Independents / Regional Grocers

ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Ahold here had sharp sales and earnings gains in the first quarter ended April 21.per dollar), Ahold reported. Net earnings jumped 15.7% to $83.88 million (138.4 million guilders). U.S. supermarket sales, through Ahold USA, Atlanta, climbed 15.7% to $2.8 billion from $2.4 billion. U.S. operating results increased 15.4% to $65.1 million from $56.4 million in the period. Driving