Olswang's retail practice combines the skills of our multi award
winning corporate lawyers with our renowned IP, e-commerce,
employment and real estate specialists to create transaction and
advisory teams with a deep understanding of the legal, commercial
and regulatory issues that govern the retail sector.
As retailers continue to see the decline of bricks and mortar
strategies and the growth of multi channelling including online,
our unrivalled understanding of the internet, distance selling,
technology and e-commerce space places us at the forefront of the
e-tailing revolution, enabling us to represent global e-commerce
clients such as NET-A-PORTER.COM.
At the same time, the practice developed a deep understanding of
the fashion sector, advising a number of leading fashion retailers
on the protection and development of their brands and businesses.
The firm's high street fashion clients include H&M, Timberland,
Austin Reed and Marks & Spencer, to name but a few.
Helen Newman is well known in the high fashion and luxury goods
segment of the market and Helen advises premium brand owners and
fashion designers.
Today, purchasers, vendors and established retail groups, as
well as strategic investors operating in the retail sector, choose
to work with us in order to gain access to our highly skilled
corporate lawyers and our specialist commercial, IP, employment and
real estate lawyers, and receive a unique sector focused
legal service.
NET-A-PORTER Limited
Acted for the founding shareholders of NET-A-PORTER
Limited, the world's premier luxury on-line retailer, upon its
acquisition by Richemont, its largest shareholder, valuing the
company at £350 million. Olswang acted for NET-A-PORTER in the
offer to approximately 160 shareholders, including a large number
of employees who exercised share options.
Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander
Advised Kaupthing on its investment in Costcutter, one of
the UK's leading retail "Symbol" groups in a transaction which
valued its stake at £100 million.
goviral A/S
Advised the shareholders of goviral A/S, a distributor of
branded video content across the internet, on the sale of goviral
to AOL Inc for up to $96.7m.
The Mall Fund/Town centre redevelopment
Acted for The Mall to help it double the size of several of its
shopping centres in the South of England through partnership with
the local council and as part of city wide urban regeneration
projects.
Protego/Bridgwater Retail Park
Acted for Protego in their joint venture with neighbouring
landowner Sainsbury's to further develop the retail park by the
addition of new units, mezzanine floor space, extensions and
changes of use.
Design Council
IP strategy and various trade mark matters.
H&M
Advising H&M in respect of a number of design infringements
matters against a variety of retailers and suppliers.
Marks & Spencer
Advising M&S on a range of commercial matters including their
sponsorship of The X Factor 2011.
BMW
Advising BMW in relation to the successful defence of a number of
employment tribunal claims.
Tchenguiz Family Trust/Somerfield
Advised the Tchenguiz Family Trust, as part of a consortium
comprising APAX Partners, Barclays Capital and themselves, on the
£1.2 billion recommended cash offer made for Somerfield.
Arcadia Group
Glitnir Bank
Advised Glitnir Bank on its acquisition finance backing of the
Baugur Group, in connection with its acquisition of the high street
fashion boutique, Whistles, from Mosaic Fashions.
Peter Werth
Advised Peter Werth and David Summers, on the sale of the entire
issued share capital of Springrealm Limited, which trades as
fashion brand Peter Werth, to Kingsway Acquisitions Limited.
Timberland
Advised global clothing and footwear enterprise, The Timberland
Company, on its first UK acquisition of the action sports and
outdoor clothing company, Howies Limited.
Build-A-Bear
Advising Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., the retailer that allows you
to create and customise your own stuffed animal, on a range of real
estate and IP/ trade mark matters.
Austin Reed
Advising Austin Reed on a range of matters including advising on
their international licensing and franchise arrangements.
Direct Wines
Advising on a range of commercial matters including compliance
with the ASA's BCAP and CAP codes.
Stay connected