The Children’s Place
Annual Report 2016

Plain-text annual report

Table of ContentsUNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549FORM 10‑K(Mark One)xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACTOF 1934For the fifty-two weeks ended January 28, 2017oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGEACT OF 1934For the transition period from toCommission file number 0‑23071THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC.(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)Delaware 31‑1241495(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employerincorporation 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)Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.10 par valueName of each exchange on which registered: Nasdaq Global Select MarketSecurities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.___________________________________________Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No xIndicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No xIndicate 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 12months (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 oIndicate 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 andposted 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 submitand post such files). Yes x No oIndicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant'sknowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10‑K or any amendment to this Form 10‑K. oIndicate 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 “largeaccelerated filer,” ”accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):Large accelerated filerxAccelerated fileroNon-accelerated filer(Do not check if smaller reportingCompany)oSmaller reporting companyoIndicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No xThe aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates was $1,455,313,476 at the close of business on July 30, 2016 (the last business day of the registrant's fiscal2016 second fiscal quarter) based on the closing price of the common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. For purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stockheld by persons who hold more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock and shares held by executive officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded becausesuch persons may be deemed affiliates. This determination of executive officer or affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share,outstanding at March 21, 2017: 17,589,450.Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of The Children's Place, Inc. Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2017 areincorporated by reference into Part III.Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KFOR THE FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED JANUARY 28, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGEPART I Item 1.Business3Item 1A.Risk Factors10Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments21Item 2.Properties22Item 3.Legal Proceedings22Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosure22 PART II Item 5.Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities22Item 6.Selected Financial Data26Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations28Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk40Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data41Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure41Item 9A.Controls and Procedures41Item 9B.Other Information44 PART III Item 10.Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance44Item 11.Executive Compensation44Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters44Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence44Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services44 PART IV Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules45Item 16.Form 10-K Summary83 Table of ContentsSPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTSThe Business section and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding futurecircumstances. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that doesnot directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,”“expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions of TheChildren's Place, Inc. (the “Company”) and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from thosecontemplated in such forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, those discussed in the subsection entitled “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1Aof this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results, events, and performance may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-lookingstatements. Readers of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only asof the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflectevents or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this Annual Report onForm 10-K does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in thisAnnual Report on Form 10‑K.PART IITEM 1.-BUSINESSAs used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “The Children's Place”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to TheChildren's Place, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31. Other terms that are commonly used in thisAnnual Report on Form 10-K are defined as follows:•Fiscal 2016 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 28, 2017•Fiscal 2015 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 30, 2016•Fiscal 2014 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 31, 2015•Fiscal 2017 - Our next fiscal year representing the fifty-three weeks ending February 3, 2018•GAAP - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles•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 store, excluding postage and handling fees. Store closures in the current fiscal year will be excluded from Comparable Retail Salesbeginning in the fiscal quarter in which the store closes. Stores that temporarily close for non- substantial remodeling will be excluded fromComparable Retail Sales for only the period that they were closed. A store is considered substantially remodeled if it has been relocated ormaterially changed in size and will be excluded from Comparable Retail Sales for at least 14 months beginning in the period in which theremodel occurred.•SEC - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission•FASB- Financial Accounting Standards Board•FASB ASC - FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which serves as the source for authoritative U.S. GAAP, except that rules andinterpretive releases by the SEC are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants•CCPSA - Canadian Consumer Product Safety Commission•CPSA - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act•CPSC - U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission•CPSIA - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008GeneralThe Children's Place, Inc. is the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. We sell apparel, accessories, footwear, and otheritems for children. We design, contract to manufacture, sell at retail and wholesale, and license to sell trend right, high quality merchandise at value prices,the substantial majority of which is under the proprietary “The Children's Place”, "Place", and "Baby Place" brand names. Our stores offer a friendly andconvenient shopping environment. The Children's Place has differentiated departments and serves the wardrobe needs of girls and boys (sizes 4-16), toddlergirls and boys (sizes 12 mos.-5T) and baby (sizes 0-18 mos.). Stores are visually merchandised by size segment. Our merchandise3Table of Contentsis also available online at www.childrensplace.com. Our customers are able to shop online and receive the same merchandise available in our physical stores,in addition to merchandise which is exclusive to our e-commerce site.The Children's Place was founded in 1969. The Company became publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in 1997. As of January 28, 2017,we operated 1,039 stores throughout North America as well as our online store. During Fiscal 2016, we opened four stores and closed 34 stores. During Fiscal2015, we opened four stores and closed 32 stores. Also, in Fiscal 2016, we continued to expand into international markets through territorial agreements withfranchisees, and, in our wholesale business, we continued to add accounts and expand categories and distribution to our customers.Jane Elfers, our President and Chief Executive Officer, established four key strategic initiatives that are delivering sales and margin:1.Superior Product - Product will always be our number one priority. We continue to significantly differentiate and upgrade the look of ourmerchandise. We strive to ensure that we have the right product, in the right channels of distribution, at the right time. In addition to apparel, weoffer a full line of accessories and footwear so busy moms can quickly and easily put together head-to-toe outfits. Our design, merchandising,sourcing, and planning teams have made great progress moving our product forward while at the same time balancing fashion and fashion basicswith more frequent, wear-now deliveries.2.Business Transformation through Technology - Our business transformation through technology initiative has two key components: inventorymanagement and digital transformation. With respect to inventory management, the insights from the implementation of our assortmentplanning, allocation, replenishment, order planning, and forecasting tools are delivering significant gross margin and inventory productivitybenefits.Mobile is the cornerstone of our digital strategy and when designing and developing our digital experience, our starting point is to optimize themobile experience. Our digital transformation is comprised of three key initiatives: omni-channel initiatives; architectural upgrades; andcustomer segmentation efforts. During Fiscal 2016, we piloted our first omni-channel initiative, reserve on line, pick up in store ("ROPIS"), andre-launched our loyalty program in conjunction with our new private label credit card program. Our loyalty members and private label creditcard holders represent our most loyal customer segment, exhibiting a great visit frequency and average spend.3.Growth through Alternate Channels of Distribution - We have established new channels of distribution, including international and wholesaledistribution. We continued our international expansion program during Fiscal 2016 with our franchise partners adding 48 additionalinternational points of distribution (stores, shop in shops, e-commerce site) bringing our total count to 150 points of distribution operating in 17countries. We also launched our brand on the Tmall e-commerce platform in the China market. In our wholesale business, we launched ourreplenishment program with Amazon and expanded categories of merchandise available for distribution to our customers.4.Fleet Optimization - We constantly evaluate our store fleet as part of our fleet optimization initiative. To improve store productivity we plan toclose approximately 300 stores through fiscal 2020, which includes 34 stores closed during Fiscal 2016, 32 stores closed during Fiscal 2015, 35stores closed in Fiscal 2014 and 41 stores closed during fiscal 2013.Overlaying these four strategic initiatives is talent. Talent ultimately defines our success, and over the past several years we have built a best-in-classmanagement team. This talented team is a significant competitive advantage for our Company.Underlying these growth initiatives is a commitment to operational excellence. The Company’s commitment to operational excellence includesdisciplined expense management, improving store operations, and combined with our finance, compliance, legal and human resources areas, forms the strongbase necessary to support our long-term growth initiatives.Segment ReportingIn accordance with FASB ASC 280--Segment Reporting, we report segment data based on geography: The Children’s Place U.S. and The Children’sPlace International. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com. Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment areour U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores and revenue from our U.S. based wholesale business. Included in The Children's Place International segment are ourCanadian based stores, revenue from the Company's Canada wholesale business, as well as revenue from international franchisees. We measure our segmentprofitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment. Certaininventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, humanresources, legal, and information technology services are managed by The Children’s Place U.S. segment. Expenses related to these functions, includingdepreciation and amortization, are allocated to The Children’s Place International segment based primarily on net sales. The assets related to4Table of Contentsthese functions are not allocated. We periodically review these allocations and adjust them based upon changes in business circumstances. Net sales toexternal customers are derived from merchandise sales and we have no major customers that account for more than 10% of our net sales. The following tablesshow by segment our net sales and operating income for the past three fiscal years, and total assets as of January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Net sales: The Children's Place U.S. $1,567,556 $1,518,117 $1,528,762The Children's Place International 217,760 207,660 232,562Total net sales $1,785,316 $1,725,777 $1,761,324 Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Operating income: The Children's Place U.S. $113,376 $65,221 $63,586The Children's Place International 34,032 24,859 16,457Total operating income $147,408 $90,080 $80,043 Operating income as a percent of net sales: The Children's Place U.S. 7.2% 4.3% 4.2%The Children's Place International 15.6% 12.0% 7.1%Total operating income as a percent of net sales 8.3% 5.2% 4.5% January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands)Total assets: The Children's Place U.S. $735,953 $748,975The Children's Place International 174,546 148,973Total assets $910,499 $897,948See Note 11 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further segment financial data.All foreign net sales are in The Children's Place International segment while certain foreign expenses related to our buying operations are allocatedbetween the two segments.Key CapabilitiesOur objective is to deliver high quality, value priced, trend right assortments for children. Our assortment offers one stop shopping across apparel,footwear, accessories, and other items for children. Our strategies to achieve this objective are as follows:Merchandising StrategyOur merchandising strategy is to offer a compelling and coordinated assortment of apparel, footwear, accessories, and other items for children thatencourage our customer to purchase head to toe outfitting for their children. We build our deliveries by season and flow new product to our stores monthly.5Table of ContentsHigh Quality and Value PricingWe believe that offering high quality, trend right, age appropriate merchandise under “The Children's Place” and "Place" brand names at value prices isour competitive advantage. We design and merchandise our branded apparel, footwear, and accessories to offer a compelling value to our customers.Brand ImageWe focus on strengthening our brand image and customer loyalty for “The Children's Place” by:•Consistently offering high quality and age appropriate products and trend right fashion at value prices in a friendly and convenient shoppingenvironment;•Providing coordinated outfits and accessories for our customers' lifestyle needs;•Creating strong merchandising and visual presentations to create a compelling in-store experience;•Emphasizing our great value and fashion in marketing visuals to convey a consistent brand message;•Leveraging our customer database to frequently communicate with our customers and tailor promotions to maximize customer satisfaction;•Using our MyPLACE Loyalty Rewards Program and private label credit card to drive customer engagement; and•Providing exclusive assortments in our e-commerce business to further expand the breadth of our offerings and brand recognition.Low-Cost Global SourcingWe design, source and contract to manufacture the substantial majority of The Children's Place branded products. We believe that this is essential toassuring the consistency and quality of our merchandise, as well as our ability to deliver value to our customers. We have strong relationships with our mostimportant vendors. Through these relationships and our extensive knowledge of low cost sourcing on a global scale, we are able to offer our customers high-quality products at value prices. We maintain a network of sourcing offices globally in order to manage our vendors efficiently and respond to changingbusiness needs effectively. Our sourcing offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, and contract associates in greater Africa,Cambodia, Indonesia and other countries in which we source products, give us access to a wide range of vendors and allow us to work to maintain and/orreduce our current merchandise costs by capitalizing on new sourcing opportunities while maintaining our product quality.Merchandising ProcessThe strong collaboration between our experienced cross functional teams in design, merchandising, sourcing and planning have enabled us to build ourbrand.DesignThe design team gathers information from trends, color services, research and trade shows.MerchandisingEach quarter we develop seasonal merchandising strategies.Planning and AllocationThe planning and allocation organization works collaboratively with the merchandising, finance, and global sourcing teams to develop seasonal salesand margin plans to support our financial objectives and merchandising strategies. Further, this team plans the flow of inventory to ensure that we areadequately supporting floor sets and key promotional periods. Special attention is paid to our store types, as they differ in capacity and layout.Production, Quality Assurance and Social ComplianceDuring Fiscal 2016, we engaged over 100 independent vendors located primarily in greater Asia. We continue to pursue global sourcing opportunitiesto support our inventory needs and to seek to control merchandise costs.We contract for the manufacture of the substantial majority of the products we sell. We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities. Increases inmanufacturing costs negatively impact our business, and we seek to manage the risks of operational difficulties posed by contract manufacturers, includingthe availability of adequate manufacturing capacity, errors in complying with our product specifications, insufficient quality control processes, failures tomeet production deadlines, worker and environmental safety concerns, and political and social instability in certain regions.During Fiscal 2016, we purchased approximately 98% of our total merchandise directly without the aid of third party commissioned buying agents. Wesource from a well-diversified sourcing base including approximately 21% of our total goods6Table of Contentsfrom China, approximately 20% from Bangladesh, approximately 15% from Indonesia and approximately 11% from Vietnam. No other country accountedfor 10% or more of our production.In addition to our quality assurance procedures, we administer a responsible sourcing program that seeks to protect our company and enhance our brandby continually providing guidance in-line with industry standards to our global vendors in their efforts to provide safe and otherwise appropriate workingconditions for their employees. These efforts are part of an ongoing process to encourage the continued improvement by our vendors of factory workingconditions, and ultimately, the lives of their employees who make our product. This is achieved through encouraging our vendors to comply with local legalregulations, as well as industry standards, and socially responsible business practices. The components of our program are as follows:•Vendor Code of Conduct - By formally acknowledging and agreeing to our code of conduct, our vendors affirm their commitment to integratecompliance with local law and industry standards into their manufacturing and sourcing practices. Topics covered by these standards include childlabor, involuntary or forced labor, slavery and human trafficking, coercion or harassment, discrimination, health and safety, compensation, workinghours, freedom of association, environment, unauthorized subcontracting, security practices, and undue influence of independent auditors.•Ongoing Auditing Program - We administer a factory auditing program staffed by our internal sourcing team and/or professional third partyauditors, who visit factory locations at least once a year on average to provide insight into general factory working conditions and other productioncharacteristics in all factories that manufacture The Children's Place products. With this information, we can understand factories’ challenges, helpthe factories identify non-compliance with industry standards, and offer guidance on corrective action plans for the factories to achieve bettercompliance. All factories that are approved for The Children’s Place production must undergo a social compliance audit prior to any orders beingplaced and at least once annually thereafter.•Corrective Action Plans - Following each social audit, a corrective action plan outlines any areas of non-compliance identified through the factoryaudit. Each factory is expected to develop a remediation plan and remediation timeline for any non-compliance found. Through follow-up socialaudits, we assess a factory’s progress in achieving its remediation plan. It is our preference to work with factories to remediate and achievecompliance rather than terminate our relationship; however, where there is serious non-compliance of critical standards, repeated non-compliance, orfailure of the factories to invest in continued improvement, we reserve the right to terminate our relationship.•Vendor Factory Engagement - Our responsible sourcing team provides guidance and training to vendors and factories in order to help vendors andfactories improve compliance with industry standards. Our goal is to serve as a resource for vendors and factories as they develop and strengthentheir capabilities to better manage the working conditions of their employees.•Worker Education and Community Investment - In some cases, we will provide support to factories that wish to implement worker training andcommunity investment initiatives. We have encouraged factories to invest in health and nutrition education for their workers, which we havefinancially supported in factories in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.Additionally, under our responsible sourcing program we monitor changes in local laws and other conditions (e.g., worker safety, workers' right ofassociation, and political and social instability) in the countries from which we source in order to identify and assess potential risks to our sourcingcapabilities.Company StoresThe following section highlights various store information for The Children's Place operated stores as of January 28, 2017.Existing StoresAs of January 28, 2017, we operated a total of 1,039 The Children's Place stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, most of which areclustered in and around major metropolitan areas and our stores at www.childrensplace.com. In addition, our six international partners operated 150international points of distribution in 17 countries. We operate 644 stores located in malls, 219 in strip centers, 135 in outlet centers, and 41 in streetlocations. The following table sets forth the number of stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada as of the current and prior fiscal year end:7Table of Contents Number of StoresLocation January 28,2017 January 30,2016United States 899 926Canada 129 132Puerto Rico 11 11Total Stores 1,039 1,069Store ConceptsAt The Children's Place, our store concepts consist of multiple formats ranging in size from 4,100 to 7,100 square feet, which have evolved over time inresponse to market trends. We try to create an open and brightly lit environment for customers. Our stores typically feature white fixtures to ensure theproduct is the focal point, using color to brand and create shop identifiers, and are strategically placed within each market.Fleet OptimizationAs part of our store fleet optimization initiative, we plan to close approximately 300 stores through fiscal 2020, which includes the 34 stores we closedduring Fiscal 2016, the 32 stores we closed during Fiscal 2015, the 35 stores we closed in Fiscal 2014 and the 41 stores we closed during fiscal 2013. Overthe past four fiscal years, we have reduced our total store square footage from 5.2 million to 4.9 million. These closures are resulting in improved profitabilityand operating margin accretion due to sales transfer, low cost of exit, and the elimination of the underperforming locations. In those markets where we haveclosed stores, we are seeing the neighboring stores along with the e-commerce business become more productive from both a Comparable Retail Sales andprofitability perspective. These results further our commitment to executing this optimization program while dramatically slowing down new store openings.We continuously review the performance of our store fleet. We base our decisions to open, close or remodel stores on a variety of factors, including leaseterms, landlord negotiations, market dynamics, and projected financial performance. When assessing whether to close a store, we also consider remaininglease life and current financial performance.Internet Sales (“e-commerce”)Our U.S. and International segments each include an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com and digital growth remains one of our topstrategic priorities. We are committed to delivering a best in class, end-to-end user experience including product assortment and website design operations,fulfillment, and customer service. We are further committed to delivering these experiences to our customers when, where and how they are looking to accessthe brand, accounting for cross-channel behavior, growth of mobile devices, and the growing interest in our brand from international consumers. As such, wewill continue to make required investments in back-end infrastructure, as well as front-end technology to deliver on this commitment. We believe that thecritical investments made in areas such as e-commerce infrastructure and mobile optimization as well as additional front-end website features have improvedour customers' experience.International Franchises and WholesaleWe continued our international expansion program with our franchise partners adding 48 additional international points of distribution (stores, shop inshops, e-commerce site) during Fiscal 2016 bringing our total count to 150 points of distribution operating in 17 countries. We also launched our brand onthe Tmall e-commerce platform in the China market. We generate revenues from our franchisees from the sale of products and sales royalties. In our wholesalebusiness, in Fiscal 2016 we launched our replenishment program with Amazon to complement our fashion wholesale business with Amazon and expandedcategories of merchandise available for distribution to our wholesale customers.Store OperationsThe Children's Place U.S. store operations are organized by geographical region. We employ two U.S. Zone Vice Presidents and one Canadian VicePresident who oversee our operations of both Place and Outlet stores and to whom regional directors report. A regional director oversees a number of districtmanagers resident within each region. Our stores are staffed by store managers and sales associates, with additional part-time associates hired to supportseasonal needs. Our store managers spend a high percentage of their time on the store's selling floor providing direction, motivation, and development tostore personnel. To maximize selling productivity, our teams emphasize greeting, replenishment, presentation standards, procedures, and controls. In order tomotivate our store management, we offer a monthly incentive compensation plan that awards bonuses for achieving certain financial goals.8Table of ContentsSeasonalityOur business is subject to seasonal influences, with heavier concentrations of sales during the back-to-school and holiday seasons. Our first fiscal quarterresults are dependent upon sales during the period leading up to the Easter holiday, third fiscal quarter results are dependent upon back-to-school sales, andour fourth fiscal quarter results are dependent upon sales during the holiday season. The business is also subject to seasonal shifts due to unseasonableweather conditions. The following table shows the quarterly distribution, as a percentage of the full year, of net sales and operating income (loss): First Quarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarterQuarterly net sales as a percentage of full year Fiscal 2016 23.5% 20.8 % 26.5% 29.2%Fiscal 2015 23.5% 21.2 % 26.4% 28.9% Quarterly operating income (loss) as a percentage of full year Fiscal 2016 26.9% (2.0)% 42.1% 33.0%Fiscal 2015 25.8% (22.3)% 64.0% 32.6%For more information regarding the seasonality of our business, refer to Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition andResults of Operations-Quarterly Results and Seasonality.MarketingThe Children's Place is a well-recognized brand, with a trend right offering and a compelling value proposition. Our direct marketing program utilizesboth on and off-line channels.During the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, we re-launched our customer loyalty program in conjunction with our new private label credit card program. Atthe end of Fiscal 2016, our MyPLACE Rewards loyalty program had approximately 8.0 million members who accounted for approximately 74% of sales. Ourprivate label credit card is issued to our customers for use exclusively at The Children's Place stores and online at www.childrensplace.com, and credit isextended to such customers through a third-party financial institution on a non-recourse basis to us. Approximately 12% of our net sales during Fiscal 2016were transacted using our private label credit card. We promote affinity and loyalty through our marketing programs by utilizing specialized incentiveprograms.DistributionIn the United States, we own and operate a 700,000 square foot distribution center in Alabama, which supports both U.S. retail store operations and U.S.e-commerce operations. In Canada, we operate a 95,000 square foot distribution center in Ontario for our Canadian retail store operations. We also use a third-party provider to support our Canadian e-commerce operations. On occasion, we may utilize additional facilities to support seasonal warehousing needs. Wealso use a third-party provider of warehousing and logistics services in Malaysia to support our international franchise business.CompetitionThe children's apparel, footwear, and accessories retail markets are highly competitive. Our primary competitors are specialty stores and massmerchandisers, including Target Corporation and GapKids, babyGap and Old Navy (each of which is a division of The Gap, Inc.), The GymboreeCorporation, Justice (a division of The Ascena Retail Group, Inc.), Carter's, Inc., J.C. Penney Company, Inc., Kohl's Corporation and other department stores,as well as other discount stores such as Walmart Stores, Inc. We also compete with regional retail chains, catalog companies and Internet retailers. One ormore of our competitors are present in substantially all of the areas in which we have stores.Trademarks and Service Marks“The Children's Place,” “Place,” and “Baby Place", and certain other marks have been registered as trademarks and/or service marks with the UnitedStates Patent and Trademark Office and in Canada and other foreign countries. The registration of the trademarks and the service marks may be renewed toextend the original registration period indefinitely, provided the marks are still in use. We intend to continue to use and protect our trademarks and servicemarks and maintain their registrations. We have also registered our trademarks in other countries where we source our products and where we have establishedand anticipate establishing franchising operations. We believe our trademarks and service marks have received broad recognition and are of significant valueto our business.9Table of ContentsGovernment RegulationWe are subject to extensive federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations affecting our business, including product testing and safety,consumer protection, privacy, truth-in-advertising, accessibility, customs, wage and hour laws and regulations, and zoning and occupancy ordinances thatregulate retailers generally and/or govern the promotion and sale of merchandise and the operation of retail stores and e-commerce. We also are subject tosimilar international laws and regulations affecting our business. We believe that we are in material compliance with these laws and regulations.We are committed to product quality and safety. We focus our efforts to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations affecting our business, includingthe provisions of the CPSIA, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act and the Textile Fiber Product Identification Act, the CanadaConsumer Product Safety Act, the Canadian Textile Labelling Act, the Canadian Care Labelling Program, and various environmental laws and regulations. Each of our product styles currently covered by the CPSIA and the CCPSA are appropriately tested to meet current standards. Virtually all of our merchandise is manufactured by third-party factories located outside of the United States. These products are imported and aresubject to U.S. and Canadian customs laws, which impose tariffs, anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain imported products, including textiles,apparel, footwear, and accessories. We currently are not restricted by any such duties in the operation of our business. EmployeesAs of January 28, 2017, we had approximately 15,500 employees, approximately 1,500 of whom were based at our corporate offices and distributioncenters. Approximately 2,200 were full-time store employees and approximately 11,800 were part-time and seasonal store employees. None of our employeesare covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good.Internet Access to ReportsWe are a public company and are subject to the disclosure requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).Accordingly, we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may beobtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regardingus and other issuers that file electronically.Our website address is www.childrensplace.com. We make available without charge, through our website, copies of our Proxy Statement, Annual Reporton Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. References in this document to ourwebsite are not and should not be considered part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the information on our website is not incorporated by referenceinto this Annual Report on Form 10-K.We also make available our corporate governance materials, including our corporate governance guidelines and our code of business conduct, on ourwebsite. If we make any substantive amendments to our code of business conduct or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of thecode for the benefit of our Chief Executive Officer and President, our Chief Operating Officer and our Chief Financial Officer we will disclose the nature ofsuch amendment or waiver on that website or in a Current Report on Form 8-K.Item 1A.RISK FACTORSInvestors in the Company should consider the following risk factors as well as the other information contained herein:Changes in our Comparable Retail Sales and/or quarterly results of operations could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our commonstock.Numerous factors affect our Comparable Retail Sales and quarterly results, including unseasonable weather conditions, merchandise assortment, theretail price of our merchandise, fashion trends, mall traffic, number of visits to our e-commerce site, the retail sales environment, calendar shifts of holidays orseasonal periods, birth rate fluctuations, timing or extent of promotional events and other competitive factors, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, macro-economic conditions and our success in executing our business strategies.10Table of ContentsUnseasonable weather, for example, warm weather in the winter or cold weather in the spring over an extended period of time, or the occurrence offrequent or severe storms, adversely affect our sales and therefore our Comparable Retail Sales. The nature of our target customer heightens the effects ofunseasonable weather on our sales. Our target customer is a value conscious, lower to middle income mother buying for infants and children based on needrather than based on fashion, trend or impulse. Therefore, for example, our target customer will not purchase warm weather spring clothing during anextended period of unseasonably cold weather occurring in what otherwise should be warmer weather months.Our Comparable Retail Sales and quarterly results have fluctuated significantly in the past due to the factors cited above, and we anticipate that they willcontinue to fluctuate in the future, particularly in the current difficult and highly competitive retail environment and continued weak economic conditionsaffecting our target customer, which may result in declines or delays in consumer spending. The investment community follows Comparable Retail Sales andquarterly results closely and fluctuations in these results, or the failure of our results to meet our publicly announced guidance concerning Comparable RetailSales, earnings per share, and other financial metrics or our investor's expectations, may have a significant adverse effect on the price of our common stock.We may not be able to successfully execute our business strategies.Our strategic initiatives involve the transformation of our systems, including to augment our digital and omni-channel capabilities, to optimize ourinventory buys and allocations, to expand our channels of distribution and geographical coverage, and to optimize our North American retail store fleet. Ourfailure to properly execute our plans, delays in executing our plans or failure to identify alternative strategies could have a material adverse effect on ourfinancial position, results of operations, and cash flows.During Fiscal 2017, we will continue to implement and refine our systems transformation initiatives designed to increase sales and profitability. Ourbusiness transformation through technology initiative has two key components: inventory management and digital transformation. With respect to inventorymanagement, our recently implemented assortment planning and allocation and replenishment tools are delivering gross margin and inventory productivitybenefits. Our digital transformation is comprised of three key initiatives: omni-channel initiatives, architectural upgrades, and customer segmentation efforts.These initiatives require the execution of complex projects involving significant systems and operational changes, which place considerable demands on ourmanagement and our information and other systems. Our ability to successfully implement and capitalize on these projects is dependent on management’sability to manage these projects effectively and implement and operate them successfully, and on our employees’ ability to affect the required operationalchanges. If we fail to implement these projects effectively, we experience significant delay or cost overruns or the necessary operational changes are notaffected properly, we may not realize the return on our investments that we anticipate, and our business, financial position, operating results, and cash flowscould be materially adversely affected.During Fiscal 2017, we plan to drive additional growth through our international and wholesale distribution channels. Consumer demand, behavior,taste and purchasing trends as well as economic and political stability may differ in international markets and/or in the distribution channels through whichour wholesale customers sell products and, as a result, sales of our products may not be successful or meet our expectations, or the margins on those sales maynot be in line with those we currently anticipate. We may also face difficulties integrating foreign business operations and/or wholesaling operations with ourcurrent sourcing, distribution, information technology systems and other operations. Any of these challenges could hinder our success in new markets or newdistribution channels. There can be no assurance that we will successfully complete any planned expansion or that any new business will be profitable ormeet our expectations.During Fiscal 2017, we will continue our store fleet optimization program, which is intended to increase profitability on our existing retail store fleet.Currently, it is planned that this program will close approximately 300 retail stores through fiscal 2020, which includes the 142 retail stores closed betweenfiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2016. Failure to properly identify or measure underperforming retail stores, failure to achieve anticipated sales transfer rates amongclosed stores, on the one hand, and remaining retail stores in a geographic region and/or e-commerce sales, on the other hand, and failure to properly identifyand analyze customer segmentation and spending patterns could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.In addition, pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to recognize an impairment charge when circumstances indicate that thecarrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. If a determination is made that the asset’s carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverableover its estimated useful life, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value.Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cashflows.11Table of ContentsA privacy breach, through a cybersecurity incident or otherwise, or failure to comply with privacy laws could materially adversely affect our business.As part of normal operations, we and our third-party vendors and partners, receive and maintain confidential and personally identifiable informationabout our customers and employees, and confidential financial, intellectual property and other information. We regard the protection of our customer,employee, and company information as critical. The regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is very demanding, with thefrequent imposition of new and changing requirements. Despite our efforts and technology to secure our computer network and systems, a cybersecuritybreach, whether targeted, random, or inadvertent, and whether at the hands of cyber criminals, hackers, rogue employees or other persons, may occur andcould go undetected for a period of time, resulting in a material disruption of our computer network, a loss of information valuable to our business, includingwithout limitation customer or employee personally identifiable information, and/or theft. A similar breach to the computer networks and systems of ourthird-party vendors and partners over which we have no control may occur, leading to a material disruption of our computer network and/or the areas of ourbusiness dependent on the support, services and other products provided by our third-party vendors and partners which may be adversely affected by suchbreach, a decrease in e-commerce sales and/or a loss of information valuable to our business, including without limitation customer or employee personallyidentifiable information. Such a cyber incident could result in any of the following:•theft, destruction, loss, misappropriation, or release of confidential financial and other data, intellectual property or customer or employeeinformation, including personally identifiable information such as payment card information, email addresses, passwords, social security numbers, homeaddresses, or health information;•operational or business delays resulting from the disruption of our computer network or the computer networks of our third-party vendors andpartners and subsequent material clean-up and mitigation costs and activities;•negative publicity resulting in material reputation or brand damage with our customers, vendors, third-party partners or industry peers;•loss of sales, including those generated through our e-commerce website; and•governmental penalties, fines and/or enforcement actions, payment and industry penalties and fines and /or class action and other lawsuits.Our systems and procedures are required to meet the Payment Card Industry ("PCI") data security standards, which require periodic audits by independentthird parties to assess compliance. Failure to comply with the security requirements or rectify a security issue may result in substantial fines and theimposition of material restrictions on our ability to accept payment by credit or debit cards. There can be no assurance that we will be able to satisfy PCIsecurity standards or to identify security issues in a timely fashion. In addition, PCI is controlled by a limited number of vendors who have the ability toimpose changes in PCI's fee structure and operational requirements on us without negotiation. Such changes in fees and operational requirements may resultin our failure to comply with PCI security standards, as well as significant unanticipated expenses.Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could materially damage our reputation and result in lost sales, governmental and payment cardindustry fines, and/or class action and other lawsuits, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, andcash flows. Although we carry cybersecurity insurance, in the event of a cyber incident, that insurance may not be extensive enough or adequate in scope ofcoverage or amount to cover damages we may incur. Further, a significant breach of federal, state, provincial, local or international privacy laws could have amaterial adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.A material disruption in, failure of, or inability to upgrade, our information technology systems could materially adversely affect our business, financialposition or results of operations and cash flows.We rely heavily on various information systems to manage our complex operations, including our online business, management of our global supplychain, merchandise assortment planning, inventory allocation and replenishment, order management, distribution and shipping activities, point-of-saleprocessing in our stores, gift cards, our private label credit card, our customer loyalty program, and various other processes and transactions. We continue toevaluate and implement upgrades and changes to our IT systems. Implementing upgrades and changes to our IT systems carries substantial risk, includingfailure to operate as designed, failure to properly integrate with other systems, potential loss of data or information, cost overruns, implementation delays,disruption of operations, inability to properly train associates on new processes, inability to properly direct change management, failure to implementappropriate security measures, lower customer satisfaction resulting in lost customers or sales, inability to deliver the optimal level of merchandise to ourstores in a timely manner, inventory shortages,12Table of Contentsinventory levels in excess of customer demand, inability to meet the demands of our international franchise partners or our wholesale and retail customers,and the inability to meet financial, regulatory and other reporting requirements. In addition, any disruptions or malfunctions affecting our current or newinformation systems could cause critical information upon which we rely to be lost, delayed, unreliable, corrupted, insufficient or inaccessible. Further, thereis no assurance that a successfully implemented system will deliver or continue to deliver any anticipated sales or margin improvements or other benefits tous. Risks associated with our information technology systems include:•risks associated with the failure or disruption of our information technology systems due to inadequate system capacity, security breaches,computer viruses, human error, changes in programming, failure of third-parties to continue to support older systems, system upgrades or migration of theseservices to new systems;•natural disasters or adverse weather conditions;•disruptions in telephone service or power outages;•reliance on third parties for computer hardware and software, updates (patches), as well as delivery of merchandise to our customers;•rapid technology changes; and•consumer privacy and information security concerns and regulation.Any of these potential issues, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results ofoperations, and cash flows.We also rely on third-party vendors and outsourcing partners to design, program, implement, maintain and service our existing and planned informationsystems. Any failures of these vendors to properly deliver their services in a timely fashion, any determination by those vendors to stop supporting certainsystems or components, or any failure of these vendors to protect our personal or competitively sensitive data, or the personal data of our customers oremployees, or to prevent the authorized access to such data, whether in their possession or through our information systems, could have a material adverseeffect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.We depend on our relationships with unaffiliated manufacturers, transportation companies, and independent agents. Our inability to maintainrelationships with any of these entities, or the failure of any of their businesses, could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities, and therefore, are dependent upon independent third parties for the manufacture of all of ourproducts. Most of our products are currently manufactured to our specifications, pursuant to purchase orders, by independent manufacturers located primarilyin greater Asia. We have no exclusive or long-term contracts with our manufacturers. We compete with other companies for manufacturing facilities, many ofwhich have greater financial resources than we have or pay a higher unit price than we do. If an existing manufacturer of merchandise must be replaced forany reason, we will have to find alternative sources of manufacturing or increase purchases from our other third-party manufacturers, and there is no assurancewe will be able to do so or do so on terms that are acceptable to us.We do not use commissioned buying agents to source any products. Although we believe that we have the in-house capability to more efficiently sourcesubstantially all of our purchases, our inability to do so, or our inability to find adequate sources to support our current needs for merchandise and futuregrowth, could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.The failure of our third-party manufacturers, which we do not control, to adhere to local law, industry standards and practices generally accepted asethical in the United States in the areas of worker safety (e.g. fire safety and building codes), worker rights of association, and social compliance and healthand welfare could result in accidents and practices that cause material disruptions or delays in production and/or material harm to our reputation, either ofwhich could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Our merchandise is shipped directly from manufacturers through third party logistics providers to our distribution and fulfillment centers, and in turn, toour stores, our e-commerce customers and our international franchise partners and wholesale customers. Our operating results depend in material part on theorderly, timely and accurate operation of our shipping, receiving and distribution process, which depends, in part, on our manufacturers' adherence toshipping schedules and our third-party providers’ effective management of our domestic and international distribution facilities and capacity. Furthermore, itis possible that events beyond our control, such as political unrest, labor dispute, a terrorist or similar act, military action,13Table of Contentsstrike, weather patterns, natural disasters, continuing government spending cuts or other disruption impacting the countries that we source from, could resultin delays or disruptions in the production and/or delivery of merchandise to our distribution centers or our stores, international franchise partners andwholesale customers, or the fulfillment of e-commerce orders to our customers, or require us to incur substantial additional costs in air freight to ensure timelydelivery. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.If our agents, principal manufacturers or freight operators experience negative financial consequences (including as have occurred in 2016 in the oceanshipping industry), our inability to use or find substitute providers to support our manufacturing and distribution needs in a timely manner could have amaterial adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.Further, the ocean shipping industry has been experiencing the formation of alliances. We cannot predict the effect this will have on the availability andcost of ocean shipping. If the formation of those alliances results in a contraction in capacity and/or increases in shipping costs, this could have a materialadverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operation and cash flows.Because we purchase our products internationally and from unaffiliated manufacturers, our business is subject to risks associated with internationalbusiness, the lack of control of independent manufacturers and reliance on imported products.Virtually all of our merchandise is purchased from foreign suppliers. As a result, we are subject to various risks of doing business in foreign markets andimporting merchandise from abroad, including from less stable and/or less developed countries, such as:•new tariffs or imposition of duties, taxes, and other charges on or costs of relying on imports, including in connection with corporate tax reform andborder adjusted taxation proposals being discussed in the U.S. Congress;•foreign governmental regulations, including but not limited to changing requirements in course of dealing with regard to product safety, producttesting, employment, taxation and language preference ;•the failure of an unaffiliated manufacturer to comply with local laws or ethical business practices, including concerning labor, health and safety andenvironmental matters;•financial or political instability;•the rising cost of doing business in particular countries, including China;•fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies;•pressure from non-governmental organizations;•customer acceptance of foreign produced merchandise;•developing countries with less infrastructure;•new legislation relating to import quotas or other restrictions that may limit the import of our merchandise;•changes to, or repeal of, trade agreements and/or trade legislation;•significant delays in the delivery of cargo due to port security considerations, political unrest or weather conditions;•disruption of imports by labor disputes (e.g., including at ports in the U.S.) and local business practices;•regulations under the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and•increased cost of transportation. In an attempt to mitigate the above risks within any one country, we maintain relationships with many manufacturers in various countries. We cannotpredict the effect that this, or the other factors noted above, in another country from which we import products could have on our business. If any of thesefactors rendered the conduct of business in a particular country undesirable or impractical, or if our current foreign manufacturing sources ceased doingbusiness with us or we cease doing14Table of Contentsbusiness with them for any reason and we were unable to find alternative sources of supply, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business,financial position, results of operations and cash flows.Our vendor guidelines and code of conduct promote compliance with applicable law and ethical business practices. We monitor our vendor’s practices;however, we do not control these independent manufacturers, their labor practices, their health and safety practices, the physical condition of their factories,or from where they buy their raw materials. Any violation of labor, health, environmental, safety (e.g. fire or building codes) or other laws by any of theindependent manufacturers we use or any divergence of an independent manufacturer's labor practices from standards generally accepted as ethical in theUnited States and Canada could materially damage our reputation and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results ofoperations and cash flows.Legislative, regulatory and other actions resulting from the November 2016 elections for the U.S. President and the U.S. Congress, including certainproposed actions regarding tax reform, are unpredictable and could have unforeseen consequences having a material adverse effect on our business.Legislative, regulatory and other actions resulting from the November 2016 elections for the U.S. President and the U.S. Congress are unpredictable andcould have unforeseen consequences having a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Withoutlimiting the generality of the foregoing statement, certain proposals regarding federal corporate tax reform and border-adjusted taxes, or taxes levied onimported goods, may result in a material increase in our federal tax liability, which may result in a material adverse effect on our financial position, results ofoperations and cash flows.We may experience disruptions at ports used to export or import our products from Asia and other regions.We currently ship the vast majority of our products by ocean. If a disruption occurs in the operation of ports through which our products are exported orimported, we and our vendors may have to ship some or all of our products from Asia and other regions by air freight or to alternative shipping destinations inthe United States. Shipping by air is significantly more expensive than shipping by ocean and our profitability could be materially reduced. Similarly,shipping to alternative destinations in the United States could lead to significantly increased costs for our products. A disruption at ports (domestic orabroad) through which our products are exported or imported could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations,and cash flows.We may suffer material adverse business consequences if we are unable to anticipate, identify and respond to merchandise trends, marketing andpromotional trends, changes in technology, or customer shopping patterns.The apparel industry is subject to rapidly changing fashion trends and shifting consumer preferences. Our success depends in material part on the abilityof our design and merchandising teams to anticipate and respond to these changes and our global sourcing team to source from vendors that producemerchandise which has a compelling quality and value proposition for our customers. Our design, manufacturing, and sourcing process generally takes up toone year, during which time fashion trends and consumer preferences may further change. If we miscalculate either the demand for our merchandise or ourcustomers’ tastes or purchasing habits, we may be required to sell a significant amount of unsold inventory at below average markups over cost, or belowcost, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operation, and cash flows.Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, labor, energy and services could result in increased product and/or delivery costs.Increases in the price of raw materials, including cotton and other materials used in the production of fabric, clothing, footwear, and accessories, as wellas volatility and increases in labor, energy, shipping, distribution, and other costs, could result in significant cost increases for our products as well as theirdistribution to our distribution centers, retail locations, international franchise partners and wholesale and retail customers. To the extent we are unable tooffset any such increased costs through value engineering or price increases, such increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business,financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Profitability and our reputation could be materially negatively impacted if we do not adequately forecast the demand for our products and, as a result,create significant levels of excess inventory or insufficient levels of inventory.If we do not adequately forecast demand for our products and inventory purchases, we could experience materially increased costs and lower sellingprices due to a need to dispose of excess inventory. In addition, if we forecast demand for our products that is lower than actual demand, we may experienceinsufficient levels of inventory, and reputational damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations,and cash flows.15Table of ContentsOur success depends upon the service and capabilities of our management team. Changes in management or in our organizational structure, particularlyin the most senior positions, or inadequate management, could have a material adverse effect on our business.Our business and success is materially dependent on retaining members of our senior leadership team, including our chief executive officer, and otherkey individuals within the organization, to formulate and execute the Company’s strategic and business plans. Leadership changes can be inherently difficultto manage and may cause material disruption to our business or management team. Senior level management establishes the “tone at the top” by which anenvironment of ethical values, operating style and management philosophy is fostered. Changes in senior management could lead to an environment thatlacks inspiration and/or a lack of commitment by our employees, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.The highly concentrated nature of our stockholdings could facilitate the approval by stockholders of proposals which are contrary to positions supportedby our Board of Directors or management.The top holders of our common stock are predominately large multi-national financial institutions. The top eight institutional holders ownapproximately 51% of our outstanding shares of common stock. These holdings would permit these eight institutions to approve proposals submitted to thevote of stockholders which are contrary to positions supported by our Board of Directors or management.Product liability costs, related claims, and the cost of compliance with consumer product safety laws such as the CPSIA in the U.S. or the CCPSA inCanada or our inability to comply with such laws could have a material adverse effect on our business and reputation.We are subject to regulation by the CPSC in the U.S., Health Canada in Canada, and similar state, provincial, and international regulatory authorities.Although we test the products sold in our stores, on our website, and to our international franchise partners and our wholesale customers, concerns aboutproduct safety, including but not limited to concerns about those manufactured in developing countries, may lead us to recall selected products, eithervoluntarily, or at the direction of a governmental authority, or may lead to a lack of consumer acceptance or loss of consumer trust. Product safety concerns,recalls, the failure to properly manage recalls, defects or errors could result in governmental fines, rejection of our products by customers, damage to ourreputation, lost sales, product liability litigation and increased costs, any or all of which could harm our business and have a material adverse effect on ourfinancial position, results of operations, and cash flows.The cost of compliance with current requirements and any future requirements of the CPSC, Health Canada or other federal, state, provincial, orinternational regulatory authorities, consumer product safety laws, including initiatives labeled as “green chemistry” and regulatory testing, certification,packaging, labeling and advertising and reporting requirements, or changes to existing laws could have a material adverse effect on our financial position,results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, any failure to comply with such requirements could result in significant penalties, require us to recallproducts and harm our reputation, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, and financial position, results ofoperations, and cash flows.Our failure to successfully manage our e-commerce business could have a material adverse impact on our business.The successful operation of our e-commerce business depends on our ability to maintain the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our online order-taking and our fulfillment operations, and on our ability to provide a shopping experience that will generate orders and return visits to our site, including byupdating our e-commerce platform to stay abreast of changing consumer shopping habits such as the significantly increased use of mobile devices and appsto shop online. Risks associated with our e-commerce business include:•risks associated with the failure of the computer systems that operate our website including, among others, inadequate system capacity, securitybreaches, computer viruses, human error, changes in programming, system upgrades or migration of these services to new systems;•disruptions in telephone service or power outages;•reliance on third parties for computer hardware and software, updates as well as delivery of merchandise to our customers;•rapid technology changes and changes in consumer shopping habits such as the significantly increased use of mobile devices and apps to shoponline;16Table of Contents•credit card fraud;•the diversion of sales from our physical stores;•natural disasters or adverse weather conditions;•changes in applicable federal and state regulations;•negative reviews on social media;•liability for online content; and•consumer privacy and information security concerns and regulation.Problems in any one or more of these areas could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, and coulddamage our reputation and brand.We have a single distribution center serving the U.S., a single distribution center serving Canada and a single third-party warehouse provider serving themajority of shipments for our international franchise partners. Damage to, or a prolonged interruption of operations at, any of these facilities could have amaterial adverse effect on our business.Our U.S. distribution center is located in Fort Payne, Alabama. This facility handles all of our warehousing and store fulfillment activities in the U.S., aswell as the fulfillment of all of our e-commerce orders in the U.S. Our Canadian distribution center is located in Mississauga, Ontario. We also use a third-party provider, also located in Mississauga, to support our Canadian e-commerce operations. These Ontario facilities handle all of our warehousing, store, ande-commerce fulfillment activities in Canada. Our international franchise partners receive the vast majority of shipments of merchandise from our third-partywarehouse provider located in greater Asia. On occasion, we may utilize additional facilities to support our seasonal warehousing needs. Damage to, orprolonged interruption of operations at, any of these facilities due to a work stoppage, weather conditions such as a tornado, hurricane or flood, other naturaldisaster, or other event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.We face significant competition in the retail industry, which could negatively impact our business.The children's apparel retail market is highly competitive and we face heightened price and promotional competition. We compete in substantially all ofour markets with Target Corporation and GapKids, babyGap and Old Navy (each of which is a division of The Gap, Inc.), The Gymboree Corporation, Justice(a division of The Ascena Retail Group, Inc.), Carter's, Inc., J.C. Penney Company, Inc., Kohl's Corporation and other department stores, as well as otherdiscount stores such as Walmart Stores, Inc. We also compete with a wide variety of specialty stores, other national and regional retail chains, catalogcompanies and internet retailers. One or more of our competitors are present in virtually all of the areas in which we have stores. Internet only retailersgenerally do not incur the geographical limitations suffered by traditional brick and mortar stores, giving internet only retailers a competitive advantage toand imposing significant pricing pressure on brick and mortar stores. In addition, our e-commerce store may divert sales from our brick and mortar stores,cannibalizing sales results at our brick and mortar stores. Many of our competitors are larger than us and have access to significantly greater financial,marketing and other resources than we have. Increased competition, declining birth rates, increased promotional activity and continuing economic pressureon value seeking consumers could also materially adversely impact our ability to compete successfully. We may not be able to continue to competesuccessfully against existing or future competition.We may be unable to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property rights.We believe that our trademarks and service marks are important to our success and our competitive position due to their name recognition with ourcustomers. We devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademarks and service marks on a worldwide basis, including in thecountries in which we have business operations or plan to have business operations, including through foreign franchise partners. We are not aware of anymaterial claims of infringement or material challenges to our right to use any of our trademarks in the United States or Canada. Nevertheless, the actions wehave taken, including to establish and protect our trademarks and service marks, may not be adequate to prevent others from imitating our products or toprevent others from seeking to block sales of our products. Also, others may assert proprietary rights in our intellectual property, or may assert that we areengaging in activities that infringe on their own intellectual property, and we may not be able to successfully resolve these types of claims, any of whichcould have a negative impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries maynot protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States and we may not be successful in attaining our trademarks in foreigncountries where we plan to conduct business.17Table of ContentsBecause certain of our subsidiaries operate outside of the United States, some of our revenues, product costs and other expenses are subject to foreigneconomic and currency risks.We have store operations in Canada and buying operations in various locations in greater Asia, primarily Hong Kong, and we have plans to continue toexpand our store operations internationally primarily through franchises.The currency market has seen significant volatility in the value of the U.S. dollar against other foreign currencies. While our business is primarilyconducted in U.S. dollars, we purchase virtually all of our products overseas, and we generate significant revenues in Canada in Canadian dollars. Costincreases caused by currency exchange rate fluctuations could make our products less competitive or have a material adverse effect on our profitability.Currency exchange rate fluctuations could also disrupt the business of the third party manufacturers that produce our products, or franchisees that purchaseour products, by making their purchases of raw materials or products more expensive and more difficult to finance.Changes in currency exchange rates affect the U.S. dollar value of the Canadian dollar denominated prices at which our Canadian business sells product.As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates impact the amount of our reported sales and expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our financialposition, results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, we have foreign currency denominated receivables and payables that are not hedged againstforeign currency fluctuations. When settled, these receivables and payables could result in significant transaction gains or losses.We depend on generating sufficient cash flows, together with our existing cash balances and availability under our credit facility, to fund our ongoingoperations, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and share repurchase program as well as payment of dividends.Our ability to fund our ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures, share repurchase programs, payment of dividends and debt servicerequirements will depend on our ability to generate cash flows. Our cash flows are dependent on many factors, including:•seasonal fluctuations in our net sales and net income, which typically are lowest in the second fiscal quarter;•the timing of inventory purchases for upcoming seasons, particularly in the second fiscal quarter as our sales are lowest and we are purchasingmerchandise for the back-to-school season;•vendor, other supplier and agent terms and related conditions, which may be less favorable to us as a smaller company in comparison to largercompanies; and•general business conditions, economic uncertainty or slowdown, including the continuing weakness in the overall economy affecting our targetcustomer. Most of these factors are beyond our control. It is difficult to predict the impact that general economic conditions will continue to have on consumerspending and our financial results. However, we believe that they could continue to result in reduced spending by our target customer, which would reduceour revenues and our cash flows from operating activities from those that otherwise would have been generated. In addition, steps that we may take to limitcash outlays, such as delaying the purchase of inventory, may not be successful or could delay the arrival of merchandise for future selling seasons, whichcould reduce our net sales or profitability. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows, we may not be able to fund our ongoing operations, plannedcapital expenditures, share repurchase programs, payment of dividends or debt service requirements and we may be required to seek additional sources ofliquidity.In addition, at January 28, 2017, approximately $183.7 million, or 95%, of our cash and cash equivalents was held in foreign subsidiaries as well asshort-term investments of $49.3 million held in Hong Kong. Because all of our earnings in these foreign subsidiaries are considered permanently reinvested,any repatriation of cash from them would require the accrual and payment of U.S. federal and certain state taxes, which would negatively impact our results ofoperations and/or the amount of available funds. While we currently have no intention to repatriate cash from these subsidiaries, should the need arisedomestically, there is no guarantee that we could do so without material adverse tax consequences. In addition, these funds are subject to foreign currencyexchange rate fluctuations, which if these rates should move unfavorably, could cause a material decrease in available funds.A wide variety of factors can cause a decline in consumer confidence and spending which could have an adverse effect on the apparel industry and ouroperating results.The apparel industry is cyclical in nature and is particularly affected by adverse trends in the general economy. Purchases of apparel and relatedmerchandise are generally discretionary and therefore tend to decline during recessionary and weak economic periods and also may decline at other times.This is particularly true with our target customer who is a value18Table of Contentsconscious, lower to middle income mother buying for infants and children based on need rather than based on fashion, trend or impulse. High unemploymentlevels, increases in tax rates, declines in real estate values, availability of credit volatility in the global financial markets and the overall level of consumerconfidence have negatively impacted the level of consumer spending for discretionary items. This has and continues to adversely affect our business as it isdependent on consumer demand for our products. In North America, we have experienced a decrease in customer traffic, including at shopping malls, and ahighly promotional environment. If the macroeconomic environment continues to be weak or deteriorates further, there will likely be a negative effect on ourrevenues, operating margins and earnings which could materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.In addition to the economic environment, there are a number of other factors that could contribute to reduced customer traffic and/or reduced levels ofconsumer spending, such as actual or potential terrorist acts, natural disasters, and severe weather. These occurrences create significant instability anduncertainty in the United States and elsewhere in the world, causing consumers to defer purchases or to not shop in retail stores in shopping malls, orpreventing our suppliers and service providers from providing required products, services or materials to us. These factors could materially adversely affectour financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Our profitability may decline as a result of increasing pressure on margins.The apparel industry is subject to significant pricing pressure caused by many factors, including intense competition, the highly promotional retailenvironment and changes in consumer demand. If these factors cause us to reduce our sales prices and we fail to sufficiently reduce our product costs oroperating expenses, our profitability could decline. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Changes in federal, state or local law, our failure to comply with such laws, or litigation involving such laws could increase our expenses and expose us tolegal risks and liability.Changes in regulatory areas, such as taxes, privacy and information security, product safety, trade, consumer credit, healthcare or environmentalprotection, among others, could cause our expenses to increase or tax deductible expenses to decrease. In addition, if we fail to comply with applicable lawsand regulations, particularly wage and hour, accessibility, privacy and information security, product safety, or pricing, advertising and marketing laws, wecould be subject to legal and reputational risk, including government enforcement action and class action civil litigation, which could have a materialadverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Changes in tax laws, the interpretation of existing laws, or our failure to sustainour reporting positions on examination could materially adversely affect our effective tax rate and/or subject us to significant penalties and interest.Legislative or regulatory changes that impact our relationship with our workforce, such as minimum wage requirements or overtime regulation, couldincrease our expenses and adversely affect our operations. None of our employees are currently represented by a collective bargaining agreement. However,from time to time there have been efforts to organize our employees at various locations. There is no assurance that our employees will not unionize in thefuture.If our landlords should suffer financial difficulty or if we are unable to successfully negotiate acceptable lease terms, it could have a material adverseeffect on our business, financial position results of operations and cash flows.If any of our landlords or substantial tenants, such as anchor department stores, should suffer financial difficulty, it could render our landlords unable tofulfill their duties under our lease agreements and/or could render certain malls to experience reduced customer traffic. Such duties include providing asufficient number of mall co-tenants, common area maintenance, utilities, and payment of real estate taxes. While we have certain remedies under our leaseagreements, the loss of business that could result if a shopping center should close or if customer traffic were to significantly decline as a result of lost tenantsor improper care of the facilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.The leases for a substantial number of our retail stores come up for renewal each year. If we are unable to continue to negotiate acceptable lease andrenewal terms, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.Tax matters could impact our results of operations and financial condition.We are subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including Canada and Hong Kong. Our provision for income taxes andcash tax liability in the future could be adversely affected by numerous factors including, but not limited to, income before taxes being lower thananticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries with higher statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation ofdeferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof, which could adversely impact ourresults of19Table of Contentsoperations, financial condition, and cash flows in future periods. In addition, we are subject to the examination of our income tax returns by the InternalRevenue Service, Canada Revenue Agency and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from theseexaminations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinationswill not have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Pending legal and regulatory actions are inherent in our business and could adversely affect our results of operations or financial position or harm ourbusinesses or reputation.We are, and in the future may be, subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of our business. Some of these proceedings have beenbrought on behalf of various alleged classes of complainants. In certain of these matters, the plaintiffs are seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts,including treble, punitive or exemplary damages. Substantial legal liability in these or future legal or regulatory actions could have a material adverse effecton business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows or cause us material reputational harm, which in turn could materially harm our businessprospects.Our litigation and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertainties, and given their complexity and scope, their outcome cannot be predicted. Ourreserves for litigation and regulatory matters may prove to be inadequate. Litigation and regulatory matters could materially adversely affect our financialposition, results of operations and cash flows. In light of the unpredictability of our litigation and regulatory matters, it is also possible that in certain cases anultimately unfavorable resolution of one or more pending litigation or regulatory matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial position,results of operations, and cash flows.Legislative actions and new accounting pronouncements could result in us having to increase our administrative expenses to remain compliant and couldhave other material adverse effects.In order to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, future accountingguidance or disclosure requirements by the SEC, future guidance that may come from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), or futurechanges in listing standards by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we may be required to enhance our internal controls, hire additional personnel and utilizeadditional outside legal, accounting and advisory services, all of which could cause our general and administrative expenses to increase materially.Changes to existing tax or other laws, authoritative guidance and regulations may materially adversely impact our financial statements. The FASB iscontinuing its convergence efforts with its international counterpart, the International Accounting Standards Board, to converge U.S. and Internationalstandards into one uniform set of accounting rules. The effect of changes in tax and other laws or changing accounting rules on our financial statements couldbe significant. Changes to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows could impact our debt covenant ratios or a lender's perception of ourfinancial statements causing an adverse impact on our ability to obtain credit, or could adversely impact investor analyses and perceptions of our businesscausing the market value of our stock to decrease. In addition, any changes in the current accounting rules, including legislative and other proposals, couldincrease the expenses we report under U.S. GAAP and have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.Any disruption in, or changes to, our consumer credit arrangements, including our private label credit card agreement, may adversely affect the ability ofour customers to obtain consumer credit.Credit card operations are subject to numerous federal and state laws that impose disclosure and other requirements upon the origination, servicing andenforcement of credit accounts and limitations on the maximum amount of finance charges that may be charged by a credit provider. Additionally, duringperiods of increasing consumer credit delinquencies, financial institutions may reexamine their lending practices and procedures. There can be no assurancethat the delinquencies being experienced by providers of consumer credit generally would not cause providers of third party credit offered by us to decreasethe availability of, or increase the cost of such credit.Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on the way we conduct business and could materiallynegatively impact our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Our share price may be volatile.Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Stock markets in general have experienced, and are likely to continue to experience,price and volume fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock without regard to our operatingperformance. In addition, we believe that factors such as quarterly fluctuations in our financial results, our Comparable Retail Sales results, other risk factorsidentified here, announcements by other retailers, the overall economy, legislative, regulatory and other actions resulting from of a change in the presidential20Table of Contentsadministration or the composition of the Congress, and the geopolitical environment could individually or in aggregation cause the price of our commonstock to fluctuate substantially.Declarations of quarterly cash dividends, and the establishment of future record and payment dates, are at the discretion of our Board of Directors basedon a number of factors, including future financial performance, general business and market conditions, and other investment priorities. Any reduction ordiscontinuance by us of the payment of quarterly cash dividends could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.Acts of terrorism, effects of war, natural disasters, other catastrophes or political unrest could have a material adverse effect on our business.The threat or actual acts of terrorism continue to be a risk to the U.S. and global economies. Terrorism and potential military responses, political unrest,natural disasters, pandemics or other health issues have disrupted and could disrupt commerce, and impact our ability to operate our stores in affected areas,import our products from foreign countries or provide critical functions necessary to the operation of our business. A disruption of commerce, or an inabilityto recover critical functions from such a disruption, could interfere with the production, shipment or receipt of our merchandise in a timely manner or increaseour costs to do so, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, any of the abovedisruptions could undermine consumer confidence, which could negatively impact consumer spending patterns or customer traffic, and thus have a materialadverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.ITEM 1B.-UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTSNone.21Table of ContentsITEM 2.-PROPERTIESWe lease all of our existing store locations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, with lease terms expiring through 2026. The average unexpiredlease term for our stores is approximately 2.6 years in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and approximately 3.3 years in Canada. Generally, we enterinto initial lease terms ranging between 3-10 years at inception and provide for contingent rent based on sales in excess of specific minimums. We anticipatethat we will be able to extend those leases which we wish to extend on satisfactory terms as they expire, or relocate to desirable locations.The following table sets forth information with respect to our non-store locations as of January 28, 2017:Location Use Approximate Sq.Footage Current Lease TermExpirationFort Payne, AL (1) Warehouse Distribution Center 700,000 OwnedOntario, Canada (2) Warehouse Distribution Center 95,000 4/30/2019500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ (3) Corporate Offices 200,000 5/31/2029Hong Kong, China (3) Product Support 28,000 4/30/2018Shanghai, China (3) Product Support 2,200 8/10/2018Gurgaon, India (3) Product Support 5,200 7/14/2019Dhaka, Bangladesh (3) Product Support 5,000 1/19/2019Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (3) Product Support 2,000 12/31/2019____________________________________________(1)Supports The Children's Place U.S. stores, wholesale, and e-commerce business.(2)Supports The Children's Place Canadian stores.(3)Supports both The Children's Place U.S. stores, our e-commerce business, The Children's Place Canadian stores, our international franchisees, and wholesale business.During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, our management approved a plan to close our Northeast DC and move the operations to the Company's SoutheastDC. We ceased operations in our Northeast DC during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. The lease of our Northeast DC expires in January 2021 and we havesubleased this facility through January 2021.On occasion, we may utilize additional facilities to support seasonal warehousing needs.ITEM 3.-LEGAL PROCEEDINGSThe Company is a defendant in Rael v. The Children’s Place, Inc., a purported class action, pending in the U.S. District Court, Southern District ofCalifornia. In the initial complaint filed in February 2016, the plaintiff alleges that the Company falsely advertised discount prices in violation ofCalifornia’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint in April 2016,adding allegations of violations of other state consumer protection laws. In August 2016, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, adding anadditional plaintiff that allegedly made a purchase in one of the Company’s stores in California and removing the other state law claims. The plaintiffs’second amended complaint seeks to represent a class of California purchasers and seeks, among other items, injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ feesand costs. The Company engaged in an initial mediation with the plaintiffs in December 2016; however, no resolution was reached on the matter at that time.The Company believes that the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the matter. No assurance can be given as to the ultimateoutcome of this matter, and the Company is unable to estimate a reasonably possible range of potential loss for this matter at this time.We are also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any ultimate liability arisingout of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.ITEM 4.-MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURESNot applicable.22Table of ContentsPART IIITEM 5.-MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OFEQUITY SECURITIESOur common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “PLCE.” The following table sets forth the range of highand low sales prices on Nasdaq of our common stock for the fiscal periods indicated. High Low2016 First Quarter $83.94 $61.99Second Quarter 84.59 67.38Third Quarter 86.69 72.50Fourth Quarter 110.60 72.55 2015 First Quarter $64.19 $55.69Second Quarter 69.01 57.90Third Quarter 61.59 53.20Fourth Quarter 65.10 47.25On March 21, 2017, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $113.95 per share, the number of holders of record of our common stock wasapproximately 45 and the number of beneficial holders of our common stock was approximately 11,500.The Company's Board of Directors has authorized the following share repurchase programs: (1) $100.0 million on March 3, 2014 (the “2014 ShareRepurchase Program”); (2) $100.0 million on January 7, 2015 (the “2015 Share Repurchase Program”); and (3) $250.0 million on December 8, 2015 (the“2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program”). The 2014 Share Repurchase Program and 2015 Share Repurchase Program have been completed. AtJanuary 28, 2017, there was approximately $119.4 million remaining on the 2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program. Additionally, in March 2017, theBoard of Directors authorized a $250 million share repurchase program (the "2017 Share Repurchase Program"). Under the 2015 and 2017 $250.0 MillionShare Repurchase Programs, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiatedtransactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate andregulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. We may suspend or discontinue the program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitutepurchases, all without prior announcement. Additionally, in March 2014, our Board of Directors instituted the payment of a quarterly cash dividend. During Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015, we paidcash dividends of $14.8 million and $12.2 million, respectively. The Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share to be paid onMay 1, 2017 to shareholders of record on the close of business on April 10, 2017. Future declarations of quarterly dividends, the establishment of futurerecord dates, and the resulting payment dates are subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including businessand market conditions, the Company’s future financial performance and other investment priorities. The following table provides a summary of our cash dividends paid by quarter during Fiscal 2016: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter Fiscal 2016Cash dividends declared and paid per common share $0.20 $0.20 $0.20 $0.20 $0.80 Cash dividends paid (in thousands) $3,803 $3,753 $3,647 $3,582 $14,785Pursuant to the Company's practice, including due to restrictions imposed by our insider trading policy during black-out periods, we withhold and retireshares of vesting stock awards and make payments to taxing authorities as required by law to satisfy the withholding tax requirements of certain recipients.Also, we acquire shares of our common stock in conjunction with liabilities owed under a deferred compensation plan, which are held in treasury. Thefollowing table summarizes our share repurchases:23Table of Contents Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 Shares Value Shares Value Share repurchases related to: (In thousands) 2014 Share Repurchase Program —— 64039,791 2015 Share Repurchase Program 31020,726 1,33879,274 2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Programprogram (1) 1,554130,611 —— Withholding taxes 836,472 301,828Shares acquired and held in treasury 3249 4257(1)Subsequent to January 28, 2017 and through March 21, 2017, we repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares for approximately $15.0 million.The following table provides a month-to-month summary of our share repurchase activity during the 13 weeks ended January 28, 2017:Period Total Number of SharesPurchased Average Price Paid perShare Total Number of SharesPurchased as Part ofPublicly Announced Plansor Programs Approximate Dollar Value(in thousands) of Sharesthat May Yet BePurchased Under the Plansor Programs10/30/16-11/26/16 (1) 95,853 $82.82 93,500 $150,75711/27/16-12/31/16 (2) 152,643 105.66 152,100 134,6841/1/17-1/28/17 (3) 151,746 100.98 151,000 119,439Total 400,242 $98.42 396,600 $119,439(1)Includes 848 shares acquired as treasury stock as directed by participants in the Company's deferred compensation plan and 1,505 shares withheld to cover taxes inconjunction with the vesting of a stock award.(2) Includes 543 shares withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of a stock award.(3)Includes 746 shares withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of a stock award.Equity Plan Compensation InformationOn May 20, 2011, our shareholders approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2011 Equity Plan"). Upon adoption of the 2011 Equity Plan, weceased issuing awards under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (together with the 1997 Stock Option Plan, collectively the "Prior Plans"). The following tableprovides information as of January 28, 2017, about the shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans. COLUMN (A) COLUMN (B) COLUMN (C)Plan Category Securities to be issued uponexercise of outstandingoptions Weighted average exerciseprice of outstandingoptions Securities remainingavailable for futureissuances under equitycompensation plans(excluding securitiesreflected in Column (A))Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders N/A N/A 1,065,920Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders N/A N/A N/ATotal N/A N/A 1,065,92024Table of ContentsPerformance GraphThe following graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock with the return on the CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQStock Market (US Companies) and CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on January 28, 2012in each of our common stock, the CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (US Companies) and the CRSP Total Return Index for theNASDAQ Retail Trade.The table below sets forth the closing price of our Common Stock and the closing indices for the CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ StockMarket (US Companies) and CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade on the last day of each of our last five fiscal years. 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016The Children's Place---"PLCE" 49.530 52.670 59.950 65.100 94.800CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (USCompanies) 1,163.278 1,518.350 1,736.188 1,763.447 2,194.730CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade 827.442 912.911 1,111.523 1,126.735 1,188.877The table below assumes that $100 was invested on January 28, 2012 in each of our common stock, CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ StockMarket (US Companies) and CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade.25Table of Contents 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016The Children's Place---"PLCE" 100.000 98.960 105.230 120.99 132.71 195.11CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ StockMarket (US Companies) 100.000 115.180 150.440 172.31 175.39 218.3CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ RetailTrade 100.000 118.300 130.500 158.91 161.09 169.97ITEM 6.-SELECTED FINANCIAL DATAWe are the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. As of January 28, 2017, we operated 1,039 The Children's Place storesacross North America and an online store at www.childrensplace.com. The following table sets forth certain historical financial and operating data for theCompany. The selected consolidated financial information presented below is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for each of the fiveyears in the period ended January 28, 2017. The information contained in this table should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion andAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.26Table of Contents Fiscal Year Ended (1)Statement of Operations Data (in thousands, except earnings per share and dividends): January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 February 1, 2014 February 2, 2013Net sales $1,785,316 $1,725,777 $1,761,324 $1,765,789 $1,809,486Cost of sales 1,113,723 1,100,645 1,139,024 1,110,268 1,118,046Gross profit 671,593 625,132 622,300 655,521 691,440Selling, general and administrative expenses 454,143 469,898 470,686 485,653 510,918Depreciation and amortization 65,734 62,685 60,494 64,858 77,435Asset impairment charges (2) 4,026 2,371 11,145 29,633 2,284Other costs (income) (3) 282 98 (68) (906) 11,088Operating income 147,408 90,080 80,043 76,283 89,715Interest income (expense), net (395) (698) (168) 265 (20)Income before provision for income taxes 147,013 89,382 79,875 76,548 89,695Provision for income taxes 44,677 31,498 22,987 23,522 26,452Net income 102,336 57,884 56,888 53,026 63,243 Diluted income per common share $5.40 $2.80 $2.59 $2.32 $2.61 Cash dividends declared and paid per common share (4) $0.80 $0.60 $0.53 — — Selected Data: Number of Company operated stores open at endof period 1,039 1,069 1,097 1,107 1,095Comparable retail sales increase (decrease) 4.9% 0.4% 0.4% (2.8)% 2.0% Balance Sheet Data (in thousands): Working capital (5) $281,966 $306,286 $334,812 $357,971 $353,729Total assets 910,499 897,948 958,618 990,630 923,410Revolving loan 15,380 — — — —Long-term debt — — — — —Stockholders’ equity 496,287 527,793 589,118 616,778 620,949____________________________________________(1)The period ending February 2, 2013 was a 53-week year. All other periods presented were 52-week years.(2)Asset impairment charges generally relate to the write-down of fixed assets to their fair value related to underperforming stores. In Fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2013, assetimpairment charges also included the write-off of obsolete systems of $1.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively.(3)Other costs include exit costs associated with the closures of the west coast distribution center and Northeast DC in fiscal 2012 and additional sublease agreements executed infiscal 2013.(4)The Company instituted its quarterly dividend program and paid its first dividend during the first quarter of Fiscal 2014.(5)Working capital is calculated by subtracting our current liabilities from our current assets.27Table of ContentsITEM 7.-MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONAND RESULTS OF OPERATIONSThe following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and notes thereto included in Part IV, Item 15.-Exhibitsand Financial Statement Schedules. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actualresults could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include,but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in Part I, Item 1A-Risk Factors.As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “The Children's Place”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to TheChildren's Place, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31. Other terms that are commonly used in ourmanagement's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are defined as follows:•Fiscal 2016 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 28, 2017•Fiscal 2015 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 30, 2016•Fiscal 2014 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 31, 2015•Fiscal 2017 - Our next fiscal year representing the fifty-three weeks ending February 3, 2018•FASB- Financial Accounting Standards Board•FASB ASC - FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which serves as the source for authoritative U.S. GAAP, except that rules andinterpretive releases by the SEC are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants•GAAP - U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles•SEC- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission•AUR- Average unit retail price•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 store, excluding postage and handling fees. Store closures in the current fiscal year will be excluded from Comparable Retail Salesbeginning in the fiscal quarter in which the store closes. Stores that temporarily close for non- substantial remodeling will be excluded fromComparable Retail Sales for only the period that they were closed. A store is considered substantially remodeled if it has been relocated ormaterially changed in size and will be excluded from Comparable Retail Sales for at least 14 months beginning in the period in which theremodel occurred.•Gross Margin - Gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales•SG&A - Selling, general, and administrative expensesOVERVIEWOur BusinessWe are the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. We design, contract to manufacture, sell at retail and wholesale, andlicense to sell trend right, high quality merchandise at value prices, the substantial majority of which is under our proprietary “The Children's Place”, "Place"and "Baby Place" brand names. As of January 28, 2017, we operated 1,039 stores across North America, our e-commerce business at www.childrensplace.com,and had 150 international points of distribution open and operated by our six franchise partners in 17 countries.Segment ReportingIn accordance with FASB ASC 280--Segment Reporting, we report segment data based on geography: The Children’s Place U.S. and The Children’sPlace International. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com. Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment areour U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores and revenue from our U.S. based wholesale business. Included in The Children's Place International segment are ourCanadian based stores, revenue from the Company's Canada wholesale business, as well as revenue from international franchisees. We measure our segmentprofitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment. Certaininventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, humanresources, legal, and information technology services are managed by The Children’s Place U.S. segment. Expenses related to these functions, includingdepreciation and amortization, are allocated to The Children’s Place International segment based primarily on net sales. The assets related to these functionsare not allocated. We periodically review these allocations and adjust them based upon changes in business circumstances. Net sales to external customersare derived from merchandise sales and we have no major customers that account for more than 10% of our net sales.28Table of ContentsOperating HighlightsNet sales increased by $59.5 million, or 3.4%, to $1,785.3 million during Fiscal 2016 from $1,725.8 million during Fiscal 2015. Our net salesincreased by $90.8 million driven primarily by a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 4.9%, as well as growth from our wholesale and international franchisebusinesses, partially offset by a $28.4 million decrease in sales primarily due to operating fewer stores in our current year and an unfavorable impact of $2.9million related to changes in the Canadian dollar. During Fiscal 2016, we opened four stores and closed 34 stores.Gross profit increased by $46.5 million, or 7.4%, to $671.6 million during Fiscal 2016 from $625.1 million during Fiscal 2015. Consolidated grossmargin increased approximately 140 basis points to 37.6% during Fiscal 2016 from 36.2% during Fiscal 2015. The increase in consolidated gross marginresulted primarily from merchandise margin leverage, a higher AUR and fixed cost leverage resulting from positive Comparable Retail Sales partially offsetby the dilutive impact from the growth of our wholesale and international franchise businesses.We continue to make progress on our business transformation initiatives in an effort to improve sales and margin. Our business transformation throughtechnology initiative has two key components: inventory management and digital transformation. With respect to inventory management, the insights fromthe implementation of our assortment planning, allocation and replenishment tools, order planning, and forecasting tools are delivering gross margin andinventory productivity benefits as evidenced by our eighth quarter of continued AUR and merchandise margin expansion.We see mobile as the cornerstone of our digital strategy and when designing and developing our digital experience, our starting point is to optimizethe mobile experience. Our digital transformation is comprised of three key initiatives: omni-channel initiatives, architectural upgrades, and customersegmentation efforts. During Fiscal 2016 we piloted our first omni-channel initiative, ROPIS, and re-launched our loyalty program in conjunction with ournew private label credit card program. Our loyalty members and private label credit card holders represent our most loyal customer segment, exhibiting agreat visit frequency and average spend.With respect to alternate channels of distribution, we continued our international expansion program and added 48 additional international points ofdistribution (stores, shop in shops, e-commerce site) during Fiscal 2016 bringing our total count to 150, operating in 17 countries. We also launched ourbrand on the Tmall e-commerce platform in the China market. In our wholesale business, we launched our replenishment program with Amazon andexpanded categories of merchandise available for distribution to our customers.We continue to evaluate our store fleet as part of our fleet optimization initiative to improve store productivity and plan to close approximately 300stores through fiscal 2020, which includes the 34 stores we closed during Fiscal 2016, 32 stores we closed during Fiscal 2015, the 35 stores we closed inFiscal 2014 and the 41 stores we closed during fiscal 2013. We continue to be committed to returning capital to shareholders. During Fiscal 2016, we repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares forapproximately $151.3 million under our share repurchase programs and paid cash dividends of $14.8 million. Our first quarter 2017 dividend of $0.40 pershare, which represents a 100% increase per share, will be paid on May 1, 2017 to shareholders of record on the close of business on April 10, 2017.We reported net income of $102.3 million during Fiscal 2016 compared to $57.9 million during Fiscal 2015, an increase of 76.7%, due to the factorsdiscussed above. Diluted earnings per share was $5.40 in Fiscal 2016 compared to $2.80 in Fiscal 2015, an increase of 92.9%. This increase in earnings perdiluted share is due to higher net income and a lower diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding of approximately 1.7 million shares,virtually all of which is related to our share repurchase programs.We have subsidiaries whose operating results are based in foreign currencies and are thus subject to the fluctuations of the corresponding translationrates into U.S. dollars. The below table summarizes the average translation rates most impacting our operating results: Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014Average Translation Rates (1) Canadian Dollar 0.7595 0.7733 0.8980Hong Kong Dollar 0.1289 0.1290 0.1290China Yuan Renminbi 0.1499 0.1585 0.1617____________________________________________29Table of Contents(1)The average translation rates are the average of the monthly translation rates used during each fiscal year to translate the respective income statements. The rates represent theU.S. dollar equivalent of each foreign currency.For Fiscal 2016, the effects of these translation rate changes on net sales and operating income were decreases of $2.9 million and $0.8 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 Canadiansubsidiary is also impacted by its inventory purchases, which are priced in U.S. dollars; however, during the second quarter of Fiscal 2015 we began enteringinto foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate the variability of cash flows associated with these inventory purchases.CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect thereported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reportedrevenues and expenses during the reported period. In many cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used. Wecontinuously 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 resultscould 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 evaluatingour financial results. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the AuditCommittee 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. The estimatedmarket value of inventory is determined based on an analysis of historical sales trends of our individual product categories, the impact of market trends andeconomic conditions, and a forecast of future demand, as well as plans to sell through inventory. Estimates may differ from actual results due to the quantity,quality, and mix of products in inventory, consumer and retailer preferences, and market conditions. Our historical estimates have not differed materiallyfrom actual results and a 10% difference in our LCM reserve as of January 28, 2017 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.2 million. Ourreserve balance at January 28, 2017 was approximately $2.6 million compared to $3.7 million at January 30, 2016.Reserves for inventory shrinkage, representing the risk of physical loss of inventory, are estimated based on historical experience and are adjusted basedupon physical inventory counts. A 0.5% difference in our shrinkage rate as a percentage of cost of goods sold could impact each quarter's net income byapproximately $0.6 million.Stock-Based Compensation— We account for stock-based compensation according to the provisions of FASB ASC 718-- Compensation—StockCompensation.Time Vesting and Performance-Based AwardsWe generally grant time vesting and performance-based stock awards to employees at management levels and above. We also grant time vesting stockawards to our non-employee directors. Time vesting awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units that require each recipient to complete a serviceperiod ("Deferred Awards"). Deferred Awards granted to employees generally vest ratably over three years. Deferred Awards granted to non-employeedirectors generally vest after one year. Performance-based stock awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units, which have a performance criteria thatmust be achieved for the awards to be earned in addition to a service period requirement ("Performance Awards") and each Performance Award has a definednumber of shares that an employee can earn (the "Target Shares"). With the approval of the Board's Compensation Committee, the Company may settle vestedDeferred Awards and Performance Awards to the employee in shares, in a cash amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time all requirements fordelivery of the award have been met, or in part shares and cash. For Performance Awards issued during Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2015 (the “2014 and 2015Performance Awards”), the Target Shares earned can range from 0% to 300% and depend on the achievement of adjusted earnings per share for thecumulative three-fiscal year performance period and our total shareholder return (“TSR”) relative to that of companies in our peer group. 2014 and 2015Performance Awards generally cliff vest, if earned, after the completion of the applicable three year performance period. The 2014 and 2015 PerformanceAwards grant date fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation covering the period from the valuation date through the end of the applicableperformance period using our simulated stock price as well as the TSR of companies in our peer group. For Performance Awards issued during Fiscal 2016(the “2016 Performance Awards”), an employee may earn from 0% to 200% of their Target Shares based on the achievement of adjusted earnings per share fora cumulative three-fiscal year performance period and adjusted operating margin expansion and adjusted return on invested capital achieved at the end of theperformance period. The 2016 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of the applicable three year performance period. The fair value of the2016 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over therelated service period reduced for estimated forfeitures of those awards not expected to30Table of Contentsvest due to employee turnover. While actual forfeitures could vary significantly from those estimated, a 10% change in our estimated forfeiture rate wouldimpact our Fiscal 2016 net income by approximately $0.4 million. Stock OptionsWe have not issued stock options since fiscal 2008 and have no stock options outstanding. There is no unamortized stock compensation related to stockoptions at January 28, 2017.Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—We periodically review our long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not berecoverable. 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 significantlybefore the end of its previously estimated useful life. In reviewing for impairment, we group our long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for whichidentifiable 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 informationtechnology systems. Store-related assets consist of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, certain computer equipment, and lease related assetsassociated with individual stores.For store-related assets, we review all stores that have reached comparable sales status, or sooner if circumstances should dictate, on at least an annualbasis. We believe waiting this period of time allows a store to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive analysis of financial performance can beperformed. For each store that shows indications of operating losses, we project future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease and compare the totalundiscounted 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 thelong-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value. We primarily determine fair market value to be the discounted future cash flows associatedwith those assets. In evaluating future cash flows, we consider external and internal factors. External factors comprise the local environment in which thestore resides, including mall traffic, competition, and their effect on sales trends. Internal factors include our ability to gauge the fashion taste of ourcustomers, control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll, and in certain cases, our ability to renegotiate lease costs. If external factors should changeunfavorably, if actual sales should differ from our projections, or if our ability to control costs is insufficient to sustain the necessary cash flows, futureimpairment charges could be material. At January 28, 2017, the average net book value per store was approximately $0.1 million.Income Taxes—We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in FASB ASC 740-- Income Taxes. Under the liabilitymethod, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as fornet operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxableincome in effect for the years in which the basis differences and tax assets are expected to be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is morelikely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances we consider projected future taxableincome 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, anincrease 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 andinformation 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 thelargest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge ofall 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 beenrecognized in the financial statements.Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments—FASB ASC 820-- Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure provides a single definition of fairvalue, 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 marketparticipants at the measurement date and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs andminimize 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 orindirectly•Level 3 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are unobservable for the assets or liabilities31Table of ContentsOur cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, assets of the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, accounts payable andrevolving loan are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. TheCompany stock included in the Deferred Compensation Plan is not subject to fair value measurement.Our assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets. We review the carrying amounts of such assets when events indicatethat their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair value. The resulting fairvalue measurements of the assets are considered to be Level 3 inputs.Our derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward contracts that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such asforward rates, our credit risk, and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, our derivative assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of thevaluation hierarchy.Insurance and Self-Insurance Liabilities—Based on our assessment of risk and cost efficiency, we self-insure as well as purchase insurance policies toprovide for workers’ compensation, general liability, and property losses, cyber-security coverage, 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, andother 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 webelieve that our risk assessments are appropriate, these uncertainties or a deviation in future claims trends from recent historical patterns could result in ourrecording additional or reduced expenses, which may be material to our results of operations. Our historical estimates have not differed materially fromactual results and a 10% difference in our insurance reserves as of January 28, 2017 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.7 million.Recently Issued Accounting StandardsAdopted in Fiscal 2016In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance relating to accounting for fees paid in connection with cloud-based software arrangements. This guidanceprovides clarification on whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a software license is included, the customer should accountfor the license consistent with its accounting for other software licenses. If a software license is not included, the arrangement should be accounted for as aservice contract. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2016In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for share-based payment transactions. This guidance involves several aspects of theaccounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classifications of awards as either equity or liabilities, andclassification on the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in Fiscal 2017, including interim periods within thosefiscal years, and early adoption was permitted. The potential impacts that this adoption will have on our income tax expense or benefit and related cash flowsduring and after the period of adoption are dependent in part upon future grants and vesting of stock-based compensation awards and other factors that arenot fully controllable or predicable by the Company, such as the future market price of the Company's common stock and the future achievement ofperformance criteria that affect performance-based awards. Therefore, the impact on the consolidated financial statements will be dependent upon futureevents which are unpredictable. However, based on our stock price and our outstanding unvested Deferred and Performance Awards as of January 28, 2017,the adoption of this pronouncement at the beginning of Fiscal 2017 will significantly reduce our income tax expense and increase our net income duringFiscal 2017.In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for leases. This guidance applies a right of use model that requires a lessee torecord, for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a liability tomake lease payments. The lease term is the noncancellable period of the lease, and includes both periods covered by an option to extend the lease, if thelessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercisethat termination option. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, andearly adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the potential impact of this standard. However, we would expect that the adoption of this standardwill require us to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be material to our consolidated balance sheet given the extent of our leaseportfolio.32Table of ContentsIn November 2015, the FASB issued guidance relating to balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. Currently, entities are required to presentdeferred tax assets and liabilities as current and non-current on the balance sheet. This guidance simplifies the current guidance by requiring entities toclassify all deferred tax assets and liabilities, together with any related valuation allowance, as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The standard is effective forthe Company beginning in its fiscal year 2017, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. The adoption is notexpected to impact the Company's consolidated financial statements other than the change in presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities within itsconsolidated balance sheets.In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance relating to revenue recognition from contracts with customers. This guidance requires entities to recognizerevenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expectsto be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance to defer the effective date by one year and, therefore, thestandard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. We arecurrently reviewing the potential impact of this standard.RESULTS OF OPERATIONSThe following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data expressed as a percentage of net sales. We primarily evaluate theresults 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 inour business expressed as a percentage of net sales (i.e. “basis points”). For example, gross profit increased approximately 140 basis points to 37.6% of netsales during Fiscal 2016 from 36.2% during Fiscal 2015. 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 afaster pace than our sales (i.e. “de-leveraging”), we have less efficiently utilized the investments we have made in our business.Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015Net sales100.0% 100.0% 100.0%Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)62.4 63.8 64.7Gross profit37.6 36.2 35.3Selling, general, and administrative expenses25.4 27.2 26.7Depreciation and amortization3.7 3.6 3.4Asset impairment charge0.2 0.1 0.6Other (income) costs— — —Operating income8.3 5.2 4.5Income before provision for income taxes8.2 5.2 4.5Provision for income taxes2.5 1.8 1.3Net income5.7% 3.4% 3.2%Number of stores operated by the Company, end of period1,039 1,069 1,097The following tables set forth by segment, for the periods indicated, net sales, gross profit and gross margin:Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Net sales: The Children’s Place U.S.$1,567,556 $1,518,117 $1,528,762The Children’s Place International217,760 207,660 232,562Total net sales$1,785,316 $1,725,777 $1,761,32433Table of ContentsFiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Gross profit: The Children’s Place U.S.$577,948 $539,030 $535,226The Children’s Place International93,645 86,102 87,074Total gross profit$671,593 $625,132 $622,300Gross margin: The Children’s Place U.S.36.9% 35.5% 35.0%The Children’s Place International43.0% 41.5% 37.4%Total gross margin37.6% 36.2% 35.3%Fiscal 2016 Compared to Fiscal 2015Net sales increased by $59.5 million, or 3.4%, to $1,785.3 million during Fiscal 2016 from $1,725.8 million during Fiscal 2015. Our net sales increasedby $90.8 million driven primarily by a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 4.9%, as well as growth from our wholesale and international franchisebusinesses, partially offset by a $28.4 million decrease in sales primarily due to operating fewer stores in our current year and an unfavorable impact of $2.9million related to changes in the Canadian dollar. The Children’s Place U.S. net sales increased $49.5 million, or 3.3%, to $1,567.6 million during Fiscal 2016 compared to $1,518.1 million during Fiscal2015. Our net sales increase resulted primarily from a U.S. Comparable Retail Sales increase of 4.9% as well as growth from our wholesale business partiallyoffset by a decrease in sales due to operating fewer stores in our current year.The Children’s Place International net sales increased $10.1 million, or 4.9%, to $217.8 million during Fiscal 2016 compared to $207.7 million duringFiscal 2015. Our net sales increase resulted primarily from a Canadian Comparable Retail Sales increase of 5.1% as well as growth from our internationalfranchise business partially offset by a decrease in sales due to operating fewer stores in our current year.Gross profit increased by $46.5 million, or 7.4%, to $671.6 million during Fiscal 2016 from $625.1 million during Fiscal 2015. Consolidated grossmargin increased approximately 140 basis points to 37.6% during Fiscal 2016 from 36.2% during Fiscal 2015. The increase in consolidated gross marginresulted primarily from merchandise margin leverage, a higher AUR and fixed cost leverage resulting from positive Comparable Retail Sales partially offsetby the dilutive impact from the growth of our wholesale and international franchise businesses. Gross margin at The Children's Place U.S. increased approximately 140 basis points to 36.9% during Fiscal 2016 from 35.5% in Fiscal 2015. Theincrease in The Children's Place U.S. gross margin resulted primarily from merchandise margin leverage, a higher AUR and fixed cost leverage resulting frompositive Comparable Retail Sales partially offset by the dilutive impact from the growth of our wholesale business.Gross margin at The Children's Place International increased approximately 150 basis points to 43.0% in Fiscal 2016 from 41.5% in Fiscal 2015. Theincrease in The Children's Place International gross margin resulted primarily from merchandise margin leverage, a higher AUR and fixed cost leverageresulting from positive Comparable Retail Sales partially offset by the dilutive impact from the growth of our international franchise business.Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $15.8 million, or 3.5%, to $454.1 million during Fiscal 2016 from $469.9 million during Fiscal2015. As a percentage of net sales SG&A decreased approximately 180 basis points to 25.4% during Fiscal 2016 from 27.2% during Fiscal 2015. Thecomparability of our SG&A was affected by costs incurred related to proxy contest expenses, a class action wage and hour legal settlement, a sales tax auditand expenses arising out of the restructuring of certain store and corporate operations which in aggregate resulted in costs of approximately $18.1 millionduring Fiscal 2015. Excluding this impact, our SG&A increased approximately $2.3 million during Fiscal 2016 from Fiscal 2015, and leveraged 80 basispoints. The leverage was primarily due to a reduction in store payroll expenses partially offset by increased incentive compensation expenses.Asset impairment charges were $4.0 million as compared to $2.4 million during Fiscal 2015. During Fiscal 2016, we impaired 28 stores, 11 of which werefully impaired and 17 of which were partially impaired, compared to 22 stores, 10 of which were fully impaired and 12 of which were partially impairedduring Fiscal 2015. These store impairment charges were recorded as a result of reduced cash flows from revenue and/or gross margins not meeting targetedlevels and accelerated store lease termination dates. Additionally, as part of our business transformation through technology plan, we recorded asset34Table of Contentsimpairment charges of $1.3 million related to the write-down of some previously capitalized development costs and obsolete systems during Fiscal 2016.Depreciation and amortization was $65.7 million during Fiscal 2016 compared to $62.7 million during Fiscal 2015 reflecting increased depreciationassociated with certain business transformation related systems.Provision for income taxes increased $13.2 million, or 41.9%, to $44.7 million in Fiscal 2016 compared to $31.5 million in Fiscal 2015. The increase inthe provision for income taxes was primarily related to an increase in our pre-tax income partially offset by a decrease in our effective tax rate. Our effectivetax rate was 30.4% and 35.2% during Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015, respectively. The decrease in effective tax rate for Fiscal 2016 compared to Fiscal 2015primarily relates to a $1.7 million tax benefit recorded for uncertain tax positions in Fiscal 2016 as compared to a $3.9 million tax expense in Fiscal 2015 aswell as a decrease in non-deductible expenses during Fiscal 2016, partially offset by an unfavorable effective tax rate impact due to a higher percentage ofearnings in the U.S. for Fiscal 2016, which has a higher effective tax rate. The Company’s foreign effective tax rates for Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 were21.2% and 22.6%, respectively.Net income was $102.3 million during Fiscal 2016 compared to $57.9 million during Fiscal 2015, an increase of 76.7%, due to the factors discussedabove. Diluted earnings per share was $5.40 in Fiscal 2016 compared to $2.80 in Fiscal 2015, an increase of 92.9%. This increase in earnings per dilutedshare is due to higher net income and a lower diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding of approximately 1.7 million shares, virtuallyall of which is related to our share repurchase programs.Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014Net sales decreased by $35.5 million to $1,725.8 million during Fiscal 2015 from $1,761.3 million during Fiscal 2014. Our net sales decrease resultedfrom $29.9 million from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rate and a $12.0 million decrease in sales due to fewer store openings, as well asother sales that did not qualify as comparable sales, partially offset by a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 0.4%, or $6.4 million. The Children’s Place U.S. net sales decreased $10.7 million, or 0.7%, to $1,518.1 million during Fiscal 2015 compared to $1,528.8 million during Fiscal2014. Our net sales decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in sales due to fewer store openings, as well as other sales that did not qualify as comparablesales. U.S. Comparable Retail Sales were flat. The Children’s Place International net sales decreased $24.9 million, or 10.7%, to $207.7 million during Fiscal 2015 compared to $232.6 million duringFiscal 2014. Our net sales decrease resulted from unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rate, partially offset by a Canadian Comparable Retail Salesincrease of 3.1% and channel expansion growth. During Fiscal 2015, we opened four stores, all in the United States. We closed 32 stores in Fiscal 2015, 30 in the United States and two in Canada.Gross profit increased by $2.8 million to $625.1 million during Fiscal 2015 from $622.3 million during Fiscal 2014. Consolidated Gross Marginincreased approximately 90 basis points to 36.2% during Fiscal 2015 from 35.3% during Fiscal 2014. The increase in consolidated Gross Margin resultedprimarily from merchandise margin leverage, a higher AUR and fixed cost leverage resulting from positive Comparable Retail Sales. Gross Margin at The Children's Place U.S. increased approximately 50 basis points to 35.5% in Fiscal 2015 from 35.0% in Fiscal 2014. The increase inThe Children's Place U.S. Gross Margin resulted primarily from merchandise margin leverage, a higher AUR partially offset by the dilutive impact on GrossMargin of channel expansion.Gross Margin at The Children's Place International increased approximately 410 basis points to 41.5% in Fiscal 2015 from 37.4% in Fiscal 2014. Theincrease in The Children's Place International Gross Margin resulted primarily from merchandise margin leverage, a higher AUR and fixed cost leverageresulting from positive Comparable Retail Sales partially offset by the dilutive impact on Gross Margin of channel expansion.Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.8 million to $469.9 million during Fiscal 2015 from $470.7 million during Fiscal 2014. As apercentage of net sales SG&A increased approximately 50 basis points to 27.2% during Fiscal 2015 from 26.7% during Fiscal 2014. The comparability of ourSG&A was affected by costs incurred of approximately $18.1 million during Fiscal 2015 related to proxy contest costs, a class action wage and hour legalsettlement, a sales tax audit and costs arising out of the restructuring of certain store and corporate operations and costs of approximately $8.1 million duringFiscal 2014 arising out of the restructuring of certain store and corporate operations. Excluding this impact, our SG&A decreased approximately $10.8million during Fiscal 2015 from Fiscal 2014, and leveraged 10 basis points. The leverage was primarily due to a reduction in store payroll expenses partiallyoffset by increased costs associated with our ongoing transformation initiatives and incentive compensation expenses.Asset impairment charges were $2.4 million during Fiscal 2015, related to 22 stores, 10 of which were fully impaired and 12 of which were partially impaired,compared to $11.1 million during Fiscal 2014, related to 74 stores, 44 of which were fully35Table of Contentsimpaired and 30 of which were partially impaired. These store impairment charges were recorded as a result of reduced cash flows from revenue and/or grossmargins not meeting targeted levels and accelerated store lease termination dates.Depreciation and amortization was $62.7 million during Fiscal 2015 compared to $60.5 million during Fiscal 2014 due primarily to the completion ofcertain foundational enterprise resource planning projects in Fiscal 2014.Provision for income taxes was $31.5 million during Fiscal 2015 compared to $23.0 million during Fiscal 2014. Our effective tax rate was 35.2% and28.8% during Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively. The increase in rate for Fiscal 2015 compared to Fiscal 2014 primarily relates to a reserve foruncertain tax positions in Canada and the change in valuation allowance. The Company’s foreign effective tax rates for Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 were22.6% and 13.7%, respectively.Net income was $57.9 million during Fiscal 2015 compared to $56.9 million during Fiscal 2014, due to the factors discussed above. Diluted earningsper share was $2.80 in Fiscal 2015 compared to $2.59 in Fiscal 2014. This increase in earnings per diluted share is due to higher net income and a lowerdiluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding of approximately 1.2 million shares, virtually all of which is related to our share repurchaseprograms.LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCESLiquidityOur working capital needs follow a seasonal pattern, peaking during the third fiscal quarter based on seasonal inventory purchases. Our primary uses ofcash are working capital requirements, which are principally inventory purchases, and the financing of capital projects, including investments in newsystems, the repurchases of our common stock, and the financing of new store openings and remodels. In March 2014, our Board of Directors instituted thepayment of a quarterly cash dividend.Our working capital decreased $24.3 million to $282.0 million at January 28, 2017 compared to $306.3 million at January 30, 2016. This decrease isprimarily due to an increase in capital returned to our shareholders through higher share repurchases and dividends. During Fiscal 2016, we repurchasedapproximately 1.9 million shares for approximately $151.3 million under our share repurchase programs and paid cash dividends of $14.8 million.Subsequent to January 28, 2017 and through March 21, 2017, we repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares for approximately $15.0 million andannounced that our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share to be paid on May 1, 2017 to shareholders of record on the closeof business on April 10, 2017.At January 28, 2017, our credit facility provided for borrowings up to the lesser of $250.0 million or our borrowing base, as defined by the credit facilityagreement (see “Credit Facility” below). At January 28, 2017, we had $15.4 million in outstanding borrowings with our borrowing base at $223.8 million,and $201.1 million available for borrowing. In addition, at January 28, 2017, we had $7.3 million of outstanding letters of credit with an additional $42.7million available for issuing letters of credit.As of January 28, 2017, we had approximately $193.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, of which $183.7 million of cash and cash equivalents washeld in foreign subsidiaries, of which approximately $122.7 million was in our Canadian subsidiaries, $54.8 million was in our Hong Kong subsidiaries and$6.2 million was in our other foreign subsidiaries. As of January 28, 2017 we also had short-term investments of $49.3 million in Hong Kong. Because all ofour earnings in our foreign subsidiaries are permanently and fully reinvested, any repatriation of cash from these subsidiaries would require the accrual andpayment of U.S. federal and certain state taxes. Due to the complexities associated with the hypothetical calculation, including the availability of foreign taxcredits, we have concluded that it is not practicable to determine the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings. We currentlydo 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 over the next 12 months by using our cash on hand, cash flowsfrom operations, and availability under our credit facility. Credit FacilityWe and certain of our domestic subsidiaries maintain a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), Bank ofAmerica, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo, as AdministrativeAgent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement was amended on September 15, 2015 and the provisionsbelow reflect the amended and extended Credit Agreement.The Credit Agreement, which expires in September 2020, consists of a $250 million asset based revolving credit facility, with a $50 million sub-limitfor standby and documentary letters of credit and an uncommitted accordion feature that could36Table of Contentsprovide up to $50 million of additional availability. Revolving credit loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at our 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 of1.25% to 1.50% 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 0.625% to 0.750% forcommercial letters of credit and range from 0.75% to 1.00% for standby letters of credit. Letter of credit fees are determined based on the amount of ouraverage excess availability under the facility. The amount available for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Agreement is determined by a borrowingbase consisting of certain credit card receivables, certain trade and franchise 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 thecase 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 conditions 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 intellectualproperty, software, equipment, and fixtures.As of January 28, 2017, we have capitalized an aggregate of approximately $4.3 million in deferred financing costs related to the Credit Agreement.The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at January 28, 2017 was approximately $1.0 million. Unamortized deferred financing costs areamortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. In conjunction with amending the agreement in September 2015, we paid approximately $0.3million in additional deferred financing costs.The table below presents the components of our credit facility:January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In millions)Credit facility maximum$250.0 $250.0Borrowing base223.8 211.7 Outstanding borrowings15.4 —Letters of credit outstanding—standby7.3 7.1Utilization of credit facility at end of period22.7 7.1 Availability (1)$201.1 $204.6 Interest rate at end of period2.8% 4.0%Fiscal2016 Fiscal2015Average end of day loan balance during the period$39.9 $28.5Highest end of day loan balance during the period95.8 67.5Average interest rate2.4% 2.7%____________________________________________(1)The sublimit availability for letters of credit was $42.7 million and $42.9 million at January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, respectively.Cash Flows/Capital ExpendituresDuring Fiscal 2016, cash flows provided by operating activities were $199.3 million compared to $182.7 million during Fiscal 2015. The net increase of$16.6 million in cash from operating activities resulted primarily from an increase in net income. During Fiscal 2015, cash flows provided by operatingactivities were $182.7 million compared to $161.4 million37Table of Contentsduring Fiscal 2014. The net increase of $21.3 million in cash from operating activities resulted primarily from operating performance.Cash flows used in investing activities were $44.3 million during Fiscal 2016 compared to $30.6 million during Fiscal 2015. This change was dueprimarily to a $9.2 million net purchase of short-term investments during Fiscal 2016 compared to an $11.9 million net redemption of short-term investmentsduring Fiscal 2015 and a $7.5 million decrease in capital expenditures. Cash flows used in investing activities were $30.6 million during Fiscal 2015compared to $61.7 million during Fiscal 2014. This net decrease of $31.1 million was due primarily to fewer store openings and the completion of certainfoundational enterprise resource planning projects in Fiscal 2014.During Fiscal 2016, cash flows used in financing activities were $155.0 million compared to $131.4 million during Fiscal 2015. The increase primarilyresulted from an increase in purchases of our common stock pursuant to our share repurchase programs and cash dividends paid partially offset by an increasein borrowings under our revolving credit facility. During Fiscal 2015, cash flows used in financing activities were $131.4 million compared to $87.6 millionduring Fiscal 2014. The increase primarily resulted from a $44.8 million increase in purchases of our common stock, pursuant to our share repurchaseprograms during Fiscal 2015 compared to Fiscal 2014.For Fiscal 2017, we estimate that total capital expenditures will be approximately $60 million, primarily related to our business transformation throughtechnology initiative. Our ability to meet our capital requirements in Fiscal 2017 depends on our ability to generate cash flows from operations and ouravailable borrowings under our credit facility. Cash flow generated from operations depends on our ability to achieve our financial plans. We believe thatcash 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 flowrequirements over the next 12 months.Derivative InstrumentsWe are exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates attributable to inventory purchases denominated in aforeign currency. Specifically, our Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliers in US dollars. Inorder to mitigate the variability of cash flows associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, we began entering into foreign exchangeforward contracts in the second quarter of Fiscal 2015. These contracts typically mature within 12 months. We do not use forward contracts to engage incurrency speculation and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.All derivative instruments are presented at gross fair value on the consolidated balance sheets within either prepaid expenses and other current assetsor accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of January 28, 2017 we had foreign exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of$21.4 million and the fair value of the derivative instruments was an asset of $1.5 million and a liability of $0.2 million.CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTSThe following tables summarize our contractual and commercial obligations as of January 28, 2017: Payment Due By PeriodContractual Obligations (dollars in thousands) Total 1 year or less 1-3 years 3-5 years More than 5 yearsOperating leases(1) $649,066 $144,196 $235,724 $161,414 $107,732Total---Contractual Obligations $649,066 $144,196 $235,724 $161,414 $107,732 Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per PeriodOther Commercial Commitments (dollars in thousands) Total 1 year or less 1-3 years 3-5 years More than 5 yearsPurchase commitments--merchandise 449,422 449,422 — — —Purchase commitments--non-merchandise 21,743 21,743 — — —Standby letters of credit(2) 7,300 7,300 — — —Total---Other Commercial Commitments $478,465 $478,465 $— $— $— Total---Contractual Obligations and OtherCommercial Commitments $1,127,531 $622,661 $235,724 $161,414 $107,732____________________________________________38Table of Contents(1)Certain of our operating leases include common area maintenance and other charges in our monthly rental expense. For other leases which do not include these charges in theminimum lease payments, we incur monthly charges, which are billed and recorded separately. Additionally, our minimum lease obligation does not include contingent rentbased upon sales volume.(2)Represents letters of credit issued to landlords, banks and insurance companies.We self-insure and purchase insurance policies to provide for workers' compensation, general liability, and property losses, as well as directors' andofficers' liability, vehicle liability and employee medical benefits, as described in Note 1 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Insurancereserves of approximately $6.5 million are included in other long term liabilities as of January 28, 2017. The long-term portion represents the total amountestimated to be paid beyond one year. We are not able to further estimate in which periods the long-term portion will be paid.As discussed more fully in Note 10 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements, our long-term liabilities include unrecognized tax benefits ofapproximately $7.3 million, which includes $1.0 million of accrued interest and penalties, at January 28, 2017. We cannot make a reasonable estimate of theamount and period of related future payments for any of this amount.We have an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, which provides for cash severance of two times the sum of base salary plus bonus,and certain other payments and benefits following any termination without cause or for “good reason”. As of January 28, 2017, these cash severance benefitsapproximated $6.8 million. In the event of a change in control of the Company, certain executives will receive, in the aggregate, approximately $23.9million of cash severance benefits should they either be terminated or voluntarily terminate their employment due to a degradation of duties as defined intheir agreement.Off-Balance Sheet ArrangementsNone.QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITYOur quarterly results of operations have fluctuated and are expected to continue to fluctuate materially depending on a variety of factors, includingoverall economic conditions, the timing and number of new store openings and related pre-opening and other startup costs, the timing and number of storeclosures, net sales contributed by new stores, increases or decreases in Comparable Retail Sales, weather conditions (such as unseasonable temperatures orstorms), shifts in timing of certain holidays, and changes in our merchandise mix and pricing strategy, including changes to address competitive factors. Thecombination and severity of one or more of these factors could result in material fluctuations.The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and selected operating data for each of our last four fiscal quarters. Quarterlyinformation for Fiscal 2015 is included in Note 13 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The quarterly statement of operations data andselected operating data set forth below were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and reflect, in our opinion, all adjustments(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present the results of operations for these fiscal quarters (unaudited):39Table of Contents Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter (In thousands)Net sales $419,351 $371,416 $473,777 $520,772Gross profit 165,351 123,871 194,517 187,854Selling, general and administrative expenses 109,212 107,903 115,442 121,586Depreciation and amortization 16,461 15,891 16,586 16,796Asset impairment charges — 2,826 392 808Other costs 68 191 17 6Operating income (loss) 39,610 (2,940) 62,080 48,658Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes 39,536 (3,116) 61,922 48,671Provision (benefit) for income taxes 13,551 (1,105) 17,756 14,475Net income (loss) 25,985 (2,011) 44,166 34,196 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $1.33 $(0.11) $2.36 $1.86 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 19,569 18,811 18,703 18,419 Cash dividends declared and paid per common share $0.2000 $0.2000 $0.2000 $0.2000ITEM 7A--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 ratemovements on borrowings and investments and currency rate movements on non-U.S. dollar denominated assets, liabilities, income and expenses. We utilizecash from operations and short-term borrowings to fund our working capital and investment needs. Cash and Cash EquivalentsCash and cash equivalents are normally invested in short-term financial instruments that will be used in operations within 90 days of the balance sheetdate. 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 InvestmentsShort-term investments consist of investments which we expect to convert into cash within one year, including time deposits, which have originalmaturities greater than 90 days. Because of the short-term nature of these instruments, changes in interest rates would not materially affect the fair value ofthese financial instruments.Interest RatesOur 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. Asof January 28, 2017, we had $15.4 million in borrowings under the credit facility. A 10% change in the prime rate or LIBOR interest rates would not havehad a material impact on our interest expense.Foreign Assets and LiabilitiesAssets and liabilities outside the United States are primarily located in Canada and Hong Kong. Our investments in our Canadian and Asian subsidiariesare considered to be long-term. As of January 28, 2017, net assets in our Canadian and Hong Kong subsidiaries were $109.8 million and $141.6 million,respectively. A 10% increase or decrease in the Canadian and Hong Kong Dollars would increase or decrease the corresponding net investment by $11.0million and $14.2 million, respectively. All changes in the net investment of our foreign subsidiaries are recorded in other comprehensive income asunrealized gains or losses. 40Table of ContentsAs of January 28, 2017, we had approximately $183.7 million of our cash and cash equivalents held in foreign countries, of which approximately $122.7million was in Canada, approximately $54.8 million was in Hong Kong and approximately $6.2 million was in other foreign countries. As of January 28,2017, we held $49.3 million of short-term investments in Hong Kong which are U.S. dollar denominated time deposits with banking institutions in HongKong that have six month maturity dates.Foreign OperationsWe have exchange rate exposure primarily with respect to certain revenues and expenses denominated in Canadian dollars. As a result, fluctuations inexchange rates impact the amount of our reported sales and expenses. Assuming a 10% change in foreign exchange rates, Fiscal 2016 net sales could havedecreased or increased by approximately $18.5 million and total costs and expenses could have decreased or increased by approximately $20.8 million. Additionally, we have foreign currency denominated receivables and payables that when settled, result in transaction gains or losses. At January 28, 2017,we had foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, including inter-company balances, of $11.4 million and $4.0 million, respectively.Our Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliers in U.S. dollars. In order to mitigate thevariability of cash flows associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, we began entering into foreign exchange forward contracts in thesecond quarter of Fiscal 2015. As of January 28, 2017 we had foreign exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $21.4 million and thefair value of the derivative instruments was an asset of $1.5 million and a liability of $0.2 million. Assuming a 10% change in Canadian foreign exchangerates, the fair value of these instruments could have decreased by or increased by approximately $2.1 million. Any resulting changes in the fair value of theinstruments would be partially offset by changes in the underlying balance sheet positions.We import a vast majority of our merchandise from foreign countries, primarily China, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam. Consequently, anysignificant or sudden change in these countries' political, foreign trade, financial, banking or currency policies and practices, or the occurrence of significantlabor unrest, could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.ITEM 8.-FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATAThe information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the consolidated financial statements and supplementary data set forth in“Item 15-Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” of Part IV of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.ITEM 9.-CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURENot applicable.Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and ProceduresDisclosure controls and procedures are designed only to provide "reasonable assurance" that the controls and procedures will meet their objectives. Acontrol system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system aremet. 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 totheir costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues andinstances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected.Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controlsand procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of January 28, 2017. Based on thatevaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective atthe reasonable assurance level, as of January 28, 2017, to ensure that all information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under theExchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated andcommunicated to our management, including our principal executive, principal accounting and principal financial officers, or persons performing similarfunctions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.41Table of ContentsManagement's Report on Internal Control Over Financial ReportingOur management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Securities ExchangeAct Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting forexternal purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Because of its inherent limitations, internalcontrol over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected.Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief FinancialOfficer, we conducted an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in InternalControl-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on ourevaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting waseffective as of January 28, 2017. Our independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in thisannual report has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.Changes in Internal Control over Financial ReportingThere have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter to which thisreport relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.42Table of ContentsReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmTo the Stockholders and Board of Directors ofThe Children's Place, Inc.Secaucus, New Jersey:We have audited The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of January 28, 2017, based oncriteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission(the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment ofthe effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control OverFinancial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require thatwe plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all materialrespects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, andtesting and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such otherprocedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reportingand the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal controlover financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairlyreflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permitpreparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are beingmade only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention ortimely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation ofeffectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliancewith the policies or procedures may deteriorate.In our opinion, The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January28, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheetsof The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations,comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 28, 2017 and our report datedMarch 23, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon./S/ BDO USA, LLPNew York, New YorkMarch 23, 201743Table of ContentsITEM 9B.-OTHER INFORMATIONNone.PART IIIITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThe information required to be included by Item 10 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Company's proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting ofstockholders to be filed within 120 days after January 28, 2017 (the “Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated by reference herein.ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONThe information required to be included by Item 11 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERSThe information required to be included by Item 12 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCEThe information required to be included by Item 13 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICESThe information required to be included by Item 14 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.44Table of ContentsPART IVITEM 15.-EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES(a)(1) Financial StatementsThe following documents are filed as part of this report: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm46 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 28, 2017 and January 30, 201647 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended January 28, 2017, January 30, 2016 and January 31, 201548 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended January 28, 2017, January 30, 2016 and January 31, 201549 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended January 28, 2017, January 30, 2016 and January 31,201550 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 28, 2017, January 30, 2016 and January 31, 201551 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements53 Schedule II- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts7845Table of ContentsReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmTo the Stockholders and Board of Directors ofThe Children's Place, Inc.Secaucus, New Jersey: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 28, 2017 andJanuary 30, 2016 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each ofthe three years in the period ended January 28, 2017. In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we have also audited the financial statementschedule listed in the accompanying index. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibilityis to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require thatwe plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includesexamining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used andsignificant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedule. We believe that our auditsprovide a reasonable basis for our opinion.In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Children’s Place,Inc. and subsidiaries at January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the periodended January 28, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presentsfairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), The Children’s Place, Inc. andsubsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 28, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 23, 2017 expressed an unqualifiedopinion thereon./S/ BDO USA, LLPNew York, New YorkMarch 23, 201746Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands, except par value)ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents$193,709 $187,534Short-term investments49,300 40,100Accounts receivable31,413 26,315Inventories286,343 268,831Prepaid expenses and other current assets32,894 43,042Deferred income taxes17,504 15,486Total current assets611,163 581,308Long-term assets: Property and equipment, net264,280 290,980Deferred income taxes29,734 22,230Other assets5,322 3,430Total assets$910,499 $897,948 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY LIABILITIES: Current liabilities: Revolving loan$15,380 $—Accounts payable178,208 154,541Income taxes payable13,812 1,611Accrued expenses and other current liabilities121,797 118,870Total current liabilities329,197 275,022Long-term liabilities: Deferred rent liabilities61,128 70,250Other tax liabilities7,344 9,713Other long-term liabilities16,543 15,170Total liabilities414,212 370,155COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (SEE NOTE 8) 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; 17,764 and 19,479 issued; 17,722 and 19,440outstanding (shares in thousands)1,776 1,948Additional paid-in capital239,940 232,182Treasury stock, at cost (42 and 39 shares, in thousands)(2,188) (1,939)Deferred compensation2,188 1,939Accumulated other comprehensive loss(20,341) (27,485)Retained earnings274,912 321,148Total stockholders’ equity496,287 527,793Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$910,499 $897,948 See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.47Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands, except earnings per share)Net sales$1,785,316 $1,725,777 $1,761,324Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)1,113,723 1,100,645 1,139,024Gross profit671,593 625,132 622,300Selling, general, and administrative expenses454,143 469,898 470,686Depreciation and amortization65,734 62,685 60,494Asset impairment charges4,026 2,371 11,145Other (income) costs282 98 (68)Operating income147,408 90,080 80,043Interest expense(1,953) (1,718) (1,323)Interest income1,558 1,020 1,155Income before provision for income taxes147,013 89,382 79,875Provision for income taxes44,677 31,498 22,987Net income$102,336 $57,884 $56,888 Earnings per common share Basic$5.51 $2.83 $2.62Diluted$5.40 $2.80 $2.59 Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic18,584 20,438 21,681Diluted18,959 20,702 21,924 See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.48Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Net income$102,336 $57,884 $56,888Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment6,161 (10,444) (15,964)Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of income taxes of $(354) and$(223), respectively983 452 —Total comprehensive income$109,480 $47,892 $40,924See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.49Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accumulated Additional Other Total Common Stock Paid-In Deferred Retained Comprehensive Treasury Stock Stockholders'(in thousands, except dividends per share) Shares Amount Capital Compensation Earnings Income Shares Value EquityBALANCE, February 1, 2014 22,230 $2,223 $226,521 $1,575 $389,563 ($1,529) (33) ($1,575) $616,778Exercise of stock options 2 — 55 55Excess tax benefits from stock-basedcompensation 268 268Vesting of stock awards 336 34 (34) —Stock-based compensation 17,783 17,783Capitalized stock-based compensation 930 930Purchase and retirement of shares (1,493) (149) (15,600) (60,380) (76,129)Dividends declared ($0.53 per share) (11,491) (11,491)Unvested dividends 506 (506) —Change in cumulative translation adjustment (15,964) (15,964)Deferral of common stock into deferred compensation plan 107 (2) (107) —Net income 56,888 56,888BALANCE, January 31, 2015 21,075 $2,108 $230,429 $1,682 $374,074 ($17,493) (35) ($1,682) $589,118Exercise of stock options 15 2 436 438Excess tax benefits from stock-basedcompensation 1,639 1,639Vesting of stock awards 397 40 (40) —Stock-based compensation 21,119 21,119Capitalized stock-based compensation 697 697Purchase and retirement of shares (2,008) (202) (22,643) (98,048) (120,893)Dividends declared ($0.60 per share) (12,217) (12,217)Unvested dividends 545 (545) —Change in cumulative translation adjustment (10,444) (10,444)Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net ofincome taxes of $(223) 452 452Deferral of common stock into deferred compensation plan 257 (4) (257) —Net income 57,884 57,884BALANCE, January 30, 2016 19,479 $1,948 $232,182 $1,939 $321,148 $(27,485) (39) ($1,939) $527,793Exercise of stock options 15 2 436 438Excess tax benefits from stock-basedcompensation 1,728 1,728Vesting of stock awards 217 22 (22) —Stock-based compensation 28,040 28,040Capitalized stock-based compensation 1,402 1,402Purchase and retirement of shares (1,947) (196) (24,622) (132,991) (157,809)Dividends declared ($0.80 per share) (14,785) (14,785)Unvested dividends 796 (796) —Change in cumulative translation adjustment 6,161 6,161Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net ofincome taxes of $354 983 983Deferral of common stock into deferred compensation plan 249 (3) (249) —Net income 102,336 102,336BALANCE, January 28, 2017 17,764 $1,776 $239,940 $2,188 $274,912 $(20,341) (42) ($2,188) $496,287See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.50Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income$102,336 $57,884 $56,888Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization65,734 62,685 60,494Non-cash stock-based compensation28,040 21,119 17,783Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation(1,728) (1,639) (268)Asset impairment charges4,026 2,371 11,145Deferred income tax (benefit)(9,379) 12,166 5,627Deferred rent expense and lease incentives(11,216) (9,519) (8,889)Other non-cash charges, net819 1,216 2,208Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Inventories(16,072) 26,121 21,022Accounts receivable and other assets(7,561) 2,318 (6,268)Income taxes payable, net of prepayments25,109 1,845 (7,341)Accounts payable and other current liabilities18,989 (4,040) 6,049Deferred rent and other liabilities195 10,123 2,960Net cash provided by operating activities199,292 182,650 161,410CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures(34,684) (42,145) (72,212)Purchase of short-term investments(49,300) (99,680) (81,000)Redemption of short-term investments40,100 111,580 91,500Change in company-owned life insurance policies(368) (379) 5Net cash used in investing activities(44,252) (30,624) (61,707)CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings under revolving credit facility553,415 556,856 320,230Repayments under revolving credit facility(538,035) (556,856) (320,230)Purchase and retirement of common stock, including transaction costs(157,809) (120,893) (76,129)Payment of dividends(14,785) (12,217) (11,491)Proceeds from exercise of stock options438 438 55Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation1,728 1,639 268Deferred financing costs— (320) (306)Net cash used in financing activities(155,048) (131,353) (87,603)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents6,183 (6,430) (12,806)Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents6,175 14,243 (706)Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period187,534 173,291 173,997Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$193,709 $187,534 $173,291 See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.51Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Net cash paid during the year for income taxes$31,492 $13,887 $23,598Cash paid during the year for interest1,680 1,399 936Increase (decrease) in accrued capital expenditures3,315 (462) 3,611 See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.52Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIESDescription of BusinessThe Children's Place, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. The Companyprovides apparel, accessories, footwear and other items for children. The Company designs, contracts to manufacture, sells at retail and wholesale, andlicenses to sell trend right, high-quality merchandise at value prices, the substantial majority of which is under our proprietary “The Children's Place”, "Place"and "Baby Place" brand names.The Company classifies its business into two segments: The Children’s Place U.S. and The Children’s Place International. Included in The Children’sPlace U.S. segment are the Company's U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores and revenue from its U.S. based wholesale business. Included in The Children's PlaceInternational segment are its Canadian based stores, revenue from the Company's Canada wholesale business, as well as revenue from internationalfranchisees. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com.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 consolidated financial statements are defined as follows:•Fiscal 2016 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 28, 2017•Fiscal 2015 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 30, 2016•Fiscal 2014 - The fifty-two weeks ended January 31, 2015•Fiscal 2017 - The Company's next fiscal year representing the fifty-three weeks ending February 3, 2018•SEC- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission•GAAP - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles•FASB- Financial Accounting Standards Board•FASB ASC - FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which serves as the source for authoritative U.S. GAAP, except that rules andinterpretive releases by the SEC are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrantsFiscal YearThe Company's fiscal year is a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31. All years presented were 52-week years.Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reportedamounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and amounts of revenues and expensesreported during the period. Actual results could differ from the assumptions used and estimates made by management, which could have a material impact onthe Company's financial position or results of operations. Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements includereserves for the realizability of inventory; reserves for litigation and other contingencies; useful lives and impairments of long-lived assets; fair valuemeasurements; accounting for income taxes and related uncertain tax positions; insurance reserves; valuation of stock-based compensation awards andrelated estimated forfeiture rates, among others.ConsolidationThe consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly‑owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactionshave been eliminated. As of January 28, 2017, the Company does not have any investments in unconsolidated affiliates. FASB ASC 810--Consolidation isconsidered when determining whether an entity is subject to consolidation.Cash and Cash EquivalentsThe Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. 53Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)Short-term InvestmentsShort-term investments consist of investments which the Company expects to convert into cash within one year, including time deposits, which haveoriginal maturities greater than 90 days. The Company classifies its investments in securities at the time of purchase as held-to-maturity and reevaluates suchclassifications 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 outflowsrelated to the sale and purchase of investments are classified as investing activities in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows. All of theCompany's short-term investments are U.S. dollar denominated time deposits with banking institutions in Hong Kong that have six month maturity datesfrom inception.Revenue RecognitionThe Company recognizes revenue, including shipping and handling fees billed to customers, upon purchase at the Company's retail stores or whenreceived by the customer if the product was purchased via the Internet, net of coupon redemptions and anticipated sales returns. Sales tax collected fromcustomers is excluded from revenue. An allowance for estimated sales returns is calculated based upon the Company's sales return experience and is recordedin accrued expenses and other current liabilities.The Company's policy with respect to gift cards is to record revenue as the gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. Prior to their redemption, gift cardsare recorded as a liability, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The Company recognizes breakage income for the estimated portion ofunredeemed gift cards that is unlikely to be redeemed and the Company determines that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value of theunredeemed gift card to the relevant jurisdiction as unclaimed or abandoned property. The Company recognized gift card breakage income of approximately$1.3 million, $3.3 million and $1.6 million during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively, and is recorded in selling, general andadministrative expenses.In Fiscal 2016, the Company launched a new points-based customer loyalty program to replace its prior program. In this program, customers earn pointsbased on purchases and other promotional activities. These points can be redeemed for coupons to discount future purchases. The Company has developedan estimated value of each point earned based on the awards customers can attain less a reasonable breakage rate. The value of each point earned is recordedas deferred revenue and is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities.The Company has an international expansion program through territorial agreements with franchisees. At January 28, 2017, the Company's franchiseeshad a total of 150 international points of distribution. The Company generates revenues from the franchisees from the sale of product and sales royalties. TheCompany records gross sales and cost of goods sold on the sale of product to franchisees when the franchisor takes ownership of the product. The Companyrecords gross sales for royalties when the franchisee sells the product to their customers. Under certain agreements the Company receives a fee from eachfranchisee for exclusive territorial rights. The Company records this territorial fee as deferred revenue and amortizes the fee into gross sales over the life of theterritorial agreement.InventoriesInventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on an average cost basis. TheCompany capitalizes supply chain costs in inventory and these costs are reflected in cost of sales as the inventories are sold. Inventory includes items thathave been marked down to the Company's best estimate of their lower of cost or market value and an estimate for inventory shrinkage. The Company bases itsdecision to mark down merchandise upon its current rate of sale, the season and the expected sell-through of the item. The Company adjusts its inventorybased upon an annual physical inventory and shrinkage is estimated in interim periods based upon the historical results of physical inventories in the contextof current year facts and circumstances.Cost of Sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)In addition to the cost of inventory sold, the Company includes buying, design and distribution expenses, shipping and handling costs on merchandisesold directly to customers, and letter of credit fees in its cost of sales. The Company records all occupancy costs in its cost of sales, except administrativeoffice buildings, which are recorded in selling, general, and54Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)administrative expenses. All depreciation is reported on a separate line on the Company's consolidated statements of operations.Stock-based CompensationThe Company's stock-based compensation plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”). TheCompensation Committee is comprised of independent members of the Board. Effective May 20, 2011, the shareholders approved the 2011 Equity IncentivePlan (the "Equity Plan"). Upon adoption of the Equity Plan, the Company ceased granting awards under its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. The Equity Planallows the Compensation Committee to grant multiple forms of stock‑based compensation such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stockawards, deferred stock awards and performance stock awards.The Company accounts for its stock‑based compensation in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718-- Compensation—Stock Compensation.These provisions require, among other things: (a) the fair value at grant date of all stock awards be expensed over their respective vesting periods; (b) theamount of cumulative compensation cost recognized at any date must at least be equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at thatdate and (c) that compensation expense include a forfeiture estimate for those shares not expected to vest. Also in accordance with these provisions, for thoseawards with multiple vest dates, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Earnings per Common ShareThe Company reports its earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260--Earnings Per Share, which requires the presentation of both basic anddiluted earnings per share on the statements of operations. The diluted weighted average common shares include adjustments for the potential effects ofoutstanding stock options, Deferred Awards and Performance Awards (as both terms are used in Note 3 to these consolidated financial statements), but only inthe periods in which such effect is dilutive under the treasury stock method. Included in our basic and diluted weighted average common shares are thoseshares due to participants in the deferred compensation plan, which are held in treasury stock. Anti-dilutive stock awards are comprised of stock options andunvested deferred, restricted and performance shares which would have been anti-dilutive in the application of the treasury stock method in accordance withFASB ASC 260--Earnings Per Share.In accordance with this topic, the following table reconciles income and share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per commonshare:Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Basic weighted average common shares18,584 20,438 21,681Dilutive effect of stock awards375 264 243Diluted weighted average common shares18,959 20,702 21,924Antidilutive stock awards— — —Accounts ReceivableAccounts receivable consists of credit and debit card receivables, franchisee and wholesale receivables, landlord construction allowance receivables andother miscellaneous items. Credit and debit card receivables represent credit and debit card sales for which the respective third party service company has yetto remit the cash. The unremitted balance approximates the last few days of related sales for each reporting period. Bad debt associated with these sales is notmaterial. Franchisee and wholesale receivables represent product sales and sale royalties in which cash has not yet been remitted from our partners. Landlordconstruction allowance receivables represent landlord contributions to our construction costs of building out the related real estate, primarily new andremodeled stores. Total construction costs are capitalized as property and equipment and the landlord construction allowances are recorded as a leaseincentive, a component of deferred rent, which is amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term.55Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)Insurance and Self-Insurance ReservesThe Company self-insures and purchases insurance policies to provide for workers' compensation, general liability and property losses, cyber-securitycoverage, as well as director and officer's liability, vehicle liability, and employee medical benefits. The Company estimates risks and records a liabilitybased on historical claim experience, insurance deductibles, severity factors, and other actuarial assumptions. The Company records the current portions ofemployee medical benefits, workers compensation and general liability reserves in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of January 28, 2017 andJanuary 30, 2016, the current portions of these reserves were approximately $6.9 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The Company records the long-termportions of employee medical benefits, workers' compensation and general liability reserves in other long-term liabilities. As of January 28, 2017 andJanuary 30, 2016, the long-term portions of these reserves were approximately $6.5 million and $5.8 million, respectively.Property and Equipment, NetProperty and equipment are stated at cost. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the life of the lease or theestimated useful life of the asset. All other property and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis based upon their estimated useful lives, whichgenerally range from three to twenty-five years. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.The Company accounts for internally developed software intended for internal use in accordance with provisions of FASB ASC 350--Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The Company capitalizes development‑stage costs such as direct external costs and direct payroll related costs. When development issubstantially complete, the Company amortizes the cost of the software on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the software. Preliminary projectcosts and post-implementation costs such as training, maintenance and support are expensed as incurred.Impairment of Long-Lived AssetsThe Company periodically reviews its long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events include ahistory trend or projected trend of cash flow losses or a future expectation that the Company will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of itspreviously estimated useful life. In reviewing for impairment the Company groups its long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for which identifiable cashflows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In that regard, the Company groups its assets into two categories: corporate-related and store-related. Corporate-related assets consist of those associated with the Company's corporate offices, distribution centers and its informationtechnology systems. Store-related assets consist of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, certain computer equipment and lease related assetsassociated with individual stores.For store-related assets, the Company reviews all stores that have reached comparable sales status, or sooner if circumstances should dictate, on at least anannual basis. The Company believes waiting this period of time allows a store to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive analysis of financialperformance can be performed. For each store that shows indications of operating losses, the Company projects future cash flows over the remaining life ofthe lease and compares the total undiscounted cash flows to the net book value of the related long-lived assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less thanthe related net book value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value. The Company primarily determines fair market value to bethe discounted future cash flows associated with those assets. In evaluating future cash flows, the Company considers external and internal factors. Externalfactors comprise the local environment in which the store resides, including mall traffic, competition, and their effect on sales trends. Internal factors includethe Company's ability to gauge the fashion taste of its customers, control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll, and in certain cases, its ability torenegotiate lease costs.Deferred Financing CostsThe Company capitalizes costs directly associated with acquiring third party financing. Deferred financing costs are included in other assets and areamortized as interest expense over the term of the related indebtedness. At January 28, 2017, deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of$3.3 million, were approximately $1.0 million. At January 30, 2016, deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $3.1 million, wereapproximately $1.2 million.56Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)Treasury StockTreasury stock is recorded at acquisition cost. Gains and losses on disposition are recorded as increases or decreases to additional paid-in capital withlosses in excess of previously recorded gains charged directly to retained earnings. When treasury shares are retired and returned to authorized but unissuedstatus, the carrying value in excess of par is allocated to additional paid-in capital and retained earnings on a pro rata basis.Advertising and Marketing CostsThe Company expenses the cost of advertising over the period the advertising is run or displayed. Included in selling, general and administrativeexpenses for Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 are advertising and other marketing costs of approximately $26.4 million, $27.9 million and $30.9million, respectively. Deferred advertising, marketing, and promotional costs, which principally relate to advertisements that have not yet been exhibited orservices that have not yet been received, were approximately $5.3 million and $3.9 million at January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, respectively, and wererecorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.Rent Expense and Deferred RentThe Company leases certain facilities and equipment, including its retail stores. Certain of the Company's lease agreements contain renewal options, rentescalation clauses, and/or landlord incentives. Renewal terms generally reflect market rates at the time of renewal. Rent expense for non-cancellableoperating leases with scheduled rent increases and/or landlord incentives is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any applicablerent holidays, beginning on the earlier of the lease commencement date or the date the Company takes control of the leased space. The Company records rentexpense and the impact of lease incentives for its stores and distribution centers as a component of cost of sales. The unamortized portion of deferred rent isincluded in deferred rent liabilities.Income TaxesWe utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in FASB ASC 740-- Income Taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxesare determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as for net operating lossesand tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for theyears in which the basis differences and tax assets are expected to be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that any ofthe deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances we consider projected future taxable income and the availabilityof 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 valuationallowance 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 andinformation 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 thelargest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge ofall 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 beenrecognized in the financial statements.Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeAccumulated other comprehensive income primarily consists of cumulative translation adjustments as well as changes in the value of cash flow hedges.Foreign Currency Translation and TransactionsThe Company has determined that the local currencies of its Canadian and Asian subsidiaries are their functional currencies. In accordance with FASBASC 830--Foreign Currency Matters, the assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchangeexisting at period-end and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Related translation adjustments are reported as a separatecomponent of stockholders' equity. The Company also transacts certain business in foreign denominated currencies primarily with its Canadian subsidiarypurchasing inventory in U.S. Dollars, and there are inter-company charges between various subsidiaries.57Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)In Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, the Company recorded realized and unrealized gains (losses) on such transactions of approximately $(0.8)million, $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively.Derivative InstrumentsThe Company is exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates attributable to inventory purchasesdenominated in a foreign currency. Specifically, its Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliersin U.S. dollars. In order to mitigate the variability of cash flows associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, the Company began enteringinto foreign exchange forward contracts in the second quarter of Fiscal 2015. These contracts typically mature within 12 months. The Company does not useforward contracts to engage in currency speculation and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as acomponent of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings within cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in thesame period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness arerecognized in earnings within selling, general, and administrative expenses, consistent with where the Company records realized and unrealized foreigncurrency gains and losses on transactions in foreign denominated currencies. All derivative instruments are presented at gross fair value on the consolidatedbalance sheets within either prepaid expenses and other current assets or accrued expenses and other current liabilities.Legal ContingenciesThe Company reserves for the outcome of litigation and contingencies when it determines an adverse outcome is probable and can estimate losses.Estimates are adjusted as facts and circumstances require. The Company expenses the costs to resolve litigation as incurred, net of amounts, if any, recoveredthrough our insurance coverage.Retained EarningsThere are no restrictions on the Company's retained earnings. Fair Value Measurement and Financial InstrumentsFASB ASC 820-- Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, andrequires 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 marketparticipants at the measurement date and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs andminimize 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 orindirectly•Level 3 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are unobservable for the assets or liabilitiesThe Company’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, assets of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan, accounts receivable, accountspayable and revolving loan are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair valuehierarchy. The Company stock included in the Deferred Compensation Plan is not subject to fair value measurement. Our derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward contracts that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such asforward rates, our credit risk and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, our derivative assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of thevaluation hierarchy.58Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of suchassets when events indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at itsfair value. The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to be Level 3 inputs. Long-lived assets, primarily comprised of property andequipment, held and used with a carrying amount of $4.2 million were written down to their fair value, resulting in an impairment charge of $4.0 million,which was included in earnings for Fiscal 2016. For Fiscal 2015, long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of $4.6 million were written down totheir fair value, resulting in an impairment charge of $2.4 million, which was included in earnings for Fiscal 2015. For Fiscal 2014, long-lived assets held andused with a carrying amount of $15.9 million were written down to their fair value, resulting in an impairment charge of $11.1 million, which was included inearnings for Fiscal 2014.Recently Issued Accounting UpdatesAdopted in Fiscal 2016In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance relating to accounting for fees paid in connection with cloud-based software arrangements. This guidanceprovides clarification on whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a software license is included, the customer should accountfor the license consistent with its accounting for other software licenses. If a software license is not included, the arrangement should be accounted for as aservice contract. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2016In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for share-based payment transactions. This guidance involves several aspects of theaccounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classifications of awards as either equity or liabilities, andclassification on the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in Fiscal 2017, including interim periods within thosefiscal years, and early adoption was permitted. The potential impacts that this adoption will have on our income tax expense or benefit and related cash flowsduring and after the period of adoption are dependent in part upon future grants and vesting of stock-based compensation awards and other factors that arenot fully controllable or predicable by the Company, such as the future market price of the Company's common stock and the future achievement ofperformance criteria that affect performance-based awards. Therefore, the impact on the consolidated financial statements will be dependent upon futureevents which are unpredictable. However, based on our stock price and our outstanding unvested Deferred and Performance Awards as of January 28, 2017,the adoption of this pronouncement at the beginning of Fiscal 2017 will significantly reduce our income tax expense and increase our net income duringFiscal 2017.In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for leases. This guidance applies a right of use model that requires a lessee torecord, for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a liability tomake lease payments. The lease term is the noncancellable period of the lease, and includes both periods covered by an option to extend the lease, if thelessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercisethat termination option. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, andearly adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the potential impact of this standard. However, the Company expects that the adoption of thisstandard will require the Company to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be material to the Company's consolidated balance sheetgiven the extent of the Company's lease portfolio.In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance relating to balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. Currently, entities are required to presentdeferred tax assets and liabilities as current and non-current on the balance sheet. This guidance simplifies the current guidance by requiring entities toclassify all deferred tax assets and liabilities, together with any related valuation allowance, as non-current on the balance sheet. The standard is effective forthe Company beginning in its fiscal year 2017, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. The adoption is notexpected to impact the Company's consolidated financial statements other than the change in presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities within itsconsolidated balance sheets.59Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance relating to revenue recognition from contracts with customers. This guidance requires entities to recognizerevenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expectsto be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In August2015, the FASB issued guidance to defer the effective date by one year and, therefore, the standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods withinthose years beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. We are currently reviewing the potential impact of this standard.2. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYShare Repurchase ProgramsThe Company's Board of Directors has authorized the following share repurchase programs: (1) $100.0 million on March 3, 2014 (the “2014 ShareRepurchase Program”); (2) $100.0 million on January 7, 2015 (the “2015 Share Repurchase Program”); and (3) $250.0 million on December 8, 2015 (the“2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program”). The 2014 Share Repurchase Program and 2015 Share Repurchase Program have been completed. AtJanuary 28, 2017, there was approximately $119.4 million remaining on the 2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program. Additionally, in March of 2017,the Board of Directors authorized a $250 million share repurchase program (the "2017 Share Repurchase Program"). Under the 2015 and 2017 $250 MillionShare Repurchase Programs, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiatedtransactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate andregulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. We may suspend or discontinue the program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitutepurchases, all without prior announcement. Pursuant to the Company's practice, including due to restrictions imposed by the Company's equity plan during black-out periods, the Companywithholds and retires shares of vesting stock awards in exchange for payments to satisfy minimum withholding tax requirements. The Company's payment ofthe withholding taxes in exchange for the shares constitutes a purchase of its common stock. The Company acquires shares of its common stock inconjunction with liabilities owed under a deferred compensation plan, which are held in treasury. The following table summarizes the Company's sharerepurchases: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 Shares Value Shares Value Shares Value Share repurchases related to: (in thousands) 2012 Share Repurchase Program —— —— 28214,671 2014 Share Repurchase Program —— 64039,791 1,18960,209 2015 Share Repurchase Program 31020,726 1,33879,274 —— 2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Programprogram(1) 1,554130,611 —— —— Withholding taxes and other 836,472 301,828 221,249Shares acquired and held in treasury 3249 4257 2107(1)Subsequent to January 28, 2017 and through March 21, 2017, the Company repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares for approximately $15.0 million.In accordance with FASB ASC 505--Equity, the par value of the shares retired is charged against common stock and the remaining purchase price isallocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. The portion charged against additional paid-in capital is done using a pro-rata allocationbased on total shares outstanding. Related to all shares retired for Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, approximately $133.0 million, $98.0 million and$60.4 million was charged to retained earnings, respectively.DividendsRelated to Fiscal 2016 dividends, $15.6 million was charged to retained earnings, of which $14.8 million related to cash dividends paid and $0.8million related to dividend share equivalents on unvested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards.60Table of Contents2. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)Related to Fiscal 2015 dividends, $12.8 million was charged to retained earnings, of which $12.2 million related to cash dividends paid and $0.6 millionrelated to dividend share equivalents on unvested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards. On February 7, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized aquarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share to be paid on May 1, 2017 to shareholders of record on the close of business on April 10, 2017. Future declarationsof quarterly dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors based on anumber of factors, including business and market conditions, the Company’s future financial performance and other investment priorities.3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATIONThe Company generally grants time vesting stock awards ("Deferred Awards") and performance-based stock awards ("Performance Awards") to employeesat management levels. The Company also grants Deferred Awards to its non-employee directors. Deferred Awards are granted in the form of restricted stockunits 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 criteriathat must be achieved for the awards to vest in addition to a service period requirement. With the approval of the Board's Compensation Committee, theCompany may settle vested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards to the employee in shares, in a cash amount equal to the market value of such shares atthe time all requirements for delivery of the award have been met, or in part shares and cash.For Performance Awards issued during Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2015 (the “2014 and 2015 Performance Awards”), the Target Shares earned can range from0% to 300% and depend on the achievement of adjusted earnings per share for the cumulative three-fiscal year performance period and our total shareholderreturn (“TSR”) relative to that of companies in our peer group. The 2014 and 2015 Performance Awards generally cliff vest, if earned, after the completion ofthe applicable three year performance period. The 2014 and 2015 Performance Awards grant date fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulationcovering the period from the valuation date through the end of the applicable performance period using our simulated stock price as well as the TSR ofcompanies in our peer group.For Performance Awards issued during Fiscal 2016 (the “2016 Performance Awards”), an employee may earn from 0% to 200% of their Target Sharesbased on the achievement of adjusted earnings per share for a cumulative three-fiscal year performance period and adjusted operating margin expansion andadjusted return on invested capital achieved at the end of the performance period. The 2016 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of theapplicable three year performance period. The fair value of the 2016 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on thegrant date. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the related service period reduced for estimated forfeitures of those awards notexpected to vest due to employee turnover. Stock-based compensation expense, as it relates to Performance Awards, is also adjusted based on the Company'sestimate of the percentage of the aggregate Target Shares expected to be earned.The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense:Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Deferred Awards$8,906 $10,653 $10,529Performance Awards19,134 10,466 7,254Total stock-based compensation expense (1)$28,040 $21,119 $17,783____________________________________________(1) A portion of stock-based compensation is included in cost of sales. Approximately $3.6 million, $2.5 million and $1.6 million in Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal2014, respectively, were included in cost of sales. All other stock-based compensation is included in selling, general & administrative expense.The Company recognized a tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense of $11.1 million, $8.3 million and $7.0 million for Fiscal 2016,Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively.61Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)At January 28, 2017, the Company had 1,065,920 shares available for grant under the Equity Plan. Changes in the Company’s Unvested Stock Awards during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014Deferred Awards Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015Number ofShares WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value Number ofShares WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value Number ofShares WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value(in thousands) (in thousands) (in thousands) Unvested Deferred Awards at beginning ofyear473 $54.62 592 $49.02 691 $49.27Granted189 72.19 196 64.62 273 48.50Vested (1)(163) 54.35 (250) 49.02 (229) 48.97Forfeited(30) 63.88 (65) 55.35 (143) 49.31Unvested Deferred Awards at end of year469 $61.19 473 $54.62 592 $49.02____________________________________________(1)In Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, the Company withheld shares of 83,344; 29,654; and 21,788, respectively, to satisfy minimum withholding tax requirements.These shares were immediately retired.Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Deferred Awards approximated $14.6 million as of January 28, 2017, whichwill be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years.The fair value of Deferred Awards held by the Company's employees that vested during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 was approximately$12.2 million, $15.5 million and $11.4 million, respectively. Performance Awards Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015Number ofPerformanceShares (1) WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value Number ofPerformanceShares (1) WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value Number ofPerformanceShares (1) WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value(in thousands) (in thousands) (in thousands) Unvested Performance Awards at beginning ofyear375 $61.37 345 $50.18 267 $47.67Granted204 75.19 195 70.91 245 50.91Vested shares(54) 48.26 (147) 48.02 (107) 46.34Forfeited(10) 67.11 (18) 59.49 (60) 48.87Unvested Performance Awards at end of year515 $68.11 375 $61.37 345 $50.18____________________________________________(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 in the table above is based on the participantsearning their Target Shares at 100%; however, the cumulative expense recognized reflects changes in estimated adjusted operating income and adjustedearnings per share as they occur. Based on the current number of Performance Awards expected to be earned, the total unrecognized stock-basedcompensation expense related to unvested62Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)Performance Awards approximated $33.7 million as of January 28, 2017, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9years.The fair value of Performance Awards held by the Company's employees that vested during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 was approximately$4.4 million, $2.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively.Stock OptionsNo stock options were issued during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 and at January 28, 2017, there were no stock options outstanding.Outstanding Stock OptionsChanges in the Company’s outstanding stock options for Fiscal 2016 were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 Number ofOptions WeightedAverageExercisePrice Number ofOptions WeightedAverageExercisePrice Number ofOptions WeightedAverageExercisePrice (in thousands) (in thousands) (in thousands) Options outstanding at beginning of year 15 $29.05 30 $29.05 34 $28.77Granted — — — — — —Exercised (1) (15) 29.05 (15) 29.05 (2) 24.54Forfeited — — — — (2) 29.54Options outstanding at end of year(2) — $— 15 $29.05 30 $29.05Options exercisable at end of year(2) — $— 15 $29.05 30 $29.05____________________________________________(1)The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.1 million for Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively.(2)The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at the end of Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 was approximately$0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively.63Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NETProperty and equipment consist of the following: January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (in thousands)Property and equipment: Land and land improvements $3,403 $3,403Building and improvements 35,548 35,548Material handling equipment 48,345 48,345Leasehold improvements 317,884 317,410Store fixtures and equipment 223,873 218,566Capitalized software 204,901 177,849Construction in progress 7,316 8,357 841,270 809,478Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (576,990) (518,498)Property and equipment, net $264,280 $290,980During fiscal 2013, the Company conducted a review of its store portfolio using business hurdles management designed to enhance profitability andimprove overall operating results. Based on this review, the Company compiled a list of underperforming stores targeted for closure (the “Disposition List”).As a result of this review the Company closed 34 stores in Fiscal 2016, 32 stores in Fiscal 2015, 35 stores in Fiscal 2014, and 41 stores in fiscal 2013. TheCompany updates this review annually and has identified additional stores for which the Company will review its options for improving their financialperformance, including but not limited to negotiating occupancy relief, in order to achieve the business hurdles. If these stores are unable to do so, then theCompany will move them to the Disposition List.At January 28, 2017, the Company performed impairment testing on 1,039 stores with a total net book value of $91.4 million. During Fiscal 2016, theCompany recorded $2.7 million of impairment charges primarily related to 28 underperforming stores, of which 11 were fully impaired and 17 were partiallyimpaired. As of January 28, 2017, the aggregate net book value of the stores that were partially impaired was approximately $1.0 million, which theCompany determined to be recoverable based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. Consistent with its impairment policy, the Company concludedthat changes in circumstances affecting the carrying value of stores included on the Disposition List required the Company to review all stores included onthe Disposition List regardless of whether the store had achieved comparable sales status. Impairment charges for all stores were recorded as a result ofrevenue and/or gross margins not meeting targeted levels and accelerated store lease termination dates.In addition to store impairments, the Company has established a strategic business transformation through technology plan and, as part of this plan, theCompany concluded that certain development costs previously incurred were no longer relevant. As part of this plan the Company also deemed certainsystems to be obsolete and in need of replacement by enhanced capabilities in order to incorporate industry best practices. Accordingly, during the secondquarter of Fiscal 2016 the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $1.3 million related to the write-down of some previously capitalized developmentcosts and obsolete systems.At January 30, 2016, the Company performed impairment testing on 1,069 stores with a total net book value of $114.5 million. During Fiscal 2015, theCompany recorded $2.4 million of impairment charges primarily related to 22 underperforming stores, of which 10 were fully impaired and 12 were partiallyimpaired.At January 31, 2015, the Company performed impairment testing on 1,063 stores with a total net book value of $138.9 million. During Fiscal 2014, theCompany recorded $11.1 million of impairment charges primarily related to 74 underperforming stores, of which 44 were fully impaired and 30 were partiallyimpaired.During Fiscal 2016, the Company capitalized approximately $21.7 million of external software costs and approximately $15.9 million of internalprogramming and development costs, of which $1.4 million was related to stock-based compensation.64Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Continued)During Fiscal 2015, the Company capitalized approximately $28.4 million of external software costs and approximately $13.0 million of internalprogramming and development costs, of which $0.7 million was related to stock-based compensation. During Fiscal 2014, the Company capitalizedapproximately $42.4 million of external software costs and approximately $11.6 million of internal programming and development costs, of which $0.9million was related to stock-based compensation. Amortization expense of capitalized software was approximately $28.1 million, $20.1 million and $11.1million in Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively. As of January 28, 2017, the Company had approximately $9.4 million in property and equipment for which payment had not been made, which wasincluded in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities.5. CREDIT FACILITYThe 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, asAdministrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement was amended on September 15, 2015 andthe provisions below reflect the amended and extended Credit Agreement.The Credit Agreement, which expires in September 2020, consists of a $250 million asset based revolving credit facility, with a $50 million sub-limitfor standby and documentary letters of credit and an uncommitted accordion feature that could provide up to $50 million of additional availability.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 amargin of 1.25% to 1.50% 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 0.625% to 0.750%for commercial letters of credit and range from 0.75% to 1.00% for standby letters of credit. Letter of credit fees are determined based on the amount of theCompany's average excess availability under the facility. The amount available for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Agreement is determined by aborrowing base consisting of certain credit card receivables, certain trade and franchise receivables, certain inventory and the fair market value of certain realestate, 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 thecase 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 conditions 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 excludingintellectual property, software, equipment and fixtures.As of January 28, 2017, the Company has capitalized an aggregate of approximately $4.3 million in deferred financing costs related to the CreditAgreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at January 28, 2017 was approximately $1.0 million. Unamortized deferred financing costsare amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. In conjunction with amending the agreement in September 2015, we paid approximately $0.3million in additional deferred financing costs.65Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)5. CREDIT FACILITY (Continued)The table below presents the components of the Company’s credit facility:January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In millions)Credit facility maximum$250.0 $250.0Borrowing base223.8 211.7 Outstanding borrowings15.4 —Letters of credit outstanding—standby7.3 7.1Utilization of credit facility at end of period22.7 7.1 Availability (1)$201.1 $204.6 Interest rate at end of period2.8% 4.0%Fiscal2016 Fiscal2015Average end of day loan balance during the period$39.9 $28.5Highest end of day loan balance during the period95.8 67.5Average interest rate2.4% 2.7%____________________________________________(1)The sub-limit availability for letters of credit was $42.7 million and $42.9 million at January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, respectively.6.PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETSPrepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised of the following: January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands)Prepaid property expense $19,576 $20,148Prepaid marketing 5,298 3,898Prepaid maintenance contracts 3,516 3,411Prepaid insurance 1,384 2,279Prepaid income taxes 460 11,458Other 2,660 1,848Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $32,894 $43,04266Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)7.ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIESAccrued expenses and other current liabilities are comprised of the following: January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands)Accrued salaries and benefits 49,199 36,108Customer liabilities 18,880 17,778Accrued professional fees 6,370 12,647Accrued store expenses 6,305 4,742Sales taxes and other taxes payable 5,164 6,193Accrued freight 4,685 4,581Accrued property expenses 4,142 2,258Accrued insurance 3,329 4,224Accrued marketing 3,287 5,350Deferred revenue 3,133 1,547Accrued capital expenditures 2,981 4,736Deferred revenue for MyPlace Rewards loyalty program 2,965 5,033Other 11,357 13,673Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities $121,797 $118,8708.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESOperating Lease CommitmentsThe Company leases all of its stores, offices and distribution facilities (except the Ft. Payne, Alabama distribution center which the Company owns), andcertain office equipment, store fixtures and automobiles, under operating leases expiring through 2026. The leases require fixed minimum annual rentalpayments plus, under the terms of certain leases, additional payments for taxes, other expenses, and additional rent based upon sales.Store, office and distribution facilities minimum rent, contingent rent and sublease income are as follows: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Minimum rentals 157,647 159,641 164,510Additional rent based upon sales 1,367 751 797Sublease income (2,275) (2,766) (2,967)67Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)8.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)Future minimum annual lease payments under the Company's operating leases at January 28, 2017 were as follows: MinimumOperating LeasePayments (In thousands)2017 $144,1962018 125,7072019 110,0162020 91,2332021 70,180Thereafter 107,734Total minimum lease payments $649,066Purchase CommitmentsAs of January 28, 2017, the Company has entered into various purchase commitments for merchandise for re-sale of approximately $449.4 million andapproximately $21.7 million for equipment, construction and other non-merchandise commitments.Employment AgreementsThe Company has an employment agreement with its President and Chief Executive Officer, which provides for severance of two times the sum of basesalary plus bonus, and certain other payments and benefits following any termination without cause or for “good reason”. As of January 28, 2017, these cashseverance benefits approximated $6.8 million. In the event of a change in control of the Company, certain executives will receive, in the aggregate,approximately $23.9 million of cash severance benefits should they either be terminated or voluntarily terminate their employment due to a degradation ofduties as defined in their change in control agreements.Loss Contingency for Foreign Exchange Control PenaltiesDuring the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016, the Company determined that one of its foreign subsidiaries had not complied with local foreign exchangecontrol funding regulations related to offshore funding of those operations. The Company is currently reviewing the matter and plans to report thenoncompliance to the foreign jurisdiction at issue during Fiscal 2017. The Company has concluded that, based on currently available information, areasonable estimate of penalties payable by the Company arising from the matter will range between $1.9 million and $2.5 million. In making its estimates,however, the Company notes that this range is based on currently available information and involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties, andthat actual penalties may exceed the high end of the range. The Company has recorded a provision for potential penalties arising from the matter of $1.9million in its consolidated financial statements.9. LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERSThe Company is a defendant in Rael v. The Children’s Place, Inc., a purported class action, pending in the U.S. District Court, Southern District ofCalifornia. In the initial complaint filed in February 2016, the plaintiff alleges that the Company falsely advertised discount prices in violation ofCalifornia’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint in April 2016,adding allegations of violations of other state consumer protection laws. In August 2016, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, adding anadditional plaintiff that allegedly made a purchase in one of the Company’s stores in California and removing the other state law claims. The plaintiffs’second amended complaint seeks to represent a class of California purchasers and seeks, among other items, injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ feesand costs. The Company engaged in an initial mediation with the plaintiffs in December 2016; however, no resolution was reached on the matter at that time.The Company believes that the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the matter. No assurance can be given as to the ultimateoutcome of this matter, and the Company is unable to estimate a reasonably possible range of potential loss for this matter at this time.68Table of Contents9. LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)The Company is also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any ultimateliability arising out of these proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.10.INCOME TAXESThe components of income before taxes are as follows: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Domestic $90,990 $46,053 $47,888Foreign 56,023 43,329 31,987Total income before provision for income taxes $147,013 $89,382 $79,875The components of the Company's provision for income taxes consisted of the following: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Current: Federal(1) $34,056 $7,248 $8,212State and local(1) 8,527 2,275 3,691Foreign 11,473 9,809 5,457 54,056 19,332 17,360 Deferred: Federal (8,068) 9,649 5,260 State and local (1,691) 2,548 1,426 Foreign 380 (31) (1,059) (9,379) 12,166 5,627Total provision for income taxes $44,677 $31,498 $22,987Effective tax rate 30.4% 35.2% 28.8%(1) Excludes federal, state, and local tax benefits resulting from stock-based compensation arrangements. Such amounts were recorded in equity.69Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)10.INCOME TAXES (Continued)A reconciliation between the calculated tax provision on income based on a U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% and the effective tax rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Calculated income tax provision at U.S. federal statutory rate $51,455 $31,284 $27,956State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit 4,443 3,052 3,326Foreign tax rate differential (1) (10,116) (9,744) (8,849)Non-deductible expenses 2,514 2,729 1,685Unrecognized tax benefits (1,673) 3,892 807Change in valuation allowance 19 399 (1,472)Other (1,965) (114) (466)Total provision for income taxes $44,677 $31,498 $22,987(1) The foreign tax rate differential is due to the Company having a lower foreign effective tax rate as compared to its U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%. The Company hassubstantial operations in both Hong Kong and Canada, which have lower statutory income tax rates as compared to the U.S. The Company's foreign effective tax rates for Fiscal2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 were 21.2%, 22.6% and 13.7%, respectively. This rate will fluctuate from year to year in response to changes in the mix of income by country aswell as changes in foreign jurisdiction tax laws.The tax effects of temporary differences which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands) Current Assets/(Liabilities): Inventory 4,398 4,472 Reserves 17,283 15,965 Hedging transactions (354) (223) 21,327 20,214 Prepaid expenses (3,823) (4,728) Total current, net 17,504 15,486 Noncurrent Assets: Property and equipment (6,900) (6,855) Deferred rent 13,425 14,548 Equity compensation 16,093 9,757 Reserves 7,116 4,780 Net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits 2,312 2,293 Total noncurrent, net 32,046 24,523 Valuation allowance (2,312) (2,293) Net noncurrent 29,734 22,230 Total deferred tax asset, net $47,238 $37,716As of January 28, 2017, the Company has not provided Federal taxes on approximately $314.8 million of unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries.The Company intends to reinvest these earnings to fund expansion in these and other markets outside the U.S. Accordingly, the Company has not providedany provision for income tax expense in excess of70Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)10.INCOME TAXES (Continued)foreign jurisdiction income tax requirements relative to such unremitted earnings in the accompanying financial statements. Due to the complexitiesassociated with the hypothetical calculation, including the availability of foreign tax credits, the Company has concluded it is not practicable to determinethe unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings.The Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $5.9 million, which do not expire. The Company also has an AlternativeMinimum Tax credit ("AMT") in Puerto Rico of approximately $0.8 million which does not expire.Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in assessing theneed for a valuation allowance. The Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets cannot be used in the foreseeablefuture, principally the foreign net operating loss carryforwards and the AMT credit in Puerto Rico. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been establishedfor these tax benefits. However, to the extent that tax benefits related to these are realized in the future, the reduction of the valuation allowance will reduceincome tax expense accordingly.In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred taxassets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods inwhich those temporary differences become realizable.The Company's income taxes payable have been reduced by the tax benefits from employee stock plan awards. For stock options, the Company receivesan income tax benefit calculated as the tax effect of the difference between the fair market value of the stock issued at the time of the exercise and the exerciseprice. For Deferred Awards and Performance Awards, the Company receives an income tax benefit upon the award's vesting equal to the tax effect of theunderlying stock's fair market value.Uncertain Tax BenefitsTax positions are evaluated in a two-step process. The Company first determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustainedupon examination. If a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold it is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize inthe financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.A reconciliation of the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, is as follows: January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands) Beginning Balance $8,381 $5,479 Additions for current year tax positions 688 3,800 Additions for prior year tax positions 250 — Reductions for prior year tax positions (1,996) (242) Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities (46) (60) Reductions due to a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (1,141) (596) Additions related to foreign currency translation 190 — Ending Balance $6,326 $8,381Approximately $7.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits at January 28, 2017 would affect the Company's effective tax rate if recognized. The Companybelieves it is reasonably possible that there may be a reduction of approximately $5.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months as a resultof settlements with taxing authorities and statute of limitations expirations.The Company accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of the provision for income taxes. At January 28, 2017 andJanuary 30, 2016 accrued interest and penalties included in unrecognized tax benefits were71Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)10.INCOME TAXES (Continued)approximately $1.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Interest, penalties and reversals, thereof, net of taxes, was a benefit of $0.3 million in Fiscal 2016and a benefit of $0.4 million in each of Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014.The Company is subject to tax in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including Canada and Hong Kong. The Company, joined by its domesticsubsidiaries, files a consolidated income tax return for federal income tax purposes. The Company, with certain exceptions, is no longer subject to income taxexaminations by U.S. federal, state and local or foreign tax authorities for tax years fiscal 2012 and prior. 11.SEGMENT INFORMATIONIn 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’sPlace U.S. segment are the Company’s U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores and U.S. revenue from the Company's wholesale business. Included in The Children'sPlace International segment are the Company's Canadian based stores, revenue from the Company's Canada wholesale business and revenue frominternational franchisees. The Company measures its segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes. Net salesand 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 basedprimarily on net sales. The assets related to these functions are not allocated. The Company periodically reviews these allocations and adjusts them basedupon changes in business circumstances. Net sales from external customers are derived from merchandise sales and the Company has no major customers thataccount for more than 10% of its net sales. The following tables provide segment level financial information for Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014:Fiscal Year EndedJanuary 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (In thousands)Net sales: The Children’s Place U.S.$1,567,556 $1,518,117 $1,528,762The Children’s Place International(1)217,760 207,660 232,562Total net sales$1,785,316 $1,725,777 $1,761,324Operating income: The Children’s Place U.S.(2)$113,376 $65,221 $63,586The Children’s Place International(3)34,032 24,859 16,457Total operating income$147,408 $90,080 $80,04372Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)Operating income as a percent of net sales: The Children’s Place U.S.7.2% 4.3% 4.2%The Children’s Place International15.6% 12.0% 7.1%Total operating income8.3% 5.2% 4.5%Depreciation and amortization: The Children’s Place U.S.$58,626 $55,937 $52,565The Children’s Place International7,108 6,748 7,929Total depreciation and amortization$65,734 $62,685 $60,494Capital expenditures: The Children’s Place U.S.$33,447 $41,304 $68,847The Children’s Place International1,237 841 3,365Total capital expenditures$34,684 $42,145 $72,212(1)Net sales from The Children's Place International are primarily derived from revenues from Canadian operations. Our foreign subsidiaries, primarily in Canada, have operatingresults based in foreign currencies and are thus subject to the fluctuations of the corresponding translation rates into U.S. dollars.(2)Includes a $3.8 million, $1.7 million and a $10.5 million asset impairment charge for Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively. Also includes additional(income)/costs incurred related to corporate severance and reorganizations of approximately $(0.2) million, $6.0 million and $7.1 million for Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 andFiscal 2014, respectively. Fiscal 2016 also includes approximately $1.9 million of costs related to foreign exchange control penalties partially offset by approximately $1.6million of income related to a favorable legal settlement. Fiscal 2015 also includes costs incurred related to a class action wage and hour legal settlement, proxy contest costsand a sales tax audit of approximately $12.1 million.(3)Includes a $0.2 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million asset impairment charge for Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively. January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands)Total assets: The Children’s Place U.S.$735,953 $748,975The Children’s Place International174,546 148,973Total assets$910,499 $897,948 Geographic InformationThe Company's long-lived assets are located in the following countries: January 28, 2017 January 30, 2016 (In thousands)Long-lived assets(1): United States $253,940 $276,612Canada 14,385 16,212Asia 1,277 1,586Total long-lived assets $269,602 $294,410____________________________________________(1)The Company's long-lived assets are comprised of net property and equipment and other assets.12.DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTSThe Company is exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates attributable to inventory purchasesdenominated in a foreign currency. Specifically, our Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the73Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)12.DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Continued)Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliers in U.S. dollars. In order to mitigate the variability of cash flows associated with certain of theseforecasted inventory purchases, we began entering into foreign exchange forward contracts in the second quarter of Fiscal 2015. These contracts typicallymature within 12 months. We do not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments fortrading purposes.The Company accounts for all of its derivatives and hedging activity under FASB ASC 815--Derivatives and Hedging.Under the Company’s risk management policy and in accordance with guidance under the topic, in order to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, aderivative must be considered highly effective at offsetting changes in either the hedged item’s cash flows or fair value. Additionally, the hedge relationshipmust be documented to include the risk management objective and strategy, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the risk exposure, and how hedgeeffectiveness will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively. The Company formally measures effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at the hedgeinception and on an ongoing basis. The Company would discontinue hedge accounting under a foreign exchange forward contract prospectively (i) ifmanagement determines that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of a hedged item, (ii) when the derivativeexpires or is terminated, (iii) if the forecasted transaction being hedged by the derivative is no longer probable of occurring, or (iv) if management determinesthat designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate.All derivative instruments are presented at gross fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within either prepaid expenses and other current assetsor accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of January 28, 2017 the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notionalamount of $21.4 million and the fair value of the derivative instruments was an asset of $1.5 million and a liability of $0.2 million. As these foreign exchangeforward contracts are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates, the Company's credit risk and our counterparties’ creditrisks, they are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Cash settlements related to these forward contracts are recorded in cash flows fromoperating activities within the consolidated statements of cash flows.For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as acomponent of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings within cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in thesame period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness arerecognized in earnings within selling, general, and administrative expenses, consistent with where the Company records realized and unrealized foreigncurrency gains and losses on transactions in foreign denominated currencies. During Fiscal 2016, approximately $0.3 million of the effective portion of thegain on the derivative was reclassified into earnings within cost of sales. As of January 28, 2017, the gross value related to hedges of these transactions in OCIwas approximately $1.3 million. Assuming January 28, 2017 exchange rates remain constant, $1.0 million of gains, net of tax, related to hedges of thesetransactions are expected to be reclassified from OCI into earnings over the next 12 months. Changes in fair value associated with derivatives that are notdesignated and qualified as cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings within selling, general & administrative expenses.The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with major banks and has risk exposure in the event of nonperformance by either party.However, based on our assessment, the Company believes that obligations under the contracts will be fully satisfied. Accordingly, there was no requirementto post collateral or other security to support the contracts as of January 28, 2017.13.QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented below contain all material adjustments, consisting of normalrecurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position and results of operations and have been prepared in a manner consistent withthe audited financial statements contained herein. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, the results of operations in any given interim periodare not indicative of operating results for a full fiscal year.74Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)13.QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Continued)The following tables reflect quarterly consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated (unaudited): Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017 FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter (1) (in thousands, except earnings per share)Net sales $419,351 $371,416 $473,777 $520,772Gross profit 165,351 123,871 194,517 187,854Selling, general and administrative expenses 109,212 107,903 115,442 121,586Asset impairment charges — 2,826 392 808Other costs (income) 68 191 17 6Depreciation and amortization 16,461 15,891 16,586 16,796Operating income (loss) 39,610 (2,940) 62,080 48,658Income (loss) before income taxes 39,536 (3,116) 61,922 48,671Provision (benefit) for income taxes 13,551 (1,105) 17,756 14,475Net income (loss) 25,985 (2,011) 44,166 34,196 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $1.33 $(0.11) $2.36 $1.86Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 19,569 18,811 18,703 18,419 Cash dividends declared and paid per common share $0.2000 $0.2000 $0.2000 $0.2000____________________________________________(1) Items impacting the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016 include approximately $1.9 million of costs related to foreign exchange control penalties partially offset by approximately $1.6million of income related to a favorable legal settlement. Fiscal Year Ended January 30, 2016 FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter (1) (in thousands, except earnings per share)Net sales $404,865 $366,455 $455,913 $498,544Gross profit 152,109 115,004 180,513 177,506Selling, general and administrative expenses 114,514 118,342 105,797 131,245Asset impairment charges — 1,452 919 —Other costs (income) (3) 76 14 11Depreciation and amortization 14,394 15,252 16,136 16,903Operating income (loss) 23,204 (20,118) 57,647 29,347Income (loss) before income taxes 23,028 (20,323) 57,393 29,284Provision (benefit) for income taxes 7,421 (6,628) 18,898 11,807Net income (loss) 15,607 (13,695) 38,495 17,477 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.73 $(0.67) $1.88 $0.87Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 21,366 20,576 20,517 20,174 Cash dividends declared and paid per common share $0.1500 $0.1500 $0.1500 $0.1500____________________________________________75Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)13.QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Continued)(1)Items impacting the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2015 include approximately $4.4 million of additional costs related to corporate severance and reorganizations partially offset byapproximately $2.8 million of income related to the accelerated conversion of loyalty points in the Company's current loyalty program in anticipation of transition to a newcustomer loyalty program in Fiscal 2016.14.RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLANS401(k) PlanThe Company has adopted The Children's Place 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal RevenueCode of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan established to provide retirement benefits for employees. The 401(k)Plan is employee funded up to an elective annual deferral and also provides for Company matching contributions up to a certain percentage amount of theemployee's salary.The 401(k) Plan is available for all U.S. employees who have completed 90 days of service with the Company. Following guidance in IRS Notice 98-52related to the design‑based alternative, or “safe harbor,” 401(k) plan method, the Company modified its 401(k) Plan for Company match contributions fornon-highly compensated associates, as defined in the Code. For non-highly compensated associates, the Company matches the first 3% of the participant'scontribution and 50% of the next 2% of the participant's contribution and the Company match contribution vests immediately. For highly compensatedassociates, the Company has the discretion to match the lesser of 50% of the participant's contribution or 2.5% of the participant's covered compensation andthe Company match contribution vests over 5 years. The Company's matching contributions were approximately $1.8 million in Fiscal 2016 and $2.2million in each of Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014.Deferred Compensation PlanThe Company has a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which is a nonqualified, unfunded plan, for eligible senior levelemployees. 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 yearfollowing the year in which the deferral election is made. The Deferred Compensation Plan also permits members of the Board of Directors to elect to deferpayment 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 deferredstock awards. The Company may, but is not required to, credit participants with additional Company contribution amounts. Deferred amounts are notsubject 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 theparticipant 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 periodnot exceeding 15 years. During fiscal 2010, the Deferred Compensation Plan was amended to allow for cash deferrals made by members of the Board ofDirectors to be invested in shares of the Company’s common stock. Such elections are irrevocable and will be settled in shares of common stock. All otherdeferred amounts are payable in the form in which they were made; cash deferrals are payable in cash and stock deferrals are payable in stock. Earlierdistributions 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; however, the assets of therabbi 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. Theinvestments of the rabbi trust consist of mutual funds and Company stock. The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company stock, is includedin other long-term liabilities and changes in the balance are recognized as compensation expense. The values of the mutual funds are included in other assetsand related earnings and losses are recognized as investment income or loss, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Companystock 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 $1.0 million and $0.7 million at January 28, 2017and January 30, 2016, respectively. The value of the Deferred Compensation Plan assets was76Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)14.RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLANS (Continued)approximately $1.0 million and $0.7 million at January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, respectively. Company stock was $2.2 million and $1.9 million atJanuary 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, respectively.Other PlansUnder statutory requirements, the Company contributes to retirement plans for its Canadian, Puerto Rican and Asian operations. Contributions underthese plans were approximately $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million in Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014, respectively.15.SUBSEQUENT EVENTSSubsequent to January 28, 2017 and through March 21, 2017, the Company repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares for approximately $15.0million, which brought the total under the 2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program to approximately $145.6 million. Additionally, in March of 2017,the Board of Directors authorized a $250 million share repurchase program (the "2017 Share Repurchase Program").On February 7, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share to be paid May 1, 2017 for shareholdersof record on the close of business on April 10, 2017. Future declarations of quarterly dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates aresubject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including business and market conditions, the Company’s futurefinancial performance and other investment priorities.77Table of ContentsTHE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESSCHEDULE IIVALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTSColumn A Column B Column C Column D Column E Balance atbeginning of year Charged to expense Deductions Balance at end ofyear (In thousands)Lower of cost or market reserve (1) Fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 $3,696 $— $(1,144) $2,552Fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 $1,925 $2,356 $(585) $3,696Fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 $4,268 $— $(2,343) $1,925(1)Reflects adjustment of out-of-season merchandise inventories to realizable value. Column C represents increases to the reserve and Column D represents decreases to thereserve based on quarterly assessments of the reserve.78Table of Contents(a)(3) Exhibits. Exhibit Description 3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 31, 2016 filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant'sCurrent Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2016 is incorporated by reference herein.3.2 Sixth Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2016, isincorporated by reference herein.4.1(1) Form of Certificate for Common Stock of the Company filed as an exhibit to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 333‑31535on Form S-1, is incorporated by reference herein.4.2(+) Amended Form of Certificate for Common Stock of the Company10.1(*) Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant's Annual Report onForm 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.10.2 Lease Agreement as of August 12, 2003 between Orlando Corporation and The Children's Place (Canada), LP, together withIndemnity Agreement as of August 12, 2003 between the Company and Orlando Corporation, together with Surrender of Lease asof August 12, 2003 between the Company and Orlando Corporation and Orion Properties Ltd. (Canadian Distribution Center) filedas Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the period ended November 1, 2003, is incorporated byreference herein.10.3 Lease Agreement between the Company and Turnpike Crossing I, LLC (Dayton New Jersey Distribution Center), dated as ofJuly 14, 2004 filed as Exhibit 10.2 to registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the period ended July 31, 2004, isincorporated by reference herein.10.4 Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Company and certain members of management and the Board of Directors filed asExhibit 10.7 to registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 2008, is incorporated by referenceherein.10.5 Lease Agreement between The Children's Place Services Company, LLC and 500 Plaza Drive Corp. effective as of March 12, 2009(500 Plaza Drive), Secaucus, New Jersey filed as Exhibit 10.67 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period endedJanuary 31, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.10.6 Guaranty between the Company and 500 Plaza Drive Corp. effective as of March 12, 2009 filed as Exhibit 10.68 to the registrant'sAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.10.7 The First Lease Modification Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2009, between The Children's Place Services Company, LLC and500 Plaza Drive Corp. filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 1, 2009,is incorporated by reference herein.10.8 The Company Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan effective January 1, 2010 filed as Exhibit 10.82 to the registrant'sAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 30, 2010, is incorporated by reference herein.10.9(*) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2011, by and between the Company and Jane T. Elfers filedas Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2011, is incorporated byreference herein.10.10(*) Amendment No. 1 as of March 23, 2012 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of March 28, 2011, by andbetween the Company and Jane T. Elfers filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periodended January 28, 2012, is incorporated by reference herein.10.11(*) Deferred Stock Award Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2010, by and between the Company and Jane T. Elfers filed as Exhibit10.84 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 30, 2010, is incorporated by reference herein.10.12(*) Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to theregistrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.10.13(*) Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 tothe registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.10.14 Form of Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.41 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 29, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.79Table of ContentsExhibit Description10.15(*) Employment Offer Letter, dated as of November 26, 2012, by and between the Company and Michael Scarpa filed as Exhibit 10.40to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 2, 2013, is incorporated by reference herein.10.16(*) Letter Agreement dated October 3, 2014 between Anurup Pruthi and The Children's Place Services Company, LLC filed as Exhibit10.22 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2015, is incorporated by reference herein.10.17 Agreement dated May 22, 2015, by and among The Children’s Place, Inc., Macellum SPV II, LP, Barington Companies EquityPartners, L.P., Jonathan Duskin, James A. Mitarotonda, certain of their affiliates listed on Schedule A to the Agreement, and RobertL. Mettler filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2015, is incorporated herein byreference.10.18(*) Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (Senior Vice President& above) filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 2, 2015, is incorporatedby reference herein.10.19(*) Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (below Senior VicePresident) filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 2, 2015, isincorporated by reference herein.10.20(*) Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (Senior Vice President &above) filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 2, 2015, is incorporatedby reference herein.10.21(*) Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (below Senior Vice President)filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 2, 2015, is incorporated byreference herein.10.22(*) The Company Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan Adoption Agreement No.#001 for use with Fidelity Basic Plan Document No. 17 enteredinto by the Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company on September 11, 2015 as filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the registrant'sAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 30, 2016, is incorporated by reference herein.10.23 Credit Agreement dated July 31, 2008 by and among the Company and The Children's Place Services Company, LLC, asborrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com, Inc. andTwin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent,and Swing Line Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National Association and JPMorgan ChaseBank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 2008, isincorporated by reference herein.10.24 First Amendment to the Credit Agreement, effective as of March 12, 2009, by and among the Company and The Children's PlaceServices Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., TheChildrensplace.com, Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, asAdministrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Swing Line Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA,National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.65 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.10.25 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2009, by and among the Company and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., TheChildrensplace.com, Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, asAdministrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Swing Line Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA,National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended May 2, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.10.26 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2009, by and among the Company and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., TheChildrensplace.com, Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, asAdministrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Swing Line Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA,National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended August 1, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.10.27 Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated October 5, 2009, by and among the Company and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., TheChildrensplace.com Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, asAdministrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA,National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.80Table of ContentsExhibit Description10.28 Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated August 18, 2010, by and among the Company and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., TheChildrensplace.com Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, asAdministrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA,National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the period ended October 30, 2010, is incorporated by reference herein.10.29 Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated March 7, 2011, by and among the Company and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., TheChildrensplace.com Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, asAdministrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA,National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.43 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form10-K for the period ended January 29, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.10.30 Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated August 16, 2011, by and among the Company and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc. and TheChildrensplace.com Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, andSwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank,NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 30, 2011,is incorporated by reference herein.10.31 Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated January 25, 2012, by and among the Company and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc. and TheChildrensplace.com Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, SwingLineLender and Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National Association and JPMorgan ChaseBank, NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.44 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 2012,is incorporated by reference herein.10.32 Ninth Amendment and Consent Letter to the Credit Agreement, dated May 1, 2012, by and among the Company and TheChildren's Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (International), LLC, The Children's Place CanadaHoldings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com, Inc., TCP IH I, LLC and TCP IH II, LLC, as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, NationalAssociation (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, SwingLineLender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 28, 2012.10.33 Tenth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated December 20, 2012, by and among the Company and The Children's PlaceServices Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (International), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., thechildrensplace.com, inc., TCP IH II, LLC, TCP International IP Holdings, LLC and TCP International Product Holdings, LLC, asguarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as AdministrativeAgent and Collateral Agent, SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, and JPMorganChase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.42 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February2, 2013.10.34 Eleventh Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated March 4, 2014, by and among the Company and The Children's PlaceServices Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (International), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., thechildrensplace.com, inc., TCP IH II, LLC, TCP International IP Holdings, LLC and TCP International Product Holdings, LLC, asguarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as AdministrativeAgent and Collateral Agent, L/C Issuer, SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, N.A. andJPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period endedFebruary 1, 2014, is incorporated by reference herein.10.35 Twelfth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated September 15, 2015, by and among the Company and The Children's PlaceServices Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children's Place (International), LLC, The Children's Place Canada Holdings, Inc., thechildrensplace.com, inc., TCP IH II, LLC, TCP International IP Holdings, LLC and TCP International Product Holdings, LLC, asguarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as AdministrativeAgent and Collateral Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender and as a lender and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, N.A. andJPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the periodended October 31, 2015, is incorporated by reference herein.81Table of ContentsExhibit Description10.36(*) Agreement and General Release dated as of November 30, 2015, between Brian Ferguson and The Children's Place ServicesCompany, LLC filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2015, isincorporated by reference herein.10.37 The Children's Place Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's CurrentReport on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2016 is incorporated by reference herein.21.1(+) Subsidiaries of the Company.23.1(+) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.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.________________________________________(1) Exhibit numbers are identical to the exhibit numbers incorporated by reference to such registration statement.(*) Compensation Arrangement.(+) Filed herewith.* 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 ofSections 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.(b) Exhibits. The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed herewith or incorporated by reference. (c) Financial Statement Schedules and Other Financial Statements. Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts All other financial statement schedules are omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as they are not required or applicable or the required informationis included in the financial statements or notes thereto.82Table of ContentsITEM 16.-FORM 10-K SUMMARYOmitted at registrant's option.83Table of ContentsSIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signedon its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. By:/S/ Jane T. Elfers Jane T. Elfers Chief Executive Officer and President March 23, 2017 84Table of ContentsPursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of theRegistrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.Signature Title Date /S/ Norman Matthews Chairman of the Board March 23, 2017 Norman Matthews /S/ Jane T. Elfers Director, Chief Executive Officer and President March 23, 2017 Jane T. Elfers (Principal Executive Officer) /S/ Anurup Pruthi Chief Financial Officer March 23, 2017 Anurup Pruthi (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /S/ Joseph Alutto Director March 23, 2017 Joseph Alutto /S/ John E. Bachman Director March 23, 2017 John E. Bachman /S/ Marla Malcolm Beck Director March 23, 2017Marla Malcolm Beck /S/ Joseph Gromek Director March 23, 2017 Joseph Gromek /S/ Robert Mettler Director March 23, 2017 Robert Mettler /S/ Kenneth Reiss Director March 23, 2017 Kenneth Reiss /S/ Stanley W. Reynolds Director March 23, 2017 Stanley Reynolds /S/ Susan Sobbott Director March 23, 2017 Susan Sobbott 85D​ E L A W A R​ E​ SEAL​ 1988​ CO​ RPORATE​ ​ TH​ E ​ CH​ ILD​ REN’S PLACE​ ,​ I N​ C​ .​ AUTHORIZED OFFICE​ R​ TRANSFER AGEN​ T​ AND REGISTRA​ R​ (Brooklyn, NY​ )​ AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LL​ C​ BY CO​ UNTERSIG​ NED AND REG​ ISTERED:​ SECRETARYPRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER​ transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized Attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate, properly endorsed. ​ This Certificate is not valid until countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.​ WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.​ ​ Dated:​ THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.​ FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE PAR VALUE OF $0.10 PER SHARE OF​ is the owner of​ THIS CERTIFIES THAT​ SEE REVERSE FOR​ CERTAIN DEFINITIONS​ CUSIP 168905 10 7THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWSOF THE STATE OF DELAWARE​ C​ ​ THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION ​ (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH ​ MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT ​ TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.​ Signature(s) Guaranteed:​ THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF ​ THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.NOTICE:​ Dated​ to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named​ Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.​ Attorney​ of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do​ hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint​ shares​ (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)​ PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER​ IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE​ For value received, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto​ Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.​ (State)​ Act​ under Uniform Gifts to Minors​ (Minor)(Cust)​ CustodianUNIF GIFT MIN ACTas tenants in common​ as tenants by the entireties​ as joint tenants with right of​ survivorship and not as tenants​ in common​ TEN COM​ TEN ENT​ JT TEN​ The following abbreviations, when usedin the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full ​ according to applicable laws or regulations:​ The Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests a statement of the designations, powers, preferences ​ and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Corporation and the qualifications, ​ limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Such request may be made to the Corporation or the Transfer Agent.​ THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.​ ​ EXHIBIT 21.1THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANYThe Children’s Place, Inc. has the following direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries:TCP (Gibraltar) Company Limited, a Gibraltar limited companyTCP Canada Holdings, LP, an Alberta limited partnershipTCP Canada, Inc., a Nova Scotia limited liability companyTCP Gibfin, LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyTCP Global Holdings, S.A R.L., a Luxembourg private limited liability companyTCP Global Sourcing Holdings, S.A R.L., a Luxembourg private limited liability companyTCP IH I LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyTCP IH II LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyTCP International Financing S.A R.L., a Luxembourg private limited liability companyTCP International Holdings, LP, an Alberta limited partnershipTCP International IP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyTCP International Product Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyTCP Investment Canada I Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability companyTCP Investment Canada II Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability companyTCP Retail Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong corporationTCP Worldwide Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong corporationThe Children’s Place (Barbados) Inc., a Barbados corporationThe Children’s Place (Canada), LP, an Ontario limited partnershipThe Children’s Place (Hong Kong) Limited, a Hong Kong corporationThe Children’s Place Bangladesh Limited, a private company incorporated under the laws of BangladeshThe Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporationThe Children’s Place India Private Limited, a private company incorporated under the laws of IndiaThe Children’s Place International, LLC, a Virginia limited liability companyThe Children’s Place Mauritius Holdings Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of MauritiusThe Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyThe Children's Place Asia Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong corporationThe Children's Place Hong Kong Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong corporationThe Children's Place Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign owned Shanghai trading company incorporated under the laws of the People'sRepublic of ChinaThe Children's Place Apparel Trading (Shanghai) Limited Company, a wholly foreign owned Shanghai trading company incorporated under the laws ofthe People's Republic of Chinathechildrensplace.com, inc. a Delaware corporationTwin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., an inactive New York insurance captive corporationEXHIBIT 23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmTo the Stockholders and Board of Directors ofThe Children’s Place, Inc.Secaucus, New Jersey:We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement on form S-3 (No. 333-88378) andForm S-8 (No. 333-176569 and 333-212158) of The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries of our reports dated March 23, 2017, relating to the consolidatedfinancial statements and financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financialreporting, which appear in this Form 10-K./S/ BDO USA, LLPNew York, New YorkMarch 23, 2017EXHIBIT 31.1 Certificate of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 I, Jane T. Elfers, certify that: 1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Children’s Place, Inc.;2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make thestatements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by thisreport;3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects thefinancial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;4.The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined inExchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, toensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within thoseentities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under oursupervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements forexternal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about theeffectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recentfiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely tomaterially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and5.The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to theregistrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which arereasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internalcontrol over financial reporting. Date:March 23, 2017By:/S/ JANE T. ELFERS JANE T. ELFERS Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)EXHIBIT 31.2 Certificate of Principal Accounting Officer pursuant toSection 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 I, Anurup Pruthi, certify that: 1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Children’s Place, Inc.;2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make thestatements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by thisreport;3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects thefinancial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;4.The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined inExchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, toensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within thoseentities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under oursupervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements forexternal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about theeffectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recentfiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely tomaterially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and5.The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to theregistrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which arereasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internalcontrol over financial reporting. Date:March 23, 2017By:/S/ ANURUP PRUTHI ANURUP PRUTHIChief Financial Officer(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)EXHIBIT 32 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuantto Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. I, Jane T. Elfers, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Children’s Place, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of2002, do hereby certify that to my knowledge: 1.The Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2017 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and2.The information contained in such annual report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of theCompany. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certification this 23rd day of March, 2017. By:/S/ JANE T. ELFERSChief Executive Officer and President(Principal Executive Officer) I, Anurup Pruthi, Chief Financial Officer of The Children’s Place, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dohereby certify that to my knowledge: 1.The Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2017 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and2.The information contained in such annual report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of theCompany. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certification this 23rd day of March, 2017. By:/S/ ANURUP PRUTHIChief Financial Officer(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) This certification accompanies the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Children’s Place, Inc. for the year ended January 28, 2017 pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the SecuritiesExchange Act of 1934, as amended. A signed original copy of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by theCompany and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and its staff upon request.

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