A&P Completes Refinancing Of Senior Debt

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) said Thursday that it has completed the refinancing of its existing senior debt, and received terms that reduce its interest costs and improve its cash flow.

The Montvale-based supermarket company, which has 300 stores in six states, said it has arranged with Wells Fargo Capital Finance for a new $300 million senior asset-based credit facility and a $270 million senior secured term loan through an amendment and restatement of its existing credit agreements. An asset-based credit facility is a revolving line of credit that allows retailers to draw funds and cover such costs as inventory purchases and accounts receivable.

Paul Hertz, president and chief executive of A&P, said in a statement that the company is "extremely pleased to have completed the refinancing of our credit facilities on attractive terms that reduce our borrowing costs and provide greater operational and financial flexibility." Hertz said the new terms put A&P "in a much stronger financial position and allow us to focus on investing in our business by supporting and accelerating our growth strategies."

To read the rest of the story, please go to: The Record