Retail

Dealing with attendance, performance, and conduct issues are an unfortunate part of the job for many managers in retail. We guide you through these issues and provide representation should a dispute escalate into a tribunal claim. From standard documentation like employment contracts to advice on changes to the national minimum wage and default retirement age, we assist in all aspects of employment law.

The start-up and high-growth arena in Scotland is thriving and our specialist team is recognised as leading legal advisers to the entrepreneurial community. Along with advising many individuals and businesses, we work closely with the organisations and investors who have helped to drive this growth. Our lawyers work closely with businesses at every stage of their life-cycle, from inception right through to a successful exit. We have extensive experience of helping young, innovative retail companies secure the necessary investment to fuel their growth into strong, successful businesses.

The location of your business premises is crucial to the success of your business. We advise on buying, mortgaging, leasing or selling commercial properties. We can also assist with setting up vehicles to protect property or the placing of properties in more advantageous structures, such as Self Invested Personal Pensions (“SIPPs”).

Retaining exclusivity for your brand image is crucial as is ensuring your brand development and management activities are compliant with organisations such as the Advertising Standards Authority, the Office for Fair Trading and Trading Standards. Whether it’s potential conflict with pre-existing brands, trademark prosecution or intellectual property protection, we can help safeguard your products and services.

We help a growing number of retailers expand via franchising both throughout the UK and Internationally. Our services to clients include setting up a franchise system, rolling it out and operating it successfully.

From advising on banking and funding documentation to joint ventures, acquisitions and commercial contracts, our team assists in keeping your business sustainable and your projects on track. We also advise on the preparation of partnership and shareholders’ agreements and provide associated advice on exit strategy and succession planning which are particularly important if your retail business is family-owned, employee-owned or owner-managed.

Licensing law in Scotland is constantly evolving and we provide advice on alcohol law, obtaining liquor licences, complying with strict controls on notices, advertising and promotions in order to keep the operation of premises compliant with the law. Away from alcohol, we advise on public entertainment licences, late hours catering licences, taxi licensing and gambling law. We also represent clients at licensing boards.

We can help make the process of restructuring easier by advising you on issues such as the rights and duties of directors in respect of insolvency, solvent restructuring, schemes of arrangement and the appointment and removal of administrators, liquidators and receivers.

Should you want to create a new outdoor seating area, extend or renovate your current premises or construct entirely new premises, we advise on a full range of services from negotiating and drafting planning agreements to preparing for a planning appeal.

We are one of Scotland’s largest law firms, with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Moray, Shetland, Inverness and Thurso. We also advise our clients in their international aspirations, working in multiple jurisdictions around the world every year.

We can also help retailers who are looking to move into the Scottish retail environment adapt their contracts/agreements for Scottish law. As one of the largest retail markets in the UK it’s crucial that Scotland is included in any expansion strategy.

Visit our International business section for details.