The Dutch economy grew just 0.1% in the first quarter of 2026 and continued to weaken in April. At the same time, retail turnover in March was 2.9% higher than a year earlier, with online sales up 7.7%, according to national statistics agency CBS.

In its monthly economic snapshot, the agency said that 10 of the 13 indicators it tracks are now performing below their long-term trend. The composite indicator has fallen each month since the start of the year.

Industrial production fell 1.3% in February compared with January and was 0.7% lower than a year earlier. Households spent 0.5% less in February than they did a year earlier, after adjusting for prices and shopping days.

Consumer confidence also dropped sharply in April, marking the biggest drop since the covid pandemic, in a separate CBS survey published last week.

March retail picks up

CBS also found that retail turnover in March was 2.9% higher than the same month a year earlier, with sales volumes 3.4% higher. Both non-food and online turnover grew more strongly than in February.

Non-food shops, including online sellers, booked turnover 3.6% higher than in March 2025. Furniture and home furnishings led the increase at 6%, followed by recreational goods at 4.7%. Clothing turnover was up 1.6% and consumer electronics 1.2%.

Food turnover rose 1.8%, with supermarkets up 2% and specialist food shops 0.6% higher.