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Antony Sassi named RPC Managing Partner

Published on 15 Jan 2025. By Antony Sassi, Managing Partner, Asia

International law firm RPC has elected Antony Sassi as its next Managing Partner. Antony will commence his four-year term on May 1, 2025, succeeding James Miller, who has been in the role since 2017.

RPC scores top rankings in Chambers UK 2023

Published on 20 Oct 2022. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior Communications Manager

RPC has achieved top ranking in nine practice areas in Chambers UK 2023.

Six-cess! RPC recognised as top-tier firm across six areas in The Legal 500 UK 2023

Published on 29 Sep 2022. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior Communications Manager

The 2023 edition of the Legal 500 UK rankings has been released and we are delighted with the latest results.

RPC advises on the sale of Nanogen to PBS

Published on 12 Dec 2024. By Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate and Chris Brierley, Partner and Robert Eccles, Associate and Jess Hope, Associate

International law firm RPC has advised on the sale of premium hair loss fibres and treatments brand, Nanogen, to Professional Beauty Systems (PBS).

RPC scores ten Band 1 rankings in Chambers UK 2025

Published on 17 Oct 2024.

Chambers UK recommends RPC in 26 categories overall, with a new Band 1 ranking for Media & Entertainment: Advertising and Marketing, first time rankings for Sport and Personal Injury, and promoted rankings for Media and IT and Outsourcing.

UK retail sector M&A deals increase to 34 – up 21% on last year

Published on 05 Sep 2022. By Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

• M&A targeting fashion retailers particularly active

Businesses face 'significant work ahead' to comply with FCA's new Consumer Duty

Published on 29 Jul 2022. By Whitney Simpson, Of Counsel

International law firm RPC says regulator has given companies 'little concession' on timeframe to implement change

Number of UK retail M&A deals up 28% in last year

Published on 25 Oct 2021. By Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

The number of M&A deals targeting UK retailers has increased by 28% to 37 in the last 12 months (year-end Sept 30), up from 29 in the previous year, shows new research from RPC, the international law firm.

Recalls of food products due to undeclared allergens drop 10% in year

Published on 11 Oct 2021. By Mamata Dutta, Partner

The number of food products recalled from the market due to allergens that were not declared on the label has dropped 10% in the past year. In 2020-21, 88 in 2019-20 to 79 to 2020-21, says RPC, the international law firm.

Sales at UK’s leading online only retailers jump 22% to hit record high

Published on 20 Sep 2021. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial

Sales at the UK’s Top 20 online only retailers have reached a record £16.4bn in the last year*, rising 22% from £13.2bn the previous year, shows research by RPC, the international law firm.

Rise in retail M&A – takeovers of distressed retailers represent 39% of all transactions

Published on 17 May 2021.

The number of M&A deals in the retail sector increased from 25 in 2019 to 28 in 2020, shows new research by RPC, the international law firm.

Value of UK stock market fundraisings by retail companies jumps tenfold in a year

Published on 12 May 2021. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior Communications Manager

Funds raising turns from repairing balance sheets to funding M&A opportunities

A new era for sustainability consumer products: the EU’s new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

Published on 20 Nov 2024. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Sophie Parkinson, Associate

On 18 July 2024 the ESPR entered into force setting a framework for new ecodesign rules in the EU. It will have significant impacts for retailers and consumer brands selling products in the EU. It will introduce new minimum ecodesign requirements for specific product categories (with an initial focus on textiles), make digital product passports mandatory and set rules on the destruction of unsold products. Companies face the risk of fines, consumer claims and reputational damage for non-compliance.

Product liability and safety legislative refurb

Published on 05 Nov 2024. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager

The current legislation governing product safety is the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), but its shortcomings, especially on tech, are evident.On 13 December 2024 the EU will be replacing the GPSD with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), and the latest King’s Speech indicated it will be replaced in the UK by a Product Safety and Metrology Bill.Separately, EU Member States are rolling out a revised Product Liability Directive (PLD) which captures the provision of software, digital services and online marketplaces.

The EU Compliance headache you don't know you have? A priority primer on the European Accessibility Act

Published on 31 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Hettie Homewood , Senior Associate

It is now less than a year until the EU Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force, which will require businesses to ensure a range of products (eg smartphones and computers) and services (eg e-commerce services, consumer banking services, and ebooks) are accessible for persons with disabilities.

Seeing the wood for the trees: preparing for new deforestation due diligence rules in the UK and EU

Published on 24 Oct 2024. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead

Single-use plastic ban is 'only the beginning in the war against plastic'

Published on 02 Oct 2023. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Harpreet Kaur, Associate

Retailers and brands warned today's 'conscious consumer' will expect them to get behind ban's sentiment or risk harming brand loyalty

A shifting landscape? The outlook for data regulation in 2023

Published on 09 Jun 2023. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Amy Blackburn, Senior Associate

With a relatively new Information Commissioner in the UK and a renewed focus on getting post-Brexit data protection laws through Parliament, attention is turning to the ICO’s priorities and how they fit into this new landscape.

Transitioning to a net zero economy

Published on 31 May 2023. By Rosamund Akayan, Knowledge Lawyer and Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

The TPT has published a draft disclosure framework and implementation guidance for private sector entities to transition to a net zero economy, making recommendations for companies and financial institutions to develop gold-standard transition plans.

CSRD: shakeup of the EU's sustainability reporting rules

Published on 25 May 2023. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Sarah Mountain, Partner and Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

The EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force on 5 January 2023.

Deposit Return Scheme: Key considerations for drinks  producers and retailers in the UK

Published on 16 May 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial

Defra has now responded to its consultation on the introduction of a DRS in England, Wales and NI. The DRS will require retailers to charge a small fee on certain drinks containers sold, which consumers can reclaim if they return the container to a designated return point.

Going Green – staying on the right side of competition law

Published on 15 May 2023. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

Environmental issues are high on the agenda for many consumers and businesses alike. They are also increasingly an area of focus for competition authorities around the world, including the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who are keen to ensure that competition law concerns do not unnecessarily prevent businesses from collaborating legitimately on environmental sustainability initiatives.

New REUL? How will the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) affect UK businesses?

Published on 09 May 2023. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Patrick Brodie, Partner

When the Brexit transition period ended, so did the alignment of EU law with UK domestic law.

Casting your net zero ambitions: eight key steps for retailers

Published on 24 Nov 2022. By Patrick Brodie, Partner and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG Strategy Lead and Ellie Gelder, Senior Editor Employment & Equality

With climate change at the forefront of the ESG agenda, the employment relationship, and the opportunities to engage with the workforce on this subject, are crucial ingredients in the quest to becoming a truly green retailer.

Extended producer responsibility for packaging: How to prepare

Published on 12 Oct 2022.

In the Spring 2022 edition of Retail Compass, we reported on the Government's consultation on regulations covering extended producer responsibility (EPR) which places the financial burden of dealing with packaging once it becomes waste on producers as opposed to taxpayers.

Where to next for Buy Now Pay Later?

Published on 12 Oct 2022.

On Monday 20 June 2022, HM Treasury responded to its consultation on proposals to extend regulation to unregulated Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products. This consultation closed in January 2022. The Treasury's response confirmed the scope of regulation will cover BNPL products and short-term interest free credit (STIFC) provided by third-party lenders.

Online Sales Tax: the right way forward?

Published on 12 Oct 2022.

On 25 February 2022, HM Treasury launched a consultation exploring the possible introduction of an online sales tax (OST) to address the imbalance resulting from the higher business rates applying to in store retailers, compared to online businesses. The consultation closed on 20 May 2022.