-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 SUWcRONYzeozwHH71nxKr4Mqo+D1cyLuNmRH+he+6+pJGgp6ZdY4qPdmiyz5n6b3
 ZUWSvP3VaW8G93Jc6tMXDw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000878314-03-000013.txt : 20031031
<SEC-HEADER>0000878314-03-000013.hdr.sgml : 20031031
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031031130740
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000878314-03-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031030
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031031

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DUNCAN SAM K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001217660

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10876
		FILM NUMBER:		03969083

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 PILGRIM WAY
		CITY:			GREENBAY
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54304

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHOPKO STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000878314
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331]
		IRS NUMBER:				410985054
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0222

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 PILGRIM WAY
		CITY:			GREEN BAY
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54304
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9204972211

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 19060
		CITY:			GREEN BAY
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54307-9060
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-30</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000878314</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SHOPKO STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SKO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001217660</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DUNCAN SAM K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>700 PILGRIM WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENBAY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>54304</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4150</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.62</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>45850</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares are being surrendered to satisfy withholding tax obligations w/ respect to 12,500 shares on which restrictions are lapsing.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 37,500 restricted shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Peter Vandenhouten, Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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