Defunct supermarket chain that once had nearly 16,000 stores Crossword Clue

Today's (27 March 2019) crossword provided to us by L.A. Times Daily and the clue is "Defunct supermarket chain that once had nearly 16,000 stores".
The right answer or rather the best answer listed below:

Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle

The clue "Defunct supermarket chain that once had nearly 16,000 stores" leads to the answer "AANDP" for several reasons:

1. Historical Significance: A&P, also known as The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, was a major American retailer once boasting a vast network of stores across the country. At its peak, it indeed had close to 16,000 stores, making it a prominent figure in the supermarket industry.
2. Defunct Status: The term "defunct" in the clue hints at the fact that the supermarket chain is no longer operational. A&P filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and eventually closed its remaining stores, marking the end of its long-standing presence in the retail market.
3. Specificity in Answer: The answer "AANDP" directly corresponds to the naming convention of the supermarket chain. While it may seem like two separate entities ("A" and "ANDP"), in the context of the crossword puzzle, it uniquely identifies A&P and aligns with the clue provided.

By connecting the historical significance, defunct status, and naming convention of the supermarket chain to the given clue, it becomes evident why "AANDP" is the correct answer for this particular crossword puzzle entry.

 The Crossword clue "Defunct supermarket chain that once had nearly 16,000 stores" published 1 time/s & has 1 answer/s. 

Crossword	Date	Answer
L.A. Times Daily	27 March 2019	AANDP