Although lawyers from across the firm advise retail clients, our most significant practices are in:
- M&A and other transactions
- competition and regulatory
- dispute resolution
- real estate and construction
- intellectual property
On the transactional side, we have been involved in significant cross-border M&A, takeover bids, flotations, demergers and other transactions including technology contracts. We also provide an ongoing corporate advisory service, including consumer issues.
Hand in hand with our transactional lawyers, our top-tier EU/competition team advises the retail sector on acquisitions in highly concentrated sectors, resale price maintenance, supply arrangements, competition investigations, Article 82 cases relating to refusal to supply goods and WTO issues including trade barriers and import quotas.
Our premier international dispute resolution practice represents our retail clients on a whole range of contentious matters including breach of contract (including distribution agreements) and intellectual property matters including branding issues (involving trademarks), copyright and designs, comparative advertising and website / e-commerce and other internet related issues.
Our real estate practice focuses on large units and flagship stores rather than the “standard” retail units in high streets or shopping centres. We advise on lease negotiation or site acquisition and construction of flagship stores in prime locations, redevelopment of major stores and hotels and the management of shop portfolios.
The firm acts for major national and international clients from across the retail sector. The Big Food Group, Kruidvat, Next, Virgin Retail, Wal-Mart and WHSmith are some of our household name clients.
Our retail practice group is based throughout our international offices. We work closely with our alliance colleagues at Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe, particularly in cross-border transactional work.