Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Industry focus: Retail in Italy

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird assists clients in retail matters concerning a wide range of issues, such as brand management, franchising, e-commerce, data protection, employment, consumer regulation and dispute resolution. The firm is accustomed to assisting in multi-jurisdictional matters with offices across the globe able to enhance its advice to clients. Stefano Silvestri, the co-head of the practice has extensive experience in the retail industry with a focus on corporate and commercial transactions. Managing partner Giovanni Galimberti co-heads the practice and adds his expertise in IP law to the dedicated group.

Practice head(s):

Stefano Silvestri; Giovanni Galimberti


Testimonials

‘The B&B Team has a great knowledge of the retail market and a keen attention to detail. The team combines great professionalism with the ability to respond to society’s needs in an always proactive and innovative way.’

‘Pragmatism and quick feedback on questions.’

Key clients

Autogrill


BMW Group


Bricoman Italia


Champion Products Europe


Consorzio a Tutela del Vino Morellino di Scansano


Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano


Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione di Origine Controllata del Prosecco


Crocs


Dolce & Gabbana


Ferrero


Flex – n – Gate Corporation


Glovo


Ledworks


Leroy Merlin


Loro Piana


Luxottica


MediaMarket


Metalco Group


Ponti


Satispay


Snaidero


Solgar – Hino


VF International


Work highlights


  • Successfully assisting Ferrero S.p.A., the well-known Italian manufacturer of branded chocolate and confectionery products, on three levels of proceedings which led to the definitive determination of the validity of Ferrero’s three-dimensional shape trademarks on Tic Tac packaging.
  • Assisting VF International in a complex cross-border litigation involving the protection of the distinctive shapes and characteristics of the Napapijri brand’s garments and acts of unfair competition carried out to the detriment of the VF Group.
  • Assisting Autogrill Italia S.p.A. in successfully participating in a tender called by GESAP S.p.A. (management company of Palermo Airport – Punta Raisi) for the awarding of a 10-year concession relating to the management of refreshment outlets in both land-side and air-side areas.

Chiomenti

Chiomenti is tuned to the specific needs of the retail industry, in particular the regulatory landscape that affects the sector. The firm has expertise in a wide range of practice areas that relate to retail, including IP, administrative law, employment and antitrust. It also has extensive experience in major corporate and M&A matters. Massimiliano Nitti, who is experienced in M&A including private equity funds, strategic investments and joint ventures, leads the retail practice at the firm along with Patrizia Liguti, who focuses on real estate matters.

Practice head(s):

Massimiliano Nitti; Patrizia Liguti


Testimonials

‘Chiomenti provides a holistic approach to the retail business covering all related aspects.’

Key clients

Investindustrial


DUFRY INTERNATIONAL AG


LCP Logistics Capital and Partners


Corum


Pini Group


Delizia S.r.l.


Aquila Capital Group


Unicoop Tirreno


Interporto Sud Europa S.p.A.


Esprinet S.p.A.


Geodis CL Italia S.p.A.


Fnac Darty Participation et Services S.A.


Morato Pane S.p.A.


NUO Capital S.A.


Gestione Carte CONAD S.r.l.


Work highlights


  • Advising LCP in a joint venture transaction with a leading European online platform for fashion and lifestyle concerning a brownfield regeneration project on an industrial site of around 300.000 sqm purchased in the context of a bankruptcy auction.
  • Advising Aquila Capital Group on all phases of the development of a logistic park located in the municipality of Tortona having an overall covered surface of approximately 70,000 sqm and on the subsequent sale of the entire corporate capital of the development company to Cube Green Logistics Holdings, an alternative asset management company.
  • Advising a fast fashion retail company (Capri S.r.l.) in a claim filed with the Court of Naples against its supply chain provider (XPO S.p.A.) for breach of contract and wrongful withdrawal from the negotiations of a new agreement.

Dentons

Dentons utilises a multidisciplinary approach so as to be a one-stop shop for its retail clients, acting on relevant corporate, real estate, TMT, IP, competition, employment and tax matters. The firm regularly advises on contentious and non-contentious matters alike at the national and international level. It is able to draw on talent from across the firm’s global offices to best cater to the needs of each of its broad range of client. The firm’s practice is led by Giangiacomo Olivi, who is the co-head of the Europe intellectual property, data and technology group and who is practiced in cross-border matters.

Practice head(s):

Giangiacomo Olivi


Testimonials

‘Dentons’ lawyers have the most relevant understanding of our business, sector, values, goals and the challenges we face.’

‘I feel that Dentons’ lawyers have a clear and correct view of the environment in which their law firm and their clients operate.’

‘Giangiacomo Olivi has always proven to be impressively skilled in providing assistance in the context of complex and sensitive matters.’

‘Giangiacomo Olivi is proactive, commercial and responsive, but first of all he is an extremely bright counsel having the talent to see beyond details and to grasp the most effective strategies to solve commercial, compliance and regulatory issues. Besides being a solution provider, Giangiacomo is a tactically wise expert able to protect the client’s best interests.

‘The deep knowledge of the legal field in which the team lead by Giangiacomo Olivi operates makes the difference.’

‘The team is clearly client-oriented and practical in approach and keen to find intelligent solutions. Their wide network of offices and various technology platforms offers an opportunity to simplify the matter management across numerous markets through a single contact in Milan.’

Key clients

Kering


Luxottica


QVC


Vodafone


Whirlpool


Ralph Lauren


Brunello Cucinelli


Pepco Poland SP. Z.O.O


FIOL


Supermarkets Italiani S.p.A.


Coca Cola


Eutelsat


OVS


Lavazza


Ruffino Group


Epilate


Pizzium


Work highlights


  • Assisting Kering in several strategic TMT and retail projects.
  • Assisting Pepco on all matters relating to the launch of its business in Italy and the opening of new shops.
  • Assisting QVC in its strategic data privacy matters, including several multijurisdictional issues.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper advises major retail companies, including major retailers and supermarket chains, on all matters that affect the industry, domestically and globally. The firm is also familiar with matters relating to the digital sphere, such as the implementation of e-commerce platforms and has strength in the management of significant IP portfolios. Davide Rossetti, who advises major fashion brands and retailers in Italy, is a co-head of the practice and joint co-head, Elena Varese, is experienced in IP matters at the national and international level.

Practice head(s):

Davide Rossetti; Elena Varese


Testimonials

‘The firm is a market leader in the field of IP and advertising in Italy. They know how to handle complex matters and ensure consistency in all jurisdictions.’

‘They are top litigators and outstanding negotiators with great business acumen and knowledge of the new trends. There is a good combination of older and younger resources, so that advice is always delivered efficiently and timely.’

‘Their knowledge of the sector is impressive and makes them great business partners, events are always organized on legal updates for consumer goods and luxury and food which always provide good insights and added value.’

‘Elena Varese stands out for the quality of her advice and her capacity to deliver tailored solutions to complex matters in an efficient way. Always at the edge of new law and case-law developments, she anticipates our needs and conveys clear advice and added value, also thinking outside the box.’

‘Elena is the go to person for litigation over non traditional trademarks and trade dress especially in the fashion field.’

Key clients

Valentino


Prada


Hugo Boss


Golden Goose


Dolce Gabbana


Loro Piana


Ermenegildo Zegna


Poltrona Frau


La Rinascente


Manolo Blahnik


Henry Cotton’s


Marina Yachting


MCS


Zanotti


Bally


Calzedonia


Missoni


Pernod Ricard


LIDL


IPER`


Pernod Ricard


Prologis


Bacardi


Nike


Flos


Technogym


Loro Piana


Montenegro


Corneliani


Converse Inc.


Work highlights


  • Assisted NGGH in drafting the Group Policy for all the brands within the NGGH portfolio (Off-White, Palm Angels, etc.) for the management of cash in the stores worldwide.
  • Assisting LIDL before the Municipality of Lecce.
  • Assisting Polymer, IPER former supplier, in a matter in which it instigated a 3.0M claim before the Court of Milan, claiming IPER to have breached the supply agreement in place between the parties.

Osborne Clarke

Osborne Clarke advises clients from across the retail sector, be they major multinationals or recognisable domestic companies. The firm has a particular strength in regulatory matters affecting the industry, advising many clients on compliance matters. It is also attentive to its clients’ growing need for ESG advice. Angelo Molinaro is a senior associate heading the retail and consumer law team - he has broad experience advising on misleading advertising, unfair commercial practices and competition law in the sector.

Practice head(s):

Angelo Molinaro


Testimonials

‘The team is made up of extremely highly trained professionals who all stand out for their remarkable ability to manage complex legal aspects, timely, proactively and with a problem-solving approach.’

‘We particularly appreciate the wide sphere of specialization and the possibility to give support in all areas of interest for the client.’

‘Very few firms can provide their mix of skills and knowledge of business.’

‘Angelo Molinaro is an excellent lawyer who has an enviable specialist knowledge in competition and consumer/unfair commercial practices law. He has an in-depth knowledge of the retail sector.’

Key clients

Autotorino S.p.A


Binda Italia S.r.l.


Cisalpina Tours S.p.A.


Bluvacanze S.p.A.


Going S.r.l.


Coccinelle S.p.A.


Diageo Plc


Giordano Vini


Mandarina Duck S.p.A.


Re-Forme S.r.l.


Samsonite S.p.A.


Sony Music Entertainment Italy S.p.A.


The GB Foods, S.A.


The Company S.r.l.


Wyler Vetta S.r.l.


Work highlights


  • Advising Sony Music Group, supporting it on retail and consumer law issues in Italy and beyond.
  • Advising luxury watchmaker Wyler Vetta, recently advising on a project to sell products through carefully selected outlets and an agency network allowing it to expand its sales reach.
  • Providing comprehensive legal support to successful Italian beauty products retailer Re-Forme, covering corporate matters, trademark enforcement, contract negotiation, and consumer law.

Gianni & Origoni

Gianni & Origoni assists a broad range of clients in the retail sector, including multinationals and major domestic companies. Its team provides comprehensive assistance to its retail clients, including advising on M&A, litigation, finance, employment, IP, compliance, restructuring and insolvency. The firm is well-equipped to advise on multi-jurisdictional issues alongside its domestic practice.

Key clients

Esselunga S.p.A.


Conbipel S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration


Pittarosso S.p.A.


Work highlights


  • Advising Linkem S.p.A. in relation to the integration of the retail activities of Linkem Group with those of the Tiscali Group.
  • Advising Pattern S.p.A., an Italian textile company providing design, engineering, grading, prototyping and production services for women’s and men’s catwalk and ready-to-wear lines, in the sale of its Turin branch to Burberry, a UK company.
  • Assisting Klepierre, a leading shopping centre property company, on all urban design, construction and contractual aspects related to the large-scale expansion and renovation of the Shopville Gran Reno shopping centre in Casalecchio di Reno (Italy).

Trevisan & Cuonzo

Trevisan & Cuonzo advises a wide range of clients, from multinational corporations and retailers to NPOs and private clients. The firm provides a broad range of advice, including M&A, dispute resolution and unfair competition. Within the practice, Daniela Ampollini assists clients by advising on contentious and non-contentious IP law. Lia Puntieri compliments this with her expertise in trademark law for retailers in cosmetics, fashion and electronics. Francesca Ferrero advises clients on internet sales, franchising, distribution, loyalty programmes and licensing.

Practice head(s):

Daniela Ampollini; Lia Puntieri; Francesca Ferrero


Work highlights


  • Assisted 3M with an enforcement programme to actively protect 3M’s trade mark rights in Italy.
  • Assisted Tessilform SpA (Patrizia Pepe) with several issues, including trademark protection, advertisement, copyright, licensing, distribution and agency, as well as pre-litigation and litigation work.