One of the biggest industries in the UK by revenue, the retail and hospitality sector can be incredibly hard to navigate, especially without the expert advice and guidance of retail and consumer law solicitors. Fortunately, for companies struggling to thrive in the busy retail industry, as a retail and consumer law firm, our team can help.
To date, our consumer and hospitality law solicitors team has represented industry-leading companies and market innovators across the US, UK and Europe. We represent many of the world's best-known consumer brands and retailers, operating across the sector, including food and beverage companies, hotels and restaurants, gaming operators, developers, investors, and producers.
Our retail and hospitality lawyers have years of experience adapting to the needs of each individual client, serving as consumer solicitors and retail solicitors handling a range of issues from intellectual property disputes to mergers and acquisitions. In addition to these advisory goals, our consumer law solicitors also maintain excellent relationships with key industry associations.
Retail and hospitality law solicitors industry expertise
Within this complex and incredibly varied sector, our retail and hospitality law solicitors represent many of the world's best-known consumer brands and retailers. With UK clients including Kingfisher Group, Colgate-Palmolive, Whitbread (Premier Inn), Specsavers and New Look, we operate as one of the leading retail law firms in the country.
As an established retail and consumer law firm, the diverse clients that we have the privilege to work alongside, both at home and abroad, has allowed us to gain industry expertise in some of the following areas:
Complex consumer safety laws and regulations as a food and beverage law firm
Hospitality law firm expertise within hotels and restaurants
Consumer debt law firm specifically for gaming operators, including online platforms
Experience working alongside developers, investors, and producers as a trusted consumer law solicitor.
Outside of these sector specific specialties, we also function as a successful consumer protection law firm, outlining complex regulations and providing advice to companies and individuals alike within the retail sector.
Retail and hospitality law firm services
Having built up an impressive portfolio of current and past clients all across the retail and consumer law sector, the services provided by our food safety law firm, consumer debt law firm and consumer rights solicitors are incredibly varied.
Our talented and experienced lawyers are experienced in every aspect of their speciality so, whether you need advice from trustworthy consumer rights solicitors or looking for broader support from our solicitors, our team can be of assistance. Take a look below for just some of the advice provided and services offered by our dedicated retail and hospitality law firm.
Intellectual property and brand protection
Marketing and advertising including social media
Product packaging and labelling
Corporate transactions (mergers, acquisitions, dispositions) and tax
Commercial agreements
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Franchising
Logistics, supply and distribution
E-commerce
Employment and pensions
Product regulation and compliance
Patent prosecution and litigation
Health and safety regulation and litigation
Consumer product litigation
Gaming and gambling regulation and compliance
Real estate transactions.
Throughout every sector we operate in, it is our constant mission to provide legal advice and services to those who seek our help and, as diverse and complex as it is, the retail and hospitality sector is no exception.
If you’re seeking legal advice from a talented group of consumer rights solicitors, a food safety law firm or anything in between, browse through our retail and hospitality lawyers and professional staff. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to be directed to the right lawyers for you, contact the wider Womble Bond Dickinson team through our get in touch page and we’ll point you in the right direction.
We work with Kingfisher Group across a variety of service areas, advising on software licensing agreements with ATG and omni-channel technologies for B&Q stores to worldwide group-wide frameworks with Wincor for technology services. We also advise on most aspects of B&Q's data protection compliance including complex outsourcing, cross-border data transfers and compliance with European GDPR regulations. Much of our work with Kingfisher is exciting cutting-edge retail technology, often using the latest tech developments to enhance in-store experience
We have acted for Decathlon since 2015 on the roll-out of their stores into the UK market: they now have 32 stores. In addition to advising on the property aspects of the store roll-out, we have advised in relation to trade mark, design, copyright and infringement matters
Advising Accor on the licensing application for a new hotel within the shadow of Wembley Stadium, which presented its own particular challenges given the location of the premises (permission was granted without restricting the nature of the client's operations)
Managed $250 million acquisition from a national franchisor of 194 quick-service restaurants (QSR) across the south-eastern US in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi
Successfully defended R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a business tort case brought by 37 Missouri hospitals claiming $477 million in unreimbursed healthcare costs plus punitive damages
Lead acquisition counsel for Adidas International in its acquisitions of Textronics, Bones in Motion, VivoMetrics and Five Ten
Represented Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. in $1.35 billion sale to JAB Holding
Represented regional grocery anchor with build-to-suit leases, ground leases, acquisitions and development of properties located throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Operating in of one of the largest sectors by revenue in the UK, staying ahead of consumer behaviours, technological advancements and rapidly changing market conditions in retail, hospitality and leisure is paramount.
Without the right sector-specific knowledge and experience, the sector's legal landscape can be a tricky one to navigate.
We're permanently plugged into the latest trends, regulatory shifts and tech innovations, working alongside industry bodies (from the British Retail Consortium to the Energy and Environment Alliance) to keep you up to speed.
What makes us different? We deliver bespoke, straight-talking advice, tailored to your business and ambitions; thriving on complexity, turning challenges like sustainability, AI and rapid market change into opportunities for you to excel.
Your team
Your retail, hospitality and leisure team
Our team is your secret weapon: sector specialists with deep expertise across real estate, brand protection, employment, data privacy, logistics and more. We hand-pick the perfect mix of skills for every project, so you always get the right advice at the right time.
With sector-specialist lawyers and technical experts across 32 offices in the UK and US, plus access to our global network and strategic alliances, we’re ready to support you wherever you operate. We don’t just advise, we work alongside you – always with your commercial goals front and centre.
In need of a retail and hospitality lawyer? Look no further.
At Womble Bond Dickinson we have an exceptional team of talented lawyers and business professionals who can offer guidance and find the solutions right for your business. We have both broad and niche expertise across all our UK and US offices.
Acting for Majestic Wines in connection with their real estate portfolio. Instructing on numerous acquisitions for new stores as well as renewals, regears and advising more generally on portfolio strategy.
Acting as exclusive representative for the UK trade mark and registered design portfolio of Decathlon, the international sports retailer with 2080 stores in 56 countries. Our work includes with their in-house lawyers on design protection strategy.
Kingfisher Group across a variety of service areas, advising on software licensing agreements with ATG and omni-channel technologies for B&Q stores to worldwide group-wide frameworks with Wincor for technology services. We also advise on most aspects of B&Q’s data protection compliance including complex outsourcing, cross-border data transfers and compliance with European GDPR regulations.
We acted for Warner Leisure (through its Bourne Leisure division) in relation to its acquisition of two companies owning and operating hotels at Forest of Arden and Dalmahoy.
Advising on the expansion of protection of core brands and acting as the exclusive portfolio manager of international trade mark applications and registrations for global fashion brand, Barbour.
An international brewing company in relation to a prosecution following a serious incident involving the leak of ammonia gas.
A multidisciplinary team advised real estate fund manager Frogmore on a joint venture with C1 Capital partners for the purchase of two hotels, Park Inn Hotel, Northampton and Stifford Hall, Thurrock.
Assisting a UK sports clothing retailer on investment, focusing on the negotiation of heads of terms and liaising with the legal and corporate investment team to negotiate the investment agreement and articles of association to ensure rights as a minority shareholder were protected.
Testimonials
“The team demonstrate commerciality, speed and experience in the retail sphere. There are rapid response times and excellent service levels.”
Chambers and Partners 2025
“They have a real-world understanding of the use of commercially offered, technology-based services across a broad client base that allows them to advise clients comprehensively.”
Chambers and Partners 2025
“The team were very dedicated, flexible and responsive. Our lead lawyer showed huge dedication to turning things around quickly and meeting as required over a sustained period of time.”
Chambers and Partners 2025
“Strength in depth with a realistic commercial approach to all matters.”
Legal 500 2024
Further information and resources
Energy Outlook 2026: resilience, risk, and the road ahead
This selection will switch the website from presenting information primarily about the United Kingdom to information about the United States. If you would like to switch back, you may use location selection options at the top of the page.
Contact
Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information about any legal matter until we authorize you to do so. To initiate a possible representation, please call one of our lawyers or staff members.
By clicking the “ACCEPT” button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that, even if you submit information that you consider confidential in an effort to retain us, our review of that information will not create an obligation on us to keep it confidential and will not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you.
Please click the “ACCEPT” button if you understand and accept the foregoing statement and wish to proceed.
