More than 70 substandard or illegal LED-based products have had to be withdrawn from sale in the four years since Europe began phasing out incandescent light bulbs in favour of more sustainable light-emitting diodes (LEDs), according to lighting firm Osram. These products, many of them substandard imports, range from individual LED bulbs to complete lighting [...]
Category: Legal Time
James Hall, associate at Charles Russell LLP, claims it is increasingly important for companies to have a comprehensive and up-to-date social media policy for employees Managing and controlling social media activity Social media has rapidly become a fact of life, both in and out of the workplace. The sites can be useful for promoting brands, [...]
Kate O’Rourke, senior counsel at law firm, Charles Russell, says registering aspects of product packaging and design as trade marks can benefit and build brands Brands make a huge effort to ensure consumers recognise and remember their name and their products. As a result we are constantly bombarded with new names and advertising campaigns. Selfridges [...]
Retailers can expect more change in 2013. From social media to reputation management, phishing attacks and dot shop, Ed Meikle, partner in the retail group at business law firm, DWF, claims reacting to change will no longer be enough Brand value Every business owns valuable intellectual property, from its business name and branded products, to [...]
Beverley Flynn, data protection partner at law firm, Stevens & Bolton, explores what changes to the rules regarding data protection will mean for retailers if Europe-wide proposals come into force The data protection rules dealing with personal data are due to change dramatically in both Europe and the UK if major new EU-wide proposals are [...]
Harvey Nichols’ dispute with landlords over the rent review for its London flagship following a sale and leaseback deal, highlights the need for retailers to be informed about their rent review provisions and market trends, argues Debra Kent, head of occupier services at law firm, Charles Russell Harvey Nichols has once again been in the news, this time for [...]
Food manufacturers are being urged to obtain trade mark registration for products with distinguishing features such as shape, by law firm DWF. The advice follows Nestlé’s triumph in the latest stage of a series of legal spats with Cadbury. The confectionery brand has been allowed to stop rivals producing products in the shape of its famous four-finger [...]
Stephanie Bagshaw, real estate associate at Retail Times’ resident business law firm DWF, looks at how landlords can improve conditions for businesses and coax shoppers and their wallets back to the high street Following the announcement in October 2012 the UK has moved out of recession, many are questioning what this means for the UK [...]
Vanessa Barnett, partner and retail specialist at city law firm Charles Russell LLP, reviews Mega Monday and its impact on the retail industry Last week’s Mega Monday (3 December 2012) was expected to be the UK’s biggest online shopping day with people taking to their computers, tablets and smart phones to buy must-have items in time [...]
Nicola McMahon, associate solicitor at law firm Charles Russell LLP, considers alternatives to retail redundancies in straightened economic times The effects of the current economic downturn have been and continue to be felt across the retail sector, with varying opinions on the effect of this summer’s sporting events on levels of trade. Next and John [...]
Amy Alexander, trainee solicitor at law firm Dundas & Wilson, helps retailers get in shape for the Olympics and advises how they can best manage their teams and time Whether cheering Usain Bolt in the Olympic stadium; watching Sir Chris Hoy from the comfort of your own armchair; or fleeing the country to escape all [...]
In the third in a trio of articles focused on opportunities in retail property, Darina Kerr, partner in the real estate team at UK law firm Dundas & Wilson, on why shopping centre entertainment must be relevant to the retail offer on display The car park is packed. The shopping mall is full, but shop [...]
According to recent research, the digital economy has grown at a faster rate in the UK than any other G20 nation in recent years, fundamentally changing the way Britons shop and do business. With the consumer shift towards e-commerce showing no sign of slowing down, many high street retailers have reacted by integrating their online [...]