The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Takes Price Impact's Pathmark Sav-A-Center...

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Takes Price Impact's Pathmark Sav-A-Center to Philadelphia

MONTVALE, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (A&P;) (NYSE:GAP)
today announced another critical phase in its strategic
transformation. As part of its long-standing commitment to improve
market share, sales and sustainable profitability, the Company will
convert the majority of its current SuperFresh store locations in the
Philadelphia market to its recently premiered Price Impact format
under the Pathmark Sav-A-Center banner. This already popular format
has received overwhelming success in its recently launched Irvington,
New Jersey and Edison, New Jersey locations. The dramatically
re-designed Pathmark format provides customers an expansive variety of
fresh products while also offering substantially lower prices.

   Conversions will be focused on providing customers with a
one-stop-shopping experience. As such, the majority of the format
conversions in this area will be to the new Pathmark Sav-A-Center
Price Impact format. Further, the existing Pathmark stores in this
market will also be upgraded to the new Price Impact format. In
addition, a number of SuperFresh locations will remain and retain the
Fresh format with significant upgrades. "These changes further
illustrate the Company's ongoing commitment to the Greater
Philadelphia market" states Eric Claus, President and CEO, he further
adds "These conversions are the realization of our long-term strategic
plan that leverages the addition of Pathmark to our A&P; family of
supermarkets and allows us to bring the most relevant format to our
customers."

   About A&P;

   Founded in 1859, A&P; is one of the nation's first supermarket
chains. The Company operates 447 stores in 8 states and the District
of Columbia under the following trade names: A&P;, Waldbaum's,
Pathmark, Best Cellars, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh
and Food Basics.

   This release contains forward-looking statements about the future
performance of the Company, which are based on Management's
assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently
available to it. The Company assumes no obligation to update the
information contained herein. These forward-looking statements are
subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from such statements including, but not
limited to: competitive practices and pricing in the food industry
generally and particularly in the Company's principal markets; the
Company's relationships with its employees and the terms of future
collective bargaining agreements; the costs and other effects of legal
and administrative cases and proceedings; the nature and extent of
continued consolidation in the food industry; changes in the financial
markets which may affect the Company's cost of capital and the ability
of the Company to access capital; supply or quality control problems
with the Company's vendors; and changes in economic conditions which
affect the buying patterns of the Company's customers; the failure to
successfully integrate Pathmark's business and operations and realize
synergies in the expected time frame.

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Press
Lauren La Bruno
Senior Director, Public Relations
201-571-4495
or
Investor
William J. Moss
Vice President, Treasurer
201-571-4019

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