Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Social distancing reminders on the Nieuwendijk, a major shopping street in Amsterdam Centrum. May 28, 2020
Social distancing reminders on the Nieuwendijk, a major shopping street in Amsterdam Centrum. May 28, 2020 - Credit: NL Times / NL Times
Business
Locatus
retail vacancy
Coronavirus
coronavirus support measures
Gertjan Slob
lockdown
Thursday, 19 August 2021 - 19:30
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Slightly fewer vacant stores despite coronavirus

While physical stores had a hard time during the coronavirus lockdowns, the vacancy rate of stores in the Netherlands actually decreased slightly. At the start of of this year, 7.5 percent of retail properties were empty. In August that decreased to 7.2 percent - even less than the 7.4 percent vacancy in pre-pandemic March 2020, data from Locatus showed, NOS reports.

On August 1, there were 600 fewer empty retail properties than on January 1. This may be explained by the government's coronavirus support packages keeping struggling businesses afloat. But there are major differences between the different shopping areas, Locatus said.

Shops that provide daily groceries remained relatively untouched by the pandemic restrictions. "In fact, due to the closure of the catering industry, many supermarkets and specialty stores experienced significant turnover growth," Gertjan Slob of Locatus said to NOS. Shopping areas that mainly focus on daily shopping saw the vacancy rate drop from 9.1 percent in January to 8.4 percent now. Furniture and do-it-yourself stores also did well during the lockdowns, resulting in the vacancy rate on furniture boulevards dropping from 6.7 to 6.3 percent.

The 17 large city centers, on the other hand, saw their vacancy rate increase from 7.9 percent to 8.3 percent. "Before corona, these centers did relatively well. But the increase in online purchases, avoidance of crowded places, and the absence of foreign tourists is now felt the hardest here," Slob said to the broadcaster. He expects that the pandemic will be a game changer for the large city centers. "Despite the high number of vaccinated people, we don't seem to be rid of corona for the time being. When people go shopping now, they prefer to stay close to home, in a place where it is not too busy and where they can get to with their own transport."

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Dutch man in wheelchair accused of beating, robbing German tourist on Mallorca
  • Rhine falls to record low water level at Dutch entry point; Measures readied for waterways
  • Healthcare unions issue ultimatum for Long Covid compensation
  • Amsterdam police to tackle rise in shootings & explosions at ATMs, cafes, and homes
  • Video: Flooding reported in various places due to Wednesday night rainfall
  • Bullying, emotional abuse was common in elite Dutch triathlon training program: Report

Top stories

  • Rhine falls to record low water level at Dutch entry point; Measures readied for waterways
  • Bullying, emotional abuse was common in elite Dutch triathlon training program: Report
  • Residents protesting asylum center want to buy the hotel intended for asylum seekers
  • Single average Dutch people have nearly no chance of buying a home: Mortgage advisor
  • NS workers announce relay-strikes starting next week
  • Dutch economy recorded strong growth in second quarter despite inflation

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content