Shopkeepers want action on unfair competition from web retailers

Shopkeepers are demanding officials come down hard on online retailers who also invite shoppers to visit real locations such as hotels and warehouses to view and buy products.

The trend is unfair competition for high street retailers who have to comply with strict conditions, retail lobby group Detailhandel Nederland says.

Its members have made some 500 complaints in recent years about webshops which break zoning and other rules. But this, says the organisation, is likely to be the tip of the iceberg.

Detailhandel Nederland has now set up a special website where retailers can report examples of unfair competition.

Meanwhile, the national statistics office CBS reports household spending fell a further 1.8% in May, continuing a two-year decline. In particular, spending was down on clothes, shoes and cars, the CBS said.

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