Business News in English

Funcaps owners sentenced to three years in prison on appeal in Belgium

Two Dutch owners of the webshop Funcaps have been sentenced to three years in prison, with half the term suspended, by an appeals court in Antwerp, Belgium. The court ruled that the individuals import...

Apple turns 50: still relevant or ready for the museum? ‘They are not a pioneer’

As Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, critics argue the company has lost its innovative edge and is lagging behind in artificial intelligence. To mark the milestone and the company's histo...

Court examines accounts of fraudulent real estate entrepreneurs: criminal money allegedly invested in homes

The Public Prosecution Service is seeking the repayment of significant sums from former directors of a real estate company during a hearing at the Haarlem district court. The case involves allegations...

71 municipal notices regarding demolition and hospitality in Haarlem last week

The municipality of Haarlem processed 71 permit applications last week, with 70 of them specifically related to projects within the city. These reports include updates on demolition and hospitality de...

Consumers' Association: Peat-based potting soil harms nature and climate

The Dutch Consumer Association (Consumentenbond) is advising gardeners to avoid potting soil containing peat due to its negative impact on nature and the climate. The organization warns that "bio" lab...

Stores sold more goods in February

Retail turnover in the Netherlands increased by 1.3 percent in February compared to the same month last year, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The growth was largely driven by a strong perfo...

Utrecht province fines bus operators for public transport problems

The province of Utrecht is fining bus operators Transdev and Keolis for persistent service issues, including high cancellation rates and a shortage of vehicles. Transdev faces a penalty of at least 1....

Dangerous consumer products cause 80 deaths a day in Europe

Dangerous consumer products, including exploding appliances and defective items, cause approximately 80 deaths daily across Europe. Research highlights that these hazards also pose significant risks t...

DHL Express employees to receive 7.5 percent pay increase

More than 2,000 DHL Express employees will receive a 7.5 percent pay increase following a new two-year collective labor agreement. The deal was reached between the express delivery company and trade u...

Supermarket chain PLUS completes merger with competitor Coop

Supermarket chain PLUS has finalized its merger with industry peer Coop. The company reported a financial loss for the past year, primarily due to the accelerated costs associated with rebranding and ...

Green steel scientists: Tata is not so poorly positioned

Scientists writing in the economic journal ESB argue that Tata Steel is well-positioned for a future in the Netherlands, countering arguments against government subsidies for the plant. The researcher...

Part-time day on Monday: Bad luck, or is it?

As the Easter weekend approaches, a series of public holidays provides an opportunity for employees to strategically plan their leave. The article offers advice on how to maximize time off by coordina...

Personalized smoked sausage and exercising in Blijdorp: this year's April Fools' jokes

Dutch companies participated in the annual April Fools' Day tradition by promoting various humorous and fake products. Examples mentioned include personalized smoked sausages, customizable public tran...

Gas storage must be full before winter, but companies wait due to high gas prices

The filling season for gas storage facilities begins this Wednesday, but high prices are deterring companies from purchasing gas for storage. Although full reserves are essential for the upcoming wint...

Renaissance Hotel upgrades tourist area after 2.5-year renovation

Opening Lelystad Airport depends on cabinet nitrogen approach

The opening of Lelystad Airport for civil aviation is contingent on the Dutch government's implementation of nitrogen reduction measures. According to officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishe...

Cabinet seeks more space for offshore wind farms

The Dutch cabinet is investigating additional offshore locations for wind energy production to meet its 40-gigawatt target. A document released on Tuesday suggests that currently designated areas may ...

VAT hike felt in Zandvoort, German tourists still visit for Easter: 'But we earn much less from them'

German tourists are still visiting Zandvoort during the Easter holidays, but the local economy is earning less from them due to rising costs. The impact of the VAT increase is becoming evident as the ...

Oil shortage in focus: nearly 9 million barrels per day short, prices to truly explode from mid-April

Brussels has warned that the Netherlands and Europe must significantly reduce oil and gas consumption due to a global shortage triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Experts estimate a def...

150,000 euros raised for Adamas Center with fundraiser in Nieuw-Vennep

Nine entrepreneurs raised 150,000 euros for the Adamas Centrum in Nieuw-Vennep by locking themselves inside the facility for a week. The funds and donated goods will be used to support the center's mi...

Stellantis recalls 700,000 vehicles worldwide

Automotive manufacturer Stellantis is recalling approximately 700,000 vehicles worldwide due to a potential fire risk in the engine compartment. The issue involves a component that may short-circuit i...

Iran threatens attacks on major US tech companies

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has threatened to attack major American technology companies like Apple, Google, and Meta if more Iranian leaders are killed. The military group alleges that these firm...

Peace fries or war fries? Playful stunt sends tough message over stalled Tata Steel labor talks

The FNV union held a symbolic demonstration by offering fries to Tata Steel management ahead of the second round of difficult collective labor agreement negotiations. Union chairman Niels Mans warned ...

Lending a rabbit or squeezing your own orange juice: these organizations come up with playful April Fools' pranks

Various businesses in the Haarlem and Velsen regions are utilizing April Fools' Day to gain publicity through creative pranks. Examples include a rabbit lending service and a proposed name change for ...

Scout sues Ajax for €2 million over Martínez and Antony transfers

Unilever silent on job cuts after acquisition as shares fall

Following the acquisition of Unilever's food division by the American company McCormick, it remains unclear whether jobs will be lost in the Netherlands. Additionally, the company's shares have experi...

Wall Street rises on hope for end to war, oil prices also up

Wall Street stock markets rose on Tuesday following reports of potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. US President Donald Trump reportedly expressed a willingness to end the confrontatio...

Working from home more due to the fuel crisis? Employers actually want staff back in the office

The European Commission has recommended increasing remote work to lower energy and fuel consumption amid the current fuel crisis. However, the Dutch employers' association AWVN states that many employ...

Women found dead in Oud-Zuid and Nieuw-Vennep were ABN Amro colleagues: Huge shock

Police are investigating a potential link between two ABN Amro employees who were found dead in Amsterdam and Nieuw-Vennep. While the death in Nieuw-Vennep has been confirmed as a crime, the cause of ...

Lighting House turns out to be shady webshop flouting the rules

The Dutch online store Verlichtingshuis has been identified as a problematic retailer that fails to comply with legal regulations despite its professional appearance. Consumers often only discover the...