Nederland

In several European countries, such as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, consumers are (soon) less likely to need their PIN code if they pay contactless in shops. By raising the amount for which PIN confirmation is needed, the risk of contamination is reduced.

Dutch electronics giant Philips is going to divest its household appliances division. As such, the manufacturer is will soon say goodbye to its vacuum cleaners, coffee makers and irons.

The social unrest in France has caused Fnac Darty to have a disappointing fourth quarter. It also became known in the margins that the company is looking for a partner for its Dutch subsidiary BCC.

Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay Company has seen its sales and gross operating profit shrink in the third quarter of 2019. On the bright side, the company has reached a settlement with a Dutch landlord regarding its intended withdrawal from the Netherlands.

The Dutch branch of the Hudson's Bay department store chain has requested deferment of payment. It is unclear whether the stores will remain open until the intended date, 31 December.

After just four years, the British white goods retailer AO is to discontinue its Dutch online shop. On the European mainland, the company wants to focus exclusively on Germany - and even that now seems uncertain.

Unilever delivered solid results in its third quarter, although the FMCG manufacturer fell slightly below analysts' expectations. Emerging markets remain the growth driver par excellence, despite the fact that the Sino-American trade war caused a slowdown in Asia.