The document traces the rise and fall of the A&P grocery store chain from 1859 to 2010. It began with one store selling bulk tea by mail and storefront. By 1900 it had grown to 400 stores, and by 1930 had reached its peak of over 16,000 stores across the US, becoming the first company to reach $1 billion in sales. However, by 2010 it had declined significantly and eventually declared bankruptcy, closing all but around 300 stores, as it failed to keep up with changing market trends.