PLCE-08-03-2013-10Q
Table of Contents

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 August 3, 2013
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 August 29, 2013 was 22,310,377 shares.

Table of Contents

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
 
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 3, 2013
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Table of Contents

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)

 
August 3,
2013
 
February 2,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
(unaudited)
ASSETS
 

 
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
149,675

 
$
194,128

 
$
158,621

Short-term investments
35,000

 
15,000

 
—

Accounts receivable
29,722

 
18,490

 
23,408

Inventories
325,695

 
266,976

 
265,708

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
39,508

 
40,927

 
45,899

Deferred income taxes
12,577

 
9,714

 
9,008

Total current assets
592,177

 
545,235

 
502,644

Long-term assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Property and equipment, net
311,867

 
330,101

 
330,838

Deferred income taxes
49,722

 
43,678

 
47,606

Other assets
4,215

 
4,396

 
4,272

Total assets
$
957,981

 
$
923,410

 
$
885,360

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

 
 

LIABILITIES:
 

 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
153,235

 
$
87,461

 
$
72,809

Income taxes payable
3,832

 
2,459

 
3,046

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
120,022

 
101,586

 
91,637

Total current liabilities
277,089

 
191,506

 
167,492

Long-term liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

Deferred rent liabilities
88,723

 
92,598

 
96,115

Other tax liabilities
7,377

 
7,864

 
9,012

Other long-term liabilities
9,476

 
10,493

 
8,187

Total liabilities
382,665

 
302,461

 
280,806

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; 22,430, 23,179 and 24,147 issued; 22,399, 23,155 and 24,120 outstanding
2,243

 
2,318

 
2,415

Additional paid-in capital
218,807

 
215,691

 
211,952

Treasury stock, at cost (31, 24, 27 shares)
(1,451
)
 
(1,119
)
 
(1,211
)
Deferred compensation
1,451

 
1,119

 
1,211

Accumulated other comprehensive income
7,516

 
13,258

 
12,585

Retained earnings
346,750

 
389,682

 
377,602

Total stockholders’ equity
575,316

 
620,949

 
604,554

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
957,981

 
$
923,410

 
$
885,360

 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
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
Net sales
$
382,448

 
$
360,826

 
$
805,612

 
$
799,334

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
256,266

 
246,121

 
516,162

 
505,984

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
126,182

 
114,705

 
289,450

 
293,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
124,408

 
120,671

 
243,416

 
242,954

Asset impairment charges
21,766

 
280

 
21,766

 
1,530

Other costs (income)
61

 
3,062

 
(962
)
 
3,896

Depreciation and amortization
15,593

 
17,482

 
32,417

 
34,700

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
(35,646
)
 
(26,790
)
 
(7,187
)
 
10,270

Interest income (expense), net
—

 
(30
)
 
60

 
(81
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(35,646
)
 
(26,820
)
 
(7,127
)
 
10,189

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(12,010
)
 
(8,896
)
 
(2,763
)
 
3,379

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(23,636
)
 
$
(17,924
)
 
$
(4,364
)
 
$
6,810

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(1.05
)
 
$
(0.74
)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
0.28

Diluted
$
(1.05
)
 
$
(0.74
)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
0.28

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
22,514

 
24,249

 
22,779

 
24,392

Diluted
22,514

 
24,249

 
22,779

 
24,533

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3, 2013
 
July 28, 2012
 
August 3, 2013
 
July 28, 2012
Net income (loss)
$
(23,636
)
 
$
(17,924
)
 
$
(4,364
)
 
$
6,810

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(4,524
)
 
(2,809
)
 
(5,742
)
 
(295
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(28,160
)
 
$
(20,733
)
 
$
(10,106
)
 
$
6,515

 
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)
 
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Net income (loss)
$
(4,364
)
 
$
6,810

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
32,417

 
34,700

Stock-based compensation
10,950

 
6,957

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
(37
)
 
—

Deferred taxes
(12,471
)
 
324

Asset impairment charges
21,766

 
1,530

Deferred rent expense and lease incentives
(5,919
)
 
(6,371
)
Other
4,741

 
4,967

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Inventories
(60,012
)
 
(27,856
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(10,299
)
 
(7,291
)
Income taxes payable, net of prepayments
4,935

 
5,765

Accounts payable and other current liabilities
84,135

 
32,806

Deferred rent and other liabilities
(1,686
)
 
8,217

Total adjustments
68,520

 
53,748

Net cash provided by operating activities
64,156

 
60,558

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Property and equipment purchases, lease acquisition and software costs
(38,670
)
 
(44,237
)
Purchase of short-term investments
(20,000
)
 
—

Purchase of company-owned life insurance policies
(10
)
 
(28
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(58,680
)
 
(44,265
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Borrowings for letters of credit under revolving credit facility
77,016

 
54,157

Repayments for letters of credit under revolving credit facility
(77,016
)
 
(54,157
)
Purchase and retirement of common stock, including transaction costs
(47,919
)
 
(34,887
)
Exercise of stock options
1,408

 
996

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
37

 
—

Net cash used in financing activities
(46,474
)
 
(33,891
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(3,455
)
 
(436
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(44,453
)
 
(18,034
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
194,128

 
176,655

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
149,675

 
$
158,621

 
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)
 
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 

 
 

Net cash paid (refunded) during the period for income taxes
$
5,106

 
$
(2,704
)
Cash paid during the period for interest
259

 
350

Increase (decrease) in accrued purchases of property and equipment
(827
)
 
1,320

 
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 August 3, 2013 and July 28, 2012 and the results of its consolidated operations and cash flows for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2013 and July 28, 2012. The consolidated financial position as of February 2, 2013 was derived from audited financial statements.  Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, the results of operations for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2013 and July 28, 2012 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 February 2, 2013.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.
Terms that are commonly used in the Company’s notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are defined as follows:
•
Second Quarter 2013 — The thirteen weeks ended August 3, 2013.
•
Second Quarter 2012 — The thirteen weeks ended July 28, 2012.
•
Year-To-Date 2013 — The twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2013.
•
Year-To-Date 2012 — The twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2012.
•
First Quarter 2013 — The thirteen weeks ended May 4, 2013.
•
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.
Changes in Accounting Principle
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 the Company elected to change its method of accounting for inventories from the retail inventory method to an average cost method. In addition, the Company has elected to capitalize additional supply chain costs, which were previously expensed as incurred. The Company elected to make the changes because it believes they better reflect the value of its inventory as of the balance sheet dates, provide a better reflection of its periodic net income and improves comparability with its peers. In the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013, it applied the changes in the method of accounting for inventory retrospectively to all prior periods presented within the consolidated financial statements.
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments consist of investments which the Company expects to convert into cash within one year, including time deposits, which have original maturities greater than 90 days. The Company classifies its investments in securities at the time of purchase as held-to-maturity and reevaluates such classifications on a quarterly basis. Held-to-maturity investments consist of securities that the Company has the intent and ability to retain until maturity. These securities are recorded at cost and adjusted for the amortization of premiums and discounts, which approximates fair value. Cash inflows and outflows related to the sale and purchase of investments are classified as investing activities in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows.
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

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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 for those granted to non-employee directors, which 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 (“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 Target Shares, as defined in the award agreement, which generally has been 200%. Performance Awards have generally cliff vested after a three year service period, except those granted pursuant to a contract.  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 earned with respect to stock-based awards.  Directors may elect to have all or a certain portion of their fees earned for their service on the Board invested in shares of the Company’s common stock.  Such elections are irrevocable.  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 deferred amounts are payable in the form in which they were made except for board fees invested in shares of the Company's common stock, which will be settled in shares of Company common 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. 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 common stock.  The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company common 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 $0.3 million, $0.7 million, and $0.6 million at August 3, 2013, February 2, 2013 and July 28, 2012, respectively.  The cash surrender value of the COLIs, at fair value, was approximately $0.7 million at each of August 3, 2013, February 2, 2013 and July 28, 2012.  Company stock was $1.5 million, $1.1 million, and $1.2 million at August 3, 2013, February 2, 2013 and July 28, 2012, 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;

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•
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 fiscal 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 Company ceased operations in the Northeast DC during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. The lease of its Northeast DC expires in January 2021 and the Company ceased using the facility in May 2013. During fiscal 2012, the Company recognized approximately $6.8 million of costs in exiting the Northeast DC, which primarily included lease termination costs (net of anticipated sublease income), accelerated depreciation, and severance to affected employees. During the Second Quarter 2013, the Company executed a sublet arrangement for this facility. As a result of higher than anticipated sublease income, the Company reduced the Northeast DC accrual by $1.5 million during Year-To-Date 2013. These costs are included in other costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Remaining costs associated with the exit of the Northeast DC are not expected to be material.

At July 28, 2012, the Company had a remaining accrual of $2.5 million related to the West Coast DC lease termination costs, of which $0.7 million was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $1.8 million was included in other long-term liabilities. The following table provides details of the remaining accruals for the West Coast DC and Northeast DC as of August 3, 2013, of which approximately $2.1 million was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and approximately $2.3 million was included in other long-term liabilities (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Other Associated Costs
 
Lease Termination Costs
 
Total
Balance at February 2, 2013
 
$
—

 
$
8,376

 
$
8,376

Restructuring costs
 
236

 
(1,198
)
 
(962
)
Payments and reductions
 
(236
)
 
(2,755
)
 
(2,991
)
Balance at August 3, 2013
 
$
—

 
$
4,423

 
$
4,423

Retained Earnings
The Company is currently restricted from paying dividends in cash under its credit facility agreement (see Note 6). 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, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and credit facility are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair

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value hierarchy. 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
In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance finalizing the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The new standard requires the registrant to disclose either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2012. In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the guidance and determined that there were no significant amounts reclassified in the period that would require enhanced disclosure.

2.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On March 3, 2011 the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in the amount of $100 million (the “2011 Share Repurchase Program”), on March 7, 2012, a share repurchase program in the amount of $50 million (the "2012 $50 million Share Repurchase Program") and on November 26, 2012 a share repurchase program in the amount of $100 million (the "2012 Share Repurchase Program").  The 2012 $50 million Share Repurchase Program and the 2011 Share Repurchase Program have been completed. At August 3, 2013, there was approximately $32.6 million remaining on 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.
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):
 
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 3, 2013
 
July 28, 2012
 
 
 Shares
 
Value
 
 Shares
 
Value
 Shares repurchases related to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2011 Share buyback program
 
—

 
$
—

 
377.2

 
$
19,245

 2012 $50 million Share buyback program
 
—

 
—

 
335.6

 
15,604

 2012 Share buyback program (1)
 
968.4

 
47,802

 
—

 
—

 Withholding taxes
 
1.5

 
117

 
0.8

 
38

Shares acquired and held in treasury
 
6.5

 
$
332

 
12.6

 
$
613

(1)
Subsequent to August 3, 2013 and through August 29, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 0.1 million shares for approximately $4.7 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 2013 and Year-To-Date 2012, approximately $38.6 million and $28.7 million, respectively, were charged to retained earnings.

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3.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense (in thousands):
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
   Deferred Awards
$
3,311

 
$
3,224

 
$
6,842

 
$
5,601

   Performance Awards
2,207

 
736

 
4,108

 
1,356

Total stock-based compensation expense (1)
$
5,518

 
$
3,960

 
$
10,950

 
$
6,957

____________________________________________
(1)
During the Second Quarter 2013 and the Second Quarter 2012, approximately $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, were included in cost of sales. During Year-To-Date 2013 and Year-To-Date 2012, approximately $1.6 million and $0.8 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 approximately $4.3 million and $2.7 million for Year-To-Date 2013 and Year-To-Date 2012, respectively.
Awards Granted During Year-To-Date 2013
The Company granted Deferred Awards and Performance Awards to various executives and members of our Board of Directors during Year-To-Date 2013. Awards were issued in connection with annual performance reviews, new hires and contractual obligations. Generally, the Deferred Awards have a three year vesting period with one third of the award vesting annually.  Deferred Awards granted to the Board of Directors vest after one year. In general, the Performance Awards have three annual performance periods and one three-year cumulative performance period and, if earned, vest upon completion of the three year performance period. As required by her employment contract, the Performance Award granted to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President, if earned, has a one year vest period. Depending on the final adjusted operating income for the Company's performance periods, the percentage of Target Shares earned can be 0% and range up to 200%.

Unfavorable weather conditions across the country resulted in the Company achieving revenues which were well below operating plan for the First Quarter 2013. As a result, prior to the end of the First Quarter 2013, the Board of Directors chose to revise the operating plan for the 2013 fiscal year. The Board revised the plan in a manner which will require management to reverse the first quarter trends and to achieve results for the remainder of fiscal 2013 which exceed the results attained during the comparable period in fiscal 2012. Following the Board action, the Compensation Committee revised the performance target (and related threshold and maximum) for purposes of the Company's Performance Awards granted during the First Quarter 2013 to bring them in line with the revised operating plan. However, in order to take into account the First Quarter 2013 results, the revised threshold, target and maximum levels were set such that achievement of the revised performance target for fiscal 2013 will result in less than the number of Target Shares being earned. The revisions to Performance Award targets did not have a material effect on the Company's Year-To-Date 2013 financial statements.
Changes in the Company’s Unvested Stock Awards during Year-To-Date 2013
Deferred Awards
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Unvested Deferred Awards, beginning of period
560

 
$
49.53

Granted
370

 
48.59

Vested
(171
)
 
49.16

Forfeited
(27
)
 
49.75

Unvested Deferred Awards, end of period
732

 
$
49.13


Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Deferred Awards approximated $28.6 million as of August 3, 2013, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.6 years.

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Performance Awards
 
Number of
Shares (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Unvested Performance Awards, beginning of period
172

 
$
48.59

Granted
204

 
47.89

Vested
(2
)
 
46.48

Forfeited
(5
)
 
47.25

Unvested Performance Awards, end of period
369

 
$
48.23

____________________________________________
(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%. 
For those awards in which the performance period is not yet complete, the cumulative expense recognized reflects changes in operating income estimates as they occur. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Performance Awards approximated $9.4 million as of August 3, 2013, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years.
Stock Options
At August 3, 2013, there were no unvested stock options.
Outstanding Stock Options
Changes in the Company’s outstanding stock options for Year-To-Date 2013 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
84

 
$
30.08

 
3.5
 
$
1,633

Exercised
(47
)
 
30.62

 
 N/A
 
886

Forfeited
(1
)
 
34.45

 
 N/A
 
6

Options outstanding and exercisable, end of period
36

 
$
29.40

 
4.1
 
$
897


4.
NET INCOME (LOSS) 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
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3, 2013
 
July 28, 2012
 
August 3, 2013
 
July 28, 2012
Net income (loss)
$
(23,636
)
 
$
(17,924
)
 
$
(4,364
)
 
$
6,810

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average common shares
22,514

 
24,249

 
22,779

 
24,392

Dilutive effect of stock awards
—

 
—

 
—

 
141

Diluted weighted average common shares
22,514

 
24,249

 
22,779

 
24,533

Antidilutive stock awards
954

 
942

 
1,036

 
8

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. 

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The diluted loss per share amounts presented in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the Second Quarter 2013, Year-To-Date 2013 and the Second Quarter 2012 exclude the dilutive effect of stock awards, which would have been anti-dilutive as a result of the net loss for those periods.


5.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
Asset
Life
 
August 3, 2013
 
February 2, 2013
 
July 28, 2012
Property and equipment:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Land and land improvements
—
 
$
3,403

 
$
3,403

 
$
3,403

Building and improvements
20-25 yrs
 
35,548

 
35,548

 
35,548

Material handling equipment
10-15 yrs
 
48,345

 
48,346

 
52,082

Leasehold improvements
Lease life
 
372,771

 
391,311

 
397,849

Store fixtures and equipment
3-10 yrs
 
242,498

 
265,030

 
268,244

Capitalized software
5-10 yrs
 
71,913

 
65,885

 
78,737

Construction in progress
—
 
24,628

 
34,433

 
25,832

 
 
 
799,106

 
843,956

 
861,695

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
 
(487,239
)
 
(513,855
)
 
(530,857
)
Property and equipment, net
 
 
$
311,867

 
$
330,101

 
$
330,838


During the Second Quarter 2013, the Company conducted a review of its store portfolio using business hurdles management designed to enhance profitability and improve overall operating results.  Based on this review, the Company compiled a list of underperforming stores targeted for closure (the “Disposition List”).  The Company plans to close approximately 100 underperforming stores through fiscal 2016, including approximately 45 stores in fiscal 2013.  The Company also identified approximately 70 additional underperforming stores for which the Company will review its options for improving their financial performance, including but not limited to negotiating occupancy relief, in order to achieve the business hurdles.  If these stores are unable to do so, then the Company will move them to the Disposition List.

At August 3, 2013, the Company performed impairment testing on 1,050 stores with a total net book value of approximately $160.2 million, and recorded store asset impairment charges of $12.7 million for 75 stores, of which 48 were fully impaired and 27 partially impaired. At August 3, 2013, the aggregate net book value of the stores that were partially impaired was approximately $3.5 million, which the Company determined to be recoverable based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. Consistent with its impairment policy, the Company concluded that changes in circumstances affecting the carrying value of stores included on the Disposition List required the Company to review all stores included on the Disposition List regardless of whether the store had been open for at least two years.  Impairment charges for all stores was recorded as a result of revenue and/or gross margins not meeting targeted levels and accelerated store lease termination dates.
Company management continues to believe that making progress on its systems implementations will be one of the key drivers to improve our operations and strengthen our financial performance.  During the Second Quarter 2013 the Company established a strategic long term systems plan.  As part of this plan, the Company concluded that certain development costs previously incurred were no longer relevant and deemed certain systems to be obsolete and needed to be replaced by enhanced capabilities in order to incorporate industry best practices as well as service our international franchisees and wholesale business partners. Accordingly, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $9.1 million and incurred $1.2 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to the write-down of some previously capitalized development costs and obsolete systems.

At July 28, 2012, the Company performed impairment testing on 976 stores with a total net book value of approximately $163.6 million. During the Second Quarter 2012, the Company recorded $0.3 million of impairment charges primarily related to two underperforming stores, which were both partially impaired. During Year-To-Date 2012, the Company recorded a $1.5 million impairment charge primarily related to three underperforming stores, of which two were partially impaired and one was fully impaired.

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As of August 3, 2013, February 2, 2013 and July 28, 2012, the Company had approximately $3.5 million, $4.3 million and $7.4 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 2017, 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 0.50% to 0.75% 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 1.50% to 1.75% based on the amount of the Company’s average excess availability under the facility.
The Company is charged an unused line fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the commitments.  Letter of credit fees range from 0.75% to 0.875% for commercial letters of credit and range from 1.00% to 1.25% 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 excluding intellectual property, software, equipment and fixtures.
On December 20, 2012, the Credit Agreement was amended to provide for, among other things, an extension of the term of the Credit Agreement, a reduction in various rates charged under the Agreement as reflected above and the elimination of a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company's U.S. intellectual property, software, equipment and fixtures. This amendment also provided for the replacement of certain restrictive limits with an availability test, which must be met in order to permit the taking of certain actions. In conjunction with this amendment, the Company paid approximately $0.4 million in additional deferred financing costs. 
As of August 3, 2013, the Company has capitalized an aggregate of approximately $3.7 million in deferred financing costs related to the Credit Agreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at August 3, 2013 was approximately $1.4 million. Unamortized deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement.

13
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The table below presents the components (in millions) of the Company’s credit facility:
 
August 3,
2013
 
February 2,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
Credit facility maximum
$
150.0

 
$
150.0

 
$
150.0

Borrowing base
150.0

 
150.0

 
150.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding borrowings
—

 
—

 
—

Letters of credit outstanding—merchandise
42.2

 
27.1

 
24.7

Letters of credit outstanding—standby
11.2

 
10.6

 
12.2

Utilization of credit facility at end of period
53.4

 
37.7

 
36.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
Availability (1)
$
96.6

 
$
112.3

 
$
113.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate at end of period
3.8
%
 
3.8
%
 
4.0
%
 
Year-To-Date 2013
 
Fiscal
2012
 
Year-To-Date 2012
Average end of day loan balance during the period
$
0.3

 
$
—

 
$
—

Highest end of day loan balance during the period
10.4

 
1.1

 
—

Average interest rate
3.8
%
 
4.0
%
 
4.0
%
____________________________________________
(1)
The sublimit availability for the letters of credit was $71.6 million, $87.3 million, and $88.1 million at August 3, 2013, February 2, 2013, and July 28, 2012, respectively.

Letter of credit fees were approximately $0.1 million in both Year-To-Date 2013 and Year-To-Date 2012 and are substantially included in cost of sales.

7.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS
 
During the Second Quarter 2013, 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 February 2, 2013.
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 Second Quarter 2013 and Year-To-Date 2013 was 33.7% and 38.8%, respectively, compared to 33.2% during each of the Second Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012. The increase in rate for Year-To-Date 2013 compared to Year-To-Date 2012 primarily relates to tax reserves reversed during Year-To-Date 2013 related to certain state audit resolutions and statute of limitation expirations occurring during the year.
During the Second Quarter 2013 and Year-To-Date 2013, the Company recognized less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively of additional interest expense related to its unrecognized tax benefits. During each of the Second Quarter 2012 and Year-To-Date 2012, the Company recognized $0.1 million 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.

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Table of Contents

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. The Company, with certain exceptions, is no longer subject to income tax examinations by state and local or foreign tax authorities for tax 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 INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
The following table presents the components of the Company’s interest expense, net (in thousands):
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
Interest income
$
251

 
$
228

 
$
502

 
$
451

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense – credit facilities
34

 
39

 
60

 
76

Unused line fee
66

 
110

 
140

 
224

Amortization of deferred financing fees
91

 
91

 
182

 
182

Other interest and fees
60

 
18

 
60

 
50

Total interest expense
251

 
258

 
442

 
532

Interest income (expense), net
$
—

 
$
(30
)
 
$
60

 
$
(81
)

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 International.  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 International 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 International 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 August 3, 2013, The Children’s Place U.S. operated 983 stores and The Children’s Place International operated 133 stores. As of July 28, 2012, The Children’s Place U.S. operated 954 stores and The Children’s Place International operated 126 stores.

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The following tables provide segment level financial information (dollars in thousands):
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
August 3,
2013

July 28,
2012
Net sales:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
$
329,953

 
$
310,053

 
$
703,606

 
$
694,836

The Children’s Place International
52,495

 
50,773

 
102,006

 
104,498

Total net sales
$
382,448

 
$
360,826

 
$
805,612

 
$
799,334

Gross profit:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
$
106,553

 
$
95,603

 
$
250,490

 
$
252,010

The Children’s Place International
19,629

 
19,102

 
38,960

 
41,340

Total gross profit
$
126,182

 
$
114,705

 
$
289,450

 
$
293,350

Gross Margin:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
32.3
 %
 
30.8
 %
 
35.6
 %
 
36.3
%
The Children’s Place International
37.4
 %
 
37.6
 %
 
38.2
 %
 
39.6
%
Total gross margin
33.0
 %
 
31.8
 %
 
35.9
 %
 
36.7
%
Operating income (loss):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S. (1)
$
(34,956
)
 
$
(25,583
)
 
$
(7,021
)
 
$
8,867

The Children’s Place International (2)
(690
)
 
(1,207
)
 
(166
)
 
1,403

Total operating income (loss)
$
(35,646
)
 
$
(26,790
)
 
$
(7,187
)
 
$
10,270

Operating income (loss) as a percent of net sales:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
(10.6
)%
 
(8.3
)%
 
(1.0
)%
 
1.3
%
The Children’s Place International
(1.3
)%
 
(2.4
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
1.3
%
Total operating income (loss)
(9.3
)%
 
(7.4
)%
 
(0.9
)%
 
1.3
%
Depreciation and amortization:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
$
13,922

 
$
14,493

 
$
28,481

 
$
28,723

The Children’s Place International
1,671

 
2,989

 
3,936

 
5,977

Total depreciation and amortization
$
15,593

 
$
17,482

 
$
32,417

 
$
34,700

Capital expenditures:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
$
14,300

 
$
16,130

 
$
32,274

 
$
35,290

The Children’s Place International
2,269

 
6,095

 
6,396

 
8,947

Total capital expenditures
$
16,569

 
$
22,225

 
$
38,670

 
$
44,237

 
____________________________________________
(1)
Includes other costs (income) associated with the closures of the West Coast DC and Northeast DC of $0.1 million and $3.1 million for the Second Quarter 2013 and Second Quarter 2012, respectively, and $(1.0) million and $3.9 million, for Year-To-Date 2013 and Year-To-Date 2012, respectively. Also includes a $20.8 million impairment charge for the Second Quarter 2013 and a $1.5 million impairment charge for Year-To-Date 2012 and additional costs incurred related to restructuring, severance and reorganizations of approximately $1.7 million and $1.3 million for the Second Quarter 2013 and Second Quarter 2012, respectively, and $2.2 million and $3.9 million for Year-To-Date 2013 and Year-To-Date 2012, respectively.
(2)
Includes a $1.0 million impairment charge for the Second Quarter 2013.

 
August 3, 2013
 
February 2, 2013
 
July 28, 2012
Total assets:
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
$
797,025

 
$
746,911

 
$
725,213

The Children’s Place International
160,956

 
176,499

 
160,147

Total assets
$
957,981

 
$
923,410

 
$
885,360

11.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to August 3, 2013 and through August 29, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 0.1 million shares for approximately $4.7 million, which brought the total under the 2012 Share Repurchase Program to approximately $72.2 million.

16
Table of Contents

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 February 2, 2013. 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, the risk that the cost of raw materials or energy prices will increase beyond current expectations or that the Company is unable to offset cost increases through value engineering or price increases, 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 February 2, 2013.
Terms that are commonly used in our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are defined as follows:
•
Second Quarter 2013 — The thirteen weeks ended August 3, 2013.
•
Second Quarter 2012 — The thirteen weeks ended July 28, 2012.
•
Year-To-Date 2013 — The twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2013.
•
Year-To-Date 2012 — The twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2012.
•
Comparable Retail Sales — Net sales, in constant currency, from stores that have been open for at least 14 consecutive months and from our e-commerce stores, excluding postage and handling fees. Store closures in the current fiscal year will be excluded from comparable retail sales in the period in which management commits to closure. Stores that temporarily close for non- substantial remodeling will be excluded from comparable retail 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.
•
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 August 3, 2013, we operated 1,116 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 International.  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 International 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 International 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 August 3, 2013, The Children’s Place U.S. operated 983 stores and The Children’s Place International operated 133 stores. As of July 28, 2012, The Children’s Place U.S. operated 954 stores and The Children’s Place International operated 126 stores.
Operating Highlights
Net sales Year-To-Date 2013 increased by $6.3 million, or 0.8%, to $805.6 million from $799.3 million during Year-To-Date 2012.  Our Comparable Retail Sales, adjusted to compare similar calendar weeks in 2013 and 2012, decreased 3.2% during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to a 1.3% increase during Year-To-Date 2012.
During Year-To-Date 2013, we opened 35 The Children’s Place stores and closed 14. During Year-To-Date 2012, we opened 37 The Children’s Place stores and closed six.
We continued our international store expansion program with our franchise partners opening ten additional stores in the Middle East during Year-To-Date 2013, bringing our total store count to 26. Additionally, during the Second Quarter 2013, we signed a franchise agreement with the Fox Group to open stores in Israel beginning in 2014.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, our business was adversely impacted by unfavorable weather conditions, particularly as compared to the unseasonably warm weather during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Our performance strengthened during the Second Quarter 2013 as the weather became more typical.

During the Second Quarter 2013, we made progress on two important strategic initiatives underway to enhance profitability and improve overall operating results. We completed a comprehensive review of our store portfolio and made the decision to close approximately 100 underperforming stores through fiscal 2016, including approximately 45 stores in fiscal 2013. Store impairment charges of $12.7 million were recorded in the Second Quarter 2013 for these underperforming stores, because of revenue and/or gross margins not meeting targeted levels and accelerated store lease termination dates. Additionally, we are devoting significant time and resources to the ongoing implementation of our long term systems plan, including enhancing system capabilities to incorporate industry best practices, and to meet the requirements of our international franchisees and wholesale customers. During the Second Quarter 2013, we recorded a $10.3 million charge for asset impairment and SG&A expenses associated with the write-down of certain development costs and obsolete systems that were no longer relevant.

Due to the asset impairment charges, we reported a net loss of $4.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share during Year-To-Date 2013, compared to net income of $6.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, during Year-To-Date 2012.

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:

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Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
Average Translation Rates (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Canadian Dollar
0.9724
 
0.9859
 
0.9786
 
0.9953
Hong Kong Dollar
0.1289
 
0.1289
 
0.1289
 
0.1289
China Yuan Renminbi
0.1628
 
0.1576
 
0.1619
 
0.1580
__________________________________________________
(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 Second Quarter 2013, the effects of these translation rate changes on net sales, gross profit and income before income taxes were decreases of approximately $0.6 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  For Year-To-Date 2013, the effects of these translation rate changes on net sales, gross profit and income before income taxes were decreases of approximately $1.7 million, $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Net sales are affected only by the Canadian dollar translation rates.  In addition to the translation rate changes, the gross profit of our Canadian subsidiary is also impacted by its purchases of inventory, which are priced in U.S. dollars.  The effects of these purchases on our gross profit were decreases of approximately $0.9 million and $1.2 million during the Second Quarter 2013 and Year-To-Date 2013, respectively.

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- We value inventory at the lower of cost or market (“LCM”), with cost determined using an average cost method. We capitalize supply chain costs in inventory and these costs are reflected in cost of sales as the inventories are sold. We review our inventory levels in order to identify slow-moving merchandise and use markdowns to clear merchandise. We record an adjustment when future estimated selling price is less than cost. Our LCM adjustment calculation requires management to make assumptions to estimate the selling price and amount of slow-moving merchandise subject to markdowns, which is dependent upon factors such as historical trends with similar merchandise, inventory aging, forecasted consumer demand, and the promotional environment. In the LCM calculation 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 LCM reserve as of August 3, 2013 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.2 million.  Our reserve balance at August 3, 2013 was approximately $2.4 million compared to $1.4 million at July 28, 2012.
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 $0.7 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 granted to employees generally vest ratably over three years. Deferred Awards 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 a performance criteria that

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must be achieved for the awards to be earned, and these awards have an additional 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 generally cliff vest 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 forfeiture rate would impact our fiscal 2013 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 periods. To the extent that actual operating results for the rest of this fiscal year and future years differ from our estimates, future performance share compensation expense could be significantly different. A 25% increase or decrease in our annual projected operating income for fiscal 2013 would have caused an approximate $2.5 million increase or decrease, respectively, to stock-based compensation expense for Year-To-Date 2013.
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 August 3, 2013.
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 August 3, 2013 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.6 million.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets- We periodically review our long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable.  Such events include a 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.  With the exception of the current fleet optimization program, 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 August 3, 2013, the average net book value per store was approximately $0.2 million.

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Income Taxes- We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in the “Income Taxes” topic of the FASB ASC.  Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse.  A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  In determining the need for valuation allowances we consider projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies.  If, in the future we determine that we would not be able to realize our recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would decrease earnings in the period in which such determination is made. 
We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date.  For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements.
Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments- The “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure” topic of the FASB ASC provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.
This topic defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:
•
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, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and credit facility are all short-term in nature.  As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  The underlying assets and liabilities of our Deferred Compensation Plan fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance finalizing the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The new standard requires the registrant to disclose either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. In the first quarter of 2013, we adopted the guidance and determined that there were no significant amounts reclassified in the period that would require enhanced disclosure.

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 decreased approximately 90 basis points to 32.5% of net sales during the Second Quarter 2013 from 33.4% during the Second Quarter 2012.  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.

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Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
Net sales
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
67.0

 
68.2

 
64.1

 
63.3

Gross profit
33.0

 
31.8

 
35.9

 
36.7

Selling, general and administrative expenses
32.5

 
33.4

 
30.2

 
30.4

Asset impairment charge
5.7

 
0.1

 
2.7

 
0.2

Other costs
—

 
0.8

 
(0.1
)
 
0.5

Depreciation and amortization
4.1

 
4.8

 
4.0

 
4.3

Operating income (loss)
(9.3
)
 
(7.4
)
 
(0.9
)
 
1.3

Interest (expense), net
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Income (loss) before income taxes
(9.3
)
 
(7.4
)
 
(0.9
)
 
1.3

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(3.1
)
 
(2.5
)
 
(0.3
)
 
0.4

Net income (loss)
(6.2
)%
 
(5.0
)%
 
(0.5
)%
 
0.9
 %
Number of stores, end of period
1,116

 
1,080

 
1,116

 
1,080

____________________________________________
 Table may not add due to rounding.
 
The following tables set forth by segment, for the periods indicated, net sales, gross profit and Gross Margin (dollars in thousands).
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
 
August 3,
2013
 
July 28,
2012
Net sales:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
$
329,953

 
$
310,053

 
$
703,606

 
$
694,836

The Children’s Place International
52,495

 
50,773

 
102,006

 
104,498

Total net sales
$
382,448

 
$
360,826

 
$
805,612

 
$
799,334

Gross profit:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
$
106,553

 
$
95,603

 
$
250,490

 
$
252,010

The Children’s Place International
19,629

 
19,102

 
38,960

 
41,340

Total gross profit
$
126,182

 
$
114,705

 
$
289,450

 
$
293,350

Gross Margin:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The Children’s Place U.S.
32.3
%
 
30.8
%
 
35.6
%
 
36.3
%
The Children’s Place International
37.4
%
 
37.6
%
 
38.2
%
 
39.6
%
Total gross margin
33.0
%
 
31.8
%
 
35.9
%
 
36.7
%
 
The Second Quarter 2013 Compared to the Second Quarter 2012
 
Net sales increased by $21.6 million to $382.4 million during the Second Quarter 2013 from $360.8 million during the Second Quarter 2012.  Our net sales increase resulted from a $12.0 million favorable impact from a timing shift resulting from the 53rd week in fiscal 2012, and a $10.2 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, partially offset by $0.6 million from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rate. Comparable Retail Sales, adjusted to compare similar calendar weeks in 2013 and 2012, declined 0.4% in Second Quarter 2013. A 1.3% increase in average dollar transaction size was offset by a 1.6% decline in the number of transactions. Total e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 13.2% of sales in the Second Quarter 2013 from 10.5% in the Second Quarter 2012.
The Children’s Place U.S. net sales increased $19.9 million, or 6.4%, to $330.0 million in the Second Quarter 2013 compared to $310.1 million in the Second Quarter 2012.  This increase resulted from a $12.0 million favorable impact from a timing shift resulting from the 53rd week in fiscal 2012, and a $7.9 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales.  U.S. Comparable Retail Sales, adjusted to compare similar calendar weeks in 2013 and 2012, were flat as an approximate 1.4% increase in the average dollar transaction size was offset by a 1.4% decrease in the number of transactions. Total U.S. e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 14.0% of U.S. sales in the Second Quarter 2013 from 11.6% in the Second Quarter 2012.

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The Children’s Place International net sales increased $1.7 million, or 3.3%, to $52.5 million in the Second Quarter 2013 compared to $50.8 million in the Second Quarter 2012.  The increase resulted from a $2.3 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease resulting from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rates. Canadian Comparable Retail Sales, adjusted to compare similar calendar weeks in 2013 and 2012, declined 3.3% in Second Quarter 2013 primarily due to an approximate 3.2% decrease in the number of transactions. Average dollar transaction size was flat. Total International e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 8.1% of International sales in the Second Quarter 2013 from 4.1% in the Second Quarter 2012.
During the Second Quarter 2013, we opened 15 stores, consisting of 13 in the United States and two in Canada. During the Second Quarter 2012 we opened 19 stores, consisting of 18 in the United States and one in Canada.
Gross profit increased by $11.5 million to $126.2 million during the Second Quarter 2013 from $114.7 million during the Second Quarter 2012.  Consolidated Gross Margin increased 120 basis points to 33.0% during the Second Quarter 2013 from 31.8% during the Second Quarter 2012. The increase in consolidated Gross Margin resulted primarily from lower cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales partially offset by a de-leverage of fixed costs due to negative Comparable Retail Sales and higher supply chain costs.
Gross Margin at The Children's Place U.S. increased 150 basis points from 30.8% in the Second Quarter 2012 to 32.3% in the Second Quarter 2013. The increase in Gross Margin resulted primarily from lower cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales partially offset by a de-leverage of fixed costs due to flat U.S. Comparable Retail Sales and higher supply chain costs.
Gross Margin at The Children's Place International decreased 20 basis points from 37.6% in the Second Quarter 2012 to 37.4% in the Second Quarter 2013. The decrease in Gross Margin resulted primarily from a de-leverage of fixed costs due to negative Canadian Comparable Retail Sales and higher supply chain costs partially offset by lower cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales. The decrease also resulted from the impact of lower margins on revenue from international franchisees.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.7 million to $124.4 million during the Second Quarter 2013 from $120.7 million during the Second Quarter 2012. As a percentage of net sales SG&A decreased 90 basis points to 32.5% during the Second Quarter 2013 from 33.4% during the Second Quarter 2012.  The comparability of our SG&A was affected by the following items:
•
during the Second Quarter 2013 we incurred costs of approximately $1.2 million in connection with the development of our strategic, long-term systems plan;
•
during the Second Quarter 2013 we restructured certain store and corporate operations which resulted in costs of approximately $0.5 million; and
•
during the Second Quarter 2012 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 would no longer be used, which resulted in a write-off charge of approximately $0.2 million.

Excluding the effect of the above, SG&A increased approximately $3.3 million, but decreased 100 basis points from the Second Quarter 2012, and included the following variances:
•
store expenses decreased approximately $0.7 million, or 130 basis points, primarily due to expense reduction initiatives in payroll, supplies and maintenance costs;
•
administrative payroll and related expenses decreased by approximately $1.4 million, or 70 basis points, due to employee termination costs primarily resulting from the departure of our chief operating officer during the Second Quarter 2012; and
•
performance-based compensation increased approximately $4.3 million, or 100 basis points, due to an increase in the number of equity awards outstanding during the Second Quarter 2013 compared to the Second Quarter 2012.

Asset impairment charges were $21.8 million during the Second Quarter 2013, $12.7 million of which related to 75 stores, 48 of which were fully impaired and 27 of which were partially impaired. These store impairment charges were recorded as a result of revenue and/or gross margins not meeting targeted levels and accelerated store lease termination dates. Additionally, we recorded asset impairment charges of $9.1 million related to a determination that certain development costs previously incurred were no longer relevant and that certain systems were obsolete. Asset impairment charges were $0.3 million related to two underperforming stores during the Second Quarter 2012.
Other costs were $0.1 million during the Second Quarter 2013 compared to $3.1 million during the Second Quarter 2012 and consisted of exit activities related to management's decision to close our West Coast DC and Northeast DC.
Depreciation and amortization was $15.6 million, or 4.1% of net sales, during the Second Quarter 2013, compared to $17.5 million, or 4.8% of net sales, during the Second Quarter 2012.

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Benefit for income taxes was $12.0 million during the Second Quarter 2013 compared to $8.9 million during the Second Quarter 2012.  Our effective tax rate was 33.7% and 33.2% during the Second Quarter 2013 and the Second Quarter 2012, respectively.
Net loss was $23.6 million during the Second Quarter 2013 compared to $17.9 million during the Second Quarter 2012, due to the factors discussed above.  Loss per share was $1.05 in the Second Quarter 2013 compared to $0.74 in the Second Quarter 2012.  This increase in loss per share is due to the increase in net loss for the quarter and to a lower weighted average of common shares outstanding of approximately 1.7 million, which is primarily the result of our share repurchase programs.
Year-To-Date 2013 Compared to Year-To-Date 2012
 
Net sales increased by $6.3 million to $805.6 million during Year-To-Date 2013 from $799.3 million during Year-To-Date 2012.  Our net sales increase resulted from a $12.0 million favorable impact from a timing shift resulting from the 53rd week in fiscal 2012, and a $13.7 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, partially offset by a Comparable Retail Sales decrease of $17.7 million and $1.7 million from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rate.  Comparable Retail Sales, adjusted to compare similar calendar weeks in 2013 and 2012, declined 3.2% during Year-To-Date 2013 due to an approximate 2.2% decrease in the number of transactions and an approximate 1.0% decline in the average dollar transaction size. Total e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 13.1% of sales during Year-To-Date 2013 from 10.9% during Year-To-Date 2012.
The Children’s Place U.S. net sales increased $8.8 million, or 1.3%, to $703.6 million during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to $694.8 million during Year-To-Date 2012.  This increase resulted from a $12.0 million favorable impact from a timing shift resulting from the 53rd week in fiscal 2012, and a $10.5 million increase in sales from new stores, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, partially offset by a U.S. Comparable Retail Sales decrease of $13.7 million. U.S. Comparable Retail Sales, adjusted to compare similar calendar weeks in 2013 and 2012, declined 2.5% during Year-To-Date 2013. The decrease in U.S. Comparable Retail Sales was due to an approximate 1.6% decrease in the number of transactions and an approximate 0.9% decrease in the average dollar transaction size. Total U.S. e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 13.9% of U.S. sales during Year-To-Date 2013 from 11.9% during Year-To-Date 2012.
The Children’s Place International net sales decreased $2.5 million, or 2.4%, to $102.0 million during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to $104.5 million during Year-To-Date 2012.  The decrease resulted primarily from a Canadian Comparable Retail Sales decrease of $4.0 million and $1.7 million decrease resulting from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rates, partially offset by a $3.2 million increase in sales from new stores and other sales that did not qualify as comparable sales. Canadian Comparable Retail Sales, adjusted to compare similar calendar weeks in 2013 and 2012, declined 8.5%. The decrease in Canadian Comparable Retail Sales was primarily the result of an approximate 6.7% decrease in the number of transactions and an approximate 1.9% decrease in the average dollar transaction size. Total International e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to 6.9% of International sales during Year-To-Date 2013 from 4.1% during Year-To-Date 2012.
During Year-To-Date 2013, we opened 35 stores, consisting of 31 in the United States and four in Canada. During Year-To-Date 2012 we opened 37 stores, consisting of 34 in the United States and three in Canada.
Gross profit decreased by $4.0 million to $289.4 million during Year-To-Date 2013 from $293.4 million during Year-To-Date 2012.  Consolidated Gross Margin decreased 80 basis points to 35.9% during Year-To-Date 2013 from 36.7% during Year-To-Date 2012. The decrease in consolidated Gross Margin resulted primarily from a de-leverage of fixed costs due to negative Comparable Retail Sales and higher supply chain costs.
Gross Margin at The Children's Place U.S. decreased 70 basis points from 36.3% during Year-To-Date 2012 to 35.6% during Year-To-Date 2013. The decrease in Gross Margin resulted primarily from a de-leverage of fixed costs due to negative U.S. Comparable Retail Sales and higher supply chain costs partially offset by lower cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales.
Gross Margin at The Children's Place International decreased 140 basis points from 39.6% during Year-To-Date 2012 to 38.2% during Year-To-Date 2013. The decrease in Gross Margin resulted primarily from a de-leverage of fixed costs due to negative Comparable Retail Sales and higher supply chain costs partially offset by lower cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales. The decrease also resulted from the impact of lower margins on revenue from international franchisees.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.4 million to $243.4 million during Year-To-Date 2013 from $243.0 million during Year-To-Date 2012. As a percentage of net sales SG&A decreased 20 basis points to 30.2% during Year-To-Date 2013 from 30.4% during Year-To-Date 2012.  The comparability of our SG&A was affected by the following items:

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•
during Year-To-Date 2013 we restructured certain store and corporate operations which resulted in costs of approximately $1.0 million and we incurred costs of approximately $1.2 million in connection with the development of our strategic, long-term systems plan; and
•
during Year-To-Date 2012 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 and we identified certain store fixtures and supplies that would 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 $2.2 million, but was flat as a percentage of net sales, and included the following variances:
•
store expenses decreased approximately $1.8 million, or 40 basis points, primarily due to expense reduction initiatives in payroll, supplies and maintenance costs;
•
administrative payroll and related expenses decreased by approximately $1.2 million, or 20 basis points due to employee termination costs primarily resulting from the departure of our chief operating officer during the Second Quarter 2012;
•
marketing expenses decreased approximately $1.2 million, or 20 basis points, resulting from decreased direct mailings, signage advertising and the timing of certain promotions; and
•
performance-based compensation increased approximately $6.3 million, or 80 basis points, due to an increase in the number of equity awards outstanding during the Second Quarter 2013 compared to the Second Quarter 2012.

Asset impairment charges were $21.8 million during Year-To-Date 2013, $12.7 million of which related to 75 stores, 48 of which were fully impaired and 27 of which were partially impaired. These store impairment charges were recorded as a result of revenue and/or gross margins not meeting targeted levels and accelerated store lease termination dates. Additionally, we recorded asset impairment charges of $9.1 million related to a determination that certain development costs previously incurred were no longer relevant and that certain systems were obsolete. Asset impairment charges were $1.5 million related to three underperforming stores during Year-To-Date 2012.
Other costs (income) were $1.0 million of income during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to expense of $3.9 million during Year-To-Date 2012 and consist of exit activities related to management's decision to close our West Coast DC and Northeast DC.
Depreciation and amortization was $32.4 million, or 4.0% of net sales, during Year-To-Date 2013, compared to $34.7 million, or 4.3% of net sales, during Year-To-Date 2012.
Provision (benefit) for income taxes was a $2.8 million benefit during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to a $3.4 million provision during Year-To-Date 2012.  Our effective tax rate was 38.8% and 33.2% during Year-To-Date 2013 and Year-To-Date 2012, respectively. The increase in rate for Year-To-Date 2013 compared to Year-To-Date 2012 primarily relates to tax reserves reversed during Year-To-Date 2013 related to certain state audit resolutions and statute of limitation expirations occurring during the year.
Net income (loss) was a $4.4 million loss during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to income of $6.8 million during Year-To-Date 2012, due to the factors discussed above. Loss per diluted share was $0.19 during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to earnings per share of $0.28 during Year-To-Date 2012. This decrease in earnings per share is due to a decrease in net income and a lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding of approximately 1.8 million, which is primarily the result of our share repurchase programs.

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 holiday selling seasons.  Our primary uses of cash are the financing of new store openings, other capital projects, the repurchases of our common stock and working capital requirements, which are principally inventory purchases.
Our working capital decreased $20.1 million to $315.1 million at August 3, 2013 compared to $335.2 million at July 28, 2012.  This change is due to higher inventory balances offset by increased accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. During Year-To-Date 2013, under our share repurchase programs, we repurchased approximately 1.0 million shares for approximately $47.8 million.  Subsequent to August 3, 2013 and through August 29, 2013, we repurchased approximately 0.1 million shares for approximately $4.7 million. 

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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 August 3, 2013, our borrowing base was $150.0 million, we had no outstanding borrowings and there were $53.4 million of outstanding letters of credit, with $96.6 million of availability for borrowings and a sublimit availability for letters of credit of $71.6 million.
As of August 3, 2013, we had $149.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, of which $124.6 million of cash and cash equivalents were held in foreign subsidiaries, of which approximately $79.4 million was in our Canadian subsidiaries, $35.7 million was in our Hong Kong subsidiaries and $9.5 million was in other foreign subsidiaries. As of August 3, 2013 we also had a short-term investment of $35.0 million in Hong Kong. Because all of our investments in our foreign subsidiaries are considered permanently and fully reinvested, any repatriation of cash from these subsidiaries would require the accrual and payment of U.S. federal and certain state taxes. We currently do not intend to repatriate cash from any of these foreign 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.
The Credit Agreement, which expires in August 2017, 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 0.50% to 0.75% 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 1.50% to 1.75% based on the amount of our average excess availability under the facility.
We are charged an unused line fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the commitments.  Letter of credit fees range from 0.75% to 0.875% for commercial letters of credit and range from 1.00% to 1.25% 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.
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.  We are 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 our U.S. assets excluding intellectual property, software, equipment and fixtures.
On December 20, 2012, the Credit Agreement was amended to provide for, among other things, an extension of the term of the Credit Agreement, a reduction in various rates charged under the Agreement as reflected above and the elimination of a first priority security interest in substantially all of our U.S. intellectual property, software, equipment and fixtures. This amendment also provided for the replacement of certain restrictive limits with an availability test, which must be met in order to permit the taking of certain actions. In conjunction with this amendment, we paid approximately $0.4 million in additional deferred financing costs. 
As of August 3, 2013, we have capitalized an aggregate of approximately $3.7 million in deferred financing costs related to the Credit Agreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at August 3, 2013 was approximately $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 2013, cash flows provided by operating activities were $64.2 million compared to $60.6 million during Year-To-Date 2012.  The net increase of $3.6 million in cash from operating activities resulted primarily from the timing

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of payments on accounts payable and other current liabilities offset by higher inventories, primarily due to the timing of inventory receipts.
During Year-To-Date 2013 cash flows used in investing activities were $58.7 million compared to $44.3 million during Year-To-Date 2012. This increase was due to the purchase of a $20.0 million short-term investment partially offset by a $5.6 million decrease in purchases of property and equipment. 
During Year-To-Date 2013, cash flows used in financing activities were $46.5 million compared to $33.9 million during Year-To-Date 2012.  The increase primarily resulted from purchases of $47.9 million of our common stock, pursuant to our share repurchase programs during Year-To-Date 2013 compared to purchases of $34.9 million of our common stock during Year-To-Date 2012, partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
We anticipate that total capital expenditures will be in the range of approximately $90 to $95 million in fiscal 2013.  During Year-To-Date 2013, we opened 35 stores and remodeled 82 at an aggregate cost of approximately $27.7 million, of which approximately $6.4 million relates to our Canadian operations.  We have spent approximately $10.8 million on information technology, our corporate offices and other strategic initiatives and approximately $0.2 million on projects in our distribution centers.  Over the next two quarters, we anticipate additional capital expenditures of approximately $33.0 million on store projects, approximately $19.0 million on information technology, including enterprise resource planning and e-commerce systems, and approximately $1.0 million on projects in our distribution centers. Of these expenditures, approximately $4.0 million relates to our Canadian operations.
Our ability to continue to meet our capital requirements in fiscal 2013 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 2013, we were able to fund our capital expenditures with cash generated from operating activities supplemented by funds from our credit facility.  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. With a domestic cash balance of $25.1 million and a Canadian cash balance of $79.4 million at August 3, 2013, and $96.6 million of availability on our credit facility, we expect to meet our capital requirements for the remainder of fiscal 2013.

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. 
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. 
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments consist of time deposits which we expect to convert into cash within one year which have original maturities greater than 90 days. 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 2013 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 August 3, 2013, net assets in Canada and Hong Kong were approximately $128.9

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million and $61.8 million, respectively.  A 10% increase or decrease in the Canadian and Hong Kong exchange rates would increase or decrease the corresponding net investment by approximately $12.0 million and $6.2 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 August 3, 2013, we had approximately $116.2 million of our cash and cash equivalents held in foreign countries, of which approximately $79.4 million was in Canada, approximately $35.7 million was in Hong Kong and approximately $1.1 million was in other foreign countries. As of August 3, 2013, our short-term investment of $35.0 million was held in Hong Kong.
Foreign Operations
Approximately 12% of our consolidated net sales and approximately 13% 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 2013 net sales could have decreased or increased by approximately $9.6 million and total costs and expenses could have decreased or increased by approximately $12.4 million.  Additionally, we have foreign currency denominated receivables and payables that when settled, result in transaction gains or losses.  At August 3, 2013, we had foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, including inter-company balances, of $11.5 million and $19.2 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 and our Chief Operating Officer and Chief 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 August 3, 2013. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level, as of August 3, 2013, 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.
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.


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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 February 2, 2013. 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 February 2, 2013.

 
Item 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
 
On November 26, 2012 the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in the amount of $100 million.  Under this 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 Second Quarter 2013. 
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
5/5/13-6/1/13 (1)
 
347,320

 
$
51.14

 
346,100

 
$
38,453

6/2/13-7/6/13
 
110,000

 
53.68

 
110,000

 
32,549

7/7/13-8/3/13 (2)
 
481

 
54.32

 
—

 
32,549

Total
 
457,801

 
$
51.76

 
456,100

 
$
32,549

____________________________________________
(1)
Includes 1,220 shares acquired as treasury stock as directed by participants in the Company's deferred compensation plan.
(2)
Includes 481 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:
 
 
 
 
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:
September 3, 2013
By:
/S/ JANE T. ELFERS
 
 
 
JANE T. ELFERS
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
September 3, 2013
By:
/S/ MICHAEL SCARPA
 
 
 
MICHAEL SCARPA
 
 
 
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 

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