STOP & SHOP COMPANIES INC /DE/
10-Q/A, 1996-07-26
GROCERY STORES
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                                      PAGE 1


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-Q/A

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 2

                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                       For the quarter ended May 18, 1996

                         Commission File Number 1-10958
                                                -------

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                         -------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     Delaware                                     06-1231252
(State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                  Identification Number)

                                  P.O. Box 369
                                Boston, MA  02101
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (617) 380-8000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                      None
                                      ----
                     (Former name, former address and former
                   fiscal year, if changed since last report)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes    X     No          
                                        -------     -------

Number of shares of the issuer's common stock, outstanding as of June 14, 1996:
50,353,686 shares.


<PAGE>


                                      PAGE 2

                          THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                 AND SUBSIDIARIES





INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT
- -------------------------------


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
  The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc.:


We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of
The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 18, 1996 and May
20, 1995, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and
cash flows for the sixteen-week periods then ended.  These condensed
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures
to financial data and of making inquiries of persons responsible for
financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an
audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the
objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the condensed
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not
express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to such condensed consolidated financial statements for them
to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of January 27, 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year
then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 4, 1996
(March 27, 1996, as to Note 17), we expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth
in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 27,
1996 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the
consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
June 10, 1996


<PAGE>


                                       PAGE 3

                          THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                   AND SUBSIDIARIES

             CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
                 (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          16 Wks Ended        16 Wks Ended
                                                          May 18, 1996        May 20, 1995
                                                          ------------        ------------
<S>                                                       <C>                 <C>
Retail sales                                                $1,513,849          $1,192,540
                                                             ---------           ---------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of goods sold, buying and warehousing costs           1,089,777             856,871
  Selling, store operating and administrative expenses         304,876             234,994
  Depreciation and amortization                                 30,971              25,402
  Amortization of goodwill and lease interests                   6,225               3,466
                                                             ---------           ---------

Total costs and expenses                                     1,431,849           1,120,733
                                                             ---------           ---------

Operating profit                                                82,000              71,807
  Interest on obligations under capital leases                   7,927               5,634
  Interest and amortization of debt expense, net                23,191              17,579
                                                             ---------           ---------

Earnings before income tax provision                            50,882              48,594
Income tax provision                                            23,382              22,594
                                                             ---------           ---------

Net earnings                                                $   27,500          $   26,000
                                                             =========           =========

Net earnings per common share and 
  share equivalents                                         $     0.53          $     0.50
                                                             =========           =========

Weighted average number of common share and
  share equivalents outstanding (in thousands)                  52,346              52,117
                                                             =========           =========

</TABLE>

                                                           
     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>


                                        PAGE 4

                            THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                    AND SUBSIDIARIES

                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
                                 (Dollars in thousands)





                                       May 18, 1996  Jan. 27, 1996  May 20, 1995
                                       ------------  -------------  ------------
 ASSETS

 Current assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents             $   12,462    $   16,423     $   17,064
  Restricted investments                    14,595         4,507         17,625
  Accounts receivable                       73,838        76,104         53,573
  Construction advances receivable          13,682         9,094         18,686
  Inventories                              262,497       271,988        215,266
  Prepaid expenses                          19,516        18,340         18,603
  Deferred tax assets, net                 140,474       140,474         49,371
  Net assets held for disposal              95,215        93,223              -
                                         ---------     ---------      ---------

    Total current assets                   632,279       630,153        390,188
                                         ---------     ---------      ---------

 Property, plant and equipment, net:
  Property excluding capital leases, net   961,302       960,670        906,176
  Property under capital leases, net       123,130       128,124        108,015
                                         ---------     ---------      ---------

    Property, plant and equipment, net   1,084,432     1,088,794      1,014,191
                                         ---------     ---------      ---------

 Other assets:
  Goodwill, net                            405,146       402,873        164,038
  Lease interests at market value, net     196,653       199,265        156,801
  Deferred financing costs, net              4,919         5,584          6,551
  Notes receivable                          32,883        32,800         29,377
  Other                                    122,612       107,274         45,681
                                         ---------     ---------      ---------

    Total other assets                     762,213       747,796        402,448
                                         ---------     ---------      ---------

        Total assets                    $2,478,924    $2,466,743     $1,806,827
                                         =========     =========      =========

     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                                                    (Continued)


<PAGE>


                                      PAGE 5

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                 AND SUBSIDIARIES

             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Cont.)
                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                            May 18, 1996      Jan. 27, 1996     May 20, 1995
                                            ------------      -------------     ------------
<S>                                         <C>               <C>               <C>
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                           $  338,672         $  377,741       $  242,921
  Other accrued expenses                        124,047            120,600           80,241
  Accrued employee compensation and benefits     86,043             84,188           68,715
  Accrued workers' compensation and
    general liability                            74,884             75,834           54,743
  Accrued acquisition costs                      67,201             67,121               -
  Accrued income taxes                           46,890             34,676           30,247
  Short-term debt                                   364             17,865              247
  Current portion of long-term debt             211,027            212,770           13,434
                                              ---------          ---------        ---------
           Total current liabilities            949,128            990,795          490,548
                                              ---------          ---------        ---------

 Long-term debt:
  Mortgage notes,
    S&S Finance International, Inc.                  -                  -           200,000
  Other mortgage notes                           13,972             14,385           12,104
  Credit agreement                              235,000            205,000          288,000
  Term loan facility                            200,000            200,000               -
  Subordinated debt                             195,190            195,190          195,190
  Senior secured notes                          118,013            118,013               -
  Obligations under capital leases              163,018            166,574          129,649
                                              ---------          ---------        ---------

    Total long-term debt                        925,193            899,162          824,943
                                              ---------          ---------        ---------

 Deferred tax liabilities, net                  234,924            234,924          194,343
 Commitments and contingencies                       -                  -                -

 Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock: none outstanding                  -                  -                -
  Common stock: 50,353,486 shares outstanding
   (50,204,920 at Jan. 27, 1996 and
    49,937,631 at May 20, 1995)                     505                503              501
  Additional paid-in capital                    318,327            317,193          315,608
  Retained earnings (deficit)                    54,222             26,722          (15,222)
  Treasury stock, at cost                        (3,375)            (2,556)          (3,894)
                                              ---------          ---------        ---------
    Total stockholders' equity                  369,679            341,862          296,993
                                              ---------          ---------        ---------
    Total liabilities and 
     stockholders' equity                    $2,478,924         $2,466,743       $1,806,827
                                              =========          =========        =========


     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.     

</TABLE>



<PAGE>


                                         PAGE 6

                             THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                      AND SUBSIDIARIES

              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                                 (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             16 Wks Ended  16 Wks Ended
                                                             May 18, 1996  May 20, 1995
                                                             ------------  ------------
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>
 Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings                                               $  27,500     $  26,000
                                                             
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
    to net cash provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                                 30,971        25,402
  Amortization of goodwill and lease interests                   6,225         3,466
  Amortization of deferred financing costs                         665           644
  Changes in working capital                                   (36,597)      (42,707)
                                                              --------       -------

    Net cash provided by operating activities                   28,764        12,805
                                                              --------       -------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures                                         (30,543)      (46,216)
  Disposals of property, plant and equipment                     1,564           776
  Long-term notes receivable                                       (83)       (2,574)
                                                              --------      --------

    Net cash used in investing activities                      (29,062)      (48,014)
                                                              --------      --------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance  of debt                                   -         3,013
  Principal payments on short-term debt                          (501)         (326)
  Principal payments on long-term debt                         (1,639)         (405)
  Net borrowings under credit agreement                        13,000        46,042
  Deferred financing costs                                          -           (54)
  Principal payments under capital lease obligations           (4,622)       (4,036)
  Common stock issued under stock option plans                  1,136           192
  Treasury stock activity, net                                   (819)         (100)
  Other                                                       (10,218)       (3,669)
                                                             --------      --------

    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities        (3,663)       40,657
                                                             --------      -------
      Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (3,961)        5,448
        Cash and cash equivalents:
         Beginning of period                                   16,423        11,616
                                                             --------      --------
         End of period                                      $  12,462     $  17,064
                                                             ========      ========

</TABLE>

     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                                                   (Continued)


<PAGE>


                                    PAGE 7

                       THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Cont.)
                           (Dollars in thousands)




                                                16 Wks Ended  16 Wks Ended
                                                May 18, 1996  May 20, 1995
                                                ------------  ------------

     Supplemental disclosures of
      cash flow information:
        Cash paid for interest                   $ 32,770      $ 23,929
                                                  =======       =======

        Cash paid for income taxes               $ 10,655      $ 24,093
                                                  =======       =======

     Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing
      and financing activities:
        Capital lease obligations incurred       $      -      $  1,971
                                                  =======       =======



     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
                         




<PAGE>


                                     PAGE 8

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


1.        Opinion of Management
          ---------------------

          With respect to the unaudited financial information for the interim
periods, it is the opinion of management of The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc. and
its subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") that all
adjustments, which consist of normal and recurring adjustments and, as explained
in the following sentence, adjustments relating to the acquisition of Purity
Supreme, Inc. and MelMarkets, Inc., necessary to present a fair statement of the
results for such interim periods, have been included.  As discussed in the notes
to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended January
27, 1996 ("fiscal 1995") the Company is continuing to refine the estimated fair
values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in conjunction with the Purity
Supreme, Inc. and MelMarkets, Inc. Acquisitions.  During the 16 week period
ended May 18, 1996, the Company reduced the previously estimated net realizable
value of net assets held for disposal by $8,511, reduced previously estimated
accrued acquisition costs related to certain MelMarket agreements by $3,155, and
increased previously estimated miscellaneous acquisition-related liabilities by
$530.  The net result of these adjustments was to increase goodwill by $5,886,
before amortization of $3,613.  The report should be read in conjunction with
the Company's consolidated financial statements for fiscal 1995.

          Operating results for the 16 week period ended May 18, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full fiscal year
ending February 1, 1997 ("fiscal 1996").

2.        Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
          ------------------------------

          The Company has provided for income taxes on an interim basis using
the estimated annual effective tax rate method.

3.        Net Earnings Per Share and Share Equivalents
          --------------------------------------------

          Primary earnings per share and share equivalents are computed based on
the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the common stock
equivalents related to stock options, once the latter causes dilution in
earnings per share in excess of 3%.  For each of the periods presented, fully
diluted earnings per share are not presented since the results do not cause
dilution in earnings per share in excess of 3%.

4.        New Accounting Standards
          ------------------------

          In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued SFAS No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and For Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of", which is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1995.  The initial adoption of SFAS No. 121 did not have a material
effect on the consolidated financial statements.

          In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", which is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. SFAS No. 123 requires expanded
disclosures of stock-based compensation arrangements with employees.  The
Company will continue to apply APB Opinion No. 25 to its stock-based
compensation arrangements and will disclose the required pro forma effect on net
income and earnings per share in its fiscal 1996 financial statements.

5.        Commitments and Contingencies
          -----------------------------

          On June 23, 1995, Bradlees, Inc. ("Bradlees") filed for bankruptcy
protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.  The Company
has assigned certain leases to Bradlees and, under certain circumstances, may
have liability in the event of nonperformance by Bradlees.  To date, Bradlees
has rejected two of the assigned leases and, on February 21, 1996, announced
that it would close 12 of its stores.  In fiscal 1995, the Company provided for
the estimated costs associated with the leases for the announced closed stores. 
On June 14, 1996, Bradlees filed a motion seeking court approval to reject the
leases for 5 of the 12 announced stores to be closed.  
   


<PAGE>


                                     PAGE 9

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION


Results of Operations
- ---------------------

          Results of operations for the 16 weeks ended May 18, 1996 are referred
to herein as "Quarter 1996" and the 16 weeks ended May 20, 1995 are referred to
as "Quarter 1995".

          Total retail sales for the Company were $1,513.8 million in Quarter
1996, an increase of 26.9% over Quarter 1995.  Comparable store sales increased
2.7% over the prior year.  Total retail sales increased at a greater rate than 
comparable store sales due to the acquisitions of Purity Supreme, Inc. 
("Purity") and MelMarkets, Inc.  ("Mel's") in fiscal 1995 and growth from new 
stores.  At the end of Quarter 1996, the Company operated 159 Stop & Shop 
supermarkets, including 116 superstores, and 17 Mel's Foodtown supermarkets.  
The Company also operated 28 Purity supermarkets and 64 Li'l Peach convenience 
stores at the end of Quarter 1996.

          Operating profit for the Company, defined as earnings from operations
before interest and income taxes, was $82.0 million for Quarter 1996, compared
with $71.8 million for Quarter 1995.  As a percentage of sales, operating profit
was 5.4% for Quarter 1996 and 6.0% for Quarter 1995.  The decrease in operating
profit, as a percentage of sales, can be attributed to a continued competitive
environment.  Selling, store operating, and administrative expenses, as a
percentage of sales, were 20.1% in Quarter 1996, compared to 19.7% in Quarter
1995.  The increase in Quarter 1996 resulted primarily from higher snow
plowing/removal costs along with the addition of Mel's. Depreciation and
amortization expense (including amortization of goodwill and lease interests)
was $37.2 million in Quarter 1996 compared to $28.9 million in Quarter 1995. 
The increase resulted from the Company's acquisitions of Purity and Mel's and
its continuing superstore development program.

          Net interest expense was $31.1 million or 2.1% of sales for Quarter
1996, compared with $23.2 million or 1.9% of sales for Quarter 1995.  The
increase in net interest expense was due to expenses associated with the new
$200 million term loan facility that the Company entered into to expand its
financial liquidity and the Senior Secured Notes, due 1999, that the Company
assumed in the Purity acquisition.

          The effective income tax rate on earnings from continuing operations
was approximately 46% in Quarter 1996 and Quarter 1995.

          Net earnings for Quarter 1996 were $27.5 million or $0.53 per share. 
Net earnings for Quarter 1995 were $26.0 million or $0.50 per share.  The
weighted average number of common share and share equivalents used in this
calculation was 52.3 million in Quarter 1996, compared with 52.1 million in
Quarter 1995.




<PAGE>


                                     PAGE 10

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 
              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (Cont.)





Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

          Net cash provided by operating activities was $28.8 million in Quarter
1996 and $12.8 million in Quarter 1995 (see "Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows").  Working capital deficiency amounted to $316.8 million and
$100.4 million at May 18, 1996 and May 20, 1995, respectively.  This resulted in
ratios of current assets to current liabilities of 0.7 and 0.8, respectively. 
The increase in the working capital deficiency was primarily the result of the
$200 million S & S Finance International, Inc. note which is due on December 16,
1996.  The Company's high sales productivity results in a rapid inventory
turnover.  That turnover, coupled with a program for extended payment terms from
vendors, results in a high ratio of trade accounts payable to inventory.  This
resulted in an increase in the working capital deficiency that merely reflects
efficient operations by the Company.  The increase in the working capital
deficiency was lessened somewhat as a result of the Purity acquisition. 
Included in current assets are Net Assets Held For Disposal, which represent the
net assets of the Purity stores that must be divested and certain additional
Purity stores and the Li'l Peach convenience stores that will be divested if
adequate proceeds can be obtained.  In view of the Company's $364.0 million
available under its bank Credit Agreement, the Company does not believe the
working capital deficiency creates a liquidity problem.

          The Company expects that working capital requirements and capital
additions, including the funds necessary for the Company's planned Stop & Shop
stores, will continue to be funded through a combination of funds available from
operations, the Credit Agreement and real estate financing arrangements,
including a master lease financing program.  The Company expects that debt
service requirements will be funded through operations, currently available
capacity, and new borrowings. 

          The retained earnings at May 18, 1996 were $54.2 million compared to
an accumulated deficit at May 20, 1995 of $15.2 million.  The elimination of the
accumulated deficit was the result of the Company generating net earnings.

Capital Asset Additions
- -----------------------

          The Company continued its program of square footage growth in 1996. 
The Company opened three new stores in Quarter 1996 and refurbished two former
Purity stores.  In Quarter 1996, cash capital expenditures were $30.5 million. 
Cash capital expenditures are expected to approximate $100.0 million in fiscal
1996 and will be financed substantially through cash from operations and
utilization of the revolving loan facility.  At the close of Quarter 1996, the
Company operated 159 Stop & Shop supermarkets, including 116 superstores, and 17
Mel's Foodtown supermarkets.  The Company also operated 28 Purity supermarkets
and 64 Li'l Peach convenience stores at the end of Quarter 1996.






<PAGE>


                                     PAGE 11

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (Cont.)




Purity Acquisition
- ------------------

          During Quarter 1996, the Company refurbished two former Purity
supermarkets, completing the planned conversions.  The sale of non-converted
Purity stores continued in Quarter 1996.  Twenty of the 31 Purity stores to be
divested or sold, have either been sold or are under agreement to be sold. 
Sixteen of the 31 stores were required to be sold under the terms of an
agreement with the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Federal Trade
Commission.

          During Quarter 1996, the Company entered into a definitive agreement
to sell the Li'l Peach business.  This sale is expected to close in mid-July.

Royal Ahold Acquisition
- -----------------------

          During Quarter 1996, the Company entered into an agreement to be
acquired by Royal Ahold, a leading international food retailer with annual sales
of $18 billion.  


<PAGE>


                                     PAGE 12

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES


                            PART II OTHER INFORMATION
                            -------------------------



Item 1. Legal Proceedings

   On February 10, 1992, the Company received a complaint filed in the U.S.
Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of California by the Trustee in
bankruptcy of Hamilton-Taft & Company ("HTC"), a tax payment service firm,
alleging that approximately $12.55 million in tax payments made by HTC on the
Company's behalf in January and March 1991, utilizing withholding funds
previously deposited by the Company with HTC for this purpose, constituted
avoidable preferences under Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code.  On May 2, 1995,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, reversing rulings of the lower
courts, granted partial summary judgment to the Trustee.  The Company filed a
motion for reconsideration and for an en banc hearing by the Ninth Circuit.  On
September 18, 1995, the Trustee and the Company settled this claim upon a Stop &
Shop payment of approximately $4.5 million.  Subsequently, the Company received
distributions of $1.62 million from the estate of the bankrupt, reducing its
loss to $2.88 million.  Further distributions are possible.  The Company has
filed a declaratory judgment action against its insurance carrier, Federal
Insurance Company, seeking a determination of coverage for this loss.  That
claim is pending in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.










<PAGE>

                                     PAGE 13

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES


                        PART II OTHER INFORMATION (Cont.)
                        ---------------------------------





Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

        A. Exhibits
           No.     
           --------

           15.   Letter re:  Unaudited interim financial information

           27.   Financial Data Schedule


        B. Reports on Form 8-K
           -------------------

           For the 16 weeks ended May 18, 1996, the Company filed a Form 8-K,
           dated March 29, 1996.










<PAGE>





                                     PAGE 14

                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------







Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                                           THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.




Date:  July 25, 1996                       By /s/ Brian W. Hotarek     
                                              -------------------------
                                             Brian W. Hotarek
                                             Acting Chief Financial and
                                             Accounting Officer
                          
                          


                                     



<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



EXHIBIT                        DESCRIPTION
- -------                        -----------


15.       Letter re:  Unaudited interim financial information

27.       Financial Data Schedule



                                     PAGE 15
                         THE STOP & SHOP COMPANIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   EXHIBIT 15
                                   ----------



June 10, 1996


The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc.
P.O. Box 369
Boston, MA  02101


We have made a review, in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of the unaudited interim financial
information of The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries for the periods
ended May 18, 1996 and May 20, 1995, as indicated in our report dated June 10,
1996; because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that
information.

We are aware that the report referred to above, which is included in your
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 18, 1996, is
incorporated by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 33-77310, 33-61926 and
33-91892 on Forms S-8.

We are also aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under
the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration
Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or
certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.



Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES 3 AND 4 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED MAY 18, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-18-1996
<CASH>                                          12,462
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,838
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    262,497
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               632,279
<PP&E>                                       1,469,818
<DEPRECIATION>                               (385,386)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,478,924
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          949,128
<BONDS>                                        925,193
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           505
<OTHER-SE>                                     369,174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,478,924
<SALES>                                      1,513,849
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