On January 1, 2022, the Netherlands had almost 84 thousand stores, 655 more than a year earlier. This number is still considerably lower than in 2010, when there were almost 97 thousand stores in our country. In 2021, the number of online stores increased by no less than 28%.
The first increase in the number of physical stores in 12 years is a break in the trend after years of decline. Nevertheless, CBS researcher Marjolijn Jaarsma has a comment. “This figure refers to January 1, 2022. Then there was also inflation, but not as bad as in recent weeks due to the war in Ukraine and the increased energy prices. Nevertheless, the development is striking. It is a run-out from the corona crisis where we worked more from home and ate at home.”
Alieke van der Perk stands proudly in her shop Locals Utrecht in the center of the cathedral city, where she sells local delicacies. She is one of 655 new stores that opened last year.
Rene Bouwman
Nutrition
That is why more shops have been opened that sell food. The frontrunners are bakers (+4.7%), cheese and delicatessen shops and supermarkets (both +4.4%). The big losers of 2021 are outlets for reading and stationery (-7%) and bookstores (-8.1%). Statistics Netherlands states that the decrease in the number of bookstores in 2021 was greater than the loss of bookstores in the three preceding years combined. “Books are easy to order online and receive in the letterbox,” says Jaarsma.
Champion
In 57% of the municipalities, the number of shops has increased in 2021, with Vlieland (+18.2%) and Bergen (+17.5%), in particular, standing out. In Oostzaan (-9.4%) and Lopik (-8.8%) most retailers will have closed their doors in 2021. Haarlemmermeer is the champion of store openings in the major cities with 4.3% more stores. The number of stores decreased the most in 2021 in Den Bosch (-1.2%).
ABN Amro reported Monday that many retailers are struggling to find staff. This may put new store openings at risk.