Retail & Consumer Products

We bring together specialists from across our practice areas (corporate, competition, real estate, IP, regulatory, tax, etc.) to fully support international and local retailers with the legal and commercial requirements posed by the relevant Bulgarian legislation and market.

The team has assisted major retail chains and product manufacturers in their entrance on the local market (through acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures), subsequent expansion (including all real estate aspects), as well as operational day-to-day issues (corporate management and control, commercial contracts, employment, competition, distribution, taxation, brand protection, licensing, lease contracts, etc.). Depending on clients’ business particularities, we elaborate the most proper solutions and mechanisms for the implementation of strategic projects for breaking into and developing in the increasingly competitive Bulgarian retail sector.

Since regulatory and compliance issues occupy an increasing share of the daily operations of all retailers, our practice specializes in handling complex domestic regulatory requirements and in identifying risks posed by government and regulatory bodies’ demands, preventing their negative consequences on products, transactions, and processes. The team keeps ahead of legislative developments and advises clients on compliance requirements, potential regulatory issues, regulators’ powers, investigations, etc.

The firm has strong sector expertise in the licensing, manufacturing and distribution of tobacco products, alcohol beverages (including spirits, wine, beer), foods (confectionary, meat, milk, bio foods and others), cosmetics, nutritional supplements, including all pertaining regulatory, IP, competition, tax, commercial and other legal aspects.