WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
During the COVID pandemic, the world understood how indispensable commerce is—often an “invisible” industry. Similarly, we know we’ve done our job well when the law remains invisible within the commercial processes.
Hungary's dynamic consumer market, strategic location within Central Europe, and membership in the EU single market create significant opportunities for international retail investors. We provide legal guidance for foreign investors through the complexities of establishing retail operations.
We support our clients in the negotiation of subsidy agreements and provide full-service tax consultancy.
Hungary's retail sector requires strategic location selection and sophisticated lease arrangements that accommodate evolving consumer preferences and omnichannel retail strategies. We provide end-to-end legal support for retail real estate transactions, from site acquisition through store opening and ongoing operations.
Our services extend to negotiating complex shopping center lease agreements, flagship store acquisitions, plaza development projects, and warehouse facility arrangements that support integrated retail and distribution operations. We advise on compliance with zoning regulations, building permits for retail developments, and accessibility requirements that ensure compliance with disability access standards.
We structure and negotiate bank financing arrangements for retail investments, including acquisition financing, development funding, and working capital facilities tailored to retail operations. Our expertise encompasses both domestic and international banking relationships that support large-scale retail expansion projects.
We also provide guidance on retail franchise arrangements, including franchise agreement negotiations, territory protection provisions, and compliance with franchise disclosure requirements. Our expertise includes structuring master franchise agreements for international retail brands seeking to expand throughout Central Europe.
Hungary's retail sector operates within comprehensive consumer protection regulations that govern among others sales practices, warranty obligations, and customer service standards. Foreign retail businesses must maintain ongoing compliance with evolving consumer rights legislation, distance selling regulations, product safety requirements, and labelling obligations.
We provide ongoing regulatory compliance support for retail operations, including establishment of consumer protection compliance policies, preparation for consumer authority inspections, and response to consumer complaints and enforcement actions. Our services include navigating complex product liability requirements, recall procedures, and consumer dispute resolution mechanisms.
We provide comprehensive marketing and advertising law support, assisting clients in developing all B2B and B2C commercial communications, from overarching marketing strategies to day-to-day advisory services on promotional activities and advertising compliance.
For clients engaged in e-commerce operations, we provide guidance on distance selling regulations, online consumer rights, digital commerce compliance requirements that govern electronic retail transactions throughout the EU, and drafting of terms and conditions (ÁSZF). We also advise on payment services regulations.
Modern retail operations depend on sophisticated supply chain networks that connect international suppliers with local consumer markets through efficient distribution systems. We structure and negotiate commercial agreements that support our clients' retail operations, including supplier agreements, distribution contracts, logistics service and, fulfillment center agreements. We have extensive experience in private label manufacturing.
We advise on compliance with competition law requirements in retail distribution, including resale price maintenance restrictions and exclusive dealing arrangements.
Our expertise extends to supply chain financing structures that optimize working capital management.
Retail operations require flexible workforce management that accommodates seasonal variations, extended operating hours, and customer service excellence requirements. We provide comprehensive employment law support tailored to the unique requirements of retail businesses.
Our services include structuring employment arrangements for retail workers, including store managers, sales personnel, and seasonal employees. We advise on compliance with working time regulations for retail operations, health and safety requirements for customer-facing environments, and social security obligations for retail employers with variable staffing needs.
Our expertise includes compliance with collective bargaining agreements applicable to retail sector employment, temporary staffing arrangements through employment agencies, and student cooperative employment structures.
Retail businesses collect and process substantial amounts of personal data through customer loyalty programs, e-commerce platforms, and payment processing systems. We provide comprehensive data protection compliance services that ensure GDPR compliance while enabling effective customer relationship management.
Our services encompass development of privacy policies for retail operations, data breach response procedures specifically designed for retail environments, and representation in proceedings before the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH). We advise on cross-border data transfer requirements for international retail chains.
For clients implementing customer analytics and personalization technologies, we provide guidance on lawful bases for data processing, automated decision-making compliance, and customer profiling activities that enhance retail operations while respecting privacy rights.
Retail success depends on strong brand protection and sophisticated trademark strategies that prevent counterfeiting and unauthorized use of brand assets. We provide comprehensive IP services for retail clients, including trademark portfolio management, brand protection enforcement, and anti-counterfeiting strategies.
Our services encompass negotiation of brand licensing agreements, retail trademark coexistence arrangements, private label agreements, and IP dispute resolution in retail contexts.
Retail markets are subject to stringent competition law requirements that govern pricing practices, supplier relationships, and market positioning strategies. We provide ongoing competition law compliance advice that enables competitive retail operations while avoiding regulatory violations.
Our services include advising on the compliance of retail pricing strategies, including promotional pricing, resale price maintenance, price matching policies, and dynamic pricing systems. We provide guidance on supplier relationship management, including dominant market position considerations and compliance with unfair trading practices regulations.
For clients engaged in retail mergers and acquisitions, we provide competition law clearance support and regulatory interaction management with Hungarian and EU competition authorities.
Retail businesses face diverse commercial risks ranging from supplier disputes, employment disputes and customer claims to regulatory enforcement actions, tax disputes, and brand protection challenges. We provide comprehensive risk management advice and dispute resolution services that protect our clients' retail investments and operations.
We represent clients before Hungarian courts, administrative bodies, and international arbitration tribunals, with particular expertise in cross-border retail disputes and regulatory appeals.
We also advise on disputes related to insurance arrangements, including product liability coverage. Our services include crisis management planning for retail sector incidents, including product recalls, data breaches, and reputational challenges.
