With the lack of reasonable shopping hours, decent selection in stores, and bad customer service, I think online retailers in Holland and nearby European countries will only see their profits grow. Except for consumables like food, I never shop in Dutch stores anymore. The government can keep restricting us consumers, but it will only be at the cost of the bricks-and-mortar shops. Wake up, it is 2011!

By Quest | March 30, 2011 11:57 PM

I agree with Quest. I love online shopping, not only for the reasons mentioned by Q, but also the savings; the sending costs are always cheaper than parking fees. Most online retailers have a "no problem" approach to returns or the rare missing package.Try to find that in a NL shop.

By AW | March 31, 2011 9:01 AM

Why would I shop in the store if they close at 6.00? I leave my work at about 6. So, I just order from Germany or other EU country. It is also cheaper than NL. At the end, customers like me pay vat to other countries, which makes Netherlands to lose money.

By Emre | March 31, 2011 9:55 AM