SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Percentage of entity-wide sales qualifying purchaser as major customer (as a percent)					10.00%
Segment information
Business Exit Costs	$ 11,000,000	$ 5,000,000	$ 3,062,000	$ 0	$ 3,896,000	$ 0
Net sales:
Total net sales			360,826,000	343,508,000	799,334,000	774,314,000
Gross Profit:
Total gross profit			114,243,000	115,565,000	291,030,000	299,212,000
Gross Margin:
Total Gross Margin (as a percent)			31.70%	33.60%	36.40%	38.60%
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)			(26,889,000)	(15,778,000)	8,444,000	32,998,000
Operating income (loss) as a percent of net sales:
Total operating income (loss) (as a percent)			(7.50%)	(4.60%)	1.10%	4.30%
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization			17,482,000	18,478,000	34,700,000	36,229,000
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures			22,225,000	22,190,000	44,237,000	46,725,000
Total assets:
Total assets			868,550,000	873,251,000	868,550,000	873,251,000	850,649,000
The Children's Place U.S.
Net sales:
Total net sales			310,053,000	294,417,000	694,836,000	674,925,000
Gross Profit:
Total gross profit			95,641,000	93,326,000	250,496,000	252,745,000
Gross Margin:
Total Gross Margin (as a percent)			30.80%	31.70%	36.10%	37.40%
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)			(25,239,000)	(20,269,000)	7,314,000	20,986,000
Operating income (loss) as a percent of net sales:
Total operating income (loss) (as a percent)			(8.10%)	(6.90%)	1.10%	3.10%
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization			14,493,000	16,259,000	28,723,000	31,963,000
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures			16,130,000	18,324,000	35,290,000	39,695,000
Total assets:
Total assets			711,865,000	723,073,000	711,865,000	723,073,000	693,489,000
Number of Stores			954	944	954	944
The Children's Place Canada [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales			50,773,000	49,091,000	104,498,000	99,389,000
Gross Profit:
Total gross profit			18,602,000	22,239,000	40,534,000	46,467,000
Gross Margin:
Total Gross Margin (as a percent)			36.60%	45.30%	38.80%	46.80%
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)			(1,650,000)	4,491,000	1,130,000	12,012,000
Operating income (loss) as a percent of net sales:
Total operating income (loss) (as a percent)			(3.20%)	9.10%	1.10%	12.10%
Depreciation and amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization			2,989,000	2,219,000	5,977,000	4,266,000
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures			6,095,000	3,866,000	8,947,000	7,030,000
Total assets:
Total assets			156,685,000	150,178,000	156,685,000	150,178,000	157,160,000
Number of Stores			126	116	126	116
The Children's Place Canada [Member]
Total assets:
Depreciation			$ 500,000		$ 1,400,000