Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Staff discounts face the axe as industry associations take action
The Dutch government plans to eliminate the specific tax exemption for employee discounts starting January 1, 2027, as part of a measure to simplify tax rules and raise 127 million euros. A coalition ...
Thousands of Albert Heijn customers flee to Jumbo and Picnic: 'This will cost them millions'
Albert Heijn is facing a major cyber incident that has crippled its online platforms and customer services, causing thousands of shoppers to switch to rival grocery chains. Experts warn that the disru...
Empty shelves threaten Albert Heijn following possible cyberattack
Albert Heijn is experiencing widespread operational disruptions, including empty store shelves and suspended online deliveries, after parent company Ahold Delhaize disabled systems due to a security i...
Albert Heijn customers barely notice IT failure: Only gift cards not working
Supermarket chain Albert Heijn is facing a nationwide IT disruption, resulting in issues with discount systems and gift card processing. Despite the technical problems, which are being investigated as...
Cyberattack causes cooling systems in French supermarkets to thaw
Multiple supermarket chains in France suffered a cyberattack that remotely disabled refrigeration systems, causing significant food spoilage. Meanwhile, the Dutch retail company Ahold Delhaize is faci...
Nobel Prize for US research that helps stabilize the economy
American researchers have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for creating models that help governments and central banks stabilize the economy. These tools allow policymakers to better understa...
China allowed to sell maximum of 350,000 hybrid cars to EU annually
The European Union and China have agreed to cap Chinese hybrid vehicle imports at 350,000 units annually for the next four years to protect the European market. Additionally, China will drop import ta...
Pim turned down a 500 million offer, now his new company is worth 6.2 billion
Entrepreneur Pim de Witte has built a robotics AI firm that is currently valued at 6.2 billion dollars. The 31-year-old founder, originally from Nijmegen, previously turned down a 500 million dollar b...
Oil price dips slightly after Trump does business with Putin
Oil prices dipped slightly after President Trump secured a deal to import diesel from Russia in an attempt to lower fuel costs before the upcoming midterm elections. The agreement has drawn criticism ...
Satirical film Digger starring Tom Cruise threatens to become the biggest flop ever
The satirical film Digger, starring Tom Cruise, is projected to be a major financial flop after earning only $20 million worldwide in its opening weekend. Despite a high production budget and support ...
Lance Bass earned only 35 dollars a day during *NSYNC's heyday
Lance Bass revealed that he earned only 35 dollars per day at the height of his fame with the boy band *NSYNC. He explained that the vast majority of the group's earnings went to management and the re...
Albert Heijn hit by IT incident, app and website down
Supermarket chain Albert Heijn has taken its website and mobile app offline due to an ongoing IT incident that has halted grocery deliveries and disrupted loyalty programs. Physical stores remain open...
Rabobank raises savings rate by 0.1 percentage point
Rabobank is raising its savings interest rates by 0.1 percentage points, with specific tiered rates applied to balances up to 5 million euros. This change follows a recent interest rate increase by th...
Promising cloud company becomes first customer to commit to AI gigafactory plan in Port of Rotterdam
The cloud company Nebius, based in Amsterdam, has signed on as the first client for a proposed AI gigafactory in Rotterdam. Although the project faces significant funding challenges and a lack of dire...
Outage on Albert Heijn, Etos and Gall & Gall websites and apps
Major Dutch retailers Albert Heijn, Etos, and Gall & Gall are facing widespread outages across their websites and mobile applications. The parent company, Ahold Delhaize, has not yet determined the ca...
Fire in Nieuw-West warehouse may impact Zuidasdok planning
A fire destroyed a TriAX warehouse in Amsterdam-Nieuw-West on October 1, resulting in the loss of critical technical equipment used for the Zuidasdok infrastructure project. Authorities are currently ...
Fire at test warehouse on Johan Huizingalaan may cause delays for Zuidasdok project
A fire at a testing facility on Johan Huizingalaan has destroyed equipment vital to the Zuidasdok project, potentially impacting the schedule of the infrastructure expansion. Municipal officials are c...
Energy agency urges countries to consider releasing extra diesel
The International Energy Agency has requested that member nations accelerate the release of strategic diesel reserves to address global supply shortages caused by regional conflicts and refinery damag...
Upstairs neighbor can refuse solar panels for fear of noise and fire risks
A subdistrict court in Amsterdam has ruled that a resident can block the installation of solar panels on a shared roof due to concerns over noise, safety, and lack of planning. The judge determined th...
Mijntje: I hope an employer looks beyond the years I didn't work for pay
Mijntje is a middle-aged woman seeking to re-enter the workforce after years of unpaid caregiving for her family. She is sharing her experience with Anne-Marije Buckens, a professional consultant who ...
US cannot survive a day on Russian diesel: 'This will have zero effect on the price'
A trade deal between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to the US is unlikely to lower fuel prices because the volume is insufficient to meet even one day of national demand. The...
Experts doubt effectiveness of new freelance law: 'Much remains a grey area'
The Dutch government plans to implement the Self-Employed Persons Act by 2028 to clarify the distinction between independent contractors and employees. Experts remain skeptical, however, arguing that ...
The Greenhouse | Don't be scared by 'complicated' new grid tariffs
The Netherlands will introduce a new electricity grid tariff system by 2029 that charges consumers based on their actual usage and timing rather than a flat fee. This reform aims to incentivize lower ...
Judge rejects request for investigation into Philips in sleep apnea affair
The Dutch Enterprise Chamber has dismissed a request for an inquiry into Philips concerning the company's communication about a major sleep apnea device recall in 2021. The court ruled that there were...
Mandy's flower shop hopes to reopen in two weeks after devastating fire
Mandy's Bloemenshop in Amsterdam plans to reopen in two weeks after a fire caused by a short circuit destroyed their previous kiosk. The owners have secured permission to build a new shop and have rai...
Petrol price hits new record and is now as expensive as diesel
Gasoline prices in the Netherlands hit a record high of 2.732 euros per liter on Saturday, matching the cost of diesel. This increase is driven by supply chain disruptions resulting from the conflict ...
Housing, industry and nature: who gets the space along the North Sea Canal?
The Noordzeekanaal area is experiencing increasing pressure as industrial needs, new housing projects, and nature conservation compete for limited space. A new television series commemorates the canal...
Screen time | The Tax Authority can’t make it more fun, but they can make it more sovereign
The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration has decided to keep its office environment under its own management rather than migrating to Microsoft 365. State Secretary Eelco Eerenberg confirmed the shift...
More plumbing companies, yet a shortage of skilled workers persists
Although the number of plumbing businesses in the Netherlands has surged by nearly 60 percent since 2016, the sector continues to face a significant shortage of skilled workers. Rising demand for sust...
Trump strikes deal with Russia for direct supply of 300,000 tons of diesel
President Donald Trump announced a deal to import 300,000 tons of diesel from Russia, with additional large shipments expected in the near future. The U.S. Treasury has authorized a temporary permit f...