Privacy Policy

Introduction

ara Shoes Inc. (“ara”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) operates this online store and is responsible for the processing of your personal information as the data controller or “business” under applicable data protection laws.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you access or use our Services in the United States, and describes the rights available to you under applicable U.S. privacy laws.

Platform, Hosting, and Service Providers

We use the Shopware eCommerce platform in a self-hosted environment and engage dogado as our hosting provider. Shopware provides the underlying software and, where applicable, processes personal information solely on our behalf and under our instructions as a data processor to enable the operation of this store.

We may also engage affiliated companies and specialized service providers (for example, content and shop administration services provided by Schuhhandelsgesellschaft Ruhr mbH) that process personal information only on our instructions and exclusively for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

Definition of Personal Information

“Personal information” means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked to you or another individual.

Personal information does not include information that has been aggregated or de-identified so that it cannot reasonably be linked to an identifiable individual.

Scope and Applicability

This Privacy Policy applies to visitors, customers, and users of our Services who reside in the United States. Depending on your state of residence, additional privacy rights may apply, including rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CCPA/CPRA”), and similar state privacy laws in other U.S. states.

Categories of Personal Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with the Services, where you live, and as permitted or required by applicable law, we may collect the following categories of personal information:

Identifiers and Contact information, such as your name, billing and shipping address, telephone number, IP address and email address
Financial and payment information, such as payment method details and transaction confirmations (processed via payment service providers)
Account information, including username, password, preferences, and settings
Commercial information, including items viewed, added to cart or wishlist, purchased, returned, exchanged, or canceled
Communications, including information you provide when contacting customer support
Device and technical information, such as IP address, browser type, device identifiers, and network information
Usage information, including how and when you interact with or navigate the Services

Sources of Personal Information

We may collect personal information from the following sources:

Directly from you, when you create an account, place an order, communicate with us, or otherwise provide information
Automatically through the Services, such as through your device when you use the website, including via cookies and similar technologies
From service providers, when they collect or process information on our behalf
From partners or other third parties, where permitted by law

Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate, secure, and improve the Services.

Cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation, security, and functionality of the website are enabled by default.

Other cookies and similar technologies, including those used for analytics, performance measurement, or advertising purposes, are used in accordance with applicable U.S. privacy laws and your privacy preferences. Depending on your location, you may have the right to opt out of certain uses of these technologies.

You may manage your cookie and privacy preferences at any time using the privacy or cookie settings available on our website.

Purposes for Collecting and Using Personal Information

We use personal information for the following purposes:

Providing and Operating the Services To operate the Services, process orders and payments, manage accounts, arrange shipping and returns, provide customer support, and improve and personalize your shopping experience.
Improving and Optimizing the Services To analyze website performance, understand user interactions, and improve functionality and user experience
Marketing and Advertising (Consent-Based) To display advertising or promotional content, subject to your privacy preferences and applicable law.
We do not engage in targeted advertising, cross-site tracking, or similar activities unless you have affirmatively opted in.
Security and Fraud Prevention To protect the Services, prevent fraud, authenticate users, and ensure secure transactions.
Communications To respond to inquiries, provide customer support, and maintain our business relationship with you.
Legal and Compliance To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes, and to enforce our terms and policies.

How We Disclose Personal Information

We may disclose personal information in the following circumstances:

With service providers, including Shopware, hosting providers, payment processors, IT providers, analytics providers, and shipping partners, solely to perform services on our behalf
With marketing partners, only where you have provided consent for such activities
With affiliates, within our corporate group
For legal or business purposes, such as compliance with legal obligations or in connection with a corporate transaction

We do not sell personal information for purposes of targeted advertising for monetary consideration. However, certain disclosures or uses of personal information for advertising or analytics purposes may be considered a “sale,” “sharing,” or “targeted advertising” under applicable U.S. state privacy laws.

Relationship with Shopware

The Services are operated using a self-hosted instance of the Shopware eCommerce platform. Shopware provides the software and does not independently operate or control our Store.

Where Shopware processes personal information in connection with software support, updates, or optional services, it does so as a service provider or processor acting on our instructions. Shopware does not automatically receive personal information submitted through the Services.

For more information, please refer to the Shopware Privacy Policy available on Shopware’s website.

Third-Party Websites and Links

The Services may contain links to third-party websites or platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of such third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

Children’s Data

The Services are not intended for children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of majority in their jurisdiction. We do not knowingly sell or share personal information of individuals under 16 years of age.

Security and Retention

We implement reasonable security measures to protect personal information. However, no system is completely secure.

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

Your U.S. Privacy Rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have the right to:

request access to or information about the personal information we have collected about you;
request deletion of personal information, subject to applicable law;
request correction of inaccurate personal information;
request data portability, where applicable;
opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information; and
opt out of the use of personal information for targeted advertising.

You may exercise these rights at any time through the privacy settings available on our website or by contacting us using the information below. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

Global Privacy Control (GPC)

We recognize and honor the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal as a valid request to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information and the use of personal information for targeted advertising, where required by applicable U.S. privacy laws.

If your browser or device sends a GPC signal, we will automatically apply the corresponding opt-out preferences for that browser or device without requiring any additional action from you. When a GPC signal is detected, certain cookies or technologies used for advertising or similar purposes will be disabled by default.

International Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your state or country of residence.
Where required by law, we rely on appropriate safeguards to protect personal information in connection with such transfers.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

Contact

If you have questions or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

Email: arashop@ara-shoes.net
Address: 701 Canton St., Unit 109/110, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, USA