International: What does 2024 have in store for consumer goods and retail businesses?

In brief

It is looking to be a busy year for the consumer goods and retail industry. Opportunities around GenAI, tech and ESG-driven innovation make it an exciting time for the sector. Yet the increase in regulation around product liability, labeling, consumer protection and ESG reporting continues to add to the complexity of the regulatory landscape. We expect disputes in the sector to remain the same or increase, with ESG disputes a key factor, driven by eco-consumerism, forthcoming legislation, and new sustainability standards. 2024 will see CG&R-focused M&A activity driven by technology deals and companies looking to invest in ESG solutions. Moreover, it is predicted that businesses will continue to optimize supply chain route-to-market efficiencies to gain greater control over supply and sales transparency around ESG, as well as tighter governance around trade secrets, data handling, and cyber risks.


Contents

What does it mean for the consumer goods and retail sector?

To learn more about what is in store for the CG&R industry in 2024, tune in and listen to our latest episode of Off The Shelf. In this episode, our leading experts in the consumer goods and retail industry, Kurt Haegeman, Katia Boneva-Desmicht, Renata Amaral*, LokeKhoon Tan, Sue McLean, and David Scott, examine the trends in the consumer goods and retail industry and share their insights around ESG, consumer protection disputes, M&A deals, key markets in Asia Pacific, as well as the use of tech in the industry.

Please also visit our other resources:

*Trench Rossi Watanabe and Baker McKenzie have executed a strategic cooperation agreement for consulting on foreign law.


Copyright © 2024 Baker & McKenzie. All rights reserved. Ownership: This documentation and content (Content) is a proprietary resource owned exclusively by Baker McKenzie (meaning Baker & McKenzie International and its member firms). The Content is protected under international copyright conventions. Use of this Content does not of itself create a contractual relationship, nor any attorney/client relationship, between Baker McKenzie and any person. Non-reliance and exclusion: All Content is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal and regulatory developments. All summaries of the laws, regulations and practice are subject to change. The Content is not offered as legal or professional advice for any specific matter. It is not intended to be a substitute for reference to (and compliance with) the detailed provisions of applicable laws, rules, regulations or forms. Legal advice should always be sought before taking any action or refraining from taking any action based on any Content. Baker McKenzie and the editors and the contributing authors do not guarantee the accuracy of the Content and expressly disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or permitted to be done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the Content. The Content may contain links to external websites and external websites may link to the Content. Baker McKenzie is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external sites and disclaims all liability, howsoever occurring, in respect of the content or operation of any such external websites. Attorney Advertising: This Content may qualify as “Attorney Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. To the extent that this Content may qualify as Attorney Advertising, PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME. Reproduction: Reproduction of reasonable portions of the Content is permitted provided that (i) such reproductions are made available free of charge and for non-commercial purposes, (ii) such reproductions are properly attributed to Baker McKenzie, (iii) the portion of the Content being reproduced is not altered or made available in a manner that modifies the Content or presents the Content being reproduced in a false light and (iv) notice is made to the disclaimers included on the Content. The permission to re-copy does not allow for incorporation of any substantial portion of the Content in any work or publication, whether in hard copy, electronic or any other form or for commercial purposes.