US internet grocer Webvan went on a survival offensive this week, appointing a new chief executive, exiting another market and axeing staff. Posting a sharp rise in first quarter sales from $37.5m to $77.2m, Webvan's net losses jumped to $217m from $101.3m over the same period. Operations in Atlanta have been "indefinitely suspended" with the loss of 485 jobs. An additional 400 jobs will go at the company's corporate offices. Chief operating officer Robert Swan replaces George Shaheen at the helm of the company, which, he claims, is on course to turn a profit by the second half of 2002. {{NEWS }}