The Netherlands

Direct-to-consumer platform Productpine has raised 2,5 million euros in seed capital. The startup wants to use the money to scale up and work with more international partners. Currently, they offer over 90 brands.

Dutch ecommerce businesses were able to increase their turnover with 23.6 percent when compared to 2020. While this turnover growth is higher than what physical stores achieved, it's evident that the strong ecommerce growth in the country is slowing down. In comparison: in 2020 the online turnover growth was almost 44 percent.

According to new European rules, customers have a product guarantee up to 2 years. When the product breaks, retailers are not allowed to ask for a usage fee. But with longer guarantee periods in Finland and the Netherlands, this can cause problems for online merchants.

Of all sellers on the Dutch version of Amazon, only 2 percent is from the Netherlands. Most of these sellers handle their own logistics. Most Dutch sellers offer home items and clothing, which are the most popular products among Dutch online shoppers.

Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn has grown its market share to 35.9 percent in 2021. Its online channel, where customers order groceries, has helped achieve this growth. Up to 10 percent of the company's revenue come from this channel.

Flash delivery startups have seen their turnover grow in the Netherlands. Research estimates that by the end of 2021, Dutch consumers were spending around 40 million euros per month on flash deliveries. This growth is expected to continue throughout this year, meaning that a total turnover of 1 billion euros can be achieved in 2022.

Bol.com, the largest online store in the Netherlands and Belgium, is to acquire Dutch bicycle courier company Cycloon. With the takeover the online store wants to deliver more sustainably. Moreover, Bol.com will deliver its own parcels for the first time.

Dutch grocery delivery startup Pieter Pot has raised 9 million euros in a funding round. The company will use this capital injection to accelerate its expansion. Pieter Pot is already active in the Netherlands and Belgium, but now wants to expand its range across more European markets.

Dutch payment service provider Buckaroo has been acquired by Keensight Capital for more than 150 million euros. The acquisition will be finalized in the second quarter of 2022. This is the third time that Buckaroo is sold.

As of this week, Dutch online retailers have formed an employer's organization called E-commerce Netherlands. The organization is supposed to strengthen the branch, which is growing quickly. It will also bring Dutch ecommerce closer to forming a collective labor agreement.

Dutch online auction company TBAuctions will be acquired by Castik Capital. Due to the acquisition, TBAuctions can accelerate its European expansion. The closing of the acquisition is expected at the end of this year.

Wehkamp, the online department store from the Netherlands, is looking into an initial public offering (IPO). Their largest shareholder Apax wants to leave the company. An attempt to sell the retailer privately fell through.

The Dutch online seller of cushions with infrared heating, has entered the French and Danish market. In addition to these countries, the company is already active in Germany, Belgium and Austria as well. Due to its fast growth, Stoov won the number one spot in the Dutch CrossBorder Top 30.

Bol.com is expected to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in the second half of 2022. Its holding, Ahold Delhaize, wants to use the public offering to raise extra finances and fulfill the platform's growth potential. The holding also announces other plans for the coming years.

Estonian tech company Feeport has launched its software platform x7trade in the Dutch market. Through the platform, imported bulk low-value B2C goods’ declarations can be automatically logged to EU Member States’ Customs IT systems. Feeport is eyeing further integrations with more states within the EU.