Retail and Consumer Products - Commercial Real Estate

Over the last few years, many bricks and mortar retailers have found that their real estate is the most
valuable part of their business. Given how uncertain the sector has become, many now want to unlock
that value, whether it’s by creating a real estate investment trust, selling off buildings or finding new
ways to lease space.

At the same time, those leasing may want to negotiate more favourable arrangements with landlords or
break agreements that could be holding the business back.

However, commercial real estate deals can get complicated. There are numerous issues for companies
to consider, including tax implications, government regulations that govern investments, financing
arrangements, and landlord and tenant issues, among many other considerations.

By working with Osler and its experienced team of lawyers who know the real estate sector, you can
ensure you’re staying on top of the legal matters that could occur. We’ve helped companies purchase
new properties, incorporate new real estate holdings bought through a company acquisition,
renegotiate lease agreements in an insolvency, handle cross-border real estate deals, and develop new
greenfield and brownfield projects.

With real estate being a critical piece in a retailer’s strategy, it is important to work with a law firm that
understands this multifaceted and always evolving part of the market.

Recent experience

Longo’s

Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. in the sale of 51% of Longo’s to Empire Company, with an option to put the remaining interest in Longo’s to Empire in tranches beginning after the fifth anniversary of the closing. The purchase price for the initial 51% interest is based on a total enterprise value of $700 million.

Learn more about our work with Longo’s
Produce section at a grocery store

Comark Holdings Inc.

Comark completes sale transaction and emerges from creditor protection

Learn more about our work with Comark Holdings
Clothing rack filled with various blouses

Regis Corporation

Regis Corporation in its sale and subsequent franchise of substantially all of its mall-based salons in Canada. This transaction includes 858 of the Regis Corporation’s mall-based Regis Salons and MasterCuts locations in North America and includes the Company’s 250 Regis Salons and Supercuts salons in the U.K.

Learn more about our work with Regis Corporation
Retro styled barbershop

Starbucks Coffee Corporation

Starbucks Coffee Corporation in the closing of its Canadian Teavana stores.   In July 2017, Starbucks announced that it was closing all of its Teavana stores in North America. Teavana's loose-leaf, exotic teas will still be available at Starbucks locations.

Learn more about our work with Starbucks
Various tea leaves arranged around a tea cup

SmartREIT

SmartREIT and Strathallen Acquisitions Inc. in the acquisition of all of the assets and liabilities of OneREIT for $1.1 billion

Learn more about our work with SmartREIT
Strip Mall Store Building Exteriors at Sunset
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