Statistics Netherlands reports a record number of bankruptcies in the first half of this year. Around 3500 companies and organisations died the death, twice as many as in the first half of 2008.
 

There have never been so many cases of bankruptcy since Statistics Netherlands began keeping records in the early 1980s.
 

The vast majority of bankruptcies were in retail trade, repairs and business services. Worst hit were car salesrooms, clothing shops, DIY stores, employment agencies, organisational advice offices and architectural bureaus.