MONTVALE, N.J. — A 3% rise in comparable-store sales — including the best quarter at Pathmark in more than three years — helped lift fourth-quarter sales at A&P here to $2.2 billion but expenses in integrating the newly acquired Pathmark stores accelerated net losses to $61.5 million. Officials attributed the 1.5% comparable-store sales increase at Pathmark — its best in 15 quarters, one analyst said — to a more aggressive pricing stance. A&P, as reported previously by SN, will roll out a new price-impact store format at Pathmark stores later this month that will serve as templates for a “massive” renovation program at the chain, Eric Claus, chief executive officer of A&P, said in a conference call Tuesday. For the fiscal year ending Feb 23, A&P reported a net loss of $160.7 million on sales of $6.4 billion. Net income from continuing operations was $87 million, and EBITDA tripled to $72 million.

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