PLCE 10-Q Quarterly Report Oct. 27, 2012

CHILDRENS PLACE, INC.

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10-Q 1 plce-10x27x2012x10q.htm 10-Q PLCE-10-27-2012-10Q

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)



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

For the quarterly period ended October 27, 2012



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

500 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, New Jersey		07094
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(201) 558-2400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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 x 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 x No 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 x		Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock with a par value of $0.10 per share, as of November 27, 2012 was 23,589,091 shares.

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

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 27, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.	Risk Factors
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.	Exhibits
Signatures

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value)



	October 27, 2012			January 28, 2012			October 29, 2011
	(unaudited)						(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	203,101		$	176,655		$	152,621
Accounts receivable	25,948			17,382			25,867
Inventories	266,400			212,916			256,425
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	36,709			49,184			39,462
Deferred income taxes	18,112			17,188			14,986
Total current assets	550,270			473,325			489,361
Long-term assets:
Property and equipment, net	335,953			323,863			326,623
Deferred income taxes	49,523			49,054			53,686
Other assets	4,159			4,407			4,510
Total assets	$	939,905		$	850,649		$	874,180

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	99,342		$	55,516		$	54,960
Income taxes payable	7,911			1,788			3,932
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	105,264			74,251			90,229
Total current liabilities	212,517			131,555			149,121
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred rent liabilities	95,454			94,569			97,945
Other tax liabilities	9,076			9,109			15,566
Other long-term liabilities	7,634			6,050			4,907
Total liabilities	324,681			241,283			267,539
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding	—			—			—
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 23,993, 24,711 and 24,939 issued; 23,970, 24,697 and 24,926 outstanding	2,399			2,471			2,494
Additional paid-in capital	214,695			210,159			216,882
Treasury stock, at cost (23, 14, 13 shares)	(1,057		)	(598		)	(536		)
Deferred compensation	1,057			598			536
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12,966			12,685			13,747
Retained earnings	385,164			384,051			373,518
Total stockholders’ equity	615,224			609,366			606,641
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	939,905		$	850,649		$	874,180

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)



	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011			October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011
Net sales	$	500,928		$	484,085		$	1,300,262		$	1,258,399
Cost of sales	294,725			284,034			803,029			759,136

Gross profit	206,203			200,051			497,233			499,263

Selling, general and administrative expenses	131,832			126,741			374,292			355,348
Asset impairment charges	539			369			2,069			1,747
Other costs	570			—			4,466			—
Depreciation and amortization	23,023			18,493			57,723			54,722

Operating income	50,239			54,448			58,683			87,446
Interest (expense), net	(23		)	(70		)	(104		)	(655		)

Income before income taxes	50,216			54,378			58,579			86,791
Provision for income taxes	15,192			20,686			17,952			33,792

Net income	$	35,024		$	33,692		$	40,627		$	52,999

Earnings per common share
Basic	$	1.45		$	1.34		$	1.67		$	2.07
Diluted	$	1.44		$	1.33		$	1.66		$	2.05

Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	24,086			25,121			24,290			25,657
Diluted	24,293			25,279			24,453			25,868

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	Thirteen Weeks Ended					Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011			October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011
Net income	$	35,024	$	33,692		$	40,627	$	52,999
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	574		(4,146		)	281		590
Comprehensive income	$	35,598	$	29,546		$	40,908	$	53,589

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)



	Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	40,627		$	52,999
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	57,723			54,722
Stock-based compensation	10,406			8,889
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(91		)	(7,295		)
Deferred taxes	(4,132		)	(1,633		)
Deferred rent expense and lease incentives	(9,648		)	(11,208		)
Other costs (non-cash)	3,288			—
Other	3,992			2,653
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(53,195		)	(45,938		)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,070		)	(6,684		)
Income taxes payable, net of prepayments	24,065			18,116
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	71,334			17,104
Deferred rent and other liabilities	10,175			12,932
Total adjustments	102,847			41,658
Net cash provided by operating activities	143,474			94,657
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property and equipment purchases, lease acquisition and software costs	(71,380		)	(63,880		)
Release of restricted cash	—			2,351
Purchase of company-owned life insurance policies	(36		)	(245		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(71,416		)	(61,774		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings for letters of credit under revolving credit facility	96,040			89,541
Repayments for letters of credit under revolving credit facility	(96,040		)	(89,541		)
Purchase and retirement of common stock, including transaction costs	(47,730		)	(75,326		)
Exercise of stock options	2,184			4,469
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	91			7,295
Deferred financing costs	—			(628		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(45,455		)	(64,190		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(157		)	271
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	26,446			(31,036		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	176,655			183,657
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	203,101		$	152,621

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)



	Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011
OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Net cash (refunded)/paid during the year for income taxes	$	(1,908	)	$	17,413
Cash paid during the year for interest	515			1,059
Increase (decrease) in accrued purchases of property and equipment	2,783			(1,050		)

See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


1.	BASIS OF PRESENTATION

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

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) as of October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011 and the results of its consolidated operations and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011 . The consolidated financial position as of January 28, 2012 was derived from audited financial statements. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, the results of operations for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for a full fiscal year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 .

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


•	Third Quarter 2012 — The thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012 .


•	Third Quarter 2011 — The thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2011 .


•	Year-To-Date 2012 — The thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012 .


•	Year-To-Date 2011 — The thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011 .


•	FASB — Financial Accounting Standards Board.


•	SEC — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


•	U.S. GAAP — Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States.


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

Stock-based Compensation

The Company generally grants time vesting stock awards ("Deferred Awards") and performance-based stock awards ("Performance Awards") to employees at management levels. The Company also grants Deferred Awards to its non-employee directors. Deferred Awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units that require each recipient to complete a service period. Deferred Awards generally vest ratably over three years except that those granted to non-employee directors generally vest over one year. Performance Awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units which have performance criteria that must be achieved for the awards to vest in addition to a service period requirement. Each Performance Award has a defined number of shares that an employee can earn (the “Target Shares”) and based on the performance level achieved, the number of shares earned can be anywhere from zero up to a maximum percentage of the Target Shares, as defined in the award agreement, which historically has been 200% . Performance Awards have historically cliff vested after a three year service period. The fair value of all awards issued prior to May 20, 2011 was based on the average of the high and low selling price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Effective with the adoption of the Company's 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, the fair value of all awards granted on or after May 20, 2011 is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Stock-based 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. Stock-based compensation expense, as it relates to Performance Awards, is also adjusted based on the Company's estimate of the percentage of the aggregate Target Shares expected to be earned.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which is a nonqualified, unfunded plan, for eligible senior level employees. Under the plan, participants may elect to defer up to 80% of his or her base salary and/or up to 100% of his or her bonus to be earned for the year following the year in which the deferral election is made. The Deferred Compensation Plan also permits members of the Board of Directors to elect to defer payment of all or a portion of their retainer and other fees to be earned for the year following the year in which a deferral election is made. In addition, eligible employees and directors of the Company may also elect to defer payment of any shares of Company stock that is

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earned with respect to stock-based awards. Directors may also elect their cash deferrals to be invested in shares of the Company’s common stock. Such elections are irrevocable and will be settled in shares of common stock. The Company is not required to contribute to the Deferred Compensation Plan, but at its sole discretion, can make additional contributions on behalf of the participants. Deferred amounts are not subject to forfeiture and are deemed invested among investment funds offered under the Deferred Compensation Plan, as directed by each participant. Payments of deferred amounts (as adjusted for earnings and losses) are payable following separation from service or at a date or dates elected by the participant at the time the deferral is elected. Payments of deferred amounts are generally made in either a lump sum or in annual installments over a period not exceeding 15 years. All other deferred amounts are payable in the form in which they were made; cash deferrals are payable in cash and stock deferrals are payable in stock. Earlier distributions are not permitted except in the case of an unforeseen hardship.

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

The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company stock, at fair value, was approximately $0.6 million , $0.7 million , and $0.6 million at October 27, 2012 , January 28, 2012 and October 29, 2011 , respectively. The cash surrender value of the COLIs, at fair value, was approximately $0.7 million at each of October 27, 2012 , January 28, 2012 and October 29, 2011 . Company stock was $1.1 million , $0.6 million , and $0.5 million at October 27, 2012 , January 28, 2012 and October 29, 2011 , respectively.

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:


•	management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan of termination;


•	the plan identifies the number of employees to be terminated, their job classifications or functions and their locations, and the expected completion date;


•	the plan establishes the terms of the benefit arrangement, including the benefits that employees will receive upon termination (including but not limited to cash payments), in sufficient detail to enable employees to determine the type and amount of benefits they will receive if they are involuntarily terminated; and


•	actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, management approved a plan to exit its distribution center in Ontario, California (the "West Coast DC") and move the operations to its distribution center in Fort Payne, Alabama (the "Southeast DC"). The lease of the West Coast DC expires in March 2016 and the Company ceased using the facility in May 2012. During Year-To-Date 2012 , the Company recognized approximately $4.2 million of costs in exiting the West Coast DC, which primarily included lease termination costs (net of anticipated sublease income), asset disposal costs, and severance to affected employees. These costs are included in other costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Remaining costs associated with the exit of the West Coast DC are not expected to be material.

In August 2012, management approved a plan to close the Company's distribution center in Dayton, New Jersey ("Northeast DC") and move the operations to its Southeast DC. The lease of the Northeast DC expires in January 2021 and the Company expects to cease operations there during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Total exit costs related to this move are expected to be approximately $13.0 million , consisting of lease termination costs (net of anticipated sublease income), accelerated depreciation, and severance to affected employees. During the Third Quarter 2012 , the Company recorded $5.7 million of accelerated depreciation and $0.3 million of severance. Accelerated depreciation is included in depreciation and amortization and severance is included in other costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Substantially all of the remaining costs are expected to be incurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

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The following table provides details of the remaining accruals for the West Coast DC and Northeast DC (dollars in thousands):



	One-time Termination Benefits			Lease Termination Costs			Total
Balance at January 28, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—
Additions	386			2,646			3,032
Payments and reductions	(126		)	(313		)	(439		)
Balance at October 27, 2012	$	260		$	2,333		$	2,593

Retained Earnings

The Company's credit facility agreement (see Note 6) includes limitations on paying dividends in cash. There are no other restrictions on the Company's retained earnings.

Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments

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

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


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


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


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

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

Recently Adopted Accounting Updates

Effective January 29, 2012, the Company adopted the accounting standard update, “ Comprehensive Income ”. Under this update, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The Company has elected to present comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements in the accompanying 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 million (the “2010 Share Repurchase Program”), on March 3, 2011 another share repurchase program was authorized in the amount of $100 million (the “2011 Share Repurchase Program”), and on March 7, 2012, a third share repurchase program was authorized in the amount of $50 million (the "2012 Share Repurchase Program"). At October 27, 2012 , there was approximately $21.6 million remaining on the 2012 Share Repurchase Program. The 2010 Share Repurchase Program and the 2011 Share Repurchase Program have been completed. Under the 2012 Share Repurchase Program, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. The Company may suspend or discontinue the program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior announcement.

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Pursuant to restrictions imposed by the Company's insider trading policy 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. The Company also acquires shares of its common stock in conjunction with liabilities owed under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, which are held in treasury.

The following table summarizes the Company's share repurchases (in thousands):



	Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011
	Shares	Value		Shares	Value
Shares repurchases related to:
2010 Share buyback program	—	$	—	213	$	10,148
2011 Share buyback program	377	19,245		1,392	64,358
2012 Share buyback program (1)	558	28,428		—	—
Withholding taxes	1	57		18	820
Shares acquired and held in treasury	14	675		13	535


(1)	Subsequent to October 27, 2012 and through November 27, 2012, the Company repurchased an additional 0.4 million shares for approximately $ 18.6 million .

In accordance with the “ Equity ” topic of the FASB ASC, the par value of the shares retired is charged against common stock and the remaining purchase price is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. The portion charged against additional paid-in capital is done using a pro rata allocation based on total shares outstanding. Related to all shares retired during Year-To-Date 2012 and Year-To-Date 2011 , approximately $39.5 million and $61.5 million , respectively, were charged to retained earnings.


3.	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense (in thousands):



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011		October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011
Deferred Awards	$	2,514	$	2,100	$	8,115	$	7,056
Performance Awards	935		844		2,291		1,833
Total stock-based compensation expense (1)	$	3,449	$	2,944	$	10,406	$	8,889

____________________________________________


(1)	During the Third Quarter 2012 and Third Quarter 2011 , approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million , respectively, were included in cost of sales. During Year-To-Date 2012 and Year-To-Date 2011 , approximately $1.1 million and $1.3 million , respectively, were included in cost of sales. All other stock-based compensation is included in selling, general & administrative expenses.

The Company recognized a tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense of $4.1 million and $3.5 million for Year-To-Date 2012 and Year-To-Date 2011 , respectively.

Awards Granted During Year-To-Date 2012

Pursuant to an employment agreement and amendments thereto with its Chief Executive Officer and President, the Company granted Deferred Awards of 96,768 shares of its common stock that vest over three years. Additionally, the Company granted Deferred Awards of 100,000 shares of its common stock to its Chief Executive Officer and President that vest over three years. In addition, the Company granted Performance Awards that provide for the issuance of 100,180 Target Shares if the Company meets its operating income target for fiscal 2012, which cliff vest after two years. The Performance Awards have a minimum threshold that would provide 50% of the Target Shares and a maximum target that would provide 200% of the Target Shares. Depending on the final operating income, the percentage earned can be 0% , or any percentage including and between 50% and 200% . Any earned Performance Awards cliff vest in February 2014.

Additionally, the Company granted Deferred Awards of 276,634 shares of its common stock to employees, including new hire awards, which vest ratably over three years. The Company also granted Performance Awards to employees that provide for the issuance of 129,696 Target Shares if the Company meets its operating income target for fiscal 2012. The

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Performance Awards have a minimum threshold that would provide 50% of the Target Shares and a maximum target that would provide 200% of the Target Shares. Depending on the final operating income, the percentage earned can be 0% , or any percentage including and between 50% and 200% . Any earned Performance Awards cliff vest after three years.

During Year-To-Date 2012 , the Company granted Deferred Awards to the members of its Board of Directors, which provide for the issuance of 18,701 shares of common stock. These awards vest after one year.

Changes in the Company’s Unvested Stock Awards during the Year-To-Date 2012

Deferred Awards



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Unvested Deferred Awards, beginning of period	406		$	47.96
Granted	492		49.02
Vested	(147	)	47.35
Forfeited	(137	)	49.46
Unvested Deferred Awards, end of period	614		$	48.62

Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Deferred Awards approximated $22.5 million as of October 27, 2012 , which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.2 years.

Performance Awards



	Number of Performance Shares (1)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Unvested Performance Awards, beginning of period	6		$	46.08
Granted	230		48.51
Vested	(2	)	45.79
Forfeited	(41	)	47.67
Unvested Performance Awards, end of period	193		$	48.65

____________________________________________


(1)	For those awards in which the performance period is complete, the number of unvested shares is based on actual shares that will vest upon completion of the service period. For those awards in which the performance period is not yet complete, the number of unvested shares is based on the participants earning their Target Shares at 100% .

As of October 27, 2012 , the Company estimates that for those awards in which the performance period is not yet complete, participants will earn 95% of their Target Shares. The cumulative expense recognized reflects changes in estimates as they occur. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Performance Awards approximated $6.4 million as of October 27, 2012 , which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years.

Stock Options

At October 27, 2012 , there were no unvested stock options.

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Outstanding Stock Options

Changes in the Company’s outstanding stock options for Year-To-Date 2012 were as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in thousands)				(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding, beginning of period	154		$	30.98	4.2	$	2,943
Granted	—		—		—	—
Exercised	(68	)	32.08		N/A	1,339
Forfeited	(1	)	19.70		N/A	26
Options outstanding and exercisable, end of period	85		$	30.26	3.7	$	2,369


4.	NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

The following table reconciles net income and share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands):



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011		October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011
Net income	$	35,024	$	33,692	$	40,627	$	52,999

Basic weighted average common shares	24,086		25,121		24,290		25,657
Dilutive effect of stock awards	207		158		163		211
Diluted weighted average common shares	24,293		25,279		24,453		25,868
Antidilutive stock awards	3		129		7		102

Antidilutive stock awards (stock options, Deferred Awards and Performance Awards) represent those awards that are excluded from the earnings per share calculation as a result of their antidilutive effect in the application of the treasury stock method in accordance with the “ Earnings per Share” topic of the FASB ASC.


5.	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

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



	Asset Life	October 27, 2012			January 28, 2012			October 29, 2011
Property and equipment:
Land and land improvements	—	$	3,403		$	3,403		$	3,403
Building and improvements	20-25 yrs	35,548			35,548			34,576
Material handling equipment	10-15 yrs	52,547			52,770			51,374
Leasehold improvements	Lease life	402,103			403,080			414,520
Store fixtures and equipment	3-10 yrs	270,140			287,838			294,431
Capitalized software	5 yrs	71,553			78,623			80,033
Construction in progress (1)	—	37,464			23,666			12,593
		872,758			884,928			890,930
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(536,805		)	(561,065		)	(564,307		)
Property and equipment, net		$	335,953		$	323,863		$	326,623

____________________________________________


(1)	The majority of the Construction in progress at each reporting period relates to the Company's new enterprise resource planning system.

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At October 27, 2012 , the Company performed impairment testing on 1,004 stores with a total net book value of $166.1 million . At October 29, 2011 , the Company performed impairment testing on 937 stores with a total net book value of $152.0 million . All stores that were open for at least two years were tested. The Company tested one store that had been open for less than two years in which circumstances indicated that its assets were impaired.

During the Third Quarter 2012 , the Company recorded $0.5 million of impairment charges primarily related to two underperforming stores. During the Third Quarter 2011 , the Company recorded $0.4 million of impairment charges primarily related to two underperforming stores.

During Year-To-Date 2012 , the Company recorded $2.1 million of impairment charges primarily related to five underperforming stores, of which two were fully impaired and three were partially impaired. At October 27, 2012 , all of these impaired stores were open and the stores which were partially impaired had a remaining book value of $0.6 million , which the Company determined to be recoverable based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows.

During Year-To-Date 2011 , the Company recorded $1.7 million of impairment charges primarily related to six underperforming stores, of which three stores were fully impaired and three were partially impaired. At October 27, 2012 , all of these impaired stores were open and the stores which were partially impaired had a remaining book value of $0.7 million , which the Company determined to be recoverable based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows.

As of October 27, 2012 , January 28, 2012 and October 29, 2011 , the Company had approximately $8.9 million , $6.1 million and $3.6 million , respectively, in property and equipment for which payment had not yet been made. These amounts are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

6. CREDIT FACILITY

The Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries maintain a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement has been amended from time to time and the provisions below reflect all amendments.

The Credit Agreement, which expires in August 2016, consists of a $150 million asset based revolving credit facility, with a $125 million sublimit for standby and documentary letters of credit and an accordion feature that could provide up to $75 million of additional availability, of which $25 million is committed. Revolving credit loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at:


(i)	the prime rate plus a margin of 0.75% to 1.00% based on the amount of the Company’s average excess availability under the facility; or


(ii)	the London InterBank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR”, for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, as selected by the Company, plus a margin of 1.75% to 2.00% based on the amount of the Company’s average excess availability under the facility.

The Company is charged an unused line fee of 0.375% on the unused portion of the commitments. Letter of credit fees range from 0.875% to 1.00% for commercial letters of credit and range from 1.25% to 1.50% for standby letters of credit. Letter of credit fees are determined based on the amount of the Company's average excess availability under the facility. The amount available for loans and letters of credit under the 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 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. The Company is not subject to any early termination fees.

The Credit Agreement contains covenants, which include limitations on stock buybacks and the payment of cash dividends or similar payments. Credit extended under the Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s U.S. assets.

On August 16, 2011, the Credit Agreement was amended to provide for, among other things, an extension of the term of the Credit Agreement, a reduction in the maximum available borrowings under the facility, a reduction in the sublimit for standby and documentary letters of credit, and a net reduction in various rates charged under the Credit Agreement, each as reflected above. This amendment also provided for the elimination of the maximum capital expenditures covenant. In conjunction with this amendment, the Company paid $0.7 million in additional deferred financing costs.

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As of October 27, 2012 , the Company has capitalized an aggregate of approximately $3.3 million in deferred financing costs related to the Credit Agreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at October 27, 2012 was $1.4 million . Unamortized deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement.

The table below presents the components (in millions) of the Company’s credit facility:



	October 27, 2012			January 28, 2012			October 29, 2011
Credit facility maximum	$	150.0		$	150.0		$	150.0
Borrowing base	150.0			150.0			150.0

Outstanding borrowings	—			—			—
Letters of credit outstanding—merchandise	24.6			23.1			16.9
Letters of credit outstanding—standby	10.6			11.2			11.1
Utilization of credit facility at end of period	35.2			34.3			28.0

Availability (1)	$	114.8		$	115.7		$	122.0

Interest rate at end of period	4.0		%	4.0		%	4.0		%



	Year-To-Date 2012			Fiscal 2011			Year-To-Date 2011
Average end of day loan balance during the period	$	—		$	—		$	—
Highest end of day loan balance during the period	1.1			0.2			0.2
Average interest rate	4.0		%	3.6		%	3.5		%

____________________________________________


(1)	The sublimit availability for the letters of credit was $89.8 million , $90.7 million , and $97.0 million at October 27, 2012 , January 28, 2012 , and October 29, 2011 , respectively.

Letter of Credit Fees

Letter of credit fees approximated $0.2 million and $0.2 million in Year-To-Date 2012 and Year-To-Date 2011 , respectively, and are included in cost of sales.


7.	LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS

During the Third Quarter 2012 , neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries became a party to, nor did any of their property become the subject of, any material legal proceedings. There were no material developments to any legal proceedings previously reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012.

The Company is 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 the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


8.	INCOME TAXES

The Company computes income taxes using the liability method. This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, measured by enacted rates, attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised largely of differences relating to depreciation, rent expense, inventory and various accruals and reserves.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the Third Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012 was 30.3% and 30.6% , respectively, compared to 38.0% and 38.9% during the Third Quarter 2011 and Year-To-Date 2011 , respectively. These reductions primarily relates to the Company's assertion during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 that its investment in its Asian subsidiaries is

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permanent and that the earnings of such subsidiaries will be indefinitely and fully reinvested. Accordingly, the Company stopped providing U.S. deferred taxes on the undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries.

During the Third Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012 , the Company recognized approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million , respectively, of additional interest expense related to its unrecognized tax benefits. During the Third Quarter 2011 and Year-To-Date 2011 , the Company recognized approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million , respectively, of additional interest expense related to its unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

The Company is subject to taxation and files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax audits for years through fiscal 2006. With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to state, local or non-U.S. income tax audits by taxing authorities for years before fiscal 2008.

Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations; however, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the Company's tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with management's expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income tax in the period such resolution occurs.


9.	INTEREST (EXPENSE), NET

The following table presents the components of the Company’s interest expense, net (in thousands):



	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011			October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011
Interest income	$	234		$	228		$	685		$	706
Tax-exempt interest income	—			—			—			7
Total interest income	234			228			685			713

Less:
Interest expense – credit facilities	39			35			115			161
Unused line fee	100			149			324			770
Amortization of deferred financing fees	91			91			273			381
Other interest and fees	27			23			77			56
Total interest expense	257			298			789			1,368
Interest (expense), net	$	(23	)	$	(70	)	$	(104	)	$	(655	)


10.	SEGMENT INFORMATION

In accordance with the “ Segment Reporting ” topic of the FASB ASC, the Company reports segment data based on geography: The Children’s Place U.S. and The Children’s Place Canada. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com . Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment are the Company’s U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores. Included in The Children's Place Canada segment are the Company's Canadian based stores and revenue from international franchisees. The Company measures its segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment. Certain inventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology services are managed by The Children’s Place U.S. segment. Expenses related to these functions, including depreciation and amortization, are allocated to The Children’s Place Canada segment based primarily on net sales. The assets related to these functions are not allocated. The Company periodically reviews these allocations and adjusts them based upon changes in business circumstances. Net sales from external customers are derived from merchandise sales and the Company has no major customers that account for more than 10% of its net sales. As of October 27, 2012 , The Children’s Place U.S. operated 973 stores and The Children’s Place Canada operated 129 stores. As of October 29, 2011 , The Children’s Place U.S. operated 953 stores and The Children’s Place Canada operated 123 stores.

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The following tables provide segment level financial information (dollars in thousands):



	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011			October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011
Net sales (1) :
The Children’s Place U.S.	$	424,854		$	416,781		$	1,119,690		$	1,091,706
The Children’s Place Canada (2)	76,074			67,304			180,572			166,693
Total net sales	$	500,928		$	484,085		$	1,300,262		$	1,258,399
Gross profit:
The Children’s Place U.S.	$	170,209		$	165,310		$	420,705		$	418,055
The Children’s Place Canada	35,994			34,741			76,528			81,208
Total gross profit	$	206,203		$	200,051		$	497,233		$	499,263
Gross Margin:
The Children’s Place U.S.	40.1		%	39.7		%	37.6		%	38.3		%
The Children’s Place Canada	47.3		%	51.6		%	42.4		%	48.7		%
Total gross margin	41.2		%	41.3		%	38.2		%	39.7		%
Operating income:
The Children’s Place U.S. (3)	$	38,050		$	41,196		$	45,364		$	62,182
The Children’s Place Canada (5)	12,189			13,252			13,319			25,264
Total operating income	$	50,239		$	54,448		$	58,683		$	87,446
Operating income as a percent of net sales:
The Children’s Place U.S.	9.0		%	9.9		%	4.1		%	5.7		%
The Children’s Place Canada	16.0		%	19.7		%	7.4		%	15.2		%
Total operating income	10.0		%	11.2		%	4.5		%	6.9		%
Depreciation and amortization:
The Children’s Place U.S. (4)	$	19,497		$	16,142		$	48,220		$	48,105
The Children’s Place Canada (5)	3,526			2,351			9,503			6,617
Total depreciation and amortization	$	23,023		$	18,493		$	57,723		$	54,722
Capital expenditures:
The Children’s Place U.S.	$	24,783		$	14,154		$	60,073		$	53,849
The Children’s Place Canada	2,360			3,001			11,307			10,031
Total capital expenditures	$	27,143		$	17,155		$	71,380		$	63,880

____________________________________________


(1)	All of the Company's foreign revenues are included in The Children's Place Canada segment.


(2)	Includes approximately $5.5 million and $6.0 million of revenue from international franchisees for the Third Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012 , respectively. There was no revenue from international franchisees prior to fiscal 2012.


(3)	Includes exit costs associated with the closures of the West Coast DC and Northeast DC of approximately $0.6 million and $4.5 million for the Third Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012 , respectively, and approximately $5.7 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the closure of the Northeast DC for the Third Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012 .


(4)	Includes approximately $5.7 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the closure of the Northeast DC for the Third Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012 .


(5)	The Company remodeled certain Canadian stores earlier than originally anticipated. Accelerated depreciation associated with these stores approximated $0.3 million and $1.6 million for the Third Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012 , respectively.



	October 27, 2012		January 28, 2012		October 29, 2011
Total assets:
The Children’s Place U.S.	$	770,009	$	693,489	$	720,823
The Children’s Place Canada	169,896		157,160		153,357
Total assets	$	939,905	$	850,649	$	874,180

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11.	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to October 27, 2012 and through November 27, 2012, the Company repurchased 0.4 million shares for approximately $18.6 million , which brought the total under the 2012 Share Repurchase Program to approximately $47.0 million .

On November 26, 2012, the Company announced that our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million . Under the program, we may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. The Company may suspend or discontinue the program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior announcement.

On November 26, 2012, the Company announced the departure of its Chief Financial Officer, Steven Baginski, the appointment of Bernard McCracken, Vice President, Corporate Controller, as Interim Principal Accounting Officer and the appointment of John Taylor, Vice President, Finance, as Interim Principal Financial Officer, all as of November 26, 2012, and the appointment of Michael Scarpa as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective December 3, 2012.

On October 29, 2012, the northeast portion of the United States was struck by Hurricane Sandy. Approximately 280 of the Company's stores, as well as its northeast e-commerce business, were affected by the storm to varying degrees (e.g., actual closures, limited access and customer distraction). On an annual basis, the affected stores and e-commerce business represent approximately 31.0% of the Company's net sales. As of November 27, 2012 two stores were still closed.

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Item 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statements of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” section of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 . Included among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially are the risk that the Company will be unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences, the risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of the Company's business and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which may be affected by the continued weakness in the economy or by other factors such as increases in the cost of gasoline and food, and the uncertainty of weather patterns. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. 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 following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the annual audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2012 .

Terms that are commonly used in our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are defined as follows:


•	Third Quarter 2012 — The thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012 .


•	Third Quarter 2011 — The thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2011 .


•	Year-To-Date 2012 — The thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012 .


•	Year-To-Date 2011 — The thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011 .


•	Comparable Store Sales — Net sales, in constant currency, from stores that have been open for at least 14 consecutive months. Stores that temporarily close for non- substantial remodeling will be excluded from comparable store sales for only the period that they were closed. A store is considered substantially remodeled if it has been relocated or materially changed in size.


•	Comparable E-commerce Sales — Net sales, in constant currency, from our e-commerce store, excluding postage and handling fees.


•	Comparable Retail Sales — Comparable Store Sales plus Comparable E-commerce Sales.


•	Gross Margin — Gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales.


•	SG&A — Selling, general and administrative expenses.


•	FASB — Financial Accounting Standards Board.


•	SEC — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


•	U.S. GAAP — Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States.


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

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” and “Place” brand names. Our objective is to deliver high-quality merchandise at value prices. As of October 27, 2012 , we operated 1,102 stores throughout North America and our e-commerce business at www.childrensplace.com.

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Segment Reporting

In accordance with the “ Segment Reporting ” topic of the FASB ASC, we report segment data based on geography: The Children’s Place U.S. and The Children’s Place Canada. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com . Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment are our U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores. Included in The Children's Place Canada segment are our Canadian based stores, as well as revenue from international franchisees. We measure our segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment. Certain inventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology services are managed by The Children’s Place U.S. segment. Expenses related to these functions, including depreciation and amortization, are allocated to The Children’s Place Canada segment based primarily on net sales. The assets related to these functions 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. As of October 27, 2012 , The Children’s Place U.S. operated 973 stores and The Children’s Place Canada operated 129 stores. As of October 29, 2011 , The Children’s Place U.S. operated 953 stores and The Children’s Place Canada operated 123 stores.

Recent Developments

On November 26, 2012, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program in the amount of $100.0 million . Under the program, we may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. We may suspend or discontinue the program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior announcement.

On November 26, 2012, we announced the departure of our Chief Financial Officer, Steven Baginski, the appointment of Bernard McCracken, Vice President, Corporate Controller, as Interim Principal Accounting Officer and the appointment of John Taylor, Vice President, Finance, as Interim Principal Financial Officer, all as of November 26, 2012, and the appointment of Michael Scarpa as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective December 3, 2012.

On October 29, 2012, the northeast portion of the United States was struck by Hurricane Sandy. Approximately 280 of our stores, as well as our northeast e-commerce business, were affected by the storm to varying degrees (e.g., actual closures, limited access and customer distraction). On an annual basis, the affected stores and e-commerce business represent approximately 31.0% of our net sales. As of November 27, 2012 two stores were still closed.

Operating Highlights

Net sales increased by $41.9 million, or 3.3%, to $1,300.3 million in Year-To-Date 2012 from $1,258.4 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . Our Comparable Retail Sales increased 1.1% during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to a 2.2% decrease during Year-To-Date 2011 .

We reported net income of $40.6 million, or $1.66 per diluted share during Year-To-Date 2012 , compared to $53.0 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, during Year-To-Date 2011 .

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, management approved a plan to exit its distribution center in Ontario, California (the "West Coast DC") and move its operations to its distribution center in Fort Payne, Alabama (the "Southeast DC"). The lease of the West Coast DC expires in March 2016 and the Company ceased using the facility in May 2012. During Year-To-Date 2012 , the Company recognized approximately $4.2 million of costs in exiting the West Coast DC, which primarily included lease termination costs (net of anticipated sublease income), asset disposal costs, and severance to affected employees.

In August 2012, management approved a plan to close the Company's distribution center in Dayton, New Jersey ("Northeast DC") and move the operations to its Southeast DC and the Company expects to cease operations at its Northeast DC during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Total exit costs related to this move are expected to be approximately $13.0 million , consisting of lease termination costs (net of anticipated sublease income), accelerated depreciation, and severance to affected employees. During the Third Quarter 2012 , the Company recorded $5.7 million of accelerated depreciation and $0.3 million of severance.

During Year-To-Date 2012 , we opened 60 The Children’s Place stores and closed seven. During Year-To-Date 2011 , we opened 88 The Children’s Place stores and closed seven.

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During Year-To-Date 2012 we began an international store expansion program through territorial agreements with franchisees. At October 27, 2012 we had a total of eight stores open in the Middle East, and we expect to end fiscal 2012 with approximately 20 stores. For Year-To-Date 2012 , revenue from international franchisees was less than 1% of total net sales.

Our business has been impacted by the continued weakness in the U.S. and Canadian economic environments. Factors such as high unemployment levels, a highly promotional retail environment and inconsistent consumer retail traffic have negatively impacted our business.

We have subsidiaries 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 table below summarizes those average translation rates that most impact our operating results:



	Thirteen Weeks Ended		Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012	October 29, 2011	October 27, 2012	October 29, 2011
Average Translation Rates (1)
Canadian Dollar	1.0121	1.0008	1.0009	1.0197
Hong Kong Dollar	0.1290	0.1284	0.1289	0.1284
China Yuan Renminbi	0.1579	0.1563	0.1580	0.1543

__________________________________________________


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

For the Third Quarter 2012 , the effects of these translation rate changes on net sales, gross profit and income before income taxes were increases of $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For Year-To-Date 2012 , the effects of these translation rate changes on net sales and gross profit were decreases of $2.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and on income before income taxes it was an increase of $0.3 million. 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 purchases of inventory, which are priced in U.S. dollars. The effects of these purchases on our gross profit were an increase of approximately $0.1 million during the Third Quarter 2012 and a decrease of $1.0 million during Year-To-Date 2012 .

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 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 markup 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

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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 October 27, 2012 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.4 million. Our markdown reserve balance at October 27, 2012 was approximately $6.6 million.

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.

Time Vesting and Performance-Based Awards

We generally grant time vesting and performance-based stock awards to employees at management levels and above. We also grant time vesting stock awards to our non-employee directors. Time vesting awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units that require each recipient to complete a service period ("Deferred Awards"). Deferred Awards generally vest ratably over three years except that those granted to non-employee directors generally vest after one year. Performance-based stock awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units which have performance criteria that must be achieved for the awards to vest in addition to a service period requirement ("Performance Awards"). Each Performance Award has a defined number of shares that an employee can earn (the “Target Shares”) and based on the performance level achieved, the employee can earn up to 200% of their Target Shares. Performance Awards historically have cliff vested after a three year service period. The fair value of all awards issued prior to May 20, 2011 was based on the average of the high and low selling price of our common stock on the grant date. Effective with the adoption of the 2011 Equity Plan, the fair value of all awards granted on or after May 20, 2011 is based on the closing 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 estimated annual forfeiture rate would impact our fiscal 2012 net income by approximately $0.4 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. The current performance period ends on February 2, 2013. To the extent that actual operating results for the rest of this fiscal year differ from our estimates, future performance share compensation expense could be significantly different. A 25% increase in our annual projected operating income for fiscal 2012 would have caused a $2.6 million increase to stock-based compensation expense during Year-To-Date 2012 . A 25% decrease in our annual projected operating income for fiscal 2012 would have caused a $2.4 million decrease to stock-based compensation expense during Year-To-Date 2012 .

Stock Options

We have not issued stock options since fiscal 2008; however, certain stock options issued prior to fiscal 2008 remain outstanding. 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. There is no unamortized stock compensation at October 27, 2012 .

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 October 27, 2012 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.6 million.

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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 historical 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. We believe waiting two years allows a store to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive analysis of financial performance can be performed. 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 October 27, 2012 , the average net book value per store was approximately $0.2 million.

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.


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


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


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

Our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and credit facility are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value. The underlying assets and liabilities of our Deferred Compensation Plan fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

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Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data expressed as a percentage of net sales. 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 SG&A expenses increased approximately 10 basis points to 26.3% of net sales during the Third Quarter 2012 from 26.2% during the Third Quarter 2011 . 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 sales decrease or if our costs grow at a faster pace than our sales (i.e. “de-leveraging”), we have less efficiently utilized the investments we have made in our business.



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011		October 27, 2012		October 29, 2011
Net sales	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Cost of sales	58.8		58.7		61.8		60.3
Gross profit	41.2		41.3		38.2		39.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses	26.3		26.2		28.8		28.2
Asset impairment charge	0.1		0.1		0.2		0.1
Other costs	0.1		—		0.3		—
Depreciation and amortization	4.6		3.8		4.4		4.3
Operating income	10.0		11.2		4.5		6.9
Interest (expense), net	—		—		—		(0.1	)
Income before income taxes	10.0		11.2		4.5		6.9
Provision for income taxes	3.0		4.3		1.4		2.7
Net income	7.0	%	7.0	%	3.1	%	4.2	%
Number of stores, end of period	1,102		1,076		1,102		1,076

____________________________________________

Table may not add due to rounding.

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



	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011			October 27, 2012			October 29, 2011
Net sales:
The Children’s Place U.S.	$	424,854		$	416,781		$	1,119,690		$	1,091,706
The Children’s Place Canada	76,074			67,304			180,572			166,693
Total net sales	$	500,928		$	484,085		$	1,300,262		$	1,258,399
Gross profit:
The Children’s Place U.S.	$	170,209		$	165,310		$	420,705		$	418,055
The Children’s Place Canada	35,994			34,741			76,528			81,208
Total gross profit	$	206,203		$	200,051		$	497,233		$	499,263
Gross Margin:
The Children’s Place U.S.	40.1		%	39.7		%	37.6		%	38.3		%
The Children’s Place Canada	47.3		%	51.6		%	42.4		%	48.7		%
Total gross margin	41.2		%	41.3		%	38.2		%	39.7		%

The Third Quarter 2012 Compared to the Third Quarter 2011

Net sales increased by $16.8 million to $500.9 million during the Third Quarter 2012 from $484.1 million during the Third Quarter 2011 . Our net sales increase resulted from a $5.7 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, $5.5 million in revenue from international franchisees, a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 1.1%, or $4.9 million, and $0.7 million from favorable changes in the Canadian exchange rate. Our 1.1% increase in Comparable Retail Sales was primarily the result of a 1% increase in the number of transactions. Comparable E-commerce Sales increased 12.8% during the Third Quarter 2012 . Total e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 12.6% of sales in the Third Quarter 2012 from 11.6% in the Third Quarter 2011 .

The Children’s Place U.S. net sales increased $8.1 million, or 1.9%, to $424.9 million in the Third Quarter 2012 compared to $416.8 million in the Third Quarter 2011 . This increase resulted from a $5.7 million increase in Comparable E-commerce Sales, a $2.7 million increase in sales from new stores and other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, partially offset by a Comparable Store Sales decrease of 0.1%, or $0.3 million. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales was primarily due to a 1% decrease in the number of transactions mostly offset by a 1% increase in the average dollar transaction size.

The Children’s Place Canada net sales increased $8.8 million, or 13.0%, to $76.1 million in the Third Quarter 2012 compared to $67.3 million in the Third Quarter 2011 . This increase resulted primarily from $5.5 million of revenue from international franchisees, a $3.2 million increase in sales from new stores and other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, a $1.2 million increase in Comparable E-commerce Sales and a $0.7 million increase resulting from favorable changes in the Canadian exchange rates partially offset by a decline in Comparable Store Sales of 2.9%, or $1.8 million. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales was primarily the result of a 4% decrease in the average dollar transaction size partially offset by a 1% increase in the number of transactions.

During the Third Quarter 2012 , we opened 23 stores, consisting of 20 in the United States and three in Canada.

Gross profit increased by $6.1 million to $206.2 million during the Third Quarter 2012 from $200.1 million during the Third Quarter 2011 . Consolidated Gross Margin decreased approximately 10 basis points to 41.2% during the Third Quarter 2012 from 41.3% during the Third Quarter 2011 . The decrease in consolidated Gross Margin was primarily the result of the de-leveraging of distribution, production and design costs, and occupancy costs of approximately 80 basis points, mostly offset by increased retail prices net of higher markdowns of approximately 70 basis points.

Gross Margin at The Children's Place U.S. increased approximately 40 basis points from 39.7% in the Third Quarter 2011 to 40.1% in the Third Quarter 2012 . Increased retail prices net of higher markdowns resulted in a gross margin increase of approximately 100 basis points, partially offset by the de-leveraging of distribution, production and design costs, and occupancy costs of approximately 60 basis points.

Gross Margin at The Children's Place Canada decreased approximately 430 basis points from 51.6% in the Third Quarter 2011 to 47.3% in the Third Quarter 2012 . This decrease was primarily the result of the de-leveraging of distribution, production and design costs, and occupancy costs of approximately 180 basis points, increased retail prices were more than

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offset by higher markdowns netting to approximately 130 basis points and a decrease of 120 basis points due to the impact of lower margin on revenue from international franchisees.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.1 million to $131.8 million during the Third Quarter 2012 from $126.7 million during the Third Quarter 2011 . As a percentage of net sales SG&A increased approximately 10 basis points to 26.3% during the Third Quarter 2012 from 26.2% during the Third Quarter 2011 . These increases resulted primarily from the following:


•	investments in growth initiatives increased our administrative payroll and related expenses by approximately $3.1 million, or 50 basis points;


•	marketing expenses increased approximately $1.3 million, or 20 basis points, resulting from increased media and internet advertising; and

•

store expenses increased approximately $0.4 million; however, as a percentage of sales it decreased 50 basis points. The dollar increase is primarily due to having an average of 23 more stores during the Third Quarter 2012 compared to the Third Quarter 2011 . The leveraging of store expenses resulted primarily from expense savings in supplies, repairs and maintenance, other store expenses and reduced credit card fees.

Asset impairment charges were $0.5 million during the Third Quarter 2012 compared to $0.4 million during the Third Quarter 2011 . During both the Third Quarter 2012 and the Third Quarter 2011 , we impaired two underperforming stores.

Other costs were $0.6 million during the Third Quarter 2012 and consist of exit costs related to management's decision to close our West Coast DC and Northeast DC.

Depreciation and amortization was $23.0 million, or 4.6% of net sales, during the Third Quarter 2012 , compared to $18.5 million, or 3.8% of net sales, during the Third Quarter 2011 . This increase resulted from $5.7 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the closing of the Northeast DC and $0.3 million of accelerated depreciation associated with early remodels of certain Canadian stores. Excluding the effect of these items, depreciation and amortization was $17.1 million, or 3.4% of net sales. This decrease resulted from the lower cost of store build-outs over the past several years.

Provision for income taxes was $15.2 million during the Third Quarter 2012 compared to $20.7 million during the Third Quarter 2011 . Our effective tax rate was 30.3% and 38.0% during the Third Quarter 2012 and the Third Quarter 2011 , respectively. This reduction primarily relates to a change in our permanent reinvestment assertion of our Asian subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net income was $35.0 million during the Third Quarter 2012 compared to $33.7 million during the Third Quarter 2011 , due to the factors discussed above. Diluted earnings per share was $1.44 in the Third Quarter 2012 compared to $1.33 in the Third Quarter 2011 . This increase in earnings per share is due to the increase in net income for the quarter and to a lower weighted average common shares outstanding of approximately 1.0 million, which is primarily the result of our share repurchase programs.

Year-To-Date 2012 Compared to Year-To-Date 2011

Net sales increased by $41.9 million to $1,300.3 million during Year-To-Date 2012 from $1,258.4 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . Our net sales increase resulted from a $26.1 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 1.1%, or $12.6 million, $6.0 million in revenue from international franchisees, partially offset by $2.8 million from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rate. Our 1.1% increase in Comparable Retail Sales was primarily the result of a 1% increase in the average dollar transaction size. Comparable E-commerce Sales increased 17.5% during Year-To-Date 2012 . Total e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 11.6% of sales during Year-To-Date 2012 from 10.3% during Year-To-Date 2011 .

The Children’s Place U.S. net sales increased $28.0 million, or 2.6%, to $1,119.7 million during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $1,091.7 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . This increase resulted from a $17.5 million increase in Comparable E-commerce Sales and a $15.3 million increase in sales from new stores and other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, partially offset by a Comparable Store Sales decrease of 0.5%, or $4.8 million. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales was primarily due to a 1% decrease in the number of transactions partially offset by a 1% increase in the average dollar transaction size.

The Children’s Place Canada net sales increased $13.9 million, or 8.3%, to $180.6 million during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $166.7 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . This increase resulted primarily from a $10.7 million increase in sales from new stores and other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, $6.0 million in revenue from international franchisees and a $4.1 million increase in Comparable E-commerce Sales partially offset by a decline in Comparable Store Sales of 2.7%, or $4.1 million, and a $2.8 million decrease resulting from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rates. The decrease in Comparable Store Sales was primarily the result of a 3% decrease in the average dollar transaction size.

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During Year-To-Date 2012 , we opened 60 stores, consisting of 54 in the United States and six in Canada.

Gross profit decreased by $2.1 million to $497.2 million during Year-To-Date 2012 from $499.3 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . Consolidated Gross Margin decreased approximately 150 basis points to 38.2% during Year-To-Date 2012 from 39.7% during Year-To-Date 2011 . The decrease in consolidated Gross Margin was primarily the result of higher markdowns net of increased retail prices of approximately 100 basis points and the de-leveraging of distribution, production and design costs, and occupancy costs of approximately 50 basis points.

Gross Margin at The Children's Place U.S. decreased approximately 70 basis points from 38.3% during Year-To-Date 2011 to 37.6% during Year-To-Date 2012 . This decrease resulted primarily from higher markdowns net of increased retail prices of approximately 40 basis points and the de-leveraging of distribution, production and design costs, and occupancy costs of approximately 30 basis points.

Gross Margin at The Children's Place Canada decreased approximately 630 basis points from 48.7% during Year-To-Date 2011 to 42.4% during Year-To-Date 2012 . This decrease was primarily the result of the de-leveraging of distribution, production and design costs, and occupancy costs of approximately 350 basis points, increased retail prices were more than offset by higher markdowns netting to approximately 260 basis points and a decrease of 20 basis points due to the impact of lower margin on revenue from international franchisees.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $19.0 million to $374.3 million during Year-To-Date 2012 from $355.3 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . As a percentage of net sales SG&A increased approximately 60 basis points to 28.8% during Year-To-Date 2012 from 28.2% during Year-To-Date 2011 . The comparability of our SG&A was affected by the following items:


•	we streamlined our field workforce and eliminated certain positions in our corporate headquarters which resulted in severance expense of approximately $2.0 million;


•	we incurred approximately $1.1 million of expense related to a legal settlement; and


•	as part of a continuing store fleet review, we identified certain store fixtures and supplies that will no longer be used, which resulted in a write-off charge of approximately $0.9 million.

Excluding the effect of the above, SG&A increased approximately $15.0 million, or 30 basis points, and included the following variances:


•	investments in growth initiatives increased our administrative payroll and related expenses by approximately $10.2 million, or 70 basis points;


•	pre-opening expenses decreased approximately $0.9 million, or 10 basis points, resulting from opening 28 fewer stores during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to Year-To-Date 2011 ; and

•

store expenses increased approximately $3.2 million; however, as a percentage of sales it decreased 30 basis points. The dollar increase is primarily due to having an average of 37 more stores during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to Year-To-Date 2011 . The leveraging of store expenses resulted primarily from expense savings in supplies, repairs and maintenance, other store expenses and reduced credit card fees.

Asset impairment charges were $2.1 million during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $1.7 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . During Year-To-Date 2012 , we impaired five underperforming stores and during Year-To-Date 2011 , we impaired six underperforming stores.

Other costs were $4.5 million during Year-To-Date 2012 and consist of exit costs related to management's decision to close our West Coast DC and Northeast DC.

Depreciation and amortization was $57.7 million, or 4.4% of net sales, during Year-To-Date 2012 , compared to $54.7 million, or 4.3% of net sales, during Year-To-Date 2011 . This increase resulted from $5.7 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the closing of the Northeast DC and $1.6 million of accelerated depreciation associated with early remodels of certain Canadian stores. Excluding the effect of these items, depreciation and amortization was $50.4 million, or 3.9% of net sales. This decrease resulted from the lower cost of store build-outs over the past several years.

Provision for income taxes was $18.0 million during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $33.8 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . Our effective tax rate was 30.6% and 38.9% during Year-To-Date 2012 and Year-To-Date 2011 , respectively. This reduction primarily relates to a change in our permanent reinvestment assertion of our Asian subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net income was $40.6 million during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $53.0 million during Year-To-Date 2011 , due to the factors discussed above. Earnings per diluted share was $1.66 during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $2.05 during Year-To-Date 2011 . This decrease in earnings per share is due to the decrease in net income partially offset by a lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding of approximately 1.4 million, which is primarily the result of our share repurchase programs.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

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, which are principally inventory purchases, and the repurchases of our common stock.

Our working capital decreased $2.4 million to $337.8 million at October 27, 2012 compared to $340.2 million at October 29, 2011 . This decrease is primarily due to cash paid for share repurchases and capital expenditures mostly offset by cash generated from operations. During Year-To-Date 2012 , under our share repurchase programs, we repurchased approximately 0.9 million shares for approximately $47.7 million. Subsequent to October 27, 2012 and through November 27, 2012, we repurchased an additional 0.4 million shares for approximately $18.6 million.

Our credit facility provides for borrowings up to the lesser of $150.0 million or our borrowing base, as defined by the credit facility agreement (see “Credit Facility” below). At October 27, 2012 , our borrowing base was $150.0 million, we had no outstanding borrowings and there were $35.2 million of outstanding letters of credit, with $114.8 million of availability for borrowings and a sublimit availability for letters of credit of $89.8 million.

As of October 27, 2012 , we had approximately $203.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, of which $152.0 million of cash and cash equivalents was held in foreign subsidiaries, of which approximately $87.8 million was in our Canadian subsidiaries, $56.1 million was in our Hong Kong subsidiaries and $8.1 million was in other subsidiaries. Because all of our investments in our foreign subsidiaries are considered permanently and fully reinvested, any repatriation of cash from them would require the accrual and payment of U.S. federal and certain state taxes. We currently do not intend to repatriate cash from these subsidiaries.

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

Credit Facility

We and certain of our domestic subsidiaries maintain a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement has been amended from time to time and the provisions below reflect all amendments.


(i)	the prime rate plus a margin of 0.75% to 1.00% based on the amount of our average excess availability under the facility; or


(ii)	the London InterBank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR”, for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, as selected by us, plus a margin of 1.75% to 2.00% based on the amount of our average excess availability under the facility.

We are charged an unused line fee of 0.375% on the unused portion of the commitments. Letter of credit fees range from 0.875% to 1.00% for commercial letters of credit and range from 1.25% to 1.50% for standby letters of credit. Letter of credit fees are determined based on the amount of our average excess availability under the facility. The amount available for loans and letters of credit under the 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.

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On August 16, 2011, the Credit Agreement was amended to provide for, among other things, an extension of the term of the Credit Agreement, a reduction in the maximum available borrowings under the facility, a reduction in the sublimit for standby and documentary letters of credit, and a net reduction in various rates charged under the Credit Agreement, each as reflected above. This amendment also provided for the elimination of the maximum capital expenditures covenant. In conjunction with this amendment, we paid $0.7 million in additional deferred financing costs.

As of October 27, 2012 , we have capitalized an aggregate of approximately $3.3 million in deferred financing costs related to the Credit Agreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at October 27, 2012 was $1.4 million . Unamortized deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement.

Cash Flows/Capital Expenditures

During Year-To-Date 2012 , cash flows provided by operating activities were $143.5 million compared to $94.7 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . The net increase of $48.8 million in cash from operating activities resulted primarily from cash inflows of $54.2 million related to the timing of payments on accounts payable and other current liabilities partially offset by higher cash outflows of $7.3 million related to inventories, primarily due to the timing of inventory receipts. During fiscal 2012, we began to leverage our relationships with many vendors and now settle these payables on more favorable terms.

Cash flows used in investing activities were $71.4 million during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $61.8 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . The increase primarily resulted from $7.5 million more purchases of property and equipment during Year-To-Date 2012 and by the release of $2.4 million of restricted cash during Year-To-Date 2011 .

During Year-To-Date 2012 , cash flows used in financing activities were $45.5 million compared to $64.2 million during Year-To-Date 2011 . The decrease primarily resulted from $47.7 million for purchases of our common stock, primarily related to our share repurchase programs, during Year-To-Date 2012 compared to $75.3 million during Year-To-Date 2011 , partially offset by $7.2 million more of cash inflows during Year-To-Date 2011 related to the utilization of tax benefits associated with our equity awards and a $2.3 million decrease in proceeds from the exercise of stock options. We have not issued stock options since fiscal 2008 and the number of unexercised awards continues to decrease.

We anticipate that total capital expenditures will be in the range of approximately $85 to $90 million in fiscal 2012. During Year-To-Date 2012 , we opened 60 stores and remodeled 47 at an aggregate cost of approximately $47.7 million, of which approximately $10.8 million relates to our Canadian operations. We have spent approximately $21.7 million on information technology, our corporate offices and other initiatives and approximately $2.0 million on projects in our distribution centers. Over the next quarter, we anticipate additional capital expenditures of approximately $12.0 million on store projects, approximately $4.0 million on information technology, including enterprise resource planning and e-commerce systems, and approximately $1.0 million on projects in our distribution centers. Of the remaining $17.0 million for fiscal 2012, approximately $4.0 million relates to our Canadian operations. At October 27, 2012, our construction in progress was $37.5 million compared to $12.6 million at October 29, 2011. The majority of these balances relate to our new enterprise resource planning system.

Our ability to continue to meet our capital requirements in fiscal 2012 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. During Year-To-Date 2012 , we were able to fund our capital expenditures with cash generated from operating activities. We believe that our existing 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 requirements over the next 12 months. Further, we do not expect the current economic conditions to preclude us from meeting our cash requirements.

Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures primarily from operations. We have not had outstanding borrowings on our credit facility since fiscal 2008. With a domestic cash balance of $51.1 million and a Canadian cash balance of $87.8 million at October 27, 2012 , and approximately $114.8 million of availability on our credit facility, we expect to meet our capital requirements for the remainder of fiscal 2012.


Item 3.	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, income and expenses. We utilize cash from operations and 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 the fair value of these financial instruments.

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. During Year-To-Date 2012 we had no borrowings under the credit facility and any change in interest rates would not have had 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 and Hong Kong subsidiaries are considered long-term. We do not hedge these net investments nor are we party to any derivative financial instruments. As of October 27, 2012 , net assets in Canada and Hong Kong were $128.4 million and $53.4 million, respectively. A 10% increase or decrease in the Canadian and Hong Kong exchange rates would increase or decrease the corresponding net investment by $12.8 million and $5.3 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 October 27, 2012 , we had approximately $146.6 million of our cash and cash equivalents held in foreign countries, of which approximately $87.8 million was in Canada, approximately $56.1 million was in Hong Kong and approximately $2.7 million was in other foreign countries.

Foreign Operations

Approximately 13% of our consolidated net sales and approximately 14% of our 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, Year-To-Date 2012 net sales could have decreased or increased by approximately $17.5 million and total costs and expenses could have decreased or increased by approximately $19.0 million. Additionally, we have foreign currency denominated receivables and payables that when settled, result in transaction gains or losses. At October 27, 2012 , we had foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, including inter-company balances, of $3.2 million and $10.8 million, respectively. To date, we have not used derivatives to manage foreign currency exchange risk.

We import a large percentage of our merchandise from China. 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 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed only to provide "reasonable assurance" that the controls and procedures will meet their objectives. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected.

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and President, 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 October 27, 2012 . Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and President, Interim Principal Accounting Officer and Interim Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level, as of October 27, 2012 , to ensure that all information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit 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, principal accounting and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Certain legal proceedings in which we are involved are discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements and Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2012 . See Note 7 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of any recent developments concerning our legal proceedings.


Item 1A.	RISK FACTORS.

There were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in our Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2012 .


Item 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

On March 7, 2012, the Company's Board of Director's authorized a share repurchase program in the amount of $50.0 million (the "2012 Share Repurchase Program"). Under the 2012 Share Repurchase Program, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. The Company may suspend or discontinue the program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior announcement.

The following table provides a month-by-month summary of our share repurchase activity during the Third Quarter 2012 .



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
7/29/12-8/25/12 (1)	58,487	$	52.48	56,967	$	31,416
8/26/12-9/29/12	88,242	58.81		88,242	26,229
9/30/12-10/27/12	77,069	60.24		77,069	21,589
Total	223,798	$	57.65	222,278	$	21,589

____________________________________________


(1)	Includes 1,226 shares acquired as treasury stock as directed by participants in the Company's deferred compensation plan and 294 shares withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of a stock award.

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Item 6.	Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:




10.1		Agreement and General Release dated as of June 19, 2012 between Eric Bauer and The Children's Place Services Company, LLC.

10.2		Agreement and General Release dated as of August 27, 2012 between Lori Tauber Marcus and The Children's Place Services Company, LLC.

31.1		Certificate of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certificate of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

32		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.

101.CAL*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.

101.DEF*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.

101.LAB*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.

101.PRE*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.

________________________________________


*	Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



		THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC.


Date:	November 29, 2012	By:	/S/ JANE T. ELFERS
			JANE T. ELFERS
			Chief Executive Officer and President
			(Principal Executive Officer)


Date:	November 29, 2012	By:	/S/ BERNARD L. MCCRACKEN
			BERNARD L. MCCRACKEN
			Interim Principal Accounting Officer and Vice
			President, Corporate Controller
			(A Principal Accounting Officer)


Date:	November 29, 2012	By:	/S/ JOHN E. TAYLOR
			JOHN E. TAYLOR
			Interim Principal Financial Officer and Vice
			President, Finance
			(A Principal Financial Officer)

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Part I Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements Item 2. Management S Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 4. Controls and Procedures Part II - Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of Proceeds Item 6. Exhibits

PLCE 10-Q Quarter ended Oct. 27, 2012