Industry focus: retail in Netherlands

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie's retail team, part of the firm’s international consumer goods and retail practice, brings together a number of areas of expertise, advising clients on franchising matters and assisting them with brand protection, in addition to providing both corporate and restructuring advice and handling all manner of commercial litigation. The latter is Itse Oosterhoff's area of focus, with his practice being centred around supply chain disputes. Benjamin van Kessel specialises in IP matters, assisting retail clients with the full spectrum of hard and soft IP matters, while Wibren Veldhuizen and Harald van Dobbenburgh are sought after for cross-border tax structuring and transfer pricing advice. Laura Rietvelt supports retail clients undergoing international restructuring measures.

Praxisleiter:

Itse Oosterhoff; Benjamin van Kessel; Wibren Veldhuizen; Harald van Dobbenburgh; Laura Rietvelt


Referenzen

‘Baker McKenzie stands out because all of the department’s lawyers are highly specialised in the retail and commercial areas, which adds value for clients. The firm has clearly made its mark in this industry.’

‘Itse Oosterhoff is bright and shows an exceptional commercial talent. His skills stand out when advising clients, litigating their cases or when negotiating with the other side. He is experienced, knowledgeable and strong strategically.’

‘A strong team that exudes teamwork, working closely and effectively together.’

Kernmandanten

British American Tobacco


Catawiki


Danone


GoPro


Johnson & Johnson


Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise


Sisley


Specsavers


Swarovski


TastyBasics


Unilever


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted as a trusted advisor to Rituals on different aspects of its selective distribution systems throughout the world, with a particular focus on improving the effectiveness of Ritual’s strategy to prevent unauthorised sales.
  • Advising Unilever on its trademark prosecution (brand management) matters, on trademark infringement matters and strategic trademark advice regarding the Benelux region.
  • Assisting Mistral on various matters regarding IP distribution and licensing contracts, trademark licences and disputes.

Kennedy Van der Laan

July 2023 saw Kennedy Van der Laan merge its commercial and international trade team with the firm’s EU and competition team, while continuing to be a strong player in matters concerning Dutch franchising law and expanding its work in the e-commerce sector. The retail group is led by the ‘very practical’ Martine de Koning, a leading expert on franchising matters, who also takes on competition issues before the Dutch courts. Jelle Blom, who made partner in June 2023, focuses on franchising and commercial contracts, along with Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken, who also joined the firm’s partnership in 2023, combining a civil procedural law practice with matters of franchising, distribution and consumer law.

Praxisleiter:

Martine de Koning


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jelle Blom; Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken; Renske Sinke; Lisa van Vliet; Lisa Lander; Daan van Lier; Noor de Werd; Tosca Bokhove


Referenzen

‘A very professional and business-oriented team. They have excellent market knowledge, which shows in the advice they give.’

‘Special mention for Martine de Koning, who is an excellent professional to work with: always available, top expertise, very imaginative and creative.’

‘Integrated approach of various legal workstreams helps in educating our sales and marketing people on new legislation. They understand our business needs and speak the language. Highly communicative, young and hungry team.’

Kernmandanten

Nike


Converse


Marriott & Starwood


Hilton


Beter Bed


Kvik


Azerion


VodafoneZiggo


Greenpeace


Secrid


Polaroid


Oger


Bureau Krediet Registratie


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Azerion in a dispute with its partner Bidstack Ltd concerning the supply and distribution of advertising spaces.
  • Advised Nike in several matters related to its licensed multi- and monobrand operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
  • Acted for Stichting Bureau Krediet Registratie in civil proceedings initiated by the former secretary of its arbitration committee, who sued for specific performance and damages.

Van Doorne

Van Doorne fields a team of ‘high level professionals’ when taking on retail matters, and was able to expand its team with the arrival from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek of Daan Beenders and his team in October 2022 to head the firm’s litigation practice, assisting the retail team with matters ranging from non-performance to product recalls. On the non-contentious front, the group advises national and international retailers, investors and distributors on real estate, logistics and distribution and e-commerce. Lisette Bieleveld leads the team, handling litigation in the realms of consumer and liability law. Willem van der Ven specialises in contractual matters, assisting with the drafting and negotiating of distribution, franchising and cooperation deals, in addition to taking on related litigation.

Praxisleiter:

Lisette Bieleveld


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Daan Beenders; Willem van der Ven


Referenzen

‘The team members work together very effectively and efficiently to achieve the best results for us.’

‘The partner we work with is unique in their knowledge of our field (franchising). Never before have we had the opportunity to work with someone who is so familiar and experienced in this area. This offers us opportunities and limits our risks.’

‘Quickly understood the case and our business.’

Kernmandanten

Aberdeen Asset Management


Actis


AD International


Agrico


Albemarle Corporation


Annexum


Arovo B.V.


Asadel


ASN


Astana Group


AutoBinck Holding


Barentz


Barry Callebaut Belgium


Bedo Imex


BCC (Elektro-Speciaalzaken)


BOVAG


Buckaroo


CBR Fashion Group


Cecil


Cott Corporation


Creative Craft


Crisp


Decathlon


Deli Home Holding B.V.


Denon & Marantz Group


Detailresult Groep


D&M


Dutch State Lottery


DRC Capital


Dyson


D.I.O. drogisterijen


Eci Holding


Electronic Arts


Electronic Partner


E & M Holding B.V. (Eyes & More)


EasyPark


FHP Vileda


Getir


Green Retail


Green Swan


Goossens


Hans Anders Retail Group


Hedin Group


Helly Hansen


Hornbach


Hunkemöller International


IMPS


Intergamma (Gamma and Karwei)


INTRAKOOP, Coöperatieve Inkoopvereniging voor zorg en welzijn U.A.


J-Club


Kettler


Klarna Bank AB


Laboratoires La Prairie


LG CNS Europe


Marqt B.V.


M7 Real Estate


McArthurGlen Group/Simon Property Group


Moteo


Morenso


NewForrest


North Sails Apparel


North Technology Group


Office Depot


Ottravo


Onkenhout&Onkenhout


Paradox Interactive


Patta


Penders Voetzorg


PLUS


Polini


Princess Stores


Prominent


PVH


QLF Brands


Rautaruukki


Renault Nederland


Retail Estates N.V.


RetourMatras B.V.


Rockstars


Royal Ahold Delhaize


Royal Sanders


Staatsloterij/Nederlandse Loterij


Schwan-STABILO Schwanhäuber GmbH & Co. KG


Solidus Solutions Holding B.V.


Starbucks


Stella


Stella & Dot


Hedin Group


STG


Street One


Tag Heuer


The European Fine Art Foundation


The Livekindly Company


Takko Fashion


Texelse Bierbrouwerij B.V.


Ticketmaster


TNT


Trionios Group International


Tommy Hilfiger Europe


Tony’s Chocolonely


TW Steel Europe


Veloretti


Verdel Bloemenexport


Watch4us


Walt Disney Company


Wishright (Bodilson)


Zack


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Takko on ESG obligations and setting up its Dutch website to comply with Dutch consumer and e-commerce legislation.
  • Assisted Klarna on a variety of legal matters, including regulatory, finance, employment law and consumer law (T&Cs and other contractual) issues.
  • Represented Hornbach in legal proceedings against local authorities and competitors to enable the opening of new stores.

act Fort Advocaten

Real estate and corporate advice form the key pillars of act Fort Advocaten's retail practice, which covers transactional matters, franchising, employment issues and disputes. Members of the team act for clients in the food and household goods sectors, in addition to investors with holdings in the retail sector. Practice co-head and managing partner Katinka Verdurmen handles both transactional and contentious real estate transactions and leases, and acts for both franchisors and franchisees on franchise agreements. Petrol sector specialist Dirk van den Berg co-heads the team, handling leasing matters for retailers.

Praxisleiter:

Katinka Verdurmen; Dirk van den Berg


Referenzen

‘Personal, engaged, persistent, accurate, agreements are met.’

‘Katinka Verdurmen is a charming and very persistent lady who can think strategically. She understands well that it is not about one stroke, but about the end result.’

Kernmandanten

Association of franchisees of Albert Heijn


Nespresso Nederland B.V.


Subway International B.V.


Bagels & Beans B.V.


Mirage Retail Group B.V.


Wave International B.V./Provalliance Netherlands B.V.


Association of franchisees of McDonald’s


Oogwereld B.V.


Ball Wholesale ApS


JD Sports Fashion B.V./Sports Unlimited Fashion B.V.


Yves Rocher Nederland B.V.


Søstrene Grene


Den Hartog B.V.


Manhave Investments B.V.


Blauwdruk Investeringen B.V.


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for the association of franchisees of Albert Heijn on a complex dispute with franchisor Albert Heijn on the annual financial settlements from 2008 onwards and the interpretation of the agreed financial arrangements for the future.
  • Advised leading retail chain Mirage Retail Group (Blokker, Intertoys, MINISO and BCC) on the process of formula transformation and on various rental, real estate and franchise-law related matters.

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird assists retail clients seeking to optimise their supply chains and IT systems, assisting with a range of projects in that regard and also providing support to clients building up their e-commerce businesses. Brand protection and IP also fall within the team’s capacities, and it further advises on employment, franchising and licensing matters. Practice head Manon Rieger-Jansen specialises in the fashion and luxury sectors, advising on soft IP management and disputes tied to counterfeiting and parallel imports. Roelien van Neck advises retailers on online platform and data regulations, with particular expertise assisting with online business-to-consumer models.

Praxisleiter:

Manon Rieger-Jansen


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Roelien van Neck; Nina Dorenbosch; Goran Danilović


Kernmandanten

Calvin Klein


Tommy Hilfiger


Fila


Holmes Place


AB InBev


Asolo


Made.com


Lloyd shoes


Treasury Wine Estates


Gap


Dawn Meats


Vivino


Chiquita


Hello Fresh


Steigenberger hotels


Primark


Steak Ranches


Olam


Nutreco


Kraft Heinz


Bound2B


Saks.com


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Karl Lagerfeld on questions concerning ‘green claims’ as well as with the development of their environmental strategy in the EU.
  • Represented PPG in litigation against Dutch designer Eric Kuster in a case that revolved around referential use of third party trademarks in paint mixing machines, a practice that has been customary in the paint industry for years.
  • Assisted adidas in a large project involving the implementation of the new EU e-commerce and pricing legislation in their various sales channels.

Dentons

Dentons' retail practice places a strong emphasis on real estate matters, including issues around lease renegotiations and on the development of retail space, including shopping centres. Practice head Wendela Raas maintains a notable commercial leasing practice, and is also active before the courts, where she represents investors, retail chains and project developers. Jeroen le Clercq, who made partner in April 2023, is noted for his contentious landlord and tenant work, while Valentijn Leijh advises on the administrative and regulatory aspects of retail site development. IP specialist Marc Elshof left for BarentsKrans in October 2023.

Praxisleiter:

Wendela Raas


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jeroen le Clercq; Valentijn Leijh; Bas van der Reep


Referenzen

‘The Dentons team is always very creative. They understand retail and the food and beverage industry, and this makes them easy to deal with.’

‘What we value is their extra mile attitude. They don’t close the laptop when everyone is in an exciting deal mode but keep pushing til the end result.’

‘A broad spectrum of knowledge regarding retail topics, with a team in place that can deal with all necessary topics.’

Kernmandanten

Altera


Burger King


De Bijenkorf


EuroParcs


Foot Locker


Foundation React


Invicta


IRO


KellyDeli


Klépierre


Landal GreenPark


Limehome


Pathé


Patrizia


Plus


Rituals


Royal FloraHolland


Savills IM


Sonder Holdings Inc.


Under Armour


Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield


Wereldhave


Airwair


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Under Armour on all its commercial leases across Europe and on a range of data protection and competition issues.
  • Acted for de Bijenkorf on all administrative law issues and assisted on drafting and negotiating agreements with brands de Bijenkorf carries.
  • Represented some of the largest real estate investors in the retail sector such as Unibail-Rodamco Westfield, Wereldhave and Patrizia in disputes with some of their tenants regarding the high lease indexation.

NautaDutilh

NautaDutilh handles a broad range of retail-related issues, including M&As and restructuring measures, franchising arrangements and IP and brand protection matters. The practice is spearheaded by the London-based Willianne van Zandwijk, who focuses primarily on transactions involving national and international retailers,  in addition to acting for private equity and real estate investors. Jeroen Boelens handles hard and soft IP matters, including licensing and high value disputes. Petra Zijp, who co-heads the firm’s capital markets team, is also frequently instructed on matters concerning the retail sector.

Praxisleiter:

Willianne van Zandwijk


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jeroen Boelens; Petra Zijp


Kernmandanten

Airwair


Amazon.com


Campofrio Food Group


Decathlon


ECCO


Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V.


Forever 21


Groupon


H&M


Hästens


Hunkemoller


Jumbo


Lego


Mirage Retail Group


Picnic


Plus


REV’IT!


Samsonite


Scotch & Soda


WE/O’Neill/Van Gils


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised the Mexican bottler and convenience store operator FEMSA in its EUR 3.2bn accelerated bookbuild offering of Heineken and Heineken holding shares and its simultaneous EUR 500m offering of bonds exchangeable into Heineken holding shares.
  • Assisted H&M Hennes & Maurits AB & H&M Finance B.V. as the issuer with respect to the yearly update of their EUR 2bn EMTN programme.
  • Acted for Bluestar Alliance on the acquisition of the Scotch & Soda, an Amsterdam retail brand, and other company’s assets out of bankruptcy.

Osborne Clarke

Real estate transactions, including acquisitions and leases, supply chain issues and distribution contract matters, all fall under the remit of Osborne Clarke‘s retail team, which also advises on employment issues and acquisition financing arrangements. Leading the team are litigators Jeroen Bedaux, who advises clients under investigation by the Authority for Consumers and Markets for potential breaches of consumer law, while Paul Brouwer acts for retailers, e-commerce clients and real estate investors on a range of commercial disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Jeroen Bedaux; Paul Brouwer


Kernmandanten

Adidas


AG Beursplein Rotterdam Coöperatieve U.A.


Bose


ContextLogic (Wish.com)


Diageo


Dyson


Fantini Group Vini


GoPro


HEMA


HTC


Jumbo Supermarkten


LeasePlan


O-I


Procornea


Reckitt Benckiser


Schroders


Sonos


Starbucks


Taylor Guitars


Toolstation


Tracto


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Schroders on the sale of multiple assets, including the Eijerkamp store in Zutphen.
  • Advised AG Beursplein Rotterdam Coöperatieve U.A. on obtaining a EUR 110m investment and development facilities agreement with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A in relation to the Beursgallery.
  • Represented Jumbo Supermarkten B.V. in all its litigious matters.

BarentsKrans

With a team lauded for ‘consistently delivering unparalleled service,’ BarentsKrans is able to advise retail sector clients on commercial leasing arrangements, and is also instructed on commercial disputes concerning retail issues. Ingrid Reimert leads the group, representing both landlords and tenants on the spectrum of leasing disputes. Marlou Timmerman specialises in real estate development, and is also sought after for her skill in contentious matters, which are also areas of focus for Myrte Pielage.

Praxisleiter:

Ingrid Reimert


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Marlou Timmerman; Myrte Pielage


Referenzen

‘The cooperation between the various colleagues means that you never have to wait long for an answer.’

‘Very hands-on, knowledgeable, flexible. True team members.’

‘BarentsKrans is a shining star in the legal industry, consistently delivering unparalleled service.’

Kernmandanten

Brilmij Groep B.V.


Pearle Opticiens


Eyewish


Kwantum Nederland B.V.


Leen Bakker Nederland B.V.


WE Netherlands B.V./WE Europe B.V.


Van Gils Retail B.V.


O’Neill Retail Netherlands B.V.


Bever B.V.


Rivièra Maison B.V.


Nelson Schoenen B.V.


Parfumerie Douglas Nederland B.V.


Eichholtz B.V.


Mister Minit B.V.


Tenstone Development B.V.


SH Development B.V.


IEF Capital N.V.


Vlamingstraat Investment C.V.


Koninklijke INretail


ECCO


NORMAL


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Vlamingstraat Investment C.V. regarding the redevelopment of Priba in the city centre of The Hague.
  • Assisted Eichholtz B.V. with multiple lease agreements and sublease agreements for the first Eichholtz concept store on P.C. Hooftstraat in Amsterdam.
  • Advised IEF Berlage Amsterdam (Kalverstraat) B.V. on the lease agreement for one of ZEEKR’s first two stores in Europe, situated on the Rokin and the Kalverstraat.

CMS

CMS maintains a broad practice, assisting retailers with such matters as commercial contracts, brand protection, advertising and product liability issues. The team has also placed a growing focus on ESG matters under the leadership of practice co-head Aukje Haan, who spearheads the firm’s ESG efforts in the Netherlands, and is also sought after by clients seeking to implement new sales and distribution models. Alongside her is Mark Ziekman, who chairs the firm’s consumer products team and advises retail clients on cross-border mergers and joint ventures.

Praxisleiter:

Aukje Haan; Mark Ziekman


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Akin Aslan


Referenzen

‘Able to deal quickly and effectively with issues. Approachable.’

‘The team is well-coordinated and the workload is well-distributed; there is clarity on roles and responsibilities.’

‘Pragmatic approach, business-oriented mindset.’

Kernmandanten

All Nippon Airways


Adidas


Canada Goose


Christian Dior


Coca Cola European Partners


Colgate Palmolive


Columbia Sportswear Company


Discord


Fossil


Hero Group


HP


Mars


SharkNinja


Shisheido (BPI)


Universal Electronics


USPA


Xiaomi


DLA Piper

As part of the firm-wide consumer goods, food and retail team, DLA Piper is well-placed to support both Dutch and international clients on multi-jurisdictional matters, including brand protection, commercial contracts and e-commerce. The practice is jointly led by Khaled Dadi, who is sought after for his experience in overseeing digital transformations and competition law, and Niels Mulder, whose soft IP work covers trade marks, copyrights and anti-counterfeiting advice, as part of a broader brand protection practice.

Praxisleiter:

Khaled Dadi; Niels Mulder


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Noa Naaman; Rens van Blaricum


Kernmandanten

Apple Inc.


ASICS


Bacardi


Conair (Babyliss) Corporation


Crocs Inc.


Deckers Outdoor Corporation


Domino’s Pizza


Dutch investment company NPM Capital with retail portfolio companies including Suitsupply


Five Guys


Footlocker


Giant


Hema


Hugo Boss AG


Inter Ikea


MHCS


Nike / Converse


PVH


Ralph Lauren Corporation


Rituals B.V.


Staples


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for Nike and Converse on IP, privacy, competition and tax matters.
  • Represented Bacardi on a variety of different matters around the world.
  • Advised Rituals on various regulatory topics and data protection matters across the jurisdictions that it operates, including the launch of e-commerce platforms across the EU.

Leeway

Taking on a diverse range of mandates, Leeway is particularly focused on brand protection in the retail sector, where it assists fashion and leisure clients with the protection of their IP rights. The team is led by ‘problem solver’ Marga Verwoert, who handles the spectrum of IP issues and also advises on distribution and franchise matters, and Michiel Odink, a specialist in media and IP law, with a practice built upon trade mark and copyright matters. Former practice co-head Remco van Leeuwen moved to Arnold + Siedsma, Attorneys at Law and Patent Attorneys in September 2022.

Praxisleiter:

Marga Verwoert; Michiel Odink


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jos Klaus; Lotte Rutgers


Referenzen

‘Very engaged team, extensive knowledge, good communication and results.’

‘The Leeway team has a lot of experience across the retail sector, and is a good one-stop-shop for clients active in this area.’

‘Marga Verwoert is a very smart, pragmatic and hands-on lawyer.’

Kernmandanten

Action


HEMA B.V.


Vacu Vin


Jumbo Supermarkten B.V.


Beter Bed


Stox Energy Socks


La Place


easyGroup Ltd.


Royal Boch BVBA


Scotch & Soda B.V.


The Agent-C


Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.


Wieland Electric


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Action Nederland in relation to a wide selection of its soft IP matters, as well as advising this client on several IP-related agreements.
  • Acted for HEMA on a dispute with Lidl concerning an alleged infringement its copyrights in relation to ‘lettercrate,’ a HEMA design for a foldable basket.
  • Represented PAL Sporting Goods in a dispute against international skateboarding & clothing brand Palace Skateboards, which alleged that PAL was infringing a selection of its trade marks.

Russell Advocaten B.V.

Russell Advocaten B.V. has a client roster that includes major players in the luxury goods and fashion sector, which it acts for in regards to corporate and commercial matters, contractual and employment issues and real estate. The team is led by Reinier Russell, who advises on corporate law and issues affecting the day-to-day running of retail businesses, and Jan Dop, whose focus is on employment and real estate law.

Praxisleiter:

Reinier Russell; Jan Dop