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Insights September 2024

Consumer Law Update – CJEU rules that a price reduction announced in an advertisement must be calculated on the basis of the lowest price in the last 30 days

 On 26 September, the Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU") issued its much anticipated decision in the case Aldi Süd (C-330/23) concerning the announcement of price reductions in an advertisement. At issue was whether a price reduction announced in an advertisement must be calculated on the basis of the lowest price in the last 30 days, or whether the price reduction can be calculated from another price, with the information on the lowest price in the last 30 days being provided together with the reference price for calculating the reduction (as an additional figure). The CJEU concluded that that a price reduction announced in an advertisement must be determined on the basis of the lowest price applied

Insights July 2024

Expanding opportunities for retail investors in Kazakhstan: AIFC's influence on the new legislative framework

According to the official website of the Government of Kazakhstan, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market is working on a new legislative proposal with the goal of broadening the participation of retail investors in collective investment schemes (the "CIS") across Kazakhstan. Currently, the CIS retail business is mainly possible within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). While this could be seen as competition with the AIFC, in the long term, the adoption of such a law will help create a solid platform for the development of funds not only within the AIFC but also throughout Kazakhstan. In these proposed innovations, we see the influence of the flexible

Deals May 2024

Kinstellar, together with Rymarz Zdort Maruta, advises SMYK Group on the amendment and extension of its financing

Kinstellar has successfully advised SMYK Group and its Romanian subsidiary, SMYK All For Kids, on all Romanian law aspects concerning the amendment and extension of its group financing. The financing transaction involved an extremely tight timeline and required seamless alignment, as it was conducted simultaneously with Bridgepoint’s sale of shares in Smyk Group to Accession Capital Partners (ACP). Kinstellar was previously selected by SMYK Group as its local advisor on various iterations of this financing, and also advised Bridgepoint on the local law aspects of Smyk’s acquisition in 2016. Smyk, established in 1952, is an iconic brand and Poland’s largest chain of stores selling toys, clothing for children

Insights March 2024

Coffee industry leaders face EUR 2 million fine and secure a conditional merger before Serbian Competition Authority

On 29 February 2024, the Serbian Competition Authority (the “SCA”) published two detailed decisions involving two largest undertakings on the Serbian coffee market. The first one relates to concerted practices that resulted in a joint fine of approximately EUR 2 million, while the other one relates to the conditional approval of the acquisition of Strauss Adriatic by Atlantic Group. As per data released by the SCA, these two enterprises collectively h approximately 70% to 80% of the coffee market in Serbia, boasting a portfolio that includes the most significant coffee brands in the region. In 2021, the SCA conducted a sectorial analysis encompassing various food markets, including a specific focus on the ground coffee

Insights February 2024

Provisional agreement reached on the Ecodesign Regulation and its impact on the fashion sector

As of 5 December 2023, the Council and European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement regarding a „Regulation establishing a Framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products“. The upcoming EU sustainability legislation is crucial as it affects a substantial part of the Consumer & Retail sector. It is of particular importance in the field of fashion and luxury industry as the points which the provisional agreement addresses have been among the hot topics of recent years in this sector. As we are closely monitoring the legislation process, click here or on the image below to explore the overview of key points of the adopted provisional agreement.

Deals December 2023

Kinstellar advises on the CZK 530 million sale of Hair Servis

Kinstellar’s Prague office has successfully advised the owners of Hair Servis, a major distributor of hairdressing brands to the Czech market, on its sale to Bezvavlasy, the second-largest seller of hair cosmetics in the Czech Republic. The value of the transaction is CZK 530 million, with part of the purchase price to be paid by the sellers receiving newly issued shares in Bezvavlasy, traded on the Prague START market. Kinstellar advised the sellers throughout the transaction, including advising on post-closing shareholder relations and deal structuring. The Kinstellar team was led by Kamil Blažek (Partner) and Matěj Večeřa (Senior Associate), assisted by Paul Válka (Junior Associate) on corporate matters

Insights December 2023

Update on the Advertising Regulatory Landscape in Ukraine

Amendments to Law of Ukraine on Advertising No. 270/96-ВР of 3 July 1996 have recently come into force. The amendments update obsolete regulations on advertising in Ukraine, thus ensuring advertising standards correspond to current technological developments. Click on one of the images below or click on the following links to read the overview in English or in Ukrainian. Download in English: Download in Ukrainian:

Deals September 2023

Kinstellar advises Electrolux Group on the successful divestment of its Nyíregyháza factory in Hungary to Qvantum

Kinstellar is proud to announce that it has advised the Swedish appliances manufacturer Electrolux Group on the successful sale of its manufacturing facility in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, to the Swedish high-quality electric heat pumps manufacturer Qvantum for a cash consideration of EUR 38 million. The Kinstellar team was led by Barnabás Sági, Co-Head of the Budapest Real Estate service line, supported by Bertalan Ványa, Associate. The team also included Annamária Csenterics (Partner), Anna Szilágyi (Junior Associate), Judit Sós (Associate), Péter Vörös (Partner), Péter Gullai (Managing Associate), Dániel Péter (Managing Associate), and Szabolcs Szilágyi (Junior Associate).

Insights July 2023

Class actions to protect collective interests of consumers in Slovakia

The new Act on Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers and on Amendments and Additions to Certain Acts (the "Act") was adopted by the Slovak Parliament on 21 June 2023 and will enter into force on 25 July 2023, with the exception of some special and temporary provisions, which enter into force on the date of the Act’s publication in the Collection of Legislative Acts. The Act, which transposes the Representative Actions Directive (EU) 2020/1828, introduces a new legal proceeding—class actions—into Slovak legislation. The most significant elements of the new Act include: The introduction of two types of actions / proceedings available under the Act: a proceeding

Insights June 2023

Slovakia preparing new Consumer Protection Act: Here's what you should know

Companies operating in Slovakia are facing new compliance obligations, as the government has recently proposed a comprehensive consumer protection act (“New Law”) for parliamentary debate. One of the main reasons for introducing the New Law is to transpose the so-called New Deal for Consumers introduced by the European Commission, consisting of three directives—the Omnibus Directive[1], the Sale of Goods Directive[2] and the Digital Content Directive[3]. The New Law is expected to replace existing consumer protection legislation in Slovakia. It aims to strengthen the rights of consumers, providing them with greater protection against unfair business practices, such as deceptive advertising and hidden costs. As a result

Deals May 2023

Kinstellar successfully advises on exit from Arkady Pankrac joint venture

Kinstellar is pleased to announce the successful completion of its advisory role in facilitating the exit of KG CURA Vermögensverwaltung G.m.b.H. & Co. from a joint venture with G City Europe (formerly Atrium European Real Estate). The joint venture pertained to the ownership of Arkady Pankrac, a premium shopping centre with a focus on fashion, located in one of Prague's most prominent business and residential districts.The core team consisted of Partner Karla Rundtová and Managing Associate Adam Němec, with an essential support from Junior Associate Paul Válka.

Deals March 2023

Kinstellar advises on the sale of Unuodesign

Kinstellar has successfully advised the owner of Unuodesign, a Czech manufacturer and seller of children's clothing and fabrics, on the sale of a majority stake in the company to Hartenberg Holding, an investment fund focused on the Central European region. Kinstellar advised the seller throughout the entire transaction, including advice on shareholder relationship arrangements and deal structuring. The deal's value was not disclosed. The Kinstellar team was led by Jan Juroška (Partner) and was supported by Matěj Večeřa (Senior Associate). For more information please contact Jan Juroška, Partner, at .