8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 8, 2009

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrants as Specified in Their Charters)

Delaware

 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-23071	31-1241495
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
915 Secaucus Road, Secaucus, New Jersey	07094
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(201) 558-2400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01  Regulation FD Disclosure

On January 8, 2009, The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release containing the Company's sales results for the five-week period ended January 3, 2009.  A copy of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

In accordance with General Instructions B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Forward Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, 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,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.  Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s management’s judgment regarding future events.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Current Report on Form 8-K are forward-looking statements.  The Company cannot guarantee the accuracy of the forward-looking statements, and you should be aware that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including the statements under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 9.01  Financial Statement and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits.

Exhibit  99.1 Press release, dated January 8, 2009, issued by the Company regarding the Company's sales results for the five-week period ended January 3, 2009 (Exhibit 99.1 is furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K).

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  January 8, 2009

THE CHILDREN’SPLACE RETAIL STORES, INC.
By:	/s/ Susan J. Riley
	Name: Susan J. Riley
	Title:   Executive Vice President, Finance             and Administration

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EX-99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. REPORTS DECEMBER SALES

Secaucus, New Jersey – January 8, 2009 – The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE) today announced net sales of $204.6 million for the five-week period ended January 3, 2009, a 2% increase compared to net sales of $199.9 million for the five-week period ended January 5, 2008.  Consolidated comparable store sales were flat this December compared to a 6% increase in December 2007. Comparable store sales in the U.S. increased 2% during December 2008 on top of a 4% increase in December 2007; and comparable store sales in Canada increased 6% in local currency during December 2008 on top of a 2% increase in December 2007. During December 2008, the Company opened one store and closed one.

	December		Fiscal Year-to-Date
Net Sales:  -  In Millions  -  Change vs. Year Ago	2008	2007	2008	2007
	$204.6   +2%	$199.9  +1%	$1,550.1 +8%	$1,438.0 +9%
Comparable Store Sales:  -  Change vs. Year Ago	0%	+6%	+3%	+2%

In conjunction with today’s December sales release, you are invited to listen to the Company’s pre-recorded monthly sales call, which will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time today through Thursday, January 15, 2009.  To access the call, please dial 1-800-283-4641 or you may listen through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.childrensplace.com.

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of children’s merchandise.  The Company designs, contracts to manufacture and sells high-quality, value-priced merchandise under the proprietary “The Children’s Place” brand name.  As of January 3, 2009, the Company owned and operated 921 The Children’s Place stores and an online store at www.childrensplace.com.

This press release (and above referenced call) may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results 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 report on Form 10-K. The following risks and uncertainties could cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially: the risk that the Company will be unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences, the risk resulting from the highly competitive nature of the Company’s business and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which may be affected by the downturn in the economy, and  risks and uncertainties relating to other elements of the Company’s strategic review.  Readers (or listeners on the call) are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

CONTACT: The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. Jane Singer, Vice President, Investor Relations, (201) 453-6955

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