog companies and Internet retailers. One or more of our competitors are present in substantially all of the areas in which we have stores. Many of our competitors are larger than us and

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have access to significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have. We may not be able to continue to compete successfully against existing or future competition.

Product liability costs, related claims, and the cost of compliance with consumer product safety laws such as the CPSIA or our inability to comply with such laws could have a material adverse effect on our business and reputation.

        We are subject to regulation by the CPSC and similar state and international regulatory authorities. Although we test the products sold in our stores and on our website, concerns about product safety, including but not limited to concerns about those manufactured in China and/or developing countries, where substantially all of our merchandise is manufactured, may lead us to recall selected products, either voluntarily, or at the direction of a governmental authority or may lead to a lack of consumer acceptance. Product safety concerns, recalls, defects or errors could result in the rejection of our products by customers, damage to our reputation, lost sales, product liability litigation and increased costs, any or all of which could harm our business and have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

        The CPSIA established new standards regarding lead and other substances used in products for children of age 12 and under, including apparel and accessories. Among other things, the CPSIA introduces new regulatory limits, testing, certification, packaging, labeling and advertising and reporting requirements with respect to such products and has increased penalties for violations thereof. Each of our product styles currently covered by the CPSIA are appropriately tested to meet current standards. The cost of compliance with current requirements and any future requirements of the CPSC, new consumer product safety laws, or changes to existing laws could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, any failure to comply with such requirements could result in significant penalties, require us to recall products and harm our reputation, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, and financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We depend on our relationships with unaffiliated manufacturers, transportation companies, and independent agents. Our inability to maintain relationships with any of these entities, or the failure of any of their businesses, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

        We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities, and therefore, are dependent upon independent third parties for the manufacture of all of our products. Our products are currently manufactured to our specifications, pursuant to purchase orders, by approximately 160 independent manufacturers located primarily in Asia. In addition, in Fiscal 2010, we sourced approximately 40% of our merchandise from China and approximately 15% each from Vietnam, Cambodia and Sub-Saharan Africa. We did not source more than 15% from any other country or region. We have no exclusive or long-term contracts with our manufacturers and compete with other companies for manufacturing facilities. We purchased approximately 12% of our products in Fiscal 2010 through a Hong Kong-based trading company, with whom we have no formal written agreement, using negotiated purchase orders. We also purchased approximately 28% of our products in Fiscal 2010 through the support of a single, commissioned agent in Taiwan. Although we believe that we have established close relationships with our trading company, independent agents and principal manufacturers, the inability to maintain such relationships or to find additional sources to support our current needs and future growth could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        Our merchandise is shipped directly from manufacturers through third parties to our distribution and fulfillment centers and to our stores. Our operating results depend in large part on the orderly operation of our receiving and distribution process, which depends on manufacturers' adherence to shipping schedules and our effective management of our distribution facilities and capacity. Furthermore, it is possible that events beyond our control, such as political unrest, a terrorist act,

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military action, strike, natural disaster or other disruption, could result in delays in delivery of merchandise to our stores. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        If our trading company, independent agents, principal manufacturers or freight operators experience negative financial consequences, the inability to use these sources or find additional financially stable sources to support our current manufacturing and distribution needs and future growth in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could negatively impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Because we purchase our products internationally, our business is sensitive to risks associated with international business.

        Our merchandise is purchased from foreign suppliers, of which China is the single largest representing approximately 40% of our imported merchandise. As a result, we are subject to the various risks of doing business in foreign markets and importing merchandise from abroad, such as:

        In an attempt to mitigate the above risks within any one country, we maintain relationships with many manufacturers in various countries. However, we still import approximately 40% of our merchandise from China. In recent years, there has been much media scrutiny and well-publicized failures of the safety of a wide range of imported products manufactured in China. A continuation of such publicity or similar problems may lead consumers to avoid such goods. We cannot predict the effect that this, or the other factors noted above, in another country from which we import products could have on our business arrangements with foreign manufacturing sources. If any of these factors rendered the conduct of business in a particular country undesirable or impractical, or if our current foreign manufacturing sources ceased doing business with us for any reason, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We require our independent manufacturers to operate in compliance with applicable laws and our internal requirements. Our purchasing guidelines promote ethical business practices and we monitor compliance with them; however we do not control these manufacturers or their labor practices. Any violation of labor or other laws by one of the independent manufacturers we use or any divergence of an independent manufacturer's labor practices from standards generally accepted as ethical in the United States and Canada could have a material adverse effect on our business.

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        Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could negatively impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Because certain of our subsidiaries operate outside of the United States, some of our revenues, product costs and other expenses are subject to foreign economic and currency risks.

        We have store operations in Canada and buying operations in various locations in Asia, primarily Hong Kong and Shanghai, China. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to address in a timely manner the risks of conducting operations in countries outside of the U.S., such as governmental requirements over merchandise importation, employment, taxation and multi-lingual requirements. Our failure to address such risks in a timely manner or at all could adversely affect our business and financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

        The currency market has seen significant volatility in the value of the U.S. Dollar against other foreign currencies. While our business is primarily conducted in U.S. dollars, we purchase substantially all of our products overseas, and we generate significant revenues in Canada. Cost increases caused by currency exchange rate fluctuations could make our products less competitive or have a material adverse effect on our profitability. Currency exchange rate fluctuations could also disrupt the business of the third party manufacturers that produce our products by making their purchases of raw materials more expensive and more difficult to finance.

        Approximately 13% of our consolidated net sales and operating expenses are transacted in foreign currencies. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates impact the amount of our reported sales and expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, we have foreign currency denominated receivables and payables that, to date, have not been hedged against foreign currency fluctuations. When settled, these receivables and payables could result in significant transaction gains or losses.

Pending legal and regulatory actions are inherent in our businesses and could adversely affect our results of operations or financial position or harm our businesses or reputation.

        We are, and in the future may be, subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of our business. Material pending litigation and regulatory matters affecting us, and certain risks to our businesses presented by such matters, are discussed under Item 3—Legal Proceedings of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of these proceedings have been brought on behalf of various alleged classes of complainants. In certain of these matters, the plaintiffs are seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages. Substantial legal liability in these or future legal or regulatory actions could have a material adverse affect on us or cause us reputational harm, which in turn could harm our business prospects.

        Our litigation and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertainties, and given their complexity and scope, their outcome cannot be predicted. Our reserves for litigation and regulatory matters may prove to be inadequate. It is possible that our results of operations or cash flows in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable resolution of pending litigation and regulatory matters depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flows for such period. In light of the unpredictability of our litigation and regulatory matters, it is also possible that in certain cases an ultimately unfavorable resolution of one or more pending litigation or regulatory matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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A material disruption in, failure of, or inability to upgrade, our information technology systems could adversely affect our business or results of operations and cash flows.

        We rely on various information systems to manage our operations and we regularly make investments to upgrade, enhance or replace such systems. Over the next fiscal year, we will begin implementing a new core merchandising system. Transitioning to new systems, integrating new systems into current systems, or any disruptions or malfunctions affecting our information systems could cause critical information upon which we rely to be delayed, unreliable, corrupted, insufficient or inaccessible. Any of these potential issues, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We depend on generating sufficient cash flows, together with our existing cash balances and availability under our credit facility to fund our ongoing operations, capital expenditures and debt service requirements.

        Our ability to fund our ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures, share repurchase programs and potential debt service requirements will depend on our ability to generate cash flows. Our cash flows are dependent on many factors, including:

        Most of these factors are beyond our control. It is difficult to assess the impact that the general economic downturn will continue to have on consumer spending and our financial results. However, we believe that it will continue to result in reduced spending by our customers, which would reduce our revenues and our cash flows from operating activities from those that otherwise would have been generated. In addition, steps that we may take to limit cash outlays, such as delaying the purchase of inventory, may not be successful or could delay the arrival of merchandise for future selling seasons, which could reduce our net sales or profitability. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows, we may not be able to fund our ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures and potential debt service requirements and we may be required to seek additional sources of liquidity.

If our landlords should suffer financial difficulty or if we are unable to successfully negotiate acceptable lease terms, it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations and cash flows.

        We have accelerated our new store growth with a focus on value oriented centers, which are estimated to represent approximately half of Fiscal 2011 new store openings. Currently, approximately 62% of our stores are located in malls, approximately 20% are located in strip centers, approximately 13% are located in outlet centers and approximately 5% are located in street stores. If any of our landlords should suffer financial difficulty, it could render them unable to fulfill their duties under our lease agreements. Such duties include providing a sufficient number of mall co-tenants, common area maintenance, utilities, and payment of real estate taxes. While we have certain remedies under our lease agreements, the loss of business that could result if a shopping center should close or if customer traffic were to significantly decline as a result of lost tenants or improper care of the facilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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        We generally lease our stores for initial terms of five to 10 years. If we are unable to continue to negotiate acceptable lease and renewal terms, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

If we are unable to open and operate new stores successfully, our future operating results will be adversely impacted.

        We anticipate opening approximately 85 stores during Fiscal 2011. Our ability to open and operate new stores successfully depends on many factors, including, among others, the availability of suitable store locations, the ability to negotiate acceptable lease terms, the ability to timely complete necessary construction, the ability to successfully integrate new stores into our existing operations, the ability to hire and train store personnel and the ability to recognize and respond to regional and climate-related differences in customer preferences.

        We cannot guarantee that we will achieve our planned expansion on a timely and profitable basis or that we will be able to achieve results similar to those achieved in existing locations in prior periods. In Fiscal 2010, our total store base grew approximately 5% compared to 3% during Fiscal 2009, and is anticipated to grow approximately 7% in Fiscal 2011. Operating margins may also be adversely affected during periods in which we have incurred expenses in anticipation of new store openings.

        We need to continually evaluate the adequacy of our store management and our information and distribution systems to manage our planned expansion. Any failure to successfully and profitably execute our expansion plans could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Our failure to successfully manage our e-commerce business could have a negative impact on our business.

        The operation of our e-commerce business depends on our ability to maintain the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our online order-taking and fulfillment operations. Risks associated with our e-commerce business include:

        Problems in any one or more of these areas could have a material adverse effect on our sales, financial position, results of operations and cash flows and could damage our reputation and brand.

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A privacy breach or failure to comply with privacy laws could adversely affect our business.

        The protection of customer, employee, and company data is critical. The regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is demanding, with the frequent imposition of new and changing requirements. In addition, customers have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. A significant breach of customer, employee, or company data or our failure to comply with federal, state and local privacy laws could damage our reputation and result in lost sales, fines, and/or lawsuits.

        Despite our considerable efforts and technology to secure our computer network, security could be compromised, confidential information, such as customer credit card numbers, could be misappropriated, or system disruptions could occur. Our systems and procedures meet the Payment Card Industry ("PCI") data security standards, which require periodic audits by independent third parties to assess compliance. Failure to comply with the security requirements or rectify a security issue may result in fines and the imposition of restrictions on our ability to accept payment by credit or debit cards. There can be no assurance that we will be able to satisfy PCI security standards. In addition, PCI is controlled by a limited number of vendors who have the ability to impose changes in PCI's fee structure and operational requirements on us without negotiation. Such changes in fees and operational requirements may result in our failure to comply with PCI security standards, as well as significant unanticipated expenses.

Changes in federal, state or local law, or our failure to comply with such laws, could increase our expenses and expose us to legal risks.

        Our business is subject to a wide array of laws and regulations. Significant legislative or regulatory changes that impact our relationship with our workforce could increase our expenses and adversely affect our operations. None of our employees are currently represented by a collective bargaining agreement. However, from time to time there have been efforts to organize our employees at various locations. There is no assurance that our employees will not unionize in the future, particularly if legislation is passed that facilitates unionization. Changes in other regulatory areas, such as consumer credit, privacy and information security, product safety or environmental protection, among others, could cause our expenses to increase. In addition, if we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, particularly wage and hour laws and privacy laws, we could be subject to legal risk, including government enforcement action and class action civil litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Changes in tax laws, the interpretation of existing laws, or our failure to sustain our reporting positions on examination could adversely affect our effective tax rate.

Legislative actions and new accounting pronouncements could result in us having to increase our administrative expenses to remain compliant.

        In order to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and any subsequent guidance that may come from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), future changes in listing standards by the Nasdaq Stock Market, or future accounting guidance or disclosure requirements by the SEC, we may be required to enhance our internal controls, hire additional personnel and utilize additional outside legal, accounting and advisory services, all of which could cause our general and administrative expenses to increase.

        The SEC is exploring the possibility of requiring all U.S. companies to prepare its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The FASB is currently working on a project with its international counterpart, the International Accounting Standards Board, to converge U.S. and International GAAP into one uniform set of accounting rules. The cost of implementing a potentially vast change of financial reporting rules could be material. The effect of

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changing accounting rules on our financial statements could also be significant. Changes to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows could impact our debt covenant ratios or a lender's perception of our financial statements causing an adverse impact on our ability to obtain credit, or could impact investor analyses and perceptions of our business causing the market value of our stock to decrease. In addition, any changes in the current accounting rules, including legislative and other proposals could increase the expenses we report under U.S. GAAP and have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Tax Matters could impact our results of operations and financial condition.

        We are subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including Canada and Hong Kong. Our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability in the future could be adversely affected by numerous factors including, but not limited to, income before taxes being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries with higher statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition in future periods. In addition, we are subject to the examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinations will not have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability.

Because of conditions impacting our quarterly results of operations, including seasonality, weather conditions and other factors, our quarterly results fluctuate.

        As is the case with many retailers, we experience seasonal fluctuations in our net sales and net income. Our net sales and net income are generally weakest during the first two fiscal quarters, and are lower during the second fiscal quarter than during the first fiscal quarter. For example, in Fiscal 2010, 25%, 21%, 27% and 27% of our consolidated net sales occurred in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively. In most fiscal years, we experience operating losses in the second quarter, with the exception of Fiscal 2008, when we experienced minimal income in the second quarter. It is reasonably possible that we will continue to experience second quarter losses in future periods. It is also possible that we could experience losses in other quarters. Our first quarter results are heavily dependent upon sales during the period leading up to the Easter holiday. Our third quarter results are heavily dependent upon back-to-school sales. Our fourth quarter results are heavily dependent upon sales during the holiday season.

        Our quarterly results of operations may also fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter as a result of a variety of other factors, including overall economic conditions, the timing of new store openings and related pre-opening and other start-up costs, net sales contributed by new stores, increases or decreases in Comparable Retail Sales, weather conditions, shifts in the timing of certain holidays and changes in our merchandise mix and pricing strategy. Any failure by us to meet our business plans for, in particular, the third and fourth quarter of any fiscal year, as we experienced in Fiscal 2007, would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, because our expense levels are based in part on expectations of future sales levels, a shortfall in expected sales could result in a disproportionate decrease in our net income.

Any disruption in, or changes to, our consumer credit arrangements, including our private label credit card agreement with Citibank, N.A., may adversely affect the ability of our customers to obtain consumer credit.

        Credit card operations are subject to numerous federal and state laws that impose disclosure and other requirements upon the origination, servicing and enforcement of credit accounts and limitations

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on the maximum amount of finance charges that may be charged by a credit provider. The Credit Card Act of 2009 (the "Card Act") went into effect during Fiscal 2010. Provisions of the Card Act include, among other changes, restrictions on interest charges and other fees that credit and debit card providers may charge its consumers. These restrictions may result in decreased revenues for credit card providers, which may cause increases to consumer interest rates, reduce credit availability or cause increases to fees charged to retailers. The Card Act, other new regulations, or changes in existing regulations of credit arrangements could materially limit the availability of credit to our customer base.

        Additionally, during periods of increasing consumer credit delinquencies generally, financial institutions may reexamine their lending practices and procedures. There can be no assurance that increased delinquencies being experienced by providers of consumer credit generally would not cause providers of third party credit offered by us to decrease the availability of, or increase the cost of such credit.

        Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on the way we conduct business and could negatively impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We may be unable to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property rights.

        We believe that our trademarks and service marks are important to our success and our competitive position due to their name recognition with our customers. We devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademarks and service marks on a worldwide basis. In order to more effectively protect them from infringement and to defend against claims of infringement, the marks are owned by a separate subsidiary whose purpose is to maintain and manage existing and future marks, thereby increasing their value to us. We are not aware of any material claims of infringement or material challenges to our right to use any of our trademarks and service marks in the United States. Nevertheless, the actions we have taken, including to establish and protect our trademarks and service marks, may not be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products as a violation of the trademarks, service marks and proprietary rights of others. Also, others may assert rights in, or ownership of, trademarks and other proprietary rights of ours and we may not be able to successfully resolve these types of conflicts to our satisfaction. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.

Our share price may be volatile.

        Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Stock markets in general have experienced, and are likely to continue to experience, price and volume fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, we believe that factors such as quarterly fluctuations in our financial results, our Comparable Retail Sales results, other risk factors identified here, announcements by other retailers, the overall economy and the geopolitical environment could individually or in aggregation cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially.

Negative changes in the economy, such as the continued deterioration in the global economic environment, and resulting declines in consumer confidence and spending, have had and could continue to have an adverse effect on the apparel industry and on our operating results.

        The apparel industry is cyclical in nature and is particularly affected by adverse trends in the general economy. Purchases of apparel and related merchandise are generally discretionary and therefore tend to decline during recessionary periods and also may decline at other times. During 2008 and 2009, the global economic environment deteriorated significantly, and remained weak in 2010 and

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into 2011. The declining values in real estate, reduced credit lending by banks, solvency concerns of major financial institutions, increases in unemployment levels and significant declines and volatility in the global financial markets have negatively impacted the level of consumer spending for discretionary items. This has adversely affected our business as it is dependent on consumer demand for our products. In North America, we have experienced a significant slowdown in customer traffic and a highly promotional environment. These same conditions exist in many international markets. If the global macroeconomic environment continues to be weak or deteriorates further, there will likely be a negative effect on our revenues, operating margins and earnings.

        In addition to the factors contributing to the current economic environment, there are a number of other factors that could contribute to reduced levels of consumer spending, such as increases in interest rates, fluctuating fuel and other energy costs, taxation rates or energy prices. Similarly, political unrest, actual or potential terrorist acts and other conflicts can also create significant instability and uncertainty in the world, causing consumers to defer purchases or preventing our suppliers and service providers from providing required services or materials to us. These or other factors could materially and adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Acts of terrorism, effects of war, other catastrophes or political unrest could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        The threat or actual acts of terrorism continue to be a risk to the global economy. Terrorism and potential military responses, political unrest, natural disasters, pandemics or other health issues could disrupt commerce, undermine consumer confidence or impact our ability to open or operate our stores in affected areas. A disruption of commerce could interfere with the production, shipment or receipt of our merchandise in a timely manner or increase our costs to do so, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. If there is a decline in consumer confidence or if our stores are affected by an act of terrorism or other catastrophe, it could negatively impact consumer spending patterns or customer traffic, which would negatively impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Since a portion of our available cash is located in foreign jurisdictions, if we need such cash to fund domestic needs we may not be able to do so on favorable terms.

        We manage our cash and liquidity within each business according to the country and currency of operations. Because a portion of our cash balances and working capital is located in foreign jurisdictions, we could have a liquidity issue in one country while adequate liquidity exists in other countries. If such a liquidity need were to arise in our domestic operations, there is no guarantee that we would have the ability to make the appropriate intercompany transfer from our foreign subsidiaries on favorable terms and our financial position and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted.

ITEM 1B.—UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

ITEM 2.—PROPERTIES

        We lease all of our existing store locations in the United States and Canada, with lease terms expiring through 2023 and 2021, respectively. The average unexpired lease term for our stores is approximately 4.2 years in the United States and approximately 4.8 years in Canada. The leases for most of our existing stores are for initial terms of 10 years and provide for contingent rent based upon a percentage of sales in excess of specific minimums. We anticipate that we will be able to extend those leases on satisfactory terms as they expire, or relocate to desirable locations.

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        The following table sets forth information with respect to our non store locations as of January 29, 2011:

Location
  Use   Approximate
Sq. Footage
  Current Lease
Term Expiration
 

South Brunswick Township, NJ(1)

  Warehouse Distribution Center     525,000     1/31/2021  

Ontario, CA(1)

  Warehouse Distribution Center     250,000     3/31/2016  

Ontario, Canada(2)

  Warehouse Distribution Center     95,000     4/30/2014  

Fort Payne, AL(1)

  Warehouse Distribution Center     700,000     Owned  

500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ(3)

  Corporate Offices, Design     140,000     5/31/2029  

Hong Kong, China(3)

  Product Support     28,000     4/30/2012  

Shanghai, China(3)

  Product Support     14,000     7/14/2012  

Gurgaon, India(3)

  Product Support     7,100     3/12/2012  

Tirupur, India(3)

  Product Support     3,600     9/15/2012  

(1)
Supports The Children's Place U.S. stores and/or e-commerce business.

(2)
Supports The Children's Place Canada stores.

(3)
Supports both The Children's Place U.S. stores and The Children's Place Canada stores.

        On occasion, we may operate other leased facilities to support seasonal warehousing needs.

ITEM 3.—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        On June 16, 2009, a putative stockholder derivative action was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County, Chancery Division, against us and certain of our current and former directors and senior executives. We have been named as a nominal defendant. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain of our current and former directors and executives breached their fiduciary duties to us and our stockholders by causing us to issue false and misleading public statements and by abdicating their responsibilities to us and our stockholders, in violation of state law. The complaint also alleges that the defendants committed corporate waste in connection with a severance payment to our former Chief Executive Officer. The complaint seeks monetary damages from the individual defendants as well as costs and disbursements of the lawsuit, including expert fees, as well as equitable relief. On November 20, 2009, defendants moved to dismiss the complaint, on the grounds that, among other things, (i) the claims asserted in the action are barred by the prior settlement of the stockholder class action filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) plaintiff failed to make a demand on our Board of Directors to initiate the lawsuit, as required by applicable state law. The court heard oral arguments on the motion to dismiss on March 25, 2010 and on June 3, 2010 the court issued an oral decision denying the defendants' motion to dismiss, while stating that the court took no position on the merits of the case. On July 28, 2010, the defendants filed a motion in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, seeking extraordinary leave to appeal from the interlocutory order denying defendants' motion to dismiss, which motion was denied on August 20, 2010. While we believe there are valid defenses to the claims and we will defend ourselves vigorously, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of this litigation. This claim has been tendered to our insurance carrier and we believe that any settlement would be covered by our insurance and, as such, we do not expect that this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

        We are also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any ultimate liability arising out of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our financial condition.

ITEM 4.—RESERVED

        There is no disclosure required under this Item.

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PART II

ITEM 5.—MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

        Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol "PLCE." The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices on Nasdaq of our common stock for the fiscal periods indicated.

 
  High   Low  

2010

             

First Quarter

  $ 50.10   $ 31.41  

Second Quarter

    49.85     39.81  

Third Quarter

    57.63     39.84  

Fourth Quarter

    53.52     42.12  

2009

             

First Quarter

  $ 30.39   $ 17.09  

Second Quarter

    37.68     24.50  

Third Quarter

    36.47     26.15  

Fourth Quarter

    37.00     26.65  

        On March 23, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $48.67 per share, the number of holders of record of our common stock was approximately 65 and the number of beneficial holders of our common stock was approximately 18,900.

        We do not pay dividends to our stockholders. Our credit facility prohibits the payment of dividends and puts restrictions on the amount of purchases of our common stock. On August 18, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million. On March 3, 2011, the Board authorized an additional share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million. Under the programs, we may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. As of January 29, 2011, we had repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $90.0 million, and at an average cost of $46.54 per share. Subsequent to January 29, 2011 and through March 23, 2011, we repurchased an additional 0.2 million shares for approximately $10.5 million, which completed the initial share repurchase program and began the new share repurchase program announced on March 3, 2011. During Fiscal 2009, we purchased approximately 2.5 million shares at a price of $28.88 per share of our common stock from Ezra Dabah, our former Chief Executive Officer, Renee Dabah and certain related trusts. Also, pursuant to restrictions imposed by our equity plan during black-out periods, we withhold and retire shares of vesting stock awards in exchange for payments to satisfy the withholding tax requirements of certain recipients. Our payment of the withholding taxes in exchange for the shares constitutes a purchase of our common stock. During Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, we retired approximately 14,000 and 18,000 shares, respectively, and made related withholding tax payments of approximately $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Any determination in the future to pay dividends or purchase additional shares of our common stock will depend upon our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, covenants in our credit facilities and any future debt instruments and such other factors as the Board deems appropriate at such time.

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        The following table provides a month-to-month summary of our share repurchase activity during the 13 weeks ended January 29, 2011:

Period
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
per Share
  Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs
  Approximate Dollar
Value (in thousands) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
 

10/31/10 - 11/27/10

    209,484   $ 45.90     209,484   $ 10,418  

11/28/10 - 1/1/11

    12,945     50.57     7,400     10,054  

    1/2/11 - 1/29/11

                10,054  
                   

Total

    222,429   $ 46.17     216,884   $ 10,054  
                   

Equity Plan Compensation Information

        The following table provides information as of January 29, 2011, about the shares of our Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of options granted to employees or members of our Board under all of our existing stock-based compensation plans, including our 1997 Stock Option Plan and 2005 Equity Plan as amended on June 27, 2008 ("2005 Equity Plan").

 
  COLUMN (A)   COLUMN (B)   COLUMN (C)  
Plan Category
  Securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options
  Weighted
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options
  Securities remaining
available for future issuances
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in Column (A))
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

    350,710 (1) $ 33.93     787,477 (2)

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

    N/A     N/A     N/A  
               

Total

    350,710   $ 33.93     787,477  
               

(1)
Amount consists of 247,710 shares issuable under our 1997 Stock Option Plan and 103,000 shares issuable under our 2005 Equity Plan.

(2)
Effective with the approval of our 2005 Equity Plan by our stockholders, we agreed not to make any further grants under our 1997 Stock Option Plan, thus all securities remaining available for future issuance relate to our 2005 Equity Plan. Excluded from this amount are approximately 356,400 shares issuable upon vesting of deferred stock awards and approximately 151,300 shares issuable upon vesting of performance awards.

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Performance Graph

        The following graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock with the return on the Total Return Index for The NASDAQ Stock Market (US) and The NASDAQ Retail Trade Stocks. The graph and the second table below assume that $100 was invested on January 28, 2006 in each of our common stock, The NASDAQ Stock Market (US) index and The NASDAQ Retail Trade Stock index. The first table below sets forth the closing price of our Common Stock and the closing indices for The NASDAQ Stock Market (US) and The NASDAQ Retail Trade Stocks on the last day of certain of our fiscal years.

GRAPHIC

Date
  The Children's Place—"PLCE"   NASDAQ US   NASDAQ RETAIL TRADE STOCKS  

1/28/2006

    45.090     782.053     498.988  

2/3/2007

    58.310     842.827     548.239  

2/2/2008

    19.780     813.974     485.385  

1/31/2009

    18.810     400.522     312.127  

1/30/2010

    31.800     579.464     463.164  

1/29/2011

    43.470     742.933     577.479  

 

Date
  The Children's Place—"PLCE"   NASDAQ US   NASDAQ RETAIL TRADE STOCKS  

1/28/2006

    100.000     100.000     100.000  

2/3/2007

    129.319     107.771     109.870  

2/2/2008

    43.868     104.082     97.274  

1/31/2009

    41.717     51.214     62.552  

1/30/2010

    70.526     74.095     92.821  

1/29/2011

    96.407     94.998     115.730  

ITEM 6.—SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        We are the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. As of January 29, 2011 we operated 995 The Children's Place stores across North America and an online store at www.childrensplace.com. The following table sets forth certain historical financial and operating data for The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The statement of operations data for the three fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, and the balance sheet data as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited financial statements presented elsewhere herein. The balance sheet data as of January 31, 2009, and the balance sheet data and the statement of operations data as of and for the fiscal years ended

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February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007, have been derived from audited financial statements not included herein. All other data presented herein, have not been audited. The information contained in this table should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

 
  Fiscal Year Ended(1)  
Statement of Operations Data
(in thousands, except per share and square footage data):
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
  February 2,
2008
  February 3,
2007
 

Net sales

  $ 1,673,999   $ 1,643,587   $ 1,630,323   $ 1,520,329   $ 1,405,429  

Cost of sales

    1,010,851     984,086     958,510     924,187     794,985  
                       

Gross profit

    663,148     659,501     671,813     596,142     610,444  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    452,459     455,782     471,302     479,142     435,758  

Asset impairment charges(2)

    2,713     2,200     6,491     16,565     418  

Other costs(3)

            213     5,870      

Depreciation and amortization

    71,640     71,447     71,410     65,326     57,964  
                       

Operating income

    136,336     130,072     122,397     29,239     116,304  

Interest income (expense), net

    (1,530 )   (5,731 )   (4,939 )   (366 )   2,707  
                       

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    134,806     124,341     117,458     28,873     119,011  

Provision for income taxes

    51,219     35,500     43,523     18,913     34,740  
                       

Income from continuing operations

    83,587     88,841     73,935     9,960     84,271  

Diluted income per common share from continuing operations

 
$

3.05
 
$

3.09
 
$

2.50
 
$

0.34
 
$

2.82
 

Selected Operating Data for Continuing Operations:

                               

Number of stores open at end of period

    995     947     917     904     866  

Comparable retail sales increase (decrease)

    (2.5 )%   (2.1 )%   4.7 %   2.6 %   10.0 %

Average net sales per store(4)

  $ 1,587   $ 1,634   $ 1,703   $ 1,654   $ 1,643  

Average square footage per store(5)

    4,943     4,965     4,918     4,846     4,647  

Average net sales per square foot(6)

  $ 318   $ 332   $ 350   $ 355   $ 361  

Balance Sheet Data (in thousands):

                               

Working capital(7)

  $ 347,305   $ 311,366   $ 312,595   $ 200,381   $ 282,049  

Total assets

    854,331     854,060     939,757     997,537     936,985  

Long-term debt

            55,000          

Stockholders' equity

    607,727     588,970     547,879     472,233     521,787  

(1)
All periods presented were 52-week years, except the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007, which was a 53-week year.

(2)
Asset impairment charges generally relate to the write-off of fixed assets related to underperforming stores. In Fiscal 2007, we also recorded an impairment charge of $14.8 million related to our decision to cease construction on our Emerson Lane administrative office building.

(3)
Other costs include $5.9 million in lease exit costs related to our decision not to proceed with the construction of the Emerson Lane administrative office building.

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(4)
Average net sales per store represents net sales from stores open throughout the full period divided by the number of such stores.

(5)
Average square footage per store represents the square footage of stores operated on the last day of the period divided by the number of such stores.

(6)
Average net sales per square foot represent net sales from stores open throughout the full period divided by the square footage of such stores.

(7)
Working capital is calculated by subtracting our current liabilities from our current assets.

ITEM 7.—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 15.—Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in Item 1A—Risk Factors.

        As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the "Company", "The Children's Place", "we", "us", "our" and similar terms refer to The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31. Other terms that are commonly used in our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are defined as follows:

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OVERVIEW

Our Business

        We are the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. We design, contract to manufacture and sell fashionable, high-quality, value-priced merchandise, virtually all of which is under our proprietary "The Children's Place" brand name. As of January 29, 2011, we operated 995 stores across North America and an online store at www.childrensplace.com.

Segment Reporting

        After the disposal of our Disney Store Business during Fiscal 2008 (see below), management continued its reassessment of our internal reporting structure. Net sales of Canadian operations had grown approximately 56% over the three fiscal years ended January 31, 2009, and after the disposal of the Disney business, its percentage of consolidated net sales had grown from approximately 9% to approximately 12%. Further, the fluctuations of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar in recent years have had a significant impact on our Canadian operating results. Beginning in Fiscal 2009, our chief operating decision maker required, and we began reporting, discrete financial information for our Canadian operations.

        The "Segment Reporting" topic of the FASB ASC establishes standards for reporting information about a company's operating segments. Accordingly, we report segment data based on management responsibility: The Children's Place U.S. and The Children's Place Canada. Included in The Children's Place U.S. segment are our U.S. based stores, including Puerto Rico, and our e-commerce store, www.childrensplace.com. We measure our segment profitability based on operating income, defined as earnings before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment. Certain centrally managed inventory procurement functions such as production and design are allocated to each segment based upon usage. Corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology services are allocated to the segments based primarily on net sales. Included in the allocation of corporate overhead is depreciation and amortization expense; however, the related assets are not allocated. We periodically review these allocations and adjust them based upon changes in business circumstances. Net sales from external customers are derived from merchandise sales and we have no major customers that account for more than 10% of our net sales.

Recent Developments

        On August 18, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million. On March 3, 2011, our Board authorized an additional share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million. Under the programs, we may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. During Fiscal 2010 we repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares for approximately $90.0 million. Subsequent to January 29, 2011 and through March 23, 2011, we repurchased an additional 0.2 million shares for approximately $10.5 million, which completed the initial share repurchase program and began the new share repurchase program announced on March 3, 2011. All of these shares have been retired. The timing and number of shares repurchased under the remaining program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other business and market conditions, and may be suspended or discontinued, or reinstituted without prior announcement, at any time. In connection with the share repurchase programs the 2008 Credit Agreement was amended each time to increase the allowable amount, subject to certain conditions, that we may spend on share repurchases.

        On February 11, 2011, we announced the resignation of Susan J. Riley, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration. For transitional purposes, Ms. Riley remained in our employment until

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March 4, 2011. Under Ms. Riley's employment agreement, she remains entitled to a $1.0 million payment. The expense associated with this payment was being amortized over the life of the employment agreement and as of January 29, 2011, approximately $0.9 million had been accrued.

        The Company also announced that, as of February 11, 2011, John Taylor, the Company's Vice President, Finance since 2007, will assume the position of Interim Principal Financial Officer and Bernard McCracken, the Company's Controller since 2009 and Vice President, Controller since 2010, will assume the position of Interim Principal Accounting Officer.

The Disney Store Business

        From November 2004 through April 2008, through four wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company operated the Disney Store retail chain in North America (the "Disney Store Business") under a license agreement with the Walt Disney Company. After a thorough review of the Disney Store Business, its potential earnings growth, its capital needs and its ability to fund such needs from its own resources, the Company announced on March 20, 2008 that it had decided to exit the Disney Store Business. Our subsidiaries that operated the Disney Store Business are referred to herein interchangeably and collectively as "Hoop".

        After assessing the above factors and considering Hoop's liquidity, Hoop's Board of Directors determined that the best way to complete an orderly wind-down of Hoop's affairs was for Hoop to seek relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). On March 26, 2008, Hoop Holdings, LLC, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC and Hoop Canada Holdings, Inc. each filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "U.S. Bankruptcy Court") (Case Nos. 08-10544, 08-10545, and 08-10546, respectively, the "Cases"). On March 27, 2008, Hoop Canada, Inc. filed for protection pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the "CCAA") in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) ("Canadian Bankruptcy Court") (Court File No. 08-CL-7453, and together with the Cases, the "Filings"). Each of the foregoing Hoop entities are referred to collectively herein as the "Hoop Entities."

        After receiving the approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, on April 30, 2008, Hoop transferred the Disney Store business in the U.S. and Canada and a substantial portion of the Disney Store assets to affiliates of Disney in an asset sale (the "Sale"), pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated as of April 3, 2008 among the Hoop Entities and affiliates of Disney (the "Sale Agreement") and Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (and a similar provision under the CCAA). Upon closing, affiliates of Disney paid approximately $61.6 million, including certain post-closing adjustments, for the acquired assets of the Disney Store business. The proceeds received from the Sale are included in the assets of the Hoop Entities' for distribution to their creditors pursuant to the plan of reorganization that was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on December 15, 2008 (the "Plan"). A similar plan was approved by the Canadian Bankruptcy Court.

        According to the terms of the Sale, Hoop transferred 217 Disney Stores to affiliates of Disney and granted such affiliates the right to operate and wind-down the affairs of the remaining stores. The lease obligations associated with the stores that were not sold were rejected and resulting damage claims were administered pursuant to the Plan.

        In April 2008, the Company entered into a settlement and release of claims agreement with Hoop and the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Cases (the "Settlement Agreement"), which was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on April 29, 2008. Under the Settlement Agreement, the Company agreed to provide transitional services and to forgive all pre- and post-bankruptcy petition claims against the Hoop Entities. Such claims included intercompany charges for shared services of approximately $24.9 million, a capital contribution made on March 18, 2008 of approximately $8.3 million, payment of severance and other employee costs for the Company's employees servicing

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Hoop of approximately $7.7 million, and $6.8 million of professional fees and other costs the Company has incurred during the Cases, as well as claims that might be asserted against the Company in the Cases. At January 30, 2010, the Company had paid approximately $46.1 million related to the Settlement Agreement, and had remaining accruals of $1.6 million, primarily for legal claims and related costs. As of January 29, 2011, the Company had paid approximately $47.2 million related to the Settlement Agreement, and had remaining accruals of $0.5 million, primarily for legal claims and related costs.

        On December 15, 2008, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the Plan, pursuant to which the Hoop Entities that were U.S. debtors were dissolved and all assets and liabilities were transferred to a trust (the "Trust"), which is overseen by a trustee appointed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court under the Plan and a trust oversight committee. Hoop Canada, Inc., which currently remains under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, has not yet been legally dissolved but is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust and is effectively part of the Trust's assets.

        Upon effectiveness of the Plan in December 2008, the Company deconsolidated all Hoop Entities. As a result, all intercompany balances, including investments in subsidiaries, were eliminated, and the net liabilities in excess of assets transferred were written off, which resulted in a $25.5 million gain on the relief of indebtedness of the Hoop Entities in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2008.

        During Fiscal 2010, the Company reported a $0.5 million loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, which is comprised of approximately $0.6 million of reserve adjustments, primarily related to legal claims and approximately $0.2 million of professional fees associated with the wind-down of the Hoop Entities. These costs are offset by a tax benefit of approximately $0.3 million.

        During Fiscal 2009, the Company reported a $0.5 million loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, which is comprised of approximately $0.6 million of professional fees associated with the wind-down of the Hoop Entities and approximately $0.2 million of reserve adjustments, primarily related to legal claims. These costs are offset by a tax benefit of approximately $0.3 million.

        In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Disney Store business has been segregated from continuing operations and included in "Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes" in the consolidated statements of operations.

Operating Highlights

        Net sales in Fiscal 2010 increased approximately $30.4 million, or 1.8%, to $1,674.0 million, compared to $1,643.6 million reported in Fiscal 2009. During Fiscal 2010, our Comparable Retail Sales decreased 2.5% compared to a decrease of 2.1% in Fiscal 2009. In Fiscal 2010, we opened 67 stores, remodeled 35 stores and closed 19 stores.

        Based on information from NPD Group, a consumer and retail market research firm, we believe our market share of children's apparel for The Children's Place brand increased to 4.4% in Fiscal 2010 from 4.1% in Fiscal 2009.

        During Fiscal 2010, we reported income from continuing operations of $83.6 million, or $3.05 per diluted share, compared to $88.8 million, or $3.09 per diluted share, in Fiscal 2009. During Fiscal 2010, our business was significantly impacted by the continued weakness in the U.S. and Canadian economic environments.

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        Additionally, income from continuing operations included the following items, which affect comparability between the years:

        We have subsidiaries in Canada, Hong Kong and Shanghai whose operating results are based in foreign currencies and are thus subject to the fluctuations of the corresponding translation rates into U.S. dollars. The below table summarizes the average translation rates impacting our operating results:

 
  Fiscal 2010   Fiscal 2009   Fiscal 2008  

Average Translation Rates(1)

                   
 

Canadian Dollar

    0.9743     0.8913     0.9301  
 

Hong Kong Dollar

    0.1287     0.1290     0.1285  
 

China Yuan Renminbi

    0.1481     0.1464     0.1446  

(1)
The average translation rates are the average of the 12 monthly translation rates used during each fiscal year to translate the respective income statements. The rates represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of each foreign currency.

        For Fiscal 2010, the effects of these translation rate changes on net sales, gross profit and income from continuing operations before income taxes were increases of $18.2 million, $8.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Net sales are affected only by the Canadian dollar translation rates. In addition to the translation rate changes, the gross profit of our Canadian subsidiary is also impacted by its inventory purchases which are priced in U.S. dollars. The effect of the exchange rate on these purchases was an increase to our gross profit of approximately $5.6 million in Fiscal 2010.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reported period. In many cases, there are alternative

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policies or estimation techniques that could be used. We continuously review the application of our accounting policies and evaluate the appropriateness of the estimates used in preparing our financial statements; however, estimates routinely require adjustment based on changing circumstances and the receipt of new or better information. Consequently, actual results could differ from our estimates.

        The accounting policies and estimates discussed below include those that we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our financial results. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, which has reviewed our related disclosures herein.

        Inventory Valuation—Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market, using the retail inventory method. Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio, for each merchandise department, to the retail value of inventories. An initial mark-up is applied to inventory at cost to establish a cost-to-retail ratio. Permanent markdowns, when taken, reduce both the retail and cost components of inventory on hand so as to maintain the already established cost-to-retail relationship. At any one time, inventories include items that have been marked down to our best estimate of the lower of their cost or fair market value and an estimate of our inventory shrinkage.

        We base our decision to mark down merchandise upon its current rate of sale, the season, and the age and sell-through of the item. We estimate sell-through rates based upon historical and forecasted information. Markdown reserves are assessed and adjusted each quarter based on current sales trends and their resulting impact on forecasts. Our success is largely dependent upon our ability to gauge the fashion taste of our customers, and to provide a well-balanced merchandise assortment that satisfies customer demand. Throughout the year, we review our inventory in order to identify slow moving items and generally use markdowns to clear them. Any inability to provide the proper quantity of appropriate merchandise in a timely manner, or to correctly estimate the sell-through rate, could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Our historical estimates have not differed materially from actual results and a 10% difference in our markdown reserve as of January 29, 2011 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.7 million. Our markdown reserve balance at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 was approximately $11.2 million and approximately $12.9 million, respectively.

        Additionally, we adjust our inventory based upon an annual physical inventory, which is taken during the last quarter of the fiscal year. Based on the results of our historical physical inventories, an estimated shrink rate is used for each successive quarter until the next annual physical inventory, or sooner if facts or circumstances should indicate differently. A 1% difference in our shrinkage rate at retail could impact each quarter's net income by approximately $0.6 million.

        Stock-Based Compensation—We account for stock-based compensation according to the provisions of the "Compensation—Stock Compensation" topic of the FASB ASC.

        We grant restricted shares and deferred stock awards to our employees and non-employee directors and performance awards to certain key members of management. The fair value of these awards is based on the average of the high and low selling price of our common stock on the grant date. 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. While actual forfeitures could vary significantly from those estimated, a 10% change in our forfeiture rate would impact our net income by approximately $0.2 million. In addition, the number of performance shares earned is dependent upon our operating results over a specified time period. The expense for performance shares is based on the number of shares we estimate will vest as a result of our earnings-to-date plus our estimate of future earnings for the performance period. For all outstanding performance awards as

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of January 29, 2011, the performance periods have concluded and therefore are not subject to estimates of future operating performance.

        During fiscal 2008, we ceased issuing stock options in favor of deferred stock awards. The fair value of all outstanding stock options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of how long employees will hold their vested stock options before exercise, the estimated volatility of our common stock over the expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of vesting requirements. All exercise prices were based on the average of the high and low of the selling price of our common stock on the grant date. Total unamortized stock compensation at January 29, 2011 was not material and use of different assumptions regarding pricing and forfeitures would not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

        Insurance and Self-Insurance Liabilities—Based on our assessment of risk and cost efficiency, we self-insure as well as purchase insurance policies to provide for workers' compensation, general liability, and property losses, as well as directors' and officers' liability, vehicle liability and employee medical benefits. We estimate risks and record a liability based upon historical claim experience, insurance deductibles, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. These estimates include inherent uncertainties due to the variability of the factors involved, including type of injury or claim, required services by the providers, healing time, age of claimant, case management costs, location of the claimant, and governmental regulations. While we believe that our risk assessments are appropriate, these uncertainties or a deviation in future claims trends from recent historical patterns could result in our recording additional or reduced expenses, which may be material to our results of operations. Our historical estimates have not differed materially from actual results and a 10% difference in our insurance reserves as of January 29, 2011 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.6 million.

        Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—We periodically review our long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events include a history trend or projected trend of cash flow losses or a future expectation that we will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. In reviewing for impairment, we group our long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In that regard, we group our assets into two categories: corporate-related and store-related. Corporate-related assets consist of those associated with our corporate offices, distribution centers and our information technology systems. Store-related assets consist of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, certain computer equipment and lease related assets associated with individual stores.

        For store-related assets, we review all stores that have been open for at least two years, or sooner if circumstances should dictate, on at least an annual basis. For each store that shows indications of operating losses, we project future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease and compare the total undiscounted cash flows to the net book value of the related long-lived assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the related net book value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value. We primarily determine fair market value to be the discounted future cash flows associated with those assets. In evaluating future cash flows, we consider external and internal factors. External factors comprise the local environment in which the store resides, including mall traffic, competition, and their effect on sales trends. Internal factors include our ability to gauge the fashion taste of our customers, control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll, and in certain cases, our ability to renegotiate lease costs. Historically, less than 2% of our stores required impairment charges in any one year. If external factors should change unfavorably, if actual sales should differ from our projections, or if our ability to control costs is insufficient to sustain the necessary cash flows, future impairment charges could be material. At January 29, 2011, the average net book value per store was approximately $0.2 million.

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        Income Taxes—We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in the "Income Taxes" topic of the FASB ASC. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances we consider projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If, in the future we determine that we would not be able to realize our recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would decrease earnings in the period in which such determination is made.

        We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements.

        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:

        The Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, credit facilities and certain other short-term financial instruments are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value.

        We have reviewed recent accounting standards issued under FASB ASC and have determined that they will have no material financial impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        We primarily evaluate the results of our operations as a percentage of net sales rather than in terms of absolute dollar increases or decreases by analyzing the year over year change in our business expressed as a percentage of net sales (i.e., "basis points"). For example, our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased approximately 70 basis points to 27.0% of net sales during Fiscal 2010 from 27.7% during Fiscal 2009. Accordingly, to the extent that our sales have increased at a faster rate than our costs (i.e., "leveraging"), the more efficiently we have utilized the investments we have made in our business. Conversely, if our costs grow at a faster pace than our sales

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(i.e., "de-leveraging"), we have less efficiently utilized the investments we have made in our business. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data expressed as a percentage of net sales.

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Net sales

    100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of sales

    60.4     59.9     58.8  
               

Gross profit

    39.6     40.1     41.2  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    27.0     27.7     28.9  

Asset impairment charge

    0.2     0.1     0.4  

Other costs

             

Depreciation and amortization

    4.3     4.3     4.4  
               

Operating income

    8.1     7.9     7.5  

Interest income (expense), net

    (0.1 )   (0.3 )   (0.3 )
               

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    8.1     7.6     7.2  

Provision for income taxes

    3.1     2.2     2.7  
               

Income from continuing operations

    5.0     5.4     4.5  

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

            0.5  
               

Net income (loss)

    5.0 %   5.4 %   5.1 %
               

Number of stores in continuing operations, end of period

    995     947     917  

Note:
Table may not add due to rounding. 

        The following tables sets forth by segment, for the periods indicated, net sales, gross profit and Gross Margin (in thousands).

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Net sales:

                   
 

The Children's Place U.S. 

  $ 1,450,116   $ 1,441,562   $ 1,428,073  
 

The Children's Place Canada

    223,883     202,025     202,250  
               
   

Total net sales

  $ 1,673,999   $ 1,643,587   $ 1,630,323  
               

Gross profit:

                   
 

The Children's Place U.S. 

  $ 555,888   $ 559,865   $ 568,059  
 

The Children's Place Canada

    107,260     99,636     103,754  
               
   

Total gross profit

  $ 663,148   $ 659,501   $ 671,813  
               

Gross Margin:

                   
 

The Children's Place U.S. 

    38.3 %   38.8 %   39.8 %
 

The Children's Place Canada

    47.9 %   49.3 %   51.3 %
   

Total Gross Margin

    39.6 %   40.1 %   41.2 %

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Fiscal 2010 Compared to Fiscal 2009

        Net sales increased $30.4 million, or 1.8%, to $1,674.0 million during Fiscal 2010 from $1,643.6 million during Fiscal 2009. Our net sales increase resulted from a $51.1 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other stores that did not qualify as comparable stores, and an $18.2 million increase from favorable changes in the Canadian foreign exchange rate, partially offset by a Comparable Retail Sales decrease of 2.5%, or $38.9 million. Our 2.5% decrease in Comparable Retail Sales was primarily the result of a 4% decline in the average dollar transaction size partially offset by a 2% increase in the number of transactions. By department, Comparable Retail Sales were strongest for Accessories and Boys, and negative for Newborn and Girls. Regionally, U.S. Comparable Store Sales were down in all regions except the Southeast, which was flat.

        On a segment basis, The Children's Place U.S. net sales increased $8.5 million, or 0.6%, to $1,450.1 million in Fiscal 2010 compared to $1,441.6 million in Fiscal 2009. This increase resulted from a $31.7 million increase in e-commerce sales and a $37.3 million increase in sales from new stores and other stores that did not qualify as comparable stores, mostly offset by a Comparable Store Sales decrease of 4.7%, or $60.5 million. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales resulted primarily from a 6% decline in the average dollar transaction size partially offset by a 1% increase in the number of transactions. E-commerce sales, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 9.0% in Fiscal 2010 from 7.3% in Fiscal 2009. The Children's Place Canada net sales increased $21.9 million, or 10.8%, to $223.9 million in Fiscal 2010 compared to $202.0 million in Fiscal 2009. This increase resulted primarily from an $18.2 million increase resulting from favorable changes in the Canadian exchange rates and a $13.8 million increase in sales from new stores and other stores that did not qualify as comparable stores partially offset by a decline in Comparable Store Sales of 4.9%, or $10.1 million. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales was primarily the result of a 6% decline in the average dollar transaction size partially offset by a 1% increase in the number of transactions.

        During Fiscal 2010, we opened 67 stores, which included 58 in the United States and nine in Canada. We closed 19 stores in Fiscal 2010, all in the United States.

        Gross profit increased by $3.6 million to $663.1 million during Fiscal 2010 from $659.5 million in Fiscal 2009. Gross Margin decreased 50 basis points to 39.6% during Fiscal 2010 from 40.1% during Fiscal 2009. This decrease resulted primarily from higher markdowns of approximately 90 basis points and higher buying and occupancy costs of approximately 20 basis points partially offset by a higher initial mark-up of approximately 50 basis points and lower production, design and other costs of approximately 10 basis points. Increased markdowns resulted from a lack of demand for the product assortment. Gross Margin at The Children's Place U.S. decreased approximately 50 basis points to 38.3% in Fiscal 2010 from 38.8% in Fiscal 2009. This decrease resulted primarily from higher markdowns of approximately 60 basis points and higher buying costs of approximately 10 basis points partially offset by lower production, design and other costs of approximately 20 basis points. Gross Margin at The Children's Place Canada decreased approximately 140 basis points to 47.9% in Fiscal 2010 from 49.3% in Fiscal 2009. This decrease resulted primarily from higher markdowns of approximately 230 basis points and higher occupancy costs of approximately 60 basis points partially offset by a higher initial mark-up of approximately 150 basis points. The higher initial mark-up was favorably impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.3 million to $452.5 million during Fiscal 2010 from $455.8 million during Fiscal 2009. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased

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approximately 70 basis points to 27.0% during Fiscal 2010 from 27.7% during Fiscal 2009. The comparability of our SG&A was affected by the following items:

        Excluding the effect of the above, SG&A decreased approximately $1.4 million, or 60 basis points, primarily as a result of the following:

        Asset impairment charges were $2.7 million during Fiscal 2010 compared to $2.2 million during Fiscal 2009. Asset impairment charges in Fiscal 2010 relate primarily to eight underperforming stores compared to 14 underperforming stores in Fiscal 2009. All underperforming stores were in The Children's Place U.S.

        Depreciation and amortization was $71.6 million during Fiscal 2010 compared to $71.4 million in Fiscal 2009. As a percentage of sales, depreciation expense was 4.3% in each of Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009.

        Interest expense, net, was $1.5 million in Fiscal 2010, compared to $5.7 million in Fiscal 2009. Fiscal 2009 includes $3.9 million of interest expense related to an $85 million term loan that was fully repaid during the third quarter of Fiscal 2009. Also included in the interest expense during Fiscal 2009 is a $1.5 million accrued interest reduction resulting from the settlement of an IRS employment tax audit related to stock options and a $2.5 million charge related to the pre-payment of the remaining balance on our term loan.

        Provision for income taxes was approximately $51.2 million during Fiscal 2010, compared to $35.5 million during Fiscal 2009. The increase of $15.7 million is due to a $10.5 million increase in income from continuing operations before income taxes and an increase in our effective tax rate to 38.0% in Fiscal 2010 from 28.6% in Fiscal 2009. The increase in our effective tax rate is due to discrete

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items during Fiscal 2009, including $10.3 million of foreign tax credits related to cash repatriations from our Canadian subsidiaries and a $4.5 million accrual reduction related to the settlement of an IRS audit.

        Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes was a loss of $0.5 million during each of Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009. These losses relate to professional fees and accrual adjustments related to the wind-down of the Company's former subsidiaries that operated the Disney Store Business.

        Net income was $83.1 million in Fiscal 2010, compared to $88.4 million in Fiscal 2009 due to the factors discussed above. Earnings per diluted share was $3.03 during Fiscal 2010 compared to $3.08 during Fiscal 2009. This decrease in earnings per diluted share is due to the decrease in net income partially offset by a lower weighted average common shares outstanding of approximately 1.3 million. During Fiscal 2010, we repurchased and retired approximately 1.9 million common shares under our share repurchase program and during Fiscal 2009, we repurchased and retired approximately 2.5 million common shares pursuant to a share repurchase agreement.

Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

        Net sales increased $13.3 million, or 0.8%, to $1,643.6 million during Fiscal 2009 from $1,630.3 million during Fiscal 2008. Our net sales increase resulted from $48.3 million of sales from new stores as well as stores that did not qualify as comparable stores, mostly offset by a Comparable Retail Sales decrease of 2.1%, or $29.8 million, and a $5.2 million decrease from unfavorable changes in the Canadian foreign exchange rate. The Comparable Retail Sales decrease is comprised of a Comparable Store Sales decrease of 3.8%, or $60.4 million, partially offset by an increase in e-commerce sales of 34.4%, or $30.6 million. Our 3.8% Comparable Store Sales decrease reflects a 1% decrease in the number of transactions and a 3% decrease in our average dollar transaction size.

        On a segment basis, The Children's Place U.S. net sales increased $13.5 million, or 1.0%, to $1,441.6 million in Fiscal 2009 compared to $1,428.1 million in Fiscal 2008. This increase resulted from a $30.6 million increase in e-commerce sales and a $31.4 million increase in sales from new stores and other stores that did not qualify as comparable stores, partially offset by a Comparable Store Sales decrease of 3.8%, or $48.5 million. E-commerce sales, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 7.3% in Fiscal 2009 from 5.5% in Fiscal 2008. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales resulted primarily from a 3% decline in the average dollar transaction size while the number of transactions were flat. Comparable Store Sales were down in all regions and all departments except for accessories, which was flat. The Children's Place Canada net sales decreased $0.2 million, or 0.1%, to $202.0 million in Fiscal 2009 compared to $202.2 million in Fiscal 2008. This decrease resulted from a Comparable Store Sales decrease of 6.0%, or $11.9 million and a $5.2 million decrease resulting from changes in the Canadian exchange rates mostly offset by a $16.9 million increase in sales from new stores and other stores that did not qualify as comparable stores. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales was primarily attributable to a 3% decline in the number of transactions and a 3% decrease in the average dollar transaction size. Comparable Store Sales were down in all departments except for accessories.

        During Fiscal 2009, we opened 38 stores, which included 30 in the United States and eight in Canada. We closed eight stores in Fiscal 2009, all in the United States.

        Gross profit decreased by $12.3 million to $659.5 million during Fiscal 2009 from $671.8 million in Fiscal 2008. Gross Margin decreased 110 basis points to 40.1% during Fiscal 2009 from 41.2% during Fiscal 2008. This decrease resulted primarily from higher markdowns of approximately 120 basis points and higher occupancy of approximately 30 basis points partially offset by lower production, design and other costs of approximately 20 basis points, a higher initial mark-up of approximately 10 basis points and lower buying costs of approximately 10 basis points. Increased markdowns resulted from higher inventory levels due to lower Comparable Store Sales as noted above. Gross Margin at The Children's

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Place U.S. decreased approximately 100 basis points to 38.8% in Fiscal 2009 from 39.8% in Fiscal 2008. This decrease resulted primarily from higher markdowns of approximately 120 basis points and higher occupancy of approximately 20 basis points partially offset by a higher initial mark-up of approximately 20 basis points and lower production, design and other costs of approximately 20 basis points. Gross Margin at The Children's Place Canada decreased approximately 200 basis points to 49.3% in Fiscal 2009 from 51.3% in Fiscal 2008. This decrease resulted primarily from higher occupancy of approximately 110 basis points, a lower initial mark-up of approximately 70 basis points and higher markdowns of approximately 50 basis points partially offset by lower production, design and other costs of approximately 30 basis points. Gross profit at The Children's Place Canada was also negatively impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $15.5 million to $455.8 million during Fiscal 2009 from $471.3 million during Fiscal 2008. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased approximately 120 basis points to 27.7% during Fiscal 2009 from 28.9% during Fiscal 2008. The comparability of our SG&A was affected by the following items:

        Excluding the effect of the above, SG&A decreased approximately $27.7 million, or 190 basis points. We were able to reduce these expenses primarily as a result of the following:

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        Asset impairment charges were $2.2 million during Fiscal 2009 compared to $6.5 million during Fiscal 2008. Asset impairment charges in Fiscal 2009 relate primarily to 14 underperforming stores compared to 18 underperforming stores in Fiscal 2008.

        Other costs of $0.2 million during Fiscal 2008 related to interest accretion from our decision to exit the Emerson Lane administrative office lease. There were no other costs in Fiscal 2009.

        Depreciation and amortization was $71.4 million during each of Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008. As a percentage of sales, depreciation expense was 4.3% in Fiscal 2009 compared to 4.4% in Fiscal 2008.

        Interest (expense) income, net, was expense of $5.7 million in Fiscal 2009, compared to expense of $4.9 million in Fiscal 2008. The increase in net interest expense is due primarily to lower interest income of $2.5 million and increased unused line fees on our credit facility of $0.5 million mostly offset by lower interest expense associated with our term loan and credit facilities of $2.6 million. The lower interest expense resulted from a lower average outstanding debt balance during Fiscal 2009 compared to Fiscal 2008. Also included in the interest expense during Fiscal 2009 is a $1.5 million accrued interest reduction resulting from the settlement of an IRS employment tax audit related to stock options and a $2.5 million charge related to the pre-payment of the remaining balance on our term loan.

        Provision for income taxes was approximately $35.5 million during Fiscal 2009, compared to $43.5 million during Fiscal 2008, and our effective tax rate was 28.6% in Fiscal 2009, compared to 37.1% in Fiscal 2008. The decrease in the effective tax rate resulted primarily from discrete items during Fiscal 2009, including $10.3 million of foreign tax credits related to cash repatriations from our Canadian subsidiaries and a $4.5 million accrual reduction related to the settlement of an IRS audit.

        Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes was a loss of $0.5 million during Fiscal 2009, compared to income of approximately $8.4 million during Fiscal 2008. The loss in Fiscal 2009 relates to legal fees incurred in winding down the Disney Store Business. The income in Fiscal 2008 is due primarily to a $22.2 million pre-tax gain on the Sale, and a $25.5 million gain on the relief of indebtedness of the Hoop Entities mostly offset by operating losses of $13.1 million and restructuring charges of $18.8 million.

        Net income was $88.4 million in Fiscal 2009, compared to $82.4 million in Fiscal 2008 due to the factors discussed above.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Debt Service/Liquidity

        Our working capital needs follow a seasonal pattern, peaking during the third quarter when inventory is purchased for the back-to-school and winter selling seasons. Our primary uses of cash are the financing of new store openings, other capital projects, working capital requirements, principally inventory purchases, and the repurchase of our common stock.

        Our working capital increased $35.9 million to $347.3 million at January 29, 2011 compared to $311.4 million at January 30, 2010. This increase is primarily due to cash generated from operations mostly offset by cash paid for share repurchases. During Fiscal 2010, under our $100 million share repurchase program, we repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares for approximately $90.0 million. Subsequent to January 29, 2011 and through March 23, 2011, we repurchased an additional 0.2 million shares for approximately $10.5 million, which completed the initial share repurchase program and began the new share repurchase program announced on March 3, 2011. As of January 29, 2011, we had no borrowings under our credit facility. Our credit facility provides for borrowings up to the lesser of $200 million or our borrowing base, as defined by the credit facility agreement (see "Credit Facilities" below). At January 29, 2011, our borrowing base was $168.4 million.

        On June 11, 2009, we received a notice of assessment in the amount of approximately 2.3 million Canadian dollars from Revenue Quebec regarding our sales tax filings. We have objected to the assessment and believe that upon review it will be reversed. During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, Revenue Quebec required us to guarantee the assessed amount in the form of a deposit into a restricted cash account. Until such time that the pending assessment is resolved, the balance of the account remains the property of the Company. This amount is shown on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as restricted cash. At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, the U.S. dollar value of this deposit was $2.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

        On August 3, 2009, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, we purchased approximately 2.5 million shares of our common stock at a price of $28.88 per share. Total cost of this share repurchase was $73.5 million, which included transaction costs of approximately $2.7 million.

        During Fiscal 2009, we re-paid in full our $85.0 million term loan (see "Term Loan" below).

        During the latter part of Fiscal 2010, we have observed material increases in the price of cotton and anticipate such prices will escalate through Fiscal 2011. We expect to mitigate these higher prices through product cost engineering, mix changes and retail price increases.

        We expect to be able to meet our capital requirements principally by using our cash on hand, cash flows from operations and availability under our credit facility.

Credit Facilities

        On July 31, 2008, we and certain of our domestic subsidiaries entered into a five year credit agreement (the "2008 Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC ("Wells Fargo"), Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lenders and Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender.

        The 2008 Credit Agreement consists of a $200 million asset based revolving credit facility, with a $175 million sublimit for standby and documentary letters of credit. Revolving credit loans outstanding under the 2008 Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at:

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        An unused line fee of 0.50% or 0.75%, based on total facility usage, will accrue on the unused portion of the commitments under the facility. Letter of credit fees range from 1.25% to 1.75% for commercial letters of credit and range from 2.00% to 2.50% for standby letters of credit. Letter of credit fees are determined based on the daily average undrawn stated amount of such outstanding letters of credit. The 2008 Credit Agreement expires on July 31, 2013. The amount available for loans and letters of credit under the 2008 Credit Agreement is determined by a borrowing base consisting of certain credit card receivables, certain inventory and the fair market value of certain real estate, subject to certain reserves.

        The outstanding obligations under the 2008 Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, non-payment, breach of covenants, the institution of insolvency proceedings, defaults under other material indebtedness and a change of control, subject, in the case of certain defaults, to the expiration of applicable grace periods. Since August 1, 2010, we are no longer subject to any early termination fees.

        The 2008 Credit Agreement contains covenants, which include limitations on annual capital expenditures, share repurchase programs and the payment of dividends or similar payments. Credit extended under the 2008 Credit Agreement is secured by a first or second priority security interest in substantially all of our assets.

        On August 18, 2010 and also on March 7, 2011, in connection with the approval of our share repurchase programs, the 2008 Credit Agreement was amended to increase the allowable amount, subject to certain conditions, that we may spend on share repurchases.

        We capitalized an aggregate of approximately $2.6 million in deferred financing costs related to the 2008 Credit Agreement, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its term.

        The following table presents the components (dollars in millions) of the Company's credit facilities:

 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
 

Credit facility maximum

  $ 200.0   $ 200.0  

Borrowing Base

    168.4     164.1  

Outstanding borrowings

   
   
 

Letters of credit outstanding—merchandise

    41.3     32.4  

Letters of credit outstanding—standby

    11.0     15.2  
           

Utilization of credit facility at end of period

    52.3     47.6  
           

Availability

  $ 116.1   $ 116.5  
           

Interest rate at end of period

    3.3 %   3.3 %

 

 
  Fiscal
2010
  Fiscal
2009
 

Average end of day loan balance during the period

        0.1  

Highest end of day loan balance during the period

    0.1     3.3  

Average interest rate

    3.3 %   3.3 %

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Term Loan

        On July 31, 2008, concurrently with the execution of the 2008 Credit Agreement, we and certain of our domestic subsidiaries and Sankaty Credit Opportunities III, L.P., Sankaty Credit Opportunities IV, L.P., RGIP, LLC, Crystal Capital Fund, L.P., Crystal Capital Onshore Warehouse LLC, 1903 Onshore Funding, LLC, and Bank of America, N.A., all as note purchasers, together with Sankaty Advisors, LLC, as Collateral Agent, and Crystal Capital Fund Management, L.P., as Syndication Agent, entered into a note purchase agreement ("Note Purchase Agreement").

        Under the Note Purchase Agreement, we issued $85.0 million of non-amortizing secured notes (the "Notes") which were due and payable on July 31, 2013. Amounts outstanding under the Note Purchase Agreement bore interest at the greater of (i) LIBOR, for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, as selected by the Company, or (ii) 3.00%, plus, in each case, a margin of between 8.50% and 9.75% depending on our leverage ratio.

        On April 13, 2009, we prepaid $47.0 million of the Notes, which included a $32.0 million mandatory payment plus a penalty free optional payment of $15.0 million. On August 3, 2009, the remaining principal amount of $38.0 million was prepaid (the "Final Payment"). In accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, we were required to pay a prepayment premium of 1.5%, or approximately $0.6 million, on the Final Payment. Also, in connection with the Final Payment, the Note Purchase Agreement and our obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement were terminated.

Cash Flows/ Capital Expenditures

        Cash flows provided by operating activities were $174.5 million and $155.2 million during Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, respectively. The net increase of $19.3 million resulted primarily from the following:

        Cash flows used in investing activities were $84.3 million and $64.3 million during Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, respectively. Cash paid for capital expenditures was $83.9 million in Fiscal 2010 compared to $62.2 million in Fiscal 2009. This increase of $21.7 million resulted primarily from Fiscal 2010 having 29 more store openings. Fiscal 2009 also included a $2.1 million restriction of cash.

        Cash flows used in financing activities were $78.0 million and $154.0 million in Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, respectively. Fiscal 2010 includes payments of $90.6 million for purchases of our common stock, primarily related to our share repurchase program, partially offset by $12.6 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and related tax benefits. Fiscal 2009 includes the full repayment of our $85.0 million term loan, stock repurchases of $74.0 million and $1.0 million paid for deferred financing costs partially offset by $6.0 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

        We estimate that total capital expenditures will be in the range of $85 to $90 million in Fiscal 2011. Our increased planned capital expenditures for Fiscal 2011 reflects the anticipation of opening 85 stores and remodeling 90 stores compared to 67 store openings and 35 remodels in Fiscal 2010.

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Approximately $60 million of our planned capital expenditures is expected to provide for new store openings and remodels, and we anticipate receiving approximately $11.5 million in related lease incentives during Fiscal 2011. The remainder of our Fiscal 2011 capital expenditure budget will be utilized for information technology, including merchandising and e-commerce systems, and other initiatives.

        Our ability to meet our capital requirements in Fiscal 2011 depends on our ability to generate cash flows from operations and our available borrowings under our credit facility. Cash flow generated from operations depends on our ability to achieve our financial plans. We believe that cash on hand, cash generated from operations and funds available to us through our credit facility will be sufficient to fund our capital and other cash flow requirements over the next 12 months. Further, we do not expect the current economy to preclude us from meeting our cash requirements.

        Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures primarily from operations, with occasional seasonal advances on our debt facilities. In Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, our cash generated from operations along with existing cash on hand provided sufficient funds for our capital requirements.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

        The following tables summarize our contractual and commercial obligations for continuing operations as of January 29, 2011:

 
  Payment Due By Period  
Contractual Obligations
(dollars in thousands)
  Total   1 year or
less
  1-3 years   3-5 years   More than
5 years
 

Operating leases(1)

  $ 880,589   $ 154,332   $ 250,606   $ 185,959   $ 289,692  

Employment contracts(2)

    16,900     16,900              

New store and remodel capital expenditure commitments—(3)

    21,600     21,600              
                       

Total—Contractual Obligations

  $ 919,089   $ 192,832   $ 250,606   $ 185,959   $ 289,692  
                       

 

 
  Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per Period  
Other Commercial Commitments
(dollars in thousands)
  Total   1 year or
less
  1-3 years   3-5 years   More than
5 years
 

Credit facilities

  $   $   $   $   $  

Purchase commitments(4)

    287,786     287,786              

Merchandise letters of credit

    41,300     41,300              

Standby letters of credit(5)

    11,000     11,000              
                       

Total—Other Commercial Commitments

    340,086     340,086              
                       

Total—Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

  $ 1,259,175   $ 532,918   $ 250,606   $ 185,959   $ 289,692  
                       

(1)
Certain of our operating leases include common area maintenance and other charges in our monthly rental expense. For other leases which do not include these charges in the minimum lease payments, we incur monthly charges, which are billed and recorded separately. These additional charges approximated 58% of our minimum lease payments over the last three fiscal years. Additionally, our minimum lease obligation does not include contingent rent based upon sales volume, which represented approximately 1.4% of our minimum lease payments over the last three fiscal years.

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(2)
We have an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, which provides for severance of two times the sum of base salary plus bonus, and certain benefits following any termination without cause or for "good reason". As of January 29, 2011, these severance benefits approximated $4.0 million. In the event of a change in control of the Company, certain executives will receive, in the aggregate, approximately $16.9 million of severance benefits should they either be terminated or suffer a degradation of duties as defined in their agreement. On February 11, 2011, we announced the resignation of Susan J. Riley, our Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, and agreed to end her employment with us effective March 4, 2011. Ms. Riley's change in control benefits of $1.8 million, which is included in the aggregate amount above, ended with the announcement of her resignation on February 11, 2011.

(3)
As of January 29, 2011, we had executed 49 leases for new stores and 15 remodels. This amount represents our estimate of the capital expenditures required to open and begin operating the new and remodeled stores.

(4)
Represents purchase orders for merchandise for re-sale of approximately $286.6 million and equipment, construction and other non-merchandise commitments of approximately $1.2 million.

(5)
Represents letters of credit issued to landlords, banks and insurance companies.

        We self-insure and purchase insurance policies to provide for workers' compensation, general liability, and property losses, as well as directors' and officers' liability, vehicle liability and employee medical benefits, as described in Note 1 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Insurance reserves of approximately $5.8 million are included in other long term liabilities as of January 29, 2011. The long-term portion represents the total amount estimated to be paid beyond one year. We are not able to further estimate in which periods the long-term portion will be paid.

        As discussed more fully in Note 12 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements, our long-term liabilities include unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $15.2 million at January 29, 2011. We cannot make a reasonable estimate of the amount and period of related future payments for any of this amount.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        None.

QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY

        Our quarterly results of operations have fluctuated and are expected to continue to fluctuate materially depending on a variety of factors, including overall economic conditions, the timing of new store openings and related pre-opening and other startup costs, net sales contributed by new stores, increases or decreases in Comparable Store Sales, weather conditions, shifts in timing of certain holidays, changes in our merchandise mix and pricing strategy. The combination and severity of one or more of these factors could result in material fluctuations.

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        The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and selected operating data for each of our last four fiscal quarters. Quarterly information for Fiscal 2009 is included in Note 15 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The quarterly statement of operations data and selected operating data set forth below were derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and reflect, in our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present the results of operations for these fiscal quarters (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited):

 
  Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2011  
 
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter(1)
 

Net sales

  $ 422,133   $ 345,301   $ 453,395   $ 453,170  

Gross profit

    179,704     113,574     182,343     187,527  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    113,455     107,281     114,210     117,513  

Asset impairment charges

    930     1,222     354     207  

Depreciation and amortization

    17,625     18,199     17,738     18,078  

Operating income (loss)

    47,694     (13,128 )   50,041     51,729  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

    47,238     (13,509 )   49,651     51,426  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

    19,231     (5,241 )   18,493     18,736  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    28,007     (8,268 )   31,158     32,690  

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

    (105 )   35     151     (544 )

Net income (loss)

    27,902     (8,233 )   31,309     32,146  

Basic earnings (loss) per share amounts

                         
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 1.02   $ (0.30 ) $ 1.16   $ 1.25  
 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

    (0.00 )   0.00     0.01     (0.02 )
                   
 

Net income (loss)

    1.01     (0.30 )   1.16     1.23  
 

Basic weighted average common share outstanding

    27,583     27,755     26,907     26,091  

Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts

                         
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 1.00   $ (0.30 ) $ 1.14   $ 1.24  
 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

    (0.00 )   0.00     0.01     (0.02 )
                   
 

Net income (loss)

    1.00     (0.30 )   1.15     1.22  
 

Diluted weighted average common share outstanding

    27,930     27,755     27,238     26,452  

*
Per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

(1)
Significant items impacting the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2010 include a reversal of stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.6 million related to a reduction in the expected number of performance shares that will vest.

ITEM 7A—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        In the normal course of business, our financial position and results of operations are routinely subject to market risk associated with interest rate movements on borrowings and investments and currency rate movements on non-U.S. dollar denominated assets, liabilities and income. We utilize cash from operations and, if necessary, short-term borrowings to fund our working capital and investment needs.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

        Cash and cash equivalents are normally invested in short-term financial instruments that will be used in operations within 90 days of the balance sheet date. Because of the short-term nature of these instruments, changes in interest rates would not materially affect their fair value.

Interest Rates

        Our credit facility bears interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate or LIBOR, plus a calculated spread based on our average excess availability. As of January 29, 2011, we had no borrowings under the credit facility. During Fiscal 2010, end of day borrowings were not material and any change in interest rates would not have a material impact on our interest expense.

Foreign Assets and Liabilities

        Assets and liabilities outside the United States are primarily located in Canada and Hong Kong. Our investments in our Canadian subsidiaries are considered long-term; however, we are not deemed to be permanently reinvested in our Hong Kong subsidiary. We do not hedge these net investments nor are we party to any derivative financial instruments. As of January 29, 2011, net assets in Canada and Hong Kong were approximately $114.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively. A 10% increase or decrease in the Canadian and Hong Kong exchange rates would increase or decrease the corresponding net investment by approximately $11.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively. All changes in the net investment of our foreign subsidiaries are recorded in other comprehensive income as unrealized gains or losses.

        As of January 29, 2011, we had approximately $77.9 million of our cash and investment balances held in foreign countries, of which approximately $69.8 million was in Canada, $5.6 million was in Hong Kong and $2.5 million was in China.

Foreign Operations

        Approximately 13% of our consolidated net sales and total costs and expenses are transacted in foreign currencies. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates impact the amount of our reported sales and expenses. Assuming a 10% change in foreign exchange rates, Fiscal 2010 net sales and operating expenses could have decreased or increased by approximately $22.4 million and $21.5 million, respectively. Additionally, we have foreign currency denominated receivables and payables that when settled, result in transaction gains or losses. At January 29, 2011, we had foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, including intercompany balances, of approximately $3.0 million and $6.1 million, respectively. We have not used derivatives to manage foreign currency exchange risk, and no foreign currency exchange derivatives were outstanding at January 29, 2011.

        While we do not have substantial financial assets in China, we import a large percentage of our merchandise from that country. Consequently, any significant or sudden change in China's political, foreign trade, financial, banking or currency policies and practices could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 8.—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

        The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the consolidated financial statements and supplementary data set forth in "Item 15—Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules" of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 9.—CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

        Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        Management, including our Chief Executive Officer, our Interim Principal Accounting Officer, and our Interim Principal Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of January 29, 2011. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, Interim Principal Accounting Officer and our Interim Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 29, 2011 to ensure that all information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected.

        Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officers, we conducted an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 29, 2011. Our independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc.
Secaucus, New Jersey:

        We have audited The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries' (the "Company") internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying "Item 9A, Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting". Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

        In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.

        We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 29, 2011 and our report dated March 28, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

New York, NY
March 28, 2011

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ITEM 9B.—OTHER INFORMATION

        None.


PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        The information required to be included by Item 10 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Company's proxy statement for its 2011 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after January 29, 2011 (the "Proxy Statement") and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        The information required to be included by Item 11 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

        The information required to be included by Item 12 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

        The information required to be included by Item 13 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

        The information required to be included by Item 14 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.

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PART IV

ITEM 15.—EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) Financial Statements

        The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    55  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010

   
56
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009

   
57
 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009

   
58
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009

   
59
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   
60
 

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   
96
 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc.
Secaucus, New Jersey:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 29, 2011. In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedule. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 29, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

        Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

        We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 28, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

New York, NY
March 28, 2011

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share information)

 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
 

ASSETS

             

Current assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 183,657   $ 168,380  
 

Restricted cash

    2,258     2,112  
 

Accounts receivable

    16,121     16,910  
 

Inventories

    210,523     206,227  
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    46,860     45,713  
 

Deferred income taxes

    18,282     17,540  
           
   

Total current assets

    477,701     456,882  
           

Long-term assets:

             
 

Property and equipment, net

    320,601     312,801  
 

Deferred income taxes

    51,931     79,934  
 

Other assets

    4,098     4,443  
           

Total assets

  $ 854,331   $ 854,060  
           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

             

LIABILITIES:

             

Current liabilities:

             
 

Accounts payable

  $ 50,730   $ 55,547  
 

Income taxes payable

    1,143     1,212  
 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    78,523     88,757  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    130,396     145,516  
           

Long-term liabilities:

             
 

Deferred rent liabilities

    94,394     98,705  
 

Other tax liabilities

    15,184     15,396  
 

Other long-term liabilities

    6,630     5,473  
           
   

Total liabilities

    246,604     265,090  
           

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

             

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

             

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at January 29, 2011

         

Common stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 26,136,084 and 27,474,774 issued and outstanding at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, respectively

    2,613     2,747  

Additional paid-in capital

    209,960     204,646  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    13,157     7,561  

Retained earnings

    381,997     374,016  
           
 

Total stockholders' equity

    607,727     588,970  
           
 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 854,331   $ 854,060  
           

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Net sales

  $ 1,673,999   $ 1,643,587   $ 1,630,323  

Cost of sales

    1,010,851     984,086     958,510  
               

Gross profit

   
663,148
   
659,501
   
671,813
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   
452,459
   
455,782
   
471,302
 

Asset impairment charges

    2,713     2,200     6,491  

Other costs

            213  

Depreciation and amortization

    71,640     71,447     71,410  
               

Operating income

   
136,336
   
130,072
   
122,397
 

Interest (expense), net

    (1,530 )   (5,731 )   (4,939 )
               

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   
134,806
   
124,341
   
117,458
 

Provision for income taxes

    51,219     35,500     43,523  
               

Income from continuing operations

   
83,587
   
88,841
   
73,935
 

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

    (463 )   (487 )   8,435  
               

Net income

  $ 83,124   $ 88,354   $ 82,370  
               

Basic earnings (loss) per share

                   
 

Income from continuing operations

  $ 3.09   $ 3.12   $ 2.52  
 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    (0.02 )   (0.02 )   0.29  
               
 

Net income

  $ 3.07   $ 3.10   $ 2.81  
               
 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

    27,084     28,463     29,307  

Diluted earnings (loss) per share(1)

                   
 

Income from continuing operations

  $ 3.05   $ 3.09   $ 2.50  
 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    (0.02 )   (0.02 )   0.29  
               
 

Net income

  $ 3.03   $ 3.08   $ 2.79  
               
 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

    27,436     28,707     29,548  

(1)
Table may not add due to rounding

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands)

 
  Common Stock    
   
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
   
 
 
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
  Total
Stockholders'
Equity
  Comprehensive
Income (loss)
 
 
  Shares   Amount  

BALANCE, February 2, 2008

    29,140   $ 2,914   $ 195,591   $ 259,794   $ 13,934   $ 472,233        

Exercise of stock options

    219     22     4,714                 4,736        

Adjustment to tax benefit of canceled and vested stock awards

                (1,392 )               (1,392 )      

Vesting of stock awards

    133     13     (13 )                      

Stock-based compensation expense

                7,598                 7,598        

Purchase and retirement of shares

    (27 )   (2 )   (640 )               (642 )      

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

                            (17,024 )   (17,024 ) $ (17,024 )

Net income

                      82,370           82,370     82,370  
                                           

Comprehensive income

                                        65,346  
                               

BALANCE, January 31, 2009

    29,465     2,947     205,858     342,164     (3,090 )   547,879        
                                 

Exercise of stock options

    273     27     5,954                 5,981        

Adjustment to tax benefit of canceled and vested stock awards

                1,648                 1,648        

Vesting of stock awards

    206     21     (21 )                      

Stock-based compensation expense

                8,450                 8,450        

Purchase and retirement of shares

    (2,469 )   (248 )   (17,243 )   (56,502 )         (73,993 )      

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

                            10,651     10,651     10,651  

Net income

                      88,354           88,354     88,354  
                                           

Comprehensive income

                                        99,005  
                               

BALANCE, January 30, 2010

    27,475     2,747     204,646     374,016     7,561     588,970        
                                 

Exercise of stock options

    366     37     11,886                 11,923        

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

                692                 692        

Vesting of stock awards

    242     24     (24 )                      

Stock-based compensation expense

                8,045                 8,045        

Purchase and retirement of shares

    (1,947 )   (195 )   (15,285 )   (75,143 )         (90,623 )      

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

                            5,596     5,596     5,596  

Net income

                      83,124           83,124     83,124  
                                           

Comprehensive income

                                      $ 88,720  
                               

BALANCE, January 29, 2011

    26,136   $ 2,613   $ 209,960   $ 381,997   $ 13,157   $ 607,727        
                                 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                   

Net income

  $ 83,124   $ 88,354   $ 82,370  

Less income (loss) from discontinued operations

    (463 )   (487 )   8,435  
               

Income from continuing operations

    83,587     88,841     73,935  

Reconciliation of income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:

                   
 

Depreciation and amortization

    71,640     71,447     71,410  
 

Stock-based compensation

    8,045     8,450     7,391  
 

Deferred taxes

    27,473     17,345     32,152  
 

Deferred rent expense and lease incentives

    (16,623 )   (16,627 )   (16,228 )
 

Other

    4,091     5,362     6,170  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                   
 

Inventories

    (2,476 )   8,438     (19,855 )
 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    (2,366 )   (137 )   13,595  
 

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

    (13,134 )   (34,683 )   49,835  
 

Intercompany—discontinued operations

    (463 )   (487 )   (29,302 )
 

Income taxes payable, net of prepayments

    2,388     776     4,737  
 

Deferred rent and other liabilities

    12,349     6,452     11,910  
               
 

Total adjustments

    90,924     66,336     131,815  
               
   

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

    174,511     155,177     205,750  
   

Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations

            12,628  
               
   

Net cash provided by operating activities

    174,511     155,177     218,378  
               

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                   

Property and equipment purchases, lease acquisition and software costs

    (83,945 )   (62,217 )   (51,693 )

Restriction of cash

        (2,112 )    

Purchase of company-owned life insurance policies

    (373 )        

Sale of store leases and property and equipment

            2,300  
               
   

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations

    (84,318 )   (64,329 )   (49,393 )
   

Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations

            (11,372 )
               
   

Net cash used in investing activities

    (84,318 )   (64,329 )   (60,765 )
               

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                   

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities

    156,712     183,613     746,714  

Repayments under revolving credit facilities

    (156,712 )   (183,613 )   (816,275 )

Exercise of stock options

    11,923     5,981     4,736  

Borrowings (payments) on term loan

        (85,000 )   85,000  

Deferred financing costs

        (1,000 )   (3,839 )

Capital contribution to subsidiary in discontinued operations

            (8,250 )

Purchase and retirement of common stock, including transaction costs

    (90,623 )   (73,993 )   (642 )

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

    692          
               
   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations

    (78,008 )   (154,012 )   7,444  
   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of discontinued operations

            (11,878 )
               
   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (78,008 )   (154,012 )   (4,434 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash of continuing operations

    3,092     5,338     (6,577 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash of discontinued operations

            (2,022 )
               

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    3,092     5,338     (8,599 )
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    15,277     (57,826 )   144,580  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    168,380     226,206     81,626  
               

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 183,657   $ 168,380   $ 226,206  
               

OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                   

Cash paid during the year for income taxes, net of refunds

  $ 20,140   $ 16,786   $ 11,620  

Cash paid during the year for interest

    1,595     5,465     6,811  

Decrease (increase) in accrued purchases of property and equipment, lease acquisition and software costs

    2,870     (3,433 )   (3,357 )

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. The Company provides apparel, accessories and shoes for children from newborn to ten years of age. The Company designs, contracts to manufacture and sells high-quality, value-priced merchandise, virtually all of which is under the proprietary "The Children's Place" brand name. As of January 29, 2011, the Company operated 995 The Children's Place stores throughout North America and an Internet store at www.childrensplace.com. As part of its merchandise procurement process, the Company maintains business operations in Asia. The Company's corporate offices are in New Jersey and it has three distribution facilities in the United States and one in Canada.

        From November 2004 through April 2008, through four wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company operated the Disney Store retail chain in North America (the "Disney Store Business") under a license agreement with The Walt Disney Company. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and reflecting the Company's exit of the Disney Store Business in the first quarter of Fiscal 2008, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have classified the Disney Store Business as discontinued operations. In December 2008, the Company deconsolidated those subsidiaries operating the Disney Store Business (see Note 16).

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

Fiscal Year

        The Company's fiscal year is a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31.

Use of Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and amounts of revenues and

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


expenses reported during the period. Actual results could differ from the assumptions used and estimates made by management, which could have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Consolidation

        The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. As of January 29, 2011, the Company does not have any investments in unconsolidated affiliates. The "Consolidation" topic of the FASB ASC is considered when determining whether an entity is subject to consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

        The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

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. The Company has objected to the assessment and believes that upon review it will be reversed. 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. Until such time that the pending assessment is resolved, the balance of the account remains the property of the Company. This amount is shown on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as restricted cash. At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, the U.S. dollar value of this deposit was $2.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

        The Company recognizes revenue, including shipping and handling fees billed to customers, upon purchase at the Company's retail stores or when received by the customer if the product was purchased via the Internet, net of coupon redemptions and anticipated sales returns. The Company deferred approximately $0.8 million and $0.6 million as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, respectively, for Internet sales shipped but not yet received by the customer. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue.

        An allowance for estimated sales returns is calculated based upon the Company's sales return experience and is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The allowance for estimated sales returns was approximately $2.8 million and $3.8 million as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, respectively.

        The Company's policy with respect to gift cards is to record revenue as the gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. Prior to their redemption, gift cards are recorded as a liability, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The Company recognizes income from gift cards that are not expected to be redeemed based upon an extended period of dormancy where statutorily permitted. The Company recognized income for gift card dormancy of approximately $1.7 million, $1.0 million and $0.5 million during Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively.

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

        The Company offers a private label credit card to its customers, which provides a discount on future purchases once a minimum annual purchase threshold has been exceeded. The Company estimates the future discounts to be provided based on history, the number of customers who have earned or are likely to earn the discount and current year sales trends on the private label credit card. The Company defers a proportionate amount of revenue from customers based on an estimated value of future discounts. The Company recognizes such deferred revenue as future discounts are taken on sales above the annual minimum. This is done by utilizing estimates based upon sales trends and the number of customers who have earned the discount privilege. The Company's private label customers earn the discount privilege on year-to-date basis, and such privilege expires at fiscal year end. Accordingly, there is no related deferred revenue at the end of each fiscal year.

Inventories

        Inventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated at the lower of average cost or market, calculated using the retail inventory method. Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio by merchandise department to the retail value of inventories. Inventory includes items that have been marked down to the Company's best estimate of their fair market value and an estimate for inventory shrinkage. The Company bases its decision to mark down merchandise upon its current rate of sale, the season and the sell-through of the item. The Company adjusts its inventory based upon an annual physical inventory and shrinkage is estimated in interim periods based upon the historical results of physical inventories in the context of current year facts and circumstances.

Cost of Sales

        In addition to the cost of inventory sold, the Company includes buying, design and distribution expenses, shipping and handling costs on merchandise sold directly to customers, and letter of credit fees in its cost of sales. The Company records all occupancy costs in its cost of sales, except administrative office buildings, which are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. All depreciation is reported on a separate line on the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

        The Company maintains several stock-based compensation plans, which are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee"). The Compensation Committee is comprised of independent members of the Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Company grants stock awards under its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan as amended on June 27, 2008 (the "Equity Plan"). The Equity Plan allows the Compensation Committee to grant multiple forms of stock-based compensation such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards and performance awards.

        The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of the "Compensation—Stock Compensation" topic of the FASB ASC. These provisions require, among other things: (a) the fair value of all stock awards be expensed over their respective vesting periods; (b) the amount of cumulative compensation cost recognized at any date must at least be equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date and (c) that compensation expense

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


include a forfeiture estimate for those shares not expected to vest. Also in accordance with these provisions, for those awards with multiple vest dates, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

        Deferred Awards are granted to various employees on an annual basis for merit purposes or in conjunction with hirings. Board members also receive deferred stock awards as part of their annual compensation. Deferred Awards generally vest over a one to three year period. The fair value of Deferred Awards is defined as the average of the high and low trading price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.

        Performance awards are granted to members of senior management and are shares of common stock that are earned if performance criteria, as defined by the Compensation Committee, are met. Performance criteria generally consist of operating income targets along with a service requirement on the part of the awardees. The fair value of Performance Awards is defined as the average of the high and low trading price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.

        During Fiscal 2008, the Company ceased issuing stock options in favor of deferred stock awards. All stock options currently outstanding were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of how long an employee will hold their vested stock options before exercise, the estimated volatility of the Company's common stock over the expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of vesting requirements. As of January 29, 2011, unamortized expense associated with stock options was not material.

Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

        The Company reports its earnings (loss) per share in accordance with the "Earnings Per Share" topic of the FASB ASC, which requires the presentation of both basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share on the statements of operations.

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1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

        In accordance with this topic, the following table reconciles income (loss) and share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands):

 
  For Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Income from continuing operations

  $ 83,587   $ 88,841   $ 73,935  

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

    (463 )   (487 )   8,435  
               

Net income

  $ 83,124   $ 88,354   $ 82,370  
               

Basic weighted average common shares

   
27,084
   
28,463
   
29,307
 

Dilutive effect of stock awards

    352     244     241  
               

Diluted weighted average common shares

    27,436     28,707     29,548  
               

Antidilutive stock awards(1)

    103     747     1,157  

(1)
Antidilutive stock awards are comprised of stock options and unvested deferred, restricted and performance shares which would have been antidilutive in the application of the treasury stock method in accordance with "Earnings Per Share" topic of FASB ASC.

Accounts Receivable

        Accounts receivable consists of credit and debit card receivables, landlord construction allowance receivables and other miscellaneous items. Credit and debit card receivables represent credit and debit card sales for which the respective third party service company has yet to remit the cash. The unremitted balance approximates the last few days of related sales for each reporting period. Bad debt associated with these sales is not material. Landlord construction allowance receivables represent landlord contributions to our construction costs of building out the related real estate, primarily new and remodeled stores. Total construction costs are capitalized as property and equipment and the landlord construction allowances are recorded as a lease incentive, a component of deferred rent, which is amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term. Landlord construction allowance receivables were approximately $4.9 million and $4.2 million at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, respectively.

Insurance and Self-Insurance Reserves

        The Company self-insures and purchases insurance policies to provide for workers' compensation, general liability and property losses, as well as director and officer's liability, vehicle liability and employee medical benefits. The Company estimates risks and records a liability based on historical claim experience, insurance deductibles, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company records the current portions of employee medical benefits, workers compensation and general liability reserves in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, the current portions of these reserves were approximately $6.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively. The Company records the long-term portions of employee medical benefits, workers' compensation and

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1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


general liability reserves in other long-term liabilities. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, the long-term portions of these reserves were approximately $5.8 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment are stated at cost. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. All other property and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis based upon their estimated useful lives, which generally range from three to twenty-five years. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

        The Company accounts for internally developed software intended for internal use in accordance with provisions of the "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other" topic of the FASB ASC. The Company capitalizes development-stage costs such as direct external costs, direct payroll related costs and interest costs incurred to develop the software prior to implementation. When development is substantially complete, the Company amortizes the cost of the software on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the software. Preliminary project costs and post-implementation costs such as training, maintenance and support are expensed as incurred.

Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

        The Company periodically reviews its long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events include a history trend or projected trend of cash flow losses or a future expectation that the Company will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. In reviewing for impairment, the Company groups its long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In that regard, the Company groups its assets into two categories: corporate-related and store-related. Corporate-related assets consist of those associated with the Company's corporate offices, distribution centers and its information technology systems. Store-related assets consist of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, certain computer equipment and lease related assets associated with individual stores.

        For store-related assets, the Company reviews all stores that have been open for at least two years, or sooner if circumstances should dictate, on at least an annual basis. For each store that shows indications of operating losses, the Company projects future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease and compares the total undiscounted cash flows to the net book value of the related long-lived assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the related net book value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value. The Company primarily determines fair market value to be the discounted future cash flows associated with those assets. In evaluating future cash flows, the Company considers external and internal factors. External factors comprise the local environment in which the store resides, including mall traffic, competition, and their effect on sales trends. Internal factors include the Company's ability to gauge the fashion taste of its customers, control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll, and in certain cases, its ability to renegotiate lease costs.

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1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations

        In accordance with the "Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations" topic of the FASB ASC, the Company records its exit and disposal costs at fair value to terminate an operating lease or contract when termination occurs before the end of its term and without future economic benefit to the Company. In cases of employee termination benefits, the Company recognizes an obligation only when all of the following criteria are met:

        During Fiscal 2009, the Company relocated its e-commerce fulfillment center from its leased warehouse distribution center in Secaucus, New Jersey to its owned warehouse distribution center in Fort Payne, Alabama. In conjunction with this move, the Company terminated certain employees and provided them with termination benefits that met the criteria described above. The total obligation of approximately $2.0 million was paid and expensed during Fiscal 2009 and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Deferred Financing Costs

        The Company capitalizes costs directly associated with acquiring third party financing. Deferred financing costs are included in other assets and are generally amortized on a straight-line basis as interest expense over the term of the related indebtedness. In cases where financing costs are based on amounts borrowed, the portion of those costs related to prepayments, if any, is accelerated. At January 29, 2011, deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1.2 million, were approximately $1.4 million. At January 30, 2010, deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $0.6 million, were approximately $2.0 million.

Pre-opening Costs

        Store pre-opening costs consist primarily of occupancy costs, payroll, supply, and marketing expenses, and are expensed as incurred in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Advertising and Marketing Costs

        The Company expenses the cost of advertising when the advertising is first run or displayed. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 are advertising and other marketing costs of approximately $36.6 million, $46.0 million and $49.6 million, respectively.

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1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Rent Expense and Deferred Rent

        Rent expense and lease incentives, including landlord construction allowances, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, commencing generally on the date the Company takes possession of the leased property. The Company records rent expense and the impact of lease incentives for its stores and distribution centers as a component of cost of sales. The unamortized portion of deferred rent is included in deferred rent liabilities.

Income Taxes

        We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in the "Income Taxes" topic of the FASB ASC. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that any of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances we consider projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If in the future we determine that we would not be able to realize our recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would decrease earnings in the period in which such determination is made.

        We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

        Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of cumulative translation adjustments net of certain tax adjustments.

Foreign Currency Translation

        The Company has determined that the local currencies of its Canadian and Asian subsidiaries are their functional currencies. In accordance with the "Foreign Currency Matters" topic of the FASB ASC, the assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange existing at period-end and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Related translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity. The Company also transacts certain business in foreign denominated currencies, primarily its Canadian subsidiary purchases inventory in U.S. Dollars, and there are intercompany charges between various subsidiaries. In Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, the Company recorded realized and unrealized gains (losses) on such transactions of approximately $0.3 million, $0.5 million and $(2.7) million, respectively.

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1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

        In conjunction with the Company's deconsolidation of its Canadian subsidiary, Hoop Canada, Inc. (see Note 16 below), approximately $0.5 million of cumulative translation adjustment was credited to income (loss) from discontinued operations in Fiscal 2008.

Legal Contingencies

        The Company reserves for the outcome of litigation and contingencies when it determines an adverse outcome is probable and can estimate losses. Estimates are adjusted as facts and circumstances require. The Company expenses the costs to resolve litigation as incurred, net of amounts, if any, recovered through our insurance coverage.

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:

        The Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, credit facilities and certain other short-term financial instruments are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        The Company has reviewed all recent accounting standards issued under FASB ASC and has determined that they have no material financial impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

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. Under the program, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. As of January 29, 2011, the Company has repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $90.0 million, which is an average cost of $46.54 per share. All of these shares have been retired. The timing and remaining number of shares repurchased under the program will depend

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2. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)


on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market conditions, and may be suspended or discontinued, and reinstituted without prior announcement, at any time.

        On July 29, 2009, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Ezra Dabah, the Company's former Chief Executive Officer, Renee Dabah and certain related trusts (collectively, the "Sellers") pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase from the Sellers an aggregate of approximately 2.5 million shares of the Company's common stock at a price of $28.88 per share, which represented a discount of 5% to the average of the closing prices of the Company's common stock of the three days ended July 28, 2009 (the "Purchase"). On August 3, 2009, the Purchase was completed with the Company making total payments to the Sellers of approximately $70.8 million and, as such, the acquired shares of common stock were retired. In addition, the Company incurred approximately $2.7 million in transaction costs related to the Purchase, which are included in the cost of the acquired shares.

        Additionally, pursuant to restrictions imposed by the Company's equity plan during black-out periods, 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. During Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, the Company retired approximately 14,000 and 18,000 shares, respectively, and made related withholding tax payments of approximately $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

        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 Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, approximately $75.1 million and $56.5 was charged to retained earnings.

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

        The following tables summarize the Company's stock-based compensation expense (in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Deferred stock expense

  $ 6,695   $ 5,728   $ 5,169  

Performance award expense(1)

    558     1,633     1,168  

Restricted stock expense

    735     863     719  

Stock option expense

    57     226     542  
               

Total stock-based compensation expense(2)

  $ 8,045   $ 8,450   $ 7,598  
               

(1)
During the Fiscal 2010, the Company lowered the expected number of shares that will vest.

(2)
During Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.4 million, $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, was recorded in cost of goods sold.

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3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

        The Company recognized tax benefits related to stock-based compensation expense of approximately $3.2 million, $3.4 million and $3.0 million in Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively.

        During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2007, the Compensation Committee approved the 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"). The LTIP provides for the issuance of deferred stock awards and performance awards to key members of management (the "Participants"). Each award is based on salary level and the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date the Compensation Committee approves the grant. The deferred stock awards vest on a graded basis over three years and have a service requirement only. The performance awards have the following key features:

        On January 4, 2010 as part of an employment agreement, the Company granted its new Chief Executive Officer 93,255 deferred stock awards that vest on a graded basis over three years. Also awarded were performance awards that provide for the issuance of 62,170 Target Shares if the Company achieved a specified level of operating income for Fiscal 2010. As a result of actual operating results for Fiscal 2010, none of the performance awards were earned or vested.

Deferred and Restricted Awards ("Deferred Awards")

        During Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, the Company issued total Deferred Awards of 144,585, 318,797 and 303,596, respectively. All of these awards vest over three years except for those issued to the members of the Board of Directors, which vest over one year. Changes in the Company's

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unvested Deferred Awards for Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 were as follows (shares in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29, 2011   January 30, 2010   January 31, 2009  
 
  Number of
Deferred
Awards
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Number of
Deferred
Awards
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Number of
Deferred
Awards
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested at beginning of year

    512   $ 30.34     463   $ 32.84     493   $ 29.95  

Granted

    145     46.19     319     27.45     304     34.66  

Vested(1)

    (242 )   29.51     (206 )   31.51     (132 )   30.45  

Forfeited

    (59 )   32.98     (64 )   30.24     (202 )   30.08  
                                 

Unvested at end of year

    356   $ 36.91     512   $ 30.34     463   $ 32.84  
                                 

(1)
In Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, the Company withheld shares of approximately 14,000, 18,000 and 27,000, respectively, to satisfy the withholding tax requirements of certain recipients. These shares were immediately retired.

        Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Deferred Awards approximated $10.2 million as of January 29, 2011, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years.

        During Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, the Company issued performance awards that provide for the issuance of 15,500 and 62,170 Target Shares if the Company achieves specified levels of operating income for Fiscal 2010. Provided that the performance criteria are met, the Fiscal 2010 awards vest over three years while the Fiscal 2009 award vests over one year. In Fiscal 2008 and Fiscal 2007 the Company granted performance awards that provide for the issuance of 288,326 Target Shares if the Company achieves a specified level of operating income for each of Fiscal 2008, Fiscal 2009, and Fiscal 2010, as well as in the aggregate.

        Based on the operating results for Fiscal 2008, Fiscal 2009, and Fiscal 2010 and the related performance criteria established, the awards granted in Fiscal 2008 have earned 166.67% of their Target Shares, or 140,447 shares, the award granted in Fiscal 2009 did not meet its performance criteria and therefore no shares were earned, while the awards granted in Fiscal 2010 have earned 70% of their Target Shares, or 10,850 shares.

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3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

        Changes in the Company's unvested performance awards for Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 were as follows (shares in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29, 2011   January 30, 2010   January 31, 2009  
 
  Number of
Performance
Shares(1)
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Number of
Performance
Shares(1)
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Number of
Performance
Shares(1)
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested at beginning of year

    174   $ 27.65     141   $ 24.28     210   $ 20.97  

Granted

    16     46.30     62     32.89     43     31.92  

Vested

                         

Forfeited

    (28 )   28.43     (29 )   22.55     (112 )   20.97  
                                 

Unvested at end of year

    162   $ 29.30     174   $ 27.65     141   $ 24.28  
                                 

(1)
The activity of unvested performance shares is based on the Participants earning their Target Shares at 100%. As of January 29, 2011 and based on the Company's operating performance for the three years then ended, it was calculated that Participants earned 151,297 shares. In March of 2011, the Compensation Committee approved the operating results, at which time 140,447 shares, which represents all of the earned performance awards granted in Fiscal 2008, became vested. The 10,850 of earned performance awards granted in Fiscal 2010 will vest in accordance with their prescribed service requirements.

        Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested performance awards approximated $0.3 million as of January 29, 2011, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.6 years.

        No stock options were issued during Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009. During Fiscal 2008, the Company issued 30,000 stock options of which grant date fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, incorporating the following assumptions:

Factor
  Assumption

Dividend yield

  0%

Volatility factor(1)

  45.6%

Weighted average risk-free interest rate(2)

  3.2%

Expected life of options(3)

  5.1 years

Weighted average fair value on grant date

  $12.81 per share

(1)
Expected volatility is based on a 50:50 blend of the historical and implied volatility with a look back period equal to the expected term on the date of each grant.

(2)
The risk-free interest rate is based on the risk-free rate corresponding to the grant date and expected term.

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(3)
The expected option term used in the Black-Scholes calculation is based on a Monte Carlo simulation incorporating a forward-looking stock price model and a historical model of employee exercise and post-vest forfeiture behavior.

        Changes in outstanding stock options for the three fiscal years in the period ended January 29, 2011 are summarized below (options in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29, 2011   January 30, 2010   January 31, 2009  
 
  Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Options outstanding at beginning of year

    731   $ 33.22     1,187   $ 31.73     2,221   $ 32.20  

Granted

                    30     29.05  

Exercised(1)

    (366 )   32.57     (273 )   21.88     (220 )   21.29  

Forfeited

    (14 )   33.97     (183 )   40.52     (844 )   35.58  
                                 

Options outstanding at end of year(2)

    351   $ 33.93     731   $ 33.22     1,187   $ 31.73  
                                 

Options exercisable at end of year(3)

    335   $ 34.35     691   $ 33.66     1,105   $ 32.24  
                                 

(1)
The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $5.4 million, $3.0 million and $2.6 million for Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively.

(2)
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at the end of Fiscal 2010 was approximately $3.3 million.

(3)
The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable at the end of Fiscal 2010 was approximately $3.0 million.

        The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding at January 29, 2011 (options in thousands):

 
  Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable  
Range of Exercise
Prices
  Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
  Options   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 

$  8.98 - $21.63

    35   $ 15.85     4.7     29   $ 15.20     4.2  

$22.02 - $31.63

    122     26.19     4.6     112     25.94     4.3  

$31.89 - $42.15

    78     36.85     3.8     78     36.85     3.8  

$44.12 - $50.81

    116     45.54     4.4     116     45.54     4.4  
                                   

$  8.98 - $50.81

    351   $ 33.93     4.3     335   $ 34.35     4.2  
                                   

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3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

        Changes in the Company's unvested stock options for Fiscal 2010 were as follows (options in thousands):

 
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested at beginning of year

    40   $ 11.24  

Granted

         

Vested

    (24 )   11.34  

Forfeited

         
             

Unvested at end of year

    16   $ 11.08  
             

        Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was not material as of January 29, 2011.

        As of January 29, 2011, and with the final determination of the number performance shares earned, the Company had the following activity in its shares available for grant under its 2005 Equity Plan (in thousands):

 
  Shares  

Available at January 31, 2009

    1,021  

Equity award activity during Fiscal 2009:

       
 

Awards granted

    320  
 

Awards forfeited

    (135 )
       

Net equity award activity during Fiscal 2009

    185  
       

Available at January 30, 2010

   
836
 
       

Equity award activity during Fiscal 2010:

       
 

Awards granted

    155  
 

Awards forfeited

    (106 )
       

Net equity award activity during Fiscal 2010

    49  
       

Available at January 29, 2011

   
787
 
       

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

        Property and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

 
  Asset
Life
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
 

Property and equipment:

                 
 

Land and land improvements

    $ 3,403   $ 3,403  
 

Building and improvements

  20 - 25 yrs     34,360     30,451  
 

Material handling equipment

  10 - 15 yrs     50,011     31,243  
 

Leasehold improvements

  Lease life     398,991     378,097  
 

Store fixtures and equipment

  3 - 10 yrs     279,674     259,641  
 

Capitalized software

  5 yrs     71,993     65,869  
 

Construction in progress

      18,951     17,770  
               

        857,383     786,474  
 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

       
(536,782

)
 
(473,673

)
               

Property and equipment, net

      $ 320,601   $ 312,801  
               

        During Fiscal 2010, the Company recorded $2.7 million of impairment charges related primarily to eight underperforming stores. In Fiscal 2009, the Company recorded $2.2 million of impairment charges related primarily to 14 underperforming stores. During Fiscal 2008, the Company recorded $6.5 million of impairment charges related primarily to 18 underperforming stores. All underperforming stores were in The Children's Place U.S.

        During Fiscal 2010, the Company capitalized approximately $11.2 million of external software costs and approximately $1.3 million of internal programming and development costs. During Fiscal 2009, the Company capitalized approximately $5.9 million of external software costs and approximately $0.5 million of internal programming and development costs. Amortization expense of capitalized software was approximately $7.8 million in Fiscal 2010 and $8.0 million in each of Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008.

        As of January 29, 2011, the Company had approximately $4.7 million in property and equipment for which payment had not been made, of which $0.8 million was included in accounts payable and $3.9 million was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

5. CREDIT FACILITIES

        On July 31, 2008, the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries entered into a five year credit agreement (the "2008 Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC ("Wells Fargo"), Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lenders and Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender.

        The 2008 Credit Agreement consists of a $200 million asset based revolving credit facility, with a $175 million sublimit for standby and documentary letters of credit. Revolving credit loans outstanding under the 2008 Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company's option, at:

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THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. CREDIT FACILITIES (Continued)

        An unused line fee of 0.50% or 0.75%, based on total facility usage, will accrue on the unused portion of the commitments under the facility. Letter of credit fees range from 1.25% to 1.75% for commercial letters of credit and range from 2.00% to 2.50% for standby letters of credit. Letter of credit fees are determined based on the daily average undrawn stated amount of such outstanding letters of credit. The 2008 Credit Agreement expires on July 31, 2013. The amount available for loans and letters of credit under the 2008 Credit Agreement is determined by a borrowing base consisting of certain credit card receivables, certain inventory and the fair market value of certain real estate, subject to certain reserves.

        The outstanding obligations under the 2008 Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, non-payment, breach of covenants, the institution of insolvency proceedings, defaults under other material indebtedness and a change of control, subject, in the case of certain defaults, to the expiration of applicable grace periods. Since August 1, 2010, the Company is no longer subject to any early termination fees.

        The 2008 Credit Agreement contains covenants, which include limitations on annual capital expenditures, share repurchase programs and the payment of dividends or similar payments. Credit extended under the 2008 Credit Agreement is secured by a first or second priority security interest in substantially all of the Company's assets.

        On August 18, 2010 and also on March 7, 2011, in connection with the approval of the Company's share repurchase programs, the 2008 Credit Agreement was amended to increase the allowable amount, subject to certain conditions, that the Company may spend on share repurchases.

        The Company capitalized an aggregate of approximately $2.6 million in deferred financing costs related to the 2008 Credit Agreement, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its term.

        The table below presents the components (dollars in millions) of the Company's credit facilities:

 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
 

Credit facility maximum

  $ 200.0   $ 200.0  

Borrowing Base

    168.4     164.1  

Outstanding borrowings

   
   
 

Letters of credit outstanding—merchandise

    41.3     32.4  

Letters of credit outstanding—standby

    11.0     15.2  
           

Utilization of credit facility at end of period

    52.3     47.6  
           

Availability

  $ 116.1   $ 116.5  
           

Interest rate at end of period

    3.3 %   3.3 %

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. CREDIT FACILITIES (Continued)

 

 
  Fiscal
2010
  Fiscal
2009
 

Average end of day loan balance during the period

        0.1  

Highest end of day loan balance during the period

    0.1     3.3  

Average interest rate

    3.3 %   3.3 %

Letter of Credit Fees

        Letter of credit fees, which are included in cost of sales, approximated $0.4 million in Fiscal 2010 and $0.4 million in each of Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008.

6. TERM LOAN

        On July 31, 2008, concurrently with the execution of the 2008 Credit Agreement, the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries and Sankaty Credit Opportunities III, L.P., Sankaty Credit Opportunities IV, L.P., RGIP, LLC, Crystal Capital Fund, L.P., Crystal Capital Onshore Warehouse LLC, 1903 Onshore Funding, LLC, and Bank of America, N.A., all as note purchasers, together with Sankaty Advisors, LLC, as Collateral Agent, and Crystal Capital Fund Management, L.P., as Syndication Agent, entered into a note purchase agreement ("Note Purchase Agreement").

        Under the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company issued $85.0 million of non-amortizing secured notes (the "Notes") which were due and payable on July 31, 2013. Amounts outstanding under the Note Purchase Agreement bore interest at the greater of (i) LIBOR, for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, as selected by the Company, or (ii) 3.00%, plus, in each case, a margin of between 8.50% and 9.75% depending on the Company's leverage ratio.

        On April 13, 2009, the Company prepaid $47.0 million of the Notes, which included a $32.0 million mandatory payment plus a penalty-free optional payment of $15.0 million. On August 3, 2009, the remaining principal amount of $38.0 million was prepaid (the "Final Payment"). In accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company was required to pay a prepayment premium of 1.5%, or approximately $0.6 million, on the Final Payment. Also, in connection with the Final Payment, the Note Purchase Agreement and the Company's obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement were terminated.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

7. INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

        The following table presents the components of the Company's interest income (expense), net from continuing operations (in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
  January 29,
2011
  January 30,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Interest income

  $ 615   $ 620   $ 3,114  

Tax-exempt interest income

    24     14     48  
               
   

Total interest income

    639     634     3,162  

Interest expense—term loan

   
   
3,858
   
5,083
 

Interest expense—credit facilities

    236     303     1,113  

Unused line fee

    1,191     773     287  

Amortization of deferred financing fees(1)

    580     2,430     510  

Other interest and fees(2)

    162     (999 )   1,108  
               
   

Total interest expense

    2,169     6,365     8,101  
               
 

Interest income (expense), net

  $ (1,530 ) $ (5,731 ) $ (4,939 )