LOS ANGELES — Arden Group, parent company of Gelson's Markets, said sales and earnings increased for the first quarter ended March 31. Net income climbed 23.8% to $6.4 million and sales rose 2% to $120.4 million. Same-store sales also rose 2%. The company said part of the sales increase resulted from Passover falling in this year's first quarter, compared with the second quarter of 2006. Arden operates 18 supermarkets in Southern California.
