EXHIBIT 23.1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-80347 of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea
Company, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated April 29, 1999, appearing in and
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Great
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. for the year ended February 27, 1999, and
to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is
part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Parsippany, New Jersey
June 18, 1999