We understand that Blue Tomato, the Austrian-based online and offline action sports retailer that has been spreading into Germany, as looking at a potential entry into two other European countries. Meanwhile, its American parent company, Zumiez, intends to open four more physical Blue Tomato stores in Europe this year, along with two Fast Times in Australia. The American action sports retailing group is projecting a total of about 18 store openings for the year in all, as it is preparing for further consolidation in the retail market. The plans were outlined as the company reported a relatively strong fourth quarter, in the three months until Jan. 28, with sales up 8.7 percent to $263.6 million and net income up 38.3 percent to $18.2 million. Comparable store sales increased by 5.1 percent, while they tumbled by 9.5 percent for the same quarter the previous year. The quarterly sales were spurred by the opening of 33 stores. For the full year, the group's sales gained 4 percent to $836.3 million, despite a comparable store sales dip of 0.2 percent. International sales, including those of Blue Tomato, went up by 9 percent to $82.5 million. The group ended the year with net income of $25.9 million, down by 10 percent.

Topics