The mood among Dutch consumers improved for the fourth month in a row in December 2023, data from statistics body CBS found.
In December, consumer confidence in the Netherlands increased from -33 in November to -29, reflecting improved opinions about the economic climate and a greater willingness to make purchases.
The indicator’s historical high was recorded in January 2000 at 36, while the lowest point was -59 in September and October 2022. CBS has been tracking consumer confidence on a monthly basis since April 1986.
Dutch retail turnover
A separate study conducted by CBS revealed that in November, turnover in the Dutch retail sector increased by 3.2% compared to the same month in the previous year.
The food retail sector saw a rise of 4.8%, while non-food products experienced a more modest increase of 0.7%.
Online retail turnover also showed a year-on-year growth of 0.3% in November, with higher online turnover observed for food and personal care products compared to the corresponding period last year. However, online sales of non-food items, consumer electronics, and clothing and fashion items were lower.
Although stores specialising in food, beverages, and tobacco reported a 4.8% increase in turnover, sales volumes actually decreased by 1.7%, CBS said. Supermarkets and specialist shops saw their turnover rise by 5.1% and 3.3%, respectively.
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