AT&T COMPLETES NETWORK UPGRADE FOR SPARTAN STORES.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced that Spartan Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPTN), one of the nation's leading grocery distributors, has awarded AT&T a three-year contract to upgrade its data network. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Spartan Stores owns and operates 87 supermarkets and drugstores in Michigan and Ohio. The company also supplies private-label and national brand products to independent grocery stores in the Midwest.

Under the terms of the contract, AT&T will serve as the primary network provider to Spartan Stores. In addition to Managed Internet Service (MIS), which will allow for seamless integration of new Spartan Stores locations, AT&T will further provide a dedicated Internet connection to support constant and secure real-time access to the Internet across the network.

"With ongoing expansion efforts, like the recent acquisition of Felpausch Stores announced last month, we needed an experienced provider capable of implementing, supporting and maintaining our growing communication needs," said Dave Couch, vice president of information technology, Spartan Stores. "AT&T's solution is scalable, secure and reliable. We're confident that the network services AT&T has provided us will enable us to operate efficiently and continue to meet our business objectives as we grow."

AT&T's MIS solution will help Spartan Stores improve all data communications between locations on the company's existing network platform. AT&T will ensure fast, flexible and secure access to critical store applications such as point-of-sale and pharmacy activities. This service will enhance Spartan Stores' IT operations, improve interoffice communication and maximize the company's ability to respond to customer needs.

About Spartan Stores

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Spartan Stores, Inc., (NASDAQ:SPTN) is the nation's tenth largest grocery distributor with warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Michigan. The company distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to more than 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Spartan Stores also owns and operates 68 retail supermarkets and 19 deep-discount food and drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, and The Pharm.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings.

For more information, call 312/230-4889 or visit http://www.att.com.