Consumer goods & retail

Companies in the consumer goods and retail sector confront the global challenges of an economic slowdown, an increasingly competitive environment and a growing regulatory burden. A fundamental understanding of these commercial, competitive and compliance pressures together with a unique international network means Clifford Chance is ideally placed to help clients meet these challenges and achieve their strategic objectives.

We have an advisory and transactional track record which is second to none, supporting companies in the sector in all key areas of their business, from strategic growth and divestments to international brand management, commercial relationships and regulatory compliance. Industry specialists offer our clients the best advice based on unrivalled legal expertise and an in-depth knowledge of their industry, their company and the distinctive commercial drivers that affect them. Our multi-disciplinary consumer goods and retail sector group includes lawyers with sector expertise in key jurisdictions worldwide so clients benefit from a truly integrated network.

Clifford Chance lawyers assist many of the market leaders in the sector in dealing with the challenges and opportunities presented by a continually changing business environment and we support clients on the most complex legal and tax issues. Our experience includes advising on:

• Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances
• Strategic growth and divestments
• Commercial relationships including logistics, distribution, packaging, manufacturing and transitional service arrangements
• Franchising
• IT procurement, e-commerce and home shopping arrangements
• Multi-jurisdictional and domestic competition / antitrust issues
• Maximising protection for brands and other intellectual property assets and managing risk of intellectual property infringement
• Employment, pensions and share schemes
• Consumer finance, such as credit sale, store-cards and credit cards
• Consumer law including domestic and international product liability risk management and safety issues affecting manufacturers, importers and retailers
• Dispute resolution solutions, often in the context of ongoing commercial and regulatory relationships
• Environmental and sustainable development issues arising at all stages of the product life-cycle
• Compliance with a broad spectrum of legal and regulatory requirements, including data privacy, trade control and sanctions, anti-money laundering and bribery/corruption regimes
• The full range of debt finance arrangements and securitisation structures
• Real estate matters and disputes
• Corporate Governance
• Tax
• Outsourcing