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<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>Registration No. 333-____________</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=4><B>FORM S-8<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B>SPARTAN STORES, INC.</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Michigan</B><BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>
Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>38-0593940</B><BR>
(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</FONT></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>850 76th Street, S.W., P.O. Box 8700<BR>
Grand Rapids, Michigan</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>
49518</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B>SPARTAN STORES, INC. 2001 ASSOCIATE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN</B><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2>(Full Title of the Plan)</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Craig C. Sturken<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
Spartan Stores, Inc.<BR>
850 76th Street, S.W.<BR>
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49518</B><BR>
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Copies to:</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Alex J. DeYonker<BR>
Warner Norcross &amp; Judd LLP<BR>
900 Fifth Third Center<BR>
111 Lyon Street, N.W.<BR>
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2487</B></FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(616) 878-2000</B><BR>
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
<BR>
Title of Securities to be<BR>
Registered</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
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Amount to be<BR>
Registered (1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Offering Price Per<BR>
Share (2)(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Proposed Maximum<BR>
Aggregate Offering<BR>
Price (2)(3)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
<BR>
Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
Common stock, no par value<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
500,000 shares<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
$4.06 (2)<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
$2,030,000.00 (2)<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
$164.23<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>Pursuant to Rule 416, this registration statement also includes an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be required to be issued in the event of an adjustment as a result of an increase in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision of such shares, the payment of stock dividends or certain other capital adjustments.</FONT></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>On November 17, 2003, the average of the bid and asked prices of the Common Stock of Spartan Stores, Inc. was $4.06 per share. The registration fee is computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) and (c) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act").</FONT></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="95%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B></P>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement is filed for the purpose of registering 500,000 additional shares of common stock, no par value, by Spartan Stores, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "Registrant"), for use in connection with the Spartan Stores, Inc. 2001 Associate Stock Purchase Plan. In accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8, the Registrant incorporates by reference the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8, file No. 333-72010, filed on October 22, 2001.</P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Grand Rapids, State of Michigan, on this 18<SUP>th</SUP> day of November, 2003.</P>

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<P>SPARTAN STORES, INC.<BR>
(Registrant)</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>By /s/ Craig C. Sturken<HR SIZE="1" WIDTH="94%" ALIGN="RIGHT"></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Craig C. Sturken<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chairman of the Board, President and Chief<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Executive Officer</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Form S-8 Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.</P>
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<P><U>Date</U></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P><U>Signature</U></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>/s/ M. Shan Atkins*<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>M. Shan Atkins<BR>
Director</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>/s/ Dr. Frank M. Gambino*<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>Dr. Frank M. Gambino<BR>
Director</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>/s/ Gregory P. Josefowicz*<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Gregory P. Josefowicz<BR>
Director</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>/s/ Elizabeth A. Nickels*<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Elizabeth A. Nickels<BR>
Director</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>/s/ Timothy J. O'Donovan*<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Timothy J. O'Donovan<BR>
Director</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>/s/ Craig C. Sturken<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="30%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Craig C. Sturken<BR>
Director</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="30%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November __, 2003</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Kenneth T. Stevens<BR>
Director</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>/s/ James F. Wright*<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>James F. Wright<BR>
Director</TD>
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<P>November 18, 2003</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>/s/ David M. Staples<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE></TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>David M. Staples<BR>
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</P>

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<P>*By /s/ Alex J. DeYonker<HR SIZE="1" WIDTH="94%" ALIGN="RIGHT"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="61%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alex J. DeYonker<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Attorney-in-Fact</TD>
<TD WIDTH="61%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><U>EXHIBIT</B></U> <U><B>INDEX</B></U></P>

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<P>Exhibit<BR>
<U>Number</U></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P><BR>
<U>Document</U></TD>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.1</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Spartan Stores, Inc. Previously filed as Annex B to the prospectus and joint proxy statement contained in Spartan Stores' Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on June 5, 2000. Here incorporated by reference.</TD>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.2</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Amended and Restated Bylaws of Spartan Stores, Inc. Previously filed as an exhibit to Spartan Stores' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 13, 2003. Here incorporated by reference.</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>5.1</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>Opinion of Warner Norcross &amp; Judd LLP.</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>23.1</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Consent of Independent Public Accountants.</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>23.2</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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<P>Consent of Warner Norcross &amp; Judd LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 and incorporated herein by reference). </TD>
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<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "sptns8_111203.htm", "description": "SPARTAN STORES FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 17465}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SPARTAN STORES INC", "cik": "0000877422", "assigned-sic": "5141", "irs-number": "380593940", "state-of-incorporation": "MI", "fiscal-year-end": "0329"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-110593", "film-number": "031012601"}, "business-address": {"street1": "850 76TH ST SW", "street2": "P O BOX 8700", "city": "GRAND RAPIDS", "state": "MI", "zip": "49518", "phone": "6168782000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "850 76TH ST SW", "street2": "PO BOX 8700", "city": "GRAND RAPIDS", "state": "MI", "zip": "49518"}}
Registration No. 333-____________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SPARTAN STORES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Michigan
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
38-0593940
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
850 76th Street, S.W., P.O. Box 8700
Grand Rapids, Michigan
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
49518
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
SPARTAN STORES, INC. 2001 ASSOCIATE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
Craig C. Sturken
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spartan Stores, Inc.
850 76th Street, S.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49518
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Alex J. DeYonker
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
900 Fifth Third Center
111 Lyon Street, N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2487
(616) 878-2000
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be
Registered
Amount to be
Registered (1)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share (2)(3)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (2)(3)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common stock, no par value
500,000 shares
$4.06 (2)
$2,030,000.00 (2)
$164.23
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416, this registration statement also includes an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be required to be issued in the event of an adjustment as a result of an increase in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision of such shares, the payment of stock dividends or certain other capital adjustments.
(2)
On November 17, 2003, the average of the bid and asked prices of the Common Stock of Spartan Stores, Inc. was $4.06 per share. The registration fee is computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) and (c) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act").
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement is filed for the purpose of registering 500,000 additional shares of common stock, no par value, by Spartan Stores, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "Registrant"), for use in connection with the Spartan Stores, Inc. 2001 Associate Stock Purchase Plan. In accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8, the Registrant incorporates by reference the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8, file No. 333-72010, filed on October 22, 2001.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Grand Rapids, State of Michigan, on this 18
th
day of November, 2003.
SPARTAN STORES, INC.
(Registrant)
By /s/ Craig C. Sturken
Craig C. Sturken
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Form S-8 Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Date
Signature
November 18, 2003
/s/ M. Shan Atkins*
M. Shan Atkins
Director
November 18, 2003
/s/ Dr. Frank M. Gambino*
Dr. Frank M. Gambino
Director
November 18, 2003
/s/ Gregory P. Josefowicz*
Gregory P. Josefowicz
Director
November 18, 2003
/s/ Elizabeth A. Nickels*
Elizabeth A. Nickels
Director
November 18, 2003
/s/ Timothy J. O'Donovan*
Timothy J. O'Donovan
Director
November 18, 2003
/s/ Craig C. Sturken
Craig C. Sturken
Director
November __, 2003
Kenneth T. Stevens
Director
November 18, 2003
/s/ James F. Wright*
James F. Wright
Director
-4-
November 18, 2003
/s/ David M. Staples
David M. Staples
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
*By /s/ Alex J. DeYonker
Alex J. DeYonker
Attorney-in-Fact
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EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Document
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Spartan Stores, Inc. Previously filed as Annex B to the prospectus and joint proxy statement contained in Spartan Stores' Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on June 5, 2000. Here incorporated by reference.
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Spartan Stores, Inc. Previously filed as an exhibit to Spartan Stores' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 13, 2003. Here incorporated by reference.
5.1
Opinion of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP.
23.1
Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
23.2
Consent of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 and incorporated herein by reference).
24
Powers of Attorney.
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