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 first twelve week accounting period ended March 25, 2006

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: 001-06024

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       

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     X        Accelerated filer ___     Non-accelerated filer ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes               No    X  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

There were 59,807,797 shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, outstanding as of April 28, 2006, of which 4,050,498 shares are held as Treasury Stock.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the footwear business, worldwide economics and the Company itself including, without limitation, statements regarding timing or acceptance of new products, anticipated sell-throughs, future progress toward achieving the Company's strategic growth plan, estimated tax rate, the use of excess cash flows, future revenues, earnings and marketing, statements in Part I, Item 2 regarding the overview, the Company's financial condition, liquidity and capital resources and statements in Part I, Item 3 regarding market risk. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "is likely," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "should," "will," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Risk Factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

Risk Factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to changes in demand for the Company's products; changes in consumer preferences or spending patterns; the cost and availability of inventories, services, labor and equipment furnished to the Company; the cost and availability of contract manufacturers; the cost and availability of raw materials, including leather and petroleum based materials; changes in planned consumer demand or at-once orders; customer order cancellations; the impact of competition and pricing by the Company's competitors; changes in government and regulatory policies; foreign currency fluctuation in valuations compared to the U.S. dollar; changes in monetary controls and valuations of the Chinese yuan renminbi and the relative value to the U.S. dollar; changes in duty structures in countries of import and export; provisional anti-dumping measures in Europe that have been implemented by the European Commission with respect to leather footwear imported into the European Union from China and Vietnam at additional duty rates progressing to 19.4% and 16.8%, respectively, by September of 2006 for certain leather footwear and the result of final measures being considered by the European Commission; anti-dumping measures being considered with respect to safety footwear imported from China and India; changes in interest rates, tax laws, duties, tariffs, quotas or applicable assessments; technological developments; changes in local, domestic or international economic and market conditions; the size and growth of footwear markets; service interruptions at shipping and receiving ports; changes in the amount or severity of inclement weather; changes due to the growth of Internet commerce; popularity of particular designs and categories of footwear; the ability of the Company to manage and forecast its growth and inventories; the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; integration of operations of newly acquired businesses; changes in business strategy or development plans; the Company's ability to adapt and compete in global apparel and accessory markets; customer acceptance of the Patagonia® Footwear products to be introduced in 2006; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the ability to retain rights to brands licensed by the Company; loss of significant customers; relationships with international distributors and licensees; the Company's ability to meet at-once orders; the exercise of future purchase options by the U.S. Department of Defense on previously awarded contracts; the risk of doing business in developing countries and economically volatile areas; retail buying patterns; consolidation in the retail sector; and the acceptability of U.S. brands in international markets. Additionally, concerns regarding acts of terrorism, the war in Iraq and subsequent events have created significant global economic and political uncertainties that may have material and adverse effects on consumer demand, foreign sourcing of footwear, shipping and transportation, product imports and exports and the sale of products in foreign markets. These matters are representative of the Risk Factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a forward-looking statement; additional Risk Factors are identified in the Company's 10-K filed March 15, 2006. Historical operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. The Risk Factors included here are not exhaustive. Other Risk Factors exist, and new Risk Factors emerge from time-to-time, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

(  ) - Denotes deduction
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

(  ) - Denotes reduction in cash and cash equivalents
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad line of quality casual shoes, performance outdoor footwear, work shoes and boots, uniform shoes and boots, constructed slippers and moccasins. The Company's global portfolio of owned and licensed brands includes: Bates®, CAT® Footwear, Harley-Davidson® Footwear, Hush Puppies®, HYTEST®, Merrell®, Patagonia® Footwear, Sebago®, Stanley® Footgear and Wolverine®. Apparel and licensing programs are utilized to extend the Company's owned brands into product categories beyond footwear. The Company also operates a retail division to showcase its brands and branded footwear from other manufacturers, a tannery that produces Wolverine® Performance Leathers™ and a pigskin procurement operation.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete presentation of the financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue is recognized on the sale of products manufactured or sourced by the Company when the related goods have been shipped, legal title has passed to the customer and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue generated through programs with licensees and distributors involving products bearing the Company's trademarks is recognized as earned according to stated contractual terms upon either the purchase or shipment of branded products by licensees and distributors.

The Company records provisions against gross revenue for estimated stock returns and cash discounts in the period when the related revenue is recorded. These estimates are based on factors that include, but are not limited to, historical stock returns, historical discounts taken and analysis of credit memorandum activity.

COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD
Cost of products sold for the Company's operations include the actual product costs, including inbound freight charges, purchasing, sourcing, inspection and receiving costs. Warehousing costs are included in selling and administrative expenses.

SEASONALITY
The Company's business is subject to seasonal influences and has twelve weeks in each of the first three quarters and sixteen or seventeen weeks in the fourth quarter. Both factors can cause significant differences in revenue, earnings and cash flows from quarter to quarter; however, the differences have followed a consistent pattern in previous years.

RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain prior period amounts on the consolidated condensed financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not affect net earnings.

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

2.  Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

Options to purchase 886,221 shares of common stock at March 25, 2006 and 314,671 shares at March 26, 2005 have not been included in the denominator for the computation of diluted earnings per share because the related exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the period and, therefore, they were anti-dilutive.

3.  Goodwill and Other Non-Amortizable Intangibles

The changes in the net carrying amounts of goodwill and trademarks are as follows (thousands of dollars):

4.  Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income represents net earnings and any revenue, expenses, gains and losses that, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are excluded from net earnings and recognized directly as a component of stockholders' equity.

The ending accumulated other comprehensive income is as follows (thousands of dollars):

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

The reconciliation from net earnings to comprehensive income is as follows (thousands of dollars):

5.  Business Segments

The Company has one reportable segment that is engaged in manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, licensing and distributing branded footwear and licensed apparel and accessories to the retail sector, including casual shoes, dress shoes, performance outdoor footwear, boots, uniform shoes, work shoes, slippers, moccasins and apparel and accessories. Revenue of this segment is derived from the sale of branded footwear to external customers as well as royalty income from the licensing of the Company's trademarks and brand names to licensees and distributors. The business units comprising the branded footwear and licensing segment manufacture or source, market and distribute products in a similar manner. Branded footwear and licensed products are distributed through wholesale channels and under licensing and distributor arrangements.

The other business units in the following table consist of the Company's retail, tannery and pigskin procurement operations. The Company operated 76 domestic retail stores and 10 consumer-direct internet sites at March 25, 2006 that sell Company-manufactured and sourced products, as well as footwear manufactured by unaffiliated companies. The other business units distribute products through retail and wholesale channels.

There have been no material changes in the way the Company measures segment profits or in its basis of determining business segments.

Business segment information is as follows (thousands of dollars):

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

6.  Financial Instruments and Risk Management

The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts and notes payable and long-term debt. The Company's estimate of the fair values of these financial instruments approximates their carrying amounts at March 25, 2006,. Fair value was determined using discounted cash flow analyses and current interest rates for similar instruments. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS Nos. 137 and 138, which requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the consolidated condensed balance sheets at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency inventory purchases made by non-U.S. wholesale operations in the normal course of business. At March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005, foreign exchange contracts with a notional value of $54,885,000 and $30,487,500, respectively, were outstanding to purchase various currencies (principally U.S. dollars) with maturities ranging up to 280 days. These contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. As of March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005, an asset of $617,000 and a liability of $302,000, respectively, have been recognized for the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts.

The fair value of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts represents the estimated receipts or payments necessary to terminate the contracts. Hedge effectiveness is evaluated by the hypothetical derivative method. Any hedge ineffectiveness is reported within the cost of products sold caption of the consolidated condensed statements of operations. Hedge ineffectiveness was not material to the consolidated condensed financial statements for the quarters ended March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005. If, in the future, the foreign exchange contracts are determined to be ineffective hedges or terminated before their contractual termination dates, the Company would be required to reclassify into earnings all or a portion of the unrealized amounts related to the cash flow hedges that are currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders' equity.

The Company does not generally require collateral or other security on trade accounts and notes receivable.

7.  Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has stock-based incentive plans, which are described below. Awards issued under these stock-based incentive plans are designed to align the interests of management and stockholders, reward executives and other key employees for building stockholder value and encourage long-term investment in the Company by participating executives.

VALUATION AND EXPENSE INFORMATION UNDER SFAS NO. 123(R) AND PRO FORMA INFORMATION

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company followed Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, in accounting for its stock incentive plans. The Company did not recognize stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options in its statements of operations for periods prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, as options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized in the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimate in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and (b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Results of prior periods have not been restated.

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company's earnings before income taxes and net earnings for the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 are $382,000 and $311,000 lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 would have been $.36 and $.35, respectively, if the Company had not adopted SFAS No. 123(R), compared to the reported basic and diluted earnings per share of $.36 and $.34, respectively.

The Company recognized compensation costs and related income tax benefits of $1,654,000 and $517,000, respectively, for its stock-based compensation plans in the statement of operations for the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006. Compensation costs capitalized as part of inventory and property, plant and equipment was not material.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows. The $1,424,000 excess tax benefit classified as a financing cash inflow would have been classified as an operating cash inflow if the Company had not adopted SFAS No. 123(R).

Effective December 13, 2005, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of nonvested stock options previously granted to employees and officers of the Company under its various stock-based incentive plans. As a result of this action, options to purchase approximately 1,003,000 shares of common stock that otherwise would have vested in 2006, 2007 and 2008 became fully vested and an additional $4,407,000 of pro forma stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Accordingly, compensation costs of $2,185,000, $1,495,000 and $727,000 in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively that would have been recognized in each year after the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will not be recognized due to the modification. The decision to accelerate the vesting of these options, which the Company believes to be in the best interests of its stockholders, was made primarily to reduce non-cash compensation expense that would have been recorded in future periods following the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

Pro forma information regarding net earnings and earnings per share has been determined as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to its stock awards for all periods presented. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair values of stock options are amortized to expense over the related vesting periods and awards subject to acceleration of vesting upon retirement are recognized over the explicit service period up to the date of actual retirement. The Company's pro forma information under SFAS No. 123 is as follows (thousands of dollars, except per share data):

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

The Company estimated the fair value of employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. The estimated weighted-average fair value for each option granted during the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005 was $5.22 and $5.12 per share, respectively, with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed statement of operations for the first 12 weeks of fiscal 2006 has been reduced for estimated forfeitures, as it is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience. In the Company's pro forma information required under SFAS No. 123 for the periods prior to fiscal 2006, the Company accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting for forfeitures was not material.

EMPLOYEE STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS

As of March 25, 2006, the Company had stock options outstanding or available for grant under stock incentive plans adopted in 1988, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005. Shares of restricted stock may also be granted under each of these plans, with the exception of the 1988 and 1993 plans. As of March 25, 2006, the Company had approximately 3,933,000 stock incentive units available for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2005. Under the provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan of 2005, each option granted counts as one stock incentive unit and each share of restricted stock granted counts as two stock incentive units. In addition, as of March 25, 2006, the Company had approximately 491,000 stock incentives available for grant under the balance of its other plans. Options granted under each plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date, expire no later than ten years from the grant date and generally vest over three years. Common stock issued under these plans is subject to certain restrictions, including a prohibition against any sale, transfer or other disposition by the officer or employee during the vesting period (except for certain transfers for estate planning purposes for certain officers) and a requirement to forfeit all or a certain portion of the award upon certain terminations of employment or upon failure to achieve performance criteria in certain instances. These restrictions lapse over a three- to five-year period from the date of the award. The Company has elected to recognize expense for these stock-based incentive plans ratably over the vesting term on a straight-line basis. Certain option and restricted share awards provide for accelerated vesting under various scenarios, including retirement and upon a change in control of the Company. With regard to acceleration of vesting upon retirement, employees of eligible retirement age are vested on a pro rata basis over the twelve month period following the date of grant. The Company issues shares to plan participants upon exercise or vesting of stock-based incentive awards from either authorized, but unissued, shares or treasury shares.

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

A summary of the transactions under the stock option plans is as follows:

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of options exercised during the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 was $3,093,000. As of March 25, 2006, there was $2,998,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company's closing stock price of $21.80 as of March 25, 2006, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised in-the-money options as of that date. The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of March 25, 2006 was 4,166,334. As of December 31, 2005, 5,040,712 outstanding options were exercisable, and the weighted-average exercise price was $14.72.

A summary of the nonvested restricted shares issued under stock award plans is as follows:

As of March 25, 2006, there was $8,030,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under restricted stock award plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 was $6,496,000.

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

8.  Pension Expense

A summary of net pension and SERP (Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan) costs recognized by the Company is as follows (thousands of dollars):

9.  Litigation and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various environmental claims and other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. The environmental claims include sites where the Environmental Protection Agency has notified the Company that it is a potentially responsible party with respect to environmental remediation. These remediation claims are subject to ongoing environmental impact studies, assessment of remediation alternatives, allocation of costs between responsible parties and concurrence by regulatory authorities and have not yet advanced to a stage where the Company's liability is fixed. However, after taking into consideration legal counsel's evaluation of all actions and claims against the Company, management is currently of the opinion that their outcome will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or future results of operations.

Pursuant to certain of the Company's lease agreements, the Company has provided financial guarantees to third parties in the form of indemnification provisions. These provisions indemnify and reimburse third parties for costs, including but not limited to adverse judgments in lawsuits, taxes and operating costs. The terms of the guarantees are identical to the terms of the related lease agreements. The Company is not able to calculate the maximum potential amount of future payments it could be required to make under these guarantees, as the potential payments are dependent upon the occurrence of future unknown events.

The Company has future minimum royalty obligations due under the terms of certain licenses held by the Company. These minimum future obligations on licenses are as follows (thousands of dollars):

Minimum royalties are based on both fixed obligations and assumptions related to the consumer price index. Royalty obligations in excess of minimum requirements are based upon future sales levels. In accordance with these agreements, the Company incurred royalty expense of $735,000 and $710,000 for the first quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The terms of certain license agreements also require advertising expenditures based on the level of sales. In accordance with these agreements, the Company's advertising obligations, based on actual sales, totaled $392,000 and $428,000 for the first quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively.

10.  Business Acquisitions

During the second quarter of 2005, the Company purchased the remaining 5% ownership from the minority stockholder of Wolverine Europe Limited, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. The purchase price was $2,322,000, of which $407,000 was deferred until July 1, 2006. The transaction eliminated the minority interest of $566,000 and resulted in goodwill of $1,756,000.

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
March 25, 2006 and March 26, 2005

On January 3, 2005, the Company converted its CAT® and Wolverine® businesses in Canada from a non-affiliated distributor-based operation to a Company-owned wholesale operation. This expansion allowed the Company to directly wholesale all major brands in Canada. Assets consisting primarily of inventory, fixed assets and amortizable intangible assets totaling $2,117,000 and assumed liabilities of $883,000 were acquired from a former Wolverine® and CAT® Footwear distributor for cash of $2,280,000 and resulted in goodwill and intangible assets of $1,046,000. Consolidated pro forma revenue and net earnings, assuming the transaction occurred at the beginning of 2005, were not materially different from reported amounts. Pursuant to SFAS No. 142, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles will not be amortized, but will be evaluated for impairment annually. Goodwill was assigned to the Company's branded footwear and licensing segment. The majority of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amortizable intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately ten years.

On January 3, 2005, the Company converted its Merrell® operations in Sweden and Finland and its Sebago® operations in the United Kingdom and Germany from a non-affiliated distributor-based operation to a Company-owned wholesale operation. Assets consisting primarily of inventory totaling $544,000 were acquired from former distributors for cash.

OVERVIEW
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (the "Company") has a strategic vision - "To Excite Consumers Around the World with Innovative Footwear and Apparel that Bring Style to Purpose".   To reach this vision, the Company continues to focus on the tenets of product innovation, global expansion, brand development, service excellence and community service with the end goal of delivering superior shareholder returns. There is also continued focus on the financial growth initiatives of achieving mid-to-upper single digit average annual revenue growth, creating operating leverage and maximizing working capital turnover to extract value from the Company's balance sheet.

The following highlights of the first quarter of 2006 financial performance compared to the first quarter of 2005 reflect these strategies:

The following is a discussion of the Company's results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the first quarter of 2006. The section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated condensed financial statements and notes.

Results of Operations - Comparison of the 12 Weeks Ended March 25, 2006 (2006 First Quarter) to the 12 Weeks Ended March 26, 2005 (2005 First Quarter)

The Company has one reportable segment that is engaged in manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, licensing and distributing branded footwear, licensed apparel and accessories. Within the branded footwear and licensing segment, the Company has identified five operating units, consisting of the Outdoor Group (comprised of the Merrell®, Sebago® and Patagonia® Footwear brands) the Wolverine Footwear Group (comprised of the Wolverine®, HYTEST®, Bates® and Stanley® Footgear brands and certain private label branded products), the Heritage Brands Group (comprised of CAT® Footwear and Harley-Davidson® Footwear), The Hush Puppies Company, and Other Branded Footwear. The Company's other business units consist of Wolverine Retail and Wolverine® Leathers (comprised of the Tannery and Procurement operations). The following is supplemental information on total revenue:

REVENUE
Revenue of $262.8 million for the first quarter of 2006 exceeded the prior year first quarter by $17.6 million. Increases in unit volume, changes in product mix and changes in selling price for the branded footwear and licensing operations as discussed below contributed $20.5 million of the revenue increase. The impact of translating foreign denominated revenue to U.S. dollars reduced revenue by $4.1 million. The other business units contributed $1.2 million to the increase. International revenue increased in the quarter to account for 35.9% of total revenue in 2006 as compared to 33.3% in 2005.

The Outdoor Group recorded revenue of $100.5 million for the first quarter of 2006, an $11.3 million increase over the first quarter of the prior year. The Merrell® business achieved a $13.3 million revenue increase over prior year. Increases were achieved across all geographic locations as consumers responded favorably to the Spring product lines. The Sebago® brand realized a $2.0 million sales decrease from the first quarter of 2005. The sales decrease was primarily a result of lower than anticipated shipments to U.S. retailers and international distributors as retailers were cautious on their Spring commitments.

The Wolverine Footwear Group recorded $56.4 million in revenue for the first quarter of 2006, a $.6 million decrease from the first quarter of 2005. The Wolverine® boot business realized a decrease in revenue of $1.0 million during the first quarter of 2006 as the comparable revenue for the first quarter of 2005 included the successful launch of its Wolverine MultiShox^TM products. The Stanley® Footgear business and the private label business realized a $1.4 million revenue decrease during the first quarter of 2006. Partially offsetting these revenue decreases was growth in the Bates® uniform footwear business which realized a $1.8 million increase in revenue due to improved sales to the civilian sector as well as higher demand from the Department of Defense.

The Hush Puppies Company recorded revenue of $43.8 million in the first quarter of 2006. The $2.0 million increase was driven by higher volume generated by international licensees as well as increased wholesale shipments in the Canadian market. The increase in revenue in Canada was primarily the result of strong consumer demand for the Spring product offering. International distributors continued to respond favorably to the new contemporary-styled Hush Puppies® product. Revenue from the U.S. and U.K. markets was essentially flat for the quarter.

The Heritage Brands Group experienced a $3.3 million increase in revenue during the first quarter of 2006. CAT® Footwear's revenue increased $2.5 million with all geographic locations experiencing growth. The business was particularly strong in the U.S., Canada and Europe with improved sell-through of Spring products. Harley-Davidson® Footwear revenue increased $.8 million in the quarter driven largely by increased shipments to the Harley-Davidson® dealer network as well as international expansion. Positive response to new exclusive products fueled the dealer network's growth.

Within the Company's other business units, Wolverine Retail reported a $.5 million increase in revenue as a result of a same-store revenue increase of 1.1% and 5 additional stores operating as compared to the prior year's first quarter. Wolverine Retail operated 76 retail stores at first quarter end 2006 compared to 71 at first quarter end 2005. The Wolverine® Leathers operation reported a $.7 million increase in revenue primarily due to increased shipments to external customers.

The Company ended the first quarter of 2006 with an order backlog of 14% above the level at the end of the first quarter of 2005 on a comparable basis.

GROSS MARGIN
The gross margin of 40.3% for the first quarter of 2006 was a 100 basis point improvement over the first quarter of 2005. Increased sales of higher-margin lifestyle and performance products resulted in a 70 basis point improvement. Benefits from favorable foreign exchange contract rates associated with the Company's foreign entities' inventory purchases resulted in lower product costs which added 50 basis points to the margin. These improvements were partially offset by increased product costs, which reduced margin by 20 basis points.

SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling and administrative expenses of $76.3 million for the first quarter of 2006 increased $4.2 million from the first quarter of 2005 level of $72.1 million and, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 29.0% in 2006 compared to 29.4% in the first quarter of 2005. The Company invested approximately $1.0 million in product development and selling and administrative costs on the Merrell® Apparel and Patagonia® Footwear initiatives during the quarter. Selling and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2006 also included incremental stock-based compensation costs of $.4 million as a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R). Additionally, the Company realized an increase in profit sharing of $.9 million. Partially offsetting these increases, the impact of translating foreign denominated operating expense to U.S. dollars decreased total expense by $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2006. The remaining increases related primarily to selling and distribution costs which vary with the increase in revenue.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company followed Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, in accounting for its stock incentive plans. The Company did not recognize stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options in its statements of operations for periods prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, as options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized in the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimate in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Results of prior periods have not been restated.

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company's earnings before income taxes and net earnings for the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 are $.4 million and $.3 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2006 would have been $.36 and $.35, respectively, if the Company had not adopted SFAS No. 123(R), compared to the reported basic and diluted earnings per share of $.36 and $.34, respectively.

Effective December 13, 2005, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of nonvested stock options previously granted to employees and officers of the Company under its various stock-based incentive plans. As a result of this action, options to purchase approximately 1.0 million shares of common stock that otherwise would have vested in 2006, 2007 and 2008 became fully vested and an additional $4.4 million of pro forma stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Accordingly, compensation costs of $2.2 million, $1.5 million and $.7 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively that would have been recognized in each year after the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will not be recognized due to the modification. The decision to accelerate the vesting of these options, which the Company believes to be in the best interests of its stockholders, was made primarily to reduce non-cash compensation expense that would have been recorded in future periods following the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

The Company provides compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors under various stock-based incentive plans, including stock options and restricted shares of the Company's common stock.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company's common stock. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect for the expected term of the option at the time of grant. The Company utilizes historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination behavior within the valuation model. The Company determined that all employee groups exhibit similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior to determine the expected term.

The Company has elected to recognize expense for these stock-based incentive plans ratably over the vesting term on a straight-line basis. Certain option and restricted share awards provide for accelerated vesting under various scenarios, including retirement and upon a change in control of the Company. With regard to acceleration of vesting upon retirement, employees of eligible retirement age are vested on a pro rata basis over the twelve month period following the date of grant.

As of March 25, 2006, there was $11.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under stock-based incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.

INTEREST, OTHER & TAXES
The net decrease in interest expense reflected lower average outstanding amounts on senior notes and lower working capital borrowings during the quarter, as well as interest income from invested cash.

The change in other income/expense primarily related to the change in realized gains or losses on foreign denominated assets and liabilities.

The Company's first quarter 2006 effective tax rate was 33.2% compared to 32.4% for the first quarter of 2005. The change in the effective tax rate related primarily to increased income from higher taxed jurisdictions, the tax

impact of stock option expensing under SFAS No. 123(R) and the expiration of the research and development tax credit.  The estimated annualized effective tax rate for fiscal 2006 is 33.2%.

NET EARNINGS
As a result of the revenue, gross margin and expense changes discussed above, the Company achieved net earnings of $19.6 million for the first quarter of 2006 as compared to $16.1 million in the first quarter of 2005, an increase of $3.5 million.