Privacy Policy for TheEthnicGrocer.com
1. Introduction
At The Ethnic Grocer (“we,” “us,” or “our”), accessible via theethnicgrocer.com, we are committed to safeguarding the privacy, confidentiality, and security of our users’ (“you,” “your”) personal data. We understand the importance of protecting your personal information and are fully dedicated to complying with privacy laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”), the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), and other applicable data protection laws. This Privacy Policy outlines the types of data we collect, the purposes for which we process it, your rights, and how we ensure your data is handled with the utmost care.
2. Scope of This Policy and Our Role
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of theethnicgrocer.com and any related services. The Ethnic Grocer is the “data controller” with respect to personal data collected, used, or otherwise processed on or through our website and in connection with our services. As data controller, we determine the purposes and methods of collecting and processing your personal data in accordance with applicable law.
3. Categories of Data We Process
We collect and process the following categories of personal data:
a. Usage Data
Information such as your browser type and version, IP address, access times, pages viewed, referring website addresses, session times, and device-specific data gathered from your use of theethnicgrocer.com.
b. Account Data
Information provided when you create an account or complete a purchase, including your full name, billing and shipping addresses, email address, and telephone number.
c. Profile Data
Preferences, interests, previous orders, navigation behavior, and product interactions collected through your engagement with our services.
d. Communication Data
Records of communications with our customer service, including support requests, feedback, and correspondence through email or web forms.
e. Technical Data
Details about the device you use to access theethnicgrocer.com, operating system, location data (where applicable), browser configurations, and other system-level variables.
f. Transaction Data
Details of items purchased, payment method, billing information, shipping details, and transaction confirmations.
g. Preference Data
Marketing and communication preferences set by you, including subscription status and interest in specific product categories.
4. Legal Bases for Processing Personal Data
We process your personal data on the following legal bases:
– Performance of a Contract: To process your orders, manage your account, and fulfill customer support requests.
– Legitimate Interests: For fraud prevention, improving user experience, website analytics, and marketing communications (where not based on consent).
– Consent: When you opt-in to receive marketing communications or accept cookies.
– Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable tax, accounting, or legal reporting obligations.
5. Your Rights
Under applicable data protection laws, you may exercise the following rights in respect of your personal data:
– Right of Access: You may request confirmation of whether your data is being processed and access to a copy of such data.
– Right to Rectification: You may ask to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
– Right to Erasure: You may request deletion of your personal data under certain legal conditions.
– Right to Restriction of Processing: You may request that we limit our processing of your data under specific circumstances.
– Right to Data Portability: You may request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format and, where technically feasible, have it transferred to another controller.
– Right to Object: You may object to processing carried out based on legitimate interest, including profiling, or to the use of personal data for direct marketing.
To exercise any of the above rights, please contact us at [email protected].
6. Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to secure your personal data, including:
– Data encryption during transmission and at rest using industry-standard protocols
– Access control systems ensuring only authorized personnel access sensitive data
– Regular vulnerability assessments and software updates
– Secure, offsite data backups for continuity and recovery
– Staff training on data protection principles and breach response protocols
7. International Data Transfers
Where personal data is transferred outside of the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in compliance with GDPR, including the use of standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission or reliance on adequacy decisions. Users accessing theethnicgrocer.com from other regions, including the US and countries outside the EEA, should be aware that their data may be processed and stored in those locations, subject to applicable data transfer protections.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required by law. We apply the following general retention periods:
– Usage and Technical Data: up to 12 months for analytical and performance purposes
– Account and Profile Data: retained while the user has an active account or for up to 6 years following the last transaction
– Transaction Data: retained for 7 years for tax, legal, and accounting requirements
– Communication Data: retained for 2 years for support quality and historical reference
– Marketing and Preference Data: retained until consent is withdrawn or updated
9. Cookie Policy
TheEthnicGrocer.com utilizes cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve user experience and provide personalized content. We categorize cookies as follows:
– Essential Cookies: Necessary for site functionality, such as shopping cart and login authentication.
– Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced features like remembering preferences and supporting live chat services.
– Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our website for continuous improvement.
– Performance Cookies: Monitor site load times, responsiveness, and performance metrics.
We use only those cookies which have a defined purpose and are respectful of user privacy.
10. Cookie Management and Compliance
Upon your first visit to theethnicgrocer.com, we request consent for the use of non-essential cookies through a cookie banner, in accordance with GDPR and CCPA requirements. You are able to manage or revoke cookie preferences at any time via your browser settings or our cookie preference center.
California residents may opt out of the “sale” of personal data (as defined under the CCPA) by managing cookie choices accordingly and by submitting a Do Not Sell My Personal Information request.
11. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for or directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal data from children. If we become aware of any collection of information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will take immediate steps to delete such data. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact us at [email protected].
12. Updates to This Policy
We reserve the right to modify or update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, or legal requirements. We will notify users of substantial changes through prominent notices on our website or by direct communication where appropriate. Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically to stay informed of how their data is protected.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your personal data or this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://theethnicgrocer.com
We take privacy seriously and are committed to full compliance with applicable laws. If you believe your data has not been handled in accordance with this Policy or your legal rights, please reach out to us directly at the email above.