After more than five years, the affiliation between Bates O’Rourke and Bates Canada, which had a minority interest in the retail shop, has ended.

Bates O’Rourke, which had been Bates’ retail arm, is now operating independently as O’Rourke Communications under agency President Peter O’Rourke.

Retail clients, including Color Your World and True Value Hardware, have followed O’Rourke.

Patrick Knisley, president of Bates Canada, says the agency wants to focus on its core business and although it doesn’t mean that Bates isn’t interested in retail business, retail will not be its focus.

He says the agency is strong in the packaged goods business right now and wants to move into the communications category and perhaps the brewery business.