The consumer, goods and retail group at Baker McKenzie has significant global reach, advising international and domestic retailers and brand owners on IP issues, transactions, and disputes. The team combines the expertise of the firm’s tax, competition and IP practice areas to advise on cross-border matters. Itse Oosterhoff chairs the Amsterdam-based team and leads on contract disputes, director's and shareholder liability litigation and commercial fraud cases. Co-leads Wibren Veldhuizen and Harald van Dobbenburgh are the go-to for tax issues, while fellow co-lead Benjamin van Kessel handles IP matters. Corporate specialist Laura Rietvelt also co-leads the team.

The Amsterdam-based commercial, competition and trade group at Kennedy Van der Laan stands out for its expertise in franchising, distribution and litigation for international retail, manufacturing and consumer goods clients. Practice head Martine de Koning is well-respected as a leading specialist in international franchising, distribution and agency agreements. She is a strong litigator and assists clients across fashion, retail, manufacturing, hospitality and healthcare. The practice is regularly sought out for its skills in Dutch and EU competition law, advising clients on compliance, abuse of dominance, joint ventures and a myriad of other issues. Annemieke van der Beek focuses on competition law issues related to payment services, manufacturing and retail sectors. Franchise and commercial contracts expert Jelle Blom is well-versed in drafting and negotiating complex international agreements, while Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken is the go-to for cross-border and domestic litigation. Renske Sinke is noted for her expertise in commercial matters related to supply chains, distribution, franchise, agency and logistics.

Commercial contracts and litigation expert Lisette Bieleveld leads the Amsterdam-based retail and consumer goods practice at Van Doorne. Fielding a sizeable team, the practice continues to serve domestic and multinational clients in the retail sector on a wide range of issues from commercial contracts and litigation to ESG, real estate, consumer protection law and competition law. The team has advised high street retailers on distribution, franchise and agency agreements as well as strategic alliances. For fashion and cosmetics clients it assists with e-commerce, commercial and data protection issues. Aiding retail sector clients with leasing and financing outlets and shopping centres and advising supermarket chains and manufacturers on tax issues and investments are also key parts of the practice. Sarah Beeston is noted for her knowledge of competition law matters.

The real estate and franchise team at act Fort Advocaten serves a mixture of domestic and international retail clients on contentious and non-contentious issues. The team routinely assists clients with issues relating to franchise and labour laws, as well as contractual issues. The team is jointly led from Amsterdam by Katinka Verdurmen and Dirk van den Berg. Former managing partner Verdurmen has returned to practice full-time and is highly knowledgeable in both real estate and franchising matters. Van den Berg has a similar focus to Verdurmen, assisting retail clients with commercial tenancy law, franchising and potential litigation.

Ingrid Reimert leads BarentsKrans‘ retail team with her expertise in real estate, which serves a number of international and domestic retail clients with commercial, real estate and data privacy matters. The Hague-based team has been active in advising clients on rent indexation, leasing, consumer law and competition issues. The recent addition of Marc Elshof to the team, following his departure from Dentons, has bolstered its client base and expanded its offering to included data protection and privacy support. The team also benefits from its strong team of retail-focused associates, including Marlou Timmerman and Myrte Pielage.

Bird & Bird‘s retail and customer sector group utilises the firm’s expertise in IP, data protection and tax to advise luxury, fashion and retail clients. The team is accustomed to advising clients throughout the lifecycle of a product and brand, from the initial set-up and design to manufacturing and distribution. Based in the Hague, Manon Rieger-Jansen co-leads the team alongside corporate expert Olav Klaver and tax specialist Andy van Esdonk. Rieger-Jansen is the go-to for retail sector clients as she is well versed in a wide range of issues from marketing and advertising to trade marks and sustainability. Nina Dorenbosch is experienced in handling product design and IP matters.

As a full-service law firm, CMS advises domestic and international clients on the full gamut of retail issues from product liability and recalls to advertising, real estate, IP and data privacy from its base in Amsterdam. The team comprises of corporate and commercial specialists who are all well versed in serving retail clients. Team lead Aukje Haan is noted for her strength in litigation, often representing clients from consumer products, food & beverages and automotive sectors. Co-head Mark Ziekman heads the global consumer product group and leads on corporate transactions.

 

Excelling in real estate-related retail issues, Dentons‘ Amsterdam-based consumer products and services group advises a mix of retailers, investment companies, financial institutions, hotels and manufacturers. The firm stands out for its expertise in leasing where it assists both landlords and retail clients. These matters are led by practice head Wendela Raas, who is known for her specialism in commercial leasing but also assists with real estate litigation. Administrative, regulatory and environmental law also all form a part of the practice. Paul Wanders advises on real estate and retail transactions, largely for commercial properties. Newly promoted partner Jeroen le Clercq advises investors on renovation projects.

Loyens & Loeff combines its knowledge in law and tax to advise retail-sector clients on real estate and corporate transactions from its base in Amsterdam. Jurriaan van der Stok and Pauline Leegwater advise clients on retail-related real estate issues including financing, acquisitions and developing retail and commercial buildings. On the corporate side Antoinette van der Hauw and Rob Schrooten advise retailers in the supermarket and fashion sectors on M&A, strategic partnerships and other corporate transactions. The practice is led by Lonne Rooseboom, who is a transactional specialist.

With strong full-service capabilities, NautaDutilh‘s expertise spans corporate and finance from restructurings, M&A and joint ventures to cross-border ECM and DCM transactions. The retail, wholesale and consumer practice also assists its mixed international and domestic client base with contentious and non-contentious IP and brand protection issues. The team serves a wide range of retail and consumer clients including luxury, fashion, travel, toy, convenience and more. Willianne van Zandwijk spearheads the Amsterdam-based practice, leading on cross-border and domestic M&A transactions in the retail sector. Barbara Rumora-Scheltema handles restructuring and insolvency proceedings, Jeroen Boelens is the go-to for IP litigation and Stefan Wissing handles international transactions.

Based in Amsterdam, Osborne Clarke‘s retail and consumer practice draws on its international and cross-disciplinary strength to advise on contentious and non-contentious matters. The team largely focuses on real estate, employment and commercial issues for major domestic and international retailers and manufacturers. Jeroen Bedaux co-heads the team and has a wealth of experience in retail and consumer goods-related commercial litigation, regularly assisting clients with investigations initiated by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets. Employment specialist Jim Margry is adept at advising on issues in the retail sector, while practice co-head Paul Brouwer focuses on assisting retailers, online platforms and consumer brand manufacturers with commercial disputes.

The retail focus group at DLA Piper encompasses several practice areas, including corporate, employment, finance, IP, litigation, real estate and tax. The Dutch retail team is led by Khaled Dadi and Niels Mulder; contentious and non-contentious commercial matters are handled by Dadi, while Mulder advises major international clients on IP issues. The team also regularly assists retail clients with international and Dutch indirect taxation, which are all led by Daan Arends.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s consumer sector group is led from Rotterdam by IP specialist Thera Adam and advises a mix of retail and wholesale, food, hospitality, leisure and luxury sector clientele. IP issues such as handling trade mark portfolios, registering trade marks and designs and potential litigation are a key part of the practice. ESG, corporate and M&A matters are also a core part of the team’s focus. Olaf van Haperen handles IP and privacy issues for retail and technology clients, while Michel Chatelin advises on competition matters.

Boutique firm Leeway serves notable international and domestic clients, including retailers, fashion and sports brands, e-commerce and consumer good companies. The team is noted for its specialism in IP matters, often assisting clients with trade mark, counterfeiting and franchising issues. The practice is jointly led by IP experts Marga Verwoert and Michiel Odink from Amsterdam. Verwoert is the go-to for major fashion labels and design brands, advising on distribution and franchise issues alongside IP. Odink assists retail clients on contentious and non-contentious IP matters.

Established in 1943, Russell Advocaten B.V. continues to act for global luxury brands and fashion houses in the retail sector. The team led by Reinier W.L. Russell and Jan Dop is praised for its 'in-depth knowledge of the legal intricacies within the retail sector.' Russell focuses on both commercial and corporate work, while Dop assists clients with real estate and employment matters.  The team assists both international and domestic brands, assisting with a range of day-to-day issues.