8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 9, 2012

SPARTAN STORES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Michigan	000-31127	38-0593940
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification no.)

850 76th Street, S.W. P.O. Box 8700 Grand Rapids, Michigan	49518-8700
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number,

including area code: (616) 878-2000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)).

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)).

Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

On January 4, 2012, Spartan Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) terminated its existing interest rate swap transaction with Wachovia Bank, N.A. (“Wachovia”). As previously disclosed, under the terms of the swap the Company had agreed to pay Wachovia a fixed interest rate of 2.08%, and Wachovia has agreed to pay the Company a floating interest rate (determined with reference to the 1-month LIBOR) on a notional amount of $45 million for a period beginning on January 6, 2009 and expiring concurrently with the Company’s Loan and Security Agreement dated December 23, 2003, as amended, by and among the Company and certain subsidiaries as borrowers and the agent and lenders named therein (the “Loan and Security Agreement”).

The substantial economic effect of the swap was to convert the variable interest rate payable on $45 million of the Company’s debt under the Loan and Security Agreement to an effective fixed rate of 3.33%. Due to the current low interest rate environment, the Company terminated the swap to reduce costs.

In connection with the early termination of the swap transaction, the Company incurred a breakage fee of $0.8 million that will be recognized in the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2012.

The descriptions of the swap transaction contained in this report does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the swap transaction confirmation, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on January 8, 2009.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

Press release announcing swap termination.

On January 9, 2012, the Company issued a press release announcing the termination of its interest rate swap transaction as disclosed in Item 1.02 above. The press release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated here by reference.

The press release is furnished to and not “filed” with the Commission for the purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Executive management presentations.

As previously disclosed, members of the Company’s executive management team will make presentations regarding the company’s operating strategies and opportunities at the 14th Annual ICR XChange Conference on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 2:25 p.m. ET in Miami, Florida. The audio portion of this group presentation will be webcast live, and a replay and the accompanying slide presentation will be available until Wednesday, January 25, 2012 in the “For Investors” section of the Company’s website, www.spartanstores.com.

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The presentation materials on the Company’s website shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

This report will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information reported under Item 7.01 that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits: The following document is attached as an exhibit to this report on Form 8-K:

99.1 Press Release dated January 9, 2012.

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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.

Date: January 9, 2012	SPARTAN STORES, INC.
	By	/s/ David M. Staples
		David M. Staples
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Document
99.1	Press Release dated January 9, 2012.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release   Investor Contact: Dave Staples Executive Vice President & CFO (616) 878-8793                             Media Contact: Jeanne Norcross                         Vice President Corporate Affairs                         (616)  878-2830

Spartan Stores Announces Early Termination of Interest Rate Swap Agreement

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – January 9, 2012 – Spartan Stores, Inc., (Nasdaq:SPTN) a leading regional grocery distributor and retailer, today announced the early termination of its interest rate swap agreement, which converted a portion of its variable rate debt to a fixed rate basis. As a result, the Company was able to use available cash to reduce the outstanding balance under its senior secured revolving credit facility by $45.0 million. Due to the early termination, the Company will recognize a $0.8 million pre-tax breakage fee in the third quarter of fiscal 2012; however, interest expense is expected to be reduced by $1.4 million over the next four quarters.

“We are pleased to take this opportunity to increase the productivity of our assets. Our strong cash flow generation and the stable outlook for interest rates made the termination of the swap agreement and pay off of our outstanding revolver balance the logical action to take at this time,” stated Dave Staples, Spartan Stores’ Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Additionally, we continue to expect to report earnings per share, excluding unusual items, in the range of $0.20 to $0.23 for the third quarter of fiscal 2012.”

About Spartan Stores

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Spartan Stores, Inc., (Nasdaq:SPTN) is the nation’s eleventh largest grocery distributor with 1.4 million square feet of warehouse, distribution, and office space located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Company distributes more than 40,000 corporate and national brand products to approximately 375 independent locations in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and to our 97 corporate owned stores located in Michigan, including D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen’s Markets and VG’s Food and Pharmacy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases such as “opportunity”, “continue”, “expect,” “outlook,” that a particular metric will “increase”. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Our ability to maintain or increase productivity, reduce debt, and continue to pay dividends is not certain and depends on many factors, not all of which are in our control. Additional information about the risk

factors to which Spartan Stores is exposed and other factors that may adversely affect these forward-looking statements is contained in Spartan Stores’ reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other risk factors exist and new risk factors may emerge at any time. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictions of future results. Spartan Stores undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this press release.

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