Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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...
Chinese car brands give electric vehicle sales in EU a major boost
Electric vehicle sales in the European Union have grown significantly to reach a 21.7 percent market share, driven by government support and high fuel prices. While traditional carmakers face stagnant...
If you want start-ups, then help them: Minister Herbert puts demands on the table in Brussels
Dutch Minister Heleen Herbert is calling on the European Commission to relax state aid rules that currently prevent governments from subsidizing promising start-ups. Supported by ten other EU member s...
US-China trade truce extended by two months
The United States and China have extended their existing trade truce by two months to allow more time for potential negotiations. Despite the extension, the nations remain divided over import tariffs ...
More forced layoffs due to reorganizations, budget cuts, and conflicts
Forced layoffs due to reorganizations, budget cuts, and bankruptcies have increased, rising from 5 percent in 2022 to 8 percent in 2025. Workers who lose their jobs due to these economic factors or co...
Organization claims 'hundreds of millions' from Fortnite maker for pressuring children into purchases
The organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument is launching a mass claim against Epic Games, seeking hundreds of millions of euros for Dutch users who were pressured into making in-game purchases ...
Consumers buy less fuel due to high diesel and petrol prices
Dutch drivers are cutting fuel consumption by roughly 10 liters per month as prices remain high due to global supply disruptions and local tax increases. Although motorists are driving less and utiliz...
Employees increasingly dropping out due to stress-related complaints
Data from ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare shows a 12 percent rise in stress-related absenteeism among Dutch employees over the last year. Long-term absences represent the bulk of the issue, with stress-r...
Why engineering firm Arcadis showed Canadian WSP the door: ‘Fourfold lock on the door’
Engineering firm Arcadis has successfully resisted two acquisition attempts by the Canadian competitor WSP. The company maintained its independence after consistently rejecting the takeover bids.
The success of Dutch brand Rituals: not as cheap as Hema, not as expensive as luxury perfume
Rituals has achieved global success by positioning its cosmetic products between budget retail options and high-end luxury brands. This strategy has allowed the Dutch company to expand rapidly, establ...
State buys shares in Borssele nuclear power plant to keep it open longer
The Dutch government plans to purchase a majority stake in the Borssele nuclear power plant for 115.7 million euros to ensure it can operate beyond 2033. This move aligns with national efforts to util...
Swedish meatballs and tableware: IKEA to launch small-format stores
IKEA is launching smaller, supermarket-sized stores in the Netherlands to provide better accessibility for customers by focusing on everyday household items and limited food offerings. These new locat...
375 tons of 'incorrect' wood seized over possible illegal logging in Gabon
Dutch authorities have seized 375 tons of timber suspected of being harvested illegally following an investigation into a company based in the northern Netherlands. The wood, intercepted with the help...
'Holy grail' of Pokémon cards sells for $5 million at auction
A rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card has sold for $5 million at a Heritage Auctions event. The card, one of a limited number awarded to winners of a 1998 design contest, was rated in excellent con...
Offices, homes, and nature: this is what 'Zuidas village' should look like
The City of Amsterdam is planning to transform the current ABN Amro office complex into a new, mixed-use neighborhood called Zuidas Village, which will integrate residential spaces, retail, and office...
Global economy more resilient to Iran war than expected
The OECD reports that the global economy has proven more resilient to the conflict involving Iran than initially expected due to diversified energy sources and strategic reserve releases. While the gl...
Haarlem slaughterhouse closed as of today: city council to take action
The Muziekcentrum Slachthuis in Haarlem has closed temporarily following the bankruptcy of its managing foundation. The city council, which owns the building, is currently seeking a solution to resume...
Sixty parties interested in relaunch of Batavus and Babboe bicycle manufacturer
Sixty parties have submitted bids to purchase bicycle manufacturer Accell, which filed for bankruptcy in August due to mounting financial struggles and inventory issues. Meanwhile, creditors have file...
Advisory body SER wants better employment support for newcomers
The Social and Economic Council (SER) is urging for improved employment support for newcomers in the Netherlands to help them integrate and fill labor shortages. The council suggests that municipaliti...
CBS: Dutch people have slightly more to spend
Statistics Netherlands reports that household disposable income rose by 0.7 percent in the second quarter of the year, driven by wage growth and higher benefit payments. Conversely, total mortgage deb...
Dutch economy grows faster than expected as household spending increases
The Dutch economy grew faster in the first quarter than initially estimated, with growth reaching 0.4 percent for the quarter and 1.6 percent on an annual basis. This increase is mainly attributed to ...
Budget deficit in first half of year largest since 2021 pandemic year
The Netherlands recorded a 5 billion euro budget deficit in the first half of 2025, the largest since 2021, due to increased social spending and higher government costs. Despite this, the total govern...
From Kivik sofa to Kallax shelf: Ikea cuts prices on bestsellers and introduces new small stores
Ikea is investing 40 million euros in the Netherlands to lower prices on popular products and improve accessibility. The retailer is also launching smaller, supermarket-sized stores to better reach co...
Everything is dying: Norwegian Consumer Council goes viral with ad about products breaking faster
A viral video campaign by the Norwegian Consumer Council critiques manufacturers for intentionally creating products that break quickly and are difficult to repair. The initiative calls for stronger c...
First 18-hour direct flight between Sydney and New York starting in 2028
Starting in 2028, Qantas will offer a direct 18-hour flight between Sydney and New York to accommodate increasing travel demand. The airline will utilize specially modified Airbus aircraft equipped wi...
Shortening unemployment benefits has little effect on employment growth
Recent research from the CPB indicates that shortening the duration or lowering the amount of unemployment benefits has only a minimal effect on structural employment growth. Although the Dutch govern...
CPB: Shortening unemployment benefit duration creates 8,000 extra jobs, effect is limited
The Dutch Centraal Planbureau (CPB) estimates that reducing unemployment benefit duration from 24 to 12 months will lead to 8,000 extra jobs, though it describes the effect as limited. The plan faces ...
SER wants better guidance for Ukrainians into jobs matching their qualifications: 'We are missing opportunities'
The Social and Economic Council (SER) suggests that municipalities should take formal responsibility for integrating Ukrainian refugees into the Dutch labor market by providing language training and c...
From Hengelo to Amsterdam for a tenner: GoVolta now allowed to offer domestic routes
Budget rail operator GoVolta has been granted permission to launch domestic train services in the Netherlands. The company plans to offer low-cost travel, including round-trip tickets between Hengelo ...
Canadian company abandons bid to acquire Arcadis and withdraws offer
Canadian firm WSP Global has terminated its attempt to acquire the Dutch engineering and consultancy company Arcadis after being rejected twice. The suitor withdrew its offer because it could not enga...