Business News in English

From webshop to lender: bol launches its own buy now, pay later service

Bol has established a separate credit company to manage its 'pay later' payment option. The e-commerce retailer intends to offer this service to other online stores in the future to expand consumer pa...

German brewers produce record amount of non-alcoholic beer

German breweries produced a record amount of non-alcoholic beer last year according to data from Destatis. While overall production of alcoholic beer remains higher, its output experienced a decline.

Young people no longer prefer working in hospitality during the summer

As the summer holidays begin in Northern Netherlands, student seasonal jobs remain a popular solution to labor shortages. However, there is a noticeable shift in preferences as young people are increa...

Amsterdam extends solar panel subsidy until end of 2026 with stricter requirements

Malaise in our shopping basket due to soaring prices: we are buying less and are forced to choose cheaper brands

Dutch consumers are purchasing fewer groceries and opting for cheaper brands due to persistent high inflation over the past three years. Retail revenue growth is currently being driven by price increa...

Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global gas market

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global gas markets, leading to tighter supplies and higher prices. These conditions have resulted in decreased demand for gas, particularly...

ECB wants banks to create action plans against AI cyber threats

The European Central Bank is urging financial institutions to develop strategic action plans to counter the increasing cybersecurity risks posed by advanced AI systems. The regulator specifically high...

Cash remains widely accepted, but card-only is on the rise in major cities

While cash remains widely accepted for daily transactions in the Netherlands, the number of businesses transitioning to card-only payments is increasing in larger cities. Despite this trend, physical ...

How Nike suddenly lost its cool: ‘It has become your parents’ shoe’

Nike is currently facing a significant decline in popularity and financial performance as younger consumers shift their preferences toward rival brands like Adidas and New Balance. The once-dominant s...

Heat puts agriculture under pressure, but Dutch harvest holds up for now

Despite an approaching heatwave, the Dutch agricultural sector reports that crops such as potatoes, onions, and wheat are currently holding up well. While similar extreme heat has caused visible damag...

Dutch petrol prices rise by another cent, refuelling across the border can save twenty euros

Gasoline prices in the Netherlands have slightly increased again, reversing a recent downward trend. Motorists are advised that filling up their tanks across the border could result in savings of up t...

Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs in major Xbox reorganization

Microsoft is cutting approximately 4,800 jobs globally as the company shifts its investment focus toward artificial intelligence. The Xbox gaming division will be most significantly impacted, with rou...

Low incomes hit hardest by high energy prices: 'Paying much more tax'

New research from TNO indicates that government compensation for high energy bills is significantly less effective than investing in home insulation and sustainable energy alternatives. The study high...

Rotterdam train disruption resolved after over a week

The power failure that disrupted train services between Rotterdam and the south for over a week has been resolved. Train traffic was fully restored by 5:00 a.m. following repairs by ProRail.

Tanker attacked near Strait of Hormuz

An oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, causing a fire to break out on board. The incident was reported by the British maritime organiza...

Southeast Amsterdam to get mega data center: heavy user of power and drinking water, but with space for local startups

Ajax talent Sean Steur (18) set for big-money move to Newcastle United

18-year-old Ajax talent Sean Steur is nearing a transfer to the Premier League club Newcastle United. The deal is reportedly valued at approximately 27 million euros, including potential bonuses.

Rutte: arms industry cannot handle even higher defense budgets

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the European defense industry has reached its capacity to process orders due to the rapid increase in defense spending by member states. He noted that the...

NPO cuts its own flesh, axes two directors and support staff: 'Drastic and painful'

The Dutch public broadcaster NPO is reducing its management team by eliminating two director positions to improve organizational efficiency. These cuts are part of a broader cost-saving measure affect...

Motorcycle sales rise significantly again: 'It's a practical means of transport'

New motorcycle sales in the Netherlands increased significantly in the first half of the year, with 14,062 units sold. This represents a growth of over 15 percent compared to the same period in the pr...

Zijlstraat, Cronjé and Kleverpark shopping areas partly excluded from higher parking rates: 'Benefits local economy'

The Haarlem city council has decided to exempt parking areas and garages in the Zijlstraat, Cronjé, and Kleverpark shopping districts from planned rate increases. The current 'stop and shop' rate of ...

Russian banks pressured to issue risky loans

A European intelligence report reviewed by Reuters indicates that Russian banks are under pressure to issue increasingly risky loans. This practice raises concerns about a potential explosive banking ...

Government did not want to buy Solvinity itself, company claims

Solvinity, the manager of the DigiD platform, approached the Dutch government with an offer to be acquired, but the government declined the proposal. Lawyers representing the company disclosed this in...

Halving of subsidy threatens future of Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek: 'Only in the Bollenstreek are we just scraping by'

The Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek foundation is facing a significant budget cut, with subsidies nearly halving for 2026 and 2027. Consequently, the organization has warned that activities such as th...

Minister Sjoerdsma to China to strengthen trade relations

Dutch Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma is traveling to China for a three-day trade mission accompanied by seventeen companies from the Netherlands. This visit occurs five years after Beijing placed Sjoerdsma...

Wibra saw turnover and store count grow significantly last year

Budget retailer Wibra experienced a record year in 2025, opening 63 new stores to reach a total of 360 locations. The company reported that its revenue grew by over 25 percent, amounting to 362 millio...

Spain expects 100 million foreign tourists despite fires and heat

Spain expects to welcome 100 million foreign tourists this year, according to Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu. Despite concerns regarding rising summer temperatures and wildfires, the country continues t...

Diesel is flowing from the pump for less than 2 euros per liter again here and there

The price of diesel has fallen below 2 euros per liter at some locations in the Netherlands. This follows a significant price increase that occurred after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.

Sales of new owner-occupied homes fall sharply

The sale of new owner-occupied homes in the Netherlands has declined for the third consecutive quarter. During the first three months of this year, only 5,126 new properties were sold.

EasyJet agrees to takeover bid from investment firm

British airline easyJet has agreed in principle to a new acquisition bid from investment firm Castlelake. Previous takeover attempts by the investment company had been rejected by the airline.