Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
FNV announces nationwide public transport strikes
The Dutch trade union FNV has announced a nationwide work stoppage in public transport across the Netherlands. The specific date for the strike is expected to be revealed later this Wednesday.
From tree camp to permanent home: 750 anniversary trees take root in the city
Amsterdam has planted 750 trees gifted by local entrepreneurs to celebrate the city's 750th anniversary. These jubilee trees have been moved from temporary storage to permanent locations across the ci...
Mortgage rates rise sharply with no end in sight: house prices could come under pressure
Mortgage rates are rising rapidly as lenders respond to inflation concerns and expected central bank interest rate hikes. This upward trend is likely to continue, potentially putting downward pressure...
First NS enforcement officers start using batons
The first Dutch Railways (NS) enforcement officers were issued batons on Wednesday as part of a new pilot program. This trial aims to determine if the equipment improves the safety of employees while ...
Samsung workers prepare for 18-day strike
Approximately 48,000 Samsung employees are preparing for an 18-day strike after the company failed to reach an agreement regarding bonuses. The labor union announced the action following unsuccessful ...
Dutch consumers still spending as much despite energy crisis
Dutch consumer spending remains stable and resilient despite the ongoing energy crisis. This stability persists even as consumer confidence has declined significantly due to geopolitical tensions in t...
Mayor declares early coffee on Haarlem terraces a ‘risk for entrepreneurs’: ‘You risk a fine’
Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen has warned catering entrepreneurs in the city center that setting up terraces before 11:00 AM risks a fine. While enforcement may sometimes be lenient, the mayor emphasized th...
EU reaches provisional agreement to finalize trade deal with US
The European Union has reached a provisional agreement on legislation to abolish import duties on goods from the United States. This move is a key component of the trade agreement established between ...
Amsterdam should have its own technical university: city’s tech position under pressure
From ‘Zeeman shame’ to hip brand: departing CEO on a decade of transforming the discounter
The departing CEO of the Dutch discount retailer Zeeman reflects on his ten-year tenure transforming the brand's image from an embarrassing low-budget store into a trendy label. Through strategic inte...
New York art auctions make comeback with record prices
The spring art auctions in New York are experiencing a significant comeback with record-breaking sales for artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. In May alone, twelve pieces sold for over $30 m...
Tata Steel welcomes EU Parliament support to limit steel imports
Tata Steel Nederland has welcomed the European Parliament's decision to halve current steel import quotas. This measure aims to protect the European market from global steel surpluses originating outs...
First cars also becoming home batteries: 'Helps against overloaded power grid'
Electric vehicles can now be used as home batteries to supply energy back to the power grid, helping to alleviate grid congestion. This new technology is currently limited to a single car brand and on...
Schiphol queues resolved, but behind-the-scenes problems remain
Queues at Schiphol Airport have subsided as of Tuesday, though some travelers arrived early following the previous day's delays. Despite the calm in departure halls, the FNV union has established a re...
Tata Steel finds workaround for cheaper steel exports to US via UK
Tata Steel Netherlands has found a way to export steel to the United States with lower import tariffs by using a British sister company. This strategy allows Dutch steel to qualify for reduced US duti...
Petrol price now also above 2 euros per liter in Belgium
The maximum gasoline price in Belgium rose above 2 euros per liter on Wednesday, marking the first time prices have crossed this threshold since July 2022.
Popular Swatch watches pulled from Dutch stores following sales chaos
Swatch has removed its new Royal Pop watches from three stores in the Netherlands due to safety concerns for staff and customers following chaotic sales. Sales of the collection will resume once the c...
More passengers via Schiphol despite Middle East war
Schiphol Airport recorded an increase in passenger numbers in April compared to the previous year, despite a decrease in travel to and from the Middle East. The decline in regional traffic was caused ...
Jackson Pollock painting fetches $181 million at auction
A painting by American artist Jackson Pollock was sold for $181 million at an auction in New York on Monday. This significant sale ranks as one of the most expensive prices ever paid for an artwork at...
IKEA introduces lingonberry-flavored Swedish meatball lollipop
IKEA is releasing a limited-edition Swedish meatball-flavored lollipop with lingonberry after a positive response to what began as an April Fool's joke. The unique candy will be distributed as a one-t...
Milieudefensie hopes Supreme Court forces Shell to reduce CO2 emissions
Milieudefensie and Shell are appearing before the Dutch Supreme Court this Friday for the final judgment in their landmark climate case. The environmental organization hopes the court will legally man...
Drugs found with fruit at Lidl stores in Brabant and Limburg
Narcotics were discovered hidden among batches of fruit at several Lidl supermarket locations in the Dutch provinces of Brabant and Limburg on Monday. All the affected boxes originated from the same d...
HEMA sees revenue and profit rise thanks to renovated stores
HEMA reported increased turnover and profit in 2025, attributing the growth to successful store renovations and enhanced product sustainability. CEO Saskia Egas Reparaz highlighted that the updated st...
100-year-old Hema reports profit for fifth consecutive year: ‘We want to be the number 1 gift shop’
Hema has reported increased turnover and profit for the fifth consecutive year as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. CEO Saskia Egas Reparaz attributes the growth to successful store renovat...
Son of Mango founder arrested in connection with father's death
Jonathan Andic, the owner of the Spanish fashion chain Mango, has been arrested in connection with the 2024 death of his father, Isak Andic. The Mango founder died following a fall from a cliff while ...
Netherlands produces less recycled plastic, climate goals under pressure
The production of recycled plastic in the Netherlands is declining as high energy prices prevent manufacturers from making essential investments. This slowdown threatens the country's transition to a ...
Former Spanish PM Zapatero investigated for COVID fraud
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Zapatero is under investigation for money laundering and involvement in a criminal organization related to COVID-19 state aid for the airline Plus Ultra. The probe ...
Wouter Laumans on Swatch watch hype: ‘It has turned into a total mess worldwide’
What do Mercedes and BMW have to do with Shell? This German ruling could turn the ‘climate case of the century’ on its head
A recent ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice in climate-related lawsuits against Mercedes and BMW could impact the final outcome of the legal battle between Milieudefensie and Shell. This Ge...
Banned pesticides found in Jumbo and Albert Heijn rice and tea
Food watchdog Foodwatch discovered residues of EU-banned pesticides in rice, tea, and various herbs sold at Dutch supermarkets Jumbo and Albert Heijn. The investigation involved testing 64 different p...