The number of tobacco shops in the Netherlands surged by more than 200 to nearly 1,675 in 2024, linked to new rules banning the sale of cigarette goods in supermarkets.
According to the NL Times, the number of registered tobacco shops in the Netherlands has reached nearly 1,675 by the end of 2024, an increase of more than 200 from 1,466 at the end of 2023.
Since 2013, the number of tobacco shops registered by only a few enterprises (KvK) per year by the Dutch Administration for Industry and Commerce has also decreased in some years. This year’s increase is believed to be related to new laws and regulations that came into effect on July 1. According to the law and rules, supermarkets and snack bars are prohibited from selling any tobacco, vapes, and other goods containing cigarettes.
Before the new policy came into effect, supermarket chains such as Albert Heijn and Lidl had stopped selling tobacco products. Smokers can now only buy tobacco products at specialty stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and wholesalers.
According to KVK, the growth rate of tobacco shops and convenience stores is most significant in the provinces of Flevoland and South Holland. In the province of Freforand, the number of tobacco shops increased from 19 to 29, an increase of more than 50%. The province of South Holland added 109, an increase of 26%.
NSO Retail, the tobacco industry association, said tobacco shops had seen a significant increase in turnover as a result of the sales ban. At the same time, the trade group Drive also noted that gas stations have also benefited.
