abn amro

Dutch users sent a record 756,316 Tikkie payments on King’s Day, 9 percent more than last year and nearly 57 percent above an average day in 2026.

ABN AMRO has cut its growth outlook for the Dutch do‑it‑yourself sector to 2 percent in 2026, down from 3 percent, as the Iran war, higher inflation, and weaker consumer confidence weigh on home‑improvement spending. More homeowners are taking on small repairs themselves, while rising costs and online competition squeeze margins at DIY chains like Hornbach, Gamma, Karwei, and Praxis.

Former ASML CEO Peter Wennink warns that the current wave of job cuts at major Dutch companies is a sign of deeper changes to come. He suggests that rapid advances in AI and rising costs in essential sectors will force a total rethink of how the national workforce is used.

A new retail forecast suggests that Dutch shoppers will continue to embrace digital storefronts in 2026, driven by a blend of online research and physical browsing. While overall retail spending is set to rise slightly as inflation eases, shopkeepers must navigate rising costs and fierce competition from global webshops. Meanwhile, a notable boom in the DIY in home improvement sector is trend.

Wealth experts have raised the alarm over the Dutch government’s new asset tax plans, warning of legal loopholes and unfair costs for investors. The proposed 2028 system could see taxpayers paying for "recoveries" rather than actual profits, potentially leading to forced property sales.

Dutch mortgage applications dropped sharply in January, with homebuyer requests down over a quarter from last year. HDN data reveals a slowdown after 2025's rate-driven peak, amid persistent housing shortages. Stable but slightly lower average home values signal a cautious market start.