The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. Announces Results for Second Quarter Ended September 9, 2006
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Company Reports Second Quarter EBITDA, Adjusted for Non-Operating Items, of $35 Million, Up From $25 Million in Prior Year

U.S. sales for the second quarter were $1.57 billion, compared with $1.60 billion in the second quarter of last year. U.S. total comparable store sales increased 0.2% vs. year-ago. Fiscal 2005 second quarter total sales of $2.2 billion included $600 million related to A&P Canada which was sold in August 2005. Net loss for the quarter was $0.5 million or $.01 per diluted share this year versus income of $592 million or $14.40 per diluted share last year. Last year's results include a $919 million gain on the sale of A&P Canada.

The results for the second quarter of fiscal years 2006 and 2005 include items the Company considers non-operating in nature that management excludes when evaluating the results of the U.S. ongoing business. These items are listed on Schedule 3 of the press release. Excluding these items, adjusted U.S. loss from operations was $6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 versus a loss of $21 million in last year's second quarter. Adjusted U.S. ongoing operating EBITDA, which is reconciled to net cash from operating activities on Schedule 4 of the press release, was $35 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 versus $25 million in last year's second quarter.

U.S. sales for the 28 weeks year to date were $3.7 billion versus $3.8 billion in 2005. Total sales of $5.5 billion for last year included sales of $1.7 billion related to A&P Canada which was sold in August 2005. U.S. total comparable store sales increased 1.0%. Net loss for year to date 2006 was $6.6 million or $.16 per diluted share compared to income of $502.7 million or $12.47 per diluted share for 2005, which included the gain on the sale of Canada.

Fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 year to date results include the non-operating items listed on Schedule 3 of the press release. Excluding these items, adjusted U.S. loss from operations was $3 million for the first half of 2006 versus a loss of $46 million for 2005. Adjusted U.S. ongoing operating EBITDA, which is reconciled to net cash from operating activities on Schedule 4, was $92 million for the first half of 2006 versus $61 million in 2005.

Christian Haub, Executive Chairman of the Board, said, "A&P's turnaround continued in the second quarter, with our cost control and sales development strategies again improving operations and results despite competitive and other external challenges. Our performance once again underlines my confidence in our continuous improvement, toward the goal of overall profitability in Fiscal 2007."

Eric Claus, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We remained on course in the 2nd quarter, further reducing our operating loss while increasing comparable store sales. Although summer weather extremes impacted our rate of sales growth compared with prior quarters, our fundamental merchandising and operating strategies kept us moving in the right direction. Going forward, we remain focused on those strategies and the ongoing improvement of top and bottom line results."

Founded in 1859, A&P is one of the nation's first supermarket chains. The Company operates 403 stores in 9 states and the District of Columbia under the following trade names: A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh, Farmer Jack, Sav-A-Center and Food Basics.

The Company invites investors and other interested parties to listen to a live audio Webcast to be held at 11:00 AM Eastern Time today, at which members of the Company's senior management team will discuss the Company's second quarter financial results. The Webcast may be accessed through a link on the "Investors" page of the Company's Website, www.aptea.com. Listeners who cannot participate in the live broadcast will be able to hear a recorded replay of the broadcast beginning this afternoon and available until November 14, 2006.

Effective March 28, 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted new rules related to disclosure of certain financial measures not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Such new rules require all public companies to provide certain disclosures in press release and SEC filings related to non-GAAP financial measures. We use the non-GAAP measure "EBITDA" to evaluate the Company's liquidity and it is among the primary measures used by management for planning and forecasting of future periods. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, minority interest, equity in earnings of Metro, Inc., discontinued operations and the gain on the sale of A&P Canada. Ongoing, operating EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for items the Company considers non-operating in nature that management excludes when evaluating the results of the U.S. ongoing business. The Company believes the presentation of these measures is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view results in a manner similar to the method used by the Company's management and makes it easier to compare the Company's results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. In addition, these measures are also among the primary measures used externally by the Company's investors, analysts and peers in its industry for purposes of valuation and comparing the results of the Company to other companies in its industry. Ongoing, operating EBITDA is reconciled to Net Cash provided by Operating Activities on Schedule 4 of this release.

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

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Investor Contact:
William J. Moss
Vice President, Treasurer
(201) 571-4019

Press Contact:
Richard P. De Santa
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(201) 571-4495