Retail Risk Outlook 2023

Retail Risk Outlook 2023

With challenging conditions for the UK's retailers, we'll help you stay on top of your legal and regulatory requirements.

Be prepared for change, reduce your risk and position your business for opportunity with our essential guide.

Priority themes

We act for more major retailers than any other UK law firm and here are the key trends we're seeing for our clients this year.

ESG driving transparency:

There remains a key focus on sustainability and environmental issues where retailers do have a key part to play and attention will be focussed on sustainable growth whilst still delivering value to customers.

Governance and accountability:

Our report shows there is without doubt a requirement for greater transparency and accountability with customers, investors and regulators holding retailers to account.

Regulation catching up with innovation:

We discuss the areas where regulation is playing ‘catch-up’ with tech-led innovation such as AI, data and fintech.

International factors:

Our report shares what retailers should do to mitigate the external challenges from supply chain and operating cost increases and a change in customer purchasing as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Inside the report

sustainability and environment:

• Green Claims
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme
• Supply chain due diligence
• The Better Business Act campaign
• Co-ordination on environmental sustainability

Product and marketing:

• ASA update
• Transition from CE to UKCA marking delayed
• Intermediary and Platform Principles Pilot
• CMA focus on online choice architecture
• The Windsor Framework

Property:

• Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)
• Overseas Entities Register
• Protect Duty: Martyn’s law
• Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill

Employment:

• Flexible and hybrid working
• Employment contracts and pay
• Workplace equalities and inclusion

Tech, data & AI:

• International data transfers
• Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
• AI regulation in the UK
• Direct marketing and adtech
• Buy now pay later

Governance and enforcement:

• The Modern Slavery Act 2015: reporting requirements
• CMA’s new consumer law enforcement powers
• Government to legislate on subscription contracts and auto-renewal
• New sentencing guidelines for underage sale of knives
• VABEO – dual distribution for retailers
• Corporate transparency

Actionable guidance

What's changing: Straightforward summaries of key changes.

How to prepare: Practical advice from our legal experts.