Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Grand’Italia, which brought Italian cuisine to the Netherlands, could soon be in French hands
The pasta sauce brand Grand’Italia may soon be acquired by the French company Pimente Investissement, a subsidiary of the investor CVC. Current owner GBfoods Europe confirmed it is in advanced negot...
After a century, Gudde family quits herring trade: 'Rejected six times for a larger stall'
After four generations and nearly a century in the trade, the Gudde family is closing their Amsterdam herring stall as 69-year-old Lucien Gudde retires. The business will not be passed down to his son...
Power grid in three provinces reaching capacity, connection freeze looms
Grid operator TenneT announced on Thursday that the high-voltage power grid in the Dutch provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland, and Flevoland has reached its capacity limits. Consequently, the operator war...
No more raspberries and blueberries at Albert Heijn: ‘Extreme weather will hit all of Europe’
Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn is experiencing a shortage of fresh raspberries and blueberries due to extreme weather conditions in Spain and Morocco. The retailer has placed signs in stores inf...
Spotify soaring despite disgruntled bands quitting: ‘You only make an impact if Taylor Swift leaves’
Spotify reached record-breaking audience numbers last year despite several bands leaving the platform in protest of the company's policies. The streaming service's growth continued even as it faced cr...
Heineken in a bind: beer prices rise but consumers refuse to pay more
Heineken is facing a crisis as rising beer prices meet strong resistance from both supermarkets and consumers, particularly in the European market. The brewer is struggling with declining performance ...
Officials: Ending sea cruises could jeopardize funding for bridge over the IJ
Amsterdam officials have warned that banning sea cruises by 2035 and canceling a new terminal could jeopardize state funding for major projects, including bridges over the IJ and new housing developme...
Ton developed an alarm system after his great-uncle spent 36 hours on the floor following a fall
Ton van Hekezen from Bunnik developed a new alarm system after his great-uncle spent 36 hours injured in a bathroom following a fall. The device is designed to prevent long delays in discovery and aim...
Ukrainian supermarket workers surprised by photo in Haarlem picture book
A supermarket owner in Haarlem-Noord honored his Ukrainian employees by featuring their group photo on the back cover of a new historical picture book about the city. The staff, who arrived as refugee...
Ray of hope for new Westeinder campsite owner: municipality issues permit after all
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has granted an operating permit to Kleen Estate for camping De Westeinder, reversing an earlier refusal based on past asbestos violations. While this is a legal vict...
Memarian family makes royal carpets: formerly in Iran, now in the Netherlands
Sadegh Memarian, who fled Iran in 1995 to escape political repression, has established a renowned carpet restoration studio in Cruquius, Netherlands. Continuing a multi-generational family craft that ...
Scent card to identify drug labs
Police and local authorities in Haarlem recently distributed specialized scent cards to business owners in the Waarderpolder to help them identify the anise-like smell associated with XTC production. ...
New halls and an underground entrance: this is the plan for the new Paradiso
The iconic Amsterdam music venue Paradiso has unveiled a €93 million renovation plan featuring two new halls, an underground entrance, and a sound wall to address long-standing noise complaints. The...
Business premises closed after discovery of drugs and fireworks
Mayor Jos Wienen has closed three business premises in the Waarderpolder industrial area of Haarlem after police discovered 666 hemp plants and nearly 1,100 kilograms of illegal fireworks. The illegal...
Zuidas Market started as a trial among the office towers: "Now 300 to 400 people visit during lunch"
The Zuidas Market in Amsterdam has evolved from a 2021 trial into a permanent weekly fixture at George Gershwinplein, securing a five-year permit in 2023. Every Thursday, the market attracts hundreds ...
Many nightlife businesses worried about the future: Fishing in the same pond
A survey of 26 Amsterdam nightlife businesses reveals that nearly half of entrepreneurs fear for their survival due to declining visitor numbers and falling revenues. This downturn is attributed to ri...
Mega cinema with screen three canal houses wide opens tomorrow in Houthavens
British cinema chain Vue is opening a new 15-screen mega cinema in Amsterdam’s Houthavens district tomorrow, featuring advanced laser projection and luxury seating. The facility, which is Amsterdamâ...
NXT Museum files for bankruptcy due to COVID debts and ongoing industry pressure
Amsterdam's NXT Museum has filed for bankruptcy, citing significant debts from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing financial pressure on the cultural sector. The museum plans to remain open until Decemb...
Council criticizes GVB over treatment of staff: GVB finds apologizing quite difficult
Amsterdam city council members have sharply criticized public transport operator GVB for its poor treatment of employees and a culture of intimidation, with several political parties calling for the i...
Growing criticism of GVB, yet it is always granted the right to operate here: why?
Despite mounting criticism over service disruptions, safety incidents, and mismanagement, Amsterdam’s public transport provider GVB was recently granted a new 11-year exclusive operating contract. W...
You can't peak too early in your career: 'As long as you have a goal'
Recent high-profile political successes, such as Rob Jetten's potential premiership in the Netherlands and Zohran Mamdani's mayoral win in New York, have raised questions about peaking too early in a ...
NU+ | SHEIN fails miserably: how to buy sex toys safely?
Chinese webshop SHEIN has removed its entire adult toy range from its platform after facing legal complaints in France for selling child sex dolls. The controversy has sparked a broader discussion on ...
NU+ | This is how to send a sniffling colleague home
The article provides advice on how to encourage colleagues who are coughing or sneezing to leave the office and work from home instead. By convincing sick coworkers to stay away from the workplace, em...
Nuisance from illegal street races in the port area: It's life-threatening
Illegal street racing and drifting in Amsterdam’s Westelijk Havengebied are causing significant safety concerns, noise, and litter for local businesses, some of which handle hazardous materials. Des...
NU+ | Reorganization or mass layoffs at your company: how to survive?
Major companies such as Nestlé, ING, and NPO have announced significant layoffs and reorganizations, with some positions being replaced by artificial intelligence. The article explores effective stra...
NU+ | Sustainable flying or organic coffee: how reliable are such claims?
The Dutch consumer organization Consumentenbond recently reprimanded travel company Corendon for making vague sustainability claims regarding its flights. This incident highlights ongoing concerns abo...
NU+ | Power outages will be more frequent this winter: what should you do?
Dutch grid operator Enexis has warned that power outages are more likely to occur this winter, advising residents to prepare by keeping flashlights easily accessible. The utility provider is offering ...
NU+ | What is your Pokémon card, Barbie or action figure worth now?
Vintage toys such as Pokémon cards, Barbies, and G.I. Joe action figures are currently reaching values of hundreds of euros due to high demand driven by nostalgia. Dealer Andy Chen notes that the mar...
Better not buy your ski pass at the ticket window: 'Everyone will use dynamic pricing within five years'
Ski resorts are increasingly adopting dynamic pricing models, making on-site ticket purchases significantly more expensive as demand reaches record highs. Experts predict that most slopes will impleme...
Mayor Halsema closed 431 buildings in five years: excessive measure or necessary for peace?
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema ordered the closure of 431 buildings between 2020 and July 2025 to restore public order following incidents involving drugs, weapons, or violence. While the measure is in...