Introduction to Amsterdam Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe. Amsterdam offers countless museums, including the Rijksmuseum, home to the world’s largest collection of Dutch art. Amsterdam is also known for the performing arts, notably, the DeLaMar Theatre house. The city is also the self-proclaimed denim capital of the world: It has the world’s only denim school, the Jean School, the annual Denim Days festival, the Kingpins trade show, in addition to being the birthplace of, or HQ to, a bevy of denim labels including G-Star Raw, Denham, Scotch & Soda and Kings of Indigo. Demographics Amsterdam has a population of around 860,000. According to City Population, the nationality breakdown of Amsterdam is 84.1% from the Netherlands and the rest from the EU or other nationalities. Top Five Shopping Districts

1. De Negan Straatjes: De Negen Straatjes, or “The Nine Little Streets,” is a favorite shopping stop with a unique shopping experience, full of picturesque monuments. Shoppers will find quaint boutiques and one-of-a-kind products.
2. Pieter Cornelisz Hoofstraat: Known as Amsterdam’s Fifth Avenue, shoppers can find high-end classics such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton, among other luxury boutiques.
3. De Jordaan: This is the area to find hidden treasures, with tiny streets in the heart of this Bohemian neighborhood: You’ll find small boutiques, galleries and art studios.
4. Dam Square Area: An ultra-touristy area of Amsterdam, Dam Square houses De Bijenkorf, a popular Dutch department store.
5. Kalverstraat: This is a pedestrian-only street that includes fast-fashion stores such as Esprit, H&M, Mexx and Zara.

Famous Retail Events Amsterdam Fashion Week: Amsterdam Fashion Week showcases top design talent from the city, focusing on emerging and up and coming designers. The fashion show is in September 2019. Top Innovative Retailers [caption id="attachment_90747" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: debijenkorf.nl[/caption] De Bijenkorf De Bijenkorf is a luxury department store in Dam Square that has been around since 1870. De Bijenkorf started selling small items for sewing, such as buttons, ribbons and zippers and is now known as the Netherlands’ largest premium department store. De Bijenkorf is stocked with designer brands and luxury products, from apparel to chocolates. “The Kitchen” serves dishes from all over the world, while Isaac’s Bar in the men’s fashion department offers beverages. Shoppers can make their way to the Meesterbanketbakker where they can find a selection of wines, cakes, cookies and chocolates – and afternoon tea. Location: De Bijenkorf, Dam 1, 1012 JS Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90748" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: Coresight Research[/caption] Denham the Jeanmaker Denham the Jeanmaker was founded by Jason Denham in 2008. Denham’s inspiration is Japanese culture and Asian style which he incorporates into his designs. The company started with jeans but later expanded in full range collections for men and women. An iconic scissor logo is the Denham trademark, inspired by Denham’s first pair of tailor scissors. Location: Denham Flagship Store, Hobbemastraat 6-8, 1071 ZA Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90749" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: Coresight Research[/caption] Omoda Omoda is a shoe retailer on Van Baerlestraat that aims to create a great personal customer experience, service, inspiration and innovation. Founded in 1876, Omoda is a family business which open its first retail store in 1961 under the name Verton Shoes. The flagship opened in September 2018. The store interior was designed by Piet Boon Studio. The interior consists of bright window displays, tall light columns to showcase shoes and concrete platforms, creating an industrial feel. Location: Omoda Schoenen, Van Baerlestraat 60, 1071 BA Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90750" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: Coresight Research[/caption] Miele Witgoed Center Miele was founded in 1899 in Germany and is mostly known for cooking appliances, coffee systems and dishwashers. The company has multiple stores around Amsterdam and recently opened an experiential store where shoppers can try coffee makers, microwaves, irons, washing machines and vacuums. The instore chef prepares a menu daily to highlight the functionality of Miele products. When we visited, the chef prepared fish cooked in ice in a microwave, exhibiting cooking from the center out: The ice was still frozen, but the fist was cooked. Location: Miele Witgoed Center, Hogeweg 26, 1098 CC Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90751" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: Coresight Research[/caption] Rituals Rituals was founded in 2000 as a beauty, cosmetic and body brand inspired by natural ingredients. Rituals uses only organic ingredients and never tests on animals. The company sells a variety of products: body moisturizers, body fragrances, body oils, muds, soaps, gels, hand and foot products, among many other products. The interior features wood and greenery, reminiscing a forest. The store offers a device that tests customers skin type to assist in choosing products. This location also has a Hair Temple, in which customers can create their own shampoo and conditioner, assisted by staff who help choose elixirs and fragrances suited to the customers hair type to create a personalized shampoo and conditioner. Location: Rituals, Leidsestraat 15, 1017 NT Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90753" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: Coresight Research[/caption] Lush Flagship The Lush Flagship at Kalverstraat 121-123 is spread across three floors. On the ground floor are counters for demonstrations with transparent baths to drop bath bombs so customers can see how they react in the water.  The shops also offers haircare, soap, bath, shower products and gifts. On the first-floor, you’ll find massage bars, makeup and skincare. The second-floor features parties and events, as well as fragrances. In the hair lab, customers can have their hair done with Lush products. Lush also has an experience corner where products are made on the spot. Location: Lush Flagship, 121-123, Kalverstraat, 1012 PA Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90755" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: X BANK[/caption] X Bank X Bank is a 700-square-meter concept store, installation gallery and exhibition hall — a creative space that highlights local talent. The ground floor is an art gallery that hosts exhibitions and events. Every 6-8 weeks the gallery rotates artists. The first floor is the retail section of the building, with over 180 Dutch labels, plus a combination of established designers and local labels. X Bank is also home to W Amsterdam hotel, which has a luxury spa and small lounge/bar. Location: X Bank, Spuistraat 172, 1012 VT Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90759" align="alignleft" width="220"] Source: Coresight Research[/caption] Tony’s Chocolonely Tony’s Chocolonely makes ethical chocolate, using organic, fair-trade cacao. The store in Oudebrugsteeg is a chocolate indulgence, where customers can watch the chocolate production process and taste a variety of chocolates.  With stacks of freshly made chocolate bars in a variety of flavors with and without added ingredients (such as nuts and fruits), one device lets shoppers pull down levers to freshly cut bars into bite size sampling sizes. Location: Tony’s Chocolonely Super Store, Oudebrugsteeg 15, 1012 JN Amsterdam.   [caption id="attachment_90760" align="alignleft" width="300"] Source: youtube.com/Albert Heijn[/caption] Albert Hejin Albert Hejin is the largest supermarket chain in The Netherlands, founded in 1887, and named after founder Albert Hejin. The shop has a tap-and-go feature: Customers tap a card on a device mounted on the shelf in front of the product, grab the product and go. The amount will be debited from the customer’s account within two business days. Location: Albert Hejin, Reguliersbreestraat 22 a, 1017 CN Amsterdam. [caption id="attachment_90761" align="alignleft" width="350"] Source: hutspot.com[/caption] Hutspot Hutspot combines fashion, design and art. The shop offers a platform for new designers and established brands. Hutspot was founded in 2012 as a pop-up store. Now, the store has an integrated lunchroom and barber. The product mix consists of womenswear and menswear, with plans to expand into accessories, stationary, art and home décor. The Hutspot Barber shop is owned and run by Martijn, who has over 15 years of experience. Hutspot’s café and lunch area serves a variety of dishes using unique recipes, plus a bar area where shoppers can enjoy drinks. Location: Hutspot, Van Woustraat 4, 1073 LL Amsterdam. Must-See Area: Utrechtsestraat Utrechtsestraat is a long canal-crossing street full of specialty stores and boutiques that can keep shoppers occupied for hours, the perfect spot for trendy, unique shopping.

1. Didato Men: Men’s clothing store offering minimalistic pieces.
2. Angel Basics: Bohemian women’s clothing store.
3. Kaashuis Tromp: A cheese store with a variety of options and knowledgeable staff.
4. Mobilia: The store offers an assortment of home décor and furniture.
5. Concerto: A record store with a range of vinyl and discs.