International Business

Amstersdam — Ahold experienced several bright spots during its fourth quarter and full year, the Dutch-based supermarket company said.

Fourth-quarter net sales totaled $9.4 billion, a 4.5% increase above the year-ago period, while net sales for the year increased by 2.5% to $39.1 billion.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said it welcomed President Obama’s plans to boost travel and tourism, saying efforts to process visa applications more quickly will help U.S. stores make more sales to foreign tourists and business travelers who want to come here to shop.

San Jose, Calif. — eBay announced that revenue for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 increased 35% to $3.4 billion, compared with the same period of 2010. The company reported fourth quarter net income on a GAAP basis of $2 billion, or $1.51 per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $788.6 million, or 60 cents per diluted share. The year-over-year increase in the fourth quarter GAAP earnings per diluted share was driven primarily by a gain on the sale of the company's remaining investment in Skype.

New York City -- Athleta, the Yoga-inspired lifestyle athletic apparel brand for women owned by Gap Inc., plans to open stores in Chicago, Boston, Houston and Denver in 2012, according to Bloomberg.

In the report, Scott Key, senior VP and general manager, reiterated the company’s plan to open more than 50 Athleta stores by the end of 2013.

Richardson, Texas -- Wingstop said Wednesday that it has signed two development agreements that will result in 14 new restaurants in the Chicago area.

The multi-unit development agreements include a three-store deal with an existing franchise group and an 11-store deal with Chicagoland Wing Kings.

“We expect to double our presence in the area over the next two to three years," said Bev Rich, senior director of franchise development, Wingstop.

Wingstop currently has 19 restaurants in the Chicago area.

PLANO, Texas — Another former Apple executive has joined the ranks at JCPenney. The company announced Wednesday that Kristen Blum, a former director of supply chain and International retail for Apple Inc., has been named EVP and chief technology officer, effective Jan. 23. 

Blum reports to COO Mike Kramer, and has responsibility for the  company's JCP.com business and information technology systems.

Beverly, Mass. -- Fantastic Sams Hair Salons said Wednesday that it has been acquired by salon owner Dessange International.

Fantastic Sams operates 1,200 company-owned and franchised salons in 46 states, and Dessange operates salons and beauty institutes in 45 countries. The acquisition of Fantastic Sams doubles Dessange’s hair salon network to over 2,000 salons, of which 1,500 are located outside of France.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced that Neil Ashe, 44, is the new president and CEO of the company's global e-commerce business, effective Jan. 16.

Ashe was most recently president of CBS Interactive, where he led all online properties and also drove development of new ways to distribute programming produced by the media giant and its subsidiaries.

Ashe is replacing Eduardo Castro-Wright, who announced his retirement in September and will assist in the transition.