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                                                                   Exhibit 10(a)

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.
                         1999 ACHIEVEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

         Section 2 is amended effective January 2, 2000, by deleting
subparagraph (f) in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following
new subparagraph (f):

                  "(f) `Key Employee' shall mean any salaried employee of the
                  Company or of any affiliate."

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed pursuant to
resolutions adopted by the Management Compensation and Organization Committee of
the Board of Directors of the Company on May 8, 2000.

                                 SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.



                                 By: /s/Gracie P. Coleman
                                     ----------------------------------------
                                     Gracie P. Coleman
                                     Senior Vice President-Human Resources