Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are & Who We Serve

Savanna Foods Shop is a boutique online retailer based in Plymouth, UK, bringing authentic African tastes—from Biltong & Droëwors to Boerewors, African pantry staples, and braai accessories—to a global community. Our target customers are:

• The Global Expat & Homesick Foodie: Individuals seeking a genuine taste of home, no matter where they are in the world.
• The Culinary Adventurer: Curious cooks and food lovers eager to explore bold, vibrant African flavours.
• The Gift-Giver: Those looking for unique, handcrafted food gifts with a story.

Our website style is warm, rustic, and personal—reminiscent of a friendly market stall. We extend this same ethos of transparency and care to our privacy practices.

2. Information We Collect

To process your orders and provide a seamless experience, we collect the following types of information:

• Personal Identifiers: Name, email address, shipping and billing address, phone number.
• Payment Information: When you make a purchase, your payment details (like credit/debit card numbers via our secure gateway or your PayPal email) are processed securely. We do not store full card details on our servers.
• Order Details: Products purchased, order history, preferences (e.g., chosen shipping method).
• Technical & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited on our site, and how you interact with our content. This is primarily gathered through cookies and similar technologies.
• Communication Data: Any correspondence you send to us via email (e.g., [email protected]) or through contact forms.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data with the same meticulous care we use to vacuum-seal our droëwors, strictly for the following purposes:

• To process and fulfil your orders, including payment processing, packaging, and shipping.
• To communicate with you about your order, provide customer support, and respond to your inquiries.
• To improve our website, products, and services based on how our community interacts with our shop.
• To send you relevant offers, news, and recipes (only if you have explicitly opted in to our newsletter).
• To prevent fraud and ensure the security of our website and transactions.
• To comply with any legal or regulatory obligations.

4. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We value your privacy and do not sell, trade, or rent your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes. We only share your information when necessary, with trusted partners who help us run our shop, under strict confidentiality agreements:

• Payment Processors: Such as our card payment gateway and PayPal, to securely complete your transaction.
• Shipping & Logistics Partners: (e.g., Royal Mail, DHL) to deliver your order to your doorstep, anywhere across the globe (excluding Asia and certain remote regions as stated).
• Service Providers: Such as our website hosting and email service providers, who assist in our operations.
• Legal Authorities: Only if required by law or to protect our rights, safety, or property.

5. Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored securely within the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA). We implement robust technical and organisational measures to protect your information, akin to the care we take in preserving our products:

• We use encryption (SSL/TLS) to protect data transmitted during checkout.
• Payment details are encrypted and processed by PCI-DSS compliant partners.
• We regularly review our security practices and restrict access to personal data to only essential members of our small, passionate team.
• We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or to meet legal obligations.

6. Your Rights

You have control over your personal information. Under data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Correct any inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.
• Restriction & Objection: Object to or restrict how we process your data.
• Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent (e.g., marketing), you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within one month.

7. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies—small text files placed on your device—to enhance your browsing experience. They help us remember your preferences, understand how you use our site, and improve our service. We use:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function (e.g., shopping cart, checkout).
• Analytical/Performance Cookies: To analyse visitor behaviour and improve our site (we use anonymised data where possible).
• Marketing Cookies: To show you relevant ads on other platforms (only if you consent).

When you first visit our site, you will be asked to consent to non-essential cookies. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings at any time, though this may affect some website features.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or the law. The latest version will always be posted on this page with the effective date. We encourage you to review it periodically.