Retail overview

We understand the retail sector and deliver commercial tailored solutions to our clients

With traditional product boundaries blurring, the increasing pressure of the internet, a squeeze on high street margins and a shortage of retail space, these are testing times for retailers. Every decision is crucial; we can help. 

Through our experience of working with retail clients we have developed a wide knowledge of the sector and the issues affecting it. Our cross-practice team of retail specialists includes leading individuals from corporate, real estate, employment, construction, dispute resolution, IP and competition, with wider support from other key areas across the firm. We regularly share know-how and issues to ensure we are up-to-date with matters of importance concerning retailers and are therefore able to give the best and most tailored advice.

We have a long history of advising retail clients, including some of the UK’s leading companies: Apple, Burberry, Capital Shopping Centres, Diesel, Gap, Harrods, HMV, Krispy Kreme, Land Securites, Nike, Tesco, The Junction, The Mall and Westfield.

Our latest alerts, briefings & reports
Nabarro briefings and reports
  • New planning rules in force from 30 May 2013  
The Government published legislation at the end of last week that will relax the rules on when planning permission is needed for change of use. View full briefing
  • ONEL: what constitutes genuine use of a Community Trade Mark?  
On 19 December 2012, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) handed down its long-anticipated judgment in the ONEL/OMEL case. This reference from the Court of Appeal of the Hague sought guidance on the question of whether use of a Community Trade Mark (CTM) in a single member state constitutes genuine use in the Community.  View full briefing
  • OHIM's box-ticking approach to class heading filings fails to tick all the right boxes  
Community Trade Mark (CTM) applicants beware. OHIM (the CTM office) has again (15 October 2012) changed its practice on filings for "class headings". View full briefing
  • DCLG's proposals to help bring forward stalled development  
With an increasing number of developments stalling following changes to market conditions, making previously agreed planning obligations unviable, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is seeking to make legislative changes to help developers renegotiate those planning obligations. View full briefing
  • Humpty Dumpty and the sequential approach – Tesco v Dundee   
It is well established that, when determining planning applications, planning authorities must proceed upon a proper understanding of the development plan. But is it for the planning authority, or for the courts, to decide what amounts to a "proper understanding"? This briefing looks at the key points arising from a recent UK Supreme Court decision on this question and the potential for that decision to drive a coach and horses through the meaning of "suitable" in the context of the sequential approach.  View full briefing
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