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Consumer Products

CMS supports each step of the consumer value chain, from the factory floor all the way to the shop door (or the customer’s front door). We help consumer facing companies create, deliver, and sell their goods, protecting their innovation and market position every step of the way.

We support our clients on new manufacturing and R&D projects. We protect their hard-earned IP and valued brands. We advise them on the hugely complex technology, logistics and fulfilment contracts that underpin how goods reach shops and customers. We help them manage vast store portfolios. We help get them get online, selling D2C. We help them get digitised and make the most of adtech. We help them navigate the rules that govern product safety and customer engagement. We protect them when crises hit, or prevent them altogether. And we help them grow through transformative partnerships and M&A.

Our expertise is reflected both in our Tier 1 ranking for Consumer & Retail (Legal 500) and in the clients who trust us with their most sensitive and strategic matters. We work with top FMCG companies like Nestlé and Unilever, leading retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Dune, and Yoox Net-A-Porter, and top fashion and luxury brands including French Connection, Barbour and Stella McCartney.

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Consumer Protection Defence
CMS has unparalleled expertise of successfully advising clients in CMA consumer investigations and enforcement actions, having been appointed to defen
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Fashion & Luxury
Our specialist Fashion and Luxury practice – part of our Tier 1 ranked Consumer & Retail team (Legal 500) - helps both luxury and high stree
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Food & Drink
CMS’ Food & Drink group brings together both specialist food lawyers and sector experts to create a one-stop-shop for issues relating to the
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Health & Beauty
At CMS our specialist Health & Beauty practice brings together experts from throughout the firm and across our Tier 1 ranked Consumer & Retail
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Household Goods
CMS’ dedicated Household group - part of our Tier 1 ranked Consumer & Retail team (Legal 500) - brings together sector experts from across C
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Manufacturing
CMS’ dedicated Manufacturing Group brings together industry experts from across CMS, in the UK and internationally, who have extensive experienc
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Retail
CMS is one of the few firms to join the dots across each element of the retail value chain – from the factory all the way to the shop floor (or
25/04/2024
Taking Stock 2024
Consumer brands and retailers are moving through a transformative era marked by significant macroeconomic challenges, rapid digital evolution, and an escalating commitment to sustainability. Our an­nu­al Tak­ing...
25/04/2023
CMS’ interactive Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer law regulatory...
Welcome to CMS’ interactive Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer law regulatory hub. Here you will find all of the resources you need on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill and the UK’s regulatory landscape following the Government publication of its long-awaited Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.
08/09/2022
Technology Transformation - Consumer Products & Retail
Digitalisation has transformed how consumer products are manufactured, distributed and sold. The push to maintain a competitive advantage, drives increased investment in new technologies. This investment may reduce operational cost and ease the retention of legacy systems, but what challenges arise and how do businesses approach the changing risk profile?This report is a deep dive into data first produced for the re­port Tech­no­logy Transformation: Managing Risks in a Changing Landscape. In the original report we surveyed over 500 corporate counsel and risk managers from multiple industries across the world. Here, we look in detail at the 75 respondents surveyed in the consumer and retail sector, and their perspectives on the risks associated with busi­ness-crit­ic­al technologies, including emerging technologies. Our survey shows that businesses across the sector, whether retailers or manufacturers, have the same concerns but the influences on the adoption of technology, the resulting risks, and the approaches taken to mitigate or resolve those risks vary depending on whether or not the business involves a direct sales relationship with the consumer. Download the consumer and retail sector report now to read about: Drivers of technology adoption in the consumer and retail sectorNew risks emerging and traditional barriers to risk man­age­ment­Cur­rent technology risks in the consumer and retail sectorFuture risks and measures to deal with themPreferred approaches to technology dispute resolution for the consumer and retail sector

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18/06/2024
CMS Consumer & Retail Conference – Certainly Uncertain
 At this year's conference we explore the unpredictability of the issues facing the sector, amid economic, legal, regulatory and potential political change. Our conference will help you navigate the risks and opportunities presented by this certainly uncertain future and consider how brands and retailers can look to adapt and evolve. As always, this year’s conference will deliver practical, commercial and topical food for thought, as well as the opportunity to network with your peers. Join us at our London office to hear from an exciting line up of CMS lawyers and industry experts, including Richard Lim of Retail Economics and many more.
12/06/2024
IP Updates in the Food & Drink Sector
Join our expert speakers for a webinar on IP developments in the Food & Drink sector with a particular focus on recent cases, north and south of the border.  The webinar will provide an overview of the...
01/05/2024
Flushed and failed: General Court shuts the lid on invalidity attack against...
In­tro­duc­tion­Earli­er this year, we reported on a Belgian court ruling relating to the validity and infringement of designs for cat litter trays (read about it here). This time, in a decision which will...
30/04/2024
Class Action Risk in the Food and Drink Sector
Class action claims are a reality and are only growing in number. The risks to food producers and suppliers come in many forms, whether it be employees, consumers or even shareholders. In this session...
29/04/2024
Food Advertising and Environmental Claims: A Balancing Act for Businesses
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published a report on its research into consumer understanding of environmental claims in food advertisements (Environmental claims in food advertising -...
29/04/2024
Design decision on ‘Sole technical function’ packs a punch – The CJEU breaks...
SummaryIn a case which has been recognised as among the most impactful European design cases of the past year, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) has clarified the principles of ‘sole...
25/04/2024
No two (or more) ways about it: UK Patents Court highlights the importance...
Introduction  A recent judgment from the UK Patents Court serves as a helpful reminder that clarity and consistency of visual representations are essential, when filing for design registrations.In the...
25/04/2024
Cheers! New EU rules to strengthen GI protection for wine, spirit drinks...
On 23 April 2024, a new EU regulation aimed at enhancing the protection of geographical indications (GIs) for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, and other quality schemes for agricultural...
25/04/2024
Taking Stock 2024
Consumer brands and retailers are moving through a transformative era marked by significant macroeconomic challenges, rapid digital evolution, and an escalating commitment to sustainability. Our an­nu­al Tak­ing...
16/04/2024
AI-driven enforcement comes of age in UK with AI systems reshaping advertising...
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published its 2023 annual report, describing 2023 as a watershed year for its digital strategy.To­geth­er, the ASA and the Committee of Advertising Practice...
15/04/2024
Marks and Spencer secures quashing of Secretary of State’s decision to...
The recent judgment of the High Court in Marks & Spencer Plc v Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 452 (Admin) has received a lot of attention given its implications...
09/04/2024
Designs practice update: EU Court of Justice upholds Advocate General’s...
BackgroundIn our previous article (here), we discussed the opinion of Advocate General Capeta in EUIPO v The KaiKai Company Jaeger Wichmann. That opinion was provided following an appeal against the General...