A Dictionary of Dutchness

V&D

V&D stands for Vroom en Dreesmann, one of the largest department store chains in the Netherlands. The empire was created in 1887 when Amsterdam shop owners and brothers-in-law Willem Vroom and Anton Dreesmann joined forces. There are now some 60 shops nationwide employing nearly 12,000 staff. The stores have undergone several revamps in recent years in an effort to shake off their old- fashioned image. V&D is part of the Maxeda retail group.