As part of our efforts to keep you, the ESM reader, notified on the latest coronavirus-related developments in the retail and consumer goods sectors, here are the latest news updates from the Netherlands. Click the link in each snippet to view the full story. To return to the map, click here.
Second-quarter sales at Unilever fell much less than expected, as a strong performance in North America helped to offset the hit from coronavirus lockdowns.
Heineken's first-half net revenue fell 16.4% as the impact of COVID-related lockdowns intensified in the second quarter, the brewer said in a statement, sending its shares down more than 5%.
The number of people diagnosed with the coronavirus at a Dutch pork processing plant near the German border has jumped to 147 since it was closed last week and workers asked to go into quarantine.
Heineken, working alongside a number of business partners, has launched a voucher system, with which people can support their favourite bar or restaurant, as most hospitality outlets remain closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Ahold Delhaize beat expectations with a 38% rise in first-quarter core earnings as shoppers stockpiled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Sligro Food Group has reported a 1% year-on-year growth in sales to €533 million in the first quarter of its financial year, from €528 million in the same period last year.
Consumer goods giant Unilever has pulled its full-year forecast, saying it could not 'reliably assess the impact' of the coronavirus pandemic on its business, but said it would pay its quarterly interim dividend as planned.
The coronavirus pandemic prompted the largest fall on record in Dutch consumer confidence in April, driven by concerns about personal finances and the overall state of the economy, the national statistics office said.
Heineken, the world's second-largest brewer, reported a 14% slide in beer sales in March, with sharp declines in all regions as the COVID-19 pandemic closed pubs and restaurants across the globe.
Soft drink bottler Refresco has said in a trading update that demand across its customer base has been irregular in the first quarter of its financial year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the COVID-19 outbreak saw an initial surge in purchasing across several key grocery categories, consumer purchasing is starting to stabilise in line with prior-year trends, according to a new study by IRI.
Brewing giant Heineken has announced that it is to donate €15 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Heineken, the world's second largest brewer, suffered a decline in beer sales in the first three months of the year, forecast worse to come in the second quarter and scrapped its 2020 guidance due to the coronavirus crisis.
Ahold Delhaize has urged shareholders to refrain from attending its Annual General Meeting of shareholders in person in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite picture-perfect spring weather outside, the Dutch flower industry has continued to wilt amid the coronavirus crisis after suffering a sharp initial shock two weeks ago.
Albert Heijn has introduced a series of measures to ensure the safety of its employees and customers during the coronavirus epidemic.
Consumer goods giant Unilever Plc has said it will protect its workforce from the financial impact of the coronavirus by continuing to pay contractors and other part time staff for up to three months.
The coronavirus is forcing Dutch flower growers to compost millions of blooms at what should be the pre-Mothers' Day demand peak, their industry association said, warning that many members could go bankrupt within weeks.
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