Netherlands

Over half of consumers in the Netherlands try to have a positive impact on the planet, shaping sustainable purchasing decisions. This leads to over 50% of consumers reducing food waste and plastic use, while locally sourced recyclable goods would be…

Sports drinks has shown another solid performance in 2023, with the category poised to record robust growth in off- and on-trade volume sales. Consumption continues to be bolstered by rising participation in sports and fitness activities in the…

Following two years of decline, soft drinks in the Netherlands has seen off-trade volume sales tip back into positive territory in 2023, with most categories set to record improved results in this respect. Given the importance of impulse purchases…

RTD tea has shown another positive performance in 2023, with off-trade volume growth set to surpass that recorded in 2022 and growth in on-trade volume sales remaining robust despite slowing due to the ongoing normalisation of foodservice consumption…

RTD coffee has remained by far the most dynamic of the main soft drinks categories in the Netherlands in off-trade volume growth terms in 2023. This is partly because sales are still emerging from a relatively low base, though booming demand also…

Juice is set to register a negative performance in off-trade volume terms for the third year in a row in 2023. As with carbonates, this is partly because the cost-of-living crisis has led Dutch consumers to rein in discretionary spending, but mainly…

While energy drinks in the Netherlands has continued to witness steep price hikes in 2023, off-trade volume growth is set to surpass that recorded in 2022. This improvement is partly explained by increased appreciation for the stimulant effect of…

Concentrates have long been considered a more economical alternative to other types of soft drinks by Dutch consumers. However, the traditional advantage they enjoy in this regard has recently been eroded by steep price hikes amidst high inflation…

Carbonates in the Netherlands is poised to contract in off-trade volume terms for a third consecutive year in 2023. This is partly because health concerns are increasingly leading people to move away from these products in favour of other types of…

After posting declines in off-trade volume sales over 2021-2022 due to significant price increases, bottled water has shown a modest return to growth in this respect in 2023. While the upward trend in average unit prices has persisted, hikes have not…

Retail volume sales of vacuum cleaners declined in 2023 partly due to consumers' reluctance to spend on new appliances, while others had already invested in new vacuum cleaners during COVID-19. The cylinder vacuum cleaner, the largest category, faced…

Small cooking appliances registered a decline in retail volume sales in 2023, as consumers were reluctant to spend on unnecessary appliances given the difficult economic environment. Additionally, some consumers had already invested in small cooking…

Refrigeration appliances saw a decline in retail volume sales in the Netherlands in 2023 as consumers continued to be cautious about spending on big purchases. The boom in sales during the outbreak of COVID-19 also accounts for the decline in retail…

Personal care appliances registered a decline in retail volume sales in 2023, as consumers remained cautious of their spending, focusing on essentials during economic uncertainty. Body shavers, electric facial cleaners, and hair care appliances all…

Microwaves declined in retail volume sales in 2023, with inflationary pressure leading consumers to be unwilling to spend on appliances. Microwaves was also particularly affected by the boost in sales during the pandemic years, with more consumers…

Large cooking appliances registered retail volume growth in 2023, driven by built-in hobs, the largest product area. All other areas, including ovens, cooker hoods and freestanding cookers, declined in volume sales as they have a stronger alliance…

Home laundry faced a decline in retail volume sales in 2023 as price-sensitive consumers were reluctant to spend on big ticket items. Additionally, sales of home laundry appliances rose during COVID-19; meaning that the need to replace items was low…

Food preparation appliances recorded a decline in retail volume sales in 2023, driven by consumers' reluctance to spend on the appliances due to rising inflation. In addition, many had invested in appliances during COVID-19, having little motivation…

Dishwashers recorded a decline in retail volume sales in 2023, partly driven down by the sluggish housing market. As interest rates increased in 2023, consumers were reluctant to purchase homes or move from one home to another. As borrowing also…

Due to rising inflation and price sensitivity, sales of consumer appliances in the Netherlands were challenged in 2023. Retail volume sales of both large and smaller appliances declined as consumers remained cautious, postponing purchases, especially…

Air treatment continued to grow in 2023, as a comfortable home remained a priority for most consumers. As Dutch summers become unpredictably hot, consumers are interested in long-term solutions which are also sustainable in terms of energy use. As a…

Sales of women’s apparel are expected to maintain a stable, positive growth trajectory in 2023. Although growth may slightly lag behind the previous year, factors such as inflation, price increases, favourable weather, and a return to workplaces are…

Sportswear is rapidly gaining traction within Dutch apparel and footwear, constituting less than a quarter of total value sales in 2023. This upsurge is predominantly driven by the growing popularity of sports activities and the prevalent preference…

In the Netherlands, the demand for casualwear is driven not only by the pursuit of comfort but also by the influence of street and urban culture trends. Younger Dutch consumers are embracing streetwear styles in both clothing and footwear, prompting…

Anticipated sales in 2023 will reflect a more tempered growth in premium and super-premium jeans as consumers adopt a cautious spending approach. While economy-level jeans are projected to show positive growth, standard jeans remain the most…

Sales of hosiery are anticipated to surge, particularly in non-sheer varieties, as Dutch consumers increasingly invest in both luxurious and eco-conscious products. While there's a continued interest in premium items, shoppers are also seeking…

Footwear in 2023 continues to grapple with inflation, leading to rising unit prices and overall retail costs. The trend of inflated prices has affected sales growth, mirroring the impact observed in apparel. Intensified competition between physical…

Anticipated healthy growth in childrenswear across its three subcategories in 2023 is being propelled by sustained demand for quality products and an escalating interest in fashion and design. The extended use of social media platforms is…

The sales forecast for apparel and footwear in 2023 projects positive, albeit tempered, growth compared to the previous year. A prevailing sense of lower consumer confidence is impacting demand, leading to a more prudent approach to spending among…

Accessories sales in the Netherlands are witnessing a surge in interest among consumers, especially for fashion accessories like scarves, hats, and gloves. These items are increasingly viewed as style complements, expected to demonstrate robust…

In 2023, the landscape of staple foods is marked by several key trends and factors. Volume growth is generally down as households try to buy less and save money due to squeezed incomes. This decline in volume growth is offset by value growth driven…

The unpackaged trend is gaining momentum with increased sales of unpackaged rice and pasta in both organic and conventional supermarkets. Retailers are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint associated with packaging, attracting…

The maturing meat substitutes market is experiencing a slowdown in volume growth due to several factors. Firstly, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have played a role in the sales decline, impacting consumer behaviour and preferences.…

Processed fruit and vegetables, as a product area, faces challenges stemming from significant price increases. Manufacturers continue to grapple with the repercussions of 2022's gas price hikes, which have driven up production costs. As a result,…

Consumers are increasingly viewing breakfast cereal as a healthy option, driving the growth of muesli and granola while hindering the expansion of children's cereals, which tend to be high in sugar. In response to this, manufacturers of children's…

Bread continues to be perceived as a fundamental staple, offering affordability and nutritional value. It remains a popular choice for lunch, serving as the primary mealtime option, closely followed by breakfast. Despite the emergence of alternative…

Spreads in the Netherlands are experiencing healthy sales growth driven by a combination of factors in 2023. The expansion in population and price increases due to inflation are contributing to the organic growth in sales. Notably, the sweet spreads…

Manufacturers in the food category continue to grapple with escalating production and distribution costs, coupled with increased sector loans, mirroring the challenges faced in 2022. These factors continue to exert upward pressure on final consumer…

Soup is poised for healthy growth in 2023, defying traditional associations with cold weather consumption. Dutch consumers of all age groups continue to embrace soup as a favourite meal option. Valued for its nutritional benefits and perceived as a…

As seen in most cooking ingredients and meals, edible oils are experiencing a rapid surge in consumer prices. This surge is primarily driven by increased costs in distribution, energy, and commodities. Retailers and manufacturers already witnessed…

In 2023, Dutch consumers are navigating a challenging landscape characterised by low consumer confidence and higher-than-predicted inflation. This has prompted a significant number of consumers to seek savings in their food expenditures. Notably,…

A significant shift is underway in the realm of Dutch public transport, as the familiar OV chipkaart is being gradually phased out and replaced with a more versatile system known as OVpay. Since the start of 2023, travellers on public transport have…

In 2023, the Netherlands is experiencing its first full year without COVID-19 restrictions, leading to significant shifts in the payments landscape. For offline payments, this has resulted in a notable increase in card payments and proximity mobile…

Contactless payments, whether using a debit card or a mobile device linked to a debit card, have become an increasingly popular method of payment at physical merchant locations in the United Kingdom. This surge in popularity can be attributed to the…

In the Netherlands, credit card usage is on the rise, despite starting from a relatively small base. The key catalyst for this growth in 2023 is the resurgence of outbound travel. While travel experienced rapid growth in 2022, 2023 marked a further…

The consumer lending sector in the Netherlands is currently witnessing a significant slowdown in growth, particularly in gross lending for the year 2023. This deceleration can be attributed to increasingly stringent lending criteria. Policymakers are…

Lending institutions in the Netherlands are adapting their lending norms to accommodate inflation and the increasing cost of living. These updated lending norms predominantly affect consumer credit. By incorporating rising prices into their…

While charge card payments have experienced some growth in popularity over the review period, they remain a relatively minor payment method in the Netherlands, largely due to deeply ingrained cultural factors. Dutch consumers typically gravitate…

At the beginning of the review period, gluten free staple foods was an underdeveloped category. Specialised channels such as health food stores and organic supermarkets were the main distribution channels and consumers who struggled with issues…

The transition to low sugar and no sugar products began a few years ago, although the pandemic accelerated the trend. The pandemic brought significant changes in the way consumers approached their health and wellness which led to a sudden and…