In 2025, the City of Antwerp has carried out an inventory of commercial activity in its shopping streets. This triennial study maps out various dynamics, including which shops, hospitality venues and services are active, and also examines vacancy levels. As Flanders’ leading shopping city, Antwerp closely monitors developments in its retail streets.
Tag: Shopping
COLOGNE | Belgisches Viertel or Belgian Quarter
November and December 2017. During my solo trip to Taiwan – the vacation which was a catalyst to start Trip By Trip – I met Ugo. Fast forward to August 2025. Ugo is touring Europe and we decided to meet up. Showing him Antwerp was an option, but fitting the metropolis into his itinerary was…
TOKYO | Imperial Palace East Gardens – Akihabara – Tamiya flagship store – Skytree
Autumn 2025. We – Sam and Danny, Michel and Wille, and Timothy – are travelling to Japan for a quite classic tour of the Land of the Rising Sun. We are flying separately as we used miles. On the planning: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Osaka, and Expo 2025, Hiroshima, Himeji, Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Hakone, and…
Antwerp holds on to ‘Diamond City’ image as global trade continues to contract
Even as Antwerp’s diamond trade suffers one of the most severe downturns in its modern history, the City of Antwerp continues to promote diamonds as a cornerstone of its identity and a key tourist attraction. Through Visit Antwerpen, the city presents itself as the world’s Diamond City, inviting visitors to discover a thriving, prestigious sector…
TOKYO | Omotesandō in Shibuya – AEON Shinonome – Uniqlo – Muji
Autumn 2025. We – Sam and Danny, Michel and Wille, and Timothy – are travelling to Japan for a quite classic tour of the Land of the Rising Sun. We are flying separately as we used miles. On the planning: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Osaka, and Expo 2025, Hiroshima, Himeji, Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Hakone, and…
ANTWERP | Premetro tunnel between Left and Right Banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works
The premetro tunnel connecting Antwerp’s left and right banks will close for almost a year for extensive renovation works, starting on 4 May 2026 and lasting until at least mid-March 2027. During this period, no trams will run between the Park-and-Ride Melsele on Linkeroever (Left Bank) and the Astrid and Diamant premetro stations near Antwerp-Central…
WILMINGTON | USS North Carolina – Costco – Tidewater Oysters – Lewis Strawberry Nursery and Farm
Easter 2025. I’m visiting my uncle and aunt in Leland, North Carolina. It’s my first trip of two to the United States in 2025. I haven’t seen them live since February 2020 just before the first lockdown and I haven’t travelled to this area since 2019. I’m flying with SAS and Delta. The itinerary: Brussels…
ANTWERP | Concept for Meir redevelopment plan approved
The City of Antwerp has reached a new milestone in its plans to redevelop the Meir and the surrounding streets Leysstraat, Jezusstraat and Twaalfmaandenstraat. The concept design has been completed and approved by the city executive board, and will be submitted to the district executive board for approval on Monday (today).
Antwerp tourism breaks records again in 2025 with strong growth in day visitors, overnight stays and international events
Antwerp recorded another exceptional tourism year in 2025, welcoming a record number of visitors and confirming its position as one of Belgium’s leading city destinations. The city counted 16,271,561 day visitors, an increase of 3% compared with 2024, while stay tourism rose even more sharply.
NORTH CAROLINA | Walmart Supercenter Leland
Easter 2025. I’m visiting my uncle and aunt in Leland, North Carolina. It’s my first trip of two to the United States in 2025. I haven’t seen them live since February 2020 just before the first lockdown and I haven’t travelled to this area since 2019. I’m flying with SAS and Delta. The itinerary: Brussels…