Privacy and Cookies Policy – eshopGS / Hamra shopping and trading company (HSTCo)
Effective Date: April 6, 2025
Introduction, Scope & Definitions
Who We Are: Hamra shopping and trading company SAL (HSTCo) (“we”, “us”, “our”), including our affiliates and subsidiaries, operate the eshopGS platform and related services, often referred to simply as ‘GS’. Our physical retail locations are referred to as ‘GS stores’. In this policy, mentions of “eshopGS”, “GS”, “our”, “us”, or “we” pertain primarily to HSTCo’s operation of the eshopGS.com/lb website and associated services, unless otherwise specified.
Commitment to Privacy: We deeply value your trust and prioritize protecting your privacy. We aim to be transparent and fair in how we collect and use your personal information. This combined Privacy and Cookies Policy explains our practices when you interact with our Services, including our use of cookies and similar technologies.
Scope of Services (“Services”): This policy applies specifically to your use of the eshopGS website located at eshopGS.com/lb (“the Site”) and the services offered directly through this domain (collectively, the “Services”). Interactions with our official pages on third-party social media platforms are governed by the privacy policies of those platforms in conjunction with this policy where applicable to data we control.
Who You Are (“You”): If you use any of our Services, we will refer to you using the terms “user”, “visitor”, “customer”, “you”, “your”, and “yours” in this policy.
Applicability: This policy applies to:
Visitors accessing our Services at eshopGS.com/lb (Browse, making guest purchases).
Registered customers using our Services or providing information via eshopGS.com/lb.
Individuals contacting us via any channel (including social media) with inquiries related to eshopGS.com/lb.
Agreement: By accessing, Browse, or using our Services at eshopGS.com/lb, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Privacy and Cookies Policy. Please read it carefully.
Third-Party Links: Our Services may contain links to websites or services run by other organizations. This policy does not cover those external sites. eshopGS / HSTCo is not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before submitting any personal information.
Feedback: We welcome feedback on this policy. Please contact us using the details in Section XIII.
Information We Collect & How We Use Cookies
How We Collect Information: We collect information in various ways:
Directly from You: When you create an account, place an order, subscribe, contact us (via the website, email, phone, social media), participate in surveys or promotions related to eshopGS.com/lb.
Automatically: Through your use of our Services at eshopGS.com/lb (Browse activity, interactions).
Using Technologies (Cookies & Similar): Via cookies and similar tracking technologies deployed on eshopGS.com/lb.
From Third Parties: Occasionally from partners involved in providing services initiated via eshopGS.com/lb (e.g., couriers confirming delivery, payment providers confirming transactions). We may also collect information if you interact with our brand via third-party platforms like social media.
Types of Information Collected:
Personal Information: Identifiable information such as your full name, email address, mailing address, delivery address, phone number, gender, date of birth, stated shopping preferences, and payment-related information (processed securely, see Section VI).
Non-Personal / Technical Information: Information that doesn’t directly identify you, such as your IP address, approximate location, browser type, device type, operating system. Cookies often collect this type of data.
Interaction & Usage Information: Details about how you navigate and interact with our Services – products viewed, content accessed, search terms used, dates and times of visits, clicks, time spent on pages. This is often collected via Performance & Analytics cookies.
What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?
Cookies are small text files downloaded onto your device when you visit a website, allowing the site to recognize your device on subsequent visits.
We also use similar technologies like web beacons (pixels), local storage, and SDKs (in mobile apps, if applicable). The term ‘cookies’ in this policy refers to all these technologies.
We use both session cookies (temporary, deleted when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (remain on your device for a set period or until deleted).
III. How We Use Your Information and Cookies
We use the collected information and cookies for legitimate business purposes related to the eshopGS.com/lb Services, including:
Providing, Operating & Maintaining Services: Fulfilling orders placed via eshopGS.com/lb, processing payments, arranging delivery, managing your account, providing customer service and technical support. This includes using Strictly Necessary Cookies for core site functions like login and shopping cart management.
Communication: Responding to your inquiries, sending order confirmations, delivery updates, service-related announcements, and contacting you about your account via email, phone, or post.
Improvement & Personalization:
Analyzing usage patterns on eshopGS.com/lb to improve our platform, products, and services. Performance & Analytics Cookies help us understand user behavior and improve site performance.
Personalizing your shopping experience, providing relevant product recommendations and content. Functionality & Preference Cookies remember your choices (like language, Wishlist) for a more personalized experience.
Use of Automated Systems & AI: We may use automated systems, including AI, to analyze user interaction on eshopGS.com/lb for purposes like personalization, platform optimization, service enhancement, and security. This primarily uses aggregated/anonymized data where feasible but may involve personal interaction data. This processing generally doesn’t result in automated decisions with significant legal effects on you.
Marketing & Relevant Advertising:
Sending you promotional materials about eshopGS (subject to your consent/opt-out rights, see Section XI).
Using Targeting & Advertising Cookies to understand your interests based on Browse activity to show you more relevant eshopGS ads on other websites and measure campaign effectiveness. These rely on uniquely identifying your browser/device. We may also track ad performance on partner sites.
Security & Compliance: Verifying identity, preventing fraud, ensuring service security, maintaining business records, and complying with Lebanese laws.
Social Media Integration: Using Social Media Cookies set by platforms like Facebook or Instagram integrated into our site (e.g., share buttons) to enable content sharing and potentially track your browser across sites.
Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data
Our processing of your personal data is based on:
Contractual Necessity: To perform our contract with you (e.g., processing orders).
Legal Obligation: To comply with Lebanese laws.
Legitimate Interests: To operate and improve our business, provide support, ensure security, prevent fraud, conduct relevant marketing, and perform analytics, provided these don’t override your rights.
Consent: For specific activities like non-essential cookies or certain marketing.
Information Sharing and Disclosure & Third-Party Cookies
No Sale for Independent Marketing: We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their independent marketing purposes.
Sharing Circumstances: We share information only as follows:
Third-Party Service Providers: With trusted companies (payment processors, couriers, IT providers, data analysis firms, marketing platforms for our communications) performing essential functions under strict contracts. They receive only necessary information, must maintain security, cannot use it for other purposes, and must delete/anonymize it when no longer needed.
HSTCo Group Companies: Within the HSTCo group for internal business purposes (reporting, planning, analysis, product development, personalized group marketing – you retain opt-out rights). Your use of Services signifies consent to this internal sharing.
Legal & Safety Requirements: To government agencies, law enforcement, etc., if required by law or necessary to comply with legal obligations, protect rights/safety, or address fraud/security issues.
Fraud Prevention: With credit reference or fraud prevention agencies as necessary.
Aggregated/Anonymized Data: Non-identifiable data (traffic, sales patterns) may be shared for analysis.
Business Transfers: In case of merger, acquisition, or asset sale, customer info may be transferred as an asset, subject to confidentiality.
Third-Party Cookies: Some cookies on our Site may be set by third parties (e.g., embedded content like YouTube, Google Analytics, social media buttons). These parties have their own policies. We don’t control these cookies. To manage them, refer to the third party’s policy and tools or use your browser settings.
Data Security
We implement effective technical, administrative, and physical security measures (like SSL encryption, access controls, security reviews, third-party standards) to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or destruction.
Although we implement reasonable safeguards, absolute security cannot be guaranteed for any system connected to the internet. You are also responsible for protecting your account by keeping your password confidential.
VII. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy (providing Services, resolving disputes, legal defense, audits, business purposes, enforcing agreements, complying with laws).
Retention periods vary based on data type and legal/operational needs.
Data is securely deleted or anonymized when no longer required.
VIII. International Data Transfers
Your data is primarily processed in Lebanon.
Some processing/storage may occur via trusted third parties in the EEA or other jurisdictions.
When data is transferred outside Lebanon, we ensure appropriate safeguards (like standard contractual clauses) are in place.
Your Privacy Rights & Managing Cookie Preferences
Your Privacy Rights: Subject to local law, you have rights regarding your personal information:
Access: Request a copy of your data.
Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate/incomplete data.
Erasure (‘Right to be Forgotten’): Request deletion of data under our control under certain conditions (no longer needed, consent withdrawn, unlawful processing, valid objection), subject to technical capabilities and legal retention obligations.
Restrict Processing: Request limitation of data use under certain circumstances.
Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent (won’t affect past processing).
Data Portability: Request data in a machine-readable format for transfer (where based on consent/contract and automated).
To exercise rights, contact us (Section XIII). We may need to verify your identity.
Managing Cookie Preferences: You have control over cookies:
Browser Settings: Most browsers let you view, manage, delete, and block cookies. See your browser’s ‘Help’/’Settings’ or resources like www.AboutCookies.org.
eshopGS Consent Tool: We may provide a tool/banner on our Site to manage non-essential cookie preferences.
Impact of Disabling: Blocking cookies can impact site experience. Strictly Necessary cookies are needed for basic function; disabling Performance cookies hinders site improvement; disabling Functionality cookies makes the site less convenient/personalized; rejecting Targeting cookies means ads may be less relevant.
Do Not Track (DNT): DNT is a browser setting that signals you prefer not to be tracked online. Currently, our website does not respond to DNT signals due to the lack of a consistent industry standard. Using DNT or browser blockers may affect site features like personalization. You can manage tracking preferences through our Cookie Policy, consent tool, or your browser settings.
Children’s Privacy
Our Services are not intended for children under 16.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 16.
Parents/guardians: If you believe your child provided data, contact us immediately at ecom@eshopgs.com to delete it.
Marketing, Communication Choices & Mobile Tracking
Marketing Opt-Out: You can opt-out of direct marketing emails via the “unsubscribe” link or by contacting us. You can specify channels to stop receiving marketing from.
Transactional Messages: Opting out of marketing doesn’t stop essential service communications (order confirmations, delivery updates).
Mobile Application Tracking (If Applicable):
In our mobile apps, we may use tracking technology (Device ID) for legitimate interests like enhancing user experience, assessing performance, fixing issues, and informing updates. This data is for internal use only.
You can typically adjust Device ID tracking in your mobile device’s main ‘Settings’ (Privacy/Advertising).
This is separate from Push Notifications, which require explicit consent and can be managed in device settings.
XII. Changes to This Privacy and Cookies Policy
HSTCo reserves the right to change, supplement, or amend this policy at any time.
Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Effective Date” or “Last Updated” date.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of Services after changes constitutes acceptance.
XIII. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, feedback about this policy, or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
