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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

(X)   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        For the quarterly period ended March 1, 2002

( )   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

                     For the transition period from to .

                       Commission File Number: 1-4404

                         THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                           Massachusetts 04-1399290
                          -------------------------
           (State or other jurisdiction) (I.R.S. Employer Identified No.)

                 191 Spring Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
                (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

         Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617)824-6000

            Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                  Name of each exchange
Title of each class                               on which registered
--------------------------------                  -------------------
Common stock, $.25 par value                      New York Stock Exchange

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights                   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required 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  report),  and  (2)  has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

          Yes (X)          No ( )


     As of April 5, 2002,  42,037,963  shares of the registrant's  common stock,
$.25 par value,  and the  accompanying  Preferred  Stock  Purchase  Rights  were
outstanding.







PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION
<TABLE>
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

<CAPTION>
                                    March 1,                         March 2,
                                      2002        November 30,         2001
                                  (Unaudited)         2001         (Unaudited)
                                  -------------  ----------------  -------------

  Assets

  Current Assets:
     Cash and cash
<S>                                   <C>                <C>             <C>
      equivalents                     $ 27,948           $81,159         $3,471

     Accounts and notes
      receivable, net                   95,287            44,739        115,923

     Inventories                        93,284           112,481         91,940

     Deferred income taxes              24,245            24,245         25,494

     Other current assets                4,215             5,344          4,451
                                      --------          --------       --------

     Total current assets              244,979           267,968        241,279

  Property and equipment, net           72,496            72,244         75,882

  Other assets                          11,652             9,608         21,782
                                      --------          --------       --------

     Total assets                     $329,127          $349,820       $338,943
                                      ========          ========       ========
</TABLE>



















                     The   accompanying notes are an integral part of the
                           condensed consolidated financial statements.




                                        2


<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                                THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION
<TABLE>
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

<CAPTION>
                                    March 1,                         March 2,
                                      2002         November 30         2001
                                  (Unaudited)         2001          (Unaudited)
                                 ---------------  --------------   -------------

  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

  Current Liabilities:
     Short-term debt                      -          $26,000          $10,000
<S>                                   <C>             <C>              <C>
     Accounts payable                 $17,559         23,000           22,626
     Income taxes payable              19,139         11,682           24,081
     Accrued expenses and other
      liabilities                      19,192         22,041           20,431
                                     --------       --------         --------
     Total current liabilities         55,890         82,723           77,138

  Deferred income taxes                 4,858          4,858            5,929


  Stockholders' Equity:
     Preferred stock, $1 par value
       Shares authorized - 1,000,000      -                -                 -
       Shares issued - None

     Common stock, $.25 par value
       Share authorized - 135,000,000
       Shares issued - 56,946,544     14,237          14,237           14,237

     Capital in excess of par
       value                          18,677          19,209           19,898

    Retained earnings                387,902         382,460          377,555

     Less cost of 14,970,372
        shares of common stock
        held in treasury
        (15,087,646 on November
        30, 2001 and 15,264,734
        on March 2, 2001)           (152,437)       (153,667)        (155,814)
                                    --------        --------         --------
     Total stockholders' equity      268,379         262,239          255,876
                                    --------        --------         --------

     Total liabilities and
      stockholders' equity          $329,127        $349,820         $338,943
                                    ========        ========         ========
</TABLE>


                     The   accompanying notes are an integral part of the
                           condensed consolidated financial statements.







                                        3


<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                                THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION
<TABLE>
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
                   For the periods ended March 1, 2002 and March 2, 2001
                      (In Thousands Except Per Share Data)


<CAPTION>
                                                 2002             2001
                                            ---------        ---------

<S>                                          <C>              <C>
Net sales                                    $140,733         $151,093

Cost of sales                                  88,967           96,169

Selling and administrative expenses            40,084           43,207
                                            ---------        ---------

Operating income                               11,682           11,717

Other income (expense):
   Investment income                              327            1,560
   Interest expense                              (303)            (589)
   Other income (expense), net                   (170)            (468)
                                            ----------       ---------
                                                 (146)             503
                                            ----------       ---------

Income before income taxes                     11,536           12,220

Provision for income taxes                      3,997            4,402
                                            ---------        ---------

Net income                                   $  7,539         $  7,818
                                            =========        =========

Net income per common share:
   Diluted                                   $    .18         $    .19
                                            =========        =========
   Basic                                     $    .18         $    .19
                                            =========        =========

Dividends per common share                   $    .05         $    .05
                                            =========        =========

Average common shares used in per share
   computations:
   Diluted                                     42,187           41,946
                                            =========        =========
   Basic                                       41,906           41,649
                                            =========        =========
</TABLE>










                     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
                        condensed consolidated financial statements







4

<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                              THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION
<TABLE>
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                     For the three months ended March 1, 2002 and
                        March 2, 2001 (Dollars in Thousands)

<CAPTION>
                                                        2002            2001
                                                    -------------   ------------
Cash provided from (used for):
Operations:
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>
   Net income                                           $ 7,539         $ 7,818
   Adjustments to reconcile to net cash
     provided from (used for) operations:
   Depreciation and amortization                          3,737           3,656
   Compensation expense related to
     stock plans                                            100              60
   Gain related to long-term investments                      -            (451)
   Loss on disposal of property and equipment                29              42
   Changes in:
      Accounts and notes receivable                     (50,548)        (61,548)
      Inventories                                        19,197          13,977
      Other current assets                                1,129           1,914
      Accounts payable, income taxes, accrued
        expenses and other current liabilities             (793)         (5,631)
                                                        --------        --------
      Net cash used for operations                      (19,610)        (40,163)
                                                        --------        --------
Investments:
   Additions to property and equipment                   (3,950)         (3,291)
   Distributions from long-term investments                   -             451
   Decrease in noncurrent marketable
     securities                                              14             474
   Increase in other assets                              (2,126)         (1,223)
                                                        --------        --------
      Net cash used for investments                      (6,062)         (3,589)
                                                        --------        --------
Financing:
   Repayment of short-term debt                         (26,000)        (14,000)
   Proceeds from sale of stock under stock plans            620             327
   Cash dividends paid                                   (2,093)         (2,080)
   Repurchase of common stock                               (66)              -
                                                        --------        -------
      Net cash used for financing                       (27,539)        (15,753)
                                                        --------        --------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents               (53,211)        (59,505)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
   period                                                81,159          62,976
                                                        -------         -------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period          $27,948         $ 3,471
                                                        =======         =======
</TABLE>




                     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
                        condensed consolidated financial statements









                                        5


<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                     NOTE 1

     The  financial  information  included  in this Form 10-Q of The Stride Rite
Corporation  (the  "Company")  for the periods  ended March 1, 2002 and March 2,
2001 is  unaudited  and subject to year-end  audit  adjustments.  However,  such
information   includes  all   adjustments   (including   all  normal   recurring
adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are considered necessary for a
fair presentation of the consolidated  results for those periods. The results of
operations  for the  periods  ended  March  1,  2002 and  March 2,  2001 are not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the
complete fiscal year. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from
audited financial  statements,  but does not include all disclosures required by
generally accepted accounting principles. The Company filed audited consolidated
financial  statements  for the year ended  November  30, 2001 on Form 10-K which
included all information and footnotes necessary for such presentation.

     The  Company's  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with
generally accepted  accounting  principles requires management to make estimates
and  assumptions  that affect the reported  amount of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the dates of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported
periods.  The most significant  estimates included in these financial statements
include valuation allowances and reserves for accounts receivable, inventory and
income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.




























                                                6


<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

                                     NOTE 2

     Basic earnings per share excludes  dilution and is computed by dividing net
earnings  available to common  stockholders  by the weighted  average  number of
common shares  outstanding for the period.  Diluted  earnings per share reflects
the  potential  dilution  that could occur if options to issue common stock were
exercised.

     The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the basic
and diluted earnings per share computations (shares in thousands):

<TABLE>
                                                      Three Months Ended
                                               ---------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                  March 1,           March 2,
                                                   2002               2001
                                               --------------     --------------


<S>                                                <C>                <C>
Net income applicable to common shares             $ 7,539            $ 7,818
                                                   =======            =======

Calculation of shares:
  Weighted average number of common shares
     outstanding(basic)                             41,906             41,649

  Common shares attributable to assumed
     exercise of dilutive stock options and
     stock purchase rights using the treasury
     stock method                                      281                297
                                                   -------            -------

Average common shares and common equivalents
   outstanding during the period (diluted)          42,187             41,946
                                                   =======            =======

Net income per common share (basic)                  $ .18              $ .19
                                                     =====              =====

Net income per common share (diluted)                $ .18              $ .19
                                                     =====              =====
</TABLE>


     The  following  options  were not  included in the  computation  of diluted
earnings  per share  because the  options'  exercise  price was greater than the
average market price of the common shares:

<TABLE>
                                                  First Quarter
                                           ----------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                 2002            2001
                                             ------------    ------------
Options to purchase shares of common
<S>                                              <C>             <C>
  stock (in thousands)                           1,610           2,126

</TABLE>









                                                7


<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

               NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 NOTE 3

     In the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2001,  the  Company  recorded  pre-tax
nonrecurring   charges  of  $3,059,000   related  to  a  restructuring   of  its
administrative  staff,  the exit of its leased  department  store  business  and
retail system asset impairment  costs.  The following table summarizes  activity
during the first three months of fiscal 2002.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              In thousands
<S>                    <C> <C>                                   <C>
   Balance at November 30, 2001                                  $2,262
   Amounts charged against accrual for severance                   (955)
   Amounts charged against accrual for employee benefit             (12)
   costs
   Amounts charged against accrual for other costs                  (19)
                                                              --------------
   Balance at March 1, 2002                                      $1,276
                                                              ==============
</TABLE>

































                                                8


<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
            RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Certain Factors Affecting Future Operating Results

     This form 10-Q contains  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of
Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and  Section  21E of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. We caution investors that any  forward-looking  statements
presented in this report and presented elsewhere by management from time to time
are based on  management's  beliefs  and  assumptions  made by, and  information
currently   available  to,  management.   When  used,  the  words  "anticipate",
"estimate",  "project",  "should", "expect" and similar expressions are intended
to identify  forward-looking  statements.  Such statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties  and  assumptions  and are not  guarantees of future  performance,
which may be affected by various trends and factors that are beyond our control.
Should  one or more of  these  risks or  uncertainties  materialize,  or  should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect,  actual results may vary materially from
those anticipated,  estimated or projected. Accordingly, past results and trends
should not be used by investors to anticipate future results or trends.  Some of
the key factors that may have a direct  bearing on our results are  presented in
the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  November 30, 2001,  which was
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Results of Operations

     The following  table  summarizes  the Company's  performance  for the first
quarter of fiscal 2002 as compared to the results for the  comparable  period in
fiscal 2001:

<TABLE>
Increase (Decrease) Percent vs. 2001 Results:
<CAPTION>
                                                                First Quarter

<S>                                                                <C>
Net sales                                                          (6.9)%
Gross profit                                                       (5.8)%
Selling and administrative expenses                                (7.2)%
Operating income                                                   (0.3)%
Income before income taxes                                         (5.6)%
Net income                                                         (3.6)%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
Operating Ratios as a Percent of Net Sales:
                                                      First Quarter
                                             --------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                 2002              2001
                                             --------------    --------------

<S>                                                  <C>               <C>
Gross profit                                         36.8%             36.4%
Selling and administrative expenses                  28.5%             28.6%
Operating income                                      8.3%              7.8%
Income before income taxes                            8.2%              8.1%
Net income                                            5.4%              5.2%
</TABLE>




                                        9


<PAGE>



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
            RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Net Sales

     Net sales in the first  quarter  of fiscal  2002  decreased  $10.4  million
(6.9%) from the sales level  achieved in the  comparable  period of fiscal 2001.
Revenues  related to the Company's  wholesale  brands decreased 10.4% during the
first quarter of 2002, while retail sales during the period increased 12.7% from
the same  period  last year.  During the first  quarter of 2002,  the  wholesale
brands of the Company had unit shipments of current line merchandise  which were
10.2% lower than the 2001 first  quarter.  The Company's  average  selling price
decreased by 1.4% in the first  quarter of 2002,  as compared to the same period
in 2001. Sales of discontinued  products  decreased slightly $0.1 million in the
first quarter of fiscal 2002 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2001.

     Sales of the  Stride  Rite  Children's  Group  increased  3.0% in the first
quarter of fiscal 2002 as compared  to the first  quarter of 2001.  Sales at the
Children's Group's retail stores increased 11.3% in the first quarter of 2002 as
compared  to the prior  year,  with most of this  increase  attributable  to the
opening of new  stores.  Sales at  comparable  Children's  Group  retail  stores
increased  2.1% as compared to the first  quarter of fiscal 2001,  excluding the
leased  department store retail sales.  Sales for the leased  department  stores
were $2.8 million in the first  quarter of fiscal 2002  compared to $3.0 million
in the same period of fiscal 2001. At the end of the first quarter of 2002,  the
Children's Group operated 241 stores,  up from the 202 stores open at the end of
the first quarter of 2001. As previously announced, the Children's Group will be
exiting 46 leased  department  stores  during  April 2002.  The sales  reduction
resulting  from the  exiting of the leased  department  stores is expected to be
mostly offset by sales from the approximately fifty new stores scheduled to open
during fiscal 2002.  Sales of the Tommy  Hilfiger  brand in the first quarter of
fiscal  2002 were 24% below the levels  achieved  in the same  period last year.
This sales decline was  principally  the result of delayed  product  receipts by
several major  retailers and lower  closeout  product  sales.  Sales of the Keds
business  unit  decreased 11% during the first quarter of fiscal 2002 versus the
comparable period last year, primarily due to lower shipments of certain women's
basic  sneaker  programs,   including  the  updated  Champion  style  which  was
relaunched during last year's first quarter.  Sales of Sperry Top-Sider products
increased  7% during  the  first  quarter  of fiscal  2002.  This  increase  was
attributable to increased shipments of its core line of boat shoes. Sales of the
International division in the first quarter of 2002 increased 6% compared to the
same period last year.  This  increase was largely  driven by the demand for our
Tommy Hilfiger and Keds products in South America.








                                       10


<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
            RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Gross Profit

     During the first  quarter  of fiscal  2002,  gross  profit  decreased  $3.2
million or 5.7% as  compared to the same period of fiscal  2001.  This  compares
favorably to the net sales  decrease of 6.9% versus the prior years first fiscal
quarter.  The consolidated gross profit percentage for the first three months of
fiscal  2001  improved  0.4  percentage  points,  to 36.8% in 2002 from 36.4% in
fiscal 2001.  Improved  gross profit  performances  by Sperry  Top-Sider and the
Stride Rite  Children's  Group were able to offset the gross  profit  percentage
decrease  recorded by Keds. The LIFO  provision had a favorable  effect on gross
profit  comparisons,  with LIFO decreasing gross profit by $0.1 million (0.1% of
net sales) in fiscal 2002 compared to the greater decrease of $0.7 million (0.5%
of net sales) in fiscal 2001.

Operating Costs

     Selling and  administrative  expenses  in the first  quarter of fiscal 2002
decreased  7.2% as compared to the first quarter of 2001.  Operating  costs as a
percentage of sales in the first quarter  decreased from the  comparable  period
last year by 0.1  percentage  points  (28.5% in 2002 compared to 28.6% in 2001).
Higher  retail store  expenses  resulting  from the 23 new stores  opened in the
first quarter of fiscal 2002 increased overall operating expenses. This increase
was  offset  by  lower   operating   expenses   resulting   from  the  corporate
restructuring  initiated in the fourth  quarter of fiscal 2001. The reduction in
store expenses,  due to the exiting of the 46 leased  department  stores, is not
expected  to fully  offset the higher  store  expenses  resulting  from both the
start-up and operation of the  approximately  50 new stores scheduled to open in
fiscal  2002.  Advertising  expense  represented  4.8% of net sales in the first
quarter of 2002,  which was lower than the spending rate of 6.0% of sales in the
comparable period in 2001. Most of the reduction in advertising expense occurred
in  the  Keds  brand,  which  launched  its  updated  Champion  product  through
television last year. Distribution expenses represented 3.7% of net sales in the
first quarters of both fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001.

Other Income and Taxes

     Other  income  (expense)  decreased  pre-tax  income by $0.1 million in the
first quarter of fiscal 2002. This compares  unfavorably to the increase of $0.5
million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001.  Investment income during the first
quarter of 2002 was $1.2 million  lower than the prior year due  principally  to
the realization of a gain on a long-term investment in the prior year along with
significantly  lower average  interest rates on  investments  during the current
fiscal year.  Interest  expense in the first quarter of 2002 was also lower than
the  comparable  period of fiscal 2001,  declining  $0.3 million.  While average
interest rates in the quarter were much lower than in 2001,  average  short-term
borrowings in the first quarter of 2002 were $33.5 million, 17% greater than the
average  borrowings  of $28.7  million in the first  quarter  of 2001.  The $0.3
million decrease in other expense is primarily  related to the accelerated write
down of a retail asset in the first quarter of the prior year.


                                       11


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
            RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

     The provision for income taxes  decreased $0.4 million in the first quarter
of fiscal 2002 as compared to the similar  period in fiscal 2001.  This decrease
was  primarily due to the lower  pre-tax  income amount  combined with the lower
effective  income tax rate of 34.6% in the first  quarter,  as  compared  to the
36.0% rate in 2001.  The lower tax rate is based on the year-end  projected  tax
rate.

Net Income

     Net income for the first  quarter of fiscal 2002  decreased  $0.3  million,
down 3.6% from the income earned in the 2001 first quarter.  The lower operating
costs and  reduction in the tax rate were not  sufficient to offset the decrease
in net sales and associated reduction in gross profit.  However,  because of the
improved gross profit percentage performance,  the Company's return on net sales
improved by 0.2 percentage points in the first quarter of 2002 (5.4% of sales in
2002 compared to 5.2% in 2001).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     At March 1, 2002,  the Company's  balance sheet reflects a current ratio of
4.4 to 1 with no debt.  The Company's  cash and cash  equivalents  totaled $27.9
million at the end of the latest quarter, an increase from the prior year's cash
and investments  total of $3.5 million.  A significant  portion of this increase
resulted from the reallocation of intermediate term fixed income  investments to
cash equivalents  during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001. The Company uses its
$75 million  revolving  credit agreement to fund seasonal working capital needs.
There were no borrowings under this line of credit at March 1, 2002.  Borrowings
at the end of the first quarter of 2001 totaled $10.0 million.

     The Company's  customary seasonal shipping and cash flow patterns typically
require  the use of funds in the first  quarter of the fiscal  year.  During the
first  quarter of fiscal 2002,  the Company  used $19.6  million of cash to fund
operating needs.  This negative cash flow amount was less than the $40.2 million
use of cash required to fund operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2001.

     At March 1, 2002,  accounts  receivable and inventory levels totaled $188.6
million,  a decrease  of $19.3  million or 9.3% below the $207.9  million  asset
amount at the end of the first quarter of 2001.  Accounts  receivable at the end
of the first quarter of 2002 decreased $20.6 million or 18% from the same period
in 2001.  This  decrease  was  greater  than the 6.9%  decrease  in net sales as
compared to the prior year's first quarter. Days sales outstanding improved by 8
days to 62 days in the first  quarter  of  fiscal  2002 from 70 days in the same
period of fiscal 2001. A larger percentage of wholesale shipments occurred later
in the quarter  during the  previous  fiscal  year,  contributing  to the higher
accounts  receivable  balance  at the end of the first  quarter  of fiscal  2001
versus fiscal 2002.  Inventories  were  slightly  higher at the end of the first
quarter of 2002, up $1.3 million or 1.5% from the 2001 level.

                                       12
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
            RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

     Additions  to property  and  equipment  totaled  $4.0  million in the first
quarter of 2002 compared to $3.3 million in the 2001 first quarter. The majority
of the capital  expenditure  increase related to the 22 new retail stores opened
during the first  quarter of fiscal 2002  somewhat  offset by lower  spending on
information  technology.  During the  quarter,  the Company  repurchased  10,000
shares of its common stock. At March 1, 2002, the Company had  approximately 2.0
million shares remaining on the repurchase  authorization  voted by the Board of
Directors in December 1999.











































                                       13


<PAGE>


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                          ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


         (a)    Exhibits.  The following exhibits are contained in this
                --------
                report:

                None

         (b)    Reports on Form 8-K

                There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the most recent
                quarterly period.












































                                       14


<PAGE>



                           THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION


                                    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 duly authorized.
                                    THE STRIDE RITE CORPORATION
                                    (Registrant)



Date:  April 12, 2002               By:  /S/Frank A. Caruso
                                    ---------------------------------
                                      Frank A. Caruso
                                      Chief Financial Officer









































                                       15