The number of shops in the Netherlands rose by 1,100 last year to over 83,000, despite fears that traditional high streets could be on their way out.

The retail outlet total has been declining steadily since 2010, despite a slight rise in 2021, according to figures from national statistics agency CBS. 

Despite the increase last year, there are still fewer shops than before the coronavirus pandemic when retailers were forced to close their doors during lockdowns. 

The biggest relative increase – nearly 13% – is in the number of bookshops. But in absolute terms, the Netherlands now has 310 more DIY stores, “perhaps because people want to spruce up their homes because they can’t find a place to move to,” said CBS economist Marjolijn Jaarsma. 

The number of specialist tobacco stores also rose. From July supermarkets will be banned from selling cigarettes, prompting some to open tobacco-only outlets.