Retail
From the High Street to online
We know retail. Our retail team has vast experience advising our clients in the retail sector on the different legal issues, challenges and opportunities that can impact upon your business.
Whether you’re on the high street, a small independent shop or an online retailer we can provide all the legal services you need.
From brand management to franchising, employment law to real estate advice, our team can call upon experienced lawyers in every field from throughout the firm. And they don’t just give advice, they become part of your team, understanding your strategy and goals and making sure you get there.
We work with great brands and retail businesses in Scotland, the UK and internationally, helping to guide them through an ever-changing retail environment – experience which has given us a genuine understanding of what you need from your legal advisers.
We offer a free initial consultation and endeavour to agree a fixed fee for our involvement. We will always be competitively priced and pleased to discuss costs with you.
Key contact - get in touch
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Partner
Our key retail legal services include:
Just as it is in retail, we know that quality and value are paramount. We offer a free initial consultation where we can discuss your current legal needs and plans for the future.
We can even help you budget more effectively by offering you a fixed quarterly retainer which includes access to a helpline and support whenever you need it.
Employment and HR issues
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.
Health and safety
Retailers have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for both customers and employees. We advise on measures that can be put in place and precautions you can take to keep yourself covered, such as implementing a system of inspections and assessments. Should a claim be made against you, we can also help defend your case.
Brand management
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.
Business law & contracts
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.
Online, mobile and digital
For retailers, the relevance of online, mobile and digital methods of customer interaction and marketing cannot be underestimated. This comes with a number of legal considerations, from commercial contracts, consumer protection legislation and managing personal data to relationships with service providers or developers, and we ensure your activities are compliant. We offer an Online, Mobile and Digital package which includes a fixed-price compliance review service to assist businesses in identifying and addressing areas where remedial action is required.
Planning, environmental & construction
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.
Start-up & investment
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.
Commercial Property
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”).
Franchising
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. To see more about our franchising capabilities please click here.
Licensing
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.
Restructuring
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.
Internationalise
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.
Established team with experience advising clients on a range of real estate, franchising and corporate matters, among other issues. Acts for a diverse set of clients in the retail sector, including entities from the fashion and food and beverage industries. Offers additional strength in advising retailers on franchise expansion.
Chambers UK 2021
“Harper Macleod is staffed with highly competent lawyers who are deeply knowledgeable, insightful, helpful and responsive. They are a very solid team and whenever we needed an answer, their quick response and guidance is invaluable.”
Susan Canavan, Director of The Canavan Co. Limited (UK Master Franchisee of Project Pie)
David Kaye advises a broad array of clients on franchise arrangements, including expansions, terminations, resales and disputes. He acts for both franchisees and franchisors in various sectors, including food, leisure, and health and fitness.
Chambers UK 2021
"David is fantastic and very approachable. If I call him night or day, he always replies straight away."
“Harper Macleod’s expertise reaches across the whole UK not just Scotland. Their knowledge and connections put them ahead of the other firms I work with. I’m never worried about the cost of picking up the phone nor the quality of advice I’ll get – it will be right.”
Euan Fraser, Managing Director of AMO Consulting
David Kaye – we have worked with David for nearly 30 years and his expertise is invaluable, not just on Franchising but help on personal and property law.’ Says a source
Legal 500 2021
Contact us
Call us for free on 0330 159 5555 or complete our online form below for legal advice or to arrange a call back.