Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Gas prices hit yearly high due to Gulf region shortage
European gas prices have hit their highest point since 2022 due to supply shortages following reduced imports from the Gulf region. This scarcity has forced Europe to compete with Asia for limited gas...
Empty shelves, saunas in the coolers: our essential services are vulnerable to cyber incidents
The grocery sector is increasingly facing cybersecurity threats, leading to incidents such as empty store shelves and malfunctioning cooling equipment. Experts warn that these vulnerabilities in essen...
Concerns in Diemen over Amsterdam's cuts to homelessness services
The municipality of Diemen is urging Amsterdam to clarify its financial commitment to regional efforts against economic homelessness amid fears of budget cuts. Officials in Diemen worry that a reducti...
Netherlands unprepared for large-scale wartime military transport: billions needed
The Dutch Court of Audit reports that the Netherlands lacks the infrastructure necessary for large-scale military transport, failing to meet several technical NATO requirements. Addressing these issue...
Ahold Delhaize sees no signs that personal data has been stolen
Ahold Delhaize is working to restore systems after a cyberattack caused widespread disruptions to its websites and distribution centers, though no evidence of data theft has been found. The Dutch gove...
Banks launch alternative to Apple and Google Wallet: My Check
Dutch banks ABN Amro, ASN, and Rabobank have launched My Check, a new digital identity wallet designed to reduce dependence on American tech companies. The app allows users to securely store and selec...
Customs processes far fewer individual packages following import duties, workload remains high
Dutch customs report a sharp decline in individual e-commerce parcels since the implementation of a 3-euro import levy, as retailers increasingly shift to bulk shipping. While this transition facilita...
Albert Heijn shelves increasingly empty: 'Today I'll be facing and mopping'
Albert Heijn stores across the Netherlands are facing widespread inventory shortages and operational hurdles due to a major cybersecurity incident affecting central IT systems. Staff are struggling to...
Customers can no longer earn Air Miles at Shell starting in November
Shell will discontinue the Air Miles loyalty program at its stations starting November 1, shifting focus to personalized rewards within its own mobile app. Customers have until the end of October to c...
IT crisis could hit Ahold Delhaize revenue, extent of damage still unclear
Ahold Delhaize is experiencing a multi-day IT disruption caused by a precautionary shutdown of systems following a cyber incident. This has halted online deliveries and caused supply chain issues in s...
Unrest among thousands of Albert Heijn temporary workers: sent home and uncertain about wages
A significant cybersecurity incident has disrupted operations at Albert Heijn, causing thousands of temporary workers to be sent home and creating uncertainty regarding their pay. The retailer's logis...
Houses on Funda unrecognizable due to AI photos: 'Didn't feel like viewing'
Dutch real estate agents are increasingly using AI-generated photos on Funda to showcase renovation possibilities, though some listings have faced criticism for misleadingly altering property features...
Ahold Delhaize loses 787 million euros in market value in one day due to IT crisis
Parent company Ahold Delhaize lost 787 million euros in market value in one day due to a major IT crisis impacting its retail chains. The technical disruption has caused logistics issues and empty she...
Netherlands ranks bottom in Europe for female board appointments
The Netherlands ranked last in Europe for the number of women appointed to supervisory board positions in the past year, according to a report by Heidrick & Struggles. Despite the low number of new fe...
Environmental regulations face lower compliance due to new Environment and Planning Act
A new report from the Council for the Environment and Infrastructure warns that the implementation of the Environmental Act is complicating the enforcement of safety and environmental regulations. The...
AH still suffering from cyber incident: groceries not delivered today, website remains down
Albert Heijn is facing widespread operational disruptions following a major cybersecurity incident that has left its website and delivery services offline. While physical stores remain open, customers...
Supermarkets spark a stroopwafel war: 3.2 cents per waffle, but why?
Dutch supermarkets are currently competing in a price war over stroopwafels, with some chains reducing costs to as low as 38 cents per pack to boost their low-price image. While most major retailers h...
Inflation rises further, with fuel prices leading the increase
Inflation in the Netherlands increased in September, largely fueled by rising fuel prices and more expensive consumer electronics. Conversely, grocery prices decreased, providing some relief as the ov...
Private landlords in Haarlem sell off property: 1,235 fewer rental homes last year
Private landlords in Haarlem sold off 1,235 rental properties last year, significantly reducing housing options for middle-income residents. The decline is attributed to stricter government regulation...
Surprise over Meta CEO's comments on AI glasses, Dutch foundation files summary proceedings
Dutch advocacy group Offlimits is taking Meta to court to stop the sale of its AI smart glasses, citing widespread misuse of the device's camera for non-consensual filming. While Meta maintains the pr...
Meta has no plans to pull controversial smart glasses from the market
Meta refuses to withdraw its smart glasses from the market despite intense criticism from Dutch privacy organizations regarding the potential for covert filming. In response, these groups are initiati...
IMF raises economic growth forecasts for the Netherlands and the world
The International Monetary Fund has raised its economic growth forecast for the Netherlands to 1.5 percent for this year, citing improved conditions and a stronger recovery in Germany. Global economic...
NHG limit rises to 500,000 euros, buyers of homes with low energy labels 'need to get to work'
The National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) threshold will rise to 500,000 euros. Simultaneously, buyers of homes with poor energy labels (E, F, or G) will be required to borrow an extra 20,000 euros for su...
Eva (27) earns 3,643 euros a month and works to pay for her hobbies: 'I won't spend more than 30 euros on dining out'
Eva de Groot, a 27-year-old IT professional earning 3243 euros monthly, works primarily to fund her creative ambitions in writing and music. She maintains a strict budget for daily expenses, such as d...
Pieterburen Seal Centre on the verge of bankruptcy
The Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen is facing bankruptcy and potential closure due to unexpected financial difficulties and insufficient visitor income following its relocation to Lauwersoog. The loss of...
Opposition slams tax plan: no support for 'sneaky freedom contribution'
The Dutch opposition is firmly rejecting the cabinet's 'freedom contribution' tax plan, which aims to fund increased defense spending by withholding inflation corrections on income taxes. Political pa...
It is tough, it is technical, but the solution for box 3 is also hyper-political
The Dutch cabinet is struggling to find a parliamentary majority for its tax plans, specifically regarding the controversial Box 3 issue. The government is currently navigating a difficult negotiation...
European aviation sector wants to adjust border controls after prolonged problems
European aviation organizations are demanding reforms to the EES border system, including more automated gates and the ability to suspend biometric checks during peak congestion. The system, implement...
Villa at Vondelpark for 20 million euros: It's like the Côte d'Azur
A detached villa located near Vondelpark in Amsterdam is currently the city's most expensive property on the market, listed for 20 million euros. While the home offers expansive living space and prime...
Ahold Delhaize remains silent after ‘likely hack’, expert calls it clumsy: ‘Trust is damaged’
Ahold Delhaize is experiencing major operational issues and website outages following a suspected cybersecurity incident that began Monday. The company has faced criticism from experts for its lack of...