Want to get the lowdown on Dutch shopping chain stores present in Amsterdam? The city has its fair share of international brands as well as independent shops.
In this guide we will overview a selection of the major Dutch shopping brands found on high streets in the Netherlands.
De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf (The Beehive) is the premium department store chain of the Netherlands, dating back originally to 1870. It is run by Selfridges Group which is owned by Central Group/Signa Holding.
The flagship Bijenkorf store is the grand 6 floor branch located on Damrak/Dam Square in Amsterdam. It also has stores in the major cities around the country including at nearby Amstelveen.
Bijenkorf sells both own-label goods and brand names.
On the ground floor (level 0) of the Dam branch you will find perfumes, cosmetics, a beauty salon and leather goods. High-end fashion label stores such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Burberry and Gucci are present.
The 5 upper floors are appointed as follows:
- 1: Men’s clothing and shoes
- 2: Women’s clothing & accessories, beauty studio, personal shopping service
- 3: Women’s shoes, lingerie, menswear/underwear, luggage, jewellery, watches
- 4: Children’s clothing, books/stationary, toys, homeware, tax refund lounge
- 5: Self-service restaurant Bijenkorf Kitchen, rooftop terrace, toilets
Bijenkorf usually has quite creative window displays at ground level in Amsterdam, particularly over the Christmas period.
Bijenkorf is an aspirational store for the Dutch middle classes and prices are on the higher side.
Bijenkorf Amsterdam, Dam 1, 1012 JS Amsterdam
Open 11:00-21:00 (Mon), 10:00-21:00 (Tue-Sat), 10:00-20:00 (Sun).
Bijenkorf Amstelveen, Galerij 152, 1181 ZS Amstelveen
Open 11:00-18:30 (Mon), 10:00-18:30 (Tue-Wed), 10:00-22:00 (Thu), 10:00-19:00 (Fri-Sat), 11:00-18:00 (Sun).
HEMA
HEMA is a Dutch institution, a chain store which sells generic own brand goods at reasonable prices.
First set-up in 1926, HEMA stands for Hollandsche Eenheidsprijzen Maatschappij Amsterdam or Dutch Standard Prices Company Amsterdam. With a unique position in the Dutch retail market, it could loosely be compared to the old Woolworth’s general stores.
It sells a wide variety of goods to satisfy standard needs – from basic clothing and underwear, household items, hardware, cycle accessories, cards, stationary, vitamins and cosmetics. HEMA is about simple style, value and practicality.
Larger HEMA stores have a small food section selling fruit and veg, meat, fish, bread, cheese, wines etc.
Some stores include a café selling various breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, hot meals, cakes and drinks.
It also has takeaway outlets famous for its rookworst smoked sausages.
There are over 20 store locations in Amsterdam including Kalverstraat, Nieuwendijk, Ferdinand Bol Straat and Kinkerstraat. There are a small HEMA stores at Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol airport. You will find HEMA shops all over the Netherlands.
HEMA is also branching out internationally with stores in Europe and the UK.
Action
Action is a popular discount Dutch retailer originally started in Enkhuizen in 1993 and currently majority-owned by British private equity firm 3i Group.
It sells a varied assortment of products – from house and homeware, DIY and hardware items, office supplies, glassware, ceramics, textiles and toys. Prices are very low (cheaper then HEMA) and the quality of products is reasonable.
Action has 14 stores around Amsterdam including at Europaboulevard, Delflandplein, Kinkerstraat, Waldenlaan, Nieuwpoortstraat and Plein 40-45.
C&A
C&A is a multinational clothing retailer with around 100 stores in the Netherlands. The company was started in the Netherlands in the 19th century and is named after the founders Clemens and August Brenninkmeijer. The family still owns the chain via the Swiss-based Cofra Holding.
It is perhaps familiar to some British people, but pulled out of the UK market in 2001.
C&A sells its own-branded clothes lines (such as Angelo Litrico, Canda, Clockhouse) and the quality of clothes has improved over the last few years. However it faces stiff competition from the likes of the more trendy H&M, Zara and Primark – which has an Amsterdam store.
C&A has 6 stores in Amsterdam including at Kalverstraat, Kinkerstraat and Ferdinand Bolstraat.
Holland & Barrett
Previously known as De Tuinen (Dutch for “the Garden”), this is a health shop and chemist chain owned by Holland and Barrett in the UK, a subsidiary of LetterOne Holdings.
It specialises in various cosmetics and personal care products, supplements, homeopathic remedies, herbal teas, gift packages, some “new-age” type items and a small range of health food.
It sells both own-branded products and a variety of other brands such as Neal’s Yard and Weleda.
Holland & Barrett holds regular sales on items such as buy one get one half price
There are 10 H&B stores in Amsterdam including Kalverstraat (2 stores), Nieuwendijk, Leidsestraat, Utrechtsestraat, Kinkerstraat, Ferdinand Bolstraat and van Woustraat. It has shop locations all over the Netherlands.
Chemists: Etos and Kruidvat
These are 2 very well-known, ubiquitous Dutch chemist chains.
Etos is the premier brand selling personal care products, vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics and perfumes.
Kruidvat is a budget chemist chain with a similar line of goods and is often cheaper than Etos for branded items. Etos is the better presented shop as Kruidvat can be a little chaotic.
If you are looking for pick ‘n mix Dutch liquorice (drop) then you can find it in either shop.
Etos and Kruidvat stores can be found all over Amsterdam including Nieuwendijk.
Xenos
Xenos is a Dutch budget houseware chain store. It sells homeware, glassware, ceramics, basic furniture plus a small but varied assortment of international food items.
There are 6 Xenos stores in Amsterdam including central ones at Kalverstraat and Bilderdijkstraat.
Zeeman
Zeeman is a Dutch textile and clothing retailer offering discount prices. It sells basic clothing, home textiles (towels/bedding), wool and toys.
There are various locations in Amsterdam including Albert Cuypstraat, Kinkerstraat, Rijnstraat and Eerste van Swindenstraat.
This article was originally published in 2010. Last updated 4 February 2025.
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