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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 I06er7QGuW34TnqcQ+iuijYkBgaS5sisMaY5TnPxzMgMHxHMaINZtseqyAiInvwJ
 VYDs3oc1q9wiFFqxJYF9HQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001222503-03-000021.txt : 20031201
<SEC-HEADER>0001222503-03-000021.hdr.sgml : 20031201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031201184836
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001222503-03-000021
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031126
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CIAMPI MARIO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001222505

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23071
		FILM NUMBER:		031030989

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O THE CHILDRENS PLACE
		STREET 2:		915 SECAUCUS RD
		CITY:			SECAUCUS
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07094

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHILDRENS PLACE RETAIL STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001041859
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				311241495
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE DODGE DR
		CITY:			CALDWELL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07006
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9732278900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE DODGE DR
		CITY:			CALDWELL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07006
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-11-26</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001041859</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHILDRENS PLACE RETAIL STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PLCE</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222505</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CIAMPI MARIO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>915 SECAUCUS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SECAUCUS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07094</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Sr VP, Store Dev. &amp; Logistics</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, Par Value $.10</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-26</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>28.90</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>141940</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>
D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, Par Value $.10</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-28</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>28.46</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>139440</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDe
rivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Includes (i) 64,940 shares owned directly by Mr. Ciampi; (ii) 400 shares owned as custodian for Mr. Ciampi's daughter; and (iii) 76,600 employee stock options currently exercisable.  Does not include 48,400 shares subject to options not yet vested.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Includes (i) 62,440 shares owned directly by Mr. Ciampi; (ii) 400 shares owned as custodian for Mr. Ciampi's daughter; and (iii) 76,600 employee stock options currently exercisable.  Does not include 48,400 shares subject to options not yet vested.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Mario Ciampi</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-01</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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