Last Updated: 20 October 2023

Hemingways Bookshop (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with transparency and care. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (hemingwaysbooks.co.za) and use our services, in compliance with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the following ways:

• Information You Provide Directly:

  • Contact & Order Information: Your name, email address, shipping address, billing address, and phone number when you place an order or create an account.

  • Payment Information: Payment details are collected and processed securely by our third-party payment gateways (e.g., PayFast, Yoco, Stripe). We do not store your full credit card information on our servers.

  • Communications: Any information you provide when you contact us with inquiries, including emails and messages sent via our contact form.

• Information Collected Automatically:

  • Cookies & Usage Data: We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, remember your cart, and analyse website traffic. This may include your IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following lawful purposes:

• To Fulfil Our Contract with You: To process your orders, manage payments, and arrange for shipping.

• To Communicate with You: To send order confirmations, shipping updates, and respond to your customer service inquiries.

• For Marketing Purposes: With your explicit consent (opt-in), we may send you newsletters about new arrivals, special offers, and bookshop news. You can unsubscribe at any time.

• To Improve Our Website: To analyse how users interact with our site, helping us improve functionality, content, and user experience.

• To Comply with Legal Obligations: To maintain records as required by South African law.

3. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell your personal information. We will only share your information with trusted third parties when necessary to provide our services:

• Payment Gateways: To process your payments securely.

• Courier & Shipping Companies: To deliver your orders.

• Analytics Providers: (e.g., Google Analytics) to help us understand website traffic.

These parties are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was shared.

4. Data Security and Retention

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

We will retain your information only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required for legal, accounting, or reporting purposes.

5. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject in South Africa, you have the right to:

• Request Access: You can ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

• Request Correction: You can ask us to correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.

• Request Deletion: You can ask us to delete your personal information, subject to any legal or contractual retention obligations.

• Object to Processing: You can object to us processing your personal information for direct marketing.

• Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent for marketing communications at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer.

6. Contact Us / Information Officer

For any questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your rights, please contact us:

• Information Officer: [Owner’s Name or “The Manager”]

• Email: privacy@hemingwaysbooks.co.za

• Address: 2 Victoria Square, Market Street, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will indicate the latest revision. We encourage you to review it periodically.