Exhibit 99.1

                                  PRESS RELEASE

                              PATHMARK STORES, INC.
                                200 MILIK STREET
                           CARTERET, NEW JERSEY 07008


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT:  HARVEY M. GUTMAN
                                                                 (732) 499-4327

                     Pathmark Announces Executive Promotions
                     Scott Elected CEO and Vitrano President
                      Donald Accepts Position at Starbucks

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Carteret, NJ, October 16, 2002. Pathmark Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTMK) announced
today the election of Eileen Scott as CEO and a director and the election of
Frank Vitrano as President and Chief Administrative Officer. Pathmark also
announced that its current Chairman, President and CEO, Jim Donald, will leave
the Company by the end of this month to join Starbucks as its President, North
America.

Ms. Scott, 49, currently Executive Vice President, Store Operations, has held
various senior level merchandising and operations positions in Pathmark during
her 30-year career at the Company. Frank Vitrano, 47, currently Executive Vice
President, Treasurer and CFO, has held various senior level financial positions
at Pathmark during his 30-year career at the Company. Mr. Vitrano's title will
be President, CAO & CFO, and he continues as a member of the Board of Directors.

Jim Donald has served in his current capacity since October 1996. Mr. Donald
said, "Pathmark is an excellent franchise with outstanding associates and a
strong market position--Pathmark is much stronger today than it was when I
joined it 6 years ago. I have great confidence that the Pathmark team led by
Eileen and Frank will build upon the progress we have made here at Pathmark."

Steven Volla, 55, a member of Pathmark's Board of Directors for the last 8
years, will become Pathmark's non-executive Chairman. Mr. Volla said, "I look
forward to continuing to work with Eileen, Frank, and the fine Pathmark team.
Jim, Eileen and Frank have done an exemplary job revitalizing and restructuring
Pathmark. We thank Jim and wish him well as he moves on to a unique and
compelling position with Starbucks." Mr. Volla was formerly Chairman of Primary
Health Systems, Inc., a hospital management company from 1994-2001.




Pathmark will conduct a conference call at 2 p.m. (EDT) on October 17, 2002. The
call may be accessed by dialing 877-241-6895. A replay of the call will be
available for 48 hours after the completion of the call at 877-519-4471, Pass
Code 3551771.

Pathmark Stores, Inc. operates 143 supermarkets in the New York-New Jersey and
Philadelphia metropolitan areas.