Shopping Cities
Cookie Policy
Effective date: 20 July 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how Shopping Cities uses cookies and similar browser storage on shoppingcities.com. It should be read with our Privacy Policy.
1. What cookies are
Cookies are small text values that a website or service stores in a browser. They can remember a choice, maintain a feature, or help measure how a website is used. Similar technologies can include local storage, pixels, tags, and software development tools.
2. Our categories
Shopping Cities uses one necessary category and one optional category:
- Necessary: required to remember your cookie choice and support essential site operation. This category cannot be disabled through Cookie settings.
- Analytics: optional Google Analytics cookies and data used to understand visits and improve the site. This category is fully blocked unless you consent.
Shopping Cities does not offer an advertising-cookie category and does not use cookies for targeted advertising.
3. Cookies used by Shopping Cities
| Cookie | Provider and category | Purpose | Normal duration |
|---|---|---|---|
sc_consent |
Shopping Cities - Necessary | Records the consent version, timestamp, and whether Analytics is allowed. It does not contain your name, email address, or an account identifier. | 180 days, unless you replace or delete it sooner. |
_ga |
Google Analytics - Analytics | Helps distinguish visits for Analytics reporting after consent. | Up to 2 years, unless you withdraw consent or delete it sooner. |
_ga_<container-id> |
Google Analytics - Analytics | Helps maintain session information for the relevant Google Analytics property after consent. The actual cookie suffix identifies the Analytics container. | Up to 2 years, unless you withdraw consent or delete it sooner. |
Cookie names, functions, and durations can change when a provider updates its technology. We periodically review this list and will update it when our actual use changes.
4. Google Analytics and Basic Consent Mode
Shopping Cities implements Google Basic Consent Mode. Before you consent to Analytics, the Google tag is not loaded, no Analytics request or data is sent to Google, and Google Analytics cookies are not created. Rejecting Analytics does not reduce access to the site's editorial content.
If you consent, Google Analytics may process online identifiers, page and interaction data, referring page, approximate location, and browser or device information. Shopping Cities configures Google Analytics user and event data retention for 2 months. Analytics cookies may last up to 2 years as shown above.
5. Making and changing your choice
On your first eligible visit, the banner lets you accept Analytics, reject optional cookies, or customize your choice. Accept and reject controls are presented at the same level. You can use Cookie settings in the footer at any time to revisit or withdraw your choice.
When you withdraw Analytics consent, Shopping Cities blocks future Analytics loading and attempts to remove known first-party Google Analytics cookies, including _ga and cookies beginning with _ga_, from the Shopping Cities domain. Information already received by Google before withdrawal is handled under the Privacy Policy and applicable law.
You can also delete or block cookies using your browser settings. Blocking the necessary sc_consent cookie means we may not remember your choice and may show the banner again.
6. Google Maps on request
Google Maps is not loaded automatically. If a page offers a map, Google receives a request only after you explicitly choose to load or open it. Google may then use cookies, local storage, or other technologies under its own terms and privacy policy. If you do not want to connect to Google Maps, do not activate the map.
7. Affiliate and other third-party sites
Some clearly disclosed links may be affiliate links. Shopping Cities does not place affiliate tracking scripts, pixels, or affiliate cookies on its own pages. After you choose to follow an affiliate or other third-party link, the destination merchant or affiliate network may use its own cookies and similar technologies. Its cookie notice and privacy policy govern that use.
8. Comments if enabled in the future
Public comments are disabled at launch. Shopping Cities does not currently use comment-author convenience cookies. If comments or related cookies are introduced, we will update this policy and the consent controls before enabling them where consent is required.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when our technology, providers, or legal obligations change. We will post the revised policy with a new effective date and request consent again where a material change requires it.
10. Contact
For questions about cookies or privacy choices, contact Shopping Cities through our contact page.