D. Tighe
Research expert covering consumer behavior, sporting goods retail, and the global toy industry.
Retail trade in the Netherlands - statistics & facts
Although it may not be as large as other European countries, such as Germany and France, the Netherlands is home to roughly 18 million people, is one of Europe’s strongest economies today. Over the past several years, the country’s retail trade sales turnover has developed positively, ultimately increasing by more than 40 index points in 2023, compared to the base year of 2015.
In 2023, many retail industries fared well and experienced growth when it came to retail sales. For instance, grocery stores, drug stores, and specialty food stores each experienced about an eight percent increase in revenue, with grocery stores leading the pack by a small margin. The consumer electronics and DIY sectors, on the other hand, saw a slight drop compared to the previous year.
It comes as no surprise that the number of online retail options has increased, given just how many people now use the internet, both in the Netherlands and worldwide. In Europe, it is estimated that there will be nearly 450 million B2C e-commerce users by 2029, a projected increase of over 100 million compared to 2024.
Key retail figures
As of 2022, there were some 300 thousand wholesale and retail trade enterprises located on Dutch soil. This is more than twice the number of enterprises found in the neighboring country of Belgium. During that year, these Dutch wholesale and retail companies generated a total of over 975 billion euros of turnover, a significant increase compared to even just 2021. Back in 2013, the country’s wholesale and retail trade turnover stood at an estimated 600 billion euros.In 2023, many retail industries fared well and experienced growth when it came to retail sales. For instance, grocery stores, drug stores, and specialty food stores each experienced about an eight percent increase in revenue, with grocery stores leading the pack by a small margin. The consumer electronics and DIY sectors, on the other hand, saw a slight drop compared to the previous year.
Online retail in the Netherlands
The increasing relevance of e-commerce is not to be neglected when analyzing the retail industry, and that is especially the case in a wealthy country like the Netherlands. In fact, as of late 2023, it was estimated that about a quarter of enterprises in the Netherlands sell goods and services online, a noticeable increase compared to about a decade ago. This growth does not simply apply to specific industries, as the number of digital store fronts for many kinds of products has increased in the Netherlands over time.It comes as no surprise that the number of online retail options has increased, given just how many people now use the internet, both in the Netherlands and worldwide. In Europe, it is estimated that there will be nearly 450 million B2C e-commerce users by 2029, a projected increase of over 100 million compared to 2024.
