The Retail, Consumer & Lifestyle sector is a key area of focus for our firm.
The sector has evolved rapidly in recent years, as technological innovation and the changing consumer market has transformed the way the sector operates and interact with customers.
This sector is characterised by innovative brands and exciting growth businesses. It is a highly competitive sector and one heavily affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With both the recent pandemic and the wider market trends towards digitisation as well as greater sustainability and enhancing the consumer experience, it is clear that consumer-focused businesses will need to be flexible and adaptable to quickly changing market conditions in order to succeed.
We dedicate ourselves to supporting our clients through their growth journey and pride ourselves on offering more than just legal support. We take the time to get to know you, and build tailored teams dedicated to understanding the underlying ethos and commercial strategies of your brand. Taking this personal approach to our work enables us to look ahead, and think creatively about how we can best support you with the challenges and opportunities the sector will face in the future, particularly as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our group has extensive experience advising businesses across the sector, with market leading expertise in:
- Food & Beverage – including restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs and brands, with specialist expertise in food regulation and developing technology
- Retail & Consumer Brands – including household names, luxury brands and retailers, with specialist experience in commercial strategy and consumer technology
- Lifestyle & Leisure – including hotels, membership clubs and the exciting developing area of ‘wellness’
No matter what kind of business and whatever stage of growth you are at, we will help you navigate the challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. Please get in touch, or click through to our pages below for more information on your particular sector.
Meet the team
- Call Edward +44 (0)20 7203 5213
- Email Edward
- London office
- Call Caroline +44 (0)20 7203 5150
- Email Caroline
- London office
- Call Rose +44 (0)20 7427 6524
- Email Rose
- London office
- Call Andrew +44 (0)20 7427 6768
- Email Andrew
- London office
- Call David +44 (0)20 7427 6755
- Email David
- London office
- Call Mark +971 4 246 1921
- Email Mark
- Dubai office
- Call Megan +44 (0) 207 438 2235
- Email Megan
- London office
- Call Michael +44 (0)20 7203 5216
- Email Michael
- London office
- Call Jason +44 (0)20 7203 5347
- Email Jason
- London office
- Call Nick +44 (0)20 7438 2294
- Email Nick
- London office
- Call Caroline +44 (0)20 7203 5158
- Email Caroline
- London office
- Call Abigail +44 (0)20 7203 8909
- Email Abigail
- London office
- Call Peter +44 (0)20 7427 6754
- Email Peter
- London office
Attention to Retail Toolkit
We work extensively in the retail sector, advising both small start-ups as well as some of the biggest names in the business.
Our thinking
Ingrid Saffin
Ingrid Saffin writes for eprivateclient on private capital, responsible business, and investing in the high street
The end of the moratorium could bring new gaps in retail space. But could this ultimately be good news?
Reem Al Mahroos
Frequently Asked Questions: Hotel Franchise Agreements
What is a franchise agreement and what are the differences between it and a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA)?
Claire Timmings
Government launches a new rent arrears Code for Covid stricken businesses with legislative teeth
Who does the code apply to and what is it's purpose? Read more here.
Caroline Greenwell
Caroline Greenwell quoted by Food Navigator on how organisations can avoid the greenwashing trap
New reviews on misleading claims in early 2022 will pressure companies to provide concrete evidence of their sustainability credentials.
Rebecca Burford
Business South, the Surrey Chambers of Commerce and Insider Media report on the firm’s involvement in CMO Group Plc’s acquisition of JTM Plumbing Ltd
The firm advised CMO Group Plc, UK’s largest pureplay online retailer of building materials on its acquisition of JTM Plumbing Limited.
Jason Saiban
Jason Saiban writes for Food Manufacture on the food industry's climate change challenge
The key challenge will be how the environmental targets are actually met.
Olivia Crane
Olivia Crane writes for The Grocer on the importance of robust data protection policies for checkout-less stores
The ‘personal data footprint’ created by this type of service and technology isn’t something that should be overlooked.
Olivia Gray
Consumers’ unwitting assumptions: A [wh]iskey business in brand competition
Olivia and Anna look at the Liverpool Gin Distillery Ltd v Sazerac Brands LLC case and the question of 'indirect confusion'
Hamish Perry
Charles Russell Speechlys advises on the sale of No.1 Lounges Ltd to SwissportALD
SwissportALD will run nine No.1 Lounge properties at the UK’s London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Birmingham airports.
Rachel Bell
eCommerce and the Post-Brexit State of Play
Key UK and EU legislation governing how online platforms deal with consumers and their business users.
Michael Powner
Michael Powner and Laurence Whymark write for The Caterer on the implications of the new tipping laws on the hospitality industry
Operators will soon have to pass on tips to staff without deductions.
Anna Sowerby
Anna Sowerby writes for The Fashion Law on the new collaborative approach being taken by luxury brands and online platforms to fight fakes
Online platforms are now under pressure to be more proactive in their approach to tackling the ever-escalating issue of counterfeit goods.
Sarah Morley quoted by Estates Gazette on the implications of the Court of Appeal’s decision in TFS Stores v Designer Retail Outlet
Perfume retailer The Fragrance Shop lost a legal dispute with the Designer Retail Outlet and other large shopping centre owners.
Caroline Swain
Building Back Better: Future Gazing
What’s next for the hospitality industry post-pandemic?
Caroline Swain
Building Back Better: Re-examining your proposition
Why hospitality businesses should re-examine their proposition now
James Broadhurst
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Fudco Partnership on sale to Exponent-backed Vibrant Foods
Fudco is a family-owned business selling South Asian ethnic foods in UK and Europe.
Adrian Mayer
InvestAfrica: Checking in or Checking out? Financing Africa’s Hotels in 2021
The discussion examined the strategies investors and financial institutions can implement to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.
Kerry Stares
Doing Business Responsibly: Food & Beverage
A return to growth will be a priority post-pandemic for F&B businesses, and doing business responsibly could help you to achieve it
Lee Medlock
Charles Russell Speechlys advises TDR Capital LLP and the Issa brothers on the real estate aspects of ASDA acquisition
TDR Capital LLP and the Issa brothers have completed their acquisition of a majority stake in ASDA from Walmart.
David Haines
David Haines and Ingrid Saffin write for Caterer Licensee on the end of the rent moratorium
With the rent moratorium due to end on 31 March, David and Ingrid emphasise the importance of communication with landlords.