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Freeths - Law firm

Retail

Labelled as one of the best

What is involved in retail at Freeths?

Retail is one of the firm’s most important and vibrant sectors; our National Team work with over 400 Retailers and Brands in the UK and internationally. Our dedicated team of lawyers specialising in this fast moving sector understand not only the demands that Retailers face, but also the opportunities the sector presents.

We also recognise the Retail Sector encompasses many types of business, which is why we have a number of key sub-sectors, all with specialist teams who truly understand the relevant opportunities and challenges and can tailor advice accordingly. We have specialists in luxury and high street brands, health and beauty, home, fashion, grocery, sports and betting and gaming.

Whether you’re a luxury brand, a high street favourite, a fast growing start up or an e-commerce business, we can offer you tailor made guidance to help you thrive in your field.

We have an active retail community, running regular events and sharing industry know how, including via our The Future of Retail webinars and roundtables, and our Trending Now vlog series. All of which is supported by horizon scanning, thought leadership and regular update reports on the latest sector trends. Click here to subscribe to our mailing lists to keep up to date with the latest information and seminar invites for your sector.

Want to know more? Speak to a member of our Retail Team.

Related services:
Beauty & personal care >

 

“Freeths have a key understanding of the commercialities and practicalities of the development process. They are able to provide sound advice whilst also having a forward thinking approach as to how the clients interests are protected. The team on retail property are very knowledgeable and skilled. They know all the key issues to discuss.”

Legal 500

Philippa Dempster - PartnerFor further information please contact:
Philippa Dempster
Senior Partner & Managing Partner – London Office
T: 0345 050 3203
E: philippa.dempster@freeths.co.uk

Recent client case studies

Joseph case study

Simplifying Joseph’s supply chain for their European and rest of the world business

Freeths advised Joseph on a significant project to simplify their supply chain for their European and rest of the world business. This involved the closure of their own warehouse facility and the migration to a specialist 3PL provider for all warehouse and logistics requirements. This included wholesale, own stores and online.

What benefit will this project provide?

This really helps Joseph’s to be fit for purpose going forward. As well as reducing fixed costs, it will allow Joseph to have much more flexibility including, for example, to increase and decrease operations to align with demand. It will also allow greater access to supply chain expertise, to help Joseph to better serve its customers.

This was one of the first deals that Freeths have advised on in this space post-Brexit, and brought into sharp focus the varying practices used in different European countries and their idiosyncrasies. The timing of the transition was paramount to avoid disruption to peak trading times. The project involved TUPE and some redundancy and HR issues which needed to be navigated.

Freeths have a close relationship with Joseph and are appointed as Joseph’s virtual in-house legal team. In addition to this notable project, we have been providing a range of advice on contractual matters. Joseph have also transitioned their entire trademark portfolio over to us to manage.

We’re excited to continue to build upon our existing successful relationship, supporting an iconic luxury fashion brand in the new era of retail.

“The Freeths team are personable, flexible, and very business minded, always keeping the commercial objective at the forefront. They’re great at making sure we comply, dotting the I’s, crossing the t’s, while making sure we still drive toward the intended commercial outcome. Freeths are able to take away the complex jargon, the complexities around the laws, and simplify it, so we can make clear commercial business decisions much quicker. I’m very happy with my experience with Freeths, especially with Philippa and her direct team, and I look forward to our working relationship going from strength to strength.”

Danny Brown, Chief Financial Officer, Joseph

Aldi case studies

Aldi and M&S

We acted for Aldi in the highly publicised claim by M&S that Aldi’s Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake infringed trade marks in M&S’s Colin the Caterpillar cake, or that it amounted to passing off. The war of the caterpillars was hard fought and very public:

Our team members were required to draw on their commercial and diplomacy skills, in addition to advising on the intellectual property rights at play, in order to defend and ultimately settle a claim with so much press interest. The matter is now resolved on confidential terms. We advise Aldi, often consulting with its advertising agency, on all aspects of its advertising and marketing, including television, online, print, OOH and social media marketing. Seasonal campaigns, sponsorships and events are all areas of particular expertise in addition to associated PR and reputational management advice.

Aldi & Shop&Go

We advise Aldi UK on a wide range of data matters, including on its first checkout-free Shop&Go where people can shop without having to scan a product. Its checkout-free supermarket is one of the first of its kind in the UK and has attracted considerable media attention.

We advised on the Data Protection Impact Assessment in relation to the data processing conducted by its new checkout- free Shop&Go concept store. We have also advised on the privacy notices and anti-fraud procedures in relation to this store following launch of the pilot. We have also advised on Aldi’s “BAU” data matters, including: (i) its new customer online customer feedback arrangements; (ii) reviewing and negotiating data sharing agreements with third parties; (iii) its employee data retention policies.

Other case studies

Self-Portrait

Freeths have a long-standing relationship with Self-Portrait. We have also advised Self-Portrait on the appointment of the iconic fashion house Roland Mouret. Freeths advised on all aspects of the acquisition right from bid stage to completion, including corporate, insolvency, intellectual property, employment and data. We are currently advising Self-Portrait on the appointment of global agents, working closely with international counsel.

Tala

Freeths work closely with TALA, the sustainable lifestyle/ activewear brand founded by influencer and entrepreneur Grace Beverley. Freeths acted for TALA on its first fundraise, with lead venture capital investors Active (acting by its fund Active General Partner III LLP), certain funds managed by Venrex Investment Management LLP and Pembroke VCT plc as well as a number of individual angel investors. Freeths have since advised Grace Beverley on the follow-on and angel investment and on various commercial matters.

Scotch Corner

Scotch Corner Designer Village will be the leading designer outlet-shopping destination in the North of England, due to open Autumn 2023. Blue Diamond are already signed to the home and garden centre aspect and headline exchanged retailers for the outlet include Adidas, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Joules, Dune London, and many others.

The Freeths team is acting for the landowner/ developer on all aspects, including real estate, pre-lettings, infrastructure, funding and construction. We acted on all land acquisition aspects and continue to deal with option drawdown needed for the home and garden centre. This is most likely the largest single site retail-led project currently advised on by a law firm outside of London at present.

PVH

Freeths have a long-standing relationship with PVH (parent company of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein), supporting various areas of the business. Freeths recently advised PVH in negotiating contracts with Heathrow Airport and various suppliers in setting up a new retail reserve and collect model for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger underwear and apparel. This follows the PVH x Heathrow retail vending project completed by Freeths in the previous year. The negotiations and implementation were successful, resulting in a strengthened relationship with Heathrow. We are excited to continue advising PVH on new projects in this space.

Leading Retailer

Freeths have become the “go to” firm of a leading retailer in providing compliance advice in respect of all consumer products which it intends to sell on the UK market. These are wide ranging and include items such as electronic equipment, toys, pet accessories, sports clothing and equipment, detergent and cleaning products, kitchen accessories, make-up and cosmetic products, paints, and home furniture amongst others. This also extends to advising on remedial action, including product recalls, where a non- compliant product has been placed on the market as well as dealing with any enforcement action by Trading Standards.

Why choose Freeths?Chambers & Partners 2024 logoLuxury Law Alliance Logo

  • We offer specialist advice that is to the point, jargon free and balance sheet accountable
  • You will benefit from the reassurance of fixed fee pricing and our market-leading 24/7 service
  • We have an in-depth understanding of retail and can give you advice on the latest trends
  • You can expect speed, accuracy, innovation and cost-efficiency to give your brand the advantage
  • We have developed two dedicated products to help retailers manage their assets – the hub for staff management and portfolio solutions to keep on top of key property dates

Our partner-led service is tailored to your requirements, so you get exactly what you want.

We work across a wide range of products and sectors, giving us the legal expertise to maximise your effectiveness. We appreciate the power of the brand and the need to keep you trading.

We have an active retail community, and run a series of events, including the future of retail webinars and roundtables, and our trending now vlog series. All of which is supported by horizon scanning, thought leadership and regular update reports on the hot sector trends. Click here to subscribe to our mailing lists to keep up to date with the latest information and seminar invites for your sector.

Meet the team

Retail Lawyers


Richard Beverley

Richard Beverley
Managing Partner

0345 634 2577

Philippa Dempster

Philippa Dempster
Managing Partner

0207 440 5841

Lisa Gilligan
Managing Partner

0345 272 5723

Mohammed Alam
Partner

0345 340 4215

Liz Banks

Liz Banks
Partner

0345 030 5744

Simon Barker

Simon Barker
Partner

0345 634 2583

Iain Bowler
Partner

0345 030 5767

Lucy Bradban

Lucy Bradban
Partner

0345 126 3494

Paul Burnley

Paul Burnley
Partner

0345 017 8381

Lee Clifford

Lee Clifford
Partner

0345 634 2586

Luke Dixon
Partner

0345 404 4162

Image of Tim Foley

Tim Foley
Partner

0345 340 4202

Rebecca Howlett

Rebecca Howlett
Partner

0345 166 6338

Atiyya Khaliq

Atiyya Khaliq
Partner

0345 050 3604

Clare King

Clare King
Partner

0345 128 6950

David Lane

David Lane
Partner

0345 050 3684

Philip Myers

Philip Myers
Partner

0345 030 5758

Dahren Naidoo

Dahren Naidoo
Partner

0345 030 5743

Mark Neale
Partner

0345 077 9626

Martin Noble
Partner

0345 030 5699

Clive Pearce

Clive Pearce
Partner

0345 128 6990

Kevin Poulter
Partner

0345 404 4133

Isobel Radford
Partner

0345 050 3610

Rebecca Sawbridge

Rebecca Sawbridge
Partner

0345 634 2589

Emily Settle

Emily Settle
Partner

0345 126 4366

Jon Smart

Jon Smart
Partner

0345 050 3650

Image of Matt Stephens

Matt Stephens
Partner

0345 073 8558

Nick Sutton
Partner

0345 077 9567

Nick Taylor
Partner

0345 5340 4220

Ian Tempest

Ian Tempest
Partner

0345 274 6818

Laura Tracey - Employment Lawyer

Laura Tracey
Partner

0345 166 6349

Darren Williamson
Partner

0345 634 1742

Mark Alexander
Director

0345 634 2562

Simon Ellis

Simon Ellis
Director

0345 128 7983

Fiona Powell

Fiona Powell
Director

0345 272 5719

David Quinn
Director

0345 166 6277

Roger Gough
Consultant

0345 030 5718

Jessica Matthews

Jessica Matthews
Managing Associate

0345 166 6261

Daniel McNally - Compliance and Regulatory Lawyer

Daniel McNally
Managing Associate

0345 030 5728

Tomasin Reilly
Managing Associate

0345 030 5721

Image of Aimee Teague

Aimee Teague
Managing Associate

0345 030 5742

Ella Carroll
Senior Associate

0345 017 6020

Rachel Clack
Senior Associate

0345 272 5720

Image of Ben Cox

Ben Cox
Senior Associate

0345 030 5641

Sharon Rai
Senior Associate

0345 077 9610

Retail

Amy Weir
Senior Associate

0345 404 1725

Aamir Hussain
Associate

0345 128 7989

Image of Fiona Lawson

Fiona Lawson
Associate

0345 128 7979

Chris Musgrave
Associate

0345 166 6260

Amy Platt
Associate

0345 166 6267

Sarah Röbin
Associate

0781 409 3285

Related news
More related news, articles and events for Retail
Testimonials

"Paul Smith likes to adopt a relaxed approach to business. Richard fits into this style with ease and consistently provides us with sound commercial advice."

(Company Secretary at Paul Smith)

"I've worked with the team at Freeths in respect of a number of leading fashion retailers and have been consistently impressed by the speed and standard of their service."

(CWM)

"They've shown a real understanding of our sector and give clear and practical advice. They're been particularly helpful with new entrants to the UK market."

"Sarah has acted for Hotel Chocolat for over ten years on most of our property requirements. Sarah is first class, professional, completely trustworthy and I can always rely on her to get the deal done quickly and efficiently."

(Peter Harris, Co-Founder & Development Director of Hotel Chocolat)

"Having worked with Atiyya on several projects over the past four years I have always found her to be extremely thorough and responsive in her approach to our legal requirements. Atiyya is very good at spotting sensitive details and squeezing the maximum benefit for the client through the legal process."

(Piers Barnes, Finance Director, Helly Hansen)

"With close to 300 stores nationwide, The Money Shop frequently faces property management issues such as contested and uncontested lease renewals, dilapidations disputes, contested rent reviews and unreasonable service charge demands by landlords. Paul Tomkins and Edd Pickard in Freeths' Real Estate Litigation team work closely with me on these matters. I view Paul and Edd as part of our in-house team."

(Phil Mulroney, Head of Property, The Money Shop)

“The team are commercial and pragmatic.”

(Chambers & Partners, 2024)

"‘The [retail] team understand our business and culture therefore providing both pragmatic and tailored support."

(The Legal 500, 2023)

"Managing Partner Richard Beverley continues to be active in the retail sector, where clients range from major supermarkets to fashion boutiques."

(The Legal 500)

Notable Work
  • Acting for fashion, chocolate, shoe, home and electrical/mobile phone retailers in all of the major shopping centres, high streets, train stations and airports throughout the UK including flagship stores in Oxford Street, Regent Street, Brompton Road, Westfield London and Westfield Stratford.
  • Acting for a well-known restaurant client acquiring properties to expand chain of restaurants.
  • Successfully advised Barker and Stonehouse on securing planning permission for a new 40,000 sq ft state of the art flagship store on the former fire station site in Guildford. This involved difficult negotiations with the Highway Authority in respect of integration with and completion of wider program of highway works.
  • Acting for high street retailers on their UK acquisitions and portfolio management including Pretty Green, Kikki.K, 3INA and others.
  • Advising on a debt/equity investment in Green Room Brands which distributes Green Cola in the UK and Ireland.
  • Acting for a retail client on a group reorganisation, involving the transfer of 50 freehold and leasehold properties to new group companies. This required obtaining consent from numerous landlords and from the client’s bank. Standard, even handed documentation was created to enable the transfers to be dealt with quickly and cost-effectively.
  • Bringing a claim in passing off and unregistered Community design relating to the design of packaging for designer sunglasses.
  • Acting for Aldi on their acquisition programme in the South East of England. This includes the acquisition of existing retail space and developer-led retail park sites and there have been a significant number of sites secured over the past 3 years.
  • Bringing a claim for infringement of UK unregistered design right and unregistered Community design, relating to the design of part of a shoe.
  • Providing commercial advice to a large multi-site retailer on day-to-day employment issues including advising on disciplinary and grievance processes and procedures, discrimination and harassment, pregnancy and maternity issues and termination of employment.
  • Taking down dozens of misleading and infringing social media accounts purporting to offer vouchers to spend at a client’s stores.
  • Procuring the transfer of dozens of domain names from cyber-squatters, typo-squatters and affiliate marketers for a high street retailer.

Client service

‘Doing the right thing’ is at the heart of Freeths. Find out more about our excellent client service and the strong set of values that guide the way we work.

Our values

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Talk to us

Freeths are a leading national law firm with 13 offices across the UK. If you have a query about our services or just want to find out more, why not give us a call?

Contact: 03301 001 014

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