AKD‘s retail practice has a solid track record in advising clients on real estate matters, as well as assisting high-profile companies with distribution and franchise law, insolvency issues, competition law cases and data protection matters. Practice head Steven Ongena is very highly regarded for his expertise in handling retail-related transactions and disputes, and Pol Cools acts for Belgian and international retailers in mandates focusing on the establishment, expansion and restructuring of their businesses.

ALTIUS stands out in the Belgian legal market for its expertise in advising retail clients on IP law, competition law and real estate law, as well as handling e-commerce, M&A and franchise matters. The group reports an uptick in instructions from clients in the luxury goods, footwear and food sectors. Carmen Verdonck focuses on competition and distribution law, while Lieven Peeters assists retailers and landlords with real estate issues. Alexander Hansebout is well versed in advising on contentious matters. Another key name to note is Mathieu Maniet.

Baker McKenzie BV/SRL‘s Belgian team leverages the strength of the firm’s wider global network to support clients in the retail and consumer goods sectors with a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The group has been kept busy recently advising on commercial law and competition law issues and is equally adept at handling litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. The practice is co-led by Geert Bovy, who advises clients on commercial law and consumer protection law, and Kurt Haegeman, who assists with competition-related matters. Sebastian Tytgat and Bram Hoorelbeke are key team members.

Led by Marie Canivet, the team at Osborne Clarke has a strong track record in advising on retail projects across Europe. The group has expertise in contentious and non-contentious work, with real estate, employment, distribution, franchise, corporate and IP matters prominent in the team's workload. Canivet is well-known for her strength in distribution law and routinely acts as counsel to fashion sector clients on operations in Belgium, while Louis Hoffreumon handles regulatory and compliance issues. Vinciane Rysselinck specialises in advising retail entities on labour matters.

CMS‘ team is well-versed in handling e-commerce issues, as well as advising on intellectual property, data protection and contractual matters concerning the retail sector. Practice co-head Tom Heremans has expertise in patent, trade mark and copyright law and commercial disputes, while practice co-head Renaud Dupont is sought after for his experience in handling distribution agreements. Pierre-Axel Chabot handles real estate-related retail matters, and Sophie Berg focuses on employment and pension law issues.

contrast's team, led by Milena Varga, is perhaps best known for assisting clients in the luxury fashion industry with commercial and corporate law issues. Varga is very experienced in handling competition law cases concerning allegations of unfair trading practices, and Bart Bellen is a key contact for corporate matters. Laurence Vanhyfte focuses on distribution law and GDPR-related issues. Other key contacts include Herlinde Burez and Filip Tuytschaever.

The team at DLA Piper 'understands the operational realities of retail and distribution'. The practice is adept at advising on employment law, real estate law, restructuring issues and brand protection matters. Practice head Alexis Fierens brings IP expertise, while Joost Haans specialises in competition law. Pauline Hellemans is well-versed in handling IP disputes in the retail sector, and Emma Stockman advises on consumer protection matters.

At Eversheds Sutherland, the team fields extensive experience in acting for clients in the retail and food sectors, often drawing on the firm’s broader global network to support clients on cross-border mandates. Practice head Gaetano Jannone handles cases involving distribution, franchising, product liability, and regulatory compliance issues. Jozef Nijns advises on real estate, technology and insurance matters, and Benjamin Haberkorn is a corporate expert with deep experience in the retail arena.

Liedekerke is well-known for its strong focus on the retail and consumer goods sectors. The group is often instructed in IP and IT matters, employment issues and commercial contractual work, as well as litigation, by a client base that includes retailers, distributors, and real estate developers. Disputes are a core area of strength for Olivier Vanden Berghe, while Yves Delacroix focuses on real estate-related regulatory work. Paul Geerebaert handles employment law issues, and Etienne Kairis acts for clients in the automotive sector.

At Strelia, the team continues to handle a high volume of matters relating to lease agreements, supply agreements and joint purchasing agreements, as well as the transactional aspects of franchising and related disputes. Practice head Olivier Clevenbergh focuses on distribution and franchising issues. Jean-Pierre Fierens is adept at handling contentious matters, while Camille Cornil assists with franchising agreements.