Nov 19, 2007 9:53 AM

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co Inc (A&P) has provided to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the required two-week notice of its intention to consummate the acquisition of Pathmark Stores Inc effective Nov 13, 2007. This notice said A&P may consummate its acquisition of Pathmark any time after Nov 27, 2007. The supermarket chain now expects the transaction to close in early December.

A&P also said it has executed an agreement with the staff of the FTC regarding required divestitures, and has entered into definitive asset purchase agreements with specific buyers for certain stores. The final agreement is subject to approval by the commissioners of the FTC, which the company said it expects to obtain.

A&P operates 315 stores in six states and the District of Columbia under these trade names: A&P, Waldbaum’s, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh, and Food Basics. Pathmark is a regional supermarket chain operating 140 supermarkets in the New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.