If you are a resident of Connecticut, Colorado, Oregon, Montana, Texas, Utah, or Virginia, please click here to see additional disclosures that may apply to you.

As used in this privacy policy (this “Privacy Policy”), “Natural Grocers,” “us,” “we,” and “our” collectively refers to Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Natural Grocers values the privacy of its customers’ data. This Privacy Policy describes how we acquire data from or about you anywhere we interact with you, such as when you visit our stores (“Stores”), through any websites we own or control (including without limitation (naturalgrocers.com, investors.naturalgrocers.com, store.naturalgrocers.com, secure.naturalgrocers.com) (collectively, the “Site”), or on our mobile application (“Mobile App,” and together with the Site and Stores collectively, the “Offerings”) and how we use, share, and protect that data.

Capitalized terms that are used but not defined in this Privacy Policy have the meanings given in our Terms of Use.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully to understand our policies and practices regarding your data and how we will treat it. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, your choice is not to use any of our Offerings. By accessing, using, or viewing our Offerings, you are consenting to the data collection, use, and disclosure practices described in this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy may change from time to time. Please see Modifications to This Privacy Policy to learn more.

When This Privacy Policy Applies

This Privacy Policy applies to data we collect:

• when accessing the Offerings;
• email, text, and other electronic messages between you and us, including marketing communications;
• when you sign up for in-person events, sweepstakes, contests, or other promotional events;
• when you interact with our advertising on third-party digital assets; or
• when you interact with us on third-party digital assets.

It does not apply to data collected by any third party when you interact with third-party digital assets that are linked to or are accessible from the Site or Mobile App. If you would like more data about third-party digital assets, please go to Hyperlinks to learn more.

Data We Collect

We may collect the following types of data:

• Personal Data. Data by which you may be personally identified such as name, email, phone number, and physical address or data about you associated with such identifiable data (“personal data”).
• Demographics. Data that is about you but individually does not identify you, such as demographics and your preferred Natural Grocers store.
• Payment Data. To complete a transaction, you may be required to provide data such as the type of card, card number, expiration date, security code, and billing address. When you provide such data, it is processed directly by a third-party payment processor. We do not have direct access to, handle, or store any of your credit card or debit card details.
• Transaction Data. Data about what you purchased.
• Login Data. Data about your account to be able to provide access to you, such as username and password.
• Device Data. Data about the devices you use to access the internet (such as the IP address, location, type of the device, operating system, and web browser).
• Usage Data. Dates, times, and duration of visits to the Offerings (including whether you are a registered member or first-time visitor) and data on actions taken on the Offerings (such as page views and site navigation patterns).
• Location Data. Depending on your mobile device’s settings, general or precise geolocation through automated means.
• Behavioral Tracking. Data about your online activities over time and across third-party digital assets or other online services.

How We Collect Your Data

We may obtain data from and about you in a number of different ways, including:

• when you provide it to us while using any of the Offerings, including when you use any retail software systems in our Stores;
• when you purchase, order, return, exchange, or request data about our products and services in our Stores or on the Offerings;
• through automated data technologies such as cookies and web beacons, described below;
• when you participate in interactive features of the Offerings;
• when you place online orders or purchase gift cards;
• when you participate in our {N}power Rewards Program, which is governed by its own Terms of Use;
• when you conduct a transaction where we collect data required by law (for example, age-restricted purchases);
• when you sign up for our emails, mobile messages, or any other communications;
• when you send us email messages, call us by telephone, or text us using any device (including when you provide us with comments, suggestions, or other input);
• when you respond to surveys, both online and offline;
• when you enter a contest or sweepstakes we sponsor;
• through your search queries on the Offerings; or
• from third parties.

Cookies

We may (and third parties may) use cookies to receive and store certain types of data whenever you interact with us through your computer or mobile device. This data helps us customize your experience while visiting the Offerings and makes our marketing messages more relevant. You may also modify your cookie settings in your browser through your browser settings. Please note that if you set your browser to disable cookies, you may not be able to fully access and use the Offerings.

Web Beacons

Pages of the Offerings and our emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit us, for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of certain Site content and verifying system and server integrity).

How We Use Your Data

We may use data that we collect about you or that you provide to us, including any data gathered through the Offerings, to:

• provide products and services to you;
• administer our business activities;
• process, fulfill, manage, and bill purchases, orders, payments, returns, exchanges, and requests for data (including through third-party merchandise and service suppliers);
• understand demographics and content preferences;
• better serve you and other Natural Grocers customers;
• deliver coupons, newsletters, promotions, new services alerts, in-Store messages, or other marketing communications;
• send communications with data regarding our Offerings, products, or services including communications about regulations that may impact access to the products or services provided by Natural Grocers;
• administer and improve the Offerings;
• conduct research and analysis, including focus groups and surveys;
• administer sweepstakes and contests;
• provide notice of changes to the Offerings;
• prevent fraudulent transactions and monitor against theft;
• provide data in connection with the anticipated sale, purchase, merger, or reorganization of Natural Grocers whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding in which the data held by us is among the assets transferred;
• to assist law enforcement, respond to subpoenas or disclose data when legally compelled to do so or when Natural Grocers, in good faith, believes that the law requires it or for the protection of our legal rights or those of a third party; or
• for any other purpose to which you consent.

Additionally, if you use our Mobile App and you elect to opt-in to use precise geolocation, we may collect data about the location of your device, to enable the functionality of our applications to provide you with data about Stores or nutritional health coaches near you.

Combined Data

We may combine the data we collect with publicly available data and data we receive from our parent, affiliate, or subsidiary companies, business partners, and other third parties. We may use that combined data for any purpose described in this Privacy Policy. We may use, without restriction, data that is aggregated or de-identified and is maintained in a form that cannot reasonably be used to infer data about, or otherwise be linked to, a particular individual or household.

Inferences About Your Data

In addition to the types of data and sources of data we describe above, we may also draw inferences or derive data about you based on other types of data we collect about you to create a profile reflecting your interests, preferences, and characteristics. We may use this data to enhance your experience on the Site or Mobile App, to track analytics about the usage of our Site or Mobile App, or to serve advertisements, including targeted advertisements, to you.

Automated Data Tracking Technologies

We also may use third-party data tracking technologies such as website analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) that collect data about user traffic on and interactions with the Offerings. It helps us to improve our Offerings and to deliver a better and more personalized service enabling us to:

• estimate our audience size and usage patterns;
• store data about your preferences, allowing us to customize our Offerings according to your individual interests;
• speed up your searches;
• market our products or services to you; and/or
• recognize you when you return to our Offerings.

To learn more about your rights including how to opt out, go to Your Rights below.

Who We Share Your Data With

We may share data that we collect or you provide, as described in this Privacy Policy:

• to service providers who assist us with providing the Offerings including the security thereof;
• other third parties to assist with carrying out the operations of our business, such as analytics and advertising providers;
• any other third parties designated by you; or
• to an anticipated buyer or other successor in the event of a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Natural Grocers’ assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding in which data held by Natural Grocers about our Offerings users is among the assets transferred.

Why We Share Your Data

We may share data:

• to fulfill the purpose to which you provide it;
• for any other purpose disclosed by us when you provide the data;
• for marketing or advertising purposes; or
• with your consent.

We may also disclose your data:

• to comply with any court order, law, or legal process, including to respond to any government or regulatory request;
• to enforce or apply our Terms of Use or other agreements, including for billing and collection purposes as described in Data We Collect; or
• if we believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to protect the rights, property, or safety of Natural Grocers, our users, or others.

We will not sell or otherwise share personal data with third parties or nonaffiliated companies except for those purposes described above or as required or permitted by law. However, we may freely share any data collected through the Offerings that is not personal data.

Hyperlinks

We may provide links to digital assets such as websites or applications of services that we do not own or operate (“third-party digital assets”). This Privacy Policy does not apply to data collected through any such third-party digital assets. Natural Grocers is not responsible for the privacy practices of such third-party digital assets. We encourage you to carefully review the privacy policies applicable to any third-party digital assets you visit so that you understand the policies applicable to those third-party digital assets.

Third-Party Automated Data Tracking Technologies

Some content or systems on the Offerings are served by third parties. These third parties may use cookies alone or in conjunction with web beacons or other tracking technologies to collect data about you when you use the Site or Mobile App. The data they collect may be associated with your personal data or they may collect data, including personal data, about your online activities over time and across different websites and other online services. They may use this data to provide you with interest-based (behavioral) advertising or other targeted content.
We do not control how these third parties’ tracking technologies are used. You should review the privacy policy where the advertisement or targeted content is displayed if you have any questions about how your data is used. Of these third-party automated data tracking technologies, the Offerings uses Google Analytics which may collect data such as your IP address, time of visit, whether you are a return visitor, and referring website. To learn more about how Google Analytics collects and processes data, you may visit http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners.

Your Rights

In addition to the rights detailed below, if you are resident from Connecticut, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, Utah, or Virginia please review our U.S. State-Specific Disclosure for additional data regarding the rights you may have.

Choices Regarding Promotional Communications

If you receive a promotional email from us, you may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions contained within the email. You may also opt out from receiving promotional email from us, and any other promotional communications that we may send to you from time to time (e.g., by postal mail), by sending your request to us via the contact information at the end of this Privacy Policy. We try to address these requests as quickly as possible, although you may receive promotional email from us before we implement your request. Additionally, even after you opt out of receiving promotional messages from us, you will continue to receive messages from us that are not promotional in nature, for example, regarding your orders.

Choices Regarding Targeted Advertising

If you do not want us to use data that we collect or that you provide to us to deliver advertisements according to our advertisers’ target-audience preferences, you can opt out by contacting us via the contact information at the end of this Privacy Policy or by using our opt-out form found here.

We do not control third parties’ collection or use of your data to serve interest-based advertising. However, these third parties may provide you with ways to choose to not have your data collected or used in this way. You can opt out of receiving targeted ads from members of the Network Advertising Initiative (“NAI”) on the NAI's website or other opt-out mechanism. We do not control this third-party opt-out link and we do not control whether our advertising partners participate in this program. We are not responsible for any choices you make using this program or its continued availability or accuracy.

Accessing, Amending and Deleting Your Data

If we offer the ability to create user accounts or profiles on the Offerings, you have the ability to access and update categories of data that you provide to us by logging into your account and accessing your account settings. If you wish to access or amend any other personal data we hold about you, you may contact us as outlined at the end of this Privacy Policy. We may request proof of your identity before sharing or updating such personal data.

If you request that we delete the personal data that we have collected, we will do so within a reasonable period of time, but we may need to retain some of your data in order to satisfy our legal obligations or if we reasonably believe that we have a legitimate reason to do so.

How We Respond to Do Not Track Signals

Your web browser may let you choose your preference to send a Do Not Track signal, which requests a website to not collect data about your online activities over time and across different websites or online services. At this time, the Site and Mobile App do not respond to the Do Not Track signals you may have set in your web browser regarding such collection of your data, and the Offerings may continue to collect data in the manner described in this Privacy Policy.

Modifications to This Privacy Policy

Natural Grocers reserves the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time, and such changes will be effective immediately upon being posted on the Offerings. When we do, we will also revise the “Last Updated” date at the beginning of this Privacy Policy. If we change this Privacy Policy in a manner that is materially less restrictive of our use or disclosure of your personal data, please contact us to learn more about your ability to opt out of such new or different use. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy from time to time for any changes.

Children’s Privacy

This website is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 18. Natural Grocers does not knowingly solicit and does not wish to receive any data from children. If you believe we might have any data from or about a child under the age of 18, please contact us by using the contact information at the end of this Privacy Policy.

Security and Retention

We have attempted to take reasonable steps to have physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards in place to protect personal data gathered through the Offerings. This includes compliance with related federal regulations and may include use of industry-standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to prevent any loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, or modification of data. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any data you transmit to or from our Site or Mobile App, and you do so at your own risk.

The safety and security of your data also depends on you. Where we have given you (or where you have chosen) a password for access to certain parts of our Site or Mobile App, you are responsible for keeping this password confidential. We ask you not to share your password with anyone.

We will retain your personal data for as long as we deem needed to fulfill your requests, provide the Offerings, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

International Visitors

Our servers and data centers are located in the United States. If you choose to use services from outside the United States, then you should know that you are transferring your personal data outside of your region and into the United States for storage and processing. Also, we may transfer your data from the United States to other countries or regions in connection with storage and processing of data, fulfilling your requests, and operating the Offerings. You should know that each region can have its own privacy and data security laws, some of which may be less stringent as compared to those of your own region.

Consumer Health Data Privacy Notice

If you are a Washington resident, please review the Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy regarding "consumer health data" subject to the Washington My Health My Data Act.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us. You may also reach us by mail at:

Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc.
Attn: General Counsel
12612 West Alameda Parkway
Lakewood, Colorado 80228