Understanding Stores in the Netherlands

When you first move to Eindhoven, you’ll want to be sure that you have a steady stream of your basic necessities.  Here’s how to understand the Dutch store system. 

Grocery stores will tend to sell the basics (see the section on “Food and Eating” for more information). 

The functioning American drug store is actually two or three stores in the Netherlands.  For “real” prescription drugs, you must go to an apotheek.  Most apotheeks will also sell toiletries, over-the-counter medicines (except that they are behind the counter), dietary supplements and an extensive selection of herbal “remedies.”  So, this is the place where you find Preparation H, under the same name.  You must pay for the prescription drugs at one counter, and everything else at the other counter.  Look for birth control and pregnancy test kits behind the counter.

For a broader selection of shampoos, tampons, deodorants, inexpensive makeup, etc., you should probably go to Kruidvat (pronounced “KRAUT– fot”).  Here, you can also get some of the over-the-counter drugs, and lots of vitamins as well, such as Centrum, but you can’t get the children’s OTC drugs in all their branded, flavored glory; buy those at home. 

Lastly, there is Blokker.  Blokker does NOT sell drugs or person hygiene items, but it DOES sell all those other things you usually find as inexpensive home-items either at a major drug store chain or at a Target in the states.  In other words, Blokker is where you can get plastic laundry baskets, trashcans, shelf liner, clocks, picture frames, dishes and basic cooking utensils.  Look out for one thing about Blokker though: they don’t stock the same items all year around.  If you think to yourself, “I’ll just come and buy that Rubbermaid container when I really need it,” you will find that three months later it is out of stock, as if there were a season for Rubbermaid containers.  In general, we recommend that when you see something you might need, buy it then because you might not see it again.

You may have a hard time finding socks in Eindhoven.  This is because socks are sold at a sock/hosiery specialty store, and not typically at clothing or shoe stores.  There are two places that I’ve found that have an extensive selection.  The first is on the outside of the Heuvel Gallery in downtown Eindhoven, and the second is in the Veldhoven mall.

Praxis is the major hardware and gardening store in Eindhoven, and there are three that are “easy” to find.  One can be seen from the A2 at the intersection with the Strijp (McDonald’s; afrit 31) exit.  The second is just off Kennedylaan north of the A58 in Ekkersrijt.  And the last is closer to the center of town, along the canal in the Tongelre section of town.