Omnichannel & Geoblocking
Today’s retail environment requires integration of online and offline sales channels. This is omnichannel or seamless business. We provide tailor-made, smart and innovative advice.With new technologies and increasingly digitalised markets consumers expect the best buying experience. Today businesses need to be competitive on quality and price across multiple online and offline selling points.
We understand that a focused and integrated omnichannel strategy is needed to create high-end brand messaging, pricing and consumer experiences across all platforms and locations. A smooth functioning of interconnected sales channels requires a tailored legal solution and a team that is flexible to navigate in changing and complex commercial and compliance environments. Regulatory changes fence off the sheer endless possibilities of omnichannel business, such as the EU geoblocking regulation that has come into effect on 3 December 2018 and other compliance requirements.
- Extended and shared inventory models
- Dynamic pricing, discounts, promotions (games of chance)
- Datasharing
- Click and collect
- Ambient intelligence and digital marketing
- Geoblocking and rerouting
- Internet sales and platform restrictions
- Buy on line and return in store
- Product compliance, labelling and returns across sales channels/territories
- Customs, import and export regulations
- Procurement
- Backoffice: Logistics, transport, sourcing, warehousing
- Consignment stock and commissionaire
- Implementing omnichannel solutions in franchise networks
We are leading experts in this new and highly innovative area. We come from a creative and technology driven background and combine business savviness with a trouble-shooter mindset. Our team is ready and available to provide prompt guidance and advice, and if needed litigate or arbitrate to come to a quick and effective result.
Please get in touch with Martine de Koning and Jelle Blom if you require our assistance.
Market recognition
The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - Industry focus: Retail - Tier 1
The Kennedy Van der Laan practice 'provides creative solutions, combining expertise in different areas such as IP, distribution, data protection and licensing and also stands out at managing complex projects' and it specifically benefits clients with 'significant expertise in the retail industry'. Nike, Converse, VodafoneZiggo and Elecosoft UK are among its client list. Of late the team has handled matters including a complex distribution dispute, franchising, and online retailing issues.
The Legal 500 EMEA 2018 - Retail
"Best known for franchising, distribution and commercial contracts, Kennedy Van der Laan’s practice has cross-border capabilities, and is ‘particularly knowledgeable about e-commerce’. Group head Martine de Koning ‘combines great commercial, legal and competition law knowledge’. Ahold Delhaize is a client."
Monique van Diessen, Nike Europe
"We highly recommend Martine de Koning, first and foremost because of her knowledge and creativity in providing solutions and strategic thinking."
Bill Berner, General Counsel Nike EMEA
"Martine de Koning has been Nike’s Account Manager at Kennedy van der Laan since 2000. Over the years, Martine handled strategically important litigation for us such as international commercial disputes and competition law cases before the relevant authorities. She has a clear vision and takes the lead in a smart and assertive manner with an eye to effective communication with all stakeholders involved. Martine offers high service levels and quickly understands the business interests at stake. Martine handled in a pragmatic way many franchise, distribution, agency and procurement cases over the years. She became involved early on in the legal support of the Nike stores project, including localisation and implementation of contracts in the EMEA region. Martine was a key player in the creation of the Alliance for Nike, an innovative concept which allows Nike to work with selected firms in a number of European countries, under the leadership and coordination by Kennedy van der Laan, creating savings and efficiencies and driving convergence."