KPMG Law in Belgium‘s retail practice has vast experience advising both national and international retailers, as well as project developers and investors. The team works closely with the firm’s real estate, employment, IP, and tax departments to assist clients. The ’very professional and accessible’ practice is led by Jim Bauwens, frequently providing cross-border advice to retail clients. Gerald Van Walle acts as head of the retail and real estate practices, with experience across real estate development and investment projects. Thomas De Clerck is key to the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The KPMG team is like one big family. Very professional and accessible.'
‘The know what they are talking of. Highly skilled and hands-on practical approach, based on past business cases and relevant examples.’
‘Clear communication and good feedback on recent trends.'
‘Good industry knowledge, allowing us to receive valuable feedback about the market.'
Key clients
- Fast Retailing Group
- Group Deichmann
- Five Guys Belgium SRL
- Vastned Belgium SA
- Flanders Investment Company (FICO) SA
- Iittala SRL
- Former Shareholders of Daeninck Group
- Immo-Lux SA and associated companies
- ION SRL and associated companies
- Standard Investment SRL
- Urban Outfitters Belgium SRL
Work highlights
Assisting Vastned Belgium on the reverse cross-border merger with its Dutch parent company, Vastned Retail. The combined assets at stake in this transaction amount to 1,373 billion EUR. The firm advised on the preparation and negotiation of the contractual documentation, discussions with the FSMA and further implementation of the merger, including the listing prospectus), cooperating with Argo Law and NautaDutilh, and Loyens in the Netherlands.
Assisted Standard Investment (acting through the SPV OPSIN OPTICS SRL) with the takeover of ten stores of the eyewear retailer Grand Optical after Grand Optical Belgium filed for bankruptcy. The goal of this transaction was to relaunch the eyewear stores under the brand OPSIN OPTICS. The acquisition consisted of the negotiation of several new commercial lease agreements and several employment/self-employed contracts, as well as the drafting and negotiation of an agency agreement both in Dutch and French.
Advised Fast Retailing Group (Uniqlo, Comptoir des Cotonniers, etc.) on their day-to-day questions regarding retail, real estate, corporate and commercial law related issues/matters. The firm provides corporate services for the Belgian subsidiaries of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd, Uniqlo, Comptoir des Cotonniers Belgique SA, etc.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jim Bauwens; Gerald Van Walle
Other key lawyers
Thomas De Clerck