supermarkets general lost money in each fiscal year from 1988 to 1993, and sales volume annually during fy 1989 to 1993. in fiscal 1993 it lost a record $617 million on sales of $4.34 billion, mainly reflecting a $600 million writedown of goodwill (the premium paid in excess of assets) in the 1987 buyout. the company's interest payments, averaging between $160 million and $180 million yearly on its debt, were hampering its efforts to modernize its stores and keep pace with competitors. pathmark now had 146 supermarkets, 33 freestanding drug stores, and 7 distribution-processing facilities.