-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-08-019617.txt : 20080815
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-08-019617.hdr.sgml : 20080814
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080815170929
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-08-019617
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080813
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080815
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080815

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000043300
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				131890974
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0225

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 PARAGON DR
		CITY:			MONTVALE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07645
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2015739700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 PARAGON DRIVE
		CITY:			MONTVALE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07645

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAUB ERIVAN KARL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001258200

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04141
		FILM NUMBER:		081023529

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOLLSTRAESE 5-43
		STREET 2:		45478 MULHEIM AN DER RUHR
		CITY:			GERMANY
		STATE:			2M
		ZIP:			00000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAUB CHRISTIAN W E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193939

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04141
		FILM NUMBER:		081023530

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 PARAGON DRIVE
		CITY:			MONTVALE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07645

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAUB KARL ERIVAN WARDER
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001179653

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04141
		FILM NUMBER:		081023531

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43
		STREET 2:		45478 MULHEIM AN DER RUHR
		CITY:			FEDERAL REPUBIC OF GERMANY
		STATE:			I9
		ZIP:			00000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TENGELMANN VERWALTUNGS UND BETEILIGUNGS GMBH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001179652

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04141
		FILM NUMBER:		081023532

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43
		STREET 2:		45478 MULHEIM AN DER RUHR
		CITY:			FEDERAL REPULIC OF GERMANY
		STATE:			I9
		ZIP:			00000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TENGELMANN WARENHANDELSGESELLSCHAFT KG
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001039441

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04141
		FILM NUMBER:		081023533

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOWSTRASSE 5-43
		STREET 2:		45478 MULHEIM AN DER RUHR
		STATE:			I9
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011492085806357

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		825 8TH AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TENGELMANN WARENHANDELSGESELLSCHAST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970515
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-08-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000043300</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GREAT ATLANTIC &amp; PACIFIC TEA CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GAP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001039441</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TENGELMANN WARENHANDELSGESELLSCHAFT KG</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>45478 MULHEIM AN DER RUHR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>2M</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>GERMANY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001179652</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TENGELMANN VERWALTUNGS UND BETEILIGUNGS GMBH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>45478 MULHEIM AN DER RUHR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>2M</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>GERMANY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001179653</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAUB KARL ERIVAN WARDER</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>45478 MULHEIM AN DER RUHR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>2M</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>GERMANY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001193939</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAUB CHRISTIAN W E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2 PARAGON DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTVALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07645</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001258200</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAUB ERIVAN KARL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>45478 MULHEIM A.D. RUHR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>2M</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>GERMANY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $1 par value</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-08-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>161300</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>17.7079</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>22495371</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG is a limited partnership organized under the laws of Germany.  Erivan Karl Haub, Christian Wilhelm Erich Haub and Karl-Erivan Warder Haub expressly declare that the filing of this statement is not an admission that they are, for the purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owner of shares owned by Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Price reflected is the weighted average purchase price for shares purchased.   The range of prices for the reported transactions was $17.60 to $17.75 per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG undertakes to provide upon request by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission staff, the issuer, or a security holder of the issuer, full information regarding the number of shares purchased at each separate price.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Karl-Erivan Warder Haub by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Tengelmannn Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG by Tengelmann Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH, as Managing Partner, by Christian Wilhelm Erich Haub, Co-CEO, by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christian Wilhelm Erich Haub by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Tengelmann Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH by Christian Wilhelm Erich Haub, Co-CEO by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Erivan Karl Haub by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----