The retail industry closely guards customer and distribution lists. In many cases, these valuable assets are not protected by patent, trademark or copyright law. 

Recent trends suggest that consumers and retailers alike are not prepared to give up on brick and mortar stores, but that they are looking for more creative alternatives to the traditional arrangement.

The arbitration clause is one that is contained in a contract and that submits disputes that arise after the conclusion of the agreement to the knowledge of an arbitrator.

The judgment on Administrative Sanctioning Proceeding held last February 20, 2018 has set a landmark precedent concerning the extent of the investigative and punitive authority bestowed on the Brazilian Securities Commission.

On August 30, 2018, significant changes to California’s Proposition 65 warning regulations take effect. In the retail context, it requires businesses with 10 or more employees to warn individuals in California about products containing certain listed chemicals.

A closer look into the economics of sales tax holidays reveals that the benefits are questionable for consumers, retailers, and states alike.

Investments in France do not require any autorisation and the formalities for setting up businesses have been simplified.

Retail follows rooftops. Few real estate adages are more axiomatic. Increasingly, however, the reverse is becoming true, and rooftops, or residential uses, are cozying up to retail.

e-commerce has forced traditional brick-and-mortar retailers to rethink their operations in order to remain competitive. For some, this means developing websites and mobile apps to entice consumers with an omnichannel shopping experience.

With the growing and evolving retail world, one thing had remained constant: retailers did not have to collect sales tax for online sales to states in which they had no physical presence.

In February 2018, L.L. Bean made the tough decision to change its lifetime return policy, which had been in existence for over a century. Following the policy change, the company received backlash from its customers.

It seems that nearly every day another retailer announces the large-scale closure of brick-and-mortar storefronts, with such household brands as Toys “R” Us and J. Crew, just to name two, planning to shutter stores in 2018.

Technological advancements allow consumers to browse and buy products on smartphones and tablets, bringing an unlimited number of retail options to their fingertips—literally.