Workers across several major Dutch retail chains, including Ahold Delhaize, Gall & Gall, Etos, Kruidvat, and Holland Barrett, are striking this weekend, according to local media reports. The industrial actions, driven by disputes over Sunday pay allowances and other labor conditions, have resulted in the closure of numerous stores nationwide.
Which retail chains are affected by the strikes?
The wave of labor unrest spans multiple sectors of the Dutch retail market, from grocery and liquor to health and beauty. According to reports from local outlets, the following companies are experiencing disruptions:
- Gall & Gall: Employees are striking again, with reports from NU indicating that dozens of stores may be closed.
- Etos and Kruidvat: Personnel from both drugstore chains are striking this weekend, according to Trouw.
- Holland Barrett: The FNV union has confirmed that workers at this health store chain are also participating in strike actions, according to De Telegraaf.
- Ahold Delhaize: Staff are striking specifically over Sunday pay allowances, as reported by De Orkaan.
- Deel: Local reports from NH Nieuws indicate that these drugstores are closed due to ongoing strikes.
What is driving the labor disputes?
While the strikes affect a broad range of retailers, a primary driver for the actions at Ahold Delhaize is the “zondagtoeslag,” or Sunday allowance. Workers are protesting the current compensation rates for weekend shifts, according to local media reports.
The involvement of the FNV union in the Holland Barrett strikes suggests a coordinated effort to improve labor terms across the retail sector. These disputes typically center on wages, working hours, and the financial incentives provided for working non-traditional hours, which are critical for retail operations that remain open seven days a week.
How do these closures impact consumers and markets?
The simultaneous strikes at Etos, Kruidvat, and Deel create a significant gap in consumer access to pharmacy and beauty products over the weekend. Because Gall & Gall is seeing the potential closure of dozens of locations, the liquor retail segment is also facing a concentrated loss of revenue during a peak shopping window.
From a business perspective, these strikes highlight a growing tension in the Dutch labor market regarding weekend work. When multiple chains across different niches—health, grocery, and specialty retail—strike concurrently, it indicates systemic dissatisfaction with current retail labor agreements rather than isolated company grievances.
