Business News in English

Amsterdam should have its own technical university: city’s tech position under pressure

From ‘Zeeman shame’ to hip brand: departing CEO on a decade of transforming the discounter

The departing CEO of the Dutch discount retailer Zeeman reflects on his ten-year tenure transforming the brand's image from an embarrassing low-budget store into a trendy label. Through strategic inte...

New York art auctions make comeback with record prices

The spring art auctions in New York are experiencing a significant comeback with record-breaking sales for artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. In May alone, twelve pieces sold for over $30 m...

Tata Steel welcomes EU Parliament support to limit steel imports

Tata Steel Nederland has welcomed the European Parliament's decision to halve current steel import quotas. This measure aims to protect the European market from global steel surpluses originating outs...

First cars also becoming home batteries: 'Helps against overloaded power grid'

Electric vehicles can now be used as home batteries to supply energy back to the power grid, helping to alleviate grid congestion. This new technology is currently limited to a single car brand and on...

Schiphol queues resolved, but behind-the-scenes problems remain

Queues at Schiphol Airport have subsided as of Tuesday, though some travelers arrived early following the previous day's delays. Despite the calm in departure halls, the FNV union has established a re...

Tata Steel finds workaround for cheaper steel exports to US via UK

Tata Steel Netherlands has found a way to export steel to the United States with lower import tariffs by using a British sister company. This strategy allows Dutch steel to qualify for reduced US duti...

Petrol price now also above 2 euros per liter in Belgium

The maximum gasoline price in Belgium rose above 2 euros per liter on Wednesday, marking the first time prices have crossed this threshold since July 2022.

Popular Swatch watches pulled from Dutch stores following sales chaos

Swatch has removed its new Royal Pop watches from three stores in the Netherlands due to safety concerns for staff and customers following chaotic sales. Sales of the collection will resume once the c...

More passengers via Schiphol despite Middle East war

Schiphol Airport recorded an increase in passenger numbers in April compared to the previous year, despite a decrease in travel to and from the Middle East. The decline in regional traffic was caused ...

Jackson Pollock painting fetches $181 million at auction

A painting by American artist Jackson Pollock was sold for $181 million at an auction in New York on Monday. This significant sale ranks as one of the most expensive prices ever paid for an artwork at...

IKEA introduces lingonberry-flavored Swedish meatball lollipop

IKEA is releasing a limited-edition Swedish meatball-flavored lollipop with lingonberry after a positive response to what began as an April Fool's joke. The unique candy will be distributed as a one-t...

Milieudefensie hopes Supreme Court forces Shell to reduce CO2 emissions

Milieudefensie and Shell are appearing before the Dutch Supreme Court this Friday for the final judgment in their landmark climate case. The environmental organization hopes the court will legally man...

Drugs found with fruit at Lidl stores in Brabant and Limburg

Narcotics were discovered hidden among batches of fruit at several Lidl supermarket locations in the Dutch provinces of Brabant and Limburg on Monday. All the affected boxes originated from the same d...

HEMA sees revenue and profit rise thanks to renovated stores

HEMA reported increased turnover and profit in 2025, attributing the growth to successful store renovations and enhanced product sustainability. CEO Saskia Egas Reparaz highlighted that the updated st...

100-year-old Hema reports profit for fifth consecutive year: ‘We want to be the number 1 gift shop’

Hema has reported increased turnover and profit for the fifth consecutive year as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. CEO Saskia Egas Reparaz attributes the growth to successful store renovat...

Son of Mango founder arrested in connection with father's death

Jonathan Andic, the owner of the Spanish fashion chain Mango, has been arrested in connection with the 2024 death of his father, Isak Andic. The Mango founder died following a fall from a cliff while ...

Netherlands produces less recycled plastic, climate goals under pressure

The production of recycled plastic in the Netherlands is declining as high energy prices prevent manufacturers from making essential investments. This slowdown threatens the country's transition to a ...

Former Spanish PM Zapatero investigated for COVID fraud

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Zapatero is under investigation for money laundering and involvement in a criminal organization related to COVID-19 state aid for the airline Plus Ultra. The probe ...

Wouter Laumans on Swatch watch hype: ‘It has turned into a total mess worldwide’

What do Mercedes and BMW have to do with Shell? This German ruling could turn the ‘climate case of the century’ on its head

A recent ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice in climate-related lawsuits against Mercedes and BMW could impact the final outcome of the legal battle between Milieudefensie and Shell. This Ge...

Banned pesticides found in Jumbo and Albert Heijn rice and tea

Food watchdog Foodwatch discovered residues of EU-banned pesticides in rice, tea, and various herbs sold at Dutch supermarkets Jumbo and Albert Heijn. The investigation involved testing 64 different p...

ATM bombings are making a comeback: Only a matter of time before there are casualties

Amsterdam has seen a resurgence in ATM bombings this year, with eight incidents reported after a year of no such crimes. Criminals are increasingly targeting sealbag deposit machines with powerful exp...

Report: sex workers intimidated and exploited, no oversight

A report by the Sex Work Reporting and Advice Point (SMAP) reveals that sex workers in the Netherlands face poor working conditions, intimidation, and exploitation. The organization criticizes the gov...

Successful business, but Elvan lies awake at night over tax returns: ‘I put everything off’

Elvan, a 38-year-old entrepreneur, struggles with severe anxiety and procrastination regarding her business tax returns and financial administration. Despite projecting a successful and curated life o...

Websites for domestic cleaners must change methods to inform customers of subscriptions

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has intervened to ensure websites offering domestic help are transparent about subscription costs. This action follows numerous complaints fro...

Holiday parks often scenes of criminal activity; North Holland approach to go nationwide

An approach developed in North Holland to combat criminal activities at holiday parks is being expanded nationwide through the 'Gastvrij Veilig' campaign. The initiative aims to improve the detection ...

Upway UpCenter Amsterdam gives e-bikes a second life: ‘People always ask: what happened to that bike?’

Festival organizers nervous after Music On cancellation: ‘You double-check every permit’

Homeowners Association wants stricter control on house hunting: ‘Still cronyism’

Vereniging Eigen Huis is calling for stricter government oversight of the housing market, citing ongoing issues with transparency and "cronyism." Their research reveals that bidding logs are frequentl...