General

The 39 remaining Belgian toy stores of Bart Smit have been acquired by Maxi Toys, and will undergo a re-branding to the Maxi Toys brand. They are largely located in areas where the chain is not yet active.

Intertoys, the Netherlands' biggest toy store chain, has filed for bankruptcy, after last week's suspension of payments was unable to solve the company's problems. The sale of the Belgian stores, who are not in this bankruptcy, is in an “advanced stage”.

Spanish department store El Corte Inglés is selling its Optica 2000 division to the Dutch GrandVision group, which already owns the Pearle and GrandOptical chains. 108 stores in Spain and Portugal are now in Dutch hands.

The European Union has created a new set of rules that want to create a fair and transparent environment in which companies can trade on online marketplaces. The platforms are banned from, among others, unilaterally suspending accounts.

Dutch chains Hema and Albert Heijn (Ahold Delhaize) are opening two pilot stores, in which customers can do their shopping at both chains at the same time. The test should start later this year.

The rise of cash-free stores is being opposed politically: certain American governments want to make it illegal to refuse cash, since not all customers can afford a credit card. What is the situation in the Benelux?

Amazon continues to amaze: in an attempt to reduce costs in the 'last mile', the e-commerce giant is looking into the possibility of using public transport to deliver its parcels. Or how even one of the world's most advanced companies sometimes can benefit of old-fashioned solutions...