The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has released its annual publication, the 'State of the Market', revealing a decrease in competition indicators over the past decade. This decline raises concerns as competition is crucial for lower prices, higher quality, and innovation, which are essential for a resilient society.

ACM's Chairman, Martijn Snoep, stated that while competition is vital, it must be viewed in the context of public interests. The authority plans to focus on innovation and resilience alongside its existing priorities, including the digital economy and energy transition, as outlined in its 2026 Agenda.

The report indicates that market concentration has increased, and the entry and exit of businesses have decreased, particularly in already concentrated sectors. To address these issues, ACM will implement measures to protect competition, facilitate new market entrants, and assess small acquisitions by large companies that may hinder innovation.

Additionally, the report discusses three current topics: private equity, cloud services, and the 'attention economy'. While private equity can boost productivity, it may also harm public interests if profit motives overshadow them. The reliance on a few large non-European cloud service providers poses strategic risks, necessitating government intervention and competition enforcement. Lastly, the attention economy raises concerns about user wellbeing due to addictive designs and deceptive practices, calling for education, legislative protection, and coordinated enforcement of European rules.