This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined with CMS on 1 May 2017.
International law firm Olswang is pleased to support the 100 men and women on the 2016 Retail Week Power List, the annual industry roster released today that includes the year's high-profile retail industry personalities who inspire their peers, impact on others' approaches and define the retail sector landscape.
A theme that resounded from this year's Power List was technological innovation. Many on the list are organisations that have embraced challenges around IT systems and infrastructure, supply chain and logistics, amongst others. This includes updating legacy systems, joining forces with innovators through acquisition or joint venture, differentiating offerings through the use of in-store technology – all in an effort to deliver seamless customer experiences across all channels.
Olswang Partner and Head of Trade Marks Sarah Wright commented: "Olswang is pleased to sponsor the Retail Week Power List, and we congratulate all those included. It has been a delight to advise retail and consumer brands for the last decade, and we look forward to supporting our clients as they navigate this new technology landscape in the future."
Olswang Partner Matt Bennett added: "Today's customer expects their shopping experience to be frictionless, and those that are pulling away from the pack are doing so due to clever implementation of technology and logistics, making the complex processes and operations appear simple for the customer. Looking forward, those that capitalize on technologies including AI, the blockchain and the Internet of Things will likely be the ones to watch in the years to come."
Olswang's retail practice includes clients across the sector, from large retail institutions and luxury brands to online start-ups and fast fashion. With dedicated practitioners in all service lines across the firm, including Corporate, Commercial and Intellectual Property, the firm is particularly renowned for its advice on the complex contractual relationships involved in large-scale digital and logistics matters, its market-leading brand protection advice as well as its corporate M&A practice.
In addition to acting for some of world's largest and more innovative retailers, Olswang also supports burgeoning fashion brands through providing legal advice to the UK's Centre for Fashion Enterprise, Marks & Spencer's apprenticeships programme Movement to Work, and Dress for Success, which helps women secure employment. The firm also has its own specialist programme, Olswang equIP, which supports the UK start-up and scale-up community, which is open to fashion and retail-focused companies.
In 2015 Olswang was named “Luxury Goods Brands Law Firm of the Year” by International Intellectual Property Awards.
The firm also shares its retail industry insights via its blogs Fashionista-at-Law and Retail Consigliere.
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