MUST BE THE SHOES: HOOP SHOES ARE BACK

     Basketball shoes "are on the rebound," according to the
MEN'S JOURNAL BUYER'S GUIDE, as the industry is banking on
lighter models to help it recover from falling sales.  Sales of
basketball shoes fell 20% between '91 and '94, partly models were
"too inflexible" and too heavy.  New models are designed with
lighter midsole materials, and even replacing high-tops with mid-
cuts to reduce weight.  MEN'S JOURNAL profiled six new basketball
models:  Avia's Fly-By-U II, Converse's R.A.W. Energy, Nike's Air
Flight One, Nike's Air Max CW, Reebok's Instapump Boom, and
Fila's Grant Hill II Mid (MEN'S JOURNAL BUYER'S GUIDE, 1996
issue).
     CUTS AT KEDS: Stride Rite Corp., makers of Keds, announced
yesterday it will cut its work force by about 600, close a
factory and close 48 stores in addition to slashing its 4th
quarter dividend.  Stride Rite execs portrayed the action as
"positive news," a sign the company is "working to cut costs" and
shifting "from manufacturing to marketing" (Jerry Ackerman,
BOSTON GLOBE, 11/17).