Many of the 60 new stores planned for the 865-unit Children'sPlace, will be between 5,500 sf to 6,000 sf, up from the currentaverage of 4,500 sf, to make way for new shoe departments. Most ofthe 25 remodels in the children's-clothing chain will add thedepartments as well. "Shoes are our major focus of any additionalcategory," said Neal Goldberg, president of the chain, during thecompany's fourth-quarter conference call.

Disney Stores, of which 20 are to open this year, are slated tostart getting an updated look in August. However, Children's Placestill needs approval from the Walt Disney Co., from which itlicenses the 328-store chain. Additionally, executives revealedthat Children's Place and Disney are currently in a licensingdispute in which Disney officials claim the terms of the companies'agreement related to store remodels and maintenance have beenbreached. The two companies are in negotiations.

Both Children's Place chains have "lots of growth ahead of us,"says Ezrah Dabah, the company's chief executive officer. Children'sPlace could support 1,200 units, while Disney could grow to morethan 600 stores, he says.