International Business

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands — Dutch retailer Ahold reported that sales at its U.S. operations rose 4.3% to $6.1 billion during the fourth quarter, thanks to efforts to keep stores open during Hurricane Sandy.

Identical-store sales for U.S. stores rose 2.4%, and comparable-store sales were up 2.8% during the fourth quarter.

Net sales at U.S. stores for the year increased 3.1% to $25.8 billion. Idents rose 1.4% for the year, while comps were up 1.9%, 

Delhi, India -- A Monday report by Bloomberg said that Ikea has received the go-ahead from the Indian government to open outlets in the country, making it perhaps the first major foreign retailer to set up its own stores in the region.

The Swedish furniture retailer was cleared by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, according to a statement by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma. The approval is a turnaround for the Indian government which last year barred Ikea from operating cafes and limited retail wares it could sell in stores.

YONKERS, N.Y. — American Sugar Refining, Inc., the world's largest supplier of refined sugar, has a new corporate brand name. ASR Group will now encompass its leading brands and affiliated companies, which include Domino Sugar.

Boucherville, Quebec -- A Monday report by Reuters said that Canadian home-improvement chain Rona Inc. has appointed a new executive chairman and has again shuffled its board in response to mounting investor pressure to make measurable changes.

Rona successfully fought a takeover by Lowe’s Cos. late last year, as the U.S. company offered $1.86 billion to acquire Rona.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced that in 2013 it plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the United States with growth coming from both new and existing markets, for an increase of 4.5% to 5%. The company also announced that it is expanding to Southern California as part of its long-term goal of having more than 15,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the United States alone.  
 

TTi Floor care, manufacturing of Hoover and Dirt Devil floor care products, is investing in American innovation.

The Glenwillow, Ohio-based company said it would hire more than 200 new electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, technicians and industrial designers nationwide over the next three years. The increased investment in engineering, innovation and design is part of the company’s strategy to stay at the forefront of its industry.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting, which will be held April 20 to 23 in Palm Beach, Fla.

NEW YORK — Former L’Oréal executive Serge Jureidini has been named CEO and president of Arcade Marketing.

Jureidini succeeds Debra Leipman-Yale, who passed away unexpectedly. He will also serve as a director on Arcade Marketing’s board of directors.