Herbert Smith Freehills Kewei helps Lagardère Travel Retail build partnership with China tech giant 科伟史密夫斐尔联营办公室助力拉格代尔与中国电商巨头达成战略合作

Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and its joint operation partner Kewei have advised the pioneering travel retailer Lagardère Travel Retail on the signing of a strategic agreement with e-commerce giant JD.com and other investors.

Investors have agreed to subscribe for a 22.36% stake in the retailer's North Asia business, at a price of RMB720 million. The retailer's North Asia business operates 480 stores in 32 airports and 28 high-speed train stations in mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, providing travel essentials, duty free and fashion, and food services. The transaction is expected to complete in late September.

Kewei international partner Gavin Guo led a cross-office team advising Lagardère on all aspects from deal structuring, transaction documentation and negotiations through to the signing.

"This deal is strategically critical to Lagardère. Partnership with JD.com will help transform its digitalisation, omni-channel shopping experience and supply chain management in the region," said Gavin. "We are delighted to have advised Lagardère on this milestone deal."

"The joint operation has advised many retailing multinationals since its establishment in August 2019. By integrating our services across multiple jurisdictions, we can meet the clients' needs for global and local expertise and support," said Gavin.

The joint operation's counsel Angela Zhao, Shanghai associate Alvin Zheng, and Beijing associate Weili Zhong provided support.

In Hong Kong, partner Jeremy Shen and associate Echo Shen advised on Hong Kong corporate law aspects. Partner Kathryn Sanger and senior associate Eunice Bai also provided Hong Kong law support.

Paris managing partner Frédéric Bouvet manages and leads on the global client relationship with Lagardère.

全球领先的律师事务所史密夫斐尔与科伟律师事务所的联营办公室为全球旅行零售业的领导者拉格代尔旅行零售公司提供法律服务，助力其与京东等投资者达成战略合作协议。

投资方同意以7.2亿元人民币认购拉格代尔北亚业务22.36%的股权。拉格代尔北亚业务覆盖中国内地、香港和日本，在32个机场和28个高铁站经营着480家门店，包括旅行用品、免税品、奢侈品和餐饮等多个领域。该交易预计将在9月下旬完成。

科伟史密夫斐尔资深国际顾问郭武汉率领联营办公室的跨地域团队为拉格代尔提供从交易架构、文件起草、交易谈判到协议签署等各方面的服务。

郭武汉表示：“这笔交易对拉格代尔具有战略上的关键意义。与京东的合作将有助于推动其在该地区的数字化，提升全渠道购物体验，加强供应链管理。我们很高兴在这笔里程碑式的交易中为拉格代尔提供咨询。”

郭武汉补充道：“联营办公室自2019年8月成立以来，已经为多家零售跨国企业提供法律服务。联营办公室整合了我们在多个司法管辖区的业务，可以满足客户对全球和本地专业能力和服务的需求。”

联营办公室资深顾问赵秋丹、史密夫斐尔上海办公室郑天骅（Associate）以及北京办公室钟卫利（Associate）提供支持。

香港办公室合伙人沈志良和沈黄贇（Associate）就香港公司法方面提供咨询。合伙人张清明Kathryn Sanger和柏尤逸（Senior Associate）也就香港法提供了支持。

巴黎办公室管理合伙人Frédéric Bouvet负责该客户的全球客户关系。