Retail 

Retail strategy

Determining a strategic, big picture cross border approach is essential. Ad hoc and opportunistic forays into other markets by retailers almost always results in long term and expensive problems. Identifying the attendant risks, working through an effective risk reduction strategy and putting in place appropriate risk management structures and processes is essential. We work with our clients to ensure that they start their international roll out from a position of strength, enabling them to take a more proactive approach and to focus on the issues that really matter.

We typically counsel on the most appropriate strategic options available before preparing model structures and later handling the roll-out.

Multi-channel retail

Ensuring the effective co-existence and integration of differing cross border retail channels is essential. We advise clients on a wide variety of channels ranging from transactional websites, telesales and TV shopping channels to cutting edge technologies such as Second Life.

Technological solutions

With the ever increasing importance of e-commerce, appropriate use of software system developments, outsourcing arrangements, procurement strategies, off-shoring and multi-sourcing can greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of a retailers entry into the international market as well as growth in their domestic market. We advise retailers on the relevant options and documentation, and take the lead in negotiations to ensure that the opportunities offered by technology are taken full advantage of.

We ensure that appropriate documentation and processes are in place to ensure retailers can take advantage of their customer data whilst at the same time complying with data protection legislation. We are adept at developing privacy policies which will not hinder retailers’ growth and development. 

Retail Acquisitions

Acquisitions of retail businesses and prime retail locations and financing these acquisitions in other markets presents many challenges to retailers. Our years of experience enabling retailers to deal with these challenges gives our clients a real competitive advantage, saving them time, frustration and money. 

As well as planning, health and safety, disability discrimination environmental and asbestos related expertise we have extensive experience of retail store work including acquisitions, anchor tenancies in shopping centres, High Street units, retail parks, shopping centres, outlet villages and unit sales and leasebacks.

International HR issues

Employing and retaining key employees is vital for all retailers. Retailers also face the challenge of ensuring that high management standards are maintained often by junior and inexperienced manages across a number of different stores. We advise a wide range of retailers on all aspects of their HR issues including pensions, employee share schemes, discriminatory practices, consultancies, cross border secondments, restructuring, redundancies and unfair dismissal claims. 

International brand development

We operate one stop global brand protection programmes for a wide range of retailers. Ensuring the key brand assets, the trade marks and domain names are correctly represented, translated and protected helps retailers overcome what can be a barrier to market entry and commence their international roll out with their brand secure. 

Regulatory Concerns

Retailers are facing an ever increasing raft of regulation and third party controls including Licensing requirements, Trading Standards investigations, Competition/Anti-trust issues, Environmental regulations, product claims, product descriptions, product recalls and product liability, plus health and safety and labelling requirements.
Our London and Brussels teams are able to guide retailers through the many and complex regulatory regimes so our clients are able to concentrate on running their businesses.

International Promotions and Marketing

Co-ordinating the local, regional and international multi-channel marketing and promotion campaigns requires a broad knowledge of many different markets. We advise many retailers on the implementation of their international campaigns guiding them through regulatory and other restrictions to ensure maximum impact.  We also assist retailers in preparing agreements with marketing, design and media agencies.

Retail Business Recovery and Insolvency

Particularly in challenging economic climates, the ability to act swiftly, be it formulating restructuring strategies for retailers in financial difficulty, advising key stakeholders and banks involved with retailers or providing strategic guidance where a retailer’s key suppliers are facing insolvency, is key.

Lawyers in each of our European offices are very experienced in providing advice and guidance in these areas and we are particularly recommended for cross-border restructurings.

Dispute Management

Working closely with our retail clients, we are able to successfully reduce the number of disputes that arise and effectively manage those that do in a proactive and commercially appropriate manner. Disputes are usually a symptom of more fundamental problems. Our holistic approach means that when disputes arise they present an opportunity to improve some of the fundamentals of the business.