The High Five - Stewart McKelvey

A SUPPLEMENT TO INHOUSE MAGAZINE’S INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT.
The High Five
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Stewart McKelvey shares its in-house clients’ passion for their work and their industry. We invest in them—their unique
work challenges and environment—and study their industry. We’re strategic and technical in our approach. Each issue,
Stewart McKelvey’s “High Five” supplement to InHouse’s Industry Spotlight will touch on tips and news-to-use for
in-house counsel or senior executives, relevant to a particular market. Counsel from our experienced lawyers will help
you identify different levels of legislation, regulatory issues and standards that apply to your environment.
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Retailers can sometimes be over-zealous in their marketing and promotional efforts, putting them
off-side the requirements of the Competition Act. It is important to ensure that all advertising be
reviewed closely to ensure that it is not misleading to the consumer and that all “sales” and other
pricing promotions are in compliance with the law.
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- Deanne MacLeod, partner, NS
The key to retail success is an unrelenting and maniacal focus on customer service. Increasing
the marketing spend and expanding online advertising is not the answer to many retailers’
challenges and such efforts often will fall short by themselves without retailers going the extra
mile to ensure complete customer satisfaction.
- Larry Stordy, Q.C., partner, NS
With the strong Canadian dollar (or weak U.S. dollar) and the tough economic times, more and more
consumers are pricing and ordering goods online or making the trek to the nearest U.S. border-crossing
to take advantage of lower prices, increased duty free exemptions and a broader selection. Canadian
retailers need to be aware of this ever growing trend and to have plans in place to remain competitive in
light of this development.
- Gerry McMackin, Q.C., partner, NB
In an increasingly digitized business environment, organizations increasingly rely on electronic
forms of communicating. While sound legal counsel and advice certainly help a business gain
a competitive edge, we, too, easily forget the ability to distinguish our products and services via
personal customer service. Consider selling value, in this sense, as part of your product or service
line as well.
- George Caines, Q.C., partner, NS
In any jurisdiction, and particularly jurisdictions with relatively new franchise disclosure regulations,
franchisors should remember the rule that “more is better”. If a franchisor, retail or otherwise, is uncertain as
to whether a matter must be included in its disclosure document, it should err on the side of disclosure.
- Lee Bell-Smith, partner, NB
CHARLOTTETOWN FREDERICTON HALIFAX MONCTON SAINT JOHN ST. JOHN’S STEWARTMCKELVEY.COM & FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

A SUPPLEMENT TO INHOUSE MAGAZINE’S INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT.
Stewart McKelvey is Atlantic Canada’s first and largest regional law firm. With a distinguished
heritage and premier talent, we have established an international reputation for generating results.
With more than 220 lawyers and 350 staff in our six Atlantic locations, Stewart McKelvey has a
single objective: the best outcome for our clients.
It starts with a conversation.
Deanne MacLeod, partner, NS
Practice Group Leader, Business Transactions
902.420.3313
dmacleod@stewartmckelvey.com
Lawrence Stordy, Q.C., partner, NS
Corporate/Commercial
902.420.3347
lstordy@stewartmckelvey.com
Gerald McMackin, Q.C., partner, NB
Business Transactions
506.632.2768
gmcmackin@stewartmckelvey.com
George Caines, Q.C., partner, NS
Corporate/Commercial
902.420.3307
gcaines@stewartmckelvey.com
Lee C. Bell-Smith, partner, NB
Business Transactions
506.632.2793
lbellsmith@stewartmckelvey.com
In the next issue:
Spotlight on Technology
CHARLOTTETOWN FREDERICTON HALIFAX MONCTON SAINT JOHN ST. JOHN’S STEWARTMCKELVEY.COM & FOLLOW US ON TWITTER