FORM 10-Q/A


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


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

For the quarterly period ended August 4, 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 000-19288


                                  FRED'S, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              Tennessee                            62-0634010
    (State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

4300 New Getwell Rd., Memphis, Tennessee              38118
(Address of principal executive offices)            (zip code)

                                 (901) 365-8880
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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            .
    -----------      -----------


The  registrant  had  15,265,419  shares of Class A voting,  no par value common
stock outstanding as of September 17, 2001.





                                  FRED'S, INC.

                                      INDEX

                                                                        Page No.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part I - Financial Information

  Item 1 - Financial Statements (unaudited):

    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
     August 4, 2001 and February 3, 2001                                      3
    Consolidated Statements of Income
     for the Thirteen Weeks Ended August 4, 2001
     and July 29, 2000 and the Twenty-Six Weeks
     Ended August 4, 2001 and July 29, 2000                                   4

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     for the Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 4, 2001
     and July 29, 2000                                                         5

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                             6 - 9

  Item 2 - Management's Discussion and
                Analysis of Financial Condition and
                Results of Operations                                    10 - 14

  Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
                  about Market Risk                                           14

Part II - Other Information                                                   15
---------------------------

Signatures                                                                    16
----------


















Item 1 - Financial Statements (unaudited)


                                   FRED'S, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (unaudited)

                   (in thousands, except for number of shares)


                                                                                August 4,                       February 3,
                                                                                  2001                             2001
                                                                                --------                       ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                                                                                               
      Cash and cash equivalents                                                   $1,928                             $2,569
      Receivables, less allowance for doubtful
        accounts of $375 ($516 at February 3, 2001)                               11,903                             15,430
      Inventories                                                                160,357                            149,602
      Deferred income taxes                                                          982                              2,022
      Other current assets                                                         2,053                              2,306
                                                                                --------                           --------
           Total current assets                                                  177,223                            171,929
      Property and equipment, at depreciated cost                                 78,222                             76,360
      Equipment under capital leases, less accumulated
       amortization of $1,567 ($1,305 at February 3,2001)                          1,815                              1,387
      Deferred income taxes                                                          655                                 98
      Other noncurrent assets                                                      4,960                              5,021
                                                                                --------                           --------
           Total assets                                                         $262,875                           $254,795
                                                                                ========                           ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                                                           $41,497                            $40,432
      Current portion of indebtedness                                              2,228                              2,175
      Current portion of capital lease obligations                                   627                                503
      Accrued liabilities                                                         12,197                             14,012
      Income taxes payable                                                         1,118                              4,278
                                                                                --------                           --------
           Total current liabilities                                              57,667                             61,400
                                                                                --------                           --------
Long term portion of indebtedness                                                 34,627                             30,475
Capital lease obligations                                                          1,531                              1,230
Other noncurrent liabilities                                                       2,031                              2,003
                                                                                --------                           --------
           Total liabilities                                                      95,856                             95,108
                                                                                --------                           --------
Shareholders' equity:
      Common stock, Class A voting, no par value,
         15,229,044 shares issued and outstanding
         (15,085,648 shares at February 3, 2001)                                  70,767                             68,557
      Retained earnings                                                           96,395                             91,342
      Deferred compensation on restricted
         stock incentive plan                                                       (143)                              (212)
                                                                                --------                           --------
           Total shareholders' equity                                            167,019                            159,687
                                                                                --------                           --------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                $262,875                           $254,795
                                                                                ========                           ========


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements






                                  FRED'S, INC.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                   (unaudited)

                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                           Thirteen Weeks Ended                 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                         ----------------------                 ----------------------
                                          August 4,    July 29,                  August 4,    July 29,
                                            2001         2000                       2001        2000
                                         ----------------------                 ----------------------
                                                                                 
Net sales                                $210,278      $180,353                  $417,637    $356,485
Cost of goods sold                        153,497       131,293                   303,098     258,435
                                          -------     ---------                  --------    --------
  Gross profit                             56,781        49,060                   114,539      98,050
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses                   52,817        46,036                   103,538      89,198
                                           ------     ---------                  --------    --------
  Operating income                          3,964         3,024                    11,001       8,852
Interest expense, net                         706           763                     1,336       1,436
                                           ------     ---------                  --------    --------
  Income before income taxes                3,258         2,261                     9,665       7,416
Provision for income taxes                  1,144           607                     3,392       2,417
                                         --------     ---------                  --------    --------
Net income                               $  2,114      $  1,654                  $  6,273    $  4,999
                                         ========     =========                  ========    ========


Net income per share
  Basic                                       .14      $    .11                  $    .42    $    .34
                                          =======      ========                  ========    ========

  Diluted                                     .14      $    .11                  $    .41    $    .33
                                          =======      ========                  ========    ========


Weighted average shares outstanding
  Basic                                    15,106        14,910                    15,056      14,860
                                          =======      ========                  ========    ========

  Diluted                                  15,268        15,218                    15,485      15,194
                                          =======      ========                  ========    ========



           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements





                                  FRED'S, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (unaudited)
                                 (in thousands)
                             Twenty-six Weeks Ended
                                                                            August 4,          July 29,
                                                                              2001               2000
                                                                             -----               ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                                                                         
    Net income                                                            $6,273               $4,999
    Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash flows from operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                        8,518                6,883
      Lifo reserve                                                           400                  400
      Deferred income taxes                                                  483                  383
    Tax benefit on exercise of stock options                                 397                  185
    Amortization of deferred compensation on
        restricted stock incentive plan                                       69                   76
      Cancellation of restricted stock                                       (21)                (203)
(Increase)decrease in assets:
           Receivables                                                     3,527                  459
         Inventories                                                     (10,559)             (12,948)
           Other assets                                                      253                 (780)
    Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                              (758)               4,064
      Income taxes payable                                                (3,160)               2,010
      Other noncurrent liabilities                                            28                   87
                                                                         -------              -------
      Net cash provided by operating activities                            5,450                5,615
                                                                         -------              -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                                                  (9,673)              (6,993)
  Intangible assets, net of cash acquired                                   (383)              (1,240)
                                                                           -----              -------
Net cash used in investing activities                                    (10,056)              (8,233)
                                                                        --------              -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
    Reduction of indebtedness and capital lease
      obligations                                                         (1,343)                (998)
    Proceeds from revolving line of credit,
      net of payments                                                      5,281                2,214
    Proceeds from exercise of options                                      1,238                  725
    Cash dividends paid                                                   (1,211)              (1,201)
                                                                       ---------              -------
    Net cash provided by financing activities                              3,965                  740
                                                                       ---------              -------
    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                   (641)              (1,878)
    Cash and cash equivalents:
      Beginning of period                                                  2,569                3,036
                                                                         -------             --------
      End of period                                                       $1,928               $1,158
                                                                         =======             ========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    Interest paid                                                         $1,223               $1,537
                                                                          ======               ======
    Income taxes paid                                                     $5,700                 ----
                                                                          ======                =====
Non cash investing and financing activities:
  Assets acquired through capital lease obligations                         $691                 ----
                                                                           =====                 ====
  Common stock issued for acquisition                                       $596                 ----
                                                                           =====                 ====


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements






                                  FRED'S, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          NOTE 1:  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

               Fred's,  Inc.  ("Fred's" or the "Company")  operates 373 discount
          general merchandise stores,  including 27 franchised Fred's stores, in
          eleven states primarily in the southeastern United States. Two hundred
          and two of the stores have full service pharmacies.

               The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated financial statements of
          Fred's have been prepared in accordance with the  instructions to Form
          10-Q and therefore do not include all  information and notes necessary
          for a fair presentation of financial  position,  results of operations
          and cash flows in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally
          accepted in the United  States of America.  The  statements do reflect
          all adjustments  (consisting of only normal recurring  accruals) which
          are, in the opinion of management,  necessary for a fair  presentation
          of  financial  position  in  conformity  with  accounting   principles
          generally  accepted in the United  States of America.  The  statements
          should  be read in  conjunction  with the  Notes  to the  Consolidated
          Financial  Statements  for the  fiscal  year  ended  February  3, 2001
          incorporated into the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

               The results of operations  for the  twenty-six  week period ended
          August 4, 2001 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the  results to be
          expected for the full fiscal year.

               Certain prior quarter  amounts have been  reclassified to conform
          to the 2001 presentation.

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          NOTE 2:  INVENTORIES
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

               Wholesale  inventories  are stated at the lower of cost or market
          using the FIFO (first-in,  first-out)  method.  Retail inventories are
          stated  at the lower of cost or market  as  determined  by the  retail
          inventory   method.   For   pharmacy   inventories,   which   comprise
          approximately  19% of the retail  inventories at August 4, 2001,  cost
          was determined using the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method. The current
          cost of inventories exceeded the LIFO cost by approximately $4,361,000
          and $3,608,000 at August 4, 2001 and July 29, 2000, respectively.

          LIFO  inventory  costs can only be determined  annually when inflation
          rates and inventory  levels are finalized;  therefore,  LIFO inventory
          costs for interim financial statements are estimated.




          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          NOTE 3:  NET INCOME PER SHARE
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing
          income 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 securities
          or other  contracts to issue common stock were  exercised or converted
          into common  stock or resulted  in the  issuance of common  stock that
          then  shared  in the  earnings  of the  entity.  Restricted  stock  is
          considered  contingently issuable and is excluded from the computation
          of basic earnings per share.



                       COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE
                       -----------------------------------

                                   (unaudited)

                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                          Thirteen Weeks Ended             Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                      -----------------------------        ----------------------
                                       August 4,          July 29,           August 4,    July 29,
                                         2001               2000                2001         2000
                                      -----------------------------        -----------------------
Basic net income per share
                                                                              
  Net income                          $ 2,114            $ 1,654             $ 6,273      $4,999
                                      =======            =======             =======      ======

  Weighted average number of common shares
   outstanding during the period
                                       15,106             14,910              15,056      14,860
                                      =======            =======             =======      ======

  Net income per share                $   .14            $   .11             $   .42      $  .34
                                      =======            =======             =======      ======

Diluted net income per share

  Net income                          $ 2,114            $ 1,654             $ 6,273      $4,999
                                      =======            =======             =======      ======

  Weighted average number of common shares
   outstanding during the period
                                       15,106             14,910              15,056      14,860

  Additional shares attributable to common
   stock equivalents                      162                308                 429         334
                                      -------            -------             -------      ------
                                       15,268             15,218              15,485      15,194
                                      =======            =======             =======      ======

  Net income per share                $   .14            $   .11             $   .41      $  .33
                                      =======            =======            ========      ======








          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          NOTE 4:  LAYAWAY SALES
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange  Commission issued Staff
          Accounting   Bulletin  No.  101  "Revenue   Recognition  in  Financial
          Statements" (SAB 101). SAB 101 identifies various revenue  recognition
          issues,  several  of which  are  common  within  the  retail  industry
          including  treatment of revenue  recognition on layaway sales.  In the
          fourth  quarter of 2000, the Company  revised its revenue  recognition
          for layaway sales to defer revenue  recognition until all terms of the
          sale  have been  satisfied  and the  customer  takes  delivery  of the
          merchandise.  Under the prior  method of  accounting,  net sales  were
          recognized at the time the customer put the merchandise  into layaway.
          The effects of this restated change on the previously  reported second
          quarter ended July 29, 2000 are as follows:


                                            Thirteen Weeks Ended      Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                            --------------------      ----------------------
                                        (as reported) (as adjusted) (as reported) (as adjusted)
                                           July 29,     July29,       July 29,     July 29,
                                            2000         2000           2000          2000
                                            ----         ----           ----          ----
                                                                      
         Net Sales                      $180,806     $180,353       $357,466      $356,485
         Gross profit                     49,171       49,060         98,293        98,050
         Net income                        1,727        1,654          5,159         4,999
         Net income per share
           Basic *                          0.12         0.11           0.35          0.34
           Diluted *                        0.11         0.11           0.34          0.33


          *All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the five-for-four
          stock split effective on June 18, 2001.

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          NOTE 5:  STOCK SPLIT
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          On May 24, 2001, the Company announced a five-for-four  stock split of
          its common stock,  Class A voting,  no par value. The new shares,  one
          additional  share  for each four  shares  held by  stockholders,  were
          distributed  on June 18,  2001 to  stockholders  of  record on June 4,
          2001.  All share and per share  amounts  included in the  accompanying
          financial statements have been adjusted to reflect this stock split.

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          NOTE 6:  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued
          Statement  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  ("SFAS")  No.  133,
          Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  In June
          2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138,  Accounting for Certain Derivative
          Instruments  and Certain  Hedging  Activities  - an  Amendment of FASB
          Statement No. 133, SFAS No. 133, as amended by SFAS No. 138,  requires
          all  derivatives to be measured at fair value and recognized as either
          assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Changes in such fair value
          are required to be recognized  immediately in net income to the extent
          the  derivatives  are not effective as hedges.  In September 1999, the
          FASB issued SFAS No. 137,  Accounting for Derivative  Instruments  and
          Hedging  Activities - Deferral of the effective Date of FASB Statement
          No. 133, an amendment to delay the  effective  date of SFAS No. 133 to
          fiscal years  beginning after June 15, 2000. The Company does not hold
          derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities.

          In June 2001,  the FASB issued SFAS No.  141,  Business  Combinations.
          SFAS No. 141 supercedes  Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion ("APB")
          No.  16,  Business  Combinations,  and SFAS  No.  38,  Accounting  for
          Preacquisition  Contingencies of Purchased  Enterprises.  SFAS No. 141
          requires  that  the  purchase  method  of  accounting  be used for all
          business  combinations  initiated  after  June  30,  2001  and for all
          business  combinations  accounted for by the purchase method for which
          the date of  acquisition  is after June 30, 2001. The Company does not
          expect the  adoption of SFAS No. 141 to have a material  impact on its
          financial statements.

          In June  2001,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No.  142,  Goodwill  and  Other
          Intangible  Assets.  SFAS No. 142  supercedes  APB No. 17,  Intangible
          Assets,  and its provisions  are effective for fiscal years  beginning
          after  December 15, 2001.  SFAS No. 142 requires that: 1) goodwill and
          indefinite  lived  intangible  assets will no longer be amortized;  2)
          goodwill  will be  tested  for  impairment  at least  annually  at the
          reporting  unit level  (reporting  unit levels to be  determined  upon
          adoption); 3) intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life will
          be tested for impairment at least  annually;  and 4) the  amortization
          period  of  intangible  assets  with  finite  lives  will no longer be
          limited  to forty  years.  As of  August  4,  2001,  the  Company  has
          intangible  assets, net of accumulated  amortization,  of $4.9 million
          and has recognized  amortization  expense of approximately $.8 million
          during  the six  months  ended  August 4, 2001.  The  Company  has not
          completed the process of  evaluating  the impact that will result from
          adopting SFAS No. 142.







         Item 2 -    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                       Condition and Results of Operations
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        GENERAL
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Fred's business is subject to seasonal influences, but the Company has
          tended  to  experience  less  seasonal  fluctuation  than  many  other
          retailers due to the Company's mix of everyday basic  merchandise  and
          pharmacy business. The fourth quarter is typically the most profitable
          quarter because it includes the Christmas selling season.  The overall
          strength of the fourth quarter is partially mitigated, however, by the
          inclusion  of the  month of  January,  which is  generally  the  least
          profitable month of the year.

          The impact of inflation on labor and occupancy costs can significantly
          affect  Fred's  operations.  Many of Fred's  employees are paid hourly
          rates  related  to the  federal  minimum  wage and,  accordingly,  any
          increase affects Fred's. In addition, payroll taxes, employee benefits
          and other  employee-related  costs  continue  to  increase.  Occupancy
          costs, including rent, maintenance, taxes and insurance, also continue
          to rise. Fred's believes that maintaining  adequate  operating margins
          through a combination of price adjustments and cost controls,  careful
          evaluation of occupancy needs, and efficient  purchasing  practices is
          the most effective tool for coping with increasing costs and expenses.

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

          Thirteen Weeks Ended August 4, 2001 and July 29, 2000
          -----------------------------------------------------
          Net sales  increased to $210.3 in 2001 from $180.4 million in 2000, an
          increase of $29.9 million or 16.6%.  The increase was  attributable to
          comparable  store sales increases of 8.0% ($13.7 million) and sales by
          stores not yet included as comparable stores ($16.3 million). Sales to
          franchisees  decreased  $.1  million  in 2001.  The  sales mix for the
          period was 50.1% Hardlines,  34.7% Pharmacy, 11.6% Softlines, and 3.6%
          Franchise.  This compares with 50.9% Hardlines,  32.8% Pharmacy, 12.0%
          Softlines, and 4.3% Franchise for the same period last year.

          Gross profit  decreased to 27.0% of sales in 2001  compared with 27.2%
          of sales in the prior-year period. Gross profit margins decreased as a
          result of greater pricing pressure on the pharmacy department sales.

          Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  to  $52.8
          million in 2001 from $46.0  million in 2000. As a percentage of sales,
          expenses  decreased to 25.1% of sales  compared to 25.5% of sales last
          year.  Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  were  improved
          primarily by leveraging the higher sales to improved  productivity and
          control of labor costs throughout the Company.  In the second quarter,
          labor  as  a  percent  of  sales  was  1.0%  better  than  last  year.
          Additionally,  pharmacy and corporate expenses have been controlled to
          leverage the higher sales.

          Interest expense  decreased to $.7 million in 2001 from $.8 million in
          2000,  reflecting lower average revolver  borrowings than last year as
          well as lower interest rates.

          Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 4, 2001 and July 29, 2000
          -------------------------------------------------------
          Net sales  increased to $417.6  million in 2001 from $356.5 million in
          2000,  an  increase  of $61.1  million  or  17.2%.  The  increase  was
          attributable  to  comparable  store  sales  increases  of 8.6%  ($29.2
          million)  and sales by stores not yet  included as  comparable  stores
          ($32.3 million).  Sales to franchisees  decreased $.4 million in 2001.
          The sales mix for the  period  was 49.2%  Hardlines,  35.5%  Pharmacy,
          11.7%  Softlines,  and  3.6%  Franchise.   This  compares  with  50.0%
          Hardlines, 33.0% Pharmacy, 12.4% Softlines, and 4.6% Franchise for the
          same period last year.

          Gross profit  decreased to 27.4% of sales in 2001  compared with 27.5%
          of sales in the prior-year period. Gross profit margins decreased as a
          result of greater  pricing  pressure  on  pharmacy  department  sales.
          Front-end  store store gross  margins have  improved by  approximately
          1.0% over last year-to-date.

          Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  to $103.5
          million in 2001 from $89.2  million in 2000. As a percentage of sales,
          expenses  decreased to 24.8% of sales  compared to 25.0% of sales last
          year.  Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  were  improved
          primarily  due to  improved  productivity  and  controlled  labor cost
          throughout the Company.

          Interest  expense  decreased to $1.3 million in 2001 from $1.4 million
          in 2000,  reflecting lower average revolver  borrowings than last year
          as well as lower interest rates.

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          Due to the seasonality of Fred's  business and the continued  increase
          in the  number of stores and  pharmacies,  inventories  are  generally
          lower at year end than at each quarter end of the following year.

          Net cash flow  provided by operating  activities  totaled $5.5 million
          during the  twenty-six  week  period  ended  August 4, 2001.  Cash was
          primarily used to increase  inventories by approximately $10.6 million
          in the first half of 2001. This increase was primarily attributable to
          25 new stores and 6 new pharmacies in the first half of 2001. Accounts
          receivable  decreased   approximately  $3.5  million  do  to  improved
          collections.  Income taxes  payable  decreased by  approximately  $3.2
          million as a result of estimated tax payments.

          Net cash flows used by investing activities totaled $10.1 million, and
          was  used  primarily  for  capital  expenditures  associated  with the
          Company's store and pharmacy expansion program.  During the first half
          of 2001,  the  Company  opened 25 stores and  upgraded  5 stores.  The
          Company  expects to open  approximately  35 to 40 stores for the year.
          The  Company's   capital   expenditure  plan  for  the  year  2001  is
          approximately $14 million dollars.

          Net cash flows provided by financing  activities  totaled $4.0 million
          and included $5.3 million of borrowings  under the Company's  revolver
          for inventory needs.

          On April 3, 2000,  the Company and a bank entered into a new Revolving
          Loan and Credit  Agreement  (the  "Agreement")  to replace the May 15,
          1992 Revolving Loan and Credit  Agreement,  as amended.  The Agreement
          provides  the  Company  with an  unsecured  revolving  line of  credit
          commitment  of up to $40 million  and bears  interest at the lesser of
          1.5%  below  prime  rate  or  a  LIBOR-based   rate.  Under  the  most
          restrictive  covenants  of the  Agreement,  the Company is required to
          maintain  specified  shareholder's  equity and net income levels.  The
          Company is required to pay a commitment  fee to the bank at a rate per
          annum equal to .18% on the  unutilized  portion of the revolving  line
          commitment  over the term of the agreement.  The term of the Agreement
          extends  to April 3,  2003.  The  borrowings  outstanding  under  this
          agreement totaled $27.9 million at August 4, 2001 and $30.4 million at
          July 29, 2000.

          On  April  23,  1999,  the  Company  and a  bank  entered  into a Loan
          Agreement  (the  "1999  Loan  Agreement").  The  1999  Loan  Agreement
          provided  the  Company  with  a  four-year   unsecured  term  loan  of
          $2,250,000  to finance  the  replacement  of the  Company's  mainframe
          computer  system.  The 1999 Loan Agreement bears interest of 6.15% per
          annum and matures on April 15, 2003. Borrowings outstanding under this
          1999 Loan  Agreement  totaled  $1.0 million at August 4, 2001 and $1.6
          million at July 29, 2000.

          On May 5, 1998,  the Company and a bank entered into a Loan  Agreement
          (the "1998 Loan  Agreement").  The 1998 Loan  Agreement  provided  the
          Company  with an  unsecured  term loan of $12  million to finance  the
          modernization and automation of the Company's  distribution center and
          corporate facilities.  The 1998 Loan Agreement bears interest of 6.82%
          per annum and  matures on  November  1, 2005.  Borrowings  outstanding
          under this 1998 Loan Agreement  totaled $8.0 million at August 4, 2001
          and $9.7 million at July 29, 2000.

          The Company believes that sufficient  capital  resources are available
          in both the short term and long term through currently  available cash
          and cash  generated  from future  operations  and, if  necessary,  the
          ability to obtain additional financing.

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange  Commission issued Staff
          Accounting   Bulletin  No.  101  "Revenue   Recognition  in  Financial
          Statements" (SAB 101). SAB 101 identifies various revenue  recognition
          issues,  several  of which  are  common  within  the  retail  industry
          including  treatment of revenue  recognition on layaway sales.  In the
          fourth  quarter of 2000, the Company  revised its revenue  recognition
          for layaway sales to defer revenue  recognition until all terms of the
          sale  have been  satisfied  and the  customer  takes  delivery  of the
          merchandise.  Under the prior  method of  accounting,  net sales  were
          recognized at the time the customer put the merchandise  into layaway.
          The effects of this restated change on previously  reported net sales,
          gross  profit,  net income and net income per share  (basic & diluted)
          was a decrease of $528,000,  $132,000, $87,000 and $.01, respectively,
          for the first  quarter  ended April 29,  2000; a decrease of $453,000,
          $111,000, $73,000 and $.00, respectively, for the second quarter ended
          July 29, 2000. Annual financial results were not affected.

          In June 1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137,  Accounting for Derivative
          Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the effective date of
          FASB Statement No. 133,  which deferred the effective date  provisions
          of SFAS No.  133 for the  company to the first  quarter  of 2001.  The
          Company does not believe this new standard  will have an impact on its
          financial statements since it currently has no derivative instruments.

          In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued
          Statement  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  ("SFAS")  No.  133,
          Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  In June
          2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138,  Accounting for Certain Derivative
          Instruments  and Certain  Hedging  Activities  - an  Amendment of FASB
          Statement No. 133, SFAS No. 133, as amended by SFAS No. 138,  requires
          all  derivatives to be measured at fair value and recognized as either
          assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Changes in such fair value
          are required to be recognized  immediately in net income to the extent
          the  derivatives  are not effective as hedges.  In September 1999, the
          FASB issued SFAS No. 137,  Accounting for Derivative  Instruments  and
          Hedging  Activities - Deferral of the effective Date of FASB Statement
          No. 133, an amendment to delay the  effective  date of SFAS No. 133 to
          fiscal years  beginning after June 15, 2000. The Company does not hold
          derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities.

          In June 2001,  the FASB issued SFAS No.  141,  Business  Combinations.
          SFAS No. 141 supercedes  Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion ("APB")
          No.  16,  Business  Combinations,  and SFAS  No.  38,  Accounting  for
          Preacquisition  Contingencies of Purchased  Enterprises.  SFAS No. 141
          requires  that  the  purchase  method  of  accounting  be used for all
          business  combinations  initiated  after  June  30,  2001  and for all
          business  combinations  accounted for by the purchase method for which
          the date of  acquisition  is after June 30, 2001. The Company does not
          expect the  adoption of SFAS No. 141 to have a material  impact on its
          financial statements.

          In June  2001,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No.  142,  Goodwill  and  Other
          Intangible  Assets.  SFAS No. 142  supercedes  APB No. 17,  Intangible
          Assets,  and its provisions  are effective for fiscal years  beginning
          after  December 15, 2001.  SFAS No. 142 requires that: 1) goodwill and
          indefinite  lived  intangible  assets will no longer be amortized;  2)
          goodwill  will be  tested  for  impairment  at least  annually  at the
          reporting  unit level  (reporting  unit levels to be  determined  upon
          adoption); 3) intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life will
          be tested for impairment at least  annually;  and 4) the  amortization
          period  of  intangible  assets  with  finite  lives  will no longer be
          limited  to forty  years.  As of  August  4,  2001,  the  Company  has
          intangible  assets, net of accumulated  amortization,  of $4.9 million
          and has recognized  amortization  expense of approximately $.8 million
          during  the six  months  ended  August 4, 2001.  The  Company  has not
          completed the process of  evaluating  the impact that will result from
          adopting SFAS No. 142.

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          Statements,   other  than  those  based  on  historical   facts,   are
          forward-looking   statements,   which  are  based  upon  a  number  of
          assumptions  concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to
          be inaccurate.  Actual events and results may  materially  differ from
          anticipated  results  described  in  such  statements.  The  Company's
          ability to  achieve  such  results  is  subject  to certain  risks and
          uncertainties,  including,  but not limited to,  economic  and weather
          conditions  which affect buying  patterns of the Company's  customers,
          changes in consumer  spending and the Company's  ability to anticipate
          buying  patterns  and  implement   appropriate  inventory  strategies,
          continued availability of capital and financing,  competitive factors,
          changes in  reimbursement  practices for  pharmaceuticals,  government
          regulations,  increases  in fuel and utility  rates and other  factors
          affecting business beyond the Company's control.  Consequently, all of
          the  forward-looking  statements  are  qualified  by these  cautionary
          statements  and  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  results  or
          developments  anticipated by the Company will be realized or that they
          will have the  expected  effects  on the  Company or its  business  or
          operations.

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          Item 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          The  Company  has no holdings of  derivative  financial  or  commodity
          instruments  as of August 4, 2001. The Company is exposed to financial
          market risks,  including  changes in interest  rates.  All  borrowings
          under the Company's  Revolving  Credit Agreement bear interest at 1.5%
          below prime rate or a LIBOR based rate. An increase in interest  rates
          of 100 basis  points  would not  significantly  affect  the  Company's
          income.  All of the Company's  business is transacted in U.S.  dollars
          and,  accordingly,  foreign exchange rate  fluctuations have not had a
          significant impact on the Company, and they are not expected to in the
          foreseeable future













                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.       Legal Proceedings

                  Not Applicable.

Item 2.       Changes in Securities

                 Not Applicable.

Item 3.       Defaults Upon Senior Securities

                 Not Applicable.

Item 4.       Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders

               The Annual Meeting of the  Shareholders of Fred's,  Inc. was held
               on June 6, 2001.  Michael J.  Hayes,  David A.  Gardner,  John R.
               Eisenman, and Roger T. Knox were elected to continue as directors
               of the Company.  John D. Reier and Thomas H.  Tashjian  were also
               elected  as  directors  of the  Company.  The  shareholders  also
               ratified  the  appointment  of   PricewaterhouseCoopers   LLP  as
               independent   public  accountants  for  the  fiscal  year  ending
               February 2, 2002.

               The results of the voting were as follows:



                                                                                Abstain/
                                                   For    Against    Withheld   Broker Non-Vote
                                                   ---    -------    --------   ---------------
         Election of Directors:
                                                                              
           Michael J. Hayes                 10,191,948               956,635           938,746
           David A. Gardner                  9,827,704             1,320,879           938,746
           John R. Eisenman                 11,139,577                 9,006           938,746
           Roger T. Knox                    11,139,707                 8,876           938,746
           John D. Reier                    10,190,948               957,635           938,746
           Thomas H. Tashjian               11,139,797                 8,786           938,746

         Appointment of
         PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP:
                                            10,949,762    197,144      1,677           938,746


 Item 5.      Other Information

                 Not Applicable.

Item 6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

                  Exhibits:

                    Reports on Form 8-K:

                    Not Applicable.





                                   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.

                                                  FRED'S, INC.

                                                  /s/Michael J. Hayes
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Michael J. Hayes
Date: September 18, 2001                          Chief Executive Officer
------------------------




                                                  /s/Jerry A. Shore
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Jerry A. Shore
Date:  September 18, 2001                         Chief Financial Officer
-------------------------