FX.co ★ Dutch Retail Sales Growth Slows in August

Retail sales in the Netherlands witnessed a 3.6% year-on-year rise in August 2025, marking a slowdown from the previous month's revised 4.3% growth. This deceleration was primarily driven by a more moderate increase in non-food product sales, which grew by 3.4% compared to July's 4.9% rise. Notable sectors included shoes and leather goods, which saw a mere 1.2% increase compared to the earlier 7%, drugstores climbing marginally at 3.5% from 4.1%, and recreational items recording a growth of 6.1% contrasted with the prior 8.2%. Additionally, the trade for DIY, kitchens, and flooring products experienced a decline, shrinking by 0.7% following a 4.9% gain, while sales in consumer electronics and white goods dropped further, down by 8.3% compared to the previous 3.3% decline. Conversely, growth in the food products sector gained momentum, climbing to 3.9% from 3.2%. Sales continued to rise in supermarkets, increasing by 4.6% up from 4.1%, while specialty stores saw a reduced decline of 0.6%, improving from a prior 2.3% drop. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales inched up by 0.1% in August, signifying a slowdown from the previously adjusted 1% increase.