Randstad retail decline transforms city centres into multifunctional hubs
Shops in the Randstad are disappearing despite population growth, reshaping city centres into vibrant spaces for hospitality, culture, and housing. Residents may see fewer stores but more diverse amenities, as online shopping and shifting consumer habits drive this transition.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Randstad (North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht) |
| Study | Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025 |
| Decline in shops | Ongoing, particularly in non-daily retail (fashion, electronics) |
| Growth sector | Daily retail (supermarkets) |
| Online shopping growth | Slower pace, stabilising in home furnishings, DIY, and daily retail sectors |
| Tourism impact | Over 40% of hospitality spending linked to tourists |
| Vacancy pressure | Small supermarkets in smaller centres under strain |
| Symposium date | March 12, 2026 |
| Organisers | Provinces of South Holland, North Holland, and Utrecht |
The provinces of North Holland, South Holland, and Utrecht commissioned this study to assess retail trends and guide policy decisions. Their role involves fostering collaboration between municipalities, entrepreneurs, and property owners to strengthen city centres and adapt to changing consumer needs.
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Retail supply in the Randstad is shrinking, city centres face transition
The number of shops in the Randstad is declining, even as the population continues to grow rapidly. This is evident from the Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025, conducted in all municipalities in North Holland, South Holland and Utrecht on behalf of the three provinces. The study, carried out by Ipsos I&O, Movares and Sweco, shows that the retail sector has been in decline for years and that city centre areas are increasingly transforming from shopping destinations into multifunctional meeting places with hospitality, culture and other amenities.
In recent years, entrepreneurs and consumers have faced major challenges. Following the coronavirus pandemic, the Netherlands has contended with high inflation and declining consumer confidence. At the same time, shopping behaviour has continued to change due to the rise of online shopping and shifting consumer preferences.
Fewer shops, different functions
The number of shops and total retail floor space in the Randstad has further decreased, particularly in non-daily retail sectors such as fashion and electronics. The daily sector, including supermarkets, is growing in many municipalities. Meanwhile, small supermarkets in small centres are under pressure due to economies of scale and tighter margins.
Large and distinctive city centres are proving increasingly attractive to visitors. They are managing to increase their market share despite the decline in the number of shops. Medium-sized centres present a mixed picture, where distinctiveness is becoming ever more important.
City centre areas are changing
According to the study, the role of city centre areas is evolving. While shops used to be the main draw, the focus is now increasingly on a mix of functions such as hospitality, culture, services and housing. Tourism also plays a significant role: over 40% of hospitality spending in the Randstad is linked to tourist visitors.
Neighbourhood and district centres remain vital for daily amenities. Here, supermarkets and other essential services maintain a stable position with relatively low vacancy rates.
Online shopping growth slows
The growth of online shopping continues, but at a slower pace than in previous years. In sectors such as fashion, sports and electronics, the share of online spending continues to rise. In sectors like home furnishings, DIY and daily retail, this share is stabilising.
Working together to strengthen city centres
The study shows that the Randstad’s amenities structure remains robust but is under pressure in some areas. Central shopping areas near larger cities, in particular, are struggling to maintain their position. Investing in quality, collaboration between municipalities, entrepreneurs and property owners, and clear spatial choices therefore remain crucial.
The Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025 provides the provinces with new insights to further optimise efforts to support vital city centres and strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders.
Symposium on the Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025
The study’s findings were presented at the Symposium on the Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025 on March 12, 2026, at the Provincial House of South Holland in The Hague. During the symposium, key trends were discussed, and experts and policymakers engaged in dialogue about the future of retail, hospitality and city centre areas in the Randstad. The symposium was organised by the provinces of South Holland, North Holland and Utrecht.
The study is available on the Koopstromen website external link.
For questions, please contact Marissa de Jong-Krul, spokesperson for the Province of South Holland, at 06 15 64 31 65.
For press inquiries: 06 42 47 30 33