Business News in English

Hillegom property owner takes Zaanstad to Council of State over house splitting penalty: 'Incomprehensible'

Contractor Martijn Meskers from Hillegom has appealed to the Council of State regarding a 36,000 euro fine imposed by the municipality of Zaanstad. The dispute concerns a 2019 case where a property in...

Class action lawsuit over cervical cancer screening data breach

The Women’s Rights Collective has launched a mass claim against the laboratory Clinical Diagnostics following a data leak that compromised the medical records of hundreds of thousands of women. The ...

Discount chain Die Grenze clashes with NVWA over dirt-cheap beer: ‘Read the law properly’

The Dutch discount chain Die Grenze is in a dispute with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) over the legality of its high alcohol discounts. Owner Bert Hesselink argues ...

A meeting is not a therapy session: how to conduct a meeting that actually makes sense

Psychologist Thijs Launspach offers advice on how to conduct more effective meetings and better manage overcrowded work schedules. The guide emphasizes the importance of clear meeting objectives to en...

Mortgage rates fall despite Middle East unrest: 'Very volatile'

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands are decreasing as banks announce further interest rate cuts this week despite instability in the Middle East. Mortgage advisor Van Bruggen describes the current marke...

Supermarkets quit lobby group over high costs

The Dutch supermarket umbrella organization representing Jumbo and several other major retailers has withdrawn from the business group VNO-NCW. The move comes as companies protest a significant increa...

Financial worries for high earners, homeowners and business owners: how to avoid financial trouble

Despite 600 billion euros in Dutch savings accounts, one in five households lacks a financial buffer of at least 1,000 euros. Financial worries are increasingly spreading beyond low-income groups to i...

Care villas for severely disabled children to close in three weeks after all: at least 9 children without a place

Two care villas for severely disabled children are set to close in three weeks due to financial difficulties, leaving at least nine children without placement. Parents are threatening legal action and...

SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI IPOs lure investors, but risks are high: ‘Greed is at play’

Investors are increasingly seeking shares in high-profile companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic, often turning to risky and obscure financial products. Despite high costs and potential for loss...

Oil prices rise again as Middle East violence flares up

Oil prices rose sharply on Monday following renewed conflict between Israel and Iran. The escalation has diminished hopes for peace and raised concerns about the continued obstruction of oil tankers i...

Online bank to challenge major providers with account-linked subscriptions

Internet bank Revolut is launching mobile phone subscriptions in the Netherlands to compete with established telecom providers by offering lower prices. Despite this new entry into the market, industr...

'We aren't taking anything away, just adding something new.' Haarlem Pearls take over hospitality industry with staff padel tournament

De Oesterzwammerij has established a new base at Haarlem's Kweektuin, where its founders aim to influence food choices through taste and mushroom cultivation. Meanwhile, the Haarlemse Parels group is ...

From Marlboro to marijuana: tobacco giant enters legal Dutch cannabis

Tobacco giant Altria, formerly Philip Morris, has entered the Dutch legal cannabis experiment by acquiring a partial stake in the country's largest participating grower. Experts have raised concerns t...

Star chef Dennis Huwaë opens accessible restaurant in Het Sieraad in West: ‘Your summer body is going to have a hard time’

Haven-Stad under further pressure: province blocks housing plans in Amsterdam port

Major fire at company in Zwaanshoek under control

A large fire at an industrial site in Zwaanshoek, Haarlemmermeer, was brought under control late Wednesday night after affecting several businesses and scattering solar panel debris. Smoke warnings fo...

Construction company Tebbens goes up in flames. 'I have to start all over again'

A fire has destroyed the warehouse of construction company Tebbens, causing significant damage and leaving the owner devastated. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze as the owner stated he woul...

Experience the jet-set life in a private jet for €125 per hour in an Amsterdam-North warehouse: ‘In America this is very common’

Hotels fear difficult summer after VAT increase: 'Concerns are growing'

Dutch hotels are facing a difficult summer as guests book later and stay for shorter periods due to rising costs. Entrepreneurs report that the recent VAT increase on hotel stays is negatively impacti...

Plan for snack bar-free neighborhood goes ahead despite legal threats: 'We want a healthy food environment'

Haarlem council members are proceeding with plans to ban fast-food vendors in the new Hart voor Oostpoort neighborhood to promote a healthy food environment. Despite legal threats from the snack bar a...

China wants to prevent electric cars from becoming even larger and heavier

China intends to prevent electric vehicles from continuing to grow in size and weight. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the government aims to counter the trend of heavier cars driven by larger ba...

Prospective alderman Moeskops works last day at restaurant: "It's also a bit sad"

D66 council member Elise Moeskops worked her final shift at her Amsterdam restaurant before her expected appointment as the city's new alderman for traffic this Wednesday. She will succeed Melanie van...

Designated alderman Moeskops works last day in restaurant: "It's also a bit sad"

Elise Moeskops is transitioning from her role as a restaurant owner and D66 council member to become an alderperson in Amsterdam, where she will take over the traffic portfolio. She recently marked he...

Fire at company on Hillegommerdijk in Zwaanshoek

A large fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at the Global Garden garden center on the Hillegommerdijk in Zwaanshoek. Emergency services responded to the scene to manage the significant blaze.

Explosion and major fire in Zwaanshoek: "Heard a huge bang"

A large fire and explosion occurred at a construction company on Hillegommerdijk in Zwaanshoek on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services, including a police helicopter, were dispatched to the scene wh...

Long-term sick employees to miss out on €17,000: ‘We are going back in time’

Starting next year, employers in the Netherlands will no longer be compensated for severance payments to long-term sick employees, potentially costing workers an average of 17,000 euros. The labor uni...

Ton is still in his net-making workshop at seven: ‘This has been my thing my whole life’

Ton continues to run Klinkenberg Nettenmakerij, a family business established by his father in the port of IJmuiden in 1958. Originally one of seven such workshops in the area, it is now the last rema...

Zwaanstraat in Wijk aan Zee gains colorful meeting spot with Kletskop Café: ‘Come and chat’

Kletskop Café has officially opened on Zwaanstraat in Wijk aan Zee, led by owner Nikki van der Lem and manager Dianne Dobber. The new venue aims to serve as a vibrant community meeting spot offering ...

Employers' leader wants more efficient social security to prevent budget cuts

Coen van Oostrom, chairman of the employers' federation VNO-NCW, suggests that social security in the Netherlands should be organized more efficiently to avoid potential budget cuts. During an appeara...

Rainbow flag flying less proudly: 'Was support ever truly authentic?'

Companies are increasingly scaling back their public support for the LGBTQI+ community during Pride month in response to a growing anti-woke movement. This trend of reducing visible corporate allyship...