The Dutch economy grew just 0.1% in the first quarter of 2026 and continued to weaken in April. At the same time, retail turnover in March was 2.9% higher than a year earlier, with online sales up 7.7%, according to national statistics agency CBS.
In its monthly economic snapshot, the agency said that 10 of the 13 indicators it tracks are now performing below their long-term trend. The composite indicator has fallen each month since the start of the year.
Industrial production fell 1.3% in February compared with January and was 0.7% lower than a year earlier. Households spent 0.5% less in February than they did a year earlier, after adjusting for prices and shopping days.
Consumer confidence also dropped sharply in April, marking the biggest drop since the covid pandemic, in a separate CBS survey published last week.
March retail picks up
CBS also found that retail turnover in March was 2.9% higher than the same month a year earlier, with sales volumes 2.2% higher. Both non-food and online turnover grew more strongly than in February.
Non-food shops, including online sellers, booked turnover 3.6% higher than in March 2025. Furniture and home furnishings led the increase at 6%, followed by recreational goods at 4.7%. Clothing turnover was up 1.6% and consumer electronics 1.2%.
Food turnover rose 1.8%, with supermarkets up 2% and specialist food shops 0.6% higher.
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