Safeway Inc., one of the country's largest supermarket chains, said sales for its first quarter gained 4.8%, to $9.3 billion in the first quarter of 2007. And excluding the effect of fuel sales, identical-store sales increased 4.8 %. Net income gained to $174.4 million, up from $142.9 million for the first quarter of 2006. The company cited its continued investment in its Lifestyle stores, as well as marketing and pricing strategies.--Sarah Mahoney