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Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co Inc · S-4/A · On 8/31/07

Filed On 8/31/07 8:41pm ET   ·   SEC File 333-143212   ·   Accession Number 930413-7-7131

  in   Show  and 
  As Of               Filer                 Filing     As/For/On Docs:Pgs              Issuer               Agent

 9/04/07  Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea..Inc S-4/A       8/31/07    8:400                                    Command Financi..Corp/FA

Pre-Effective Amendment to Registration of Securities Issued in a Business-Combination Transaction   ·   Form S-4
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: S-4/A       Pre-Effective Amendment to Registration of          HTML  2,427K 
                          Securities Issued in a                                 
                          Business-Combination Transaction                       
 2: EX-5.1      Opinion re: Legality                                HTML     13K 
 3: EX-23.2     Consent of Experts or Counsel                       HTML      6K 
 4: EX-23.3     Consent of Experts or Counsel                       HTML      6K 
 5: EX-99.2     Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML      8K 
 6: EX-99.3     Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML      6K 
 7: EX-99.4     Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML     25K 
 8: EX-99.5     Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML     15K 


S-4/A   ·   Pre-Effective Amendment to Registration of Securities Issued in a Business-Combination Transaction
Document Table of Contents

Page (sequential) | (alphabetic) Top
 
11st Page
11Questions and Answers About Voting Procedures for the Special Meetings
15Summary
26Selected Historical Financial and Other Data of A&P
28Selected Historical Financial and Other Data of Pathmark
32Comparative Per Share Data
33Comparative Stock Prices and Dividends
34Risk Factors
41Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
42The A&P Special Meeting
45The Pathmark Special Meeting
50Adoption of the Merger Agreement (Pathmark Proposal 1)
"The Merger
"The Merger Agreement
"General
"Background of the Transaction
73Pathmark s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Pathmark Board of Directors
77A&P s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the A&P Board of Directors
79Opinion of Pathmark s Financial Advisor
89Opinion of A&P s Financial Advisor
95Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
105Financing
108Governmental and Regulatory Approvals
109Merger Expenses, Fees and Costs
"Accounting Treatment
"Structure of the Merger
110Certain Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
111Appraisal Rights
114Restrictions on Sales of Shares by Affiliates of Pathmark
"Stock Exchange Listing
"Delisting and Deregistration of Pathmark Common Stock
115Structure and Effective Time; Marketing Period
116Dissenters Rights
"Merger Consideration
"Treatment of Pathmark Stock Options, Warrants and Other Equity-Based Awards
117Exchange of Pathmark Stock Certificates for A&P Stock Certificates
118Directors and Officers
"Transfers of Pathmark Shares; Lost Stock Certificates
"Unclaimed Amounts
"Representations and Warranties
120Covenants and Agreements
129Conditions to the Merger
130Termination
132Effect of Termination
"Fees and Expenses
133Amendment and Waiver
134Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information
152Comparison of Stockholders Rights
174Description of A&P S Capital Stock
175Yucaipa Stockholder Agreement
177Yucaipa Voting Agreement
"Tengelmann Stockholder Agreement
181Tengelmann Voting Agreement
"Yucaipa Warrant Agreement
182Approval of the Adjournment or Postponement of the Pathmark Special Meeting (Pathmark Proposal 2)
"Approval of the A&P Share Issuance (A&P Proposal 1)
183Approval of the Adjournment or Postponement of the A&P Special Meeting (A&P Proposal 2)
"Experts
184Legal Matters
"Stockholder Proposals
"Where You Can Find More Information
190Annex A
260Annex B
283Annex C
296Annex D
325Annex E
333Annex F
355Annex G
358Annex H
361Annex J

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2007

Registration No. 333-143212



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO

FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 

 

 

 

 

Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

5411
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)

 

13-1890974
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)


Two Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645
(201) 573-9700

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant’s principal executive offices)


Allan Richards
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Legal Services & Secretary
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Two Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645
(201) 573-9700

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


With copies to:

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth W. Orce, Esq.
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
(212) 701-3000

 

Sarkis Jebejian, Esq.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 474-1000

 

John M. Newell, Esq.
Latham & Watkins LLP
505 Montgomery Street,
Suite 2000
San Francisco, California 94111-2562
(415) 391-0600


Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective and upon completion of the merger described in the enclosed joint proxy statement/prospectus.

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, please check the following box. £

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £


The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.




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PRELIMINARY—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION—DATED AUGUST 31, 2007

 

 

 

Picture -- aplogo48680

 

Picture -- pathmarklogo

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. AND
PATHMARK STORES, INC.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

On March 4, 2007, Pathmark Stores, Inc. (“Pathmark”), The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (“A&P”) and Sand Merger Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of A&P, entered into a merger agreement, pursuant to which A&P will acquire Pathmark and its subsidiaries through a merger. Upon completion of the merger, Pathmark stockholders will be entitled to receive, without interest, $9.00 in cash and 0.12963 shares of A&P common stock for each share of Pathmark common stock that they own. Upon completion of the merger, we estimate that Pathmark’s former stockholders will own approximately 14% of the then-outstanding common stock of A&P on a fully-diluted basis. A&P’s stockholders will continue to own their existing shares, which will not be affected by the merger.

The merger cannot be completed unless (i) Pathmark stockholders approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and (ii) A&P stockholders approve the issuance of A&P’s common stock pursuant to the merger agreement. We are each holding a special meeting of stockholders in order to obtain the stockholder approvals necessary to complete the merger. The times, dates and places of the special meetings to consider and vote upon the proposals are as follows:

 

 

 

For A&P Stockholders:
[  ], 2007, 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time
The Woodcliff Lake Hilton
200 Tice Boulevard
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677

 

For Pathmark Stockholders:
[  ], 2007, [  ] a.m., Eastern Daylight Time
Pathmark Corporate Headquarters
200 Milik Street
Carteret, New Jersey 07008

After careful consideration, each of our boards of directors has determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of our respective stockholders. Accordingly, the A&P board of directors unanimously recommends that A&P stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of A&P common stock pursuant to the merger agreement and “FOR” the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies. The Pathmark board of directors unanimously recommends that the Pathmark stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger and “FOR” the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of A&P common stock at the special meeting is required to approve the issuance of A&P common stock in connection with the merger, provided that the total votes cast must represent a majority of the outstanding shares of A&P common stock entitled to vote on the matter.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Pathmark common stock is required to adopt the merger agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.

The joint proxy statement/prospectus attached to this letter provides you with information about A&P, Pathmark, the proposed merger and the special meetings of each of our companies’ stockholders. In particular, please see the section titled “Risk Factors” of the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus which contains a description of the risks that you should consider in evaluating the proposals. You may also obtain more information about A&P and Pathmark from documents each party has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shares of A&P


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common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GAP.” Shares of Pathmark common stock are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “PTMK.”

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend your respective company’s special meeting, please take the time to vote by completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the appropriate envelope provided, or in the case of A&P stockholders, use the Internet or telephone proxy authorization options detailed on the proxy card. If your shares are held in “street name” by a bank, brokerage firm or nominee you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee, regarding the voting of your shares.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

 

 

 

Allan Richards
Senior Vice President, Human Resources,
Labor Relations, Legal Services & Secretary
Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.

 

John T. Standley
Chief Executive Officer
Pathmark Stores, Inc.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the securities to be issued in connection with the merger or determined if the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Information contained in this document is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This joint proxy statement/prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under securities laws of such state.

THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS DATED [  ], 2007, AND IS BEING FIRST MAILED TO STOCKHOLDERS OF A&P AND PATHMARK ON OR ABOUT [  ], 2007.


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THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC.
2 Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645


NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [  ], 2007


To the stockholders of THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA C OMPANY, INC.:

We will hold a special meeting of stockholders of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“A&P”), at The Woodcliff Lake Hilton, 200 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, on [  ], [  ], 2007, at [  ] a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, for the following purposes:

 

1.

 

 

 

to consider and vote on a proposal to approve the issuance of A&P common stock pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 4, 2007, by and among A&P, Sand Merger Corp. (“Merger Sub”) (a wholly owned subsidiary of A&P established for the purpose of effecting the merger) and Pathmark Stores, Inc. (“Pathmark”), as amended from time to time, which provides for the merger of Merger Sub with and into Pathmark, with Pathmark as the surviving corporation;

 

2.

 

 

 

to consider and vote on a proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies; and

 

3.

 

 

 

to transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

The A&P board of directors has fixed [  ], 2007, as the record date for this meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to receive notice and to vote at the meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of A&P common stock at the special meeting is required to approve Proposal 1, provided that the total votes cast must represent a majority of the outstanding shares of A&P common stock entitled to vote on the proposal. The adoption of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of A&P common stock at the special meeting.


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Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please either complete, sign and return the accompanying proxy card to A&P in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States, or use the Internet or telephone proxy authorization options detailed on the proxy card. If you hold your shares through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee regarding voting your shares.

 

 

 

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

     

 

 

Allan Richards
Senior Vice President, Human Resources,
Labor Relations, Legal Services & Secretary

[  ], 2007

You are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Whether or not you plan to do so, your vote is important. Please promptly submit your proxy by mail, telephone or the Internet.


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PATHMARK STORES, INC.
200 MILIK STREET
CARTERET, NEW JERSEY 07008


NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [  ], 2007


To the stockholders of PATHMARK STORES, INC.:

A special meeting of stockholders of Pathmark Stores, Inc. (“Pathmark”), a Delaware corporation, will be held on [  ], 2007, at [  ] a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at Pathmark’s corporate headquarters, 200 Milik Street, Carteret, New Jersey 07008, for the following purposes:

 

 

 

1.

 

to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 4, 2007, by and among Pathmark, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (“A&P”) and Sand Merger Corp. (“Merger Sub”), and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, as amended from time to time, including the merger, pursuant to which Merger Sub would merge with and into Pathmark and each outstanding share of Pathmark common stock would be converted into the right to receive, without interest, $9.00 in cash and 0.12963 shares of A&P common stock;

2.

 

to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies; and

3.

 

to consider and vote on such other matters as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on [  ], 2007, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. A list of these stockholders will be available for inspection by stockholders of record during regular business hours at Pathmark’s corporate headquarters, 200 Milik Street, Carteret, New Jersey 07008, for ten days prior to the date of the special meeting. All stockholders of record are cordially invited to attend the special meeting in person. Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares of Pathmark common stock that you own.

The adoption of the merger agreement requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the matter. The Pathmark board of directors unanimously recommends that the Pathmark stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.

The adoption of the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of Pathmark common stock represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The Pathmark board of directors unanimously recommends that the Pathmark stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

Even if you plan to attend the meeting in person, we request that you complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card and thus ensure that your shares will be represented at the special meeting even if you become unable to attend. If you sign, date and return your proxy card without indicating how you wish to vote, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted “FOR” the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and “FOR” the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies and will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors on any other matters properly brought before the meeting for a vote. If you hold your shares through a bank, brokerage firm or


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nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee regarding voting your shares.

Whether you attend the meeting or not, you may revoke a proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting. You may do so by executing and returning a proxy card dated later than the previous one or by attending the special meeting and voting in person. Simply attending the meeting, however, will not revoke your proxy. If you hold your shares through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee regarding revocation of proxies. If your bank, brokerage firm or nominee allows you to submit a proxy by telephone or the Internet, you may be able to change your vote by submitting a subsequent proxy by telephone or the Internet.

 

 

 

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

     

 

 

Marc A. Strassler
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel


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References to Additional Information

The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about A&P and Pathmark from documents that are not included in or delivered with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available to you without charge upon your written or oral request. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses and telephone numbers:

 

 

 

The Great Atlantic & Pacific
Tea Company, Inc.

Two Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645
Telephone: (201) 573-9700
Attention: Secretary

 

Pathmark Stores, Inc.
200 Milik Street
Carteret, New Jersey 07008
Telephone: (732) 499-3000
Attention: Secretary

If you would like to request documents, please do so by [  ], 2007 in order to receive them before the special meetings.

See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

About This Document

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by A&P, constitutes a prospectus of A&P under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules thereunder, with respect to the shares of A&P common stock to be issued to the holders of Pathmark common stock in connection with the merger. This document also constitutes (i) a proxy statement under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder; (ii) a notice of meeting with respect to A&P’s special meeting of stockholders, at which A&P stockholders will consider and vote upon the issuance of shares of A&P common stock to Pathmark stockholders on the terms and conditions set forth in the merger agreement; and (iii) a notice of meeting with respect to Pathmark’s special meeting of stockholders, at which Pathmark stockholders will consider and vote upon adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING PROCEDURES FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS

 

 

 

1

 

SUMMARY

 

 

5

 

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA OF A&P

 

 

16

 

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA OF PATHMARK

 

 

18

 

COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA

 

 

22

 

COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS

 

 

23

 

RISK FACTORS

 

 

24

 

SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

 

31

 

THE A&P SPECIAL MEETING

 

 

32

 

THE PATHMARK SPECIAL MEETING

 

 

35

 

ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT (PATHMARK PROPOSAL 1)

 

 

40

 

THE MERGER

 

 

40

 

General

 

 

40

 

Background of the Transaction

 

 

40

 

Pathmark’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Pathmark Board of Directors

 

 

63

 

A&P’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the A&P Board of Directors

 

 

67

 

Opinion of Pathmark’s Financial Advisor

 

 

69

 

Pathmark Projected Financial Information

 

 

77

 

Opinion of A&P’s Financial Advisor

 

 

79

 

Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger

 

 

85

 

Financing

 

 

95

 

Governmental and Regulatory Approvals

 

 

98

 

Merger Expenses, Fees and Costs

 

 

99

 

Accounting Treatment

 

 

99

 

Structure of the Merger

 

 

99

 

Certain Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

 

100

 

Appraisal Rights

 

 

101

 

Restrictions on Sales of Shares by Affiliates of Pathmark

 

 

104

 

Stock Exchange Listing

 

 

104

 

Delisting and Deregistration of Pathmark Common Stock

 

 

104

 

THE MERGER AGREEMENT

 

 

105

 

Structure and Effective Time; Marketing Period

 

 

105

 

Dissenters’ Rights

 

 

106

 

Merger Consideration

 

 

106

 

Treatment of Pathmark Stock Options, Warrants and Other Equity-Based Awards

 

 

106

 

Exchange of Pathmark Stock Certificates for A&P Stock Certificates

 

 

107

 

Directors and Officers

 

 

108

 

Transfers of Pathmark Shares; Lost Stock Certificates

 

 

108

 

Unclaimed Amounts

 

 

108

 

Representations and Warranties

 

 

108

 

Covenants and Agreements

 

 

110

 

Conditions to the Merger

 

 

119

 

Termination

 

 

120

 

Effect of Termination

 

 

122

 

Fees and Expenses

 

 

122

 

Amendment and Waiver

 

 

123

 

 


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Page

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

124

 

COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDERS’ RIGHTS

 

 

142

 

DESCRIPTION OF A&P’S CAPITAL STOCK

 

 

164

 

YUCAIPA STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

 

 

165

 

YUCAIPA VOTING AGREEMENT

 

 

167

 

TENGELMANN STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

 

 

167

 

TENGELMANN VOTING AGREEMENT

 

 

171

 

YUCAIPA WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

 

171

 

APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE PATHMARK SPECIAL MEETING (PATHMARK PROPOSAL 2)

 

 

172

 

APPROVAL OF THE A&P SHARE ISSUANCE (A&P PROPOSAL 1)

 

 

172

 

APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE A&P SPECIAL MEETING (A&P PROPOSAL 2)

 

 

173

 

EXPERTS

 

 

173

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

 

174

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

 

174

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

 

174

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex A

 

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger and Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan
of Merger

Annex B

 

 

Yucaipa Stockholder Agreement

Annex C

 

 

Yucaipa Voting Agreement

Annex D

 

 

Tengelmann Stockholder Agreement

Annex E

 

 

Tengelmann Voting Agreement

Annex F

 

 

Yucaipa Warrant Agreement

Annex G

 

 

Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Annex H

 

 

Opinion of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Annex I

 

 

Form of Amendment to the By-Laws of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea
Company, Inc.

Annex J

 

 

Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 


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 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING PROCEDURES
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS

The questions and answers below highlight only selected procedural information from this document. They do not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully the entire document and the additional documents incorporated by reference into this document because each contains important information.

 

 

 

Q:

 

What are the proposals upon which I am being asked to vote?

A:

 

A&P Stockholders. Stockholders of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (“A&P”) are being asked to vote (i) to approve the issuance of shares of A&P common stock pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 4, 2007, as amended (the “merger agreement”), by and among Pathmark Stores, Inc. (“Pathmark”), A&P and Sand Merger Corp. (“Merger Sub”), under which A&P will acquire Pathmark and its subsidiaries through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Pathmark (the “merger”), and (ii) to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

 

 

Pathmark Stockholders. Stockholders of Pathmark are being asked to vote (i) to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and (ii) to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

Q:

 

What vote of Pathmark stockholders is required for adoption of the merger agreement?

A:

 

Adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Pathmark common stock entitled to vote. Therefore, if a Pathmark stockholder abstains or fails to vote, it will have the same effect as voting against the merger agreement. You are entitled to vote on the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if you held Pathmark common stock at the close of business on the Pathmark record date, which is [  ], 2007. On that date, [  ] shares of Pathmark common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

 

The largest stockholders of Pathmark, Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund I, LP; Yucaipa American Alliance (Parallel) Fund I, LP and Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LP, which we refer to collectively as the Yucaipa Investors,” have agreed to vote the shares of Pathmark common stock that they own as of the Pathmark record date in favor of adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, provided that these voting obligations do not apply to any shares owned by the Yucaipa Investors in excess of 33% of the outstanding Pathmark common stock. The remaining shares owned by the Yucaipa Investors may be voted in the Yucaipa Investors’ discretion, although the Yucaipa Investors have expressed their present intention to vote all of the Pathmark shares they own (approximately 38% of the outstanding Pathmark common stock as of the Pathmark record date) in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement.

Q:

 

What vote of Pathmark stockholders is required for approval of the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies?

A:

 

The adoption of the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of Pathmark common stock represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote thereon.

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Q:

 

What vote of A&P stockholders is required for approval of the proposal to issue shares of A&P common stock pursuant to the merger agreement?

A:

 

The proposal to issue shares of A&P common stock pursuant to the merger agreement must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of A&P common stock, provided that the total votes cast on the proposal must represent at least a majority of the outstanding shares of A&P common stock entitled to vote on the proposal. Because approval is based on the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast, provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent at least a majority of all shares entitled to vote on the proposal, an A&P stockholder’s failure to vote will not affect the outcome of the vote to approve the issuance of A&P common stock in connection with the merger, assuming more than a majority of the outstanding shares are voted on the proposal. Because the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) treats abstentions as votes cast with respect to the proposal to issue shares of A&P common stock pursuant to the merger agreement, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal. A&P stockholders are entitled to vote on the proposal to approve the issuance of A&P common stock if they held A&P common stock at the close of business on the A&P record date, which is [  ], 2007. On the A&P record date, [  ] shares of A&P common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

 

Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG (“Tengelmann”) has agreed to vote all of its shares of A&P common stock, constituting approximately 53% of the outstanding A&P common stock as of the A&P record date, in favor of the issuance of A&P common stock in the merger. This means that the approval of the issuance of the A&P common stock pursuant to the merger agreement is assured.

Q:

 

What vote of A&P stockholders is required for approval of the proposal to adjourn or postpone the meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies?

A:

 

The adoption of the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of A&P common stock at the special meeting.

Q:

 

When do you expect the merger to be completed?

A:

 

We expect to complete the merger after (i) the Pathmark stockholders adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, at the special meeting, (ii) the A&P stockholders approve the proposal to issue shares of A&P common stock pursuant to the merger agreement at the A&P special meeting, and (iii) we receive all necessary regulatory approvals, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act, including any extension of the waiting period. We currently anticipate completing the merger in the second half of A&P’s 2007 fiscal year ending February 23, 2008.

Q:

 

If my shares are held in “street name” by a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, will they vote my shares for me?

A:

 

A&P Stockholders. You should instruct your bank, brokerage firm or nominee to vote your shares, following the directions they provide. If you do not instruct your bank, brokerage firm or nominee, they will generally not have the discretion to vote your shares. Because the approval of the proposal to issue A&P common stock in connection with the merger requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of A&P common stock at the special meeting, the failure to vote your shares will not affect the outcome of the vote on the proposal to approve the issuance of A&P common stock in connection with the merger, provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent at least a majority of all shares entitled to vote on the proposal. Because the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of A&P common stock at the special meeting, and because brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote on the proposal, the failure to instruct your broker how to vote your shares will have no effect on the approval of that proposal.

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Pathmark Stockholders. You should instruct your bank, brokerage firm or nominee to vote your shares, following the directions they provide. If you do not instruct your bank, brokerage firm or nominee, they will generally not have the discretion to vote your shares. Because the adoption of the merger agreement requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Pathmark common stock for approval, the failure to vote your shares will have the same effect as votes cast “AGAINST” adoption of the merger agreement. Because the proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present or represented at the special meeting and entitled to vote thereon, and because brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote on the proposal, the failure to instruct your broker how to vote your shares will have no effect on the approval of that proposal.

Q:

 

What do I need to do now?

A:

 

A&P Stockholders. After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please fill out and sign the proxy card, and then mail your signed proxy card in the enclosed prepaid envelope as soon as possible so that your shares may be voted at the A&P special meeting. Your signed proxy card will instruct the persons named on the card to vote your shares at the special meeting as you direct on the card. If you sign and send in your proxy card and do not indicate how you want your shares to be voted, your proxy will be voted “FOR” the approval of each of (1) the A&P proposal to approve the issuance of A&P common stock in connection with the merger, and (2) the A&P proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies. You may also authorize a proxy by telephone or through the Internet by following the instructions included with your proxy card. If you hold your shares through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee regarding voting your shares. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

 

 

Pathmark Stockholders. After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please fill out and sign the proxy card, and then mail your signed proxy card in the enclosed prepaid envelope as soon as possible so that your shares may be voted at the Pathmark special meeting. Your signed proxy card will instruct the persons named on the card to vote your shares at the Pathmark special meeting as you direct on the card. If you sign and send in your proxy card and do not indicate how you want your shares to be voted, your proxy will be voted “FOR” the approval of each of (1) the Pathmark proposal to adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and (2) the Pathmark proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies. If you hold shares through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee regarding voting your shares. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Q:

 

May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card?

A:

 

You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the A&P special meeting or the Pathmark special meeting, as the case may be. You can do this in one of the following ways. First, you can send a written notice stating that you want to revoke your proxy to:

 

 

In the case of A&P Stockholders:

 

 

Allan Richards
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Legal Services & Secretary
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Two Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645

 

 

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In the case of Pathmark Stockholders:

 

 

Marc A. Strassler
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Pathmark Stores, Inc.
200 Milik Street
Carteret, New Jersey 07008

 

 

Second, you can complete and submit a new, later-dated proxy card. Third, you can attend the A&P special meeting or the Pathmark special meeting, as the case may be, and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting, however, will not revoke your proxy; you must vote at the meeting. Fourth, A&P stockholders, but not Pathmark stockholders, can authorize a proxy by telephone or through the Internet at a later time, but not later than 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on [  ], 2007 or the day before the meeting date if the special meeting is adjourned or postponed.

 

 

If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow directions received from your broker to change your vote.

Q:

 

Should I send in my Pathmark or A&P stock certificates now?

A:

 

No. After the merger is completed, Pathmark stockholders will receive written instructions for exchanging their stock certificates.

 

 

A&P stockholders will continue to hold their A&P stock certificates following the merger and are not required to take any action with respect to their A&P stock certificates.

Q:

 

Who can help answer my questions?

A:

 

A&P Stockholders. If you have any questions about the A&P special meeting or if you need additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, please contact:

 

 

Investor Relations
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Two Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645
Telephone: (201) 573-9700

 

 

or:

 

 

Mackenzie Partners, Inc.
105 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Telephone: (800) 322-2885

 

 

Pathmark Stockholders. If you have any questions about the Pathmark special meeting or if you need additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, please contact:

 

 

Investor Relations
Pathmark Stores, Inc.
200 Milik Street
Carteret, New Jersey 07008
Telephone: (732) 499-3000

 

 

or:

 

 

Mellon Investor Services LLC
480 Washington Boulevard, 27th Floor
Jersey City, New Jersey 07310
Telephone: (800) 580-6412

 

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 SUMMARY

The following summary highlights selected information from this joint proxy statement/ prospectus and may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. Accordingly, stockholders are encouraged to carefully read this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus, its annexes and the documents referred to or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Each item in this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that item.

The Merger (Page 40)

On March 4, 2007, A&P, Merger Sub, a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of A&P, and Pathmark entered into the merger agreement, pursuant to which A&P will acquire Pathmark and its subsidiaries through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Pathmark. After the merger, Pathmark will be the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of A&P. Shares of A&P common stock received by Pathmark stockholders in the merger will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GAP.” After completion of the merger, shares of A&P common stock will continue to be traded on the NYSE, but shares of Pathmark common stock will no longer be publicly listed or traded. Upon completion of the merger, approximately 86% of A&P common stock will be held by existing A&P stockholders and approximately 14% will be held by former Pathmark stockholders on a fully diluted basis.

Merger Consideration (Page 106)

Pathmark Common Stock

Pursuant to the merger, each share of Pathmark common stock will be converted into the right to receive (i) 0.12963, which we refer to as the exchange ratio,” of a share of A&P common stock and (ii) $9.00 in cash, which we refer to as the per share cash consideration,” without interest. No fractional shares of A&P common stock will be issued in connection with the merger; holders of Pathmark common stock will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of A&P common stock they otherwise would have received in the merger.

The exchange ratio