Business News in English

Sharp rise in sick leave due to mental health issues costs billions: 'Nowhere else in the world does the employer pay two years of salary'

The Netherlands is experiencing a significant rise in employees unable to work due to mental health issues, with nearly 900,000 people currently classified as disabled. This trend results in billions ...

With Aloha and Timboektoe on the Velsen-Noord beach, Pim (30) sets the course for his island state: 'We’re going to build something cool on the North Pier'

Pim Lammertse, the owner of beach club Aloha in Velsen-Noord, is expanding his business by acquiring the neighboring pavilion Timboektoe on May 1st. He aims to transform the Noordpier area into a prem...

He programs systems that know exactly when you buy something, but Tom (53) has doubts: ‘It’s gnawing at me’

Tom, a 53-year-old software engineer, has raised ethical concerns about the AI systems he develops to predict consumer behavior. Speaking with career expert Anne-Marije Buckens, he expressed fear that...

We can let AI take over tasks, but please not the profession

In his weekly column Schermtijd, tech reporter Rutger Otto examines the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in office environments. He argues that while AI can be utilized to automate speci...

Blokker's comeback: Will the household chain make it this time? ‘I think the stores look excellent’

Following a bankruptcy and the closure of hundreds of locations in late 2024, the household retail chain Blokker has reopened 56 stores this summer. The comeback has sparked discussion regarding wheth...

He swallowed his tongue on a frozen De Vijverberg and narrowly survived: Milan Berck Beelenkamp (48) on why he swapped the football world for contaminated soil

Former professional footballer Milan Berck Beelenkamp has transitioned to a career in soil remediation after leaving the professional sports world. The 48-year-old, who famously survived a life-threat...

Ben makes cancelling deceased husband's phone line painful for widow

After her husband Sjaak passed away in 2022, Wil Voorn initially kept his mobile subscription for personal reasons, but she is now facing difficulties trying to cancel it. The telecom provider Ben has...

Local real estate agents on housing market trends

Real estate agents report a slight cooling of the housing market across various regions in recent months. However, demand for affordable, ready-to-move-in single-family homes remains high, with buyers...

It is time to break free from American tech companies, says this Amsterdam company

Antique market organizer gloomy after court hearing: ’I don’t think I’m going to win this’

Alice de Nijs, organizer of the Haarlem antique markets, expressed pessimism following a legal hearing at the Raad van State regarding a dispute with the municipality. After the session, she stated he...

Jade Anna caught with fake webshop review: ‘Jan’ gives five stars, but he doesn’t exist

Influencer Jade Anna van Vliet’s company has been caught posting a fake five-star review for a product before its official release. Although posting fake reviews is illegal, the brand has claimed th...

Brabant meat processor ordered to recall all products immediately

A meat processing company in Nuenen has been ordered to immediately recall all its products following a raid by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The enforcement actio...

Amsterdam students start their own business: ‘We emailed almost every shoemaker in the city’

Students at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam are launching diverse startups, including sustainable sorbet and specialized insoles, as part of their Entrepreneurship minor. The program focuses on practical...

Bookman Frank (55) seeks successor for The ReadShop in Beverwijk: ‘If I want to do something else, now is the time’

Frank Valk, the 55-year-old owner of The ReadShop in Beverwijk, is seeking a successor to take over his bookstore. Valk has put the business up for sale to pursue a new career path, though the shop is...

Brasserie Beeckestijn in Velsen-Zuid named third best wedding venue in North Holland: 'We put ourselves in the guest's shoes'

Brasserie Beeckestijn in Velsen-Zuid has been named the third-best wedding venue in North Holland. Owners Susanne and Michel received the honor after ten years of service, just before their planned re...

Haarlem components orbited the moon on Artemis II. 'Quite proud'

Components manufactured in Haarlem, including solar panel springs and shuttle connectors, were part of NASA's recent Artemis II mission around the moon. Local manufacturers expressed pride in contribu...

D66 must change course in our ‘city-state’, says Jan-Kees Emmer: ‘More room for people’

Jan-Kees Emmer argues that the D66 party must lead a policy shift in the Netherlands to prioritize human needs over political deadlock. He highlights the contrast between the ongoing political theater...

Meta removes Instagram accounts of queer organizations: "You feel vulnerable"

Meta has permanently removed the Instagram accounts of several queer organizations and clubs, including Amsterdam's Club Church, without providing a clear explanation. Co-owner Richard Keldoulis expre...

US Justice Department drops probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell

The U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding the renovation of the central bank's Washington headquarters. This development removes...

Belgian shops no longer face mandatory rest day and can stay open longer

The Belgian government has approved extended opening hours for shops, allowing them to remain open until 9:00 PM daily. Additionally, the mandatory weekly closing day will be abolished, with the new r...

Cabinet sees no options for export ban on fighting dogs to Israel

The Dutch cabinet has decided not to implement an export ban on fighting dogs to Israel, despite concerns over their use against Palestinians. Ministers cited a lack of EU-wide support and stated that...

'Go big or go home': Eva Vedder’s American sponsor steps in to ensure money isn't a barrier to tennis dreams

Dutch tennis player Eva Vedder is currently competing in the United States as part of a multi-week trip supported by an American sponsor. The sponsorship allows her to pursue high-level tournaments gl...

May 4th commemoration at Tata Steel honors Gerrit Jan van der Steen

Tata Steel Netherlands will hold its annual Remembrance Day ceremony on May 4th at the war monument in Velsen-Noord. The commemoration, scheduled from 9:45 to 10:30 am, will pay special tribute to the...

Entrepreneur Melis loses case: Juliet Broersen (Volt) was allowed to make statements, judge rules

A court ruled that Amsterdam Volt leader Juliet Broersen was within her rights to compare real estate entrepreneur Marcel Melis to Andrew Tate during a council debate. The judge found the remarks prot...

Entrepreneur Melis loses case: Judge rules Juliet Broersen (Volt) was allowed to make statements

A court ruled that Amsterdam Volt leader Juliet Broersen was within her rights to compare real estate entrepreneur Marcel Melis to Andrew Tate during a council debate. The judge emphasized the importa...

Private holiday rentals shift from Amsterdam to the region, North Holland coastal towns gain popularity

A provincial study shows that private holiday rentals in North Holland are shifting from Amsterdam to surrounding regions due to stricter regulations in the capital. While Amsterdam's rental market st...

Ryanair also closes Berlin base: 'The most failing airport in Europe'

Ryanair has announced the closure of its base in Berlin, citing high operational costs at what it calls Europe's most failing airport. The Irish budget airline plans to relocate its seven aircraft to ...

Kasper Dolberg returned to Ajax for a new start, but Jordi Cruijff is now pushing for an early exit

Eight months after his €10 million return to Ajax, striker Kasper Dolberg faces an uncertain future as club official Jordi Cruijff reportedly considers an early exit. The 28-year-old has struggled t...

Significant train discounts during roadworks a major success in Zeeland

A pilot program by NS offering significant discounts on train travel during roadworks at the Vlaketunnel in Zeeland has proven to be a major success. During the ten-day closure of the tunnel, many tra...

Regional supermarkets donate €150,000 worth of food after checkout errors

Supermarket chains DekaMarkt, Hoogvliet, and Nettorama have agreed to donate ‑150,000 worth of products to food banks after overcharging customers for promotional items. This compensation follows di...