Amsterdam shopkeepers call for a levy on home delivery. This is the only way to combat the proliferation of delivery vans in cities. "It is not normal to have ink cartridges for your printer in a big box delivered to your front door, while other traffic is hindered."
In an interview with the AD, shopkeepers, united in MKB Amsterdam, argue that an incentive is needed to change behaviour. The possible incentive: a tax on home delivery. Customers who order a product online can collect it for free or at a discount from a parcel point. If the parcel still needs to be delivered to their home, they will have to pay extra.
"It is not normal to have a pair of jeans, headphones or ink cartridges for your printer dropped off at your front door in a big box, while other traffic is hindered," says Guido Frankfurther of MKB Amsterdam. "When I see how many packages are dropped off every day in my apartment complex alone, it would be good if people started to feel ashamed when products bought online are delivered to their homes."
According to Frankfurther, it is even better when consumers simply visit a physical shop. "Picking and purchasing products in-store yourself is a positive experience and reduces returns." However, the director of MKB Amsterdam denies that the proposal is purely aimed at driving people to the shopping street. "It is motivated by the increasingly poor accessibility of the city centre. But the plea for ordinary shops comes with it. Those are under pressure."
<span id="selection-marker-1″ class="redactor-selection-marker" data-verified="redactor"></span>
