Merchant Terms and Conditions

This Regulation sets out the terms for merchants to join and participate in the Marketplace www.nossaslojas.pt (hereinafter the "Marketplace") and in the Digital Commercial Districts of Almeida and Vilar Formoso (hereinafter the "DCD"), promoted by the Municipality of Almeida.

1. Purpose and Scope

1.1. This Regulation sets out the terms for merchants to join and participate in the Marketplace www.nossaslojas.pt (hereinafter the "Marketplace") and in the Digital Commercial Districts of Almeida and Vilar Formoso (hereinafter the "DCD"), promoted by the Municipality of Almeida.

1.2. Joining the Marketplace implies automatic integration as a participant in the Digital Commercial District project, and the Merchant is subject to the coexistence, image, and sustainability rules defined herein.

1.3. The Merchant will only be part of the Digital Commercial District whose coverage area corresponds to the address of its physical establishment.

1.4. The Marketplace enables local merchants to offer their products and services for online sale, acting as an intermediary in the transaction between buyers and merchants.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Legal entities or sole traders may join the Marketplace provided that they:

• Have a regularised tax and social security situation;
• Ensure the economic legality of their operations, in accordance with applicable legislation;
• Carry out commercial, service, or restaurant activity within the DCD coverage area (or as expanded with Municipal authorisation);
• Accept these terms and the Common Management Model.

3. Registration Process and Documentation

3.1. To validate the Merchant account, the following items must be submitted:

• Up-to-date Commercial Registration Certificate (or Start of Activity Declaration);
• Proof of IBAN for the bank account associated with the activity;
• Identification of the Legal Representative;
• Certificates of No Debt to Social Security and the Tax Authority;
• Proof of compliance with the economic legality of its operations.

3.2. The Merchant is responsible for the accuracy of all information provided and undertakes to update it whenever changes occur.

4. Merchant Obligations

4.1. The merchant is responsible for the accuracy of product descriptions and images and must ensure that stock, prices, and product features are continuously up to date.

4.2. The merchant must ensure product compliance with applicable legislation, including safety standards, labelling, and warranty rules.

4.3. The merchant sets prices, delivery times, and return policies, provided they comply with applicable legislation.

4.4. The merchant undertakes to provide an adequate customer support service and to respond to buyers’ complaints.

4.5. In the case of food, cosmetics, or supplements, the Merchant ensures strict compliance with safety, labelling, and notification requirements to the competent authorities, where applicable.

5. Rules for Joining the Digital Commercial District “Condominium”

The Merchant undertakes to comply with the rules and objectives defined in the DCD Common Management Model, notably regarding:

• Access Conditions: maintaining compliance with the rules and legislation applicable to commercial premises.
• Participation in Collective Activities: engaging in collective marketing campaigns, seasonal events, and cultural initiatives; contributing ideas and content for interactive and cultural experiences; promoting diversity and reinforcing the District’s cultural identity.
• Compliance with Management Rules: respecting regulations attached to the Common Management Model, urban planning rules, municipal regulations, and applicable legislation; ensuring safety, compliance, and transparency in activities and products offered.
• Promoting the Use of Technology: keeping business information up to date on the District’s digital platforms; actively participating in digital solutions; interacting with customers through the project’s digital tools.
• Sustainability: adopting appropriate practices for waste management, conscious energy consumption, and reducing the use of disposable plastics, promoting environmental responsibility.
• Collaboration and Communication: participating in project initiatives, providing feedback, discussing improvements, and approving new actions; sharing anonymised information about sales and visitors; notifying the management team in advance of any changes to opening hours.
• Visual Identity: respecting the urban and visual harmonisation rules of the District, keeping the establishment’s image (physical and digital) well maintained. Displaying the identifying elements provided by the DCD management team, namely the identification as an Adhering Store.

6. Payments, Logistics and Shipping

6.1. Payments to the merchant will be processed according to the methods and timeframes established by the Marketplace.

6.2. The merchant is responsible for issuing and sending invoices to buyers in accordance with applicable tax rules and must ensure compliance with all accounting and tax obligations.

6.3. The Merchant is responsible for packaging and dispatching products.

7. Deliveries and Returns

7.1. The merchant is responsible for shipping and delivering products and for meeting the agreed deadlines.

7.2. The merchant must accept returns and refunds in accordance with consumer protection legislation, including the right of withdrawal and legal warranties.

7.3. In the event of logistical issues, the merchant must promptly inform the buyer and present appropriate alternative solutions.

8. After-sales, Warranties and Liabilities

8.1. The merchant assumes full responsibility for the products sold, including warranty and legal compliance. In particular, merchants are responsible for ensuring that the products sold meet the legal quality and safety requirements under Decree-Law No. 84/2021 of 18 October.

8.2. The Digital Commercial District assumes no responsibility for complaints, damages, losses, or disputes arising from the relationship between merchants and buyers.

8.3. The merchant undertakes to maintain a good level of service and a high standard of quality and trust, and to comply with the quality policies established by the Marketplace.

8.4. The Merchant ensures warranty service for defective products, in accordance with the law.

8.5. The Merchant undertakes to accept no-fault returns within 14 days after delivery, reimbursing the customer for the amount paid (including basic initial shipping costs), except for customised or perishable products, under Decree-Law No. 24/2014 of 14 February, as amended.

8.6. The Merchant must provide diligent customer support, responding quickly and effectively to questions, information requests, and complaints.

8.7. The merchant must respond to customer complaints within a maximum of 5 business days, informing the buyer of the measures taken to resolve the issue.

9. Use of Image and Data for Promotional Purposes

The Merchant freely, informedly, and unequivocally authorises the Municipality of Almeida to disclose the contact details of its establishment, as well as to capture, reproduce, and disclose images and photographs of its commercial establishment, as well as products and/or services made available therein, exclusively for the purposes of promoting, enhancing, and institutional communication of the DCD.

This authorisation covers the use of images and information in:

• Websites, institutional social networks, and digital platforms of the Municipality, InvestAlmeida, and Digital Commercial Districts;
• Communication materials, promotional campaigns, and public events related to the project.

The Municipality undertakes to use the content only for the purposes described above, ensuring respect for image rights, ownership, and the merchant’s privacy.

The merchant may, at any time, request the removal of any content by written communication addressed to the Municipality of Almeida, without prejudice to the lawfulness of the processing previously carried out.

10. Content Ordering Policy

In order to ensure transparency, we inform you that the products displayed in the Marketplace may be organised based on the following parameters, according to the Content Ordering Policy:

• Relevance: shows the most viewed content in the last 30 days, reflecting current user interests.
• Newest/Oldest: based on the product addition date.
• Price: ordering from lowest to highest or vice versa.
• Best discount: highlights products with the highest discount percentage.
• Best rating: products with the best customer rating (1 to 5 stars).

11. Liability

The Municipality of Almeida (Marketplace Manager) acts as a mere technical intermediary and assumes no liability towards Consumers and third parties for:

• Incorrect information provided by merchants;
• Defects or non-compliance of products;
• Damage caused during transport (until delivery to the customer);
• Failure to comply with merchants’ tax or legal obligations.

The merchant undertakes to use the platform lawfully, without fraudulent or abusive purposes.

12. Penalties and Account Suspension

The Marketplace reserves the right, with prior notice, to suspend or close accounts that do not meet requirements or violate the Terms and Conditions, notably in cases of:

• Fraudulent or illegal practices;
• Failure to comply with sales conditions;
• Recurring customer complaints;
• Repeated failure to meet service levels (delays, cancellations);
• Inappropriate or offensive behaviour towards customers or the District.

In the event of suspension, the merchant will be notified and may submit written arguments, which will be reviewed by the DCD management team.

In case of disputes with the Marketplace, merchants may resort to consumer arbitration centres such as the Lisbon Consumer Dispute Arbitration Centre (www.centroarbitragemlisboa.pt) or the European Online Dispute Resolution platform (https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr).

13. Data Protection

The Merchant acts as the Data Controller for the personal data of customers accessed for the purpose of fulfilling the order. The Merchant undertakes not to use such data for marketing purposes without the customer’s explicit and separate consent and to ensure its security in accordance with the GDPR.

14. Contacts and Merchant Support

For any question, suggestion, or complaint, the merchant may contact the DCD management team through the form available on the Marketplace or via the available contacts.

15. Amendments to the Terms

These Terms and Conditions were updated on 28-01-2026 and may be modified at any time. Continued use of the account after notification will be considered acceptance of the new conditions.

Changes to the Terms and Conditions will be communicated at least 15 days before they take effect, through the platform’s usual channels.