FORM 10-Q


                       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 May 4, 2002.

                                       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 001-14565


                                  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  25,550,172  shares of Class A voting,  no par value common
stock outstanding as of June 7, 2002.





                                  FRED'S, INC.

                                      INDEX

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

Part I - Financial Information

  Item 1 - Financial Statements (unaudited):

    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
     May 4, 2002 and February 2, 2002                                          3
    Consolidated Statements of Income
     for the Thirteen Weeks Ended May 4, 2002
     and May 5, 2001                                                           4

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     for the Thirteen Weeks Ended May 4, 2002
     and May 5, 2001                                                           5

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                 6

  Item 2 - Management's Discussion and
                Analysis of Financial Condition and
                Results of Operations                                     7 - 10

  Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
                  about Market Risk                                            9

Part II - Other Information                                                   11
- ---------------------------

Signatures                                                                    12
- ----------


















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

                   (in thousands, except for number of shares)



                                                                  May 4,        February 2,
                                                                   2002            2002
                                                                   ----            ----
ASSETS:
Current assets:
                                                                           
      Cash and cash equivalents                                   $19,424        $15,906
      Receivables, less allowance for doubtful
      Accounts of $663 ($657 at February 2, 2002)                  16,072         15,705
      Inventories                                                 169,675        163,560
      Deferred income taxes                                         1,316          1,790
      Other current assets                                          3,866          2,499
                                                                    -----          -----
           Total current assets                                   210,353        199,460
      Property and equipment, at depreciated cost                  82,791         78,225
      Equipment under capital leases, less accumulated
       amortization of $1,990 ($1,849 at February 2,2002)           1,392          1,533
      Other noncurrent assets                                       4,652          4,841
                                                                    -----          -----
           Total assets                                          $299,188       $284,059
                                                                 ========       ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                                            $48,048        $43,747
      Current portion of indebtedness                                 563            562
      Current portion of capital lease obligations                    667            678
      Accrued liabilities                                          13,941         14,228
      Income taxes payable                                          2,914          1,866
                                                                    -----          -----
           Total current liabilities                               66,133         61,081
                                                                   ------         ------

Long term portion of indebtedness                                       -            141
Deferred tax liability                                                696            696
Capital lease obligations                                           1,030          1,179
Other noncurrent liabilities                                        2,155          2,055
                                                                    -----          -----
           Total liabilities                                       70,014         65,152
                                                                   ------         ------
Shareholders' equity:
      Common stock, Class A voting, no par value,
         25,539,313 shares issued and outstanding
         (25,361,112 shares at February 2, 2002)                  115,280        110,508
      Retained earnings                                           113,953        108,462
      Deferred compensation on restricted
         Stock incentive plan                                         (59)           (63)
                                                                  -------        -------
           Total shareholders' equity                             229,174        218,907
                                                                  -------        -------
      Total liabilities and shareholders equity                  $299,188       $284,059
                                                                 ========       ========



         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





                                  FRED'S, INC.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                   (unaudited)

                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                                           Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                                      May 4,                 May 5,
                                                                       2002                   2001
                                                                     --------               --------
                                                                                      
Net Sales                                                               $258,427            $207,359
Cost of goods sold                                                       189,002             149,601
                                                                         -------             -------
     Gross Profit                                                         69,425              57,758
Selling, general and administrative
  Expenses                                                                60,012              50,721
                                                                          ------              ------
     Operating income                                                      9,413               7,037
Interest (income) expense                                                   (74)                 630
                                                                          ------               -----
     Income before income taxes                                            9,487               6,407
Provision for income taxes                                                 3,212               2,248
                                                                           -----               -----
Net income                                                                $6,275              $4,159
                                                                          ======              ======
Net income per share:
     Basic                                                                 $ .25               $ .18
                                                                           =====               =====
     Diluted                                                               $ .24               $ .18
                                                                           =====               =====
Weighed average shares outstanding:
     Basic                                                                25,358              22,530
     Effect of diluted stock options                                         747                 540
                                                                          ------              ------
     Diluted                                                              26,105              23,070
                                                                          ======              ======



*  All  share  and  per  share   amounts  have  been  adjusted  to  reflect  the
distributions   of  a  five-for-four   stock  split  on  June  18,  2001  and  a
three-for-two stock split on February 1, 2002.


         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





                                  FRED'S, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                   (unaudited)
                                 (in thousands)


                                                                                 Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                                                 May 4,          May 5,
                                                                                  2002            2001
                                                                                  ----            ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                                                                           
    Net income                                                                  $6,275           $4,159
    Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash flows from operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                              4,958            4,110
      Provision for uncollectible receivables                                        6             (165)
      Lifo reserve                                                                 300              200
      Deferred income taxes                                                        474              320
      Amortization of deferred compensation on
        restricted stock incentive plan                                              4               34
    Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options                                     690               --
(Increase)decrease in assets:
           Receivables                                                            (373)             991
         Inventories                                                            (6,415)         (10,207)
           Other assets                                                         (1,367)            (103)
    Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                   4,014             (973)
      Income taxes payable                                                       1,048           (1,243)
      Other noncurrent liabilities                                                 100               19
                                                                               -------            -----
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating
        activities                                                               9,714           (2,858)
                                                                               -------           ------
Cash flows from investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                                                        (8,896)          (4,682)
    Asset acquisition, net of cash acquired
     (primarily intangibles)                                                      (298)            (383)
                                                                                  ----             ----
Net cash used in investing activities                                           (9,194)          (5,065)
                                                                                ------           ------
Cash flows from financing activities:
    Reduction of indebtedness and capital lease
      obligations                                                                 (300)            (662)
    Proceeds from revolving line of credit,
      net of payments                                                               --            8,931
    Proceeds from exercise of options                                              545              293
    Proceeds from sale of additional shares                                      3,537               --
  Cash dividends paid                                                             (784)            (603)
Net cash provided by financing activities                                        2,998            7,959
                                                                                 -----            -----
    Increase in cash and cash equivalents                                        3,518               36
Beginning of period cash and cash equivalents                                   15,906            2,569
                                                                                ------            -----
End of period cash and cash equivalents                                        $19,424           $2,605
                                                                               =======           ======
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    Interest (received) paid                                                     ($ 81)            $361
                                                                                 =====             ====
    Income taxes paid                                                           $3,500             $---
                                                                                ======             ====
Non cash investing and financing activities:
  Assets acquired through capital lease obligations                               $---             $344
                                                                                  ====             ====


         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.






                                  FRED'S, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Fred's,  Inc.  ("We",  "Our" or "Us")  operates  373  discount  general
merchandise stores, including 26 franchised Fred's stores, in thirteen states in
the  southeastern  United States.  Two hundred and three of the stores have full
service pharmacies.

         The accompanying  unaudited consolidated financial statements 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  generally
accepted  accounting  principles.  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 generally accepted accounting principles.  The statements should
be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Consolidated  Financial  Statements
for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002  incorporated  into Our Annual Report
on Form 10-K.

         The results of  operations  for the  thirteen-week  period ended May 4,
2002 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
2002 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 18% of the retail inventories
at May 4, 2002, cost was determined using the LIFO (last-in,  first-out) method.
The current cost of pharmacy inventories exceeded the LIFO cost by approximately
$4,903,000 and $4,603,000 at May 4, 2002 and February 2, 2002, respectively.

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











                  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                       Condition and Results of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Our  business  is  subject  to  seasonal  influences,  but has tended to
        experience  less seasonal  fluctuation  than many other retailers due to
        the 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 our  operations.  Many of our  employees  are paid  hourly  rates
        related to the  federal  minimum  wage and,  accordingly,  any  increase
        affects us. 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.  We
        believe  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 May 4, 2002 and May 5, 2001
         Net sales  increased to $258.4  million in 2002 from $207.4  million in
         2001,  an  increase  of  $51.0  million  or  24.6%.  The  increase  was
         attributable  to  comparable  store  sales  increases  of 14.5%  ($28.6
         million)  and sales by stores not yet  included  as  comparable  stores
         ($21.8  million).  Sales to franchisees  increased $.6 million in 2002.
         The sales mix for the period was 48.0% Hardlines, 35.2% Pharmacy, 13.3%
         Softlines,  and 3.5%  Franchise.  This compares  with 48.2%  Hardlines,
         36.2% Pharmacy, 11.9% Softlines, and 3.7% Franchise for the same period
         last year.

         Gross profit decreased to 26.9% of sales in 2002 compared with 27.9% of
         sales in the prior-year  period.  Gross profit  margins  decreased as a
         result  of  increased  promotions  to  drive  higher  customer  traffic
         together  with  greater  pricing  pressure on the  pharmacy  department
         sales.

         Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $60.0 million
         in 2002 from $50.7 million in 2001. As a percentage of sales,  expenses
         decreased  to 23.2%  of sales  compared  to 24.5% of sales  last  year.
         Selling, general and administrative expenses were improved primarily by
         leveraging the higher sales to improved productivity,  stabilization of
         utility  prices when  compared to last year and control of labor costs.
         In the first  quarter,  we increased  reserves for insurance  claims to
         reflect rising insurance cost and internal growth causing an additional
         30 basis  points  increase  in  selling,  general,  and  administrative
         expenses  as a  percent  of  sales.  We do  not  anticipate  additional
         increases in insurance  reserves  that would affect  earnings in future
         quarters beyond amounts currently projected.

         For the first quarter of 2002 we earned  interest income of $.1 million
         as  compared  to  interest  expense  of  $.6  million  last  year.  The
         difference  is  primarily  resulting  from the  benefit  of our  public
         offering of stock in September 2001.

         For the first  quarter,  the  effective  income tax rate was 33.9% as a
         result of the income tax benefits  received from the Economic  Stimulus
         Act that was passed  after  September  11,  2001.  The  majority of the
         benefit was a cash flow versus income  statement  effect but the effect
         on income for the quarter was approximately $120,000.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Due to the  seasonality  of our 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.

         Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $9.7 million during
         the thirteen-week  period ended May 4, 2002. Cash was primarily used to
         increase inventories by approximately $6.4 million in the first quarter
         of 2002.  This increase was primarily  attributable to 20 new stores in
         the first quarter of 2002.  Accounts  payable  increased  approximately
         $4.0 million during the first quarter of 2002.

         Cash flows used in  investing  activities  totaled  $9.2  million,  and
         consisted primarily of capital  expenditures  associated with the store
         and pharmacy  expansion program ($7.4 million) and expenditures for the
         new  distribution  center to be  constructed  in Dublin,  Georgia ($1.8
         million).  During  the  first  quarter,  we  opened  20  stores  and  2
         pharmacies. We expect to open 10 to 15 stores in the second quarter and
         approximately  55 to 60 stores for the year.  Our  capital  expenditure
         plan for 2002 is in the $20 million dollar range for store and pharmacy
         expansion and will approximate  depreciation  expense for the year. Our
         capital expenditure plans for the new distribution center is in the $25
         million dollar range.

         Cash flows  provided by financing  activities  totaled $3.0 million and
         included $3.5 million from  proceeds of additional  shares sold to fund
         the  accelerated  store and  pharmacy  growth and the new  distribution
         center.

         On April 3,  2000,  we  entered  into a new  Revolving  Loan and Credit
         Agreement  (the  "Agreement")  with a bank to replace  the May 15, 1992
         Revolving Loan and Credit Agreement, as amended. The Agreement provides
         us with an unsecured  revolving line of credit  commitment of up to $40
         million and bears  interest at a 1.5% below prime rate or a LIBOR-based
         rate.  Under the most  restrictive  covenants of the Agreement,  we are
         required  to  maintain  specified  shareholders'  equity and net income
         levels.  We are 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 March 31, 2004. There were no borrowings  outstanding  under
         the Agreement at May 4, 2002 and the borrowings  outstanding  under the
         Agreement at May 5, 2001 totaled $31,554,000.

         On  April  23,  1999,  we  entered  into a Loan  Agreement  (the  "Loan
         Agreement")  with  a  bank.  The  Loan  Agreement  provided  us  with a
         four-year   unsecured   term  loan  of  $2.3  million  to  finance  the
         replacement of our mainframe  computer system. The Loan Agreement bears
         interest  of 6.15% per annum and matures on April 15,  2003.  Under the
         most  restrictive  covenants of the Loan Agreement,  we are required to
         maintain  specified  debt  service  levels.  There  were  $562,500  and
         $1,125,000  borrowings  outstanding  under the Loan Agreement at May 4,
         2002 and May 5, 2001, respectively.

         On May 5,  1998,  we  entered  into a Loan  Agreement  (the  "Term Loan
         Agreement")  with a bank. The Term Loan  Agreement  provided us with an
         unsecured  term loan of $12  million to finance the  modernization  and
         automation of our  distribution  center and corporate  facilities.  The
         Term Loan  Agreement  bore  interest  of 6.82% per annum and would have
         matured on November 1, 2005. We used the proceeds of our September 2001
         public  offering to pay off the Term Loan  Agreement and the borrowings
         outstanding  under  the Term  Loan  Agreement  at May 5,  2001  totaled
         $8,365,000.

         We believe 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
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Beginning fiscal year 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the
         Impairment or Disposal of long-lived Assets. This Statement  supersedes
         SFAS No.  121,Accounting  for the Impairment of long-lived Assets to Be
         Disposed  of, but retains  the  fundamental  provision  of SFAS 121 for
         recognition and  measurement of the impairment of long-lived  assets to
         be held and used and  measurement  of long-lived  assets to be held for
         sale.  The  statement  requires  that  whenever  events or  changes  in
         circumstances indicate that a long-lived asset's carrying value may not
         be  recoverable,  the asset  should be tested for  recoverability.  The
         statement also requires that a long-lived  asset classified as held for
         sale  should  be  carried  at the lower of its  carrying  value or fair
         value,  less cost to sell.  The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have a
         material impact on our financial statements.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         We have no holdings of derivative financial or commodity instruments as
         of May 4, 2002.  We are exposed to financial  market  risks,  including
         changes in interest rates.  All borrowings  under our 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 our income.  All of our business is transacted in
         U.S. dollars and, accordingly,  foreign exchange rate fluctuations have
         never had a  significant  impact on us, and they are not expected to in
         the foreseeable future.













- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Statements,  other than  those  based on  historical  facts that the we
         expect  or  anticipate  may  occur in the  future  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.  Our ability to achieve such results is
         subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including:

         o        Economic and weather  conditions  which affect buying patterns
                  of our customers;

         o        Changes in consumer  spending  and our  ability to  anticipate
                  buying   patterns   and   implement    appropriate   inventory
                  strategies;

         o        Continued availability of capital and financing;

         o        Competitive factors;

         o        Changes in reimbursement practices for pharmaceuticals;

         o        Governmental regulation;

         o        Increases in fuel and utility rates; and

         o        Other factors affecting business beyond our control.

         Consequently,  all of the  forward-looking  statements are qualified by
         this  cautionary  statement  and  there  can be no  assurance  that the
         results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or that they
         will have the expected  effects on our business or  operations.  Actual
         results, performance or achievements can differ materially from results
         suggested  by this  forward-looking  statement  because of a variety of
         factors.  We  undertake  no  obligation  to update any  forward-looking
         statement to reflect events or circumstances  arising after the date on
         which it was made.









                           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

                    Not Applicable.

Item 5.       Other Information

                  On May 29,  2002,  a portion of the  Company's  workers in its
                  Memphis   distribution   center   voted   for  the   Union  of
                  Needletrades,  Industrial and Textile  Employees  ("UNITE") as
                  its  representative,  which is under appeal at this time.  The
                  Company does not anticipate  this  representation  will have a
                  material effect upon the Company's results of operations.



Item 6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K/A

                  Exhibits:
                                    10.24  Second  Loan  modification  agreement
                                    dated April 30, 2002 (modifies The Revolving
                                    Loan and  Credit  Agreement  dated  April 3,
                                    2000)


               Reports on Form 8-K:

                           Current  report  on  Form  8-K  dated  May  14,  2002
                  announcing changes in certifying accountants.

                           Amended  report  on  Form  8-K  dated  May  15,  2002
                  announcing changes in certifying accountants.











                                   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.

Date:  June 14, 2002                      /s/ Michael J. Hayes
- --------------------                      -----------------------------------
                                             Michael J. Hayes
                                             Chief Executive Officer


Date:  June 14, 2002                      /s/ Jerry A. Shore
- --------------------                      -----------------------------------
                                             Jerry A. Shore
                                             Chief Financial Officer







                                                                   Exhibit 10.24

                          SECOND MODIFICATION AGREEMENT
                   OF THE REVOLVING LOAN AND CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS SECOND  MODIFICATION  AGREEMENT OF THE  REVOLVING  LOAN AND CREDIT
AGREEMENT (hereafter the "Second  Modification") made and entered into this 30th
day of April,  2002,  to be effective as of the 30th day of April,  2002, by and
between UNION PLANTERS BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association
with its principal office at 6200 Poplar Avenue, Memphis,  Tennessee ("Lender"),
SUNTRUST BANK, a Georgia banking  corporation  with its principal office at 6410
Poplar Avenue,  Suite 320, Memphis,  Tennessee (the "Documentation  Agent"), and
FRED'S,  INC., a Tennessee  corporation having its principal offices at 4300 New
Getwell Road, Memphis, Tennessee (the "Borrower").

         WHEREAS,  Borrower is justly  indebted to Lender for  Advances  made to
Borrower  evidenced  by that  certain  Promissory  Note dated April 3, 2000 (the
"Note"), in the original principal amount of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000)
and that Certain  Agreement dated March 28, 2000 effective April 3, 2000 (herein
the "Credit Agreement")  providing for advances up to a maximum of Forty Million
Dollars ($40,000,000); and

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into a Modification Agreement (the
"First  Modification") dated May 26, 2000,  providing,  among other things, that
the Note,  originally payable on demand,  would mature and be due and payable on
April 3, 2003; and

         WHEREAS,  Borrower  has  requested  Lender and  Documentation  Agent to
extend the Maturity Date, as defined in Section 2.1 of the Credit Agreement,  by
one (1) year calendar year; and

         WHEREAS,  Borrower  has  requested  Lender and  Documentation  Agent to
extend the maturity date of the Note by one (1) calendar year.

         NOW THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the premises and of other good and
valuable   consideration,   the   adequacy  and  receipt  of  which  are  hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.       Modification of Credit  Facility:  Borrower,  Lender and  Documentation
         Agent each agree that the phrase "`Maturity Date' means March 31, 2003"
         is hereby stricken from the Credit  Agreement and the Credit  Agreement
         is hereby amended and restated to insert in place of the above stricken
         phrase the following: "`Maturity Date' means March 31, 2004."

2.       Modification of Note:  Borrower,  Lender and  Documentation  Agent each
         agree that the  outstanding  principal  balance of the Note and accrued
         but  unpaid  interest  shall  be due and  payable  on March  31,  2004.
         Interest  on the  outstanding  principal  balance  shall  accrue and be
         payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.

3.       Notation:  Lender and Documentation  Agent covenant and agree to make a
         notation  upon  their  respective  records  showing  that  the Note and
         Agreement has been modified as set forth herein.

4.       Continuation  of Terms.  All of the terms,  covenants and conditions of
         the  Note,  as  modified  by the  First  Modification,  and the  Credit
         Agreement or any other document executed in connection therewith,  are,
         to  the  extent  not  inconsistent   with  the  terms  herein,   hereby
         incorporated herein by reference. It is expressly understood and agreed
         that the terms,  covenants and conditions of all instruments evidencing
         or securing the indebtedness evidenced by the Note shall remain in full
         force and effect,  and shall in no manner be affected by the  execution
         of this Second  Modification  except as the same are expressly modified
         herein.

5.       No Discharge.  The  execution and delivery of this Second  Modification
         does not discharge the obligors,  sureties,  endorsers or guarantors of
         the Note,  and all rights of the Lender against any and all of same are
         expressly reserved.

6.       Successors in Interest.  This Second Modification shall be binding upon
         and  inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto,  their  respective
         successors and assigns, transferrees and grantees.

7.       Governing  Law:  This  Second   Modification   shall  be  construed  in
         accordance  with the laws of the  State of  Tennessee  and the  parties
         hereto subject themselves to the jurisdiction of Tennessee and venue of
         the  Courts of  Shelby  County,  Tennessee  for the  resolution  of any
         dispute hereunder.

8.       Undefined  Terms:  All capitalized  terms not defined herein shall have
         the same definitions as set forth in the Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Second Modification
         Agreement of the Revolving Loan and Credit  Agreement as of the day and
         year first above written.

                                  BORROWER:

                                  FRED'S INC., a Tennessee corporation



                                  By:/s/ Jerry A. Shore
                                  ---------------------
                                  Name:Jerry A. Shore
                                  Title:Chief Finanical Officer


                                  LENDER:

                                  UNION PLANTERS BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION



                                  By: /s/ B. Gordin McMurtry
                                  --------------------------
                                  Name: B. Gordin Murtry
                                  Title: Senior Vice President




                                  DOCUMENTATION AGENT:

                                  SUNTRUST BANK, a Georgia banking corporation


                                  By:/s/ Bryan W. Ford
                                  --------------------
                                  Name: Bryan W. Ford
                                  Title: Director





STATE OF Tennessee
COUNTY OF Shelby


         Before  me  personally  appeared  B.  Gordin  McMurtry,  with whom I am
personally  acquainted (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory  evidence),
and who, upon oath acknowledged  himself to be an officer of UNION PLANTERS BANK
NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  and that he as such officer being duly  authorized so to
do,  executed the foregoing  instrument  for the purposes  therein  contained by
signing the name of the bank by himself as such officer.

         WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL at office, on this 30th day of April,
2002.

                               /s/ Shernice Churry
                               -------------------
                                  Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
Oct. 26, 2004
- -------------


STATE OF Tennessee
COUNTY OF Shelby


         Before me personally appeared Jerry A. Shore, with whom I am personally
acquainted  (or proved to me on the basis of  satisfactory  evidence),  and who,
upon oath  acknowledged  himself  to be the Chief  Financial  Officer of FRED'S,
INC., a Tennessee corporation, and that he as such officer being duly authorized
so to do, executed the foregoing  instrument for the purposes therein  contained
by signing the name of the bank by himself as such officer.

         WITNESS MY HAND AND  OFFICIAL  SEAL at office,  on this 3rd day of May,
2002.

                                                     /s/ Merle S. McGruder
                                                     ---------------------
                                                          Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
April 13, 2004
- --------------


STATE OF Tennessee
COUNTY OF Shelby


         Before me personally  appeared Bryan W. Ford, with whom I am personally
acquainted  (or proved to me on the basis of  satisfactory  evidence),  and who,
upon oath  acknowledged  himself to be an Director of SUNTRUST  BANK,  a Georgia
banking corporation, and that he as such officer being duly authorized so to do,
executed the foregoing  instrument for the purposes therein contained by signing
the name of the bank by himself as such officer.

         WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL at office, on this 30th day of April,
2002.

                               /s/ Shernice Churry
                               -------------------
                                  Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
Oct. 26, 2004
- -------------