Dutch retail turnover grows modestly in February, online sales surge ahead
Dutch shoppers spent 1.3% more in February 2026 compared to last year, with online sales jumping 3.4%. While supermarkets and home furnishing stores saw gains, food volume dipped slightly, reflecting shifting consumer habits.
| Category | Turnover Change (YoY) | Volume Change (YoY) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Retail | +1.3% | +0.6% |
| Non-food Retail | +1.2% | +1.0% |
| - Furniture & Home | +5.5% | - |
| - Pharmacies | +5.3% | - |
| - Consumer Electronics | +3.0% | - |
| - Clothing & Shoes | +2.0% | - |
| Food Retail | +1.4% | -0.2% |
| - Supermarkets | +1.6% | - |
| - Specialty Food Stores | +0.1% | - |
| Online Sales | +3.4% | - |
| - Pure Online Retailers | +2.9% | - |
| - Multichannel Retailers | +4.4% | - |
| - Online Food & Pharmacies | +8.9% | - |
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) monitors economic trends, including retail performance, to inform government policy and business strategies. These figures help assess consumer confidence and economic health, guiding decisions on subsidies, regulations, and fiscal measures.
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Retail turnover increases by 1.3 percent in February
The retail sector recorded a 1.3 percent increase in turnover in February compared to February 2025, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Sales volume was 0.6 percent higher. Non-food retail (including non-store retail) saw a 1.2 percent rise in turnover, while the food sector (shops selling food and beverages) reported a 1.4 percent increase. Online sales were 3.4 percent higher than a year earlier.
The turnover figures have been adjusted for the composition of shopping days in February. Since sales vary by day of the week, this adjustment is necessary. In February 2026, this correction had no impact on the figures. Without the adjustment, retail turnover would also have been 1.3 percent higher than in February 2025.
Non-food retail turnover up by 1.2 percent
Turnover in the non-food sector (including non-store retail) rose by 1.2 percent in February 2026. The volume of sales, adjusted for price changes, was 1.0 percent higher than a year earlier.
Shops selling furniture and home furnishings recorded a 5.5 percent increase in turnover compared to February 2025. Pharmacies saw a 5.3 percent rise in turnover. Consumer electronics stores achieved nearly 3 percent higher turnover than in the same month a year earlier, while clothing stores and shops selling shoes and leather goods each saw growth of almost 2 percent. Turnover for recreational goods stores remained unchanged compared to a year earlier.
Food retail turnover up by 1.4 percent
Shops selling food and beverages recorded a 1.4 percent increase in turnover in February compared to February 2025. However, sales volume was 0.2 percent lower than a year earlier. Supermarkets saw a 1.6 percent rise in turnover, while specialty stores reported a 0.1 percent increase.
Online sales up by 3.4 percent
Online sales in February 2026 were 3.4 percent higher than in February 2025. Pure online retailers (businesses whose main activity is selling via the internet) recorded a 2.9 percent increase in turnover compared to the same month a year earlier. The online turnover of multichannel retailers (shops that sell both in-store and online) was 4.4 percent higher.
Online sales of food and pharmacy retailers were nearly 9 percent higher than in the same month a year earlier. Clothing and fashion retailers saw a 3.7 percent increase in online turnover. Other non-food retailers recorded growth of 0.3 percent. Online turnover for consumer electronics retailers remained unchanged compared to February 2025.