SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010	Oct. 29, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010	Jan. 29, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Percentage of entity-wide sales qualifying purchaser as major customer (as a percent)			10.00%
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 484,085	$ 453,395	$ 1,258,399	$ 1,220,829
Gross Profit:
Total gross profit	200,051	182,343	499,263	475,621
Gross Margin:
Total Gross Margin (as a percent)	41.30%	40.20%	39.70%	39.00%
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	54,448	50,041	87,446	84,607
Operating income (loss) as a percent of net sales:
Total operating income (loss) (as a percent)	11.20%	11.00%	6.90%	6.90%
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	18,493	17,738	54,722	53,562
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	17,155	16,347	63,880	63,305
Total assets:
Total assets	874,180	875,443	874,180	875,443	854,331
The Children's Place U.S.
Net sales:
Total net sales	416,781	388,423	1,091,706	1,059,165
Gross Profit:
Total gross profit	165,310	149,697	418,055	398,881
Gross Margin:
Total Gross Margin (as a percent)	39.70%	38.50%	38.30%	37.70%
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	41,196	35,210	62,182	57,077
Operating income (loss) as a percent of net sales:
Total operating income (loss) (as a percent)	9.90%	9.10%	5.70%	5.40%
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	16,142	15,836	48,105	47,899
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	14,154	13,817	53,849	58,792
Total assets:
Total assets	720,823	748,764	720,823	748,764	720,951
Number of Stores	953	903	953	903
The Children's Place Canada
Net sales:
Total net sales	67,304	64,972	166,693	161,664
Gross Profit:
Total gross profit	34,741	32,646	81,208	76,740
Gross Margin:
Total Gross Margin (as a percent)	51.60%	50.20%	48.70%	47.50%
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	13,252	14,831	25,264	27,530
Operating income (loss) as a percent of net sales:
Total operating income (loss) (as a percent)	19.70%	22.80%	15.20%	17.00%
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	2,351	1,902	6,617	5,663
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	3,001	2,530	10,031	4,513
Total assets:
Total assets	$ 153,357	$ 126,679	$ 153,357	$ 126,679	$ 133,380
Number of Stores	123	102	123	102