Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
IKEA recalls candles due to risk of large flames
IKEA is recalling its SMÖJTRÄD candles due to a manufacturing defect that may result in multiple wicks, leading to dangerously large flames. The company warns that this defect poses a risk of fire a...
Flight tax not yet driving Dutch travelers to foreign airports
The higher flight tax introduced in the Netherlands in 2023 has not yet caused a significant shift of Dutch travelers to airports in neighboring countries. Recent data shows that both domestic and for...
Majority of large online stores inaccessible to customers with disabilities
A study by the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) reveals that 61 percent of the largest webshops in the Netherlands are not digitally accessible. This lack of accessibility prevents customers wi...
Behind BridgeFund’s friendly facade lies a risky credit model: ‘Incomprehensible that they have a quality mark’
Dutch credit provider BridgeFund is facing scrutiny over its business model, which operates outside of traditional financial supervision despite its approachable marketing. Critics question the solidi...
Development bank FMO: food prices rising sharply due to higher gas prices, and that's not all
FMO CEO Michael Jongeneel reports that rising gas prices and the conflict in the Middle East are driving up food prices and impacting the bank's financed partners more than previous trade wars. Howeve...
Petrol and diesel cars increasingly less popular, electric vehicle sales also decline
New petrol and diesel car sales across the European Union saw a significant decline in February compared to the previous year. While electric vehicles are generally gaining popularity, sales in the Ne...
Reader question: Discount on full crates of beer but not individual bottles. Is that allowed?
This article addresses a consumer question regarding whether retailers are permitted to offer discounts on full crates of beer while excluding individual bottles from the same promotion. It clarifies ...
Microsoft executive opposes mandatory Windows account: ‘I hate it’
A high-ranking technical executive at Microsoft has publicly criticized the company's requirement for users to link a Microsoft account to Windows. His comments align with long-standing privacy concer...
Switch 2 sells worse than expected, Nintendo cuts production
Nintendo is reducing Switch 2 production by one-third following disappointing sales figures in the United States. This decrease marks a significant shift from last year, when the company had to increa...
DHL Express employees on strike again
DHL Express employees in the North-Netherlands are conducting a day-long strike on Tuesday organized by unions FNV and CNV. This action represents the fourth strike in a short period resulting from an...
Record new construction for housing associations, but still 10,000 homes a year short
Dutch housing corporations built a record 21,500 new homes last year, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Despite this achievement, the sector still falls 10,000 units short of the...
Major renovation of Woonopmaat flats too expensive, housing association looks to Diepenbrock in Heemskerk
Housing association Woonopmaat has canceled plans to renovate three apartment blocks near Heliomare after determining the project was too complex and financially unfeasible. The organization is now sh...
One in three new homes in Haarlem was from a housing association last year
In Haarlem, housing corporations accounted for 70 of the 240 new homes completed last year. These figures, released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), show that nearly one-third of the city's new housin...
Harteheem in Heemkerk to be redeveloped. New construction to start in 2028: ‘Major step toward a more sustainable and greener Harteheem’
The Hartekamp Groep has announced plans to redevelop the Harteheem care facility in Heemskerk to improve safety, sustainability, and overall modernization. The project aims to replace outdated buildin...
Fraud report filed against home battery sellers: ‘It’s always the same people’
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has filed a fraud report against home battery sellers who use deceptive tactics to lock consumers into contracts costing up to €20,000. Victims ar...
Older workers spared while younger ones take on more: ‘Pressure will continue to rise’
As the state pension age rises in the Netherlands, more older employees are opting to reduce their working hours leading up to retirement. Employers express concern that this trend will create an unfa...
Struggling W Hotel to be overhauled after all: ‘The lobby must become a living room for the city’
Australia and EU sign major free trade agreement after years of negotiations
Australia and the European Union signed a comprehensive free trade agreement in Canberra on Tuesday following years of negotiations. The deal aims to strengthen economic ties and facilitate trade betw...
Police release footage of suspicious explosion at Zuidas office building
Bahrain drafts UN resolution against Iranian shipping attacks
Bahrain has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution seeking authorization for countries to use all necessary means to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal fol...
Large part of Dutch fishing fleet stays in port due to high fuel prices
A significant portion of the Dutch fishing fleet is remaining in port this week due to soaring fuel prices. The trade association VisNed described the decision to stay ashore as a highly exceptional m...
Epe imposes penalty on Fletcher over asylum shelter, chain refuses to pay
The municipality of Epe has imposed a daily fine of 17,250 euros on Fletcher Hotels for continuing to house asylum seekers past a set deadline. The hotel chain faces a maximum penalty of 3.1 million e...
Idea Books distribution center destroyed by fire at scooter company
Barge springs leak at lock complex, nearly sinks, but hole is temporarily patched
An inland navigation vessel developed a leak and nearly sank on Monday afternoon at the Steigersweg along the North Sea Canal. Emergency response teams were able to perform provisional repairs to stab...
Stock markets end higher despite Iranian denial of talks
European stock markets closed higher on Monday following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a five-day pause in attacks on Iranian energy facilities to facilitate talks. Market gains were lat...
Business owners hit hard by devastating fire: "Everything I have built is gone"
A devastating fire at the Nieuwe Hemweg in Amsterdam's Westpoort area has destroyed multiple business premises, primarily affecting small entrepreneurs in the food sector. Many business owners lost th...
Coach companies fear losing customers due to higher fuel costs
Dutch touring car companies are concerned about losing customers as they attempt to pass on rising fuel costs to their clients. This particularly impacts businesses providing transport for school trip...
Farewell, encryption: Meta will soon be able to see your private Instagram messages
Starting in May, Meta will discontinue the option for encrypted private messaging on Instagram. This change means the company will be able to access and monitor users' personal communications on the p...
Schiphol ruling has no immediate impact on number of flights
The maximum number of flights at Schiphol Airport will remain unchanged for now following a ruling by the Council of State that scrapped certain regulations. The Human Environment and Transport Inspec...
Name brands regain ground: sugar-free drinks and protein products especially popular
Major consumer brands like Coca-Cola and Milka are regaining market share from private labels by focusing on sugar-free and protein-rich products. Energy drink brands Monster and Red Bull were among t...