Exhibit 99(a)

                                           Date:   June 5, 1996
                                        Release:   Immediately
                                Contact (Press):   Dick Windham  (910) 379-2303
                             Contact (Analysts):   Jim Clippard (910) 379-2727

BURLINGTON TO CLOSE
KNITTED FABRICS DIVISION

        Burlington  Industries,  Inc.  (NYSE:  BUR) announced today that it will
close its Knitted  Fabrics  division,  with production to be phased out over the
next 2-3 months.  Two of the division's three  manufacturing  facilities will be
closed,  while the third will be utilized  elsewhere within the company in a new
business  unit.  These steps will cause an estimated  $20 million to $23 million
after-tax  charge (or $0.32 to $0.37 per share) against  results of Burlington's
1996 fiscal year, which ends on September 28, 1996.
        Burlington President and CEO George Henderson said, "The Knitted Fabrics
division has been  unprofitable  for a number of years.  Almost two years ago we
began an intensive effort to turn it around. We changed management, consolidated
operations and revitalized our product lines,  but the division as a whole still
has not returned to  profitability.  In addition,  we believe that the commodity
knits market will continue to be plagued by overcapacity and imported  garments,
making sustainable  profitability  difficult going forward. As a result, we feel
that it is in our shareholders'  best interests to close the division and devote
our resources to pursuing more attractive growth opportunities in other parts of
our company."
        The  Knitted  Fabrics  division,   one  of  9  divisions  of  Burlington
Industries,  represents approximately 6 percent of the company's total sales. It
is headquartered in Greensboro.  Its Wake Forest and Denton,  NC facilities will
be phased out over the next 2-3 months.  The "Lakewood"  plant in Cramerton,  NC
will continue to operate and its  production  will be utilized by a new business
unit being announced separately today.
        Henderson  said, " We deeply  regret the impact of this  decision on our
employees. We have a very talented and dedicated workforce,  and they have given
their very best efforts to make the division successful.  We will do our best to
assist them in making the transition to other opportunities."
        Employees  whose jobs are  eliminated  will get at least 60 days notice,
and will be entitled to severance  and other  benefits.  They will also be given
priority  consideration for any openings at other Burlington locations,  and the
company will offer placement assistance.

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