Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Bankrupt but Batavus and Sparta bikes are still flying off the shelves
Despite the bankruptcy of parent company Accell Group, popular bike brands like Batavus and Sparta continue to sell well using existing warehouse stock. Industry experts are optimistic about a swift a...
Grocery delivery service Flink hacked, customers receive extortion emails
Grocery delivery service Flink has experienced a data breach where unauthorized parties accessed internal customer information, excluding passwords. Hackers are now using the stolen data to extort bot...
Tata and government push back deadline for sustainability agreement
Tata Steel and the Dutch government have extended the deadline for their sustainability agreement for the IJmond plant to March 1, 2027. The delay stems from complications surrounding potential facili...
Volkswagen and Audi recall millions of cars due to steering defect risk
Volkswagen and Audi are recalling millions of vehicles worldwide due to a potential steering defect caused by a corrosion-prone screw. No accidents have been reported, and the recall is being conducte...
Will prefab homes solve the housing shortage? 'It is certainly cheaper'
To address the severe housing shortage, the Dutch government plans to increase the production of prefabricated homes by 2030. While experts highlight the cost-effectiveness and speed of these builds, ...
Foundation behind disciplinary law for banks shuts down over dissatisfaction with bank attitude
The foundation overseeing disciplinary law for banks in the Netherlands is dissolving its partnership with the Dutch Banking Association due to ongoing disputes over regulatory standards. The organiza...
Schiphol seeks construction and maintenance partners for renovation
Schiphol Airport has initiated five new tenders to find construction and maintenance partners for its largest infrastructure renovation project to date. The effort, which replaces contracts expiring i...
Ethiopia, Djibouti and Nigerian billionaire to build new oil pipeline
Ethiopia, Djibouti, and a Nigerian investor are collaborating on a 120-kilometer oil pipeline project linking the port of Damerjog to a distribution center in Dewele. The project aims to significantly...
Gas prices hit record high due to Middle East tensions
Gasoline and diesel prices have reached record highs due to supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and damage ...
Average recommended petrol price rises to new record
The average recommended price for gasoline in the Netherlands has climbed to a record high of 2.727 euros per liter. This increase is driven by geopolitical instability in the Middle East and concerns...
Shipping in Strait of Hormuz comes to a near standstill
The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked for months due to ongoing conflict, causing a massive disruption to global oil and gas supplies and pushing fuel prices to record highs. While Iran and the United...
Netherlands pays for expensive gas storage, cabinet wants to share costs more fairly
The Dutch government is aiming to reform gas storage cost distribution to ensure that domestic consumers do not disproportionately pay for reserves that benefit other European nations. Officials plan ...
Tourist spending in the Netherlands rises to nearly 118 billion euros, driven mainly by foreign visitors
Tourist spending in the Netherlands reached nearly 118 billion euros in 2025, reflecting a 3 percent increase after adjusting for inflation. The growth was largely fueled by foreign visitors, who cont...
Tourists spend nearly 6 billion euros more than a year ago
Tourism spending in the Netherlands grew by nearly 6 billion euros in 2025, with the sector's total added value rising to 42.3 billion euros. Although domestic travelers represent the majority of spen...
Fabel Friet founders Abel (29) and Floris (31) on TikTok queues: 'Bet you’ll have your fries within five minutes'
Fabel Friet founders Abel Klatser and Floris Feilzer address the long, viral queues at their popular Amsterdam fry shop, claiming wait times are shorter than TikTok users suggest. The duo describes th...
Schiphol boss and mayor swapped jobs for a day: ‘To understand each other better’
To celebrate Schiphol Airport's 110th anniversary, airport CEO Pieter van Oord and Haarlemmermeer Mayor Marianne Schuurmans-Wijdeven swapped roles for one day. The initiative was designed to foster mu...
Gigantic bridge section hoisted from the water at the Schinkel
A 235-ton bridge section for the Schinkelbrug project was hoisted from the water near the Nieuwe Meersluis in Amsterdam today. The structure, which was built in Friesland and transported via canal, is...
Higher gas prices don't easily push commuters to cycling: 'A matter of habit'
Data reveals a significant rise in electric vehicle sales across Europe, though this trend is driven by multiple factors rather than just fuel prices. Experts note that despite higher gasoline costs, ...
Amsterdam added over 1,300 social housing units but falls short of targets
Amsterdam increased its social housing stock by 1,322 permanent units over the past year but failed to meet its targets for new construction starts and temporary housing development. Alderman Zita Pel...
Round Droste chocolates are returning to Dutch shelves
The Dutch chocolate brand Droste is returning to store shelves after being acquired by the Polish company Wawel following a period of financial distress. The chocolates will be relaunched under the na...
More social housing and sustainability on track
The municipality is working to increase the supply of affordable, high-quality, and sustainable social housing. Current updates indicate that progress on these housing initiatives remains on track.
Experts warn of sharp diesel price hike if Trump proceeds with export ban
The Trump administration is considering a diesel export ban to combat high domestic prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. Experts warn that this policy would intensify global fuel shortages, fur...
Gucci to manufacture sneakers in China instead of Italy for the first time
Gucci has decided to produce certain sneaker models in China instead of Italy to leverage specific manufacturing expertise. This move has drawn criticism from analysts who fear it may undermine the lu...
Companies can no longer simply claim a product is 'green' or 'sustainable'
New Dutch legislation implementing an EU directive will strictly regulate corporate sustainability claims and labels to prevent consumer deception. Starting September 27, companies must ensure environ...
Record number of healthcare vacancies: labor market shortage remains severe
The Netherlands is facing a severe labor market crisis driven by record vacancies in healthcare and construction, exacerbated by an aging population and high absenteeism. Experts argue that overcoming...
Diesel price in Europe rises to record 2.23 euros per liter
Diesel prices have hit record levels across Europe, with the Netherlands seeing costs rise to 2.82 euros per liter. This surge is driven by increased oil prices stemming from geopolitical conflicts in...
Judge bans Lidl from selling imitations of Birkenstock sandals
A Dutch judge has ordered Lidl to halt the sale of imitation Birkenstock sandals, ruling that the supermarket chain infringed on the brand's protected footbed design. Lidl must now provide sales data ...
ABP to invest 1 billion euros in European tech companies over the next three years
ABP, a major Dutch pension fund, plans to invest 1 billion euros into European tech startups over the next three years to keep innovation and talent within the continent. The investment will target hi...
Hours of waiting, missed flights and damages for airlines: queue chaos at Schiphol border control is critical
The implementation of the new digital Entry/Exit System at Schiphol Airport has led to critical wait times and significant operational chaos. Travelers are facing missed flights and airlines are exper...
Minister pleased with massive residential towers near Arena: "Excellent accessible location"
Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan and Amsterdam officials have officially marked the construction start of Eleven Square, a major development near the Johan Cruijff Arena. The project will...