Consumer

The Consumer sector is undergoing significant transformation driven by various factors, including technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, broader economic conditions and fluctuating consumer confidence, and supply chain sustainability.

Primary catalysts of change include:

• Inflationary pressures and the recent cost of living crisis which has made consumers nervous about spending, with quality, price and the customer experience becoming central;
• Weakened brand loyalty across demographic groups as consumers look to new brands for better value;
• Consumers expecting products to be tailored and personalized to their preference;
• Increased consumer focus on health and wellness, reflecting a broader societal shift towards healthier lifestyles;
• Younger consumers valuing sustainability and ethical practices, yet simultaneously deprioritizing sustainability in their purchase decisions and becoming less willing to pay a premium for sustainable products;
• Scrutiny by regulators into green claims and greenwashing by FMCG companies; and
• Consumer companies reviewing their portfolios, with continuing pressure to focus on core and faster-growing markets, driving carve-outs and portfolio reconfigurations.

We seek to help our Consumer sector clients address these complexities and are committed to forward thinking to help our clients stay ahead of the curve and maximise opportunities whilst managing risk and uncertainty.

From strategic partnerships, M&A and financing, through to data and brand protection, e-commerce, competition and consumer protection, employment, cybersecurity, and global investigations and litigation, we offer a broad range of legal services, working in tandem with Consumer businesses. We advise consumer goods companies on ESG issues, including on diligence and risk management across their supply chains. We guide our Consumer clients through their commercial transactions, including franchising, licensing, logistics and distribution.

Recognized for the breadth and depth of our industry knowledge, our dedicated Consumer Sector group spans borders, offering our clients a global network as well as pragmatic and commercial solutions to their business challenges.

Representative matters

• ASICS on the sale of Haglöfs, a Swedish outdoor performance brand, to LionRock Capital.
• Castore, a premium performance sportswear brand and technology-enabled, end-to-end digital platform for global sports teams, on a GBP145m investment to fund future growth led by The Raine Group.
• Gerry Weber International AG, a fashion and lifestyle group, in connection with its extensive financial and corporate restructuring process.
• LVMH and Tag Heuer on the creation and commercialisation of the first luxury connected watch (in collaboration with Intel and Google). 
• Net-a-Porter on its GBP526m sale to Yoox, the Italian online fashion retailer.
• Pandora, the Danish jewellery company, in a dispute concerning unfair competition and trademark law due to misleading advertising and free-riding on a brand’s goodwill.

• Primark on its real estate work including the acquisition and expansion of stores in France, Italy and Germany. 
• A global retail company on the GBP181m sale of its Polish business to Salling Group and additional divestments of its Polish store estate.
• The lenders on the EUR15bn financing for the acquisition of Tiffany & Co. by LVMH.
• Under Armour on ESG strategy in the U.S. and globally, including advising on supply chain management, ESG benchmarking, product certifications and materials declarations, product transport matters, packaging waste issues, green marketing considerations and sustainability reporting.
• Versace on its space leasing program throughout the United States, with locations including: Bal Harbour (FL); South Coast Plaza (CA); SoHo (NY); Beverly Center (CA); Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills (CA); NorthPark Center (TX); and 200 Madison (NY).