Economy News in English

Ahold Delhaize suffers from unfavorable exchange rates

Retail group Ahold Delhaize reported a slight increase in revenue during the last quarter due to higher prices. However, growth was limited by unfavorable exchange rates and disappointing performance ...

Heineken sells more beer this year and sees revenue grow

Heineken reported an increase in beer sales volume by 1.6 percent, reaching 142.8 million hectoliters in the first half of the year. Alongside the rise in volume, the brewery also saw growth in both i...

Twice as much fast food in twenty years: ‘Time to treat unhealthy food the same as smoking and drinking’

The number of fast-food restaurants in the Netherlands has nearly doubled over the last twenty years. Professor Esther Aarts is calling for stricter regulations on unhealthy food, advocating for an ap...

Working one day less is cheaper, while Marijn (38) and Elise (35) didn't expect that

Marijn and Elise consulted a budget coach to discuss the feasibility of Marijn transitioning to a four-day workweek. Although they initially believed they could not afford the change, they are now exp...

Home battery and heat pump sellers use dishonest sales tactics

The Vereniging Eigen Huis reports an increase in complaints regarding aggressive door-to-door sales and misleading tactics by companies selling home batteries and heat pumps in the Netherlands. Consum...

50,000 women already using Lisa’s discrete period app: ‘We will never sell data’

Lisa Volkers has developed a privacy-focused menstrual tracking app that now serves 50,000 users. She created the platform to provide an alternative to existing apps that often sell user data to third...

AEX hits another new closing record thanks to chip stocks and falling oil prices

The AEX index reached a new closing record on Tuesday, driven by strong performance from chip companies and a decrease in oil prices. The gains were supported by better-than-expected earnings results ...

Wakker Dier files complaint against world's largest insect farm over 'nonsense' green claims

Animal welfare organization Wakker Dier has filed a complaint with the Advertising Code Committee against Protix, the world's largest insect farm located in Bergen op Zoom. The organization claims tha...

SpaceX rocket part crashes into the moon: 'Hopefully sparks a discussion'

A remnant of a SpaceX rocket is set to impact the moon on Wednesday morning, creating a new crater. Experts hope this event will spark a necessary global discussion regarding the management of space d...

McDonald's also noticing customers are becoming more frugal

McDonald's reports that it is struggling to attract customers as consumers continue to prioritize saving money. Despite offering cheap menus and discounts, the fast-food chain notes a decline in dinin...

Rabobank targets youth, AI, and the battle against neobanks with new blue app

Rabobank has launched a new blue-themed banking app specifically designed to attract younger users through gamification and personalized features. The initiative aims to compete with neobanks and incr...

Albert Heijn revamps savings stamps: one stamp now requires double the spending

Albert Heijn is significantly changing its loyalty stamp program, requiring customers to spend twice as much money to earn a single stamp. Consequently, it will take twice as long for customers to fil...

Spotify surpasses 300 million paying subscribers

Spotify reported significant growth in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing 300 million paid subscribers. This increase in the user base led to a continued rise in total revenue for the Swedish musi...

'Brabo' must help the Netherlands and Belgium achieve lower energy prices

The Netherlands and Belgium have officially launched the upgraded Brabo high-voltage power line connecting the port of Antwerp to Rilland. This project aims to increase electricity exchange between th...

After pizza and groceries, Thuisbezorgd will soon deliver flowers too

Thuisbezorgd.nl is expanding its platform to include flower delivery services. This strategic move aims to increase consumer engagement and usage of their app within the Netherlands.

Oil giants profit from Middle East unrest as profits soar

Major oil companies, including BP and Saudi Aramco, have reported significant increases in quarterly profits due to rising oil prices. These price hikes were driven by geopolitical tensions between Ir...

Olive oil prices set to rise again due to heat, drought and fires

Olive oil prices are expected to rise again this autumn due to extreme heat, drought, and wildfires affecting olive groves in Southern Europe. Additionally, these adverse weather conditions are impact...

Smaller Boeing 737 MAX finally cleared for takeoff after years of delays

The US aviation authority FAA has approved the 737-7, which is the smallest version of the Boeing 737 MAX. This certification follows years of delays and represents a significant step forward for the ...

Rabobank invests 2 billion euros in AI following multibillion-euro profit

Rabobank has announced a plan to invest up to 2 billion euros over the next three years into artificial intelligence, data, and IT infrastructure. The initiative aims to modernize the bank's digital s...

Record number of building permits, but housing supply will not grow for now

The number of building permits for new homes in the Netherlands has reached record levels. However, experts at ING Research note that construction is not increasing due to labor shortages, high buildi...

Ridden and groped: bronze bull on Beursplein symbolises optimism and rising stock prices

Annemarie (32) earns 2395 euros and lives with her boyfriend in the house her father bought for her: 'I know I'm lucky'

European markets gain after reports of Middle East negotiations

European stock markets closed with significant gains on Monday, driven by a drop in oil prices following hopes for new negotiations in the Middle East. President Donald Trump announced that talks with...

Amazon worth more than three trillion dollars for the first time

Amazon has reached a market capitalization of over three trillion dollars for the first time. The company joins other major tech firms, including Nvidia, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Apple, in reaching th...

US strikes deal with companies to triple Patriot missile production

The United States Department of Defense has reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to triple the production of Patriot missiles. This initiative aims to increase the manufactur...

Port workers to strike over social security cuts

Hundreds of port workers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Zeeland plan to strike on September 4th. This industrial action is a protest against the cabinet's proposed budget cuts to social security.

PostNL sees dip in parcels and aims for explosive growth in parcel locker network

PostNL reports a decline in parcel deliveries during the first half of the year, with domestic volumes falling by 4.2 percent and international by 15 percent. To counter this downturn, the company pla...

Shipping companies face challenges due to drought

Companies transporting goods via inland waterways in the Netherlands are facing significant disruptions due to persistent drought conditions. With no immediate relief in sight, these logistical challe...

Bol retail platform promises improvements following complaints from sales partners

Online retail platform bol has announced improvements to its communication processes following complaints from business partners. The company intends to offer customers more contact options beyond its...

A newspaper column? ChatGPT knows how to handle a stale 400-word piece

This article explores the capabilities of artificial intelligence by testing whether ChatGPT can effectively write a weekly column. The piece questions if the AI can successfully emulate the style of ...