Business

ING economist Rico Luman says the Netherlands can cope better with low Rhine water levels because it has more navigable routes. Germany faces major disruption, with ships loading only a fraction of their capacity and industries struggling to stay supplied. Dutch companies are improvising with ships, rail, and road, but delays and higher costs continue to rise.

Bijenkorf customers now face delivery dates in early September after a security incident at CEVA Logistics. The same leak has disrupted operations at bol, Ace & Tate, and Ajax, with some orders cancelled and others delayed. Several companies warn that unauthorised persons may have accessed customer data.

Institutional investors are buying thousands of homes, yet the private rental supply keeps shrinking. CBRE warns that most purchased homes end up being sold instead of rented out, leaving students and young first‑time buyers with fewer options. The trend is likely to continue for years.

Airbnb has raised its full-year revenue outlook after a surge in travel demand and the FIFA World Cup pushed quarterly bookings up 10 percent to 148.3 million. Revenue grew 17 percent to $3.6 billion, while new host listings jumped as property owners capitalized on the tournament. The platform also cut customer service costs using artificial intelligence tools and remains optimistic about sustained momentum through the remainder of the year.

ING says a data leak at a logistics partner may have exposed customer contact details linked to ING Points orders, but financial information and bank systems were not affected.

Researchers argue that subsidizing electric lease cars is a cost‑effective way to protect low‑income households from transport poverty, offering a structural alternative to broad fuel tax cuts.

Fast food outlets now account for more than half of all food venues across the Netherlands after two decades of steady expansion. Rising personal incomes and shifting consumer habits continue to push residents towards quick dining options. Dense tourist spots lead the growth, while rural eastern districts maintain far lower concentrations.

Dutch sugar beet farmers are seeing major yield losses due to drought and heat, with similar problems in Germany and France. Falling groundwater levels, plant diseases, and limited irrigation are putting pressure on European sugar production.