The Netherlands has more shops: ‘But inner cities have no use for DIY stores’

The Netherlands has added 1,100 physical stores, but don’t imagine too much, says chairman of Ondernemend Nederland, Erik Ziengs, in Good Morning Netherlands on NPO 1. “That is three or four stores per municipality. There is still a lot of vacancy in the inner cities.”

It seems like such good news. In times of online shopping, Statistics Netherlands reports that the number of physical stores has increased again. On January 1, the Netherlands had more than 83,000 cases, 1,100 more than last year. Statistics Netherlands suspects that the increase is due to the end of the corona period. People are going outside again and that gives entrepreneurs confidence.

However, the chairman of Ondernemend Nederland states that the flag cannot be taken out for a long time. For example, he emphasizes that there are mainly DIY stores, no fewer than 310. “They are mainly located on industrial estates. This is of no use to inner cities,” says Ziengs. “Tattoo shops and nail salons are mainly opening in inner cities. Thank you thunder. The closure of the V&D at the time left thousands of square meters of retail space vacant. You can’t solve that with a few shops in the city center.”

Parking fees

Ziengs says that municipalities can do a lot to improve the retail offering in their locality. “Parking rates that are rising, the emission-free zones that are being introduced in various cities, the permit policy. These are a number of things that make an entrepreneur in the city center think: thank you, I will go somewhere else, then I will be more accessible.”

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As far as the chairmen are concerned, municipalities work more flexibly. He advocates more mixed forms. “This means that a liquor store that is currently only allowed to sell drinks will soon be able to organize a tasting with a snack. Or catering companies that offer their tables and chairs for sale.”

Charles Dickens

According to Ziengs, experience is the key word. ”In that respect, Deventer is doing well, with themes such as Charles Dickens. In Groningen, artists could settle for a low rate in a street that was not doing well. Artists show their work, you can see how to make chocolate. Normally you don’t make any money with such a formula, but if you have a low rent and create an experience, shoppers will come to you.”

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