Retail organizations are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape where AI, privacy, and cybersecurity are increasingly central to customer experience, digital commerce, and brand trust.

The Hintze Retail & eCommerce Group helps retailers turn complex AI, privacy, and cybersecurity requirements into practical, business-focused strategies that support growth while managing risk. We advise e-commerce, brick-and-mortar, and omnichannel retailers on building AI & privacy programs, strengthening customer trust, and navigating evolving laws with confidence. Acting as an extension of our clients’ teams, we provide guidance tailored to each organization’s technology, business objectives, and operational needs.

Our Capabilities

Privacy Programs & Operations

Hintze helps retailers establish, mature, and optimize privacy programs that support regulatory compliance while strengthening customer trust and engagement. The firm develops practical, risk-based approaches aligned with each organization’s resources and business priorities.

Data Subject Rights

Supporting retailers in managing consumer privacy obligations, Hintze develops and refines processes that enable organizations to efficiently respond to privacy requests while meeting legal requirements and improving operational efficiency.

Risk Assessments

Hintze conducts AI and privacy risk assessments for new technologies, products, services, features, and business practices while helping organizations establish repeatable processes integrated into ongoing business operations.

Marketing & Customer Engagement

Retailers rely on Hintze for guidance on privacy-compliant marketing strategies across telemarketing, text messaging, email, on-device communications, and other direct marketing channels. The firm also helps organizations develop governance processes for managing customer consent, including opt-in and opt-out requirements, refer-a-friend programs, and compliance with TCPA and CAN-SPAM requirements.

Loyalty Programs

Hintze counsels retailers on the design and operation of loyalty and rewards programs, including compliance with state privacy laws governing financial incentives, consumer rights, and data use.

AdTech & Digital Advertising

As retailers leverage advertising technologies and targeted marketing, Hintze helps address privacy laws, industry standards, and evolving regulatory expectations. The firm also advises on tracking technology governance for websites and mobile applications, including emerging risks under wiretap laws such as CIPA and obligations under comprehensive state privacy laws.

Strategic Partnerships

Hintze advises on privacy and data protection considerations within business partnerships, including affinity and private label card programs, gift card initiatives, influencer relationships, joint marketing efforts, and other strategic collaborations.

Vendors & Supply Chain

Helping retailers manage third-party risk, Hintze evaluates vendors, develops AI, privacy, and cybersecurity vendor risk management programs, supports RFPs and other vendor selection processes, and negotiates contracts addressing AI & data protection requirements.

Regulatory Defense.

We assist retail clients in engaging with and responding to regulatory inquiries and investigations about privacy and data practices. We also assist with managing compliance with regulatory consent decrees and settlement agreements.

Regulatory and Public Policy.

We help retail clients and retail associations understand and influence legislative and regulatory policy and proposals, including crafting input on developing AI, privacy, and cybersecurity laws and regulations.

Location Data & Biometrics

Through guidance on laws applicable to location data, facial recognition technologies, and biometric information, Hintze helps retailers address privacy considerations involving customers, workforce, vehicle and mobile applications, in-store technologies, and loss prevention initiatives.

Transparency & AI & Privacy Notices

Hintze helps organizations develop AI & privacy notices, trust centers, and other transparency initiatives that clearly communicate data practices while supporting legal compliance and customer trust.

Cybersecurity & Incident Response

Preparing retailers for cybersecurity incidents, Hintze advises on incident response capabilities, privacy governance, and breach response strategies when data incidents occur.

Employee Privacy

Hintze helps retailers navigate employee AI and privacy obligations involving workforce monitoring, biometric information, AI applications, and employee data rights.

Privacy, Security & AI Governance

Developing internal privacy, cybersecurity, and AI policies, standards, and guidance, Hintze helps retailers operationalize compliance and adapt to evolving legal and regulatory requirements.