After years of decline, the number of physical stores in Limburg remained virtually the same last year. And that is quite remarkable because of the corona crisis and the increased popularity of online shopping.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), our province has just under 6,000 stores.
Slight growth
To be exact, according to the statistical office, the number of physical stores in Limburg rose very slightly, by 0.07 percent. That’s an increase of about a handful of stores across the province. However, this does not mean that no stores had to close their doors. Only about as many stores opened as closed.
In fourteen municipalities the number of shops decreased slightly, in fifteen municipalities the number of shops increased slightly and in two municipalities the number remained exactly the same.
Compared to 2010, the number of physical stores in Limburg has decreased sharply. Twelve years ago, Limburg still had more than 7,340 stores. There are now about 6,000 left.
For the first time in years
Nationally, the number of physical stores increased again for the first time in ten years. On 1 January this year, there were about 83,800 store locations, 655 more than at the beginning of 2021. The number of stores selling food products in particular rose. The number of bookstores actually fell the most.
Clothing stores make up the largest group of all stores. About one in six stores sell clothing. Household goods stores and supermarkets both account for 8 percent of the store base.
The number of online stores has increased significantly in recent years. In 2020, online shopping already took off due to corona. The number of online stores also grew strongly last year, by 28 percent.