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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 kkK42Vg1/bAU7jMamyTsGw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000790414-05-000019.txt : 20050512
<SEC-HEADER>0000790414-05-000019.hdr.sgml : 20050512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050512171548
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000790414-05-000019
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050512
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050512

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GUTMANN MAX
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001189290

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09100
		FILM NUMBER:		05825381

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5594344789

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GOTTSCHALKS INC
		STREET 2:		7 RIVER PARK PLACE EAST
		CITY:			FRESNO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93720

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GOTTSCHALKS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000790414
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311]
		IRS NUMBER:				770159791
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 RIVER PARK PL E
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 28920
		CITY:			FRESNO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93720
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2094348000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 RIVER PARK PLACE EAST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 28920
		CITY:			FRESNO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93720
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000790414</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GOTTSCHALKS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>got</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189290</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GUTMANN MAX</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GOTTSCHALKS INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>7 RIVER PARK PLACE EAST</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FRESNO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>93720</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Retired Board of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-05-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Several transactions occurred over the period of May 3, 2005 through May 12, 2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Mr. Gutmann retired from the Board of Director's effective May 1, 2005.  Transactions represent cashless exercises of Mr. Gutmann's stock options in the amount of 1,000 shares as well as the sale of outstanding common stock in the amount of 13,200 during the period of May 3, 2005 through May 12, 2005 at prices ranging from $10.68 through $11.25.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Mr. Gutmann has 3,000 shares of unexercised stock options remaining, as well as 10,800 shares of outstanding common stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Max Gutmann</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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