In this episode of Retail Review, Alistair Walton and Anthony Alderman explore how solar panels and EV charging are reshaping the retail landscape. From cutting costs to driving sustainability, discover the bold strategies retailers are using to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. 

Join hosts Katie Simmonds and Amy Battinson as they delve into the shadowy world of dark patterns within the retail sector. 

This episode explores the implications these practices have on consumers and retailers alike. They will navigate the complex regulatory landscape, shedding light on the efforts of organisations like the CMA and the EU in enforcing compliance. 

Discover the critical importance of website accessibility and the intriguing potential of AI in both detecting and creating these dark patterns. Finally, gain practical advice for retailers on how to overcome these challenges while maintaining consumer trust. Tune in for an insightful and eye-opening discussion. 

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Join partners Clare Lamond and Paul Mason as they delve into the Scots law doctrine of tacit relocation, which facilitates the automatic renewal of leases if neither party issues a termination notice. They explore the ramifications of this doctrine for retailers, discuss recent reform proposals by the Scottish Law Commission, and underscore the significance of clear communication between landlords and tenants.

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With the government instilling new powers under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 to get the nation's high streets back to their best, how could these impact landlords, retailers, and lenders? Join partner Jon Hobbs and practice development lawyer and associate Alison Morden-Hawke from the firm's Real Estate group as they talk about the new powers granted to councils, what challenges landlords could be expected to face, and the timelines for compliance and potential for disputes.

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Staffing costs for retailers are set to rise, with increases in the national minimum wage and changes to how much national insurance employers need to contribute going forward. Join practice development lawyer and managing associate Karen Plumbley-Jones and legal director Nicola Allen from WBD's employment team as they talk about what these changes mean for you in the retail sector, and how it could impact recruitment, employee wages, and overall business strategies.

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Hot off the press: the Law Commission have issued their provisional conclusions on reform to the Act on 4 June 2025.

In short, it is an initial win for retail and the provisional recommendation is to retain the current "contracting out model, not expand the current types of tenancy that are excluded from the 1954 Act but they do recommend further consulting on extending the threshold for tenancies to be able to benefit from security of tenure under the 1954 Act from 6 months to two years.

A second consultation paper will now follow, detailing how any recommended model or change in scope would work, reviewing the current contracting out process and proposing other technical changes to the Act.

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With the Law Commission currently consulting on the security of tenure in commercial leases, how may the proposed changes impact your business going forward? 

Join partner Nikki Powell and associate David Jones as they dive into the implications of proposed changes to the 1954 Act, what groups of retailers are thinking about the changes, and the potential impact on employment within the retail industry. 

Curious as to how the current Employment Rights Bill being worked through UK parliament may impact your business? Join partners Dan Fawcett and Christina Tolvas-Vincent from WBD's employment team as they dive into some of the biggest changes the Bill could bring to UK retail and hospitality - from probation periods and flexible working, to fire and rehire practices and collective redundancy.

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With retail making up 5% of the UK economy and still working through the range of changes to the sector in recent years, how can companies ensure their portfolios are safeguarded while maintain a strong competitive advantage?

Join partner and head of WBD's retail and hospitality sector Claire Wilkinson and Tom Caplen, partner and co-head of WBD's real estate finance practice, as they discuss the balance between sustainability and building out a portfolio, the opportunities physical stores could present in a modern market, and how financing and sustainable lending might play an increasing role in the sector.

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How will artificial intelligence transform the retail industry and its workforce? In this episode, we explore the impact of the rise of AI on the retail sector, which has already undergone significant technological change in recent years.

Hear from Employment Partners Gearalt Fahy and Dan Fawcett, who share their insights on the legal and practical implications of AI for employers and employees in the retail industry, and examine how increasing AI use may affect change management.

If you need to manage your legal risks and follow the right redundancy processes, WBD Navigate can help you. It is a fixed-cost digital solution and consultancy service that provides template documents, guidance, and legal insight. To find out more visit www.wbdnavigate.com. 

With retail companies of all sizes eyeing up pathways to meet sustainable goals and objectives across their business, how can the store front play a crucial role?

Join Nikki Powell, a partner in WBD's Operational Property team, as she discusses the tight rope between balancing sustainability in retail properties and maintaining a strong relationship with landlords and property owners, as well as what businesses could be doing to make the most of their space and meet sustainable goals.