**English-language bookstores see growth in the Netherlands driven by social media trends**
The Netherlands has experienced a notable increase in English-language bookstores, with at least 10 new shops opening across the country over the past four years. Cities including Utrecht, Tilburg, and Amersfoort are among those that have seen new establishments emerge, while existing Dutch bookstores are simultaneously expanding their English-language inventories.
Industry experts and bookstore owners attribute this trend largely to “BookTok,” a segment of the social media platform TikTok dedicated to literature. The platform has popularized specific titles, driving demand for the original English editions.
Diederik Oostdijk, a professor of English literature at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, noted that younger readers in the Netherlands often prefer reading in the original language due to high levels of English proficiency. Sanne Muijser, director of the Royal Association of Booksellers (KBb), added that screen adaptations of popular series, such as *Game of Thrones* and *The Lord of the Rings*, have further encouraged readers to seek out original English texts.
According to the 2025 book monitor by KVB Boekwerk, English-language titles now account for approximately one in five books sold in the Netherlands. While this shift has impacted the market share of Dutch-language books, Job Jan Altena, a spokesperson for the book umbrella organization CPNB, expressed optimism that the trend encourages reading habits that may eventually lead consumers to Dutch literature.
Despite the rise of digital media, physical books remain the preferred format in the Netherlands, accounting for roughly 86 percent of sales according to ABN AMRO.
To remain competitive against online retailers like Amazon, which often offer lower prices, many Dutch bookstores are diversifying their business models. Many shops have integrated café services or community-focused programming, such as book clubs and gaming events.
“We are also more of a community, especially for many internationals,” said an owner of Books & Beans in Tilburg. “People are looking for peace and company. Especially offline.”
Article and image source: iamexpat.nl
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