Privacy Policy

Ace Hardware Corporation (“Ace Hardware” or “we” or “us”) recognizes that you care how information about you is collected and used. This Privacy Policy describes our information collection, use and sharing practices for the web site, www.thesupplyplace.com (“Web site”). The practices described in this Privacy Policy do not necessarily reflect our practices with respect to information gathered through other web sites that we operate or offline for other purposes.

The Web site operates as a portal through which commercial businesses and independent Ace Hardware retailers (“Ace Retailers”) can engage in online business-to-business (“B2B”) transactions. Information you provide to us will be collected, used, stored, transferred and otherwise processed in the United States. For purposes of this Privacy Policy, personal information is information that identifies you or could be used to identify you such as your name, business name, address, email address, phone number and tax identification number. By submitting information to us, you are indicating your explicit consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy, as amended from time to time.

What Information Do we Collect, and How Is It Used?

Personal Information

We and Ace Retailers collect personal information that you provide to us. For example, information will be collected when you submit an application form, sign up for an account, when you place an order, when you contact us with online inquiries or promotional communication preferences, and when you otherwise voluntarily provide personal information to us. If you and Ace Retailers engage in B2B transactions with each other, the personal information about you that we collect may also include billing addresses, shipping addresses, credit card numbers and expiration dates, account and log-in IDs, passwords, information regarding orders, demographic information and information regarding interests and preferences. This information is used for the purpose for which it was collected and for administrative and analytical purposes. For example, the information may be used to process and ship orders, to send order and shipping confirmations, to manage billing and payment processes, to provide emails, newsletters and other communications you have requested, to administer and fulfill sweepstakes and contests, to conduct audits, to manage information and financial systems, and to provide customer service. This information also may be used to contact you about sales, product recommendations, special offers and new site features from Ace Hardware and Ace Retailers and other selected vendors, unless you have opted not to receive promotional communicationsfrom us. When you opt not to receive emails, newsletters or other promotional information, we collect and store certain information, such as your email address, in order to comply with your preferences regarding such materials.

Anonymous Information We Automatically Collect

Like many web sites, we use technologies to collect and store certain anonymous information automatically whenever you interact with this Web site. For example, we use cookies, which are files created by a Web server and stored on your computer’s hard drive by your Web browser, to collect information regarding customer traffic patterns and site usage. This information is used to analyze and improve this Web site.

We may also use web beacons (also known as action tags, pixels, or transparent GIF files) to help manage online marketing and advertising. These web beacons may be provided by our marketing partner(s) and enable our marketing partner(s) to recognize a unique web beacon placed by us or by such third party. Web beacons also allow us to learn which partner’s website advertisements bring users to our Web site.

Is Information Collected From Children?

The Web sites are not intended for users under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, you should not use the Web sites and should not submit any personal information of any kind to us.

With Whom Do We Share Your Personal Information?

We do not share your personal information collected under this Privacy Policy unless we provide you with advance notice or as described in this Privacy Policy. We may share your personal information with vendors we retain to provide services necessary to our operations. Examples of these services include, but are not limited to, operation and hosting of our Web site, customer relationship management, mail delivery, management of email campaigns and other communications, fraud protection and credit risk reduction, marketing and promotional activities, Web site evaluation, database services, data analysis and, where applicable, data cleansing. Although we may provide personal information to these third parties, they are authorized to use this information only in connection with the services they perform on our behalf.

We, or those with whom we have shared information in accordance with this Privacy Policy, may release personal information if we believe in good faith that: (i) the law or legal process requires it; (ii) we have received a request from a law enforcement agency; (iii) such release is necessary or advisable to protect the rights, property, interests, or safety of Ace Hardware, Ace Retailers or any of our respective affiliates, business partners, customers, or others; (iv) it is necessary to resolve disputes, troubleshoot problems, prevent fraud and otherwise enforce the Privacy Policy or any other terms or policies applicable to the Web site; or (v) we are expressly authorized by applicable law to do so.

We also reserve the right to transfer any information we have about you, including personal information, in connection with the sale, merger or transfer of all or a portion of the business or assets of Ace Hardware or an Ace Retailer to a third party or in event that Ace Hardware or an Ace Retailer is merged with or becomes part of another organization.

What Steps Are Taken To Keep Personal Information Secure?

We use various measures to protect your personal information. However, as you probably know, third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications. Therefore, although we work to protect your privacy, we do not promise, and you should not expect, that your personal information or private communications will always remain private.

How Can I Correct and Update Personal Information?

You can correct and update your personal information by contacting us by email at thesupplyplace@acehardware.com.

What are my Opt-Out Rights?

Promotional Communications

You can opt out of receiving future promotional electronic mailings from us by following the unsubscribe procedures indicated in each email.

Cookies

You may block or restrict cookies on your computer or purge them from your browser by adjusting your web browser preferences. You should consult the operating instructions that apply to your browser for instructions on how to configure your browser setting to meet your preferences. Disabling cookies may prevent you from taking advantage of some features of our Web site.

What Happens When I Link To or From Another Web Site?

The Web site may contain links to other web sites operated by Ace Hardware and/or web sites operated by third parties. The practices described in this Privacy Policy do not apply to information gathered through these other web sites. We encourage you to be aware of when you leave these Web sites and read the privacy policies of each and every web site that you visit. We are not responsible for the content or policies of third party sites.

How Do I Ask Questions and Provide Feedback Regarding Privacy?

We welcome your questions, comments and concerns regarding privacy. Ace Hardware is committed to the resolution of your concerns and complaints about your privacy and the collection and use of your personal information. If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how we protect your personal information, please contact us at thesupplyplace@acehardware.com or Ace Hardware Corporation Attention: Customer Care Center 2200 Kensington Ct. Oak Brook, IL 60523.

How Will I Be Informed About Changes Regarding This Privacy Policy?

The Web site will continue to evolve to bring you new features and services and to implement technological advances. As a result, we may change this Privacy Policy from time to time without prior notice. Revised versions of this Privacy Policy will be posted on the Web sites, together with an updated effective date. In some cases, we may also send an email notifying users of the changes. You should check the Web site periodically to see if any recent changes to this Privacy Policy have occurred. By continuing to use the Web sites after we post any such changes, you accept the Privacy Policy as modified.

Effective Date

This Privacy Policy is effective as of November 1, 2013.