Effective and last reviewed: 9 September 2026.
This policy explains cookies and similar storage or access technologies used on www.vainandmortal.co.uk. The site is operated by Chris Roys, trading as VAIN & MORTAL, and hosted by Shopify. Read our Privacy Policy for how personal information is used.
1. What these technologies are
Cookies are small text files stored on a browser or device. Similar technologies include pixels, tags, local storage and software identifiers. A session cookie normally expires when the browsing session ends. A persistent cookie remains until its stated expiry or until it is deleted.
2. Necessary and optional technologies
Necessary technologies support a service you request, security, checkout, the basket or privacy choices. Blocking them may prevent parts of the store from working.
Optional analytics, marketing or personalisation technologies require consent unless a specific legal exception applies. Shopify is configured to treat consent as required for United Kingdom visitors. The store's banner, installed services and withdrawal route must be kept under review so that the displayed choices and actual technologies remain aligned.
3. Shopify storefront technologies
The table below describes Shopify storefront technologies that may be used depending on the features you select and the actions you take. Not every item is placed on every visit. Durations reflect Shopify's published cookie information current on the effective date.
Necessary store operation
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _shopify_essential | Essential session, checkout and anti-tampering information | 1 year |
| _shopify_test | Checks whether the browser supports cookies | 1 minute |
| _tracking_consent | Stores privacy and tracking choices | 1 year |
| cart | Maintains the shopping basket | 2 weeks |
| cart_currency | Initialises a basket using the selected currency | 2 weeks |
| discount_code | Applies a discount code supplied through a store link | Session |
| localization | Localises the basket to the appropriate country | 1 year |
| login_with_shop_finalize | Completes a requested Shop login | 5 minutes |
| shopify_pay | Supports a returning buyer's requested Shop Pay login | 1 year |
| storefront_digest | Supports authorised access while a storefront is password protected | 1 year |
Optional analytics
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _landing_page | Records the landing page used when arriving from another site | 2 weeks |
| _orig_referrer | Records the referring source | 2 weeks |
| _shopify_analytics | Stores analytics information for Shopify buyer surfaces | 1 year |
| _shopify_s | Distinguishes a browser session for store analytics | 30-minute rolling expiry |
| _shopify_y | Supports Shopify storefront analytics | 1 year |
| shop_analytics | Supports analytics within Shop features | 1 year |
Google Analytics 4
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Distinguishes visitors so that Google Analytics can measure visits, engagement and ecommerce activity | Normally up to 2 years |
| _ga_<container-id> | Maintains and updates session state for the store's Google Analytics 4 property | Normally up to 2 years |
Google Analytics cookies and similar identifiers are optional. Their use must follow the consent choice made through the store's privacy controls. Cookie names or durations may change if Google or the store configuration changes.
Optional marketing
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _shopify_marketing | Stores marketing-related information or choices on Shopify buyer surfaces | 1 year |
User preferences
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| shopify_override_user_locale | Remembers a selected interface locale where the relevant feature is used | 1 year |
Shopify may separately use technologies when you choose to interact with Shop, Shop Pay or another Shopify-controlled service. See Shopify's Cookie Policy and Consumer Privacy Policy.
4. Google Analytics and other services
We use Google Analytics 4 through Shopify's Google & YouTube integration to measure page views, searches, product and collection views, cart changes, checkout stages and purchases. Depending on the action and consent choice, Google Analytics may receive the page URL, referral information, device and browser details, general location and ecommerce event details such as product, currency, value and a transaction reference. We do not intend to send names, email addresses, delivery addresses or payment-card details to Google Analytics.
Read How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services and Google Analytics data privacy and security information.
An installed app, payment method, embedded feature or other provider may use additional technologies. The provider, purpose and duration must be added to this policy where applicable, and any non-essential use must respect the required consent choice. The list is reviewed when apps, pixels, the theme, checkout or embedded content change.
5. Your choices
Where Shopify displays a privacy banner, use it to accept, reject or manage optional technologies. If a "Cookie preferences" control is available in the footer, you can use it to change a decision. You can also remove or block cookies in your browser. Blocking necessary technologies may affect the basket, checkout, account or payment features.
Withdrawing consent does not affect use that occurred before withdrawal. If the expected preference control is not available, contact us at support@vainandmortal.co.uk and use the browser controls in the meantime.
6. Legal basis
Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, consent is not required where storage or access is strictly necessary to provide a service you requested or is used solely to transmit a communication. Where no exception applies, consent is required before use. Where cookie information is personal information, the lawful basis for optional analytics or marketing is consent; contract or legitimate interests may apply to necessary security and service operation.
7. Contact and changes
Questions or objections can be sent to support@vainandmortal.co.uk or VAIN & MORTAL, 2 the Villas, Ollerton Road, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9QF, United Kingdom.
We update this policy when Shopify's technologies, installed services, purposes or durations change. The effective date identifies the current version.