f10q22010.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
Mark One

T
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 11, 2010

OR

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission File Number 1-4141

THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 
Maryland
 
13-1890974
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
2 Paragon Drive
 
Montvale, New Jersey 07645
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
 
(201) 573-9700
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.       YES T    NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes o No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer T   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).       YES o    NO T

As of October 20, 2010, the Registrant had a total of 56,280,414 shares of common stock - $1 par value outstanding.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – Financial Statements

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Sales
$
1,918,279
 
 
$
2,065,061
 
 $
4,483,209
 
 
$
4,855,304
 
Cost of merchandise sold
 
 (1,355,572
)
 
 
(1,441,703
)
 
 (3,156,690
)
 
 
(3,387,077
)
Gross margin
 
 562,707
 
 
 
623,358
 
 
 1,326,519
 
 
 
1,468,227
 
Store operating, general and administrative expense
 
 (631,224
)
 
 
(631,924
)
 
 (1,452,240
)
 
 
(1,478,629
)
Long-lived asset impairment
 
(30,250
)
   
-
   
(35,648
)
   
-
 
Loss from operations
 
 (98,767
)
 
 
(8,566
)
 
 (161,369
)
 
 
(10,402
)
Nonoperating income (loss)
 
 2,177
 
 
 
(7,079
)
 
 10,454
 
 
 
(8,954
)
Interest expense, net
 
(46,126
)
 
 
(48,508
)
 
 (107,268
)
 
 
(102,715
)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
 
(142,716
)
 
 
(64,153
)
 
(258,183
)
 
 
(122,071
)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes
 
(105
)
 
 
1,994
 
 
(245
)
 
 
1,608
 
Loss from continuing operations
 
(142,821
)
 
 
(62,159
)
 
 (258,428
)
 
 
(120,463
)
Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from operations of discontinued businesses, net of tax of $0
 
 (10,853
)
 
 
(18,150
)
 
 (17,968
)
 
 
(25,006
)
Gain on disposal of discontinued businesses, net of tax of $0
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 79
 
 
 
-
 
Loss from discontinued operations
 
 (10,853
)
 
 
(18,150
)
 
 (17,889
)
 
 
(25,006
)
Net loss
 
$
(153,674
)
 
$
(80,309
)
 
$
 (276,317
)
 
$
(145,469
)
Net loss per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
 $
(2.73
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
 $
 (5.01
)
 
$
(2.29
)
Discontinued operations
 
 
 (0.21
)
 
 
(0.34
)
 
 
 (0.33
)
 
 
(0.47
)
Net loss per share – basic
 
$
 (2.94
)
 
$
(1.52
)
 
$
 (5.34
)
 
$
(2.76
)
Net loss per share – diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
 $
(2.76
)
 
$
(3.06
)
 
 
(14.72
)
 
$
(5.90
)
Discontinued operations
 
 
 (0.19
)
 
 
(0.68
)
 
 
 (0.94
)
 
 
(1.19
)
Net loss per share – diluted
 
$
 (2.95
)
 
$
(3.74
)
 
$
 (15.66
)
 
$
(7.09
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
53,778,502
 
 
 
53,196,728
 
 
 
53,618,284
 
 
 
53,019,715
 
Diluted
 
 
56,970,721
 
 
 
26,614,466
 
 
 
18,949,997
 
 
 
21,044,730
 


 



See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

 
 

 
 

 
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit and Comprehensive Loss
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
Total Stockholders’ Deficit
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28 Weeks Ended September 11, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of 2/27/2010, as previously reported
 
 
55,868,129
 
 
$
55,868
 
 
$
498,144
 
 
$
(1,003,812
)
 
$
(79,403
)
 
$
(529,203
)
Retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance for own share-lending arrangements
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
28,277
 
 
 
(28,277
)
   
-
     
-
 
Balance as of 2/27/2010, as adjusted
 
 
55,868,129
 
 
 
55,868
 
 
 
526,421
 
 
 
(1,032,089
)
 
 
(79,403
)
 
 
(529,203
)
Net loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
 
(276,317
)
   
-
 
 
 
(276,317
)
Beneficial conversion feature accretion on preferred stock
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(2,591
)
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(2,591
)
Dividends on preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(7,400
)
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(7,400
)
Preferred stock financing fees amortization
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(936
)
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(936
)
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
 
380
 
 
 
380
 
Stock options exercised
 
 
4,834
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
23
 
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
28
 
Other share based awards
 
 
407,451
 
 
 
407
 
 
 
(581
)
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(174
)
Balance at end of period
 
 
56,280,414
 
 
$
56,280
 
 
$
514,936
 
 
$
(1,308,406
)
 
$
(79,023
)
 
$
(816,213
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28 Weeks Ended September 12, 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of 2/28/2009, as previously reported
 
 
57,674,799
 
 
$
57,675
 
 
$
464,679
 
 
$
(127,314
)
 
$
(105,147
)
 
$
289,893
 
Retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance for own share-lending arrangements
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
28,277
 
 
 
(28,277
)
   
-
     
-
 
Balance as of 2/28/2009, as adjusted
 
 
57,674,799
 
 
 
57,675
 
 
 
492,956
 
 
 
(155,591
)
 
 
(105,147
)
 
 
289,893
 
Net loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
 
(145,469
)
   
-
 
 
 
(145,469
)
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
 
1,550
 
 
 
1,550
 
Beneficial conversion feature related to preferred stock
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
10,601
 
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
10,601
 
Dividends on preferred stock
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(533
)
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(533
)
Preferred stock financing fees amortization
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(70
)
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(70
)
Stock options exercised
 
 
477
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
1
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
1
 
Other share based awards
 
 
668,934
 
 
 
669
 
 
 
3,374
 
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
4,043
 
Balance at end of period
 
 
58,344,210
 
 
$
58,344
 
 
$
506,329
 
 
$
(301,060
)
 
$
(103,597
)
 
$
160,016
 

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Net loss
 
$
(153,674
 )
 
$
(80,309
)
 
$
(276,317
)
 
$
(145,469
)
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax
 
 
-
 
 
 
119
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
638
 
Pension and other post-retirement benefits, net of tax
 
 
128
 
 
 
53
 
 
 
380
 
 
 
912
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
128
 
 
 
172
 
 
 
 380
 
 
 
1,550
 
Total comprehensive loss
 
$
(153,546
)
 
$
(80,137
)
 
$
(275,937
)
 
$
(143,919
)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 
 
 
 

 

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Feb. 27, 2010
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
94,343
 
 
$
252,426
 
Restricted cash
 
 
 1,691
 
 
 
1,993
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,102 and $8,812 at 9/11/2010 and 2/27/2010, respectively
 
 
150,523
 
 
 
166,143
 
Inventories, net
 
 
472,939
 
 
 
467,227
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
 
43,224
 
 
 
43,374
 
Assets held for sale
   
16,466
     
-
 
Total current assets
 
 
 779,186
 
 
 
931,163
 
Non-current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property owned, net
 
 
1,286,576
 
 
 
1,397,971
 
Property leased under capital leases, net
 
 
78,032
 
 
 
89,599
 
Property, net
 
 
1,364,608
 
 
 
1,487,570
 
Goodwill
 
 
 110,412
 
 
 
115,197
 
Intangible assets, net
 
 
 141,938
 
 
 
147,713
 
Other assets
 
 
 134,888
 
 
 
145,574
 
Total assets
 
$
 2,531,032
 
 
$
2,827,217
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
$
169,706
 
 
$
191
 
Current portion of obligations under capital leases
 
 
 13,624
 
 
 
13,702
 
Current portion of real estate liabilities
 
 
 4,293
 
 
 
4,220
 
Accounts payable
 
 
 241,122
 
 
 
227,779
 
Book overdrafts
 
 
 38,661
 
 
 
60,465
 
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
 
 
 144,700
 
 
 
145,170
 
Accrued taxes
 
 
 41,293
 
 
 
31,802
 
Other accruals
 
 
267,302
 
 
 
246,516
 
Total current liabilities
 
 
920,701
 
 
 
729,845
 
Non-current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
 832,145
 
 
 
990,359
 
Long-term obligations under capital leases
 
 
 127,635
 
 
 
136,880
 
Long-term real estate liabilities
 
 
 328,868
 
 
 
329,363
 
Deferred real estate income
 
 
 84,487
 
 
 
87,061
 
Other financial liabilities
 
 
 3,493
 
 
 
13,946
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
 
913,636
 
 
 
936,209
 
Total liabilities
 
 
 3,210,965
 
 
 
3,223,663
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A redeemable preferred stock – no par value, $1,000 redemption value; authorized – 700,000 shares;
               
         issued – 175,000 shares
 
 
136,280
 
 
 
132,757
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Refer to Note 18)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' deficit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock – $1 par value; authorized – 260,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding – 56,280,414 and 55,868,129 shares at 9/11/2010 and 2/27/2010, respectively
 
 
56,280
 
 
 
55,868
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
 
514,936
 
 
 
526,421
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
 (79,023
)
 
 
(79,403
)
Accumulated deficit
 
 
(1,308,406
)
 
 
(1,032,089
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
 
 
(816,213
)
 
 
(529,203
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
 
$
2,531,032
 
 
$
2,827,217
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 

 

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(276,317
)
 
$
(145,469
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities (see next page)
 
 
197,435
 
 
 
206,882
 
Other changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in receivables
 
 
17,534
 
 
 
21,454
 
Increase in inventories
 
 
(7,209
)
 
 
(17,236
)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
 
(7,560
)
 
 
(25,054
)
Increase in other assets
 
 
 (2,799
)
 
 
(9,928
)
Increase in accounts payable
 
 
13,319
 
 
 
60,147
 
Increase (decrease) in accrued salaries, wages and benefits, and taxes
 
 
2,308
 
 
 
(14,282
)
Increase (decrease) in other accruals
 
 
7,893
 
 
 
(8,712
)
Decrease in other non-current liabilities
 
 
(38,928
)
 
 
(47,916
)
Other operating activities, net
 
 
(99
)
 
 
1,340
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
 
(94,423
)
 
 
21,226
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenditures for property
 
 
(43,447
)
 
 
(50,005
)
Proceeds from disposal of property
 
 
8,739
 
 
 
3,311
 
Proceeds from flood insurance
   
4,910
     
-
 
Proceeds from sale of joint venture
 
 
-
 
 
 
5,914
 
Decrease in restricted cash
 
 
302
 
 
 
222
 
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities
 
 
-
 
 
 
2,224
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
 
(29,496
)
 
 
(38,334
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
 
800
 
 
 
253,201
 
Principal payments on long-term borrowings
 
 
 (134
)
 
 
(163
)
Proceeds under revolving lines of credit
   
201,600
 
 
 
39,450
 
Principal payments on revolving lines of credit
   
(200,700
)
 
 
(238,333
)
Proceeds under line of credit
   
-
 
 
 
378
 
Principal payments on line of credit
   
-
 
 
 
(2,224
)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
 
 
-
 
 
 
175,000
 
Proceeds from long-term real estate liabilities
   
-
 
 
 
170
 
Principal payments on long-term real estate liabilities
 
 
(631
)
 
 
(620
)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transaction
   
-
 
 
 
3,000
 
Principal payments on capital leases
 
 
(6,317
)
 
 
(5,772
)
Decrease in book overdrafts
 
 
(21,804
)
 
 
(11,913
)
Deferred financing fees
 
 
(6
)
 
 
(22,648
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
   
(7,000
)
 
 
-
 
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 
 
28
 
 
 
1
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
 
(34,164
)
 
 
189,527
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
 
(158,083
)
 
 
172,419
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
 
252,426
 
 
 
175,375
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
94,343
 
 
$
347,794
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the year for interest
 
$
80,730
 
 
$
67,971
 
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
 
$
 178
 
 
$
6,480
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 

 


The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Continued
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET LOSS TO NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
121,897
 
 
$
135,572
 
Impairment of long-lived assets
 
 
36,792
 
 
 
3,739
 
Self insurance reserve
   
21,661
     
1,613
 
Nonoperating (income) loss
 
 
 (10,454
)
 
 
8,954
 
Non-cash interest expense
 
 
 23,258
 
 
 
27,393
 
Stock compensation (income) expense
 
 
 (101
)
 
 
4,043
 
Pension withdrawal costs
 
 
-
 
 
 
2,445
 
Employee benefit related costs
 
 
 6,713
 
 
 
-
 
LIFO adjustment
 
 
 1,497
 
 
 
2,166
 
Asset disposition initiatives in the normal course of business
 
 
-
 
 
 
(2,470
)
Asset disposition initiatives relating to discontinued operations
 
 
 4
 
 
 
 11,468
 
Non-cash occupancy charges for stores closed in the normal course of business
 
 
 466
 
 
 
18,374
 
Gain on disposal of owned property, net
 
 
 (1,807
)
 
 
(3,580
)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
 
 
 (79
)
 
 
-
 
Amortization of deferred real estate income
 
 
(2,412
)
 
 
 (2,835
)
Total non-cash adjustments to net loss
 
$
197,435
 
 
$
206,882
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 

 
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


1.
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit and Comprehensive Loss, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, and the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010 of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “us” or “our Company”) are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for such periods.  The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in our Fiscal 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our Company and all subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.  Refer to Note 2 – Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements below for prior period reclassifications made upon our retrospective adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) relating to accounting for share lending agreements entered into in contemplation of a convertible debt issuance.

During the first half of fiscal 2010, our operating results were significantly below those for the prior year and our expectations.  Therefore, to improve our performance and to meet our liquidity needs over the next twelve months, including the debt maturity of $165.0 million on June 15, 2011, our Company has completed the initial steps of a comprehensive turnaround plan designed to strengthen liquidity and improve operations.  As part of our liquidity initiatives, we signed an agreement on September 3, 2010 for the sale of seven non-core stores in Connecticut for $22.8 million expected to close in early November.  We are also pursuing additional financing through a new term loan, sale-leaseback transactions and sales of additional non-core assets, as well as reviewing our store portfolio for additional opportunities.  However, there is uncertainty regarding whether our Company can complete all or a portion of these efforts and, if these do not occur, there is substantial doubt about our Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Significant Accounting Policies

A summary of our significant accounting policies may be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 27, 2010.  There have been no significant changes in these policies during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

Self insurance Reserves
During the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, our worker’s compensation and general liability reserves increased by $23.2 million ($17.7 million for continuing operations and $5.5 million for discontinued operations), primarily due to a change in estimate of approximately $21.6 million related to the negative development of prior year claims of approximately $17.7 million and the related state assessments for such claims of approximately $3.9 million. These estimates are determined by actuarial projections of losses.


2.
Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Share Lending Arrangements.  In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for one’s own-share lending arrangements entered into in contemplation of a convertible debt issuance or other financing, which requires share lending arrangements to be measured at fair value and recognized as a debt issuance cost, and amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the financing arrangement as interest cost.  The loaned shares are excluded from basic and diluted earnings per share, unless a default occurs.  When a default becomes probable, an expense equal to the fair value of the unreturned loaned shares, net of any probable recoveries, must be recognized.  This guidance was effective beginning with our fiscal 2010, with retrospective application required.  The fair values of our share lending agreements with the Bank of America and Lehman Brothers International Europe (“Lehman Europe”) were immaterial at inception.  Our share lending arrangement with Lehman Europe, who is a party to a 3,206,058 share lending agreement with our Company, is subject to this default provision guidance as a result of their September 15, 2008 bankruptcy filing.  In connection with Lehman Europe’s default, during the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we recorded a retrospective adjustment of $28.3 million to our third quarter of fiscal 2008 financial statements by charging “Store operating, general and administrative expense” and crediting “Additional paid-in-capital”, which represents the fair value of the unreturned shares at September 15, 2008.  This expense is reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 27, 2010 and September 11, 2010 as an adjustment to opening “Accumulated deficit” and “Additional paid-in capital”.  We have been including the loaned shares in our Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share since September 15, 2008.

Variable Interest Entities.  In June 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance relating to consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which amends the current accounting guidance for determining whether an entity is a VIE and defining the primary beneficiary.  This guidance also requires additional disclosures relating to involvement with a VIE. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of our fiscal 2010.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements.  In January 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance requiring additional disclosures about the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, valuation techniques and inputs used, the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, and the transfers between Levels 1 and 2.  It also clarified guidance around disaggregation and disclosures of inputs and valuation techniques for Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements.  The current guidance is effective beginning with the first quarter of our fiscal 2010, except for the new disclosures relating to the Level 3 reconciliation, which are effective for the first quarter of our fiscal 2011.  Refer to Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements for our Company’s fair value measurements and disclosures.

 
3.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The carrying values of our finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable.   Our intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite useful lives that are not subject to amortization are tested for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.  The latest impairment assessment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 for the reporting units within our Gourmet and Other reportable segments and in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 for the reportable units in our Fresh and Pathmark reportable segments. These assessments concluded that there was no impairment as of June 19, 2010.

Goodwill

We considered whether there have been any triggering events requiring an interim impairment test in the second quarter and concluded that an impairment analysis was not required; however, we will continue to monitor actual results and projections, and if we experience a continued decline in operations, an impairment charge may be required in the future.

We believe that our estimates are appropriate based on our current trends.  However, we can provide no assurance that we will not be required to make adjustments to goodwill in the future due to market conditions or other factors related to our performance, including a decline in our forecasted results resulting from changes in projected on-going profitability, our capital investment budgets or changes in our interest rates.

The carrying amount of our goodwill was $110.4 million and $115.2 million at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010, respectively.  Goodwill for our Fresh segment was reduced by $4.8 million to reflect a transfer to Assets held for sale for the portion of goodwill associated with the 7 stores to be sold in Connecticut which are expected to close in early November.  Our goodwill allocation by segment at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010 was as follows:

 
 
Fresh
 
 
Pathmark
 
 
Gourmet
 
 
Other
 
 
Total
 
Goodwill
 
$
120,817
 
 
$
321,840
 
 
$
12,110
 
 
$
5,974
 
 
$
460,741
 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
(23,704
)
 
 
(321,840
)
   
-
     
-
 
 
 
(345,544
)
  Goodwill at February 27, 2010
 
$
97,113
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
12,110
 
 
$
5,974
 
 
$
115,197
 
Transfer to Assets held for sale*
   
(4,785
)
   
-
 
   
-
 
   
-
 
   
(4,785
)
  Goodwill at September 11, 2010
 
$
92,328
   
$
-
 
 
$
12,110
   
$
5,974
   
$
110,412
 
*  Relates to the sale of seven stores in Connecticut. Refer to Note 16 – Assets Held for Sale

Intangible Assets, net

Intangible assets acquired as part of our acquisition of Pathmark in December 2007 consisted of the following:

 
 
Weighted Average Amortization Period (years)
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
 
Accumulated Amortization at Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Accumulated Amortization at Feb. 27, 2010
 
Pathmark trademark
 
Indefinite
 
 
$
60,900
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
Loyalty card customer relationships
 
 
5
 
 
 
19,200
 
 
 
9,868
 
 
 
7,595
 
In-store advertiser relationships
 
 
20
 
 
 
14,720
 
 
 
 2,038
 
 
 
1,642
 
Pharmacy payor relationships
 
 
13
 
 
 
75,000
 
 
 
 15,976
 
 
 
12,870
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
$
169,820
 
 
$
 27,882
 
 
$
22,107
 


Amortization expense relating to our intangible assets for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009 was $2.5 million during each period.  Amortization expense for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009 was $5.8 million during each period.

The following table summarizes the estimated future amortization expense for our finite-lived intangible assets:
2010
 
$
4,950
 
2011
 
 
10,725
 
2012
 
 
9,670
 
2013
 
 
6,505
 
2014
 
 
6,505
 
Thereafter
 
 
42,683
 


4.
Fair Value Measurements

The accounting guidance for fair value measurement defines and establishes a framework for measuring fair value.  Inputs used to measure fair value are classified based on the following three-tier fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Directly or indirectly observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices in active markets. Our Level 2 liabilities include warrants, which are valued using the Black Scholes pricing model with inputs that are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data.  In addition, our investments in money market funds, which are considered cash equivalents, are classified as Level 2, as they are valued based on their reported Net Asset Value (NAV).

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flows, or similar methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation.

A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010:

 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at September 11, 2010 Using
 
 
 
Total Carrying Value at Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
1,601
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
1,601
 
 
$
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series B Warrant
 
$
3,493
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
3,493
 
 
$
-
 

 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at February 27, 2010 Using
 
 
 
Total Carrying Value at
Feb. 27, 2010
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
158,695
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
158,695
 
 
$
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series B Warrant
 
$
13,946
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
13,946
 
 
$
-
 

There were no transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

Level 3 Valuations
We did not have any financial assets or liabilities classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010.

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis.  Fair value measurements of our nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs are primarily used in the impairment analyses of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, our long-lived assets and closed store occupancy costs.  Refer to Note 3 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for further information relating to the carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets.  Long-lived assets and closed store occupancy costs were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs, as unobservable inputs were used to measure their fair value.  Refer to Note 5 – Valuation of Long-Lived Assets, Note 14 – Discontinued Operations and Note 15 – Asset Disposition Initiatives for more information relating to the valuation of these assets and liabilities.

Long-Term Debt
The following table provides the carrying values recorded on our balance sheet and the estimated fair values of financial instruments at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010:

 
 
At September 11, 2010
 
 
At February 27, 2010
 
 
 
Carrying Amount
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Carrying Amount
 
 
Fair Value
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
$
169,706
 
 
$
126,184
 
 
$
191
 
 
$
191
 
Long-term debt, net of related discount
 
 
 832,145
 
 
 
624,152
 
 
 
990,359
 
 
 
962,040
 

Our long-term debt includes borrowings under our line of credit, credit agreement, related party promissory note and our other notes.  The fair value of our debt securities is determined based on quoted market prices for such notes in non-active markets.


5.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

We review the carrying values of our long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable.

Impairments due to closure or conversion in the normal course of business
We review assets in stores planned for closure or conversion for impairment upon determination that such assets will not be used for their intended useful life.  During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we recorded impairment losses on long-lived assets of $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to stores that were closed or converted in the normal course of business, as compared to $2.6 million and $3.7 million in impairment losses recorded during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009.  These amounts were recorded within “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments due to store closures
In August 2010, our Company announced a plan to close 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive turnaround. The affected stores include locations in close proximity to other Company stores, those facing real estate and cost issues, and underperforming non-core stores. The store closures are expected to be completed in the Company’s fiscal third quarter. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $23.7 million during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010. This amount was recorded within “Long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. There were no such closures during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009.

Impairments due to unrecoverable assets
As a result of experiencing cash flow losses at certain stores, we determined that a triggering event had occurred that required us to test the related long-lived assets for potential impairment.  We recorded an impairment charge of $6.6 million and $12.0 million during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, respectively, to partially write down these stores’ long-lived assets, which consist of favorable leases, capital leases, and land and buildings, with a carrying amount of $22.0 million to their fair value of $15.4 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  The impairment charge of $6.6 million during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 all related to Pathmark. The impairment charge of $12.0 million recorded during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 all related to Pathmark with the exception of $0.9 million which related to SuperFresh. These amounts were recorded within “Long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The effects of changes in estimates of useful lives were not material to ongoing depreciation expense.  If current operating levels do not improve, there may be a need to take further actions which may result in additional future impairments on long-lived assets, including the potential for impairment of assets that are held and used.


6.
Other Accruals

Other accruals at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010 were comprised of the following:

 
 
At
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
At
Feb. 27, 2010
 
Self-insurance reserves
 
$
74,955
 
 
$
74,221
 
Deferred taxes
 
 
 10,825
 
 
 
3,295
 
Closed store and warehouse reserves
 
 
 65,726
 
 
 
62,189
 
Pension withdrawal liabilities
 
 
 10,461
 
 
 
10,461
 
GHI Contractual Liability
 
 
 8,229
 
 
 
8,066
 
Accrued occupancy related costs for open stores
 
 
 28,439
 
 
 
26,952
 
Deferred income
 
 
 28,988
 
 
 
26,534
 
Deferred real estate income
 
 
 2,612
 
 
 
2,775
 
Accrued audit, legal and other
 
 
 8,724
 
 
 
8,758
 
Accrued interest
 
 
 18,049
 
 
 
12,509
 
Other postretirement and postemployment benefits
 
 
 2,674
 
 
 
2,674
 
Accrued advertising
 
 
 931
 
 
 
1,911
 
Dividends payable on preferred stock
 
 
 3,383
 
 
 
2,982
 
Other share-based awards
   
74
     
-
 
Other
 
 
 3,232
 
 
 
3,189
 
Total
 
$
 267,302
 
 
$
246,516
 


 
 
 
 

 


7.
Other Non-Current Liabilities

Other non-current liabilities at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010 were comprised of the following:

 
 
At
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
At
Feb. 27, 2010
 
Deferred taxes
 
$
3,836
 
 
$
11,367
 
Self-insurance Reserves
 
 
 224,262
 
 
 
208,419
 
Closed Store and Warehouse Reserves
 
 
 166,566
 
 
 
187,911
 
Pension Withdrawal Liabilities
 
 
 86,612
 
 
 
89,495
 
GHI Contractual Liability for Employee Benefits
 
 
 88,809
 
 
 
87,703
 
Pension Plan Benefits
 
 
 112,673
 
 
 
109,549
 
Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
 
 
 36,431
 
 
 
36,091
 
Corporate Owned Life Insurance Liability
 
 
 59,352
 
 
 
60,436
 
Deferred Rent Liabilities
 
 
 58,468
 
 
 
57,963
 
Deferred Income
 
 
 59,767
 
 
 
68,250
 
Unfavorable Lease Liabilities
 
 
 4,883
 
 
 
5,391
 
Other
 
 
 11,977
 
 
 
13,634
 
Total
 
$
 913,636
 
 
$
936,209
 


8.
Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities

Our debt obligations at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010 consisted of the following:

 
 
At
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
At
Feb. 27, 2010
 
5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011
 
$
159,434
 
 
$
155,333
 
Related Party Promissory Note, due August 18, 2011
 
 
 10,000
 
 
 
10,000
 
9.125% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2011
 
 
 12,840
 
 
 
12,840
 
6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due December 15, 2012
 
 
 229,010
 
 
 
223,838
 
11.375% Senior Secured Notes, due August 4, 2015
 
 
 254,130
 
 
 
253,668
 
9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039
 
 
 200,000
 
 
 
200,000
 
Borrowings under Credit Agreement
 
 
 133,800
 
 
 
132,900
 
Other
 
 
 2,637
 
 
 
1,971
 
 
 
 
 1,001,851
 
 
 
990,550
 
Less current portion of long-term debt
 
 
(169,706
)*
 
 
(191
)
Long-term debt
 
$
 832,145
 
 
$
990,359
 

* Primarily represents our obligation relating to the $165.0 million 5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011, which is recorded at a discount.

Credit Agreement
On July 23, 2009, we entered into an amended $655.0 million Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with Banc of America Securities LLC and Bank of America, N.A., as the co-lead arranger (“Credit Agreement”) in connection with our private offering of senior secured notes and the sale of preferred stock.  The Credit Agreement expires in December 2012.  Subject to borrowing base requirements, the Credit Agreement provides for a term loan of $82.9 million, a term loan of $50.0 million and a revolving credit facility of $522.1 million enabling us to borrow funds and issue letters of credit on a revolving basis.  The Credit Agreement also provides for an increase in commitments of up to an additional $100.0 million, subject to agreement of new and existing lenders.  Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by certain assets of our Company, including, but not limited to, inventory, certain accounts receivable, pharmacy scripts and certain owned real estate.  Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on LIBOR or Prime interest rate pricing.  The terms of this agreement restrict our ability to pay cash dividends on common shares.  Subject to certain conditions, we are permitted to make bond repurchases and may do so from time to time in the future.

At September 11, 2010, there were $133.8 million of loans and $197.7 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement.  At September 11, 2010, after reducing availability for borrowing base requirements, we had $181.3 million available under the Credit Agreement.  In addition, we have invested cash available to reduce borrowings under this Credit Agreement or to use for future operations of $0.1 million as of September 11, 2010.  The remainder of our cash is in-transit or is used in our stores for operations.

Warrants
Our Series B warrants issued as part of the acquisition of Pathmark on December 3, 2007, are exercisable at $32.40 and expire on June 9, 2015.  The Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG (“Tengelmann”)  stockholders have the right to approve any issuance of common stock under these warrants upon exercise (assuming Tengelmann’s outstanding interest is at least 25% and subject to liquidity impairments defined within the Tengelmann Stockholder Agreement).  In addition, Tengelmann has the ability to exercise a “Put Right” whereby it has the ability to require our Company to purchase our common stock held by Tengelmann to settle these warrants.  Based on the rights provided to Tengelmann, our Company does not have sole discretion to determine whether the payment upon exercise of these warrants will be settled in cash or through issuance of an equivalent portion of our shares.  Therefore, these warrants are recorded as liabilities and marked-to-market each reporting period based on our Company’s current stock price.

The value of the Series B warrants as of September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010 was $3.5 million and $13.9 million, respectively, and is included in “Other financial liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Our “Nonoperating income (loss)” for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 was comprised of gains of $2.2 million and $10.5 million, respectively, relating to market value adjustments for Series B warrants.  Market value adjustments for Series B warrants recorded during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, consisted of losses of $7.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively.  The following assumptions and estimates were used in the Black-Scholes model used to value the Series B warrants:

 
 
At
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
At
Feb. 27, 2010
 
Expected life
 
4.74 years
 
 
5.28 years
 
Volatility
 
 74.9
%
 
 
68.6
%
Dividend yield range
 
 
0
%
 
 
0
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
 
 1.59
%
 
 
2.30
%

Call Option and Financing Warrants
On or about October 3, 2008, Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives, Inc. or “LBOTC,” which accounts for 50% of our call option and financing warrant transactions, filed for bankruptcy protection, which is an event of default under such transactions.  We are carefully monitoring the developments affecting LBOTC, noting the impact of the LBOTC bankruptcy effectively reduced conversion prices for 50% of our convertible senior notes to their stated prices of $36.40 for the 5.125% Notes and $37.80 for the 6.750% Notes.

In the event we terminate these transactions, or they are canceled in bankruptcy, or LBOTC otherwise fails to perform its obligations under such transactions, we would have the right to monetary damages in the form of an unsecured claim against LBOTC in an amount equal to the present value of our cost to replace these transactions with another party for the same period and on the same terms.


9.
Redeemable Preferred Stock

On August 4, 2009, our Company issued 60,000 shares of 8.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A-T, without par value, to affiliates of Tengelmann and 115,000 shares of 8.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A-Y, without par value, to affiliates of Yucaipa Companies LLC (“Yucaipa”), together referred to as the “Preferred Stock,” for approximately $162.8 million, after deducting approximately $12.2 million in closing and issuance costs. Each share of the Preferred Stock has an initial liquidation preference of one thousand dollars, subject to adjustment.

Holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to an 8.0% dividend, payable quarterly in arrears in cash or in additional shares of Preferred Stock if our Company does not meet the liquidity levels required to pay the dividends.  If our Company makes a dividend payment in additional shares of Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock shall be valued at the liquidation preference of the Preferred Stock and the dividend rate will be 8.0% plus 1.5%.

Upon issuance, the 57,750 shares that were convertible without shareholder approval were recorded within temporary equity and 117,250 shares that originally required shareholder approval in order to become convertible were recorded as a liability.  Dividends and deferred financing fees amortization were recorded within Interest Expense” for the portion of Preferred Stock that was classified as a liability prior to receiving shareholder approval, and within “Additional paid-in capital” for the portion of Preferred Stock that was classified within temporary equity.  At September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010, the entire Preferred Stock issuance was classified within temporary stockholders equity, as a result of receiving the required share holder approval authorizing the convertibility of the shares originally classified as a liability on December 15, 2009.  During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we accrued Preferred Stock dividends of $3.1 million and $7.4 million, respectively, within “Additional paid-in capital,” and paid Preferred Stock cash dividends of nil and $7.0 million, respectively.  During the 12 weeks ended September 12, 2009, we accrued Preferred Stock cash dividends of $1.6 million, $1.1 million of which has been recorded within “Interest expense” and $0.5 million recorded within “Additional paid-in capital”. In addition, during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we recorded deferred financing fees amortization of $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and accreted $1.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, relating to the embedded beneficial conversion features within “Additional paid-in capital”.  During the 12 weeks ended September 12, 2009, we recorded $0.2 million of deferred financing fees amortization, $0.1 million of which was recorded within “Interest expense” and $0.1 million recorded within “Additional paid-in capital”, and we accreted $0.2 million relating to the beneficial conversion feature through “Additional paid-in capital”.


10.
Stock Based Compensation

At September 11, 2010, we had two stock-based compensation plans, the 2008 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan and the 2004 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.  The general terms of each plan are reported in our Fiscal 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The components of our compensation expense (income) related to stock-based incentive plans were as follows:

 
 
For the 12 Weeks Ended
 
 
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11,
 
 
Sept. 12,
 
 
Sept. 11,
 
 
Sept. 12,
 
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
Stock options
 
$
122
 
 
$
443
 
 
$
(246
)
 
$
815
 
Restricted stock units
 
 
 424
 
 
 
 336
 
 
 
 655
 
 
 
 450
 
Performance restricted stock units
 
 
 27
 
 
 
 237
 
 
 
(946
)
 
 
 2,411
 
Common stock granted to Directors
 
 
 187
 
 
 
 174
 
 
 
 436
 
 
 
 367
 
Total stock-based compensation expense (income)*
 
$
 760
 
 
$
 1,190
 
 
$
(101
)
 
$
 4,043
 
___________________________
* The stock compensation income recorded during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 primarily related to increased forfeitures.

 
 
 
 

 



A summary of stock-based compensation related grants for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 is as follows:

 
 
Underlying Shares
 
 
Weighted-Avg. Grant Date Fair Value
 
Stock options
 
 
6,423,047
 
 
$
1.98
 
Restricted stock units
 
 
 390,000
 
 
 
 3.35
 

During the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we also granted common stock to each non-employee member of our Board of Directors valued at $90 thousand.  The price of $3.95 was based upon the closing price of stock on the day of the grant following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Stock options.
Stock options granted in fiscal 2010 vest 33% during each of the fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013.  As of September 11, 2010, approximately $11.0 million, after tax, of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock option awards, will be recognized over a weighted average period of  2.9 years.

The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes pricing model for option grants that occurred during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009:

 
 
28 Weeks Ended
Sept. 11, 2010
 
   
 
28 Weeks Ended Sept. 12, 2009
Expected life
 
 
6 years
   
 
 
7 years
Volatility
 
 
70.1% - 70.6%
   
 
 
 
126
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
 
1.67% - 2.05%
   
 
 
 
0.05
%

During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company issued stock options for 1,846,542 shares of the Company’s common stock in excess of the number of shares available for issuance under the 2008 Plan. Shareholder approval is required to authorize an increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2008 Plan. We anticipate receiving such approval during the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Accordingly, the quarterly stock-based compensation relating to these options has been classified in other accruals. Once shareholder approval is obtained, this amount will be reclassified as equity.

Restricted Stock.
For restricted stock units granted in 2010, one-fourth of the awards will vest at the end of fiscal 2011 and three-fourths will vest at the end of fiscal 2013, subject to the recipients of such restricted stock units meeting the appropriate eligibility and service conditions.  The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 was $1.3 million.  As of September 11, 2010, approximately $3.3 million, net of tax, of total unrecognized compensation expense relating to restricted stock units granted during fiscal 2009 and 2010, is expected to be recognized through fiscal 2013.

Performance Restricted Stock Units.
We are currently not recognizing stock compensation expense for any of our non-integration related grants due to our determination that the related performance conditions will not be achieved. The total fair value of integration related performance restricted stock units that vested during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 was $0.2 million.

As of September 11, 2010, we expect to recognize approximately $1.0 million of unrecognized fair value compensation expense for performance restricted stock units granted under our fiscal 2007 executive and non-executive Integration Programs, through fiscal 2011, based on estimates of attaining vesting criteria.


11.
Retirement Plans and Benefits

Defined Benefit Plans
The components of our net pension cost were as follows:

 
 
For the 12 Weeks Ended
 
 
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11,
 
 
Sept. 12,
 
 
Sept. 11,
 
 
Sept. 12,
 
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
Service cost
 
$
1,407
 
 
$
1,545
 
 
$
3,565
 
 
$
3,568
 
Interest cost
 
 
6,662
 
 
 
6,819
 
 
 
 15,591
 
 
 
15,638
 
Expected return on plan assets
 
 
 (6,640
)
 
 
(5,708
)
 
 
 (15,493
)
 
 
(13,319
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net prior service cost
 
 
 -
 
 
 
68
 
 
 
 81
 
 
 
159
 
Actuarial loss
 
 
 439
 
 
 
1,090
 
 
 
 1,024
 
 
 
2,525
 
Special termination benefits
 
 
 350
 
 
 
250
 
 
 
 400
 
 
 
650
 
Net pension cost
 
$
 2,218
 
 
$
4,064
 
 
$
 5,168
 
 
$
9,221
 

Effective June 30, 2010, a portion of our cash-balance pension plan has been frozen to new participants.

As of September 11, 2010, we contributed approximately $3.6 million to our defined benefit plans.  We plan to contribute approximately $3.4 million to our plans during the remainder of fiscal 2010.

Postretirement Plans
The components of our net postretirement benefits cost were as follows:

 
 
For the 12 Weeks Ended
 
 
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11,
 
 
Sept. 12,
 
 
Sept. 11,
 
 
Sept. 12,
 
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
 
2010
 
 
2009
 
Service cost
 
$
151
 
 
$
117
 
 
$
352
 
 
$
273
 
Interest cost
 
 
 428
 
 
 
449
 
 
 
 999
 
 
 
1,048
 
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Prior service credit
 
 
 (198
)
 
 
(310
)
 
 
 (462
)
 
 
(725
)
   Actuarial gain
 
 
 (112
 )
 
 
(189
)
 
 
 (262
)
 
 
(441
)
Net postretirement benefits cost
 
$
 269
 
 
$
67
 
 
$
 627
 
 
$
155
 

Our current estimates are subject to change due to changes in actuarial assumptions and further clarifications provided by additional regulatory guidance expected to be released later this year and in future years.  We will perform a comprehensive valuation and will reflect the impact of the Healthcare Reform on our postretirement benefits obligation during the fourth quarter of our fiscal 2010.

GHI Contractual Obligation
As of September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010, the fair value of our contractual obligation to Grocery Hauler Inc.’s (GHI’s) employees was $97.0 million and $95.8 million, respectively, using discount rates of 5.25% and 5.75%, respectively, which were derived from the published zero-coupon AA corporate bond yields. Our contractual obligation relates to pension benefits for GHI’s employees and is included within “Other accruals” and “Other non-current liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Additions to our GHI contractual obligation for current service costs and actuarial gains and losses are recorded within “Cost of merchandise sold” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations at their current value.  Accretion of the obligation to present value is recorded within “Interest expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.   During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we recognized service costs of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and interest expense of $4.1 million and $8.5 million, respectively, representing interest accretion on this obligation, as well as the impact of the lower discount rates used to value this obligation, resulting from declines in the published zero-coupon AA corporate bond yields during each period.   During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, we recognized service costs of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and interest expense of $9.0 million and $15.4 million, respectively. During the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, benefit payments of $7.7 million and $8.1 million, respectively, were made by the Pathmark Pension Plan.

Multi-employer Union Pension Plans
We participate in various multi-employer pension plans which are administered jointly by management and union representatives.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we made a standard withdrawal from one of our multi-employer pension plans, to limit our pension benefit obligation to our employees, as we believed that this plan was likely to have funding challenges and would require higher contributions in the future, and recorded standard withdrawal liability of $28.9 million.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, we received notification that the trustees of the multi-employer pension plan have voted to go into a mass withdrawal.  The impact of the mass withdrawal to our Company is not currently estimable, therefore no adjustment has been recorded in our consolidated financial statements. We may have a potential additional withdrawal obligation of up to $50 million payable over a period of up to 25 years in the future.  This preliminary estimate is subject to change due to the uncertainty as to the number of participants that will be subject to mass withdrawal and the finalization of asset values and calculations by the multi-employer pension plan.


12.
Interest Expense, net

Interest expense is comprised of the following:

 
 
For the 12 weeks ended
 
 
For the 28 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
$655 million Credit Agreement
 
$
3,104
 
 
$
3,208
 
 
$
7,109
 
 
$
9,378
 
Related Party Promissory Note, due Aug. 18, 2011
 
 
 138
 
 
 
137
 
 
 
 325
 
 
 
320
 
11.375% Senior Secured Notes, due Aug. 1, 2015
 
 
 6,808
 
 
 
3,565
 
 
 
 15,958
 
 
 
3,565
 
9.125% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2011
 
 
 269
 
 
 
270
 
 
 
 629
 
 
 
630
 
5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011
 
 
 1,941
 
 
 
1,951
 
 
 
 4,542
 
 
 
4,553
 
6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due December 15, 2012
 
 
3,950
 
 
 
3,972
 
 
 
 9,245
 
 
 
9,268
 
9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039
 
 
 4,280
 
 
 
4,280
 
 
 
 10,095
 
 
 
10,124
 
Capital Lease Obligations and Real Estate Liabilities
 
 
 11,293
 
 
 
11,964
 
 
 
 26,735
 
 
 
28,047
 
Dividends on Preferred Stock Liability
 
 
-
 
 
 
1,082
 
 
 
 -
 
 
 
1,082
 
Self Insurance and GHI Interest
 
 
 3,752
 
 
 
3,446
 
 
 
 8,871
 
 
 
8,128
 
GHI Discount Rate Adjustment and COLI Non-cash Interest
 
 
 3,759
 
 
 
8,443
 
 
 
 7,648
 
 
 
14,087
 
Amortization of Deferred Financing Fees and Discounts
 
 
 6,647
 
 
 
6,073
 
 
 
 15,381
 
 
 
13,306
 
Other
 
 
 194
 
 
 
168
 
 
 
 769
 
 
 
319
 
Total interest expense
   
46,135
     
48,559
     
107,307
     
102,807
 
Interest income
   
(9
)
   
(51
)
   
(39
)
   
(92
)
Total
 
$
46,126
 
 
$
48,508
 
 
$
 107,268
 
 
$
102,715
 


13.
Income Taxes

During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, our valuation allowance increased by $60.0 million and $108.6 million, respectively, to reflect generation of additional operating losses.  During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, our valuation allowance decreased by $2.1 million and increased by $21.8 million, respectively, to reflect generation of additional operating losses, offset by an adjustment to the valuation allowance that was released in connection with the original purchase price allocation for Pathmark.  In future periods, we will continue to record a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that are created by losses until such time as the certainty of future tax benefits can be reasonably assured.

Our Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax, as well as income tax in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions.  As of September 11, 2010, with a few exceptions, we remain subject to examination by federal, state and local tax authorities for tax years 2004 through 2008.  With a few exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for tax years 2003 and prior.  At September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $1.4 million, which were recorded within deferred tax liabilities in “Other accruals”.  We do not expect that the amount of our gross unrecognized tax positions will change significantly in the next 12 months.  Any future decrease in our Company's gross unrecognized tax positions would require a reevaluation of our Company's valuation allowance maintained on our net deferred tax asset and, therefore, is not expected to affect our effective tax rate.  Our Company classifies interest and penalty expense related to unrecognized tax benefits within “Benefit from (provision for) income taxes” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  For the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, no amounts were recorded for interest and penalties within “Provision for income taxes” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The effective tax rate on continuing operations of 0.07% and 0.09% for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, respectively, and 3.1% and 1.3% for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, varied from the statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to state and local income taxes, the increase in our valuation allowance and the impact of the Pathmark financing.

At September 11, 2010, we had federal Net Operating Loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $866.0 million, which will expire between fiscal 2023 and 2030, some of which are subject to an annual limitation.  The federal NOL carryforwards include $7.4 million related to the excess tax deductions for stock option plans that have yet to reduce income taxes payable.  Upon utilization of these carryforwards, the associated tax benefits of approximately $2.6 million will be recorded in “Additional paid-in capital”.  In addition, we had state loss carryforwards of $1.0 billion that will expire between fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2030. Our Company’s general business credits consist of federal and state work incentive credits, which expire between fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2030, some of which are subject to an annual limitation.

At September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010, we had net current deferred tax liabilities of $10.8 million and $3.3 million, respectively, which were included in “Other Accruals” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and non-current deferred tax liabilities of $3.8 million and $11.4 million, respectively, which were recorded in “Other non-current liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.


14.
Discontinued Operations

We have had multiple transactions throughout the years which met the criteria for discontinued operations.  These events are described based on the year the transaction was initiated.

Summarized below is a reconciliation of the liabilities related to restructuring obligations resulting from these activities.
 
 
For the 28 Weeks Ended September 11, 2010
 
 
 
Balance at 2/27/2010
 
 
Interest Accretion (1)
 
 
Adjustments(2)
 
 
Utilization(3)
 
 
Balance at 9/11/2010
 
2007 Events
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
$
96,909
 
 
$
4,347
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
(11,279
)
 
$
89,977
 
Pension withdrawal
 
 
58,015
 
 
 
 1,933
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (3,113
)
 
 
56,835
 
2007 events total
 
 
154,924
 
 
 
 6,280
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (14,392
)
 
 
 146,812
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2005 Event
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
 
58,974
 
 
 
 1,769
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (3,349
)
 
 
57,394
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2003 Events
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
 
22,494
 
 
 
719
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (1,201
)
 
 
22,012
 
Total
 
$
236,392
 
 
$
 8,768
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
 (18,942
)
 
$
226,218
 

 
(1)
The additions to occupancy and severance represent the interest accretion on future occupancy costs and future obligations for early withdrawal from multi-employer union pension plans which were recorded at present value at the time of the original charge.   Interest accretion is recorded as a component of “Loss from operations of discontinued businesses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
(2)
At each balance sheet date, we assess the adequacy of the balance of the remaining liability to determine if any adjustments are required as a result of changes in circumstances and/or estimates.   These adjustments are recorded as a component of “Loss from operations of discontinued business” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
(3)
Occupancy utilization represents payments made during those periods for rent, common area maintenance and real estate taxes.  Pension withdrawal utilization represents payments made to the union pension fund during the period.

Summarized below are the payments made to date from the time of the original charge and expected future payments related to these events:

 
 
2007 Events
 
 
2005 Event
 
 
2003 Events
 
 
Total
 
Total severance payments made to date
 
$
36,200
 
 
$
2,650
 
 
$
22,528
 
 
$
61,378
 
Expected future pension withdrawal payments
 
 
 56,835
 
   
-
 
 
 
 -
 
 
 
 56,835
 
Total severance and pension withdrawal payments expected to be incurred
 
 
 93,035
 
 
 
2,650
 
 
 
 22,528
 
 
$
 118,213
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total occupancy payments made to date
 
 
 91,859
 
 
 
 60,560
 
 
 
 33,948
 
 
 
 186,367
 
Expected future occupancy payments, excluding interest accretion
 
 
 89,977
 
 
 
 57,394
 
 
 
 22,012
 
 
 
 169,383
 
Total occupancy payments expected to be incurred, excluding interest accretion
 
 
 181,836
 
 
 
 117,954
 
 
 
 55,960
 
 
 
 355,750
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total severance and occupancy payments made to date
 
 
 128,059
 
 
 
 63,210
 
 
 
 56,476
 
 
 
 247,745
 
Expected future pension withdrawal and occupancy payments, excluding interest accretion
 
 
 146,812
 
 
 
 57,394
 
 
 
 22,012
 
 
 
 226,218
 
Total severance, pension withdrawal and occupancy payments expected to be incurred, excluding interest accretion
 
$
 274,871
 
 
$
 120,604
 
 
$
 78,488
 
 
$
 473,963
 

Payments to date were primarily for occupancy related costs such as rent, common area maintenance, real estate taxes, lease termination costs, severance, and benefits.  The remaining obligation relates to expected future payments under long term leases and expected future payments for early withdrawal from multi-employer union pension plans.  The expected completion dates for the 2007, 2005 and 2003 events are 2028, 2022 and 2022, respectively.

Summarized below are the amounts included in our balance sheet captions on our Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these events:

 
 
At September 11, 2010
 
 
 
2007 Events
 
 
2005 Event
 
 
2003 Events
 
 
Total
 
Other accruals
 
$
27,888
 
 
$
12,651
 
 
$
4,052
 
 
$
44,591
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
$
 118,924
 
 
$
 44,743
 
 
$
 17,960
 
 
$
 181,627
 

 
 
At February 27, 2010
 
 
 
2007 Events
 
 
2005 Event
 
 
2003 Events
 
 
Total
 
Other accruals
 
$
28,528
 
 
$
10,773
 
 
$
3,490
 
 
$
42,791
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
$
126,396
 
 
$
48,201
 
 
$
19,004
 
 
$
193,601
 

We evaluated the reserve balances as of September 11, 2010 based on current information and have concluded that they are adequate to cover future costs.  We will continue to monitor the status of the vacant and subsidized properties, severance and benefits, and pension withdrawal liabilities, and adjustments to the reserve balances may be recorded in the future, if necessary.


15.
Asset Disposition Initiatives

In addition to the events described in Note 14 – Discontinued Operations, there were restructuring transactions which were not primarily related to our discontinued operations businesses.  These events are referred to based on the year the transaction was initiated, as described below.

In August 2010, our Company announced a plan to close 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive turnaround. The affected stores include locations in close proximity to other Company stores, those facing real estate and cost issues, and underperforming non-core stores. The store closures are expected to be completed in the Company’s fiscal third quarter. As a result, we recorded a charge for severance and benefits of $1.3 million during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and impairment of $23.7 million.  Refer to Note 5 – Valuation of Long-Lived Assets.  The Company anticipates recording occupancy costs associated with vacant leases in the third quarter upon closure of these locations.

Summarized below is a reconciliation of the liabilities related to restructuring obligations resulting from these activities:

 
 
For the 28 Weeks Ended September 11, 2010
 
2005 Event
 
Balance at 2/27/2010
 
 
Interest Accretion (1)
 
 
Adjustments(2)
 
 
Utilization(3)
 
 
Balance at 9/11/2010
 
Continuing Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Health benefits
 
$
687
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
(133
)
 
$
554
 
2005 event total
 
 
 687
 
   
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (133
)
 
 
554
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2001 Event
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
 
6,324
 
 
 
219
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (361
)
 
 
6,182
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
 
10,009
 
 
 
308
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (690
)
 
 
9,627
 
2001 event total
 
 
16,333
 
 
 
 527
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (1,051
)
 
 
15,809
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1998 Event
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
 
4,098
 
 
 
 43
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (541
)
 
 
3,600
 
Pension withdrawals and health benefits
 
 
 666
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (76
)
 
 
590
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
 
 13
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
13
 
1998 event total
 
 
 4,777
 
 
 
43
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
(617
)
 
 
4,203
 
Total
 
$
 21,797
 
 
$
 570
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
 (1,801
)
 
$
20,566
 

 
(1)
The additions to occupancy represent the interest accretion on future occupancy costs which were recorded at present value at the time of the original charge.   These adjustments are recorded to “Store operating, general and administrative expense” for continuing operations and “Loss from operations of discontinued businesses” for discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
(2)
At each balance sheet date, we assess the adequacy of the balance to determine if any adjustments are required as a result of changes in circumstances and/or estimates.   These adjustments are recorded to “Store operating, general and administrative expense” for continuing operations and “Loss from operations of discontinued businesses” for discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
(3)
Occupancy utilization represents payments made during those periods for rent, common area maintenance and real estate taxes.  Severance and benefits utilization represents payments made to terminated employees during the period.

Summarized below are the payments made to date from the time of the original charge and expected future payments related to these events:


 
 
2005 Event
 
 
2001 Event
 
 
1998 Event
 
 
Total
 
Total severance payments made to date
 
$
49,128
 
 
$
28,205
 
 
$
30,874
 
 
$
108,207
 
Expected future severance payments
 
 
 554
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 590
 
 
 
 1,144
 
Total severance payments expected to be incurred
 
 
 49,682
 
 
 
28,205
 
 
 
 31,464
 
 
 
 109,351
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total occupancy payments made to date
 
 
 13,856
 
 
 
 66,833
 
 
 
 119,733
 
 
 
 200,422
 
Expected future occupancy payments, excluding interest accretion
 
 
-
 
 
 
15,809
 
 
 
3,613
 
 
 
19,422
 
Total occupancy payments expected to be incurred, excluding interest accretion
 
 
 13,856
 
 
 
 82,642
 
 
 
 123,346
 
 
 
 219,844
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total severance and occupancy payments made to date
 
$
 62,984
 
 
$
 95,038
 
 
$
 150,607
 
 
$
 308,629
 
Expected future severance and occupancy payments, excluding interest accretion
 
 
 554
 
 
 
 15,809
 
 
 
 4,203
 
 
 
 20,566
 
Total severance and occupancy payments expected to be incurred, excluding interest accretion
 
$
 63,538
 
 
$
 110,847
 
 
$
 154,810
 
 
$
 329,195
 

Payments to date were primarily for occupancy related costs such as rent, common area maintenance, real estate taxes, lease termination costs, severance, and benefits.  The remaining obligation relates to expected future payments under long-term leases and expected future payments for early withdrawal from multi-employer union pension plans.  The expected completion dates for the 2005, 2001 and 1998 events are 2015, 2022 and 2020, respectively.

Summarized below are the amounts included in our balance sheet captions on our Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these events:

 
 
September 11, 2010
 
 
 
2005 Event
 
 
2001 Event
 
 
1998 Event
 
 
Total
 
Other accruals
 
$
305
 
 
$
3,134
 
 
$
2,693
 
 
$
6,132
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
$
 249
 
 
$
 12,675
 
 
$
 1,510
 
 
$
 14,434
 

 
 
February 27, 2010
 
 
 
2005 Event
 
 
2001 Event
 
 
1998 Event
 
 
Total
 
Other accruals
 
$
336
 
 
$
2,992
 
 
$
2,235
 
 
$
5,563
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
$
351
 
 
$
13,341
 
 
$
2,542
 
 
$
16,234
 

We evaluated the reserve balances as of September 11, 2010 based on current information and have concluded that they are adequate to cover future costs.  We will continue to monitor the status of the vacant and subsidized properties, severance and benefits, and pension withdrawal liabilities, and adjustments to the reserve balances may be recorded in the future, if necessary.


16.
Assets Held for Sale

On September 3, 2010, the Company signed an Asset Purchase Agreement whereby we agreed to sell seven of our existing stores based in Connecticut which are a part of our Fresh reportable segment for approximately $22.8 million, expected to close in early November.  The balance of Assets held for sale include the following:
 
Property owned, net
$
11,681
Goodwill
 
       4,785
 
$
 16,466


17.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding for the reporting period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflects all potential dilution, using either the treasury stock method or the “if-converted” method, and assumes that the convertible debt, stock options, restricted stock, performance restricted stock, warrants, preferred stock, and other potentially dilutive financial instruments were converted into common stock on the first day of the period.  If the conversion of a potentially dilutive security yields an antidilutive result, such potential dilutive security is excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

The following table contains common share equivalents, which were not included in the historical loss per share calculations as their effect would be antidilutive:

 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Stock options
 
3,123,723
 
 
 
2,608,718
 
 
2,475,006
 
 
 
2,174,533
 
Warrants
 
7,652,135
 
 
 
686,277
 
 
 686,277
 
 
 
686,277
 
Performance restricted stock units
 
154,499
 
 
 
512,578
 
 
 190,689
 
 
 
657,242
 
Restricted stock units
 
926,387
 
 
 
1,440,176
 
 
 1,015,039
 
 
 
808,262
 
Financing warrant
 
11,278,988
 
 
 
11,278,988
 
 
11,278,988
 
 
 
11,278,988
 
Preferred stock
 
 
35,000,000
 
 
 
11,590,600
 
 
 
35,000,000
 
 
 
11,590,600
 
Convertible debt
 
 
8,086,769
 
 
 
3,553,806
 
 
 
11,278,988
 
 
 
8,086,769
 

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 
 
 
 

 



 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Loss from continuing operations
$
(142,821
)
 
$
(62,159
)
$
(258,428
)
 
$
(120,463
)
Preferred stock dividends
 
 (3,093
 )
 
 
(533
)
 
 (7,400
)
 
 
(533
)
Beneficial conversion feature amortization
 
 (1,110
)
 
 
(178
)
 
 (2,591
)
 
 
(178
)
Loss from continuing operations – basic
 
(147,024
)
 
 
(62,870
)
 
 (268,419
)
 
 
(121,174
)
Adjustments for convertible debt (1)
 
 
 (10,270
)
 
 
(25,573
)
 
-
 
 
 
(11,971
)
Adjustments on Other financial liabilities (2)
 
 
 -
 
 
 
7,080
 
 
 (10,454
)
 
 
8,955
 
Loss from continuing operations–diluted
$
 
 (157,294
)
 
$
(81,363
)
 
 
 (278,873
)
 
$
(124,190
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
 
56,206,446
 
 
 
58,124,672
 
 
 
56,046,228
 
 
 
57,947,659
 
Share lending agreement (3)
 
 
 (2,427,944
)
 
 
(4,927,944
)
 
 
 (2,427,944
)
 
 
(4,927,944
)
Common shares outstanding–basic
 
 
53,778,502
 
 
 
53,196,728
 
 
 
53,618,284
 
 
 
53,019,715
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible debt (1)
 
 
3,192,219
 
 
 
7,725,182
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
3,192,219
 
Convertible financial liabilities (2)
 
 
-
 
 
 
(34,307,444
)
 
 
(34,668,287
)
 
 
(35,167,204
)
Common shares outstanding–diluted
 
 
56,970,721
 
 
 
26,614,466
 
 
 
18,949,997
 
 
 
21,044,730
 

(1)
We have debt instruments with a bifurcated conversion feature that were recorded at a significant discount.  (Refer to Note 8 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities).  For purposes of determining if an application of the “if-converted method” to these convertible instruments produces a dilutive result, we consider the combined impact of the numerator and denominator adjustments, including a numerator adjustment for gains and losses, which would have been incurred had the instruments been converted on the first day of the period presented.
(2)
Our Series B Warrants are classified as a liability because a third party has the right to determine their cash or share settlement.    (Refer to Note 8 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities).  These warrants are marked-to-market on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  For example, in periods when the market price of our common stock decreases, our income from continuing operations is increased.   For purposes of determining if an application of the treasury stock method produces a dilutive result, we assume proceeds are used to repurchase common stock and we adjust the numerator similar to the adjustments required under the “if-converted” method.  We consider the combined impact of the numerator and denominator adjustments, including a denominator adjustment to reduce shares, even when the average market price of our common stock for the period is below the warrant’s strike price.
(3)
As of September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, we had 5,634,002 and 8,134,002, respectively, of loaned shares under our share lending agreements, which were considered issued and outstanding.  The obligation of the financial institutions to return the borrowed shares has been accounted for as prepaid forward contract and, accordingly, shares underlying this contract are removed from the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, unless the borrower defaults on returning the related shares.  On September 15, 2008, Lehman Europe, who is a party to a 3,206,058 share lending agreement with our Company filed under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court and/or commenced equivalent proceedings in jurisdictions outside of the United States (collectively, the “Lehman Bankruptcy”).  As such, we have included these loaned shares as issued and outstanding effective September 15, 2008 for purposes of computing our basic and diluted weighted average shares and (loss) income per share.  This treatment is consistent with the new accounting guidance relating to accounting for own share lending arrangements in contemplation of convertible debt issuance, which we adopted during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 (Refer to Note 2 – Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements).   For the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, weighted average common shares relating to share lending agreements of 2,427,944 were excluded from the computation of earnings per share.  For the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, weighted average common shares relating to share lending agreement of 4,927,944 were excluded from the computation of earnings per share.


18.
Commitments and Contingencies

Supply Agreement
On March 7, 2008, we entered into a definitive agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (“C&S”) whereby C&S will provide warehousing, logistics, procurement and purchasing services (the “Services”) in support of our Company's entire supply chain. This agreement expires on September 29, 2018.  The agreement defines the parties' respective responsibilities for the procurement and purchase of merchandise intended for use or resale at our Company's stores, as well as the parties' respective remuneration for warehousing and procurement/purchasing activities. In consideration for its services, C&S is paid an annual fee and has incentive income opportunities based upon our cost savings and increases in retail sales volume. The agreement also provides that we will purchase virtually our entire warehoused inventory from C&S.

Although there are a limited number of distributors that can supply our stores, we believe that other suppliers could provide similar product on comparable terms.  However, a change in suppliers could cause a delay in distribution and a possible loss of sales which would affect our results adversely.

Lease Related
Lease Assignment.  On August 14, 2007, Pathmark entered into a leasehold assignment contract for the sale of its leasehold interests in one of its stores to CPS Operating Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("CPS").  Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Pathmark was to receive $87.0 million for assigning and transferring to CPS all of Pathmark's interest in the lease and CPS was to have assumed all of the duties and obligations of Pathmark under the lease.  CPS deposited $6.0 million in escrow as a deposit against the purchase price for the lease, which is non-refundable to CPS, except as otherwise expressly provided in the agreement.  The assignment of the lease was scheduled to close on December 28, 2007.   On December 27, 2007, CPS issued a notice terminating the agreement for reason of a purported breach of the agreement, which, if proven, would require the return of the escrow. We are disputing the validity of CPS’s notice of termination as we believe CPS's position is without merit.  Because we are challenging the validity of CPS’s December 27, 2007 notice of termination, we issued our own notice to CPS on December 31, 2007, asserting CPS's breach of the agreement as a result of their failure to close on December 28, 2007.  CPS’s breach, if proven, would entitle us to keep the escrow.  Both parties have taken legal action to obtain the $6.0 million deposit held in escrow. On June 1, 2010, the Appellate Division reversed the trial court’s denial of Pathmark’s motion for summary judgment and entered judgment in favor of Pathmark with respect to the $6 million escrow, and CPS has appealed this judgment.

Other.  In the normal course of business, we have assigned to third parties various leases related to former operating stores (the “Assigned Leases”) for which we generally remained secondarily liable.  As such, if any of the assignees were to become unable to make payments under the Assigned Leases, we could be required to assume the lease obligation.  As of September 11, 2010, 179 Assigned Leases remain in place.  Assuming that each respective assignee became unable to make payments under an Assigned Lease, an event we believe to be remote, we estimate our maximum potential obligation with respect to the Assigned Leases to be approximately $547.0 million, which could be partially or totally offset by reassigning or subletting these leases.

Legal Proceedings
LaMarca et al v. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc et al. (“Defendants”)
On June 24, 2004, a class action complaint was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., d/b/a A&P, The Food Emporium, and Waldbaum’s alleging violations of the overtime provisions of the New York Labor Law.  Three named plaintiffs, Benedetto LaMarca, Dolores Guiddy, and Stephen Tedesco, alleged on behalf of a class that our Company failed to pay overtime wages to full-time hourly employees who were either required or permitted to work more than 40 hours per week.

In April 2006, the plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification.  In July 2007, the Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion and certified the class as follows:  All full-time hourly employees of Defendants who were employed in Defendants’ supermarket stores located in the State of New York, for any of the period from June 24, 1998 through the date of the commencement of the action, whom Defendants required or permitted to perform work in excess of 40 hours per week without being paid overtime wages.  In December 2008, the Court approved the Form of Notice, which included an “opt-out” provision and in January 2009, the Plaintiffs mailed the Notice to potential class members and the opt-out deadline expired in March 2009.

The parties have completed discovery and our Company is proceeding with motions for summary judgment and to decertify the class.  If our Company fails to prevail on these motions, the matter will likely be scheduled for trial in early 2011.  Our Company at this time does not believe that Plaintiffs have established in discovery a proper basis for class certification, nor does our Company believe on the basis of discovery that Plaintiffs damages are material.

Other
We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted, which arise in the ordinary course of business.  We are also subject to certain environmental claims.  While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, Management does not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.


19.
Reportable Segments

Reportable segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.  Our chief operating decision maker is our President and Chief Executive Officer.

We have four reportable segments: Fresh, Pathmark, Gourmet and Other.  The Other segment includes our Food Basics and Wine, Beer & Spirits businesses.

The accounting policies for these segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our Fiscal 2009 Annual Report.  Assets and capital expenditures are not allocated to segments for internal reporting presentations.

Interim information on segments is as follows:
 
 
Sales by Category
 
 
 
For the 12 weeks ended
 
 
For the 28 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Grocery (1)
 
$
1,310,388
 
 
$
1,429,161
 
 
$
3,069,232
 
 
$
3,368,761
 
Meat (2)
 
 
 375,868
 
 
 
391,877
 
 
 
 867,350
 
 
 
918,648
 
Produce (3)
 
 
 232,023
 
 
 
244,023
 
 
 
 546,627
 
 
 
567,895
 
Total
 
$
 1,918,279
 
 
$
2,065,061
 
 
$
 4,483,209
 
 
$
4,855,304
 
(1)
The grocery category includes grocery, frozen foods, dairy, general merchandise/health and beauty aids, wine, beer & spirits, and pharmacy.
(2)
The meat category includes meat, deli, bakery and seafood.
(3)
The produce category includes produce and floral.



 
 
 
 

 



 
 
For the 12 weeks ended
 
 
For the 28 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fresh
 
 $
976,952
 
 
$
1,042,713
 
 
 $
2,255,521
 
 
$
2,429,453
 
Pathmark(1)
 
816,304
 
 
 
898,655
 
 
 1,927,705
 
 
 
2,137,878
 
Gourmet
 
 55,122
 
 
 
56,010
 
 
 137,994
 
 
 
141,391
 
Other
 
 69,901
 
 
 
67,683
 
 
 161,989
 
 
 
146,582
 
Total sales
 
$
 1,918,279
 
 
$
2,065,061
 
 
$
 4,483,209
 
 
$
4,855,304
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fresh
 
 
 10,255
 
 
 
32,768
 
 
 
23,727
 
 
 
74,009
 
Pathmark(1)
 
 
 (27,771
)
 
 
(15,313
)
 
 
 (52,579
)
 
 
(17,088
)
Gourmet
 
 
 2,371
 
 
 
3,311
 
 
 
 8,882
 
 
 
11,430
 
Other
 
 
 254
 
 
 
734
 
 
 
 991
 
 
 
1,657
 
Total segment (loss) income
 
 
 (14,891
)
 
 
21,500
 
 
 
 (18,979
)
 
 
70,008
 
Corporate (2)
 
 
 (28,955
)
 
 
(14,731
)
 
 
 (76,197
)
 
 
(59,628
)
Reconciling items (3)
 
 
 (54,921
)
 
 
(15,335
)
 
 
 (66,193
)
 
 
(20,782
)
Loss from continuing operations
 
 
 (98,767
)
 
 
(8,566
)
 
 
 (161,369
)
 
 
(10,402
)
Nonoperating income (loss)
 
 
 2,177
 
 
 
(7,079
)
 
 
 10,454
 
 
 
(8,954
)
Interest expense
 
 
 (46,135
)
 
 
(48,559
)
 
 
 (107,307
)
 
 
(102,807
)
Interest and dividend income
 
 
 9
 
 
 
51
 
 
 
 39
 
 
 
92
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
 (142,716
)
 
$
(64,153
)
 
$
 (258,183
)
 
$
(122,071
)
(1)
Includes results from Fresh stores that have been subsequently converted to Pathmark stores.
(2)
Represents a $6.0 million decline in corporate and administrative costs, which was more than offset by a $22.6 million increase in corporate costs attributable to store-related activities, primarily benefits and occupancy costs which are not allocated to segments.
(3)
Reconciling items, which are not included in segment income, consist of the following:

 
 
For the 12 weeks ended
 
 
For the 28 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Long-lived asset impairment
 
$
(30,250
 )
 
$
-
 
 
$
(35,648
)
 
$
-
 
Net restructuring and other
 
 
 (9,297
)
 
 
 (1,756
)
 
 
 (13,229
)
 
 
 (2,900
)
Real estate related activity
 
 
 2,179
 
 
 
 (11,461
)
 
 
 232
 
 
 
 (9,228
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 (760
)
 
 
(1,190
)
 
 
 101
 
 
 
(4,043
)
Pension withdrawal costs
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (2,445
)
Self insurance reserve
   
(16,152
)
   
-
     
(16,152
)
   
-
 
LIFO adjustment
 
 
(641
)
 
 
 (928)
 
 
 
(1,497
)
 
 
 (2,166
)
Total reconciling items
 
$
 (54,921
)
 
$
 (15,335
)
 
$
 (66,193
)
 
$
 (20,782
)

The following table presents our segment depreciation and amortization:
 
 
For the 12 weeks ended
 
 
For the 28 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Segment depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fresh
 
$
17,329
 
 
$
19,152
 
 
$
40,721
 
 
$
45,446
 
Pathmark (1)
 
 
19,761
 
 
 
22,925
 
 
 
 46,532
 
 
 
53,483
 
Gourmet
 
 
 1,951
 
 
 
2,148
 
 
 
 4,702
 
 
 
5,049
 
Other
 
 
 1,241
 
 
 
1,015
 
 
 
 2,904
 
 
 
2,235
 
Total segment depreciation and amortization
 
 
 40,282
 
 
 
45,240
 
 
 
 94,859
 
 
 
106,213
 
Corporate
 
 
 11,236
 
 
 
12,544
 
 
 
 27,038
 
 
 
29,359
 
Total company depreciation and amortization
 
$
51,518
 
 
$
57,784
 
 
$
 121,897
 
 
$
135,572
 

(1)
Includes results from Fresh stores that have been subsequently converted to Pathmark stores.


 
 
 
 

 

ITEM 2Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INTRODUCTION

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to help the reader understand the financial position, operating results, and cash flows of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.  It should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes (“Notes”).  It discusses matters that management considers relevant to understanding the business environment, financial position, results of operations and our Company’s liquidity and capital resources.  These items are presented as follows:

·
Overview – a general description of our business and segment structure.
·
Operating Results – a discussion of the value drivers of our business; measurements; opportunities; challenges and risks; and initiatives.
·
Outlook – a discussion of certain trends or business initiatives for the remainder of fiscal 2010 to assist in understanding the business.
·
Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources – a discussion of results for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 compared to the 12 weeks ended September 12, 2009; results for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 compared to the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009; and current and expected future liquidity.
·
Critical Accounting Estimates – a discussion of significant estimates made by our management.

OVERVIEW

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., based in Montvale, New Jersey, operates conventional supermarkets, combination food and drug stores and discount food stores in 8 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.  Our Company’s business consists strictly of our retail operations, which totaled 428 stores as of September 11, 2010.

We operate in four reportable segments:  Fresh, Pathmark, Gourmet and Other.  The Other segment includes our Food Basics and Wine, Beer & Spirits businesses.

OPERATING RESULTS

During the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we continued to experience a shift in consumer spending behavior towards our existing competitors, as well as non-traditional competitors who have increased their food offerings.  Our comparable store sales, which include stores that have been in operation for at least one full year and replacement stores, declined 6.6% this quarter and 6.9% year-to-date.  As a result, our operating results were significantly below those of the prior year and our expectations.

Highlights of our operating results for our four reportable segments were as follows:

Fresh
(A&P, Waldbaum’s and SuperFresh)

In our Fresh segment, we continued to experience a decline in sales compared to the prior year due to decreasing customer count.  This decline is attributable to increased competition, particularly in alternative channels due to the expansion of food offerings in wholesale clubs, supercenters, and drug stores. We believe that customers’ negative value perception combined with negative in-store experiences contributed to a shift in market share to our competitors.

In response, we launched the New Lower Price Project in April with robust radio, television, and signage programs to address the decline in sales resulting from decreased customer count.  The initial phase of this project enhanced our offerings and prices within the center store.  The second phase of this project is currently underway, which includes a comprehensive overhaul of our perishable food departments’ pricing.
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 

Pathmark

In our Pathmark and Pathmark Sav-A-Center stores, we continued to experience declining sales attributable to declining customer count versus the prior year. We launched Project MMX, a redesign of the customer experience that includes updating the stores, improving customer service and updating our merchandising mix and prices in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.  This initiative is intended to combat external forces such as new competition and enhanced offers from multiple channels, including non-traditional competitors in New York City’s urban trading areas, which have had a significant effect on our stores.

Gourmet
(The Food Emporium)

Our Gourmet stores located in Manhattan, New York continued to deliver industry-leading results despite a decline in comparable store sales, scheduled cash rent increases and increased utility costs, which contributed to a reduced segment income over prior year.

Other
(Food Basics, Best Cellars and A&P Liquors)

During our second quarter, our Food Basics segment experienced a decrease in comparable store sales and related gross margin, as well as year-over-year increases in operating costs, primarily relating to labor and occupancy costs attributable to scheduled rent increases.

Our Wine, Beer and Spirits businesses continued to perform well with a year-over-year increase in segment income attributable primarily to positive comparable stores sales.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements about the future performance of our Company, and is based on our assumptions and beliefs in light of information currently available.  We assume no obligation to update this information.  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:  various operating factors and general economic conditions, competitive practices and pricing in the food industry generally and particularly in our principal geographic markets; our relationships with our employees; the terms of future collective bargaining agreements; the costs and other effects of lawsuits and administrative proceedings; the nature and extent of continued consolidation in the food industry; changes in the capital markets which may affect our cost of capital or the ability to access capital; supply or quality control problems with our vendors; regulatory compliance; and changes in economic conditions, which may affect the buying patterns of our customers.  Refer to PART II.  ITEM 1A – Risk Factors included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2010.

OUTLOOK

On July 23, 2010, our Company announced an operational and revenue-driven turnaround strategy designed to generate sustained profitability and cash flow, drive sales growth, restore competitive margins to the business and strengthen the foundation of our Company for the long term.

The five key elements of our turnaround plan are:

·                     Install a strong management team;
·     Implement new financing initiatives to augment our second quarter liquidity of $181 million;
·                     Lower structural and operating costs;
·     Improve our Company’s customer value proposition through merchandising; and
·                     Enhance the customer experience and drive clear brand identity.

During our second quarter, we completed our senior-level management team, who are fully engaged in driving our turnaround.

As part of our plan, we have closed 25 non-productive stores.  We also signed an agreement on September 3, 2010 for the sale of seven non-core stores in Connecticut for $22.8 million expected to close in early November.  We continue to pursue additional financing initiatives including a new term loan, sale-leaseback transactions and sales of additional non-core assets, as well as reviewing our store portfolio for additional opportunities.  However, there is uncertainty regarding whether our Company can complete all or a portion of these efforts and, if these do not occur, there is substantial doubt about our Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

We continue to pursue collaborative improvements under our existing contracts with our business partners, such as C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (“C&S”).  We are partnering with C&S to rationalize our supply chain to ensure that the structure of the distribution network is more closely aligned with the needs of our business.  We anticipate that this will result in significant cost savings by fiscal 2011 and will provide the foundation for our continued discussions with C&S, but there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful or will result in any savings or improvements.

We believe that we have good relationships with our labor union partners and continue to engage them in discussions about working collaboratively to address contract issues impacting our Company through our turnaround plan.  We have two open labor union contracts and four labor union contracts that cover approximately 1,780 employees that are scheduled to expire in fiscal 2010 and, therefore, are subject to negotiation.  We cannot assure our stakeholders that our labor negotiations will conclude successfully or that work stoppage or labor disturbances will not occur.

While reversing negative consumer trends is a very difficult process and the timing and success of these measures cannot be assured, we anticipate that our initiatives to lower retail prices and improve our customers’ shopping experience will reverse the decreasing customer count and related sales decline that we have been experiencing.

Our future performance is subject to uncertainties and other risk factors that could have a negative impact on our business and cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations.  Refer to Part II. - Item 1A and the section of our Form 10-K entitled “Risk Factors” for a description of our Risk Factors.

RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our consolidated financial information presents the results related to our operations of discontinued businesses separate from the results of our continuing operations.  The discussion and analysis that follows focuses on continuing operations.  All amounts are in millions, except share, per share amounts and where otherwise noted.

12 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 11, 2010 COMPARED TO THE 12 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

OVERALL
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 compared to the 12 weeks ended September 12, 2009:

 
 
12 Weeks Ended September 11, 2010
 
 
12 Weeks Ended September 12, 2009
 
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
Dollar Change
 
 
% Change
 
 
 
(in millions, except percentages)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
$
1,918.3
 
 
$
2,065.1
 
 
$
(146.8
)
 
 
(7.1
)%
Decrease in comparable store sales
 
 
(6.6
)%
 
 
(3.8
)%
 
NA
 
 
NA
 
Loss from continuing operations
 
$
 (142.8
)
 
$
(62.2
)
 
$
 (80.6
)
 
 
>100
 %
Loss from discontinued operations
 
$
 (10.9
)
 
$
(18.1
)
 
$
 7.2
 
 
 
 39.8
 %
Net loss
 
$
 (153.7
)
 
$
(80.3
)
 
$
 (73.4
)
 
 
(91.4
)%
Net loss per share – basic
 
$
(2.94
)
 
$
(1.52
)
 
$
(1.42
)
 
 
(93.4
)%
Net loss per share – diluted
 
$
 (2.95
)
 
$
(3.74
)
 
$
 0.79
 
 
 
21.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 
$
7.7
 
 
$
64.6
 
 
$
(56.9
)
 
 
 (88.1
)%
_______________________________________________________
(1)                 For an explanation of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA, refer to the discussion under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA” that follows.

Average weekly sales per supermarket were approximately $391,500 for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 versus $416,700 for the corresponding period of the prior year, a decrease of 6%, primarily due to the overall decline in our sales resulting from decreased customer counts due to increased competition and negative value perception of our stores.

SALES

 
 
For the 12 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
976,952
 
 
$
1,042,713
 
Pathmark
 
 
 816,304
 
 
 
898,655
 
Gourmet
 
 
 55,122
 
 
 
56,010
 
Other
 
 
 69,901
 
 
 
67,683
 
Total sales
 
$
 1,918,279
 
 
$
2,065,061
 

Sales decreased from $2,065.1 million for the 12 weeks ended September 12, 2009 to $1,918.3 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, primarily due to a decrease in comparable stores sales and store closures, partially offset by sales from new stores.  The overall decline in comparable store sales was primarily caused by a decrease in customer count.  The decrease in sales in our Fresh segment of $65.8 million was primarily related to a decline in the comparable store sales of $56.4 million and store closures of $9.4 million.  The decrease in sales in our Pathmark segment of $82.4 million was primarily due to a decline in comparable store sales of $77.6 million and store closures of $6.2 million, partially offset by an increase in sales from new stores of $1.4 million.   Sales generated by our Gourmet segment declined by $0.9 million, primarily due to a decline in comparable store sales.  The sales increase of $2.2 million, or 3.3%, in our Other segment, representing Food Basics and Wine, Beer & Spirits, was primarily driven by increased sales generated by our Food Basics business, and was primarily attributable to increased new store sales of $4.6 million, partially offset by a decline in comparable store sales of $2.0 million and store closures of $0.3 million.

GROSS MARGIN
Gross margin of $562.7 million decreased 86 basis points as a percentage of sales to 29.33% for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from gross margin of $623.4 million or 30.19% for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, reflecting lower margins from our Fresh, Pathmark and Gourmet segments, partially offset by improved margin rate from our Other Segment driven by our Food Basics business.

The following table details the dollar impact of items affecting the gross margin dollar decrease from the second quarter of fiscal 2009 to the second quarter of fiscal 2010 (in millions):

 
 
Sales Volume
 
 
Gross Margin Rate
 
 
Total
 
Total Company
 
$
(44.3)
 
 
$
 (16.4
)
 
$
(60.7
)

STORE OPERATING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE
Our Store operating, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense was $631.2 million or 32.91% as a percentage of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2010, as compared to $631.9 million or 30.60% as a percentage of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

SG&A expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 included (i) net restructuring and other costs of $9.3 million, or 49 basis points, (ii) self insurance reserve adjustments of $16.2 million, or 84 basis points, and (iii) stock-based compensation expense of $0.8 million, or 4 basis points. These costs were partially offset by net real estate gains of $2.2 million, or 11 basis points.

SG&A expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 included (i) stock-based compensation costs of $1.2 million, or 6 basis points, (ii) net real estate related costs of $11.5 million, or 56 basis points, and (iii) net restructuring and other costs of $1.7 million, or 9 basis points.

Excluding the items listed above, SG&A as a percentage of sales increased by 175 basis points during the second quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2009, primarily due to lower sales leverage on fixed costs, including increased labor costs of 103 basis points, increased occupancy related costs of 52 basis points.  In addition, corporate and banner administrative expenses increased by $9.6 million, or 58 basis points, as the decline in corporate and administrative costs was more than offset by an increase in corporate costs attributable to store-related activities, primarily benefits and occupancy costs.  These increases were partially offset by decreased advertising costs of 18 basis points.

During the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, we recorded impairment losses on long-lived assets due to closure or conversion of stores in the normal course of business of $0.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

The effects of changes in estimates of useful lives were not material to ongoing depreciation expense.  If current operating levels do not improve, there may be a need to take further actions which may result in additional future impairments on long-lived assets, including the potential for impairment of assets that are held and used.

LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT
As a result of experiencing cash flow losses at certain stores, we determined that a triggering event had occurred during the second quarter of fiscal 2010 that required us to test the related long-lived assets for potential impairment.  As a result of our testing, we recorded impairment charges relating to Pathmark aggregating $6.6 million, primarily attributable to land and buildings.  Refer to Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – Valuation of Long-Lived Assets for additional information.

In August 2010, we announced a plan to close 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive turnaround.  The affected stores include locations in close proximity to other Company stores, those facing real estate and cost issues, and underperforming non-core stores.  The store closures are expected to be completed in our Company’s fiscal third quarter.  As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $23.7 million during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

We considered whether there have been any triggering events requiring an interim impairment test of our goodwill and other intangible assets in the second quarter and concluded that an impairment analysis was not required; however, we will continue to monitor actual results and projections, and if we experience a continued decline in operations, an impairment charge may be required in the future.

SEGMENT (LOSS) INCOME

 
 
For the 12 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
10,255
 
 
$
32,768
 
Pathmark
 
 
 (27,771
)
 
 
(15,313
)
Gourmet
 
 
 2,371
 
 
 
3,311
 
Other
 
 
 254
 
 
 
734
 
Total segment (loss) income
 
$
 (14,891
)
 
$
21,500
 

Segment income decreased $36.4 million from income of $21.5 million for the 12 weeks ended September 12, 2009 to a loss of $14.9 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  Our Fresh and Pathmark segments experienced segment income declines of $22.5 million and $12.5 million, respectively, primarily attributable to declines in sales and lower gross margins, partially due to higher promotional spending and reductions in everyday prices for these segments, partially offset by reduced labor, operating and occupancy expenses.  Segment income from our Gourmet business declined by $0.9 million, primarily due to a decline in sales and gross margins.  Segment income for our Other segment, representing Food Basics and Wine, Beer and Spirits, declined by $0.5 million, as the improved sales and gross margin from our Food Basics business were more than offset by increased labor and occupancy expenses.  Refer to Note 19 – Reportable Segments for further discussion of our reportable operating segments.

ADJUSTED EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA declined $56.9 million from $64.6 million for the 12 weeks ended September 12, 2009 to $7.7 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, primarily due to the $36.4 million decline in operations (refer to the above Segment (Loss) Income discussion).

Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure.  Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures-Adjusted EBITDA discussion that follows for further description and reconciliations to the appropriate GAAP financial measures.

NONOPERATING INCOME
During the second quarter of fiscal 2010 and 2009, we recorded a favorable adjustment of $2.2 million and an unfavorable adjustment of $7.1 million, respectively, relating to our Series B warrants acquired in connection with our purchase of Pathmark.  These adjustments are primarily a function of fluctuations in the market price of our Company’s common stock.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
Interest expense, net of $46.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 decreased from the prior year expense of $48.5 million, primarily due to a smaller discount rate adjustment used to revalue our GHI contractual obligation resulting in a decrease in this expense of $4.7 million, and a decrease of $1.2 million relating to preferred stock issuance costs and interest expense. These net decreases were partially offset by a $3.4 million increase in interest expense and bond issuance cost amortization recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2010 relating to our $260 million 11.375% senior secured notes due 2015 that were issued in August 2009.

INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was $0.1 million, compared to the benefit of $2.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009.  Consistent with prior year, we continue to record a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets.

The effective tax rate on continuing operations of 0.07% and 3.1%, for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, respectively, varied from the statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to state and local income taxes, the increase in our valuation allowance and the impact of the Pathmark financing.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The loss from operations of discontinued businesses, net of tax, for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 of $10.9 million decreased from a loss of $18.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, primarily due to the fact that there were no occupancy charges recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to last year’s second quarter, which was partially offset by self insurance reserve adjustments.

28 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 11, 2010 COMPARED TO THE 28 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

OVERALL
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 compared to the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009:

 
 
28 Weeks Ended September 11, 2010
 
 
28 Weeks Ended September 12, 2009
 
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Dollar Change
 
 
% Change
 
 
 
(in millions, except percentages)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
$
4,483.2
 
 
$
4,855.3
 
 
$
(372.1
)
 
 
(7.7
)%
Decrease in comparable store sales
 
 
(6.9
)%
 
 
(3.6
)%
 
NA
 
 
NA
 
Loss from continuing operations
 
$
 (258.4
)
 
$
(120.5
)
 
$
 (137.9
)
 
 
>100
 %
Loss from discontinued operations
 
$
 (17.9
)
 
$
(25.0
)
 
$
 7.1
 
 
 
 28.4
 %
Net loss
 
$
 (276.3
)
 
$
(145.5
)
 
$
 (130.8
)
 
 
 (89.9
)%
Net loss per share – basic
 
$
(5.34
)
 
$
(2.76
)
 
$
(2.58
)
 
 
(93.5
)%
Net loss per share – diluted
 
$
 (15.66
)
 
$
(7.09
)
 
$
 (8.57
)
 
 
(120.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 
$
26.7
 
 
$
146.0
 
 
$
 (119.3
)
 
 
 (81.7
)%
_______________________________________________________
(1)                   For an explanation of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA, refer to the discussion under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA” that follows.

Average weekly sales per supermarket were approximately $392,400 for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 versus $419,000 for the corresponding period of the prior year, a decrease of 6.3%, primarily due to the overall decline in our sales resulting from decreased customer counts due to increased competition and negative value perception of our stores.

SALES

 
 
For the 28 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
2,255,521
 
 
$
2,429,453
 
Pathmark
 
 
 1,927,705
 
 
 
2,137,878
 
Gourmet
 
 
 137,994
 
 
 
141,391
 
Other
 
 
 161,989
 
 
 
146,582
 
Total sales
 
$
 4,483,209
 
 
$
4,855,304
 

Sales decreased from $4,855.3 million for the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009 to $4,483.2 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, primarily due to a decrease in comparable stores sales and store closures, partially offset by sales from new stores.  The overall decline in sales was primarily caused by a decrease in customer count.  The decrease in sales in our Fresh segment of $174.0 million was primarily related to a decline in the comparable store sales of $149.4 million and store closures of $24.6 million.  The decrease in sales in our Pathmark segment of $210.2 million was primarily due to a decline in comparable store sales of $190.7 million and store closures of $31.4 million, partially offset by an increase in sales from new stores of $11.9 million.   Sales generated by our Gourmet segment declined by $3.4 million, primarily due to a decline in comparable store sales.  The sales increase of $15.4 million, or 10.5%, in our Other segment, representing Food Basics and Wine, Beer & Spirits, was primarily driven by increased sales generated by our Food Basics business, and was primarily attributable to increased new store sales of $18.5 million, partially offset by a decline in comparable store sales of $2.5 million and store closures of $0.6 million.

GROSS MARGIN
Gross margin of $1,326.5 million decreased 65 basis points as a percentage of sales to 29.59% for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, from gross margin of $1,468.2 million or 30.24% for the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, reflecting lower margins from our Fresh, Pathmark and Gourmet segments, partially offset by improved margin rate from our Other Segment driven by our Food Basics business.

The following table details the dollar impact of items affecting the gross margin dollar decrease from the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009 to the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 (in millions):

 
 
Sales Volume
 
 
Gross Margin Rate
 
 
Total
 
Total Company
 
$
(112.5
)
 
$
(29.2
)
 
$
(141.7
)

STORE OPERATING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE
Our Store operating, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense was $1,452.2 million or 32.39% as a percentage of sales for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, as compared to $1,478.6 million or 30.45% as a percentage of sales for the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009.

SG&A expenses for 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 included (i) net restructuring and other costs of $13.2 million, or 30 basis points and (ii) self insurance reserve adjustments of $16.2 million, or 36 basis points.  These costs were partially offset by net stock-based compensation related income of $0.1 million, or 0.2 basis points, primarily due to forfeitures, and  net real estate related gains of $0.2 million, or 0.5 basis points.

SG&A expenses for the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009 included (i) stock-based compensation costs of $4.0 million, or 8 basis points, (ii) net real estate related costs of $9.2 million, or 19 basis points, (iii) net restructuring and other costs of $2.9 million, or 6 basis points and (iv) pension withdrawal costs of $2.4 million, or 5 basis points.

Excluding the items listed above, SG&A as a percentage of sales increased by 167 basis points during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, as compared to the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, primarily due to lower sales leverage on fixed costs, including increased labor costs of 94 basis points, and increased occupancy related costs of 46 basis points.   In addition, corporate and banner administrative expenses increased by $13.9 million, or 42 basis points, as the decline in corporate and administrative costs was more than offset by an increase in corporate costs attributable to store-related activities, primarily benefits and occupancy costs.

During the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, we recorded impairment losses on long-lived assets due to closure or conversion of stores in the normal course of business of $1.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

The effects of changes in estimates of useful lives were not material to ongoing depreciation expense.  If current operating levels do not improve, there may be a need to take further actions which may result in additional future impairments on long-lived assets, including the potential for impairment of assets that are held and used.

LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT
As a result of experiencing cash flow losses within certain stores, we determined that a triggering event had occurred that required us to test the related long-lived assets for potential impairment during both our first and second quarters of fiscal 2010.  As a result, for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we recorded an impairment charge of $12.0 million to partially write down these stores’ long-lived assets, which consist of favorable leases, capital leases, and land and buildings, with a carrying amount of $52.1 million to their fair value of $40.1 million.  These impairment charges, $11.1 million of which related to Pathmark and $0.9 million of which related to SuperFresh, were recorded within “Long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Refer to Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements - Valuation of Long-Lived Assets for additional information.

In August 2010, our Company announced a plan to close 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive turnaround. The affected stores include locations in close proximity to other Company stores, those facing real estate and cost issues, and underperforming non-core stores. The store closures are expected to be completed in our Company’s fiscal third quarter. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $23.7 million during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we concluded that an interim triggering event had occurred requiring us to test the goodwill of the reporting units comprising our Fresh segment for impairment.  (The Pathmark reporting unit does not have goodwill).  We determined that a triggering event did not occur for our Gourmet and Other reportable segments, since the operating results of these reporting units have been largely consistent with our expectations.  As a result of our testing, we concluded that no goodwill impairment was required.   During the first quarter, we also performed interim impairment testing of our intangible assets recorded within our Pathmark reporting unit and concluded that no impairment was required.  We considered whether there have been any triggering events requiring an interim impairment test of our goodwill and other Intangible Assets in the second quarter and concluded that an impairment analysis was not required; however, we will continue to monitor actual results and projections, and if we experience a continued decline in operations, an impairment charge may be required in the future. Refer to Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.

SEGMENT (LOSS) INCOME

 
 
For the 28 weeks ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
23,727
 
 
$
74,009
 
Pathmark
 
 
 (52,579
)
 
 
(17,088
)
Gourmet
 
 
 8,882
 
 
 
11,430
 
Other
 
 
 991
 
 
 
1,657
 
Total segment (loss) income
 
$
 (18,979
)
 
$
70,008
 

Segment income decreased $89.0 million from income of $70.0 million for the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009 to a loss of $19.0 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  Our Fresh and Pathmark segments experienced segment income declines of $50.3 million and $35.5 million, respectively, primarily attributable to declines in sales and lower gross margins, partially due to higher promotional spending and reductions in everyday prices for these segments, partially offset by reduced labor, operating and occupancy expenses.  Segment income from our Gourmet business declined by $2.5 million, primarily due to a decline in sales and gross margins.  Segment income for our Other segment, representing Food Basics and Wine, Beer and Spirits, declined by $0.7 million, as the improved sales and gross margin from our Food Basics business were more than offset by increased labor and occupancy expenses.  Refer to Note 19 – Reportable Segments for further discussion of our reportable operating segments.

ADJUSTED EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA declined $119.3 million from $146.0 million for the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009 to $26.7 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, primarily due to the $89.0 million decline in operations (refer to the above Segment (Loss) Income discussion).

Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure.  Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures-Adjusted EBITDA discussion that follows for further description and reconciliations to the appropriate GAAP financial measures.

NONOPERATING INCOME
During the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, we recorded a favorable adjustment of $10.4 million and an unfavorable adjustment of $9.0 million, respectively, relating to our Series B warrants acquired in connection with our purchase of Pathmark.  These adjustments are primarily a function of fluctuations in the market price of our Company’s common stock.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
Interest expense, net of $107.3 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 increased from the prior year expense of $102.7 million, primarily due to $13.3 million of incremental interest expense and bond issuance cost amortization recorded during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 relating to our $260 million 11.375% senior secured notes due 2015 that were issued in August 2009.  This increase in interest expense was partially offset by a $2.0 million of reduced interest expense relating to bank borrowings, as a result of our repayment of a portion of our variable debt using proceeds from the August 2009 offerings of senior notes and preferred stock.  In addition, during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, interest expense attributable to our GHI contractual obligation was $6.4 million lower than the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, primarily due to a smaller discount rate adjustment used to revalue this obligation during the quarter, which is derived each period from published zero-coupon AA corporate bond yields.

INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 was $0.2 million, compared to the benefit of $1.6 million for 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009.  Consistent with prior year, we continue to record a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets.

The effective tax rate on continuing operations of 0.09% and 1.3%, for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and September 12, 2009, respectively, varied from the statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to state and local income taxes, the increase in our valuation allowance and the impact of the Pathmark financing.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The loss from operations of discontinued businesses, net of tax, for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 of $18.0 million decreased from a loss of $25.0 million for the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, primarily due to the fact that there were no occupancy charges recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, which was partially offset by higher self insurance reserve charges.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES - ADJUSTED EBITDA
We present the non-GAAP financial measure of “Adjusted EBITDA” as a supplemental measure in the financial information made available, as it is among the primary measures used by our management to monitor and evaluate our liquidity and the performance of our business, as well as for the planning and forecasting of future periods.  In addition, we use performance targets based on our Adjusted EBITDA in determining our employees’ incentive compensation and performance-based stock-based compensation.  We believe that the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view results in a manner similar to the method used by our management.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP and our computation of Adjusted EBITDA may vary from others in our industry.   Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to exclude the following, if applicable: (i) goodwill, long-lived asset and intangible asset impairment, (ii) net restructuring and other charges, (iii) real estate related activity, (iv) stock based compensation, (v) pension withdrawal costs, (vi) LIFO provision adjustments, (vii) nonoperating loss/income, and (viii) other items that management considers nonoperating in nature and excludes when evaluating the results of the ongoing business.

The following tables reconcile “Net loss” as set forth in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and “Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities” as set forth in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows prepared in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP measure of “Adjusted EBITDA” (in thousands):


Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Net Loss
 
$
(153,674
)
 
$
(80,309
)
 
$
(276,317
)
 
$
(145,469
)
Loss from discontinued operations
 
 
 10,853
 
 
 
 18,150
 
 
 
 17,889
 
 
 
 25,006
 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
105
 
 
 
(1,994
)
 
 
 245
 
 
 
 (1,608
)
Interest expense, net
 
 
46,126
 
 
 
 48,508
 
 
 
 107,268
 
 
 
 102,715
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
51,518
 
 
 
57,784
 
 
 
121,897
 
 
 
 135,572
 
EBITDA
 
 
(45,072
)
 
 
42,139
 
 
 
 (29,018
)
 
 
 116,216
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived asset impairment
 
 
 30,250
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 35,648
 
 
 
 -
 
Net restructuring and other
 
 
9,297
 
 
 
1,756
 
 
 
 13,229
 
 
 
 2,900
 
Real estate related activity
 
 
(2,179
)
 
 
11,461
 
 
 
 (232
)
 
 
 9,228
 
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 760
 
 
 
1,190
 
 
 
 (101
)
 
 
 4,043
 
Pension withdrawal costs
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 2,445
 
LIFO adjustment
 
 
641
 
 
 
928
 
 
 
 1,497
 
 
 
 2,166
 
Self insurance reserve
 
 
16,152
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 16,152
 
 
 
-
 
Nonoperating (income) loss
   
(2,177
)
   
7,079
     
(10,454
)
   
8,954
 
Total adjustments to EBITDA
 
 
52,744
 
 
 
22,414
 
 
 
 55,739
 
 
 
29,736
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
7,672
 
 
$
64,553
 
 
$
 26,721
 
 
$
 145,952
 

Reconciliation of Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
 
Sept. 12, 2009
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
$
(36,158
)
 
$
24,184
 
 
$
(94,423
)
 
$
21,226
 
Long-lived asset impairment
 
 
 (30,902
)
 
 
(2,683
)
 
 
 (36,792
)
 
 
 (3,739
)
Nonoperating income (loss)
 
 
 2,177
 
 
 
 (7,079
)
 
 
 10,454
 
 
 
 (8,954
)
Net interest expense
 
 
 46,126
 
 
 
48,508
 
 
 
 107,268
 
 
 
 102,715
 
Non-cash interest expense
 
 
 (10,473
)
 
 
(14,516
)
 
 
 (23,258
)
 
 
 (27,393
)
Asset disposition initiatives
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (10,010
)
 
 
 (4
)
 
 
 (8,998
)
Occupancy charges for normal store closures
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (17,114
)
 
 
 (466
)
 
 
 (18,374
)
Gain on disposal of owned property
 
 
 2,832
 
 
 
 324
 
 
 
 1,807
 
 
 
 3,580
 
Amortization of deferred real estate income
 
 
 1,041
 
 
 
1,331
 
 
 
 2,412
 
 
 
 2,835
 
Loss from operations of discontinued operations
 
 
 10,853
 
 
 
18,150
 
 
 
 17,968
 
 
 
 25,006
 
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
 
 
 105
 
 
 
(1,994
)
 
 
 245
 
 
 
 (1,608
)
Pension withdrawal costs
 
 
 -
 
 
 
 -
 
 
 
 -
 
 
 
 (2,445
)
Self insurance reserve
   
(21,661
)
   
(1,613
)
   
(21,661
)
   
(1,613
)
Employee benefit related costs
 
 
(4,748
)
 
 
-
 
 
 
 (6,713
)
 
 
-
 
LIFO adjustment
 
 
 (641
)
 
 
(928
)
 
 
 (1,497
)
 
 
 (2,166
)
Stock compensation (expense) income
 
 
 (760
)
 
 
 (1,190
)
 
 
 101
 
 
 
 (4,043
)
Changes in working capital
 
 
 (22,347
)
 
 
 (27,707
)
 
 
 (26,285
)
 
 
 (16,317
)
Other assets
 
 
 1,575
 
 
 
 7,715
 
 
 
 2,799
 
 
 
9,928
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
 
 17,839
 
 
 
26,887
 
 
 
 38,928
 
 
 
 47,916
 
Other, net
 
 
 70
 
 
 
(126
)
 
 
 99
 
 
 
 (1,340
)
EBITDA
 
 
 (45,072
)
 
 
 42,139
 
 
 
 (29,018
)
 
 
 116,216
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived asset impairment
 
 
30,250
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 35,648
 
 
 
 -
 
Net restructuring and other
 
 
 9,297
 
 
 
1,756
 
 
 
 13,229
 
 
 
 2,900
 
Real estate related activity
 
 
(2,179
)
 
 
11,461
 
 
 
 (232
)
 
 
 9,228
 
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 760
 
 
 
1,190
 
 
 
 (101
)
 
 
 4,043
 
Pension withdrawal costs
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 -
 
 
 
 2,445
 
LIFO adjustment
 
 
641
 
 
 
928
 
 
 
1,497
 
 
 
 2,166
 
Self insurance reserve
   
16,152
     
-
     
16,152
     
-
 
Nonoperating (income) loss
 
 
(2,177
)
 
 
7,079
 
 
 
 (10,454
)
 
 
 8,954
 
Total adjustments to EBITDA
 
 
 52,744
 
 
 
22,414
 
 
 
 55,739
 
 
 
 29,736
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
 7,672
 
 
$
64,553
 
 
$
26,721
 
 
$
 145,952
 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows
The following table presents excerpts from our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands):

 
 
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
 
 
September 11, 2010
 
 
September 12, 2009
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
$
(94,423
)
 
$
21,226
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
 (29,496
)
 
$
(38,334
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
$
 (34,164
)
 
$
189,527
 

Net cash used in operating activities increased by $115.6 million during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 as compared to 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, primarily due to lower sales and the related margin income, as reflected in our $140.3 million increase in net loss adjusted by non-cash charges, and our decrease in working capital of $10.0 million.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $8.8 million during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 as compared to 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, primarily due to the absence of $5.9 million in proceeds from the sale of a joint venture and $2.2 million in proceeds from maturities of marketable securities that were received during the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, which was offset by a $5.4 million increase in proceeds from disposal of property, $4.9 million in proceeds from flood insurance, and a $6.6 million decrease in expenditures for property.  Property expenditures during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 totaled $43.4 million, which relates to one off-site replacement and one remodel, as compared to $50.0 million during the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, which included four additions, five remodels and four conversions.

Net cash used in financing activities increased $223.7 million during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 as compared to 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009, primarily due to the absence of the proceeds from issuance of long-term debt of $253.2 million, proceeds from issuance of preferred stock of $175.0 million, increased book overdrafts of $9.9 million, and $7.0 million in dividend payments on preferred stock made during the first quarter of fiscal 2010. These amounts were partially offset by an increase in proceeds under our revolving lines of credit of $162.2 million, a $37.6 million decrease in net principal payments on revolving lines of credit during the 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009 and decreased amounts paid for deferred financing fees of $22.6 million.

Working Capital
We had negative working capital of $141.5 million at September 11, 2010, compared to positive working capital of $201.3 million at February 27, 2010.  We had cash and cash equivalents aggregating $94.3 million at September 11, 2010 (which includes cash in-transit and cash used in our stores), compared to $252.4 million at February 27, 2010.  The decrease in working capital was primarily attributable to the following:

·       A decrease in cash and cash equivalents, as detailed in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and
·       An increase in the current portion of our long-term debt, representing our obligation relating to our 5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011.

Debt Obligations
Our total long-term debt was $1,001.9 million and $990.6 million at September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010, respectively.  The current portion of our long-term debt increased from $0.2 million at February 27, 2010 to $169.7 million at September 11, 2010, primarily due to the current classification of our $165.0 million 5.125% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 2011, that have a carrying value of $159.4 million at September 11, 2010.

At September 11, 2010, we had the following availability under our amended $655.0 million Credit Agreement and other resources, available to reduce our obligations or use in our future operations:

 
 
Amount
 
 
Expiration Date
 
Amended $655.0 million Credit Agreement
 
$
655,000
 
 
December 2012
 
Borrowing base collateral adjustment
 
 
(142,138
)
 
 
 
Available for borrowing
 
 
512,862
(1)
 
 
 
 
Loans outstanding
 
 
 (133,800
 )
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit outstanding
 
 
 (197,740
 )
 
 
 
 
Net available borrowings at September 11, 2010
 
$
 181,322
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Invested cash
 
$
 137
(2)
 
 
 
 
_______________________________
(1)                 The availability under the Credit Agreement is limited to the value assigned to the collateral supporting the Credit Agreement.
(2)                 The remainder of our cash is in-transit or is used in our stores for operations.

Based on information available to us, as of the date of this report, we have no indication that the financial institutions acting as lenders under our Credit Agreement would be unable to fulfill their commitments.

As previously stated, our Company announced a comprehensive operational and revenue-driven turnaround plan designed to generate sustained profitability and cash flow, drive sales growth, restore competitive margins to the business and strengthen the foundation of our Company for the long term.  As part of this effort, we signed an agreement on September 3, 2010 for the sale of seven non-core stores in Connecticut for $22.8 million expected to close in early November.  We continue to pursue additional financing initiatives to augment our Company’s liquidity, including a new term loan, sale-leaseback transactions and sales of additional non-core assets, as well as reviewing our store portfolio for additional opportunities in order to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months, including the debt maturity of $165.0 million on June 15, 2011.  However, there is uncertainty regarding whether our Company can complete all or a portion of these efforts and, if these do not occur, there is substantial doubt about our Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Our existing corporate rating with Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) is Caa2 with a negative outlook.  Our senior unsecured debt is rated Caa3, our senior secured notes are rated Caa1 and our liquidity rating is SGL-4.  Our corporate credit rating with Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) is CCC with a negative outlook.  Our senior unsecured debt is rated CC, and our recovery rating is 6, indicating that unsecured bond holders can expect a negligible (0%-10%) recovery in the event of a payment default.  Our senior secured notes are rated CCC, with a recovery rating of 4, indicating that lenders can expect an average recovery (30%-50%) in the event of a payment default. Our convertible preferred stock is rated CC.  Given these current ratings, the availability and cost of financing to our Company could be adversely affected.

Redeemable Preferred Stock
On August 4, 2009, our Company issued 60,000 shares of 8.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A-T, without par value, to affiliates of Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG (“Tengelmann”) and 115,000 shares of 8.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A-Y, without par value, to affiliates of Yucaipa Companies LLC (“Yucaipa”), together referred to as the “Preferred Stock,” for approximately $162.8 million, after deducting approximately $12.2 million in closing and issuance costs. Each share of the Preferred Stock has an initial liquidation preference of one thousand dollars, subject to adjustment.

The Preferred Stock issuance was classified within temporary stockholders equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 11, 2010 and February 27, 2010.  The holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to an 8.0% dividend, payable quarterly in arrears in cash or in additional shares of Preferred Stock if our Company does not meet the liquidity levels required to pay the dividends.

If our Company makes a dividend payment in additional shares of Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock shall be valued at the liquidation preference of the Preferred Stock and the dividend rate will be 8.0% plus 1.5%.  During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we paid cash Preferred Stock dividends of nil and $7.0 million, respectively.

Share Lending Agreements
We currently have 5,634,002 of loaned shares outstanding under our share lending agreements with financial institutions, which were sold to investors on December 18, 2007 to facilitate hedging transactions relating to the issuance of our 5.125% and 6.750% Senior Convertible Notes.  Any shares we loan are considered issued and outstanding.  The obligation of the financial institutions to return the borrowed shares has been accounted for as a prepaid forward contract and, accordingly, shares underlying this contract, except as described below, are removed from the computation of basic and dilutive earnings per share.

On September 15, 2008, Lehman and certain of its subsidiaries, including, Lehman Europe filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court and/or commenced equivalent proceedings in jurisdictions outside of the United States (collectively, the “Lehman Bankruptcy”).  Lehman Europe is party to a 3,206,058 share lending agreement with our Company.  Due to the circumstances of the Lehman Bankruptcy, we have recorded these loaned shares as issued and outstanding effective September 15, 2008, for purposes of computing and reporting our Company’s basic and diluted weighted average shares and earnings per share.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we adopted the new accounting guidance for accounting for one’s own-share lending arrangements entered into in contemplation of a convertible debt issuance or other financing, which requires share lending arrangements to be measured at fair value and recognized as a debt issuance cost, and amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the financing arrangement as interest cost.  The loaned shares are excluded from basic and diluted earnings per share, unless a default occurs.  When a default becomes probable, expense equal to the fair value of the unreturned loaned shares, net of any probable recoveries, must be recognized.  This guidance is effective beginning with our fiscal 2010, with retrospective application required.  The fair values of our share lending agreements with the Bank of America and Lehman Europe were immaterial at inception.  Our share lending arrangement with Lehman Europe, who is a party to a 3,206,058 share lending agreement with our Company, is subject to this default provision guidance as a result of their September 15, 2008 bankruptcy filing.  In connection with Lehman Europe’s default, during the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we recorded a retrospective adjustment of $28.3 million to our third quarter of fiscal 2008 financial statements by charging “Store operating, general and administrative expense” and crediting “Additional paid-in-capital”, which represents the fair value of the unreturned shares at September 15, 2008.  This expense is reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 27, 2010 and September 11, 2010 as an adjustment to the opening “Accumulated deficit” and “Additional paid-in capital”.  We have been including the loaned shares in our Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share since September 15, 2008.

Other
We participate in various multi-employer pension plans which are administered jointly by management and union representatives.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we made a standard withdrawal from one of our multi-employer pension plans, to limit our pension benefit obligation to our employees, as we believed that this plan was likely to have funding challenges and would require higher contributions in the future, and recorded standard withdrawal liability of $28.9 million.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, we received notification that the trustees of the multi-employer pension plan have voted to go into a mass withdrawal. The impact of the mass withdrawal to our Company is not currently estimable, therefore no adjustment has been recorded in our consolidated financial statements. We may have a potential additional withdrawal obligation of up to $50 million payable over a period of up to 25 years in the future.  This preliminary estimate is subject to change due to the uncertainty as to the number of participants that will be subject to mass withdrawal and the finalization of asset values and calculations by the multi-employer pension plan.

In the normal course of business, we have assigned to third parties various leases related to former operating stores (the “Assigned Leases”) for which we generally remained secondarily liable.  As such, if any of the assignees were to become unable to make payments under the Assigned Leases, we could be required to assume the lease obligation.  As of September 11, 2010, 179 Assigned Leases remain in place.  Assuming that each respective assignee became unable to make payments under an Assigned Lease, an event we believe to be remote, we estimate our maximum potential obligation with respect to the Assigned Leases to be approximately $547.0 million, which could be partially or totally offset by reassigning or subletting these leases.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  A summary of our critical accounting policies may be found in the Management Discussion and Analysis included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 27, 2010.  There have been no significant changes in these policies during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

As a result of experiencing cash flow losses at certain stores, we determined that a triggering event had occurred that required us to test the related long-lived assets for potential impairment during both our first and second quarters of fiscal 2010.  As a result, for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we recorded impairment charges of $6.6 million and $12.0 million, respectively, to partially write down these stores’ long-lived assets, which consist of favorable leases, capital leases, and land and buildings, with a carrying amount of $22.0 million to their fair value of $15.4 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  The impairment charge of $6.6 million during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 all related to Pathmark. The impairment charge of $12.0 million recorded during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 all related to Pathmark with the exception of $0.9 million which related to SuperFresh. These amounts were recorded within “Long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Refer to Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements - Valuation of Long-Lived Assets for additional information.

In August 2010, our Company announced a plan to close 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive turnaround. The affected stores include locations in close proximity to other Company stores, those facing real estate and cost issues, and underperforming non-core stores. The store closures are expected to be completed in the Company’s fiscal third quarter. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $23.7 million during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

During the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, our worker’s compensation and general liability reserves increased by $23.2 million ($17.7 million for continuing operations and $5.5 million for discontinued operations), primarily due to a change in estimate of approximately $21.6 million related to the negative development of prior year claims of approximately $17.7 million and the related state assessments for such claims of approximately $3.9 million. These estimates are determined by actuarial projections of losses. There have been no other significant adjustments to our estimate and while we expect the estimates may change in the future due to the reasons previously stated, we believe our current liability is adequate.

ITEM 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

MARKET RISK
Market risk represents the risk of loss from adverse market changes that may impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Among other possible market risks, we are exposed to interest rate risk.  From time to time, we may enter hedging agreements in order to manage risks incurred in the normal course of business.

Interest Rates
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our debt obligations.  As of September 11, 2010, we do not have cash flow exposure due to rate changes on $868.1 million in aggregate book value of our debt securities because they are at fixed interest rates ranging from 2.25% to 11.375%.  However, we did have cash flow exposure on our committed and uncommitted lines of credit of $133.8 million due to variable interest rates on that debt. Accordingly, during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010,  a presumed 1% change in the variable rate would have impacted interest expense by $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively.  A presumed 1% change in the variable rate during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 12, 2009 would have impacted interest expense by $0.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Foreign Exchange Risk
As of September 11, 2010, we did not have exposure to foreign exchange risk as we did not hold any significant assets denominated in foreign currency.

ITEM 4 – Controls and Procedures

We have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Company’s management, including our Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with our Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 11, 2010 pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b).  Based upon the foregoing, our Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with our Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, concluded that our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 11, 2010.

There have been no changes during our Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 11, 2010 in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – Legal Proceedings

Refer to Note 18 – Commitments and Contingencies – Legal Proceedings in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our legal proceedings.

ITEM 1A – Risk Factors

Various risk factors could have a negative effect on our Company’s business, financial position, cash flows and results of operations.  These risk factors include those listed in our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2010 (the “2010 10-K”), and should be considered in conjunction with the risks and uncertainties that are discussed below. Except as set forth below, there have not been any material changes to the risk factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our 2010 10-K.

Risks Relating to Our Business

 
·
Failure to execute on our turnaround plan could adversely affect our Company’s liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

As previously stated, our Company announced a comprehensive operational and revenue-driven turnaround plan designed to generate sustained profitability and cash flow, drive sales growth, restore competitive margins to the business and strengthen the foundation of our Company for the long term.  As part of this effort, we signed an agreement on September 3, 2010 for the sale of seven non-core stores in Connecticut for $22.8 million expected to close in early November.  We continue to pursue additional financing initiatives to augment our Company’s liquidity, including a new term loan, sale-leaseback transactions and sales of additional non-core assets, as well as reviewing our store portfolio for additional opportunities in order to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months, including the debt maturity of $165.0 million on June 15, 2011.  However, there is uncertainty regarding whether our Company can complete all or a portion of these efforts and, if these do not occur, there is substantial doubt about our Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 
·
Our substantial indebtedness could impair our financial condition and our ability to fulfill our debt obligations.

We have substantial indebtedness. As of September 11, 2010, we had total indebtedness of $1,143.1 million, consisting of approximately $133.8 million outstanding under our Credit Agreement, $254.1 million of senior secured notes (net of original issue discount), $613.9 million of other outstanding notes and approximately $141.3 million outstanding under capital lease obligations.  Our indebtedness could have important consequences to our stakeholders.   For example, it could: (i) make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, which could in turn result in an event of default on our indebtedness, (ii) require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes, (iii) impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes, (iv) diminish our ability to withstand a downturn in our business, the industry in which we operate or the economy generally, (v) limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate, and (vi) place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to certain competitors that have proportionately less debt.

If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations, including as a result of any failure to implement our turnaround plan, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our indebtedness, seek additional equity capital or sell assets. We may be unable to obtain such financing or sell assets on satisfactory terms, or at all.

In addition, at September 11, 2010, we had $133.8 million of variable rate debt. If market interest rates increase, such variable-rate debt will have higher debt service requirements, which could adversely affect our cash flow. While we may enter into agreements limiting our exposure to higher interest rates, any such agreements may not offer complete protection from this risk and may increase our risk.

 
·
We are affected by increasing labor, benefit and other operating costs and a competitive labor market and are subject to the risk of unionized labor disruptions.

Our financial performance is greatly influenced by increasing wage and benefit costs, including pension and health care costs, a competitive labor market and the risk of labor disruption of our highly unionized workforce.

As of September 11, 2010, we had approximately 43,729 employees, of which approximately 68% are employed on a part-time basis. Over the last few years, increased benefit costs have caused our Company’s labor costs to increase. We cannot assure our stakeholders that our labor costs will not continue to increase, or that such increases can be recovered through increased prices charged to customers.

As of September 11, 2010, approximately 92% of our employees were represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining or similar agreements that are subject to periodic renegotiations. We believe that we have good relationships with our labor union partners, and we continue to engage them in discussions about working collaboratively to address contract issues impacting our Company through our turnaround plan.  However, there are no assurances that these discussions will be successful.

We are currently negotiating, and expect to negotiate, four labor agreements which in the aggregate will cover approximately 1,780 employees. In each of these negotiations, we expect that rising health care and pension costs will be important issues, as will the nature and structure of work rules. We cannot assure our stakeholders that our labor negotiations will conclude successfully or that any work stoppage or labor disturbances will not occur. We expect that we would incur additional costs and face increased competition for customers if we experience any work stoppages or labor disturbances, which would adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.


ITEM 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

ITEM 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

ITEM 4 – (Removed and Reserved)


ITEM 5 – Other Information

None


ITEM 6 – Exhibits

(a)
Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

 
EXHIBIT NO.
DESCRIPTION

 
10.1
Executive Employment Agreement, made and entered into as of the 22nd day of July, 2010, by and between The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. and Mr. Sam Martin (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2010)

 
10.2*
Offer letter entered into as of the 4th day of August, 2010 by and between The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. and Thomas O’Boyle

 
10.3*
Offer letter entered into as of the 8th day of August, 2010 by and between The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. and Paul Hertz

 
10.4*
Offer letter entered into as of the 19th day of August, 2010 by and between The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. and Frederic Brace

 
31.1*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
31.2*
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
32*
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
*
Filed herewith

 
 
 
 

 

 

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC.


Date:  October 21, 2010
By:
/s/ Melissa E. Sungela
 
 
 
Melissa E. Sungela, Vice President,
 
 
 
Corporate Controller
 
 
 
(Chief Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)
 


 
 
 
 

 
 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Section 302 Certification

I, Samuel Martin, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 
b)
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
c)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusion about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
d)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  October 21, 2010

/s/ Samuel Martin
Samuel Martin
President and
Chief Executive Officer


 
 
 
 

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
Section 302 Certification
I, Brenda M. Galgano, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 
b)
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
c)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusion about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
d)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  October 21, 2010

/s/ Brenda M. Galgano
Brenda M. Galgano
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


 
 

 
Exhibit 32


Certification Accompanying Periodic Report
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(18 U.S.C. ss. 1350)

The undersigned, Samuel Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (‘‘Company’’), and Brenda M. Galgano, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, each hereby certifies that (1) the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 11, 2010 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and the results of operations of the Company.


Dated:  October 21, 2010
/s/ Samuel Martin
 
Samuel Martin
 
President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Dated:  October 21, 2010
/s/ Brenda M. Galgano
 
Brenda M. Galgano
 
Senior Vice President,
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer