finance
Amsterdam Retail Faces Headwinds as Traditional Stores Close and Available Space Rises
Fewer outlets and a 17% increase in available retail space mark pressures on the sector despite some new openings.
How we reported this
Amsterdam's retail sector is confronting headwinds, with the total number of retail establishments falling 13% since 2010 to reach 5,288 locations in 2024 even as overall floor area grew modestly.
Shifting Composition on Prime Streets
The makeup of Amsterdam's prime shopping streets shows a clear reduction in fashion and luxury outlets, whose share declined from 68% to 61% between 2019 and 2025. Food and beverage outlets have risen to 9% while leisure uses account for 13%, pointing to a move toward mixed-use destinations that may require different leasing strategies.
Store Closures and Rising Availability
Traditional fashion and shoe stores continue to disappear from Amsterdam streets while discounters and online-native brands open new physical sites. The city recorded a 17% increase in available retail space in 2025, creating vacancies that landlords must fill amid a broader pattern of consolidation into larger units.
Absorption Figures and Rent Pressures
Amsterdam took up the largest share of retail space in the Netherlands in 2025 at 16,400 m². Supply fell 16% from the prior year, yet rising rents in prime locations and quicker leasing of smaller units have not offset the overall increase in available space or the long-term drop in outlet numbers.
New Concepts Offer Limited Offset
Some openings continue, including Marqt's experimental sustainable grocery store at Gelderlandplein that uses 75% reclaimed materials and a retrofitted secondhand greenhouse for produce. These isolated projects have not reversed the decline in total establishments or the growth in vacant space across the city.
Operators are adapting to fewer but larger stores and changing tenant mixes. The pattern of traditional closures alongside selective new entries suggests landlords and brands will focus on filling existing vacancies and testing mixed-use formats in the months ahead.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.