-----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>0001140361-08-024955.txt : 20081110
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-08-024955.hdr.sgml : 20081110
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081110175924
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-08-024955
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081106
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081110
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081110

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:		081177289

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2124741250

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43
		CITY:			45478 MUELHEIM AN DER RUHR
		STATE:			2M
		ZIP:			00000

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:		081177290

	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:			HAUB CHRISTIAN W E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193939

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04141
		FILM NUMBER:		081177291

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

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:		081177292

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43
		STREET 2:		45478 MUELHEIM AN DER RUHR
		CITY:			FEDERAL REPULIC OF GERMANY
		STATE:			2M
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2124741250

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43
		CITY:			45478 MUELHEIM AN DER RUHR
		STATE:			2M
		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:		081177293

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43
		CITY:			45478 MUELHEIM AN DER RUHR
		STATE:			2M
		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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Emil Capital Partners, LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001441654
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04141
		FILM NUMBER:		081177294

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 PARAGON DRIVE
		CITY:			MONTVALE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07645
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(201) 571 4101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 PARAGON DRIVE
		CITY:			MONTVALE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07645
</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>2008-11-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001441654</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Emil Capital Partners, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2 PARAGON DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTVALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07645</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001039441</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TENGELMANN WARENHANDELSGESELLSCHAFT KG</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WISSOLLSTRASSE 5-43</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>45478 MUELHEIM 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 MUELHEIM 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 MUELHEIM 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 MUELHEIM 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>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $1 par value</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.3024</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1134779</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Emil Capital Partners, LLC is a Limited Liability Company, organized under the laws of Delaware.  Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG holds 100 percent of the outstanding membership interests of Emil Capital Partners, LLC.  Each Reporting Person other than Emil Capital Partners, LLC, expressly declares 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 Emil Capital Partners, LLC.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Price reflected is the weighted average purchase price for shares purchased.  The range of prices for the reported transactions was $7.02 to $7.50 per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Emil Capital Partners, LLC 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>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Emil Capital Partners, LLC by Dr. Andreas Guldin, CEO, by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christian Wilhelm Erich Haub by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Tengelmann Warenhandelgesellschaft 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>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Erivan Karl Haub by John D. Barline (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</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>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----