SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the first twelve week accounting period ended March 24, 2001

OR

[  ]       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from         to        

Commission File Number: 1-6024

Indicate 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 12 months (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      

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

There were 45,131,765 shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, outstanding as of May 4, 2001, of which 3,694,356 shares are held as Treasury Stock.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the footwear business, worldwide economics and about the Company itself including, without limitation, statements in Item 2 regarding the sourcing realignment charge and the Company's financial condition, liquidity and capital resources and statements in Item 3 regarding market risk. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "is likely," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "should," "will," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Risk Factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

Risk Factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to changes in demand for the Company's products; changes in consumer preferences or spending patterns; the cost and availability of inventories, services, labor and equipment furnished to the Company; the cost and availability of contract manufacturers; the impact of competition and pricing by the Company's competitors; changes in government and regulatory policies; changes in trading policies or import and export regulations; changes in interest rates, tax laws, duties or applicable assessments; technological developments; changes in local, domestic or international economic and market conditions; the size and growth of footwear markets; changes in the amount or severity of inclement weather; changes due to the growth of Internet commerce; popularity of particular designs and categories of footwear; the ability of the Company to manage and forecast its growth and inventories; the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; changes in business strategy or development plans; and the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. These matters are representative of the Risk Factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a forward-looking statement. Historical operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. The Risk Factors included here are not exhaustive. Other Risk Factors exist, and new Risk Factors emerge from time-to-time, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Thousands of dollars)

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of dollars)

(  ) - Denotes deduction.
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of dollars, except shares and per share data)
(Unaudited)

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)

(  ) - Denotes reduction in cash and cash equivalents.
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 24, 2001 and March 25, 2000

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2000. Certain amounts previously reported in 2000 have been reclassifed to conform with the presentation used in 2001.

2. Fluctuations

The Company's sales are seasonal. Seasonal sales patterns and the fact that the fourth quarter has sixteen or seventeen weeks as compared to twelve weeks in each of the first three quarters can cause significant differences in sales and earnings from quarter to quarter. These differences, however, have followed a consistent pattern each year.

3. Nonrecurring Charges

As discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2000, the Company initiated a strategic realignment of its global sourcing and manufacturing operations on July 12, 2000. In connection with this realignment, the Company has already closed or is in the process of closing five of its manufacturing facilities in New York, Missouri, Canada, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. The Company has also eliminated certain footwear product offerings and related raw material inventories, reduced administrative support services and incurred other nonrecurring expenses in connection with the strategic realignment. The realignment activities were primarily completed in the third and fourth quarters of 2000 with the balance to be completed by the end of the 2001 second quarter.

The following table summarizes the activity and remaining liabilities associated with the sourcing realignment activities at March 24, 2001 and the 12-week period then ended (thousands of dollars):

As of March 24, 2001 workforce terminations totaling 1,347 employees have occurred in the areas of manufacturing (1,228), general management (28) and administrative support (91).

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 24, 2001 and March 25, 2000

4. Net Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

5. Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income was $4,952,000 and $4,393,000 for the 12-weeks ended March 24, 2001 and March 25, 2000, respectively, and included foreign currency translation losses of $1,028,000 and $402,000 for the respective periods.

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 24, 2001 and March 25, 2000

6. Business Segments

The Company has one reportable segment that is engaged in the manufacture and marketing of branded footwear to the retail sector, including casual shoes, slippers, moccasins, dress shoes, boots, uniform shoes and work shoes. Revenues of this segment are derived from the sale of branded footwear products to external customers and the Company's retail division as well as royalty income from the licensing of the Company's trademarks and brand names to licensees. The business units comprising the branded footwear segment manufacture or source, market and distribute products in a similar manner. Branded footwear is distributed through wholesale channels and under licensing and distributor arrangements.

The other business units in the following table consist of the Company's retail, apparel and accessories, tannery and procurement operations. The Company operated 61 domestic retail stores at March 24, 2001 that sell Company-manufactured or sourced products and footwear manufactured by unaffiliated companies. The other business units distribute products through retail and wholesale channels.

There have been no changes in the way the Company measures segment profits or in its basis of determining business segments.

Business segment information is as follows (thousands of dollars):

7. Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Effective January 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", as amended by SFAS No. 138. The standard requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency purchases in the normal course of business. These contracts typically have maturities of less than one year and are not designated as accounting hedges. The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS No. 133 did not have a material effect on the Company's earnings or statement of financial position as of March 24, 2001.

Results of Operations - Comparisons of the 12-Weeks Ended March 24, 2001 (2001 first quarter) to the 12-Weeks Ended March 25, 2000 (2000 first quarter)

Net sales and other operating income of $158.2 million for the 2001 first quarter exceeded the 2000 first quarter level of $147.4 million by $10.8 million (7.4%). On a combined basis, net sales and other operating income for the Company's branded footwear businesses, consisting of the Casual Footwear Group (comprised of The Hush Puppies Company, the Children's Footwear Group and the Wolverine Slipper Group), the Wolverine Footwear Group (comprised of the Wolverine®, HYTEST®, Stanley®, Coleman®, Bates® and Harley-Davidson® brands), and the Performance Footwear Group (comprised of the Caterpillar® and Merrell® brands), increased $9.2 million (6.9%) for the 2001 first quarter compared to the respective period of 2000. The Company's other business units, consisting of Wolverine Retail, Apparel and Accessory Licensing, Wolverine Leathers and Wolverine Procurement, reported a net sales and other operating income increase of $1.6 million (11.5%) for the 2001 first quarter compared to the respective period of 2000.

The Casual Footwear Group reported a decrease in net sales and other operating income of $6.3 million (14.2%) in the 2001 first quarter when compared to the same period in 2000. The Hush Puppies Company's net sales and other operating income for the 2001 first quarter decreased from the 2000 first quarter level as Hush Puppies U.K. experienced soft sales as a result of the difficult U.K. retail environment. The Children's Footwear Group also experienced a decrease in net sales and other operating income as a result of losing one major customer and a number of customers that exited the childrens' footwear business. The Wolverine Slipper Group reported a slight decrease in net sales and other operating income during the 2001 first quarter as compared to the respective period of 2000. Partially offsetting the shortfall, Hush Puppies U.S.'s 2001 first quarter net sales and other operating income increased compared to the same period in 2000 due to expanded product offerings and an increase in consumer demand.

The Wolverine Footwear Group's net sales and other operating income increased $3.7 million (6.6%) for the 2001 first quarter compared to the 2000 first quarter. Harley-Davidson® and Stanley® footwear contributed the majority of this increase as the brands are becoming more widely distributed in the marketplace. This increase was partially offset by the HYTEST® work boot brand, which reported a decrease in 2001 first quarter net sales and other operating income compared to the 2000 first quarter level resulting in part from more diversified sales by the independent mobile shoe distributors. These distributors historically sold only HYTEST® brand product, but are now also selling Wolverine, CAT® and Stanley® brand work boots.

The Performance Footwear Group continued its strong growth, reporting an increase in net sales and other operating income of $11.8 million (37.4%) for the 2001 first quarter over the same period of 2000. The Merrell® outdoor footwear business accounted for the majority of the increase in net sales and other operating income as a result of increased consumer demand and expansion of its domestic and international distribution. Also contributing to the increase was CAT® footwear, which reported a 15.7% increase in net sales and other operating income for the 2001 first quarter due to timing of delivering the spring line of footwear at the end of 2001 first quarter.

Within the Company's other business units, Wolverine Retail's net sales and other operating income increased $0.6 million (7.8%) for the 2001 first quarter compared to the same period of 2000. The Wolverine Leathers division also recorded a $1.0 million increase in net sales and other operating income for the 2001 first quarter as compared to the same period of 2000 as a result of increased demand for Merrell® products utilizing Wolverine Performance Leathers.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales and other operating income for the 2001 first quarter was 33.7%, compared to the prior year's first quarter level of 33.2%. Gross margin dollars increased $4.4 million or 9.1% for the 2001 first quarter compared to the same period of 2000. The gross margin percentages for the branded footwear businesses were 33.5% for the 2001 first quarter compared to 32.8% for the same period of 2000. The margin increase for the branded footwear business reflected increased sales of higher margin Merrell® and Harley-Davidson® product and manufacturing efficiencies as a result of the 2000 sourcing realignment. The gross margin percentage for the other business units decreased to 35.4% for the 2001 first quarter from 36.7% for the same period of 2000 due to an increase in raw material costs for the Wolverine Leathers division.

Selling and administrative expenses of $42.7 million for the 2001 first quarter increased $3.2 million from the 2000 first quarter level of $39.5 million and, as a percentage of net sales and other operating income, increased to 27.0% in first quarter 2001 compared to 26.8% in the same period of 2000. The change is a result of additional marketing and advertising expenses of $1.3 million and Merrell® selling and administrative expenses of $2.0 million.

As discussed in Note 3 of the consolidated condensed financial statements, the Company initiated a strategic realignment of its global sourcing and manufacturing operations on July 12, 2000. In connection with this realignment, the Company has already closed its manufacturing facilities in New York, Missouri, Canada and Costa Rica and is in the process of closing its Puerto Rican facility. The remaining liabilities associated with the sourcing realignment include severance for those employees assisting in the closure of the Puerto Rican facility, pension benefits for all employees terminated in connection with the realignment and other exit costs for expected product returns, lease termination costs and expenses related to facilities held for sale. Inventory write-downs have been fully utilized. The balance of the realignment activities are expected to be completed by the end of the 2001 second quarter.

Interest expense for the 2001 first quarter was $1.6 million, compared to $2.5 million for the same period of 2000. The decrease in interest expense reflected lower average borrowings in first quarter 2001 compared to the same period of 2000.

The Company's 2001 first quarter effective income tax rate of 34.0% compared to 32.0% in the prior year. The increase reflected earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries, which are taxed at lower rates, being a lower percentage of total consolidated net earnings in 2001.

Net earnings of $6.0 million for the 2001 first quarter compared to net earnings of $4.8 million for the same period in 2000. Diluted earnings per share of $0.14 for the 2001 first quarter compared to $0.12 for the same period of 2000.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash used in operating activities was $9.0 million for 2001 first quarter compared to $8.1 million for the same period of 2000. Cash of $18.1 million for 2001 first quarter and $16.2 million for 2000 first quarter was used to fund working capital requirements. Accounts receivable of $168.0 million at March 24, 2001 reflected a decrease of $1.7 million (1.0%) from the balance at March 25, 2000 and an increase of $6.1 million (3.7%) from the December 30, 2000 balance. Inventories of $153.3 million at March 24, 2001 reflected a decrease of $23.2 million (13.1%) compared to the balance at March 25, 2000 and an increase of $9.1 million (6.3%) over the balance at December 30, 2000. The decline in accounts receivable and inventories when compared to the 2000 first quarter, was the result of a focused asset reduction program despite the 7.4% increase in net sales and other operating income. Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $46.5 million at March 24, 2001 reflected a $10.4 million (28.8%) increase from the $36.1 million balance at March 25, 2000 and a $2.3 million (4.8%) decrease from the $48.8 million balance at December 30, 2000. The increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities when compared to the 2000 first quarter was primarily attributable to timing of payments and nonrecurring charges associated with the sourcing realignment.

Additions to property, plant and equipment of $3.2 million for the 2001 first quarter compared to $1.3 million reported during the respective period in 2000. The increase in additions is the result of timing of the Company's purchases. Depreciation expense remained flat at $3.9 million for the 2001 and 2000 first quarters.

The Company maintains short-term borrowing and commercial letter-of-credit facilities of $66.4 million, of which $28.0 million, $20.1 million and $27.0 million were outstanding at March 24, 2001, March 25, 2000 and December 30, 2000, respectively. Long-term debt, excluding current maturities, of $93.9 million at March 24, 2001 compared to $144.5 million and $87.8 million at March 25, 2000 and December 30, 2000, respectively. The decrease in debt at March 24, 2001 compared to March 25, 2000 was a result of improved operating cash flows that provided funds to pay down amounts borrowed under the revolving credit facility.

Effective October 3, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of common stock over 24 months. The primary purpose of this stock repurchase program is to increase stockholder value. There were 80,000 shares repurchased during the 2001 first quarter and 105,900 total cumulative common shares repurchased under the program through March 24, 2001. The Company intends to continue to repurchase shares of its common stock in open market transactions, from time to time, depending upon market conditions and other factors.

The Company has long-term revolving credit facilities of $175.5 million which expire in October 2001. The Company has secured commitments from its bank group to renew its revolving credit agreement for five years and expects to sign the final agreement before the end of the second quarter 2001. Accordingly the outstanding revolver balance as of March 24, 2001 has been classified as a long-term liability in the consolidated balance sheet. The revolving credit facilities are used to support working capital requirements. Proceeds from existing credit facilities and anticipated renewals together with cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet capital needs in the forseeable

future. Any excess cash flows from operations are expected to be used to pay down existing debt, fund growth initiatives and repurchase the Company's common stock under the repurchase program.

The 2001 first quarter dividend declared of $.04 per share of common stock represents a 14.3% increase over the $.035 per share declared in the 2000 first quarter. The dividend is payable May 1, 2001 to stockholders of record on April 2, 2001.

The current ratio was 6.2 to 1.0 for the 2001 first quarter compared with 8.6 to 1.0 for the same period of 2000. The Company's total debt to total capital ratio decreased to .23 to 1.0 for the 2001 first quarter from .31 to 1.0 for the same period of 2000.

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk contained in the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for its fiscal year ended December 30, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company faces market risk to the extent that changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect the Company's foreign assets, liabilities and inventory purchase commitments and to the extent that its long-term debt requirements are affected by changes in interest rates. The Company manages these risks by attempting to denominate contractual and other foreign arrangements in U.S. dollars and by maintaining a significant percentage of fixed-rate debt. The Company does not believe that there has been a material change in the nature of the Company's primary market risk exposures, including the categories of market risk to which the Company is exposed and the particular markets that present the primary risk of loss to the Company. As of the date of this Form 10-Q Quarterly Report, the Company does not know of or expect there to be any material change in the general nature of its primary market risk exposure in the near term.

The methods used by the Company to manage its primary market risk exposures, as described in the sections of its annual report incorporated herein by reference in response to this item, have not changed materially during the current year. As of the date of this Form 10-Q Quarterly Report, the Company does not expect to change its methods used to manage its market risk exposures in the near term. However, the Company may change those methods in the future to adapt to changes in circumstances or to implement new techniques.

The Company's market risk exposure is mainly comprised of its vulnerability to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Prevailing rates and rate relationships in the future will be primarily determined by market factors that are outside of the Company's control. All information provided in response to this item consists of forward-looking statements. Reference is made to the section captioned "Forward-Looking Statements" at the beginning of this document for a discussion of the limitations on the Company's responsibility for such statements.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX