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

10/10/07  Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea..Inc 424B3                  1:380                                    Command Financi..Corp/FA

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 424B3       Prospectus                                          HTML  2,384K 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-143212

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:

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.

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 OCTOBER 9, 2007, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE FIRST MAILED TO STOCKHOLDERS OF A&P AND PATHMARK ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 11, 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 NOVEMBER 8, 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 November 8, 2007, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, for the following purposes:

The A&P board of directors has fixed October 8, 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.

October 9, 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 NOVEMBER 8, 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 November 8, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at Pathmark’s corporate headquarters, 200 Milik Street, Carteret, New Jersey 07008, for the following purposes:

Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 8, 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.

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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:

If you would like to request documents, please do so by November 1, 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

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		Page
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION					125
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDERS’ RIGHTS					143
DESCRIPTION OF A&P’S CAPITAL STOCK					165
YUCAIPA STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT					166
YUCAIPA VOTING AGREEMENT					168
TENGELMANN STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT					168
TENGELMANN VOTING AGREEMENT					172
YUCAIPA WARRANT AGREEMENT					172
APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE PATHMARK SPECIAL MEETING (PATHMARK PROPOSAL 2)					173
APPROVAL OF THE A&P SHARE ISSUANCE (A&P PROPOSAL 1)					173
APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE A&P SPECIAL MEETING (A&P PROPOSAL 2)					174
EXPERTS					174
LEGAL MATTERS					175
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS					175
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION					175

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.

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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 October 8, 2007. On the A&P record date, 41,960,817 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 Standard Time) on November 7, 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 107)

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 is a fixed ratio, which means that it will not change between now and the time the merger is completed. Therefore, the market value of the A&P common stock received by Pathmark stockholders in the merger will depend on the market price of A&P common stock at the time the merger is completed.

For example, a Pathmark stockholder owning 1,000 shares of Pathmark common stock would receive total consideration of $9,000.00 in cash and 129 shares of A&P common stock, plus a cash payment, in lieu of the fractional interest of 0.63 shares of A&P common stock that would otherwise be receivable, determined by multiplying (i) the number of fractional shares of A&P common stock otherwise receivable by such holder, or 0.63 shares in this example, by (ii) the closing price of the A&P common stock on the NYSE on the trading day immediately prior to the closing date.

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

Outstanding Pathmark stock options granted under Pathmark stock compensation plans will become fully vested and exercisable no less than fifteen days prior to the closing date of the merger. Outstanding Pathmark stock options at the closing date of the merger and granted under Pathmark stock compensation plans, other than certain options described in the next paragraph, will be canceled. Any stock options with exercise prices less than the per share closing price of Pathmark common stock on the last trading day immediately prior to the closing date will entitle their holders to receive a lump sum cash payment to be paid as soon as practicable after the completion of the merger, in an amount based on the Pathmark closing price, as described in more detail under “Adoption of the Merger Agreement (Pathmark Proposal 1)—The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Pathmark Stock Options, Warrants and Other Equity-Based Awards.” Any stock options with

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exercise prices equal to or greater than the Pathmark closing price will be canceled for no consideration.

With respect to Pathmark stock options that were granted under Pathmark stock plans prior to June 9, 2005, Pathmark has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain consents to cancel any such options with exercise prices less than the Pathmark closing price on the last trading day immediately prior to the closing date in exchange for a lump sum cash payment as described in the previous paragraph. Any such Pathmark stock options not canceled and cashed out, or with exercise prices equal to or greater than the Pathmark closing price, will be converted into an option to purchase, on the same terms and conditions, a number of shares of A&P common stock and at an exercise price determined as described under “Adoption of the Merger Agreement (Pathmark Proposal 1)—The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Pathmark Stock Options, Warrants and Other Equity-Based Awards.”

Outstanding awards of Pathmark restricted stock units or restricted stock will become fully vested and will be converted into the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to the product of (a) the number of shares of Pathmark common stock subject to the award immediately prior to the closing and (b) the closing price of Pathmark common stock on the last trading day before the closing date, as described in more detail under “Adoption of the Merger Agreement (Pathmark Proposal 1)—The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Pathmark Stock Options, Warrants and Other Equity- Based Awards.”

The Yucaipa Investors’ existing Series A and Series B Warrants to purchase Pathmark common stock will be exchanged for warrants to purchase A&P common stock. See “Adoption of the Merger Agreement (Pathmark Proposal 1)—Yucaipa Warrant Agreement.”

A&P will assume the obligations of Pathmark under the Warrant Agreement dated as of September 19, 2000 between Pathmark and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC (the “2000 Warrant Agreement”), and the warrants issued thereunder, so that the holders of the assumed warrants will have the right to purchase A&P common stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the 2000 Warrant Agreement and the warrants thereunder.

Recommendations of the Boards of Directors

A&P (page 67). The A&P board of directors has determined that entering into the merger agreement is advisable and in the best interests of A&P and has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions it contemplates, recommended that its stockholders approve the issuance of A&P common stock pursuant to the merger agreement, and declared entering into the merger agreement advisable. For the factors considered by the A&P board of directors in reaching its decision to approve, and declare the advisability of entering into, the merger agreement and the transactions it contemplates, see “Adoption of the Merger Agreement (Pathmark Proposal 1)—The Merger—A&P’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the A&P Board of Directors.” The A&P board of directors unanimously recommends that the 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.

Pathmark (page 63). The Pathmark board of directors has determined that the merger is fair to and in the best interests of Pathmark and its stockholders and has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions it contemplates, including the merger, and has declared the merger agreement advisable. For the factors considered by the Pathmark board of directors in reaching its decision to approve, and declare the advisability of entering into, the merger agreement and the transactions it contemplates, see “Adoption of the Merger Agreement (Pathmark Proposal 1)—The Merger—Pathmark’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Pathmark Board of Directors.” 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.

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Opinions of Financial Advisors

A&P (page 79). In deciding to approve the merger and advise that A&P stockholders approve the share issuance, the A&P board of directors considered the opinion of its financial advisor, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., which we refer to as “JPMorgan,” provided to the A&P board of directors on March 4, 2007, that as of the date of the opinion, and based on and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations set forth therein, the merger consideration to be paid by A&P was fair, from a financial point of view, to A&P. A copy of the opinion of JPMorgan is attached to this document as Annex G. A&P stockholders should read the opinion completely and carefully to understand, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken by JPMorgan in providing its opinion. Additionally, A&P agreed to pay JPMorgan a transaction fee in connection with the merger, a significant portion of which is payable upon completion of the merger. The JPMorgan opinion is not a recommendation as to how any stockholder of A&P should vote with respect to the A&P share issuance or any other matter.

Pathmark (page 69). In deciding to approve the merger and advise that Pathmark stockholders approve and adopt the merger agreement, the Pathmark board of directors considered the opinion of its financial advisor, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which we refer to as “Citigroup,” provided to the Pathmark board of directors on March 4, 2007, that as of the date of the written opinion and based upon and subject to the considerations and limitations set forth in its written opinion, its work described in the written opinion and other factors it deemed relevant, the merger consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Pathmark common stock (other than the Yucaipa Group, as defined below). A copy of the opinion of Citigroup is attached to this document as Annex H. Pathmark stockholders should read the opinion completely and carefully to understand, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken by Citigroup in providing its opinion. Additionally, Pathmark agreed to pay Citigroup a transaction fee in connection with the merger, a significant portion of which is payable upon completion of the merger. The Citigroup opinion is not a recommendation as to how any stockholder should vote with respect to the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement or any other matter.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger (Page 85)

Some of the members of A&P’s and Pathmark’s management, certain members of their boards of directors and certain of their significant stockholders have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of A&P and Pathmark stockholders generally.

These interests include the right of certain of Pathmark’s executive officers to receive severance payments and benefits under the terms of existing severance agreements and the acceleration of vesting of Pathmark stock options and other equity-based awards as a result of the merger.

The Yucaipa Companies LLC (“Yucaipa Companies”), an affiliate of the Yucaipa Investors, will receive a fee in connection with termination of the Management Services Agreement dated March 23, 2005 with Pathmark (the “Management Services Agreement”) and Yucaipa Advisors, LLC (“Yucaipa Advisors”), also an affiliate of the Yucaipa Investors, will receive a transaction fee for services rendered in connection with the merger. In addition, warrants to purchase Pathmark common stock owned by the Yucaipa Investors will be converted into warrants to purchase A&P common stock and the Yucaipa Investors will receive certain registration rights for A&P shares acquired by the Yucaipa Investors in connection with the merger and those issuable upon conversion of the Yucaipa Investors’ warrants.

In addition, subject to certain conditions, in connection with the merger, Gregory Mays, a director of Pathmark, will be elected by the existing A&P directors to fill the existing vacant position on the A&P board of directors without stockholder action, as