FX.co ★ Dutch Retail Sales Growth Slows to 8-Month Low

In February 2025, retail sales in the Netherlands experienced a modest increase of 1.6% compared to the same month the previous year. This growth represents a decline from the revised 3.6% uptick noted in January, which was a seven-month peak. While this marks the eighth consecutive month of retail expansion, it is also the smallest increase within this growth streak. The slowdown was particularly notable in the food products sector, where sales grew by just 1.5%, down from January's 5.1%. Similarly, growth in non-food product sales decelerated to 1.7% from 2.8%, adversely affected by reductions in several categories. Sales declines were seen in DIY, kitchen, and floor segments (-0.1% compared to a 6.4% rise previously), clothing (-0.7% vs 2.7%), shoe and leather goods (-1.7% vs 5.9%), furniture and home furnishings (-3.7% vs -1.2%), and consumer electronics (-4.1% vs -11.2%). On a seasonally adjusted month-by-month basis, retail activity decreased by 0.9% in February, following a downwardly revised 2% increase in January.