f10q22011.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[  X  ]           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 10, 2011

OR

[       ]           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 its charter)

Maryland
 
13-1890974
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)


2 Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  201-573-9700
_________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

Title of each class                                                Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock - $1 par value                                                OTC Markets, Inc.
9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039                                      OTC Markets, Inc.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:  None
_________________________________

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 [ x ] No [   ]

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 [ x ]  No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ________     Accelerated filer ­­   ________  Non-accelerated filer         x               ­­­­­­­­Smaller reporting company__________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes [  ] No [ x ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes [  ] No [  ]

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on October 21, 2011 was 53,852,470.


 
 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – Financial Statements

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

   
12 Weeks Ended
   
28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Sales
 
$
1,638,694
   
$
1,918,279
   
$
3,869,340
   
$
4,483,209
 
Cost of merchandise sold
   
(1,183,264
)
   
(1,354,931
)
   
(2,790,591
   
(3,155,193
)
Gross margin
   
455,430
     
563,348
     
1,078,749
     
1,328,016
 
Store operating, general and administrative expense
   
(506,902
)
   
(631,224
)
   
(1,295,629
   
(1,452,240
)
Goodwill, trademark and long-lived asset impairment
   
(24,124
)
   
(30,250
)
   
(79,542
   
(35,648
)
Loss from continuing operations before
                               
nonoperating income, interest expense, net and
                               
reorganization items, net
   
(75,596
)
   
(98,126
)
   
(296,422
   
(159,872
)
Nonoperating income
   
8
     
2,177
     
91
     
10,454
 
Interest expense, net
   
(37,829
)
   
(46,126
)
   
(86,283
   
(107,268
)
Reorganization items, net
   
17,148
     
-
     
95,026
     
-
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
   
(96,269
)
   
(142,075
)
   
(287,588
   
(256,686
)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes
   
(1,562
)
   
(105
)
   
13,088
     
(245
)
Loss from continuing operations
   
(97,831
)
   
(142,180
)
   
(274,500
   
(256,931
)
Discontinued operations:
                               
 Loss from operations of discontinued businesses, net of income tax benefit of $1,464 and $2,606 for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, and $0 for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, respectively
   
(2,022
)
   
(10,853
)
   
(1,225
   
(17,968
)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax provision of $0 for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, respectively
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
79
 
Reorganization items, net of income tax provision of $7 and $14,368 for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, and $0 for the 12 weeks and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, respectively
   
8
     
-
     
19,841
     
-
 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
   
(2,014
)
   
(10,853
)
   
18,616
     
(17,889
)
Net loss
 
$
(99,845
)
 
 $
(153,033
)
 
$
(255,884
 
$
(274,820
)
                                 
Net (loss) income per share – basic:
                               
Continuing operations
 
 $
(1.84
 
$
(2.72
)
 
 $
(5.15
 
$
(4.98
)
Discontinued operations
   
(0.04
   
(0.21
)
   
0.35
     
(0.33
)
Net loss per share – basic
 
 $
(1.88
 
$
(2.93
)
 
 $
(4.80
 
$
(5.31
)
                                 
Net (loss) income per share – diluted:
                               
Continuing operations
 
 $
(1.84
 
$
(2.75
)
 
 $
(5.15
 
$
(14.64
)
Discontinued operations
   
(0.04
   
(0.19
)
   
0.35
     
(0.94
)
Net loss per share – diluted
 
 $
(1.88
 
$
(2.94
)
 
 $
(4.80
 
$
(15.58
)
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
53,852,470
     
53,778,502
     
53,852,470
     
53,618,284
 
Diluted
   
53,852,470
     
56,970,721
     
53,852,470
     
18,949,997
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 

 

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
(Debtors-in-Possession)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit and Comprehensive Loss
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                     
Accumulated
             
               
Additional
   
Other
         
Total
 
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-in
   
Comprehensive
   
Accumulated
   
Stockholders’
 
28 Weeks Ended September 10, 2011
 
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Loss
   
Deficit
   
Deficit
 
Balance at 2/26/2011, as previously reported
    53,852,470     $ 53,852     $ 511,157     $ (75,309 )   $ (1,630,664 )   $ (1,140,964 )
Retrospective change in accounting
                                               
principle for inventory valuation
    -       -       -       -       11,329       11,329  
Balance at 2/26/2011, as adjusted
    53,852,470       53,852       511,157       (75,309 )     (1,619,335 )     (1,129,635 )
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       (255,884 )     (255,884 )
Beneficial conversion feature accretion
                                               
on preferred stock
    -       -       (2,591 )     -       -       (2,591 )
Preferred stock financing fees amortization
    -       -       (936 )     -       -       (936 )
Other share based awards
    -       -       1,991       -       -       1,991  
Other comprehensive loss
    -       -       -       (875 )     -       (875 )
Balance at 09/10/2011
    53,852,470     $ 53,852     $ 509,621     $ (76,184 )   $ (1,875,219 )   $ (1,387,930 )
                                                 
 
28 Weeks Ended September 11, 2010
                                               
Balance at 2/27/2010, as previously reported
    55,868,129     $ 55,868     $ 526,421     $ (79,403 )   $ (1,032,089 )   $ (529,203 )
Retrospective change in accounting
                                               
principle for inventory valuation
    -       -       -       -       9,285       9,285  
Balance at 2/27/2010, as adjusted
    55,868,129       55,868       526,421       (79,403 )     (1,022,804 )     (519,918 )
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       (274,820 )     (274,820 )
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 )
Stock options exercised
    4,834       5       23       -       -       28  
Other share based awards
    407,451       407       (581 )     -       -       (174 )
Other comprehensive income
    -       -       -       380       -       380  
Balance at 09/11/2010
    56,280,414     $ 56,280     $ 514,936     $ (79,023 )   $ (1,297,624 )   $ (805,431 )


Comprehensive Loss
12 Weeks Ended
 
28 Weeks Ended
 
Sept. 10, 2011
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Sept. 10, 2011
 
Sept. 11, 2010
Net loss
$(99,845)
 
 $(153,033)
 
$(255,844)
 
 $(274,820)
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax of $0 and $1,719
             
for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively,
             
and $0 for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010,
             
respectively
361
 
128
 
(875)
 
380
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
361
 
128
 
(875)
 
380
Total comprehensive loss
$(99,484)
 
 $(152,905)
 
 $(256,759)
 
 $(274,440)
               
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


 
 

 

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
(Debtors-in-Possession)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
 
Sept. 10,
2011
   
February 26, 2011
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
301,569
   
$
352,607
 
Restricted cash
   
4,180
     
1,731
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,371 and
               
$5,554 at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011, respectively
   
167,241
     
209,966
 
Inventories, net
   
398,586
     
452,289
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
42,989
     
36,329
 
Total current assets
   
914,565
     
1,052,922
 
Non-current assets:
               
Property:
               
Property owned, net
   
982,994
     
1,163,853
 
Property under capital leases, net
   
57,470
     
63,346
 
Property, net
   
1,040,464
     
1,227,199
 
Goodwill
   
110,412
     
110,412
 
Intangible assets, net
   
118,513
     
124,288
 
Other assets
   
156,351
     
141,357
 
Total assets
 
$
2,340,305
   
$
2,656,178
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
 
$
350,000
   
$
-
 
Current portion of obligations under capital leases
   
4,031
     
-
 
Current portion of real estate liabilities
   
607
     
-
 
Accounts payable
   
152,893
     
119,245
 
Book overdrafts
   
16,841
     
23,722
 
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
   
99,570
     
109,428
 
Accrued taxes
   
35,896
     
26,175
 
Other accruals
   
79,753
     
65,048
 
Total current liabilities
   
739,591
     
343,618
 
Non-current liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
   
-
     
350,000
 
Long-term obligations under capital leases
   
47,288
     
-
 
Long-term real estate liabilities
   
184,837
     
-
 
Deferred real estate income
   
16,758
     
-
 
Other non-current liabilities
   
123,557
     
74,162
 
Total liabilities not subject to compromise
   
1,112,031
     
767,780
 
Liabilities subject to compromise
   
2,469,399
     
2,874,734
 
Total liabilities
   
3,581,430
     
3,642,514
 
                 
Series A redeemable preferred stock – no par value, $1,000 redemption value; authorized – 700,000
               
shares; issued - 179,020 shares at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011, respectively
   
146,805
     
143,299
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies  (Refer to Note 20)
               
Stockholders’ deficit:
               
Common stock – $1 par value; authorized – 260,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
               
– 53,852,470 shares at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011, respectively
   
53,852
     
53,852
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
509,621
     
511,157
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(76,184
   
(75,309
Accumulated deficit
   
(1,875,219
   
(1,619,335
Total stockholders’ deficit
   
(1,387,930
   
(1,129,635
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
 
$
2,340,305
   
$
2,656,178
 
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 

 
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
(Debtors-in-Possession)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net loss
 
 $
(255,884
 
$
(274,820
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
               
operating activities (see next page)
   
151,393
     
195,938
 
Other changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease in receivables
   
54,646
     
17,534
 
Decrease (increase) in inventories
   
37,590
     
(7,209
)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(11,960
   
(7,560
)
Increase in other assets
   
(14,549
   
(2,799
)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
   
(9,662
   
13,319
 
(Decrease) increase in accrued salaries, wages and benefits, and taxes
   
(2,238
   
2,308
 
Increase in other accruals
   
80,169
     
5,917
 
Decrease in other non-current liabilities
   
(74,003
   
(36,952
)
Other operating activities, net
   
129
     
(99
)
Payments for reorganization items
   
(23,984
   
-
 
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(68,353
   
(94,423
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Expenditures for property
   
(17,282
   
(43,447
)
Proceeds from disposal of property
   
8,789
     
8,739
 
Proceeds from flood insurance
   
-
     
4,910
 
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale
   
38,302
     
-
 
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash
   
(2,449
   
302
 
Proceeds from sale of pharmacy assets
   
4,785
     
-
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
32,145
     
(29,496
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
   
-
     
800
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
   
(99
   
(134
)
Proceeds under revolving lines of credit
   
-
     
201,600
 
Principal payments on revolving lines of credit
   
-
     
(200,700
)
Principal payments on long-term real estate liabilities
   
(616
   
(631
)
Principal payments on capital leases
   
(5,610
   
(6,317
)
Decrease in book overdrafts
   
(6,881
   
(21,804
)
Payments of financing fees for debtor-in-possession financing
   
(1,624
   
-
 
Deferred financing fees
   
-
     
(6
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
   
-
     
(7,000
)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options
   
-
     
28
 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(14,830
   
(34,164
)
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(51,038
   
(158,083
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
352,607
     
252,426
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
 $
301,569
   
$
94,343
 
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 




 
 

 

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
(Debtors-in-Possession)
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. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
101,588
   
$
121,897
 
Goodwill, trademark and long-lived asset impairment
   
79,542
     
35,648
 
Impairment of long-lived assets in the normal course of business
   
1,465
     
1,144
 
Self-insurance reserve
   
3,127
     
21,661
 
Nonoperating income
   
(91
   
(10,454
)
Non-cash interest expense
   
10,104
     
23,258
 
Stock compensation expense (income)
   
1,509
     
(101
)
Pension withdrawal costs
   
13,923
     
-
 
Employee benefit related costs
   
2,111
     
6,713
 
Asset disposition initiatives relating to discontinued operations
   
-
     
4
 
Non-cash occupancy charges for locations closed in the normal course of business
   
1,580
     
466
 
Adjustment to occupancy reserves
   
92,773
     
-
 
Losses relating to Hurricane Irene
   
1,000
     
-
 
Gain on disposal of owned property and write-down of property, net
   
(499
   
(1,807
)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
   
 -
     
(79
)
Gain on sale of pharmacy assets
   
(4,785
   
-
 
Gain on sale of assets held for sale
   
(29,120
   
-
 
Amortization of deferred real estate income
   
(1,777
   
(2,412
)
C&S contract effect
   
9,184
     
-
 
Provision for deferred income taxes
   
(1,719
   
-
 
Reorganization items, net relating to continuing operations
   
(95,026
   
-
 
Reorganization items, net relating to discontinued operations
   
(34,209
)
   
-
 
Financing fees
   
 713
     
-
 
Total adjustments to net loss
 
$
151,393
   
$
195,938
 
                 
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 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, and the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 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 2010 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.

Bankruptcy Filing
On December 12, 2010, our Company and all of our U.S. subsidiaries (the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “Bankruptcy Filing”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in White Plains (the “Bankruptcy Court”), which are being jointly administered under case number 10-24549.   Management’s decision to initiate the Bankruptcy Filing was in response to, among other things, our Company’s deteriorating liquidity and management’s conclusion that the challenges of successfully implementing additional financing initiatives and of obtaining necessary cost concessions from our Company’s business and labor partners, was negatively impacting our Company’s ability to implement our previously announced turnaround strategy.  Our Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries, which are immaterial on a consolidated basis and have no retail operations, were not part of the Bankruptcy Filing.
 
We are currently operating as debtors-in-possession pursuant to the Bankruptcy Filing and continuation of our Company as a going-concern is contingent upon, among other things, the Debtors’ ability (i) to comply with the terms and conditions of the DIP Credit Agreement described in Note 9 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities; (ii) to develop a plan of reorganization and obtain confirmation of that plan under the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) to reduce debt and other liabilities through the bankruptcy process; (iv) to return to profitability, including by securing necessary near-term cost concessions from our business and labor partners; (v) to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; and (vi) to obtain financing sources to meet our future obligations.  The uncertainty regarding these matters raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our Company was required to apply the FASB’s provisions of Reorganizations effective on December 12, 2010, which is applicable to companies in chapter 11, which generally does not change the manner in which financial statements are prepared. However, it does require that the financial statements for periods subsequent to the filing of the Bankruptcy Filing petition distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses, and provisions for losses that can be directly associated with the reorganization and restructuring of the business must be reported separately as reorganization items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning in the year ended February 26, 2011. The balance sheet must distinguish pre-Bankruptcy Filing liabilities subject to compromise from both those pre-Bankruptcy Filing liabilities that are not subject to compromise and from post-Bankruptcy Filing liabilities.  As discussed in Note 9 - Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities, currently the Senior Secured Notes totaling $260.0 million have priority over the unsecured creditors of our Company. Based upon the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate treatment of the Notes in our reorganization plan, including the potential that these Notes may be impaired, these Notes are classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Our Company continues to evaluate creditors’ claims for other claims that may also have priority over unsecured creditors. Liabilities that may be affected by a plan of reorganization must be reported at the amounts expected to be approved by the Bankruptcy Court, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts as a result of the plan of reorganization. In addition, cash used in reorganization items must be disclosed separately in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Supply Agreement
On June 2, 2011, our Company entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (“C&S”) effective May 29, 2011, whereby C&S will provide warehousing, transportation, procurement, purchasing and ancillary services (the “Services”) in support of a substantial portion of our Company’s supply chain. This agreement replaced the warehousing, logistics, procurement and purchasing agreement under which the parties had been operating since 2008.

The term of the agreement is through the effective date of our Company’s plan of reorganization in its Bankruptcy Filing but may be extended by either party for a term concurrent with a fixed volume commitment based upon wholesale purchases of merchandise resulting in a term of approximately seven years. The cost structure of the agreement is a combination of a fixed cost and variable upcharge pricing model. The charges are subject to adjustment due to volume change or other material changes to the operating assumptions of the agreement.

Our Company expects it will realize a run-rate of more than $50 million in annual savings commencing with our Company’s emergence from the Bankruptcy Filing pursuant to a plan of reorganization. The agreement provides our Company with important service enhancements, including detailed service specifications and key performance measures. The agreement also permits our Company to maintain product standards and specifications for all merchandise purchased for resale in our Company’s stores.

Assumed Leases
During the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, our Company assumed 330 real estate leases, including leases for shopping center tenants as well as leases for subleased locations. In connection with the assumption of the leases, the related liability balances previously classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” were reclassified to the respective balance sheet captions in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, all undisputed cure amounts related to these leases in the amount of $6.8 million have been paid to the landlords.

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 26, 2011. Except for as described below, there have been no changes in these policies during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011.

Change in Accounting Policy
Effective June 19, 2011, our Company changed its method of valuing inventories held at our Pathmark stores from the last-in first-out (“LIFO”) method to the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method. As previously noted, our Company entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S effective May 29, 2011 to provide Services in support of a substantial portion of our Company’s supply chain. As a result of the agreement with C&S, our Company began transitioning our inventory to different warehouses such that, beginning in our second fiscal quarter, the Pathmark inventory is no longer separately segregated and managed. Our Company believes that the FIFO method of inventory valuation is preferable under GAAP and improves financial reporting because it conforms all of our Company’s inventories to a consistent inventory method and the use of FIFO better aligns costing with our Company’s forecasting and procurement decisions.  As described in the accounting guidance for accounting changes and error corrections, the comparative Consolidated Financial Statements of prior periods presented have been adjusted to apply the new accounting method retrospectively.

The following line items within the Consolidated Statements of Operations were affected by the change in accounting policy (in thousands, except for per share data):

   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
September 10, 2011
   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
September 11, 2010
 
   
As Computed under LIFO
   
As Reported under FIFO
   
Change: (Decrease) /
Increase
   
As Originally Reported
   
As Adjusted
   
Change: (Decrease) /
Increase
 
Cost of merchandise sold
 
$
(1,184,105
)
 
$
(1,183,264
)
 
$
(841
)
 
$
(1,355,572
)
 
$
(1,354,931
)
 
$
(641
)
Gross margin
   
454,589
     
455,430
     
841
     
562,707
     
563,348
     
641
 
Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
   
(97,110
)
   
(96,269
)
   
841
     
(142,716
)
   
(142,075
)
   
641
 
Provision for income taxes
   
(1,562
)
   
(1,562
)
   
-
     
(105
)
   
(105
)
   
-
 
Loss from continuing operations
   
(98,672
)
   
(97,831
)
   
841
     
(142,821
)
   
(142,180
)
   
641
 
Loss from discontinued operations
   
(2,014
)
   
(2,014
)
   
-
     
(10,853
)
   
(10,853
)
   
-
 
Net loss
   
(100,686
)
   
(99,845
)
   
841
     
(153,674
)
   
(153,033
)
   
641
 
                                                 
Net (loss) income per share – basic:
                                               
Continuing operations
 
 $
(1.85
 
 $
(1.84
 
 $
0.01
   
$
(2.73
)
 
$
(2.72
)
 
$
0.01
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.04
   
(0.04
   
-
     
(0.21
)
   
(0.21
)
   
-
 
Net loss per share - basic
 
 $
(1.89
 
 $
(1.88
 
 $
0.01
   
$
(2.94
)
 
$
(2.93
)
 
$
0.01
 
                                                 
Net (loss) income per share – diluted:
                                               
Continuing operations
 
 $
(1.85
 
 $
(1.84
 
 $
0.01
   
$
(2.76
)
 
$
(2.75
)
 
$
0.01
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.04
   
(0.04
   
-
     
(0.19
)
   
(0.19
)
   
-
 
Net loss per share - diluted
 
 $
(1.89
 
 $
(1.88
 
 $
0.01
   
$
(2.95
)
 
$
(2.94
)
 
$
0.01
 
                                                 



   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
September 10, 2011
   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
September 11, 2010
 
   
As Computed under LIFO
   
As Reported under FIFO
   
Change: (Decrease) /
Increase
   
As Originally Reported
   
As Adjusted
   
Change: (Decrease) /
Increase
 
Cost of merchandise sold
 
$
(2,792,554
)
 
$
(2,790,591
)
 
$
(1,963
)
 
$
(3,156,690
)
 
$
(3,155,193
)
 
$
(1,497
)
Gross margin
   
1,076,786
     
1,078,749
     
1,963
     
1,326,519
     
1,328,016
     
1,497
 
Loss from continuing operations before benefit from (provision for) income taxes
   
(289,551
)
   
(287,588
)
   
1,963
     
(258,183
)
   
(256,686
)
   
1,497
 
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
   
13,088
     
13,088
     
-
     
(245
)
   
(245
)
   
-
 
Loss from continuing operations
   
(276,463
)
   
(274,500
)
   
1,963
     
(258,428
)
   
(256,931
)
   
1,497
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
   
18,616
     
18,616
     
-
     
(17,889
)
   
(17,889
)
   
-
 
Net loss
   
(257,847
)
   
(255,884
)
   
1,963
     
(276,317
)
   
(274,820
)
   
1,497
 
                                                 
Net (loss) income per share – basic:
                                               
Continuing operations
 
 $
(5.18
 
 $
(5.15
 
 $
0.03
   
$
(5.01
)
 
$
(4.98
)
 
$
0.03
 
Discontinued operations
   
0.35
     
0.35
     
-
     
(0.33
)
   
(0.33
)
   
-
 
Net loss per share - basic
 
 $
(4.83
 
 $
(4.80
 
 $
0.03
   
$
(5.34
)
 
$
(5.31
)
 
$
0.03
 
                                                 
Net (loss) income per share – diluted:
                                               
Continuing operations
 
 $
(5.18
 
 $
(5.15
 
 $
0.03
   
$
(14.72
)
 
$
(14.64
)
 
$
0.08
 
Discontinued operations
   
0.35
     
0.35
     
-
     
(0.94
)
   
(0.94
)
   
-
 
Net loss per share - diluted
 
 $
(4.83
 
 $
(4.80
 
 $
0.03
   
$
(15.66
)
 
$
(15.58
)
 
$
0.08
 
                                                 

 
The following line items within the Consolidated Balance Sheets were affected by the change in accounting policy (in thousands):

   
As of September 10, 2011
 
   
As Computed under LIFO
   
As Reported under FIFO
   
Change
 
Inventories, net
 
$
385,294
   
$
398,586
   
$
13,292
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(1,888,511
)
   
(1,875,219
)
   
13,292
 

   
As of February 26, 2011
 
   
As Originally Reported
   
As Adjusted
   
Change
 
Inventories, net
 
$
440,960
   
$
452,289
   
$
11,329
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(1,630,664
)
   
(1,619,335
)
   
11,329
 

 
There was no impact on net cash provided by operating activities as a result of this change in accounting policy.

2.      Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Comprehensive Income. In June 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income, eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. All changes in our Company’s stockholders’ deficit will be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive loss or in two separate but consecutive statements. The updated guidance is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, ending after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. The impact of this update is expected to be immaterial.

Intangibles — Goodwill and Other. In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance allowing the use of a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment. The updated guidance would permit our Company to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of one of our reporting units is less than its carrying value. If we conclude that this is the case, it is then necessary for us to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The updated guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of this update.

Multi-employer Pension Plan. In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance to require employers who participate in multi-employer pension plans to provide additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. Such disclosures include, but are not limited to, the significant plans in which the employer participates within, the level of participation and financial health within such plans and the nature of the employer commitments to such plans. The updated guidance for public entities is effective for annual periods for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance is expected to impact related disclosures to our Consolidated Financial Statements only.

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 2010 for all of our reporting units in our reportable segments.  This assessment concluded that there was no impairment.

Goodwill
As part of our consideration of whether goodwill is recoverable, we have noted a decline in revenues and cash flows during the first half of fiscal 2011 from the projections used in the fourth quarter fiscal 2010 to evaluate the goodwill for the Waldbaum’s reporting units.  We determined we do not have a triggering event, as we continue to anticipate that expected savings from the recently negotiated C&S supply agreement and from the ongoing labor negotiations will improve future cash flows at the Waldbaum's reporting units to a level that will exceed the related carrying value of the assets.  However, the most recent decline in cash flows does indicate that the estimated fair value of this reporting unit may not exceed the carrying value of the assets by as much as previously anticipated during our fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.  It should be noted that the expected savings from the ongoing labor negotiations are not assured and if such savings are not realized, then the cash flow projections of this reporting unit would be lowered to such a level that it is likely the goodwill at this reporting unit would be impaired.

The carrying amount of our goodwill was $110.4 million at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011, respectively.  Our goodwill allocation by segment at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 was as follows (in thousands):
 
 
   
Fresh
   
Gourmet
   
Other
   
Total
 
Goodwill
 
$
116,032
   
$
12,110
   
$
5,974
   
$
134,116
 
Accumulated impairment losses
   
(23,704
)
   
-
     
-
     
(23,704
)
Goodwill at February 26, 2011
 
$
92,328
   
$
12,110
   
$
5,974
   
$
110,412
 
                                 
Goodwill
 
$
116,032
   
$
12,110
   
$
5,974
   
$
134,116
 
Accumulated impairment losses
   
(23,704
)
   
-
     
-
     
(23,704
)
Goodwill at September 10, 2011
 
$
92,328
   
$
12,110
   
$
5,974
   
$
110,412
 

Intangible Assets, net
As part of our consideration of whether the definite lived intangible assets are recoverable, we have noted a decline in revenues and cash flows during the first half of fiscal 2011 from the projections used in the fourth quarter fiscal 2010 to evaluate the definite lived intangible assets for the Pathmark reporting unit.   We determined we do not have a triggering event, as we continue to anticipate that expected savings from the recently negotiated C&S supply agreement and from the ongoing labor negotiations will improve future cash flows at the Pathmark reporting unit to a level that will exceed the related carrying value of the assets. However, the most recent decline in cash flows does indicate that the estimated fair value of this reporting unit may not exceed the carrying value of the assets by as much as previously anticipated during our fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.  It should be noted that the expected savings from the ongoing labor negotiations are not assured and if such savings are not realized, then the cash flow projections of this reporting unit would be lowered to such a level that it is likely the definite lived intangible assets at this reporting unit would be impaired.

As part of our consideration of whether the indefinite lived intangible assets are recoverable, we have noted a decline in revenues and cash flows during the first half of fiscal 2011 from the projections used in the fourth quarter fiscal 2010 to evaluate the indefinite lived intangible assets for the Pathmark reporting unit.  We determined we do not have a triggering event.  Further, any changes in sensitivity to changes in revenues or market royalty rates have not been significant.

 
 

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

   
Weighted Average
   
Gross
   
Accumulated
   
Accumulated
 
   
Amortization
   
Carrying
   
Amortization at
   
Amortization at
 
   
Period (Years)
   
Amount
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Feb. 26, 2011
 
Loyalty card customer relationships
   
5
   
$
19,200
   
$
14,088
   
$
11,815
 
In-store advertiser relationships
   
20
     
14,720
     
2,774
     
2,378
 
Pharmacy payor relationships
   
13
     
75,000
     
21,745
     
18,639
 
Pathmark trademark
 
Indefinite
     
48,200
     
-
     
-
 
Total
         
$
157,120
   
$
38,607
   
$
32,832
 

Amortization expense relating to our intangible assets for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010 was $2.5 million during each period. Amortization expense relating to our intangible assets for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010 was $5.8 million during each period.

The following table summarizes the estimated future amortization expense for our finite-lived intangible assets (in thousands):
 
 
2011
 
$4,950
2012
 
9,670
2013
 
6,505
2014
 
6,505
2015
 
6,505
Thereafter
 
36,178

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 as of September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 (in thousands):

         
Fair Value Measurements at September 10, 2011 Using
 
         
Quoted Prices
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
 
   
Total Carrying
   
in Active
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
   
Value at
   
Markets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Cash equivalents
 
$
1,552
   
$
-
   
$
1,552
   
$
-
 
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Series B warrant
 
$
79
   
$
-
   
$
79
   
$
-
 
                                 

         
Fair Value Measurements at Feb. 26, 2011 Using
 
         
Quoted Prices
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
 
   
Total Carrying
   
in Active
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
   
Value at
   
Markets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
   
Feb. 26, 2011
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Cash equivalents
 
$
1,553
   
$
-
   
$
1,553
   
$
-
 
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Series B warrant
 
$
170
   
$
-
   
$
170
   
$
-
 

There were no transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011.

Level 3 Valuations
We did not have any financial assets or liabilities classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as of September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011.

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 locations occupancy costs.  Long-lived assets and closed locations 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 17 – Discontinued Operations and Note 18 – 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 in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and the estimated fair values of financial instruments as of September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 (in thousands):

   
At September 10, 2011
   
At February 26, 2011
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
$
350,000
   
$
350,000
   
$
159
   
$
159
 
Long-term debt – subject to compromise
   
905,235
     
399,612
     
1,255,225
     
765,577
 

Our DIP Credit Agreement is classified as a current liability as of the balance sheet date. Our long-term debt includes borrowings under a related party promissory note and our unsecured debt securities.  The fair value of our debt securities are 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 10, 2011, we recorded impairment charges on long-lived assets of $1.5 million for both periods related to locations that were closed or converted in the normal course of business, as compared to $0.6 million and $1.1 million in impairment losses recorded during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, respectively.  These amounts were recorded within “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments due to store closures
In February 2011, our Company obtained authority from the Bankruptcy Court to close 32 stores in six states as we continue to fully implement our comprehensive financial and operational restructuring.  As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $31.4 million during fiscal 2010, of which $19.4 million, $9.0 million and $3.0 million related to our Fresh, Pathmark, and Other reporting segments, respectively.  These store closures were completed on April 16, 2011.  We recorded an additional impairment charge of $0.4 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2011, of which $0.3 million and $0.1 million were attributed to our Pathmark and Fresh reporting segments, respectively. These amounts were recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In April and May 2011, our Company obtained approval from the Bankruptcy Court to sell, or alternatively, to close, an additional 25 stores located in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia (the “Southern Stores”).  During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, our Company held an auction whereby we agreed to sell our interests in 12 of our existing stores based in Maryland and the District of Columbia, all of which were a part of our Fresh reportable segment, for $38.3 million in cash which relates to fixed assets. The transactions closed during June and July 2011 resulting in a gain of $29.1 million, which was recorded within “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, all of which pertained to our Fresh reporting segment. These amounts were recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These store closures and sales were completed by July 9, 2011.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, our Company announced the closure of 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive financial and operational restructuring.  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 “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments due to unrecoverable assets
As part of the ongoing development of our Plan of Reorganization, during our second quarter of fiscal 2011, we refined our projected cash flows of baseline operations, before any potential cash flows that might result from capital improvements, for all locations.  For those locations where the projected undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the net carrying value of the long-lived assets, we determined the fair value of the long-lived assets and recorded an impairment charge of $24.0 million and $76.1 million during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, which related primarily to favorable leases and which also included capital leases and land and buildings, with a carrying amount of $99.5 million to their fair value of $75.5 million for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011. The impairment charge of $24.0 million and $76.1 million recorded during the 12 weeks and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, all related to our Pathmark reportable segment. These amounts were recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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 stores’ long-lived assets, which primarily consist of favorable leases and which also included 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 “Goodwill, trademark, and 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. Our projected cash flows of baseline operations include an estimate for expected savings from the recently negotiated C&S supply agreement and from the ongoing labor negotiations. If current operating levels do not improve or the expected cost savings from ongoing labor negotiations do not occur, 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.      Hurricane Irene and Impact on our Company Stores

In August 2011, Hurricane Irene had a major effect on certain portions of the Northeast region and resulted in the significant interruption of business for eleven of our Company stores. As of September 10, 2011, nine of these stores had fully resumed operations. We are currently working to re-open one other store and the remaining impacted store is currently providing limited sales of merchandise.

We maintain insurance coverage for this type of loss which provides for reimbursement from losses resulting from property damage, loss of product as well as business interruption coverage. As of the balance sheet date, we were able to determine that we incurred impairment losses of $5.3 million for property, plant and equipment that was damaged as a result of Hurricane, as well as an inventory loss of $6.9 million. We also determined that we incurred $0.8 million in other related hurricane costs, which has been recorded in “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Our Company is currently assessing the remaining extent of our losses in the Northeast region and we expect to recover the losses caused by Hurricane Irene in excess of our estimated insurance deductible of approximately $1.0 million, which was recorded in "Store operating, general and administrative expense" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011. We recorded approximately $12.0 million in receivable related to the amount we expect to recover for impairment and out-of-pocket expenses in excess of our estimated insurance deductible.

7.  Other Accruals

Other accruals at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 were comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
At
Sept. 10, 2011
   
At
Feb. 26, 2011
 
   
Other
               
Other
             
   
Accruals
               
Accruals
             
   
Prior to
   
Amounts
         
Prior to
   
Amounts
       
   
Financial
   
Classified as
         
Financial
   
Classified as
       
   
Statement
   
Subject to
   
Other
   
Statement
   
Subject to
   
Other
 
   
Classification
   
Compromise(1)
   
Accruals
   
Classification
   
Compromise(1)
   
Accruals
 
Self-insurance reserves
 
$
48,925
   
$
(42,136
)
 
$
6,789
   
$
47,792
   
$
(45,466
)
 
$
2,326
 
Deferred taxes
   
31,539
     
-
     
31,539
     
28,335
     
-
     
28,335
 
Closed locations reserves
   
1,210
     
(1,210
)
   
-
     
11,358
     
(11,358
)
   
-
 
Damages claim for rejected leases
   
186,751
     
(186,751
)
   
-
     
106,642
     
(106,642
)
   
-
 
Pension withdrawal liabilities
   
10,461
     
(10,461
)
   
-
     
10,461
     
(10,461
)
   
-
 
GHI liability for employee benefits
   
8,095
     
(8,095
)
   
-
     
7,776
     
(7,776
)
   
-
 
Accrued occupancy-related costs
                                               
for open stores
   
41,988
     
(22,766
)
   
19,222
     
48,742
     
(24,523
)
   
24,219
 
Deferred income
   
22,616
     
(12,026
)
   
10,590
     
23,299
     
(21,363
)
   
1,936
 
Deferred real estate income
   
1,670
     
(824
)
   
846
     
2,508
     
(2,508
)
   
-
 
Accrued audit, legal and other
   
12,047
     
(6,875
)
   
5,172
     
11,777
     
(8,118
)
   
3,659
 
Accrued interest
   
52,991
     
(49,845
)
   
3,146
     
35,600
     
(33,921
)
   
1,679
 
Other postretirement and
                                               
postemployment benefits
   
2,931
     
(2,931
)
   
-
     
2,918
     
(2,918
)
   
-
 
Accrued advertising
   
404
     
-
     
404
     
718
     
-
     
718
 
Other accruals
   
5,026
     
(2,981
)
   
2,045
     
10,181
     
(8,005
)
   
2,176
 
Total
 
$
426,654
   
$
(346,901
 
$
79,753
   
$
348,107
   
$
(283,059
)
 
$
65,048
 

(1) Refer to Note 10 – Liabilities subject to compromise for additional information.


8.  Other Non-Current Liabilities

Other non-current liabilities at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 were comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
At
Sept. 10, 2011
   
At
Feb. 26, 2011
 
   
Non-Current
               
Non-Current
             
   
Liabilities
               
Liabilities
             
   
Prior to
   
Amounts
   
Other
   
Prior to
   
Amounts
   
Other
 
   
Financial
   
Classified as
   
Non-
   
Financial
   
Classified as
   
Non-
 
   
Statement
   
Subject to
   
Current
   
Statement
   
Subject to
   
Current
 
   
Classification
   
Compromise(1)
   
Liabilities
   
Classification
   
Compromise(1)
   
Liabilities
 
Self-insurance reserves
 
$
383,565
   
$
(347,133
)
 
$
36,432
   
$
366,891
   
$
(354,704
)
 
$
12,187
 
Closed locations reserves
   
1,801
     
(1,801
)
   
-
     
39,192
     
(39,192
)
   
-
 
Pension withdrawal liabilities
   
103,461
     
(103,461
)
   
-
     
86,735
     
(86,735
)
   
-
 
GHI liability for employee benefits
   
93,751
     
(93,751
)
   
-
     
86,505
     
(86,505
)
   
-
 
Pension plan benefits
   
130,085
     
(130,085
)
   
-
     
125,000
     
(125,000
)
   
-
 
Other postretirement and
                                               
postemployment benefits
   
38,956
     
(38,956
)
   
-
     
38,737
     
(38,737
)
   
-
 
Loans on life insurance policies
   
61,943
     
-
     
61,943
     
61,943
     
-
     
61,943
 
Step rent liabilities
   
48,335
     
(24,214
)
   
24,121
     
56,287
     
(56,287
)
   
-
 
Deferred income
   
22,402
     
(21,915
)
   
487
     
53,031
     
(53,031
)
   
-
 
Deferred real estate income
   
14,094
     
(14,094
)
   
-
     
86,801
     
(86,801
)
   
-
 
Unfavorable lease liabilities
   
795
     
(795
)
   
-
     
4,201
     
(4,201
)
   
-
 
Other non-current liabilities
   
10,697
     
(10,123
)
   
574
     
11,348
     
(11,316
)
   
32
 
Total
 
$
909,885
   
$
(786,328
)
 
$
123,557
   
$
1,016,671
   
$
(942,509
)
 
$
74,162
 

(1) Refer to Note 10 – Liabilities subject to compromise for additional information.

 
9.      Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities

Our indebtedness at September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 consisted of the following debt obligations (in thousands):

   
At
   
At
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
February 26, 2011
 
   
Indebtedness
               
Indebtedness
             
   
Prior to
   
Amounts
         
Prior to
   
Amounts
       
   
Financial
   
Classified as
         
Financial
   
Classified as
       
   
Statement
   
Subject to
         
Statement
   
Subject to
       
   
Classification
   
Compromise(1)
   
Indebtedness
   
Classification
   
Compromise(1)
   
Indebtedness
 
Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement, due June 14, 2012
 
$
350,000
   
$
-
   
$
350,000
   
$
350,000
   
$
-
   
$
350,000
 
Related Party Promissory Note, due August 18, 2011
   
10,000
     
(10,000
)
   
-
     
10,000
     
(10,000
)
   
-
 
5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011
   
165,000
     
(165,000
)
   
-
     
165,000
     
(165,000
)
   
-
 
9.125% Senior Notes, due
December 15, 2011
   
12,840
     
(12,840
)
   
-
     
12,840
     
(12,840
)
   
-
 
6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due December 15, 2012
   
255,000
     
(255,000
)
   
-
     
255,000
     
(255,000
)
   
-
 
11.375% Senior Secured Notes, due August 1, 2015
   
260,000
     
(260,000
)
   
-
     
260,000
     
(260,000
)
   
-
 
9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039
   
200,000
     
(200,000
)
   
-
     
200,000
     
(200,000
)
   
-
 
Other
   
2,395
     
(2,395
)
   
-
     
2,544
     
(2,544
)
   
-
 
Subtotal
   
1,255,235
     
(905,235
)
   
350,000
     
1,255,384
     
(905,384
)
   
350,000
 
Less current portion of long-term debt
   
(350,000
)
   
-
     
(350,000
)
   
(159
)
   
159
     
-
 
Long-term debt
 
$
905,235
   
$
(905,235
)
 
$
-
   
$
1,255,225
   
$
(905,225
)
 
$
350,000
 

(1) Refer to Note 10 – Liabilities subject to compromise for additional information.

DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION CREDIT AGREEMENT
In connection with the Bankruptcy Filing, on December 13, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered its interim financing order, among other things, permitting us to enter into a Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement as amended and restated in its entirety by that certain Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2010, further amended and restated in its entirety by that certain Second Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of January 10, 2011, further amended and restated in its entirety by that certain Third Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of January 13, 2011, further amended by that certain First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of July 8, 2011, further amended (subsequent to the reporting period) by that certain Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of September 21, 2011 (the “Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement”), as may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “DIP Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “DIP Lenders”) and our Company and certain subsidiaries as borrowers thereunder.  On December 14, 2010, we satisfied all of the conditions to the effectiveness of the DIP Credit Agreement and to the initial closing thereunder and consummated the transactions contemplated thereunder including the refinancing in full of our Company’s and its applicable subsidiaries’ obligations under the pre-existing first lien credit facility. The Bankruptcy Court entered a final order approving the DIP Credit Agreement on January 11, 2011.  Pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement:

 
 
the DIP Lenders agreed to lend up to $800.0 million in the form of a $350.0 million term loan and a $450.0 million revolving credit facility with a $250.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, in each case subject to the terms and conditions therein;

 
 
our Company’s and the Subsidiary Borrower’s obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement and the other specified loan documents are guaranteed by our Company’s certain other subsidiaries that are Debtors (“Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with our Company and the Subsidiary Borrowers, the “Loan Parties”); and

 
 
the Loan Parties’ obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement and such other specified loan documents are secured by a security interest in, and lien upon, substantially all of the Loan Parties’ existing and after-acquired personal and real property, having the priority and subject to the terms therein and in the order(s) entered into by the Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.

Our Company will have the option to have interest on the revolving loans under the revolving credit facility provided under the DIP Credit Agreement accrue at an alternate base rate plus 200 basis points or at adjusted LIBOR plus 300 basis points. Our Company will have the option to have interest on the term loan provided under the DIP Credit Agreement accrue at an alternate base rate plus 600 basis points or at adjusted LIBOR (with a floor of 175 basis points) plus 700 basis points. The DIP Credit Agreement limits, among other things, our Company’s and the other Loan Parties’ ability to (i) incur indebtedness, (ii) incur or create liens, (iii) dispose of assets, (iv) prepay certain indebtedness and make other restricted payments, (v) enter into sale and leaseback transactions and (vi) modify the terms of certain indebtedness and certain material contracts. Notably, however, the DIP Credit Agreement permits our Company to use the proceeds generated from the sale of the Southern Stores in the operation of our business rather than requiring us to use those proceeds to reduce the Loan Parties’ outstanding indebtedness under the DIP Credit Agreement.

The DIP Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants. The Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement amended the covenants regarding minimum excess availability and minimum cumulative EBITDA. The Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement changed the measurement intervals for minimum excess availability requirements and reduced the minimum cumulative EBITDA requirements to have them measured beginning with respect to the period ending December 31, 2011 rather than prior to such time as required by the DIP Credit Agreement, provided that if the Company has filed a Plan of Reorganization reasonably satisfactory to the DIP Lenders prior to December 31, 2011, the measurement period for the minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant will be measured beginning on February 25, 2012. The financial covenants, as amended by the Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, include a minimum excess availability covenant of $100.0 million (or $75.0 million at any time after December 31, 2011 but prior to the delivery of financial statements to the DIP Lenders for the period ended February 25, 2012, or $50.0 million at any time thereafter), minimum liquidity covenant of $100.0 million and minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement.  Minimum cumulative EBITDA measured beginning on September 11, 2011 to and including the applicable date set forth in the table below is as follows (in millions):
 

Date
Minimum Cumulative EBITDA
December 31, 2011
10.0
January 28, 2012
25.0
February 25, 2012
40.0
March 24, 2012
55.0
April 21, 2012
70.0
May 19, 2012
 85.0
June 16, 2012
100.0


 
If we file a Plan of Reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court prior to January 30, 2012, the minimum EBITDA covenants for the respective periods ended December 31, 2011 and January 28, 2012 are waived.

Meeting our EBITDA covenant requires increasing levels of performance throughout the year, including the successful implementation of our business improvement initiatives. We previously entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S to provide Services and as of the balance sheet date we are in the process of negotiating with union locals to obtain consensual modifications to collective bargaining agreements necessary for our successful reorganization. We may not achieve our minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant. A financial covenant violation could result in termination of the DIP Credit Agreement and/or termination of our access to funding thereunder. If either (or both) of those were to occur, our Company could be without sufficient cash availability to meet our operating needs or satisfy our obligations as they fall due, in which instance we may be unable to successfully reorganize.

The DIP Credit Agreement matures upon the earliest to occur of (a) June 14, 2012, (b) the acceleration of the loans and the termination of the commitment thereunder, and (c) the substantial consummation (as defined in Section 1101(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, which for purposes hereof shall be no later than the effective date thereof) of a Plan of Reorganization that is confirmed pursuant to an order entered by the Bankruptcy Court.

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.  Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG (“Tengelmann”) has 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 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and is included in “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Our “Nonoperating income” for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 was comprised of gains of approximately $8,000 and $90,800, 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 11, 2010 was consisted of gains of $2.2 million and $10.5 million, respectively.  The following assumptions and estimates were used in the Black-Scholes model used to value the Series B warrants:

 
At
 
At
 
September 10, 2011
 
February 26, 2011
Expected life
3.75 Years
 
4.29 Years
Volatility
121.2%
 
111.3%
Dividend yield range
0%
 
0%
Risk-free interest rate
0.31%
 
2.16%

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 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 the LBOTC 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.

10.  Liabilities Subject to Compromise
As a result of the Bankruptcy Filing, the payment of pre-petition indebtedness is subject to compromise or other treatment under a Plan of Reorganization. Generally, actions to enforce or otherwise effect payment of pre-Bankruptcy Filing liabilities are stayed. Although payment of pre-petition claims generally is not permitted, the Bankruptcy Court granted the Debtor authority to pay certain pre-petition claims in designated categories and subject to certain terms and conditions. This relief generally was designed to preserve the value of our Company’s businesses and assets. Among other things, the Bankruptcy Court authorized us to pay certain pre-petition claims relating to employee wages and benefits, customers, vendors, and suppliers.

We have been paying and intend to continue to pay undisputed post-petition claims in the normal course of business. In addition, we may reject pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases with respect to our operations, with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. Any damages resulting from rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases are treated as general unsecured claims and will be classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We previously notified all known claimants subject to the bar date of their need to file a proof of claim with the Bankruptcy Court. A bar date is the date by which claims against our Company must be filed if the claimants disagree with the amounts included in our schedule of assets and liabilities filed with the Bankruptcy Court and wish to receive any distribution in the Bankruptcy Filing. The bar date of June 17, 2011 set by the Bankruptcy Court has passed. Thus far, claimants filed over nine thousand claims against our Company, asserting approximately $27.9 billion worth of liabilities.  Our Company and our retained professionals are continuing to review and analyze the proofs of claim submitted by claimants and will investigate any material differences between these claims and liability amounts estimated by our Company. If necessary, in the event of a claims dispute, the Bankruptcy Court will make a final determination whether such claims should be allowed and, if so, the appropriate amount of such allowed claims. The ultimate amount of such liabilities is not determinable at this time.

Pre-petition liabilities that are subject to compromise are required to be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts.  The amounts currently classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” may be subject to future adjustments depending on Bankruptcy Court actions, further developments with respect to disputed claims, determinations of the secured status of certain claims, the values of any collateral securing such claims, or other events.  We expect that certain amounts currently classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” may in fact be paid in the normal course of business as they come due.  Any resulting changes in classification will be reflected in subsequent financial statements.

Liabilities subject to compromise consist of the following (in thousands):

   
At
   
At
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
February 26, 2011
 
Accounts payable
 
$
176,927
   
$
212,135
 
Accrued salaries, wages, and benefits
   
10,949
     
10,939
 
Self-insurance reserves
   
389,269
     
400,170
 
Closed locations reserves
   
3,011
     
50,550
 
Damages claim for rejected leases
   
186,751
     
106,642
 
Pension withdrawal liabilities
   
113,922
     
97,196
 
GHI liability for employee benefits
   
101,846
     
94,281
 
Accrued occupancy-related costs for open stores
   
22,766
     
24,523
 
Deferred income
   
33,941
     
74,394
 
Deferred real estate income
   
14,918
     
89,309
 
Accrued audit, legal and other
   
6,875
     
8,118
 
Accrued interest
   
49,845
     
33,921
 
Other postretirement and postemployment benefits
   
41,887
     
41,655
 
Other accruals
   
2,981
     
8,005
 
Pension plan benefits
   
130,085
     
125,000
 
Step rent liabilities
   
24,214
     
56,287
 
Unfavorable lease liabilities
   
795
     
4,201
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
   
10,123
     
11,316
 
5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011
   
165,000
     
165,000
 
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
   
255,000
     
255,000
 
11.375% Senior Secured Notes, due August 1, 2015
   
260,000
     
260,000
 
9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039
   
200,000
     
200,000
 
Other debt
   
2,473
     
2,714
 
Obligations under capital leases
   
53,649
     
121,058
 
Real estate liabilities
   
189,332
     
399,480
 
Total liabilities subject to compromise
 
$
2,469,399
   
$
2,874,734
 

Rejected Leases
During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we rejected 19 and 63 of our leases, respectively, through the bankruptcy process, reducing the closed locations reserves balance associated with these leases by $13.5 million and $52.6 million, respectively, net to the allowable claim for damages of $186.8 million as of September 10, 2011. The remaining closed locations reserves balance of $3.0 million pertains to locations for which the leases have not been rejected.  In connection with the rejected leases during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, the related deferred real estate income, unfavorable lease liabilities, obligations under capital leases and real estate liabilities were written off, all which were recorded to “Reorganization items, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Note 15 – Reorganization Items, Net, for further discussion of our rejected leases.

Assumed Leases
During the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, our Company assumed 330 real estate leases, including leases for shopping center tenants as well as leases for subleased locations. In connection with the assumption of the leases, the related liability balances previously classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” were reclassified to the respective balance sheet captions in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, all undisputed cure amounts related to these leases in the amount of $6.8 million have been paid to the landlords.

Non-debtor Financing Agreements
Intercompany financing agreements with foreign non-Debtor subsidiaries of $94.1 million are not reflected in the above liabilities subject to compromise table as these amounts were eliminated on a consolidated basis.

11.       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, 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 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011.  The holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled under a pre-bankruptcy agreement 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.  We are currently not accruing for the 8% dividend and no dividends have been paid during the pendency of our bankruptcy case.

On November 24, 2010 our Company’s Board of Directors authorized a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) dividend on our Preferred Stock, payable on December 15, 2010 to holders of record on November 15, 2010 (“Record Date”). Dividends are required to be PIK in the event our Company does not have the ability to pay the dividends in cash. As of the Record Date, we did not have the ability to pay the dividends in cash. The calculation of PIK dividends on our Preferred Stock is based upon the rate defined by the original terms of the Preferred Stock at 9.5% per annum. The PIK dividends of approximately $4.0 million are included in “Series A redeemable preferred stock” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The PIK dividend due on December 15, 2010 was not paid by our Company due to the Bankruptcy Filing.

During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded deferred financing fees amortization of $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and embedded beneficial conversion features accretion of $1.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, within “Additional paid-in capital”. 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 embedded beneficial conversion features accretion of $1.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, within “Additional paid-in capital”.  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.

12.  Stock Based Compensation

At September 10, 2011, 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 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Stock options
 
$
566
   
$
122
   
$
1,322
   
$
(246
)
Restricted stock units
   
452
     
451
     
651
     
(291
Common stock granted to Directors
   
-
     
187
     
(464
)
   
436
 
Total stock-based compensation expense (income)
 
$
1,018
   
$
760
   
$
1,509
   
$
(101
)

There were no stock-based grants during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011.

Stock options
As of September 10, 2011, approximately $5.8 million, net of tax, of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock option awards will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.

Restricted Stock
None of the previously granted restricted stock units vested during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011.  As of September 10, 2011, approximately $1.3 million, net of tax, of total unrecognized compensation expense relating to restricted stock units granted during fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 is expected to be recognized through fiscal 2013.

2004 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan
Although the 2004 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (“Director Plan”) is still in effect, at this time our Company does not anticipate issuing an annual grant of common stock or common stock equivalent in fiscal 2011. As a result, our Company reversed previously recognized stock compensation expense expected to be issued at the fiscal 2011 annual meeting during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Such stock compensation expense will not be recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations until formal changes are made to the Director Plan.

13.  Retirement Plans and Benefits

Defined Benefit Plans
The components of our net pension cost were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Service cost
 
$
1,498
   
$
1,407
   
$
3,496
   
$
3,565
 
Interest cost
   
6,628
     
6,662
     
15,465
     
15,591
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(6,950
)
   
(6,640
)
   
(16,745
)
   
(15,493
)
Amortization of:
                               
Net prior service cost
   
21
     
-
     
49
     
81
 
Actuarial loss
   
404
     
439
     
943
     
1,024
 
Special termination benefits
   
-
     
350
     
-
     
400
 
Net pension cost
 
$
1,601
   
$
2,218
   
$
3,208
   
$
5,168
 

We did not contribute to our two defined benefit plans during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011. As a result of the Bankruptcy Filing, we do not plan to make any contributions to our two defined benefit plans during the remainder of fiscal 2011. Our minimum contribution payment required for the plans’ fiscal 2010 plan year is approximately $11.1 million, which was due on September 15, 2011 and remains unpaid. In addition, quarterly contributions for the plans’ 2011 plan year total approximately $2.5 million per quarter, which were due on April 15, 2011 and July 15, 2011, and remain unpaid.  In the event that we successfully reorganize under chapter 11 and we emerge from bankruptcy prior to the end of fiscal 2011, our Company may be required to make the $11.1 million required contributions to our two defined benefit plans, as well as other missed contributions, during fiscal 2011.

Postretirement Plans
The components of our net postretirement benefits cost were as follows (in thousands):

   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Service cost
 
$
175
   
$
151
   
$
408
   
$
352
 
Interest cost
   
431
     
428
     
1,006
     
999
 
Amortization of:
                               
Net prior service credit
   
-
     
(198
)
   
-
     
(462
)
Actuarial gain
   
(63
)
   
(112
)
   
(148
)
   
(262
)
Net postretirement benefits cost
 
$
543
   
$
269
   
$
1,266
   
$
627
 

Our current estimates are subject to change due to changes in actuarial assumptions and further clarifications provided by regulatory guidance expected to be released in future years.

GHI Employee Obligation
As of September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011, the fair value of our contractual obligation to Grocery Hauler Inc.’s (“GHI”) employees was $101.8 million and $94.3 million, respectively, using discount rates of 4.75% and 5.50%, respectively, which were derived from the published zero-coupon AA corporate bond yields. Additions to our GHI employee obligation for current service costs is recorded within “Cost of merchandise sold” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations at its current value.  Accretion of the obligation to present value and impact of discount rates used to value the obligation are recorded within “Interest expense, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.   As a result of the rejection of the GHI Trucking Agreement (discussed further in Note 20 – Commitments and Contingencies), accruals for future services for participant benefits were suspended during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 upon termination of the remaining GHI employees. During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recognized service costs of nil and $5,700, respectively, and interest expense of $6.7 million and $10.9 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 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 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, benefit payments of $3.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively, were made by the Pathmark Pension Plan.

Our employee obligation relating to pension benefits for GHI’s employees are considered subject to compromise and are included within “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011.

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.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we received notification from the trustees of a multi-employer union pension plan for payment of a partial withdrawal resulting from the closure of certain Pathmark stores in fiscal 2009. The impact of the partial withdrawal is a liability of approximately $14.1 million, which is included within “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 10, 2011. We could, under certain circumstances, be liable for unfunded vested benefits or other expenses of jointly administered union/management plans, which benefits could be significant and material for our Company.


14.  Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net is comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
$800 million Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement
 
$
8,585
   
$
-
   
$
20,053
   
$
-
 
$655 million Credit Agreement
   
341
     
3,104
     
1,052
     
7,109
 
Related Party Promissory Note, due Aug. 18, 2011
   
-
     
138
     
-
     
325
 
11.375% Senior Secured Notes, due Aug. 1, 2015
   
6,825
     
6,808
     
15,925
     
15,958
 
9.125% Senior Notes, due Dec. 15, 2011
   
-
     
269
     
-
     
629
 
5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011
   
-
     
1,941
     
-
     
4,542
 
6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due Dec. 15, 2012
   
-
     
3,950
     
-
     
9,245
 
9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039
   
-
     
4,280
     
-
     
10,095
 
Obligations under capital leases and real estate liabilities
   
11,056
     
11,293
     
27,318
     
26,735
 
Self-insurance and GHI interest
   
4,466
     
3,752
     
11,399
     
8,871
 
GHI discount rate adjustment and COLI non-cash interest
   
6,380
     
3,759
     
10,021
     
7,648
 
Amortization of deferred financing fees and discounts
   
159
     
6,647
     
491
     
15,381
 
Other
   
17
     
194
     
24
     
769
 
Subtotal
   
37,829
     
46,135
     
86,283
     
107,307
 
Interest income
   
-
     
(9
)
   
-
     
(39
)
Interest expense, net
 
$
37,829
   
$
46,126
   
$
86,283
   
$
107,268
 

We recorded $8.6 million and $20.1 million in contractual interest for the DIP Credit Agreement during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively. We continued to record contractual interest for our $260 million 11.375% Senior Secured Notes due August 1, 2015 that were issued in August 2009.  We did not record contractual interest expense of approximately $8.6 million and $22.6 million for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, for our Related Party Promissory Note, due August 18, 2011, 9.125% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2011, 5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011, 6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due December 15, 2012, and 9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039, all of which are unsecured obligations for which we ceased accruing interest during the fourth quarter 2010 as a result of the Bankruptcy Filing.  Debt discounts and deferred financing fees for all debt which is subject to compromise were reclassified into the carrying value of the respective indebtedness upon the Bankruptcy Filing and the balances were then adjusted to the face value of the debt.  As a result of this reclassification, we ceased amortization of deferred financing fees and discounts effective as of the Bankruptcy Filing date. Although we have recorded interest accretion expense on obligations under capital leases and real estate liabilities, self-insurance reserves, GHI and corporate owned life insurance obligations, we have not made a final determination as to the value of any underlying assets or the rejection/assumption of any of the obligations that we have not assumed.  Once a determination is made, the accretion of the interest expense may change. 
 
15.  Reorganization Items, Net
Reorganization items, net represent amounts incurred and recovered as a direct result of the Bankruptcy Filing and were comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
For the 12 Weeks
   
For the 28 Weeks
 
   
Ended
   
Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 10, 2011
 
Professional fees, net
 
$
(12,668
)
 
$
(29,836
)
US Trustee fees
   
(257
)
   
(512
)
Write-off of  balance sheet items related to rejected contracts, net - continuing operations
   
16,644
     
47,157
 
C&S contract effect
   
-
     
34,139
 
Reduction of closed locations reserve - continuing operations
   
13,429
     
44,078
 
Reorganization items, net - continuing operations
   
17,148
     
95,026
 
Write-off of  balance sheet items related to rejected contracts, net - discontinued operations
   
(64
)
   
25,735
 
Reduction of closed locations reserve - discontinued operations
   
79
     
8,474
 
Provision for income taxes for reorganization items, net - discontinued operations
   
(7
)
   
(14,368
)
Total reorganization items, net
 
$
17,156
   
$
114,867
 

For the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, professional fees of $12.7 million and $29.8 million were accrued, respectively, and $12.4 million and $23.5 million were paid, respectively, related to our Bankruptcy Filing. U.S. Trustee fees of approximately $0.2 million and $0.5 million were incurred and paid during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively.

On June 2, 2011, our Company rejected its prior contract with C&S and entered into a new definitive supply agreement effective May 29, 2011.  As a result of our renegotiated contract, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 we eliminated $34.1 million of previously recorded unfavorable contract liability.  

During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we rejected 19 and 63 of our leases, respectively, through the bankruptcy process and reduced the closed locations reserves balance associated with these leases by $13.5 million and $52.6 million, respectively, $13.4 million and $44.1 million of which was attributed to continuing operations, respectively, and $0.1 million and $8.5 million was attributed to discontinued operations, respectively, net to the allowable claim for damages of $17.4 million and $55.3 million for the respective periods then ended.  Our total closed locations reserves balance of $189.8 million relates to damage claims of $186.8 million and $3.0 million pertains to locations for which the leases have not been rejected as of September 10, 2011.  In connection with the rejection of the 19 and 63 leases during the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, we also wrote off the related obligations under capital leases of $2.5 million and $9.8 million, respectively, unfavorable lease liabilities of nil and $3.2 million, respectively, real estate liabilities of $13.7 million and $22.6 million, respectively, deferred real estate income of nil and $9.4 million, respectively, other liabilities of $0.5 million and $0.6 million respectively, with an offsetting write-off of other assets of $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, totaling $16.5 million, net and $44.6 million, net, respectively.  Of these amounts, $16.6 million and $43.0 million relate to continuing operations, respectively, and $(0.1) million and $1.6 million relate to discontinued operations, respectively.

During the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we rejected 9 of our assigned leases through the bankruptcy process and wrote-off the related property, net of $13.5 million with an offsetting write-off of deferred real estate income of $41.8 million, totaling $28.3 million. Of this amount, $4.2 million relates to continuing operations and $24.1 million relates to discontinued operations, respectively.

16.  Income Taxes

During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, our valuation allowance increased by $34.4 million and $95.6 million, respectively, to reflect generation of additional operating losses and increases to other deferred tax assets. In future periods, we will continue to record a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets until such time as the certainty of the realization 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 10, 2011, with a few exceptions, we remain subject to examination by federal, state and local tax authorities for tax years 2005 through 2009.  With a few exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for tax years 2004 and prior.  At September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $0.6 million, which were recorded within deferred tax liabilities in “Other accruals” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  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 is not expected to affect our effective tax rate.  Our Company classifies interest and penalty expense related to unrecognized tax benefits within “(Provision for) benefit from income taxes” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  For the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, respectively, no amounts were recorded for interest and penalties within “(Provision for) benefit from income taxes” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The effective tax rate on continuing operations of (3.1%) and 4.5% for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, and (0.07%) and (0.10%) for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 respectively, varied from the statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to state and local income taxes, and the increase in our valuation allowance. The rate for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 was also impacted by the mark to market of the Series B warrants issued in the acquisition of Pathmark.

At September 10, 2011, we had federal Net Operating Loss (“NOL”) carry forwards of approximately $1.0 billion, which will expire between fiscal 2024 and 2031, some of which are subject to an annual limitation.  The federal NOL carry forwards 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 carry forwards, the associated tax benefits of approximately $2.6 million will be recorded in “Additional paid-in capital” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  In addition, we had state loss carry forwards of $1.0 billion that will expire between fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2031. Our Company’s general business credits consist of federal and state work incentive credits, which will expire between fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2030, some of which are subject to an annual limitation.

At September 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011, we had net current deferred tax liabilities of $31.5 million and $28.3 million, respectively, which were included in “Other accruals” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and non-current deferred tax assets of $19.9 million and $16.7 million, respectively, which were recorded in “Other assets” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, our Company identified the amount of income tax benefit and income tax expense allocated to continuing operations and discontinued operations, respectively, for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2011 was improperly presented in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The impact of this improper presentation, which results from the improper intraperiod allocation of income taxes, was an understatement of the “Benefit from income taxes” related to “Loss from continuing operations” and an understatement of the “Provision for income taxes” related to “Income from discontinued operations” of $33.1 million in our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the fiscal year ended February 26, 2011.  The effect of this revision had no impact on our “Net loss” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations or “Net cash used in operating activities” in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2011.

The following table presents the impact of this revision in our Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2011 (in thousands):

   
As Reported
 
Adjustment
As Revised
 
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
  $
3,798
    $
33,146
 
$36,944
 
Loss from continuing operations
   
(673,400
   
33,146
 
(640,254
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
   
74,825
     
(33,146
)
41,679
 
                     
Net (loss) income per share - basic
   
(11.45
)
   
0.01
 
(11.44
 
The revisions described above will be reflected in our Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended February 25, 2012, which will be included in our Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 25, 2012.

17.  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 (in thousands):

   
For the 28 weeks Ended September 10, 2011
 
   
Balance at
   
Interest
               
Balance at
 
   
2/26/2011
   
Accretion(1)
   
Adjustments(2)
   
Utilization(3)
   
9/10/2011
 
2007 Events
                             
Occupancy
 
$
49,317
   
$
80
   
$
(6,818
)
 
$
-
   
$
42,579
 
Pension withdrawal
   
57,581
     
1,880
     
-
     
-
     
59,461
 
     2007 events total
   
106,898
     
1,960
     
(6,818
)
           
102,040
 
                                         
2005 Event
                                       
Occupancy
   
21,390
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
21,390
 
                                         
2003 Events
                                       
Occupancy
   
8,451
     
12
     
(1,641
)
   
(39
)
   
6,783
 
     Total
 
$
136,739
   
$
1,972
   
$
(8,459
)
 
$
(39
 
$
130,213
 

 
(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” in 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 businesses” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

For the 28 weeks Ended September 10, 2011
During the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded adjustments for the 2007 and 2003 events to reduce occupancy liabilities by $6.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, due to an estimated allowable claim amount for property leases that were rejected in Bankruptcy Court during the fiscal year.

(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 (in thousands):

   
2007 Events
   
2005 Event
   
2003 Events
   
Total
 
Total severance payments made to date
 
$
37,089
   
$
2,650
   
$
22,528
   
$
62,267
 
Expected future pension withdrawal payments
   
59,461
     
-
     
-
     
59,461
 
Total severance and pension withdrawal payments
expected to be incurred
   
96,550
     
2,650
     
22,528
     
121,728
 
Total occupancy payments made to date
   
92,140
     
60,866
     
34,123
     
187,129
 
Expected future occupancy payments,
                               
excluding interest accretion
   
42,579
     
21,390
     
6,783
     
70,752
 
Total occupancy payments expected to be incurred,
                               
excluding interest accretion
 
$
134,719
   
$
82,256
   
$
40,906
   
$
257,881
 
                                 
Total severance and occupancy payments made to date
 
$
129,229
   
$
63,516
   
$
56,651
   
$
249,396
 
Expected future pension withdrawal and occupancy payments
                               
expected to be incurred, excluding interest accretion
   
102,040
     
21,390
     
6,783
     
130,213
 
                                 
Total severance, pension withdrawal and occupancy payments expected to be incurred, excluding interest accretion
 
$
231,269
   
$
84,906
   
$
63,434
   
$
379,609
 

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, 2012 and 2012, respectively.

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

   
September 10, 2011
 
   
2007 Events
   
2005 Event
   
2003 Events
   
Total
 
Other accruals
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Liabilities subject to compromise
 
$
102,040
   
$
21,390
   
$
6,783
   
$
130,213
 
                                 
   
February 26, 2011
 
   
2007 Events
   
2005 Event
   
2003 Events
   
Total
 
Other accruals
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Liabilities subject to compromise
 
$
106,898
   
$
21,390
   
$
8,451
   
$
136,739
 

We evaluated the closed locations reserves balances as of September 10, 2011 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 closed locations reserves balances may be recorded in the future, if necessary.

18. Asset Disposition Initiatives

In addition to the events described in Note 17 – 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.

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

   
For the 28 Weeks Ended September 10, 2011
 
   
Balance at
   
Interest
               
Balance at
 
   
2/26/2011
   
Accretion(1)
   
Adjustments(2)
   
Utilization(3)
   
9/10/2011
 
2011 Event
                             
Continuing Operations
                             
Occupancy
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
47,409
   
$
(1,630)
   
$
45,779
 
Severance and health benefits
   
2,738
     
-
     
1,154
     
(2,646)
     
1,246
 
2011 event total
   
2,738
     
-
     
48,563
     
(4,276)
     
47,025
 
                                         
2010 Event
                                       
Continuing Operations
                                       
Occupancy
   
29,353
     
-
     
-
     
(93)
     
29,260
 
Severance and health benefits
   
239
     
-
     
159
     
(69)
     
329
 
2010 event total
   
29,592
     
-
     
159
     
(162)
     
29,589
 
                                         
2005 Event
                                       
Continuing Operations
                                       
Health benefits
   
445
     
-
     
-
     
(102)
     
343
 
2005 event total
   
445
     
-
     
-
     
(102)
     
343
 
                                         
2001 Event
                                       
Continuing Operations
                                       
Occupancy
   
2,127
     
-
     
166
     
-
     
2,293
 
                                         
Discontinued Operations
                                       
Occupancy
   
1,774
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,774
 
2001 event total
   
3,901
     
-
     
166
     
-
     
4,067
 
                                         
1998 Event
                                       
Continuing Operations
                                       
Occupancy
   
3,400
     
8
     
(109
)    
(254)
     
3,045
 
Pension withdrawals and health benefits
   
524
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
524
 
1998 event total
   
3,924
     
8
     
(109
)    
(254)
     
3,569
 
                                         
Total
 
$
40,600
   
$
8
   
$
48,779
   
$
(4,794)
   
$
84,593
 

(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 in 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” and “Reorganization items, net” for continuing operations and “Loss from operations of discontinued businesses” for discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

For the 28 weeks Ended September 10, 2011
For the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded an initial occupancy charge for the 2011 event related to the April store closings and the Southern store closings of $63.3 million and $26.2 million, respectively, partially offset by an adjustment of $27.8 million and $14.5 million, respectively, to reduce the occupancy liabilities to an estimated allowable claim amount due to property leases that were rejected in Bankruptcy Court during the 28 weeks of fiscal 2011. We also recorded an adjustment for the Southern stores of $0.2 million due to balance sheet reclassifications for real estate accounts. The initial occupancy charge of $63.3 million and related adjustment of $27.8 million for the April store closings impacted the Fresh, Pathmark and Other segments by $33.2 million, $27.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, and $13.3 million, $14.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The Southern store closings all related to the Fresh segment.  In addition, we recorded an initial severance charge for the 2011 Event related to the southern store closings of $2.8 million and adjustments of $0.2 million and ($1.8) million for the 2011 Event related to the April and Southern store closings, respectively.  The Southern store closures were completed by July 9, 2011 and 12 of these stores were sold at auction, resulting in a gain of $29.1 million. For the 2010 Event, we recorded an adjustment of $0.2 million for additional severance and health benefits owed to severed employees. For the 2001 Event, we recorded an adjustment of $0.2 million to increase the occupancy liabilities to an estimated allowable claim amount due to property leases that were rejected in Bankruptcy Court during the 28 weeks of fiscal 2011. For the 1998 Event, we recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to reduce the occupancy liabilities to an estimated allowable claim amount due to property leases that were rejected in Bankruptcy Court during the 28 weeks of fiscal 2011.

(3)  
Occupancy utilization represents payments made during those periods for rent.  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 (in thousands):

   
2011
   
2010
   
2005
   
2001
   
1998
       
   
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Total
 
Total severance payments made to date
 
 $
2,646
   
 $
602
   
 $
49,339
   
 $
28,205
   
 $
30,940
   
 $
111,732
 
Expected future severance payments
   
1,246
     
329
     
343
     
-
     
524
     
2,442
 
Total severance payments expected
                                               
to be incurred
 
 $
3,892
   
 $
931
   
 $
49,682
   
 $
28,205
   
 $
31,464
   
 $
114,174
 
                                                 
Total occupancy payments made to date
 
 $
1,630
   
 $
882
   
 $
13,856
   
 $
67,283
   
 $
120,226
   
 $
203,877
 
Expected future occupancy payments, excluding interest
                                               
accretion
   
45,779
     
29,260
     
-
     
4,067
     
3,045
     
82,151
 
Total occupancy payments expected
                                               
to be incurred, excluding interest
                                               
accretion
 
 $
47,409
   
 $
30,142
   
 $
13,856
   
 $
71,350
   
 $
123,271
   
 $
286,028
 
                                                 
Total severance and occupancy
                                               
payments made to date
 
 $
4,276
   
 $
1,484
   
 $
63,195
   
 $
95,488
   
 $
151,166
   
 $
315,609
 
Expected future severance and
                                               
occupancy payments, excluding
                                               
interest accretion
   
47,025
     
29,589
     
343
     
4,067
     
3,569
     
84,593
 
Total severance and occupancy payments expected to be
                                               
excluding interest accretion
 
 $
51,301
   
 $
31,073
   
 $
63,538
   
 $
99,555
   
 $
154,735
   
 $
400,202
 

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 2011, 2010, 2005, 2001 and 1998 events are 2012, 2012, 2015, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

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

               
September 10, 2011
             
   
2011
   
2010
   
2005
   
2001
   
1998
       
   
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Total
 
Other accruals
 
$
1,246
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,246
 
Other non-current liabilities
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Liabilities subject to compromise
 
$
45,779
   
$
29,589
   
$
343
   
$
4,067
   
$
3,569
   
$
83,347
 
                                                 
                                                 
                   
February 26, 2011
                 
           
 2010
   
 2005
   
 2001
   
1998 
       
           
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Event
   
Total
 
Other accruals
         
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Other non-current liabilities
         
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Liabilities subject to compromise
         
$
29,592
   
$
445
   
$
3,901
   
$
3,924
   
$
37,862
 

We evaluated the closed locations reserves balances as of September 10, 2011 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 closed locations reserves balances may be recorded in the future, if necessary.

19.      Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding for the reporting period.  Diluted 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. 10, 2011
 
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Sept. 10, 2011
 
Sept. 11, 2010
Stock options
4,164,109
 
 3,123,723
 
4,564,145
 
 2,475,006
Warrants
6,965,858
 
 7,652,135
 
6,965,858
 
 686,277
Performance restricted stock units
-
 
 154,499
 
-
 
 190,689
Restricted stock units
666,420
 
 926,387
 
696,750
 
 1,015,039
Financing warrant
11,278,988
 
 11,278,988
 
11,278,988
 
 11,278,988
Preferred stock
35,804,000
 
 35,000,000
 
35,804,000
 
 35,000,000
Convertible debt
11,278,988
 
 8,086,769
 
11,278,988
 
 11,278,988

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share (in thousands):

   
12 Weeks Ended
   
28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Loss from continuing operations
  $ (97,831   $ (142,180 )   $ (274,500   $ (256,931 )
Preferred stock dividends
    -       (3,093 )     -       (7,400 )
Beneficial conversion feature amortization
    (1,110     (1,110 )     (2,591     (2,591 )
Loss from continuing operations - basic
    (98,941     (146,383 )     (277,091     (266,922 )
                                 
Adjustments for convertible debt (1)
    -       (10,270 )     -       -  
Adjustments on Other financial liabilities (2)
    -       -       -       (10,454 )
Loss from continuing operations–diluted
  $ (98,941   $ (156,653 )   $ (277,091   $ (277,376 )
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    53,852,470       56,206,446       53,852,470       56,046,228  
Share lending agreement(3)
    -       (2,427,944 )     -       (2,427,944 )
Common shares outstanding–basic
    53,852,470       53,778,502       53,852,470       53,618,284  
                                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Convertible debt (1)
    -       3,192,219       -       -  
Convertible financial liabilities (2)
    -       -       -       (34,668,287 )
Common shares outstanding–diluted
    53,852,470       56,970,721       53,852,470       18,949,997  

(1)
We have debt instruments with a bifurcated conversion feature that were recorded at a significant discount.  (Refer to Note 9 – 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 9 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities).  These warrants are marked-to-market in 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, we had 5,634,002 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.  During fiscal 2009, Bank of America, N.A., who is a party to our share lending agreement, returned 2,500,000 shares, eliminating our obligation to lend additional shares to them in the future.  The returned shares were immediately retired, reducing our issued and outstanding shares. 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, respectively. As of September 10, 2011, there were no shares outstanding with Bank of America, N.A.

20.  Commitments and Contingencies

Supply Agreement
On June 2, 2011, our Company entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S effective May 29, 2011, whereby C&S will provide Services in support of a substantial portion of our Company’s supply chain. This agreement replaced the warehousing, logistics, procurement and purchasing agreement under which the parties had been operating since 2008.

The term of the agreement is through the effective date of our Company’s Plan of Reorganization in its Bankruptcy Filing but may be extended by either party for a term concurrent with a fixed volume commitment based upon wholesale purchases of merchandise resulting in a term of approximately seven years. The cost structure of the agreement is a combination of a fixed cost and variable upcharge pricing model. The charges are subject to adjustment due to volume change or other material changes to the operating assumptions of the agreement.

Our Company expects it will realize a run-rate of more than $50 million in annual savings commencing with our Company's emergence from the Bankruptcy Filing pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization. The agreement provides our Company with important service enhancements, including detailed service specifications and key performance measures. The agreement also permits our Company to maintain product standards and specifications for all merchandise purchased for resale in our Company’s stores.

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 in New York state court to obtain the $6.0 million deposit held in escrow. In May 2011, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing Pathmark and CPS to proceed with their New York state litigation notwithstanding the automatic stay.

Rejection of GHI Trucking Agreement
On February 4, 2011, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing Pathmark to reject a burdensome trucking agreement with GHI and enter into an interim replacement trucking arrangement with C&S.  Because Pathmark was GHIs largest customer, its rejection of the trucking agreement negatively impacted GHIs business, prompting GHI to layoff a significant number of its employees.  The local union representing GHIs employees subsequently brought suit against GHI in New Jersey federal court alleging that GHIs termination of its employees violated New Jersey state and federal WARN statutes and constituted a breach of GHIs collective bargaining agreement with the union.  On March 31, 2011, GHI filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking leave to file a third party complaint in the New Jersey action seeking in excess of $100 million in damages against our Company alleging, among other things, that our conduct in connection with rejecting the trucking agreement was tortious and that we were responsible for any WARN Act liability of GHI to its former employees.  The Bankruptcy Court denied GHIs motion, and GHI appealed the Bankruptcy Courts decision to the district court, which appeal is pending.

LaMarca et al v. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc (“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. This matter has been stayed by our Bankruptcy Filing and is a claim that is subject to compromise.  

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 in our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
Dudley v. Haub, Claus, Galgano et al.  United States District Court – District of New Jersey
This matter is a securities class action lawsuit that alleges on behalf of purchasers of our Company’s securities during the period between July 23, 2009 and December 10, 2010, that certain of our Company's former and current executives violated the securities laws by making fraudulent or misleading statements with respect to material adverse facts about our Company's financial condition, business and prospects.  Our Company is not named as a defendant in this lawsuit.  However, our Company’s current CEO and two members of the Board of Directors are individually named defendants.  Our Company views this lawsuit as lacking merit, as the statements and disclosures forming the basis for the allegations are forward-looking statements subject to “safe harbor” protections, or are otherwise not actionable.

21.       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 Discount 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 2010 Annual Report.  Assets and capital expenditures are not allocated to segments for internal reporting presentations.

Interim information on segments is as follows (in thousands):

   
Sales by Category
 
   
12 Weeks Ended
   
28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Grocery (1)
 
$
1,129,790
   
$
1,310,388
   
$
2,667,075
   
$
3,069,232
 
Meat (2)
   
315,746
     
375,868
     
744,457
     
867,350
 
Produce (3)
   
193,158
     
232,023
     
457,808
     
546,627
 
Total
 
$
1,638,694
   
$
1,918,279
   
$
3,869,340
   
$
4,483,209
 

(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.


   
12 Weeks Ended
   
28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
Sales
                       
   Fresh
 
$
815,520
   
$
976,952
   
$
1,943,092
   
$
2,255,521
 
   Pathmark
   
698,733
     
816,304
     
1,629,795
     
1,927,705
 
   Gourmet
   
55,714
     
55,122
     
138,508
     
137,994
 
   Other
   
68,727
     
69,901
     
157,945
     
161,989
 
Total sales
 
$
1,638,694
   
$
1,918,279
   
$
3,869,340
   
$
4,483,209
 
                                 
Segment (loss) income
                               
   Fresh
 
$
434
   
$
10,255
   
$
(18,956
)
 
$
23,727
 
   Pathmark
   
(32,385
)
   
(27,771
)
   
(86,665
)
   
(52,579
)
   Gourmet
   
1,415
     
2,371
     
7,866
     
8,882
 
   Other
   
1,036
     
254
     
759
     
991
 
Total segment loss
   
(29,500
)
   
(14,891
)
   
(96,996
)
   
(18,979
)
Corporate (4)
   
(24,501
)
   
(28,955
)
   
(40,977
)
   
(76,197
)
Reconciling items (5)
   
(21,595
)
   
(54,280
)
   
(158,449
)
   
(64,696
)
Loss from operations
   
(75,596
)
   
(98,126
)
   
(296,442
)
   
(159,872
)
Nonoperating income
   
8
     
2,177
     
91
     
10,454
 
Interest expense, net
   
(37,829
)
   
(46,126
)
   
(86,283
)
   
(107,268
)
Reorganization items, net
   
17,148
     
-
     
95,026
     
-
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
(96,269
)
 
$
(142,075
)
 
$
(287,588
)
 
$
(256,686
)
                                 


   
12 Weeks Ended
   
28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
                         
Segment depreciation and amortization – continuing operations
                       
Fresh
 
$
13,900
   
$
17,329
   
$
34,318
   
$
40,721
 
Pathmark
   
15,564
     
19,761
     
37,764
     
46,532
 
Gourmet
   
1,554
     
1,951
     
3,724
     
4,702
 
Other
   
1,179
     
1,241
     
2,834
     
2,904
 
Total segment depreciation and amortization – continuing operations
   
32,197
     
40,282
     
78,640
     
94,859
 
Corporate
   
9,949
     
11,236
     
22,948
     
27,038
 
Total depreciation and amortization – continuing operations
   
42,146
     
51,518
     
101,588
     
121,897
 
Discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total company depreciation and amortization
 
$
42,146
   
$
51,518
   
$
101,588
   
$
121,897
 

(4)
Represents a $4.1 million and $25.4 million decrease in corporate costs attributable to store-related activities, primarily benefits and occupancy costs which are not allocated to segments, for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, respectively, and a $0.4 million and $9.8 million decline in corporate and administrative costs for the respective periods ended.
(5)
Reconciling items, which are not included in segment loss, consist of the following:


   
12 Weeks Ended
   
28 Weeks Ended
 
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
   
Sept. 10, 2011
   
Sept. 11, 2010
 
                         
Goodwill, trademark and long-lived asset impairment
 
$
(24,124
)
 
$
(30,250
)
 
$
(79,542
)
 
$
(35,648
)
Net restructuring and other
   
688
     
(9,297
)
   
(2,801
)
   
(13,229
)
Net real estate related activity
   
7,119
     
2,179
     
(49,428
)
   
232
 
Stock-based compensation (expense) income
   
(1,018
)
   
(760
)
   
(1,509
)
   
101
 
Pension withdrawal costs
   
-
     
-
     
(13,923
)
   
-
 
Self-insurance adjustment
   
(699
)
   
(16,152
)
   
(699
)
   
(16,152
)
Losses relating to Hurricane Irene
   
(1,000
)
   
-
     
(1,000
)
   
-
 
Inventory-related
   
(363
)
   
-
     
(363
)
   
-
 
C&S contract effect
   
(2,198
)
   
-
     
(9,184
)
   
-
 
      Total reconciling items
 
$
(21,595
)
 
$
(54,280
)
 
$
(158,449
)
 
$
(64,696
)

22. Subsequent Events

On September 21, 2011, our Company and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries, each as a borrower, entered into the Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement with the Agent and the DIP Lenders.  The Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement changes the measurement intervals for Minimum Excess Availability (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement) requirements and reduces its Minimum Cumulative EBITDA (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement) requirements to have them measured beginning with respect to the period ending December 31, 2011 rather than prior to such time as required by the DIP Credit Agreement, provided that if our Company has filed a Plan of Reorganization reasonably satisfactory to the DIP Lenders prior to December 31, 2011, then the measurement period for the Minimum Cumulative EBITDA covenant will be measured beginning on February 25, 2012.

The above summary of material terms of the Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety, by the complete text of the Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement.

On September 26, 2011, our company assumed an additional 52 real estate leases, including leases for sub-leased locations.  Any resulting changes in the classification of related liability balances will be reflected in our subsequent financial statements.


 
 

 
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis




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. (“we,” “our,” “us” or “our Company”) 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 2011 to assist in understanding the business.
·  
Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources – a discussion of results for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 compared to the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010; results for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 compared to the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 and current and expected future liquidity.
·  
Critical Accounting Estimates – a discussion of significant estimates made by Management.
·  
Market Risk – a discussion of the impact of market changes in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

OVERVIEW

Our Company is based in Montvale, New Jersey, operates conventional supermarkets, combination food and drug stores and discount food stores in 6 U.S. states.  Our Company’s business consists strictly of our retail operations, which totaled 336 stores as of September 10, 2011.

On December 12, 2010, our Company and all of our U.S. subsidiaries (the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “Bankruptcy Filing”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in White Plains (the “Bankruptcy Court”), which are being jointly administered under case number 10-24549. See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for further details.

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

OPERATING RESULTS
Our comparable store sales, which include stores that have been in operation for at least one full year and replacement stores, declined 0.6% and 2.7% this quarter and year-to-date, respectively.  Although our results of operations were below those of the prior year, second quarter 2011 comparable store sales improved from the first quarter 2011 decline of 4.2%.

Our Fresh and Pathmark segments continued to have lower revenue and operating income for the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 as compared to the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010. Our management team continues to address these challenges that we have been experiencing since early part of fiscal 2011. During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we closed 18 underperforming stores in our Fresh segment and 13 underperforming stores in our Pathmark segment. During our second quarter of fiscal 2011 we completed an auction of 25 stores located in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia (“Southern Stores”) that resulted in the sale of 12 stores and the closure of 13 stores. In August 2011, we opened a new 51,000 square foot store, our Company’s first new store in approximately one year, under our SuperFresh banner in Philadelphia, PA.

Our Gourmet stores located in Manhattan, New York continued to deliver strong results during the second quarter 2011 as compared to the second quarter of 2010, despite a decline in gross margin and increase in labor and occupancy costs, which were partially offset by decreases in administrative and supply and logistics expenses.

Our Discount business experienced an increase in revenue during the second quarter 2011 as compared to the second quarter of 2010 along with improved labor, occupancy and supply and logistics expenses, which were partially offset by a decline in gross margin.

Our Wine, Beer & Spirits businesses experienced an increase in revenue during the second quarter 2011 as compared to the second quarter 2010 along with improved labor, occupancy, supply and logistics and administrative expenses which were partially offset by a reduction in gross margin. During the second quarter fiscal 2011, we closed one store in our Wine, Beer & Spirits business.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This discussion 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: the ability of the Debtors to continue as going concerns; the ability of the Debtors to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval with respect to motions in the chapter 11 cases; the ability of the Debtors to prosecute, develop and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the chapter 11 cases; the effects of the Bankruptcy Filing on the Debtors and the interests of various creditors, equity holders and other constituents; Bankruptcy Court rulings in the chapter 11 cases and the outcome of the cases in general; the length of time the Debtors will operate under the chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third-party motions in the chapter 11 cases, which may interfere with the ability of the Debtors to develop and consummate one or more plans of reorganization once such plans are developed; the potential adverse effects of the chapter 11 proceedings on the Debtors’ liquidity or results of operations; the ability to execute Debtors’ business and restructuring plan and to timely and effectively implement the turnaround strategy; increased legal costs related to the Bankruptcy Filing and other litigation; the Debtors’ ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operation, to obtain and maintain normal terms with customers, suppliers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees; 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 Risk Factors included in this quarterly report.

OUTLOOK

Supply Agreement
On June 2, 2011, our Company entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (“C&S”) effective May 29, 2011, whereby C&S will provide warehousing, transportation, procurement, purchasing and ancillary services (the “Services”) in support of a substantial portion of our Company’s supply chain. This agreement replaced the warehousing, logistics, procurement and purchasing agreement under which the parties had been operating since 2008.

The term of the agreement is through the effective date of our Company’s Plan of Reorganization in its Bankruptcy Filing but may be extended by either party for a term concurrent with a fixed volume commitment based upon wholesale purchases of merchandise resulting in a term of approximately seven years. The cost structure of the agreement is a combination of a fixed cost and variable upcharge pricing model. The charges are subject to adjustment due to volume change or other material changes to the operating assumptions of the agreement.

Our Company expects that it will realize a run-rate of more than $50 million in annual savings commencing with our Company's emergence from the Bankruptcy Filing pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization. The agreement provides our Company with important service enhancements, including detailed service specifications and key performance measures. The agreement also permits our Company to maintain product standards and specifications for all merchandise purchased for resale in our Company’s stores.

Labor Negotiations
We believe that we have good relationships with our union partners.  To reorganize as a viable business, our Company believes it needs to secure cost savings in multiple areas, including obligations arising under our collective bargaining agreements.  Our Company is in the process of negotiating with its 13 union locals of the UFCW and SEIU to obtain consensual modifications to its collective bargaining agreements necessary for our successful reorganization.  We have exchanged proposals for substantial cost reductions and received a counter proposal from our union partners, which we continue to discuss.  Although we believe that we will successfully achieve new collective bargaining agreements with the necessary amount of labor savings, there can be no assurances that our Company will succeed in obtaining necessary labor cost savings.

Assumption of leases
During the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, our Company assumed 330 real estate leases, including leases for shopping center tenants as well as leases for subleased locations. In connection with the assumption of the leases, the related liability balances previously classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” were reclassified to the respective balance sheet captions in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, all undisputed cure amounts related to these leases in the amount of $6.8 million have been paid to the landlords.

Other Bankruptcy Matters
The Bankruptcy Filing provides our Company with the breathing room and the tools available under the Bankruptcy Code to implement our comprehensive financial and operational restructuring. We remain committed to implementing our turnaround strategy while operating our business during the chapter 11 restructuring process. However, there can be no assurance regarding these matters. We have noted that the improvements originally anticipated from our turnaround strategy are taking longer to realize than originally anticipated, which has negatively impacted our profitability and cash flows from operations. 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 improve our customers’ shopping experience will reverse the decreasing customer count and comparable store sales decline that we have been experiencing. There can be no assurance that our operational and financial turnaround strategy will be successful or that the DIP Lenders or the Bankruptcy Court will approve the plan ultimately proposed by our Company and under such circumstances we could be forced to consider other alternatives to maximize potential recovery for our various creditor constituencies. The uncertainty regarding these matters raises substantial doubt about our Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 

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 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 noted.

12 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 10, 2011 COMPARED TO THE 12 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

OVERALL
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 compared to the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010:

   
12 Weeks Ended
   
12 Weeks Ended
   
Favorable
       
   
September 10, 2011
   
September 11, 2010
   
(unfavorable)
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)
 
                         
Sales
 
$
1,638.7
   
$
1,918.3
   
$
(279.6
)
   
(14.6
)%
Decrease in comparable store sales
   
(0.6
)%
   
(6.6
)%
 
N/A
   
N/A
 
Loss from continuing operations
 
$
(97.8
)
 
$
(142.2
)
 
$
44.4
 
   
31.2
%
Loss from discontinued operations
 
$
(2.0
)
 
$
(10.9
)
 
$
8.9
   
81.7
 %
Net loss
 
$
(99.8
)
 
$
(153.0
)
 
$
53.2
     
34.8
 %
Net loss per share - basic
 
$
(1.88
 
$
(2.93
)
 
$
1.05
     
35.8
%
Net loss per share - diluted
 
$
(1.88
)
 
$
(2.94
)
 
$
1.06
     
36.1
%

Average weekly sales per supermarket were approximately $420,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 versus $391,500 for the corresponding period of the prior year, an increase of 7.3% primarily due to the closing of underperforming supermarkets.

SALES
   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
September 11, 2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
815,520
   
$
976,952
 
Pathmark
   
698,733
     
816,304
 
Gourmet
   
55,714
     
55,122
 
Other
   
68,727
     
69,901
 
Total sales
 
$
1,638,694
   
$
1,918,279
 

Sales decreased from $1,918.3 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 to $1,638.7 million for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, primarily due to a decrease in comparable store sales of $17.7 million and the absence of sales due to store closures of $269.2 million, partially offset by sales from two new stores of $7.3 million. The decrease in sales in our Fresh segment of $161.4 million was primarily related to the absence of sales due to store closures of $169.7 million, partially offset by an increase in the comparable store sales of $1.0 million and sales from two new stores of $7.3 million.  The decrease in sales in our Pathmark segment of $117.6 million was primarily due to a decline in comparable store sales of $22.4 million and the absence of sales due to store closures of $95.2 million.  Sales generated by our Gourmet segment increased by $0.6 million.  The sales decrease of $1.2 million in our Other segment, representing Discount and Wine, Beer & Spirits, was primarily attributable to the absence of sales due to one store closure within Discount of $3.3 million and four store closures within Wine, Beer & Spirits of $1.0 million, partially offset by an increase in comparable store sales of $3.1 million.

GROSS MARGIN
Gross margin of $455.4 million decreased 158 basis points as a percentage of sales to 27.79% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 from gross margin of $563.3 million or 29.37% for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 reflecting lower margins across all of our operating segments primarily due to a reduction in vendor allowances that we have experienced during the bankruptcy.

The following table details the dollar impact of items affecting the gross margin dollar decrease from the second quarter of fiscal 2010 to the second quarter of fiscal 2011 (in millions):
 
   
Sales Volume
   
Gross Margin Rate
   
Total
 
Total company
 
$
(82.2
)
 
$
(25.7
)
 
$
(107.9
)

STORE OPERATING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE
Our Store operating, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense was $506.9 million or 30.93% as a percentage of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2011, as compared to $631.2 million or 32.91% as a percentage of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

SG&A expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 included (i) net real estate related costs of $30.4 million, or 185 basis points, of which $26.2 million was primarily attributed to an occupancy reserve adjustment related to the closing and sale of 25 Southern stores during the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 (ii) losses related to Hurricane Irene of $1.0 million, or 6 basis points (iii) net stock-based compensation related expenses of $1.0 million, or 6 basis points and (iv) self-insurance reserve adjustments of $0.1 million, or 1 basis point.  These costs were partially offset by (v) net real estate gains of $37.5 million or 228 basis points, of which $29.1 million related to a gain from the sale of Southern stores and (vi) net restructuring and other income of $0.7 million, or 4 basis points.

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 $17.8 million, or 93 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.

Excluding the items listed above, SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased by 29 basis points during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  Labor and occupancy costs decreased $51.4 million and $33.5 million, respectively, primarily attributable to a reduction in the number of open stores.  The corresponding rates as a percentage of sales decreased 25 basis points and 52 basis points, respectively, due to the closing of underperforming stores with higher costs relative to sales from our remaining open store base.  Despite decreases in advertising and other operating expenditures of $6.7 million, the corresponding rate as a percentage of sales increased 19 basis points.  In addition, other miscellaneous expenses decreased $1.3 million, or an increase of 29 basis points as a percentage of sales.

During the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, we recorded impairment losses on long-lived assets due to closure or conversion of stores in the normal course of business of $1.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT

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 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded impairment charges on long-lived assets of $1.5 million related to stores that were closed or converted in the normal course of business, as compared to $0.6 million recorded during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, respectively.  These amounts were recorded within “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments due to store closures
In April and May 2011, our Company obtained approval from the Bankruptcy Court to sell, or alternatively, to close, an additional 25 stores located in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia (the “Southern Stores”).  During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, our Company held an auction whereby we agreed to sell our interests in 12 of our existing stores based in Maryland and the District of Columbia, all of which were a part of our Fresh reportable segment, for $38.3 million in cash which relates to fixed assets.  The transactions closed during June and July 2011 resulting in a gain of $29.1 million, which was recorded within “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.1 million all of which pertained to our Fresh reporting segment. This amount was recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These store closures and sales were completed by July 9, 2011.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, our Company announced the closure of 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive financial and operational restructuring.  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 “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments due to unrecoverable assets
As part of the ongoing development of our Plan of Reorganization, during our second quarter of fiscal 2011, we refined our projected cash flows of baseline operations, before any potential cash flows that might result from capital improvements, for all locations.  For those locations where the projected undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the net carrying value of the long-lived assets, we determined the fair value of the long-lived assets and recorded an impairment charge of $24.0 million during the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, which related primarily to favorable leases and which also included capital leases and land and buildings, with a carrying amount of $99.5 million to their fair value of $75.5 million for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011.  The impairment charge of $24.0 million recorded during the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, all related to our Pathmark reportable segment. This amount was recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We recorded an impairment charge of $6.6 million during the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 to partially write down stores’ long-lived assets, which primarily consist of favorable leases and which also included 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. This amount was recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and 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. Our projected cash flows of baseline operations include an estimate for expected savings from the recently negotiated C&S supply agreement and from the ongoing labor negotiations.  If current operating levels do not improve or the expected savings from ongoing labor negotiations do not occur, 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.
 
SEGMENT (LOSS) INCOME
   
For the 12 Weeks Ended
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
September 11, 2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
434
   
$
10,255
 
Pathmark
   
(32,385
)
   
(27,771
)
Gourmet
   
1,415
     
2,371
 
Other
   
1,036
     
254
 
Total segment loss
 
$
(29,500
)
 
$
(14,891
)

Segment loss increased $14.6 million from a loss of $14.9 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 to a loss of $29.5 million for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011.  Our Fresh and Pathmark segments experienced segment income declines of $9.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively. Segment income attributable to ongoing open stores decreased $17.8 million and $16.1 million, respectively, primarily attributable to declines in sales and lower gross margins, partially offset by improvements in supply and logistics along with reduced occupancy expenses due to store closures. Segment income from our Gourmet business declined by $1.0 million.  Although Gourmet saw improvements in sales and declining supply and logistics expenses, these improvements were more than offset by lower gross margins and increased labor and occupancy expenses. Segment income for our Other segment, representing Discount and Wine, Beer and Spirits, increased by $0.8 million despite decreases to sales and gross margin which were more than offset by improvements in supply and logistics along with reduced labor and occupancy expenses due to store closures.  Refer to Note 21 – Reportable Segments for further discussion of our reportable operating segments.

NONOPERATING INCOME
During the second quarter of fiscal 2011 and 2010, we recorded favorable adjustments of $8,000 and $2.2 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 $37.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 decreased from the prior year expense of $46.1 million, primarily attributable to the aggregate decreases in contractual interest expense of $10.6 million for our Related Party Promissory Note, due August 18, 2011, 9.125% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2011, 5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011, 6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due December 15, 2012, and 9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039, all of which are unsecured obligations that we ceased accruing interest for during the fourth quarter 2010 as a result of the Bankruptcy Filing. We also had aggregate decreases of interest expense of approximately $6.5 million attributed to amortization of deferred financing fees and discounts on unsecured obligations that we ceased amortizing as a result of the Bankruptcy Filing as well as a decrease in interest expense of $2.8 million from our $655 million Credit Agreement, which was paid off with proceeds from the DIP Credit Agreement during fourth quarter 2010.

These decreases in interest expense were partially offset by interest expense for our DIP Credit Agreement of $8.6 million and an increase of $3.3 million in interest expense resulting from our self-insurance and GHI obligations.

REORGANIZATION ITEMS, NET
For the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, professional fees of $12.7 million were accrued and $12.4 million were paid related to our Bankruptcy Filing. U.S. Trustee fees of approximately $0.2 million were incurred and paid during the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011.

During the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we rejected 19 of our leases through the bankruptcy process and reduced the closed locations reserve balance associated with these leases by $13.5 million, of which $13.4 million was attributed to continuing operations and $0.1 million was attributed to discontinued operations, net to the allowable claim for damages of $17.4 million.  In connection with the rejection of the 19 leases, we also wrote off the related real estate liabilities of $13.7 million, obligations under capital leases of $2.5 million, other liabilities related to rejected closed locations of $0.5 million with an offsetting write-off of other assets of $0.2 million, totaling $16.5 million, net.  Of this amount, $16.6 million relates to continuing operations with an offset of $0.1 million relating to discontinued operations.

INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010 was $1.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively. 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 (3.1%) and (0.07%), respectively, for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, respectively, varied from the statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to state and local income taxes and the increase in our valuation allowance. The rate for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010 was also impacted by the mark to market of the Series B warrant issued in the acquisition of Pathmark.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Loss from discontinued operations for the 12 weeks ended September 10, 2011 of $2.0 million decreased from a loss from discontinued operations of $10.9 million for the 12 weeks ended September 11, 2010, primarily due to lower worker’s compensation expenses of $2.8 million, lower interest expense of $0.8 million, lower present value interest expense of $3.4 million and an intraperiod tax allocation benefit of $1.5 million.

28 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 10, 2011 COMPARED TO THE 28 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

OVERALL
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 compared to the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010:


   
28 Weeks Ended
   
28 Weeks Ended
   
Favorable
       
   
September 10, 2011
   
September 11, 2010
   
(unfavorable)
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)
 
                         
Sales
 
$
3,869.3
   
$
4,483.2
   
$
(613.9
)
   
(13.7
)%
Decrease in comparable store sales
   
(2.7
)%
   
(6.9
)%
 
N/A
   
N/A
 
Loss from continuing operations
 
$
(274.5
)
 
$
(256.9
)
 
$
(17.6
)
   
(6.9
)%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
18.6
   
$
(17.9
)
 
$
36.5
   
>100
 %
Net loss
 
$
(255.9
)
 
$
(274.8
)
 
$
18.9
 
   
6.9
%
Net loss per share - basic
 
$
(4.80
 
$
(5.31
)
 
$
0.51
 
   
9.6
%
Net loss per share - diluted
 
$
(4.80
)
 
$
(15.58
)
 
$
10.78
     
69.2
 %

Average weekly sales per supermarket were approximately $402,000 for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 versus $392,000 for the corresponding period of the prior year, an increase of 2.5% primarily due to the closing of underperforming supermarkets.

SALES
   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
September 11, 2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
1,943,092
   
$
2,255,521
 
Pathmark
   
1,629,795
     
1,927,705
 
Gourmet
   
138,508
     
137,994
 
Other
   
157,945
     
161,989
 
Total sales
 
$
3,869,340
   
$
4,483,209
 

Sales decreased from $4,483.2 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 to $3,869.3 million for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, primarily due to a decrease in comparable store sales of $110.0 million and the absence of sales due to store closures of $519.0 million, partially offset by sales from two new stores of $15.1 million. The decrease in sales in our Fresh segment of $312.4 million was primarily related to a decline in the comparable store sales of $27.3 million and the absence of sales due to store closures of $300.2 million, partially offset by sales from two new stores of $15.1 million.  The decrease in sales in our Pathmark segment of $297.9 million was primarily due to a decline in comparable store sales of $88.0 million and the absence of sales due to store closures of $209.9 million. Comparable store sales declined primarily because our lower price initiative, which offered lower everyday prices in place of previously offered discounts and coupons, was not well received by our customers. This impact was most significant in our Pathmark segment. Our Company phased out this program during the latter part of the first quarter of fiscal 2011.    Sales generated by our Gourmet segment increased by $0.5 million.  The sales decrease of $4.0 million in our Other segment, representing Discount and Wine, Beer & Spirits, was primarily attributable to the absence of sales due to one store closure within Discount of $6.8 million and four store closures within Wine, Beer & Spirits of $2.1 million, partially offset by an increase in comparable store sales of $4.9 million.

GROSS MARGIN
Gross margin of $1,078.7 million decreased 174 basis points as a percentage of sales to 27.88% for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 from gross margin of $1,328.0 million or 29.62% for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 reflecting lower margins across all of our operating segments due to the lack of success of our lower price initiative in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 as described above in SALES as well as a reduction in vendor allowances that we have experienced during the bankruptcy.

The following table details the dollar impact of items affecting the gross margin dollar decrease from the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011to the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 (in millions):
 
   
Sales Volume
   
Gross Margin Rate
   
Total
 
Total company
 
$
(181.8
)
 
$
(67.5
)
 
$
(249.3
)

STORE OPERATING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE
Our SG&A expense was $1,295.6 million or 33.48% as a percentage of sales for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, as compared to $1,452.2 million or 32.39% as a percentage of sales for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

SG&A expenses for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 included (i) net real estate related costs of $90.3 million, or 233 basis points, of which $63.3 million and $26.2 million were attributed to occupancy reserve adjustments related to April store closings and Southern store closings, respectively (ii) pension withdrawal costs of $13.9 million, or 36 basis points recorded in connection with the partial withdrawal from the multi-employer union pension plan (iii) net restructuring and other costs of $2.8 million, or 7 basis points (iv) net stock-based compensation related expense of $1.5 million, or 4 basis points (v) losses related to Hurricane Irene of $1.0 million, or 3 basis points and (vi) self-insurance reserve adjustments of $0.1 million, or 0.5 basis points.  These costs were partially offset by (vii) net real estate gains of $40.9 million, or 105 basis points, of which $29.1 million related to gain from the sale of Southern stores.

SG&A expenses for the 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 $17.8 million, or 40 basis points.  These costs were partially offset by net real estate related gains of $0.2 million, or 0.5 basis points and net stock-based compensation related income of $0.1 million, or 0.2 basis points, primarily due to forfeitures.

Excluding the items listed above, SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased by 0.2 basis points during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 as compared to the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  Labor and occupancy costs decreased $92.6 million and $62.2 million, respectively, primarily attributable to a reduction in the number of open stores while the corresponding rates as a percentage of sales increased 29 basis points and decreased 23 basis points, respectively. Other miscellaneous expenses, as well as corporate and store related costs not allocated to segments, decreased $28.2 million, or a decrease of 33.2 basis points as a percentage of sales.  In addition, advertising and other operating expenditures decreased $11.7 million, or an increase of 27 basis points as a percentage of sales.

During the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, we recorded impairment losses on long-lived assets due to closure or conversion of stores in the normal course of business of $1.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT

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 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded impairment charges on long-lived assets of $1.5 million related to stores that were closed or converted in the normal course of business, as compared to $1.1 million in impairment losses recorded during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  These amounts were recorded within “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments due to store closures
In February 2011, our Company obtained authority from the Bankruptcy Court to close 32 stores in six states as we continue to fully implement our comprehensive financial and operational restructuring.  As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $31.4 million during fiscal 2010, of which $19.4 million, $9.0 million and $3.0 million related to our Fresh, Pathmark, and Other reporting segments, respectively.  These store closures were completed on April 16, 2011.  We recorded an additional impairment charge of $0.4 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2011, of which $0.3 million and $0.1 million were attributed to our Pathmark and Fresh reporting segments, respectively. These amounts were recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In April and May 2011, our Company obtained approval from the Bankruptcy Court to sell, or alternatively, to close, an additional 25 stores located in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia (the “Southern Stores”).  During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, our Company held an auction whereby we agreed to sell our interests in 12 of our existing stores based in Maryland and the District of Columbia, all of which were a part of our Fresh reportable segment, for approximately $38.3 million in cash which primarily related to fixed assets.  The transactions closed during June and July 2011 resulting to a gain of $29.1 million, which was recorded within “Store operating, general and administrative expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded an impairment charge of $3.0 million all of which pertained to our Fresh reporting segment. This amount was recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These store closures and sales were completed by July 9, 2011.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, our Company announced the closure of 25 stores in five states as we began the implementation and execution phase of our comprehensive financial and operational restructuring.  As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $23.7 million during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  This amount was recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments due to unrecoverable assets
As part of the ongoing development of our Plan of Reorganization, during our second quarter of fiscal 2011, we refined our projected cash flows of baseline operations, before any potential cash flows that might result from capital improvements, for all locations.  For those locations where the projected undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the net carrying value of the long-lived assets, we determined the fair value of the long-lived assets and recorded an impairment charge of $76.1 million during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, which related primarily to favorable leases and which also included capital leases and land and buildings, with a carrying amount of $183.8 million to their fair value of $107.7 million for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011.  The impairment charge $76.1 million recorded during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, all related to our Pathmark reportable segment. This amount was recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and long-lived asset impairment” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We recorded an impairment charge of $12.0 million during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 to partially write down stores’ long-lived assets, which primarily consist of favorable leases and which also included capital leases and land and buildings, with a carrying amount of $52.1 million to their fair value of $40.1 million. 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 Fresh reporting segment. This amount was recorded within “Goodwill, trademark, and 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. Our projected cash flows of baseline operations include an estimate for expected savings from the recently negotiated C&S supply agreement and from the ongoing labor negotiations.  If current operating levels do not improve or the expected savings from the ongoing labor negotiations do not occur, 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.

SEGMENT (LOSS) INCOME
   
For the 28 Weeks Ended
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
September 11, 2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Fresh
 
$
(18,956
)
 
$
23,727
 
Pathmark
   
(86,665
)
   
(52,579
)
Gourmet
   
7,866
     
8,882
 
Other
   
759
     
991
 
Total segment loss
 
$
(96,996
)
 
$
(18,979
)

Segment loss increased $78.0 million from a loss of $19.0 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 to a loss of $97.0 million for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011. Our Fresh and Pathmark segments experienced segment income declines of $42.7 million and $34.1 million, respectively, primarily attributable to declines in sales and lower gross margins, partially offset by improvements in supply and logistics along with reduced occupancy expenses due to store closures.   Segment income from our Gourmet business declined by $1.0 million.  Although Gourmet saw improvements in sales along with declining occupancy expenses, these improvements were more than offset by a decline in gross margins and increased labor expenses. Segment income for our Other segment, representing Discount and Wine, Beer and Spirits, declined by $0.2 million, driven by decreases in sales and gross margin, partially offset by improvements in supply and logistics along with reduced labor and occupancy expenses due to store closures.  Refer to Note 21 – Reportable Segments for further discussion of our reportable operating segments.

NONOPERATING INCOME
During the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, we recorded favorable adjustments of $0.1 million and $10.4 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 $86.3 million for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 decreased from the prior year expense of $107.3 million, primarily attributable to the aggregate decreases in contractual interest expense of $24.8 million for our Related Party Promissory Note, due August 18, 2011, 9.125% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2011, 5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011, 6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due December 15, 2012, and 9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039, all of which are unsecured obligations that we ceased accruing interest for during the fourth quarter 2010 as a result of the Bankruptcy Filing. We also had aggregate decreases of interest expense of approximately $14.9 million attributed to amortization of deferred financing fees and discounts on unsecured obligations that we ceased amortizing as a result of the Bankruptcy Filing as well as a decrease in interest expense of $6.1 million from our $655 million Credit Agreement, which was paid off with proceeds from the DIP Credit Agreement during fourth quarter 2010.

These decreases in interest expense were partially offset by interest expense for our DIP Credit Agreement of $20.1 million and an increase of $4.9 million in interest expense resulting from our self-insurance and GHI obligations.

REORGANIZATION ITEMS, NET
For the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, professional fees of $29.8 million were accrued and $23.5 million were paid related to our Bankruptcy Filing. U.S. Trustee fees of approximately $0.5 million were incurred and paid during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011.

On June 2, 2011, our Company rejected its prior contract with C&S and entered into a new definitive supply agreement effective May 29, 2011.  As a result of our renegotiated contract, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 we eliminated $34.1 million of previously recorded unfavorable contract liability.  

During the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we rejected 63 of our leases through the bankruptcy process and reduced the closed locations reserves balance associated with these leases by $52.6 million, $44.1 million of which was attributed to continuing operations and $8.5 million was attributed to discontinued operations, net to the allowable claim for damages of $55.3 million.  In connection with the rejection of the 63 leases, we also wrote off the related obligations under capital leases of $9.8 million, unfavorable lease liabilities of $3.2 million, real estate liabilities of $22.6 million, deferred real estate income of $9.4 million, other liabilities of $0.6 million with an offsetting write-off of other assets of $1.0 million, totaling $44.6 million, net.  Of this amount, $43.0 million relates to continuing operations and $1.6 million relates to discontinued operations.

In addition, we rejected 9 of our assigned leases through the bankruptcy process and wrote-off the related property, net of $13.5 million, with an offsetting write-off of deferred real estate income of $41.8 million, totaling $28.3 million. Of this amount, $4.2 million relates to continuing operations and $24.1 million relates to discontinued operations.

INCOME TAXES
The benefit for income taxes from continuing operations for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 was $13.1 million, compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.2 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010. 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 4.5% and (0.10%), respectively, for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 and September 11, 2010, respectively, varied from the statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to state and local income taxes and the increase in our valuation allowance. The rate for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010 was also impacted by the mark to market of the Series B warrant issued in the acquisition of Pathmark.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Income from discontinued operations for the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 of $18.6 million increased from a loss from discontinued operations of $17.9 million for the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, primarily due to the rejection of property leases and the corresponding adjustment to the reserves balance associated with these leases to the allowable claims for damages of $8.4 million, writing off deferred real estate income of $24.6 million and obligations under capital leases of $1.6 million, lower legal expenses of $1.9 million, lower worker’s compensation expenses of $2.8 million, lower interest expense of $1.7 million and lower present value interest expense of $7.4 million. The increase in income from discontinued operations also includes an intraperiod tax allocation benefit of $2.6 million offset by provision for income taxes for reorganization items, net of $14.4 million.

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 10, 2011
 
September 11, 2010
Net cash used in operating activities
$ (68,353
)
$ (94,423)
Net cash provided by (used) in investing activities
32,145
 
(29,496)
Net cash used in financing activities
(14,830
)
(34,164)

Net cash used in operating activities decreased by $26.1 million during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 as compared to 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  The decrease in cash used in operating activities is primarily the result in an improvement in the cash provided from working capital of approximately $124.2 million, which included $70.0 million in the current portion of the allowable claim for damages pertaining to rejected leases. Excluding the impact of the current portion of the allowable claim for damages pertaining to rejected leases, improvement in working capital was approximately $54.2 million. These improvements primarily resulted from recently settled trade agreements with certain key vendors, which increased our trade terms with these vendors and reduced outstanding receivables from these vendors, as well as a reduction in inventory that was liquidated as part of our store closures.  Partially offsetting the impact of the improvement in working capital was an increase of $25.6 million in net loss adjusted by non-cash charges, due to lower comparable store revenues, decreased volume at our stores, and the results of underperforming stores that were closed during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011.

Net cash provided by investing activities increased by $61.6 million during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 as compared to 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  The increase in cash provided by investing activities is primarily due to increased proceeds via the disposal of property during the current fiscal period as compared to the prior year period of $38.3 million, proceeds from the sale of pharmacy assets during fiscal 2011 of $4.8 million and lower property expenditures of $26.2 million.  The increase in cash provided by investing activities is offset by the absence of proceeds from flood insurance of $4.9 million, which we received during fiscal 2010, and an increase in restricted cash of $2.8 million. Property expenditures during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 totaled $17.3 million, relating to equipment and leasehold improvements for existing stores, along with the addition of one new store, as compared to $43.4 million during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, which related to one remodel and one off-site replacement.

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $19.3 million during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 as compared to 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.  The decrease in cash used in financing activities is due to the decreased overdraft of $14.9 million and decrease in principal payments on capital lease obligations and real estate liabilities of $0.7 million, partially offset by the payment of financing fees for our debtor-in-possession financing of $1.6 million.  Not included during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011 were payments under our revolving lines of credit of $200.7 million and dividends on preferred stock of $7.0 million, proceeds under our revolving lines of credit of $201.6 million and issuance of long-term debt of $0.8 million which were paid and received during the 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010.

Working Capital
At September 10, 2011, we had working capital of $175.0 million compared to working capital of $698.0 million, at February 26, 2011 excluding liabilities considered subject to compromise.  Considering working capital type items classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we had negative working capital of $367.4 million at September 10, 2011 compared to positive working capital of $177.9 million at February 26, 2011.  We had cash and cash equivalents aggregating $301.6 million at September 10, 2011 compared to $352.6 million at February 26, 2011.  The remaining decrease in working capital after considering the impact of “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets was attributable primarily to the following:

·  
An increase in the current portion of our long-term debt due to the reclassification of our term loan under the DIP Credit Agreement, due June 14, 2012;
·  
A decline in inventories primarily related to reduced number of open locations.  We also experienced a decline in inventories of approximately $6.9 million for losses incurred by Hurricane Irene, which we expect to restock in our third quarter;
·  
A decrease in accounts receivable, primarily related to 1) lower sales, 2) settlement of C&S pre-petition accounts receivable, 3) a reduction in vendor funding that we have experienced during the Bankruptcy, as well as, 4) an improvement in the collection rate from certain vendors since the Bankruptcy Filing;
·  
An increase in accrued taxes attributed to timing of payment; and
·  
An increase in other accruals resulting from the current portion of the allowable claim for damages pertaining to rejected leases that are expected to be settled upon our Company’s emergence from the Bankruptcy Filing.

Partially offset by the following:

·  
A decrease in accounts payable attributed to the payment of certain pre-petition liabilities as permitted by various court orders;
·  
A decline in accrued salaries, wages and benefits, primarily related to 1) reversal of the incentive compensation accrued for our executive and non-executive employees based on our operating results, as well as, 2) a decrease in accrued vacation;
·  
A decrease in book overdrafts primarily due to the extension of payments terms with certain vendors resulting from the execution of trade agreements;
·  
An increase in restricted cash that can only be used as collateral for our new Letter of Credit Agreement with our DIP Lender; and
·  
An increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily due to an increase in prepaid rent due to timing of payments.

Debt Obligations

Our debt obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
At
   
At
 
   
September 10, 2011
   
February 26, 2011
 
Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement, due June 14, 2012
 
$
350,000
   
$
350,000
 
Related Party Promissory Note, due August 18, 2011
   
10,000
     
10,000
 
5.125% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2011(1)
   
165,000
     
165,000
 
9.125% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2011(1)
   
12,840
     
12,840
 
6.750% Convertible Senior Notes, due December 15, 2012(1)
   
255,000
     
255,000
 
11.375% Senior Secured Notes, due August 1, 2015
   
260,000
     
260,000
 
9.375% Notes, due August 1, 2039(1)
   
200,000
     
200,000
 
Other
   
2,395
     
2,544
 
Subtotal
   
1,255,235
     
1,255,384
 
Less current portion of long-term debt
   
(350,000
)
   
(159
)
Less long-term debt - subject to compromise
   
(905,235
)
   
(905,225
)
Long-term debt
 
$
-
   
$
350,000
 

(1)  
Represents public debt obligations.

Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement
On December 12, 2010, our Company and all of its U.S. subsidiaries (the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “Bankruptcy Filing”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in White Plains (the “Bankruptcy Court”), which are being jointly administered under case number 10-24549.  Management’s decision to initiate the Bankruptcy Filing was in response to, among other things, our Company’s deteriorating liquidity and management’s conclusion in the third quarter that the challenges of successfully implementing additional financing initiatives and of obtaining necessary cost concessions from our Company’s business and labor partners, was negatively impacting our Company’s ability to implement its previously announced turnaround strategy. The Debtors continue to operate their businesses in the ordinary course of business as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Bankruptcy Court. Our Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries were not part of the Bankruptcy Filing and will continue to operate in the ordinary course of business.
 
In connection with the Bankruptcy Filing, on December 13, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered its interim financing order, among other things, permitting us to enter into a Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement as amended and restated in its entirety by that certain Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2010, further amended and restated in its entirety by that certain Second Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of January 10, 2011, further amended and restated in its entirety by that certain Third Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of January 13, 2011, further amended by that certain First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of July 8, 2011, further amended (subsequent to the reporting period) by that certain Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of September 21, 2011 (the “Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement”) as may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “DIP Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “DIP Lenders”) and our Company and certain subsidiaries as borrowers thereunder.  On December 14, 2010, we satisfied all of the conditions to the effectiveness of the DIP Credit Agreement and to the initial closing thereunder and consummated the transactions contemplated thereunder including the refinancing in full of our Company’s and its applicable subsidiaries’ obligations under the pre-existing first lien credit facility evidenced by the Credit Agreement (refer to Note 9 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities to our Consolidated Financial Statements). The Bankruptcy Court entered a final order approving the DIP Credit Agreement on January 11, 2011.  Pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement:
 
 
 
the DIP Lenders agreed to lend up to $800.0 million in the form of a $350.0 million term loan and a $450.0 million revolving credit facility with a $250.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, in each case subject to the terms and conditions therein;
 
 
 
our Company’s and the Subsidiary Borrower’s obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement and the other specified loan documents are guaranteed by our Company’s certain other subsidiaries that are Debtors (“Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with our Company and the Subsidiary Borrowers, the “Loan Parties”); and
 
 
 
the Loan Parties’ obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement and such other specified loan documents are secured by a security interest in, and lien upon, substantially all of the Loan Parties’ existing and after-acquired personal and real property, having the priority and subject to the terms therein and in the order(s) entered into by the Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.

Our Company will have the option to have interest on the revolving loans under the revolving credit facility provided under the DIP Credit Agreement accrue at an alternate base rate plus 200 basis points or at adjusted LIBOR plus 300 basis points. Our Company will have the option to have interest on the term loan provided under the DIP Credit Agreement accrue at an alternate base rate plus 600 basis points or at adjusted LIBOR (with a floor of 175 basis points) plus 700 basis points. The DIP Credit Agreement limits, among other things, our Company’s and the other Loan Parties’ ability to (i) incur indebtedness, (ii) incur or create liens, (iii) dispose of assets, (iv) prepay certain indebtedness and make other restricted payments, (v) enter into sale and leaseback transactions and (vi) modify the terms of certain indebtedness and certain material contracts. Notably, however, the DIP Credit Agreement permits our Company to use the proceeds generated from the sale of the Southern Stores in the operation of our business rather than requiring us to use those proceeds to reduce the Loan Parties’ outstanding indebtedness under the DIP Credit Agreement.

The DIP Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants. The Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement amended the covenants regarding minimum excess availability and minimum cumulative EBITDA. The Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement changed the measurement intervals for minimum excess availability requirements and reduced the minimum cumulative EBITDA requirements to have them measured beginning with respect to the period ending December 31, 2011 rather than prior to such time as required by the DIP Credit Agreement, provided that if the Company has filed a Plan of Reorganization reasonably satisfactory to the DIP Lenders prior to December 31, 2011, the measurement period for the minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant will be measured beginning on February 25, 2012. The financial covenants, as amended by the Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, include a minimum excess availability covenant of $100.0 million (or $75.0 million at any time after December 31, 2011 but prior to the delivery of financial statements to the DIP Lenders for the period ended February 25, 2012, or $50.0 million at any time thereafter), minimum liquidity covenant of $100.0 million and minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement.  Minimum cumulative EBITDA measured beginning on September 11, 2011 to and including the applicable date set forth in table below is as follows (in millions):

Date
Minimum Cumulative EBITDA
December 31, 2011
10.0
January 28, 2012
25.0
February 25, 2012
40.0
March 24, 2012
55.0
April 21, 2012
70.0
May 19, 2012
 85.0
June 16, 2012
100.0

 
If we file a Plan of Reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court prior to January 30, 2012, the minimum EBITDA covenants as of December 31, 2011 and January 28, 2012 are waived.

Meeting our EBITDA covenant requires increasing levels of performance throughout the year, including the successful implementation of our business improvement initiatives. We previously entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S to provide Services and as of the balance sheet date we are in the process of negotiating with union locals to obtain consensual modifications to collective bargaining agreements necessary for our successful reorganization. We may not achieve our minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant. A financial covenant violation could result in termination of the DIP Credit Agreement and/or termination of our access to funding thereunder. If either (or both) of those were to occur, our Company could be without sufficient cash availability to meet our operating needs or satisfy our obligations as they fall due, in which instance we may be unable to successfully reorganize.

The DIP Credit Agreement matures upon the earliest to occur of (a) June 14, 2012, (b) the acceleration of the loans and the termination of the commitment thereunder, and (c) the substantial consummation (as defined in Section 1101(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, which for purposes hereof shall be no later than the effective date thereof) of a Plan of Reorganization that is confirmed pursuant to an order entered by the Bankruptcy Court.

The Bankruptcy Filing constituted an event of default with respect to the debt obligations described within Note 9 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We are currently operating as debtors-in-possession pursuant to Bankruptcy Filing and continuation of our Company as a going-concern is contingent upon, among other things, the Debtors’ ability (i) to comply with the terms and conditions of the DIP Credit Agreement described in Note 9 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities to our Consolidated Financial Statements; (ii) to develop a plan of reorganization and obtain confirmation of that plan under the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) to reduce debt and other liabilities through the bankruptcy process; (iv) to return to profitability, including by securing necessary near-term cost concessions from our business and labor partners; (v) to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; and (vi) to obtain financing sources to meet our future obligations.  The uncertainty regarding these matters raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
 
After our Company’s Bankruptcy Filing on December 12, 2010, we repaid our $655.0 million Credit Agreement with a balance of $140.5 million with the proceeds from the $350.0 million term loan under the DIP Credit Agreement. At January 10, 2011, we received court approval to draw down on the $450.0 million revolver which provided, after adjusting for letters of credit and borrowing base collateral requirements, an additional $156.8 million of availability as of September 10, 2011. As of September 10, 2011, we held excess cash not utilized in our store operations of $211.2 million.  The $156.8 million of availability is further subject to a current minimum availability covenant of $100.0 million.  Based on the $350.0 million term loan under the DIP Credit Agreement becoming due on June 14, 2012 and the ongoing status of negotiations with union locals to obtain consensual modifications to collective bargaining agreements necessary for our successful reorganization, there is substantial doubt about our Company’s ability to meet our obligations for the next twelve months.

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 and 115,000 shares of 8.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A-Y, without par value, to affiliates of Yucaipa Companies LLC, 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 10, 2011 and February 26, 2011. The holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled under a pre-bankruptcy agreement 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.  We are currently not accruing for the 8% dividend and no dividends have been paid during the pendency of our bankruptcy case.

On November 24, 2010 our Company’s Board of Directors authorized a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) dividend on our Preferred Stock, payable on December 15, 2010 to holders of record on November 15, 2010 (“Record Date”). Dividends are required to be PIK in the event our Company does not have the ability to pay the dividends in cash. As of the Record Date, we did not have the ability to pay the dividends in cash. The calculation of PIK dividends on our Preferred Stock is based upon the rate defined by the original terms of the Preferred Stock at 9.5% per annum. The PIK dividends of approximately $4.0 million are included in “Series A redeemable preferred stock” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The PIK dividend due on December 15, 2010 was not paid by our Company due to the Bankruptcy Filing.

During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011, we recorded deferred financing fees amortization of $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and embedded beneficial conversion features accretion of $1.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, within “Additional paid-in capital”. 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 embedded beneficial conversion features accretion of $1.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, within “Additional paid-in capital”.  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.
 
Share Lending Agreements
We had share lending agreements with certain financial institutions, pursuant to which we loaned 8,134,002 shares of our stock of which 6,300,752 shares were sold to the public on December 18, 2007 in a public offering to facilitate hedging transactions relating to the issuance of our 5.125% and 6.750% Senior Convertible Notes. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the borrowed shares.  We received a nominal lending fee from the financial institutions pursuant to the share lending agreements. Any shares we loan are considered issued and outstanding.  Investors that purchase borrowed shares are entitled to the same voting and dividend rights as any other holders of our common stock; however, the financial institutions do not have rights pursuant to the share lending agreements.  As of September 10, 2011, there were no shares outstanding under our share lending agreement with Bank of America, N.A.

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.

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.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we received notification from the trustees of a multi-employer union pension plan for payment of a partial withdrawal resulting from the closure of certain Pathmark stores in fiscal 2009. The impact of the partial withdrawal is a liability of approximately $14.1 million, which is included within “Liabilities subject to compromise” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 10, 2011.

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 26, 2011.  Except as noted below, there have been no significant changes in these policies during the 28 weeks ended September 10, 2011. 

Effective June 19, 2011, our Company changed its method of valuing inventories held at our Pathmark stores from the last-in first-out (“LIFO”) method to the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method. As previously noted, our Company entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S effective May 29, 2011 to provide Services in support of a substantial portion of our Company’s supply chain. As a result of the agreement with C&S, our Company began transitioning our inventory to different warehouses such that, beginning in our second fiscal quarter, the Pathmark inventory is no longer separately segregated and managed. Our Company believes that the FIFO method of inventory valuation is preferable under GAAP and improves financial reporting because it conforms all of our Company’s inventories to a consistent inventory method and the use of FIFO better aligns costing with our Company’s forecasting and procurement decisions.  As described in the accounting guidance for accounting changes and error corrections, the comparative Consolidated Financial Statements of prior periods presented have been adjusted to apply the new accounting method retrospectively. Refer to Note 1 - Basis of Presentation to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the effect of the change to our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets.





 
 

 

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, specifically for our DIP Credit Agreement. Our Company would have potential exposure to changes in interest rates when the adjusted LIBOR resets. During the second quarter of 2011, a presumed 1% change in the adjusted LIBOR would not have impacted interest expense as the combination of the LIBOR rate of 28 basis points and a 1% increase would remain below the adjusted LIBOR floor of 175 basis points.  As of September 10, 2011, we did not have cash flow exposure due to rate changes on any of our other debt securities because they are at fixed interest rates ranging from 2.0% to 11.375%.  Accordingly, as of September 10, 2011, we did not have exposure to variable floating interest rates. During the 12 and 28 weeks ended September 11, 2010, a presumed 1% change in the variable floating rate would have impacted interest expense by $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

Foreign Exchange Risk
As of September 10, 2011, 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 (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Company’s Exchange Act reports 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 Company’s management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 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 Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b).  Based upon the foregoing, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with our Company’s Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

There have been no changes during our Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 10, 2011 in our Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



 
 

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – Legal Proceedings

Refer to Note 20 – Commitments and Contingencies to 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 26, 2011, and should be considered in conjunction with the risks and uncertainties that are discussed below.

Risks Relating to Our Business
 
 
·  
Failure to execute on our turnaround strategy could adversely affect our Company’s liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

We are currently operating our business as debtors-in-possession in chapter 11. The continuation of our Company as a going-concern is contingent upon, among other things, the Debtors’ ability (i) to comply with the terms and conditions of the DIP Credit Agreement described in Note 9 – Indebtedness and Other Financial Liabilities to our Consolidated Financial Statements; (ii) to develop a plan of reorganization and obtain confirmation of that plan under the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) to reduce debt and other liabilities through the bankruptcy process; (iv) to return to profitability, including by securing necessary near-term cost concessions from our business and labor partners; (v) to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; and (vi) to obtain financing sources to meet our future obligations.  The uncertainty regarding these matters raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

·  
As a result of the Bankruptcy Filing, our historical financial information may not be indicative of our future financial performance.

Our capital structure will likely be significantly altered through the chapter 11 process. Under fresh-start reporting rules that may apply to the Debtors upon the effective date of a plan of reorganization, our assets and liabilities would be adjusted to fair values and our accumulated deficit would be restated to zero. Accordingly, if fresh-start reporting rules apply, our financial condition and results of operations following our emergence from the bankruptcy would not be comparable to the financial condition and results of operations reflected in our historical financial statements. In connection with the Bankruptcy Filing and the development of a plan of reorganization, it is also possible that additional restructuring and related charges may be identified and recorded in future periods. Such charges could be material to our consolidated financial position and results of operations in any given period.

·  
Operating during the Bankruptcy Filing may restrict our ability to pursue our strategic and operational initiatives. 

As a result of the Bankruptcy Filing, transactions outside the ordinary course of business are subject to the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court, which may limit our ability to respond in a timely manner to certain events or take advantage of certain opportunities. Additionally, the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement limit our ability to undertake certain business initiatives. These limitations include, among other things, our ability to:
 
·  incur indebtedness;
·  incur or create liens;
·  dispose of assets;
·  prepay certain indebtedness and make other restricted payments;
·  enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and
·  modify the terms of certain indebtedness and certain material contracts.
 
·  
The Bankruptcy Filing may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The requirements of the Bankruptcy Filing have consumed and will continue to consume a substantial portion of our corporate management’s time and attention and leave them with less time to devote to the operation of our business. This diversion of attention may materially and adversely affect the conduct of our business, and, as a result, on our financial condition and results of operations, particularly if the bankruptcy cases are protracted.

Furthermore, we have incurred and will continue to incur during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Filing substantial costs for professional fees and other expenses associated with the administration of the bankruptcy cases. 

·  
We may not be able to remain in compliance with the requirements of the DIP Credit Agreement therefore the lending commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement may be terminated by the DIP Lender.

The DIP Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants, as amended by the Second Amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, including a minimum excess availability covenant of $100.0 million (or $75.0 million at any time after December 31, 2011 but prior to the delivery of financial statements to the DIP Lenders for the period ended February 25, 2012, or $50.0 million at any time thereafter), minimum liquidity covenant of $100.0 million and minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement.  Minimum cumulative EBITDA measured beginning on September 11, 2011 to and including the applicable date set forth in table below is as follows (in millions):

Date
Minimum Cumulative EBITDA
December 31, 2011
10.0
January 28, 2012
25.0
February 25, 2012
40.0
March 24, 2012
55.0
April 21, 2012
70.0
May 19, 2012
 85.0
June 16, 2012
100.0

 
If we file a Plan of Reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court prior to January 30, 2012, the minimum EBITDA covenants as of December 31, 2011 and January 28, 2012 are waived.

Meeting our EBITDA covenant requires increasing levels of performance throughout the year, including the successful implementation of our business improvement initiatives. We previously entered into a definitive supply agreement with C&S to provide Services and as of the balance sheet date we are in the process of negotiating with union locals to obtain consensual modifications to collective bargaining agreements necessary for our successful reorganization. We may not achieve our minimum cumulative EBITDA covenant. A financial covenant violation could result in termination of the DIP Credit Agreement and/or termination of our access to funding thereunder. If either (or both) of those were to occur, our Company could be without sufficient cash availability to meet our operating needs or satisfy our obligations as they fall due, in which instance we could be required to seek a sale of our Company or certain of its material assets pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, or to convert the Bankruptcy Filing into a liquidation under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.

The DIP Credit Agreement matures upon the earliest to occur of (a) June 14, 2012, (b) the acceleration of the loans and the termination of the commitment thereunder, and (c) the substantial consummation (as defined in Section 1101(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, which for purposes hereof shall be no later than the effective date thereof) of a Plan of Reorganization that is confirmed pursuant to an order entered by the Bankruptcy Court.
  
· 
If we are unable to implement a plan of reorganization, we may not be able to restructure our Company’s debts and continue as a going concern.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to confirm a Plan of Reorganization that will permit our Company to emerge from bankruptcy and continue operations.  For example, we may be unable to secure sufficient exit financing to fund a confirmable chapter 11 plan of reorganization or we may fall out of compliance with the covenants in our DIP Credit Agreement, which could result in the DIP Lenders’ exercise of remedies forcing us to liquidate unless we could refinance our obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement.  As a result, there is no guarantee that we will successfully reorganize.

·  
As a result of approval and implementation of a proposed plan, should such occur, certain changes in ownership of our Company could occur, which could adversely affect our ability to utilize our significant net operating loss carry-forwards upon our emergence from the Bankruptcy Filing.

There are certain tax attributes, such as net operating loss carry-forwards, that may be limited or lost altogether in the event of an ownership change as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. If a change of ownership were to occur as a result of the implementation of the proposed plan, upon our emergence from the Bankruptcy Filing there could be significant valuation allowances placed on deferred tax assets.
 
·  
We may experience increased levels of employee attrition.

During the pendency of the Bankruptcy Filing, we may experience increased levels of employee attrition, and our employees are facing considerable distraction and uncertainty. A loss of key personnel or material erosion of employee morale, at the corporate, field and store levels, could have a materially adverse affect on our ability to meet customer, trade partner and strategic partner expectations, thereby adversely affecting our business and results of operations. Our ability to engage, motivate and retain key employees or take other measures intended to motivate and incent key employees to remain with us through the pendency of the Bankruptcy Filing is limited during the Bankruptcy Filing by restrictions on implementation of retention programs.

·  
Trading in our securities during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Filing is highly speculative and poses substantial risks. Our common stock may be cancelled and holders of such common stock may not receive any distribution with respect to, or be able to recover any portion of, their investments.

Although we cannot say for certain whether holders of our common stock will be eligible to receive any distributions on account of those holdings under a plan of reorganization or, if applicable, in a liquidation, it is exceedingly likely that these equity interests will be cancelled and extinguished in connection with confirmation of a plan of reorganization by the Bankruptcy Court and the holders thereof would not be entitled to receive, and would not receive or retain, any property or interest in property on account of such equity interests. In the event of cancellation of these equity interests, amounts invested by such holders in our outstanding equity securities will not be recoverable. As a result, our currently outstanding common stock would have no value. Trading prices for our common stock may bear little or no relationship to the actual recovery, if any, by the holders thereof in the Bankruptcy Filing. Accordingly, we urge extreme caution with respect to existing and future investments in our equity securities and any of our other securities.
 
·  
 
Our common stock and 9 3/8% senior quarterly interest bonds are no longer listed on a national securities exchange and are quoted only on the Pink Sheets, which could negatively affect our stock price, bond price and marketplace liquidity.

As of December 13, 2010, our common stock and 9 3/8% senior quarterly interest bonds (“9 3/8% bonds”) trade exclusively on the Pink OTCQB market (the “Pink Sheets”) and are currently traded under the symbols GAPTQ and GAJTQ, respectively. The Pink Sheets is a significantly more limited market than the NYSE, and the quotation of our common stock and 9 3/8% bonds on the Pink Sheets may result in a less liquid market available for existing and potential stockholders and bondholders, respectively, to trade in our common stock and 9 3/8% bonds. This could further depress the trading price of our common stock and 9 3/8% bonds.

·  
  
Our substantial indebtedness could impair our financial condition and our ability to fulfill our debt obligations, including our obligations under the notes.

We have substantial indebtedness. As of September 10, 2011, we had total indebtedness of $1,360.2 million, consisting of approximately $350.0 million outstanding under our debtor-in-possession financing, $260.0 million of senior secured notes – subject to compromise, $645.2 million of other outstanding notes – subject to compromise, approximately $105.0 million outstanding under obligations under our capital leases, $53.6 million of which are subject to compromise.  Our indebtedness could have important consequences to you. For example, it could: (i) make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes and our other 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.

·  
  
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.

We have approximately 36,000 employees, of which approximately 69% are employed on a part-time basis. Over the last few years, increased wage and benefit costs have caused our Company’s labor costs to increase. While we are in the process of negotiating with our union partners for revised terms of employment for our unionized employees, we cannot assure you that our labor costs will not continue to increase, or that any such increases would be offset through increased prices of products in our stores. Any significant failure to attract and retain qualified employees, to control our labor costs or to recover any increased labor costs through increased prices charged to customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

As of September 10, 2011, approximately 93% of our employees were represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining or similar agreements that are subject to periodic renegotiations. Although we are in the process of negotiating modifications to collective bargaining agreements that are necessary for our Company to reorganize, these negotiations may not prove successful and/or may result in the disruption of our operations if negotiations become adversarial and result in work stoppages or other labor problems.

We believe that we have good relationships with our employees and our union partners.  To reorganize as a viable business, our Company believes it needs to secure cost savings in multiple areas, including obligations arising under our collective bargaining agreements.  Our Company is currently negotiating with its union partners to obtain consensual modifications to its collective bargaining agreements that are necessary for our Company’s successful reorganization.  Our Company’s goal is to consensually modify its collective bargaining obligations by agreement with each of its union partners, although our Company cannot guaranty whether such outcome can be achieved.

If our Company is unable to obtain cost savings from its labor partners on a consensual basis, our Company may need to avail itself of certain rights and remedies under the Bankruptcy Code with regard to its collective bargaining obligations.  Our Company has not sought to utilize any of those rights or remedies at this time.

There can be no assurance that our Company will succeed in obtaining necessary labor cost savings or that work stoppages or labor disturbances will not occur as a result of this process.

· 
We may incur additional pension liabilities resulting from the sales or closures of our Company’s stores.

Our Company participates in various multi-employer pension plans which are administered jointly between our Company’s management and union representatives. It is possible that sales or closures of our Company’s stores would trigger a pension withdrawal liability based upon formulas defined under ERISA. There can be no assurance that cash flows from our Company’s operations will be sufficient to fund such liabilities. The duration of these liabilities may also be for an extended period of time.



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


 
18.1
Preferability Letter of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
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

 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document

 
101.SCH
XBRL Schema Document

 
101.CAL
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document

 
101.LAB
XBRL Label Linkbase Document

 
101.PRE
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

 
101.DEF
XBRL  Definition Linkbase Document





 
 

 

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 28, 2011                                                 By:              /s/ Melissa E. Sungela                                                                      
     Melissa E. Sungela, Senior Vice President,
     Corporate Controller (Chief Accounting Officer
                                                                                                             and Duly Authorized Officer)