This Cookie Policy explains how SouthAfricanShops.uk uses cookies, web beacons, and browser local storage to provide a seamless, secure, and fast browsing experience for South African food lovers and expats in the UK.
📅 Last Updated: 20 August 2026⚖️ Standard: PECR & UK GDPR⚙️ Live Status: Consent Controller Active
1What Are Cookies & Local Storage?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, tablet, or smartphone when you visit websites. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, remember your preferences between visits, and deliver personalized functionality.
In addition to cookies, we also use modern browser Local Storage (HTML5 storage) which allows client-side data (like your bookmarked favourite butcheries and store search radius) to be retained locally on your own device without sending unnecessary data to the server on every request.
2How SouthAfricanShops.uk Uses Cookies
We categorize our cookies and local storage tokens into three distinct categories:
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies: Essential for core site operation, secure login sessions (Admin / Merchant portals), and storing your cookie consent choices. These cannot be disabled.
2. Functionality & Preference Storage: Used to remember your selected region, filter settings on the Interactive Map, and bookmarked butcheries and stores.
3. Analytics & Performance Cookies: Anonymous aggregated telemetry to help us identify popular South African groceries (e.g. Biltong, Boerewors, Mrs Ball's Chutney, Gem Squash) and optimize page load speeds across Great Britain.
3Cookies and Storage Items We Set
The table below provides transparency on all cookies and local storage keys used across SouthAfricanShops.uk:
Key / Cookie Name
Category
Purpose
Duration
PHPSESSID
Strictly Necessary
Maintains active session state for account logins, admin moderation, and cart inquiries.
Session (ends on browser close)
sa_cookie_consent
Strictly Necessary
Records your accepted cookie preferences (essential, analytics, marketing).
1 Year
sa_saved_bookmarks
Functionality (LocalStorage)
Stores your bookmarked favourite Saffa butcheries, delis, and spaza shops locally on your device.
Persistent (until cleared)
sa_recent_searches
Functionality (LocalStorage)
Stores quick search tags and recent county filters for fast autocomplete.
Persistent (until cleared)
sa_view_preference
Functionality (LocalStorage)
Remembers your preference between Tile Grid View and Interactive Leaflet Map View.
6 Months
4Manage Your Cookie Preferences
You have total control over which non-essential cookies we use. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time directly through our interactive preferences modal:
Click the button below to update your choices instantly:
5How to Control Cookies in Your Web Browser
Most modern web browsers allow you to manage and block cookies via their settings menus. Please note that disabling all cookies may impair certain features (like logging in to merchant dashboards):
Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy & Security → Third-party cookies.
Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies.
6Updates & Inquiries
We may periodically update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in legal requirements or new features on SouthAfricanShops.uk. The date at the top of this page will always indicate when it was last revised.
Customize which categories of cookies and local storage tokens you allow on SouthAfricanShops.uk. Changes take effect immediately upon saving.
Strictly Necessary CookiesAlways Active
Essential for basic directory navigation, secure user authentication, responsive layout caching, and remembering your cookie choices.
Analytics & Performance CookiesOptional
Helps us understand which UK butchery listings, clearance items, and boerewors guides receive the most attention so we can improve search performance.
Marketing & Special OffersOptional
Allows partner butcheries and South African stores to display relevant seasonal braai discounts, new biltong batch arrivals, and clearance notifications.
Personalization & GeolocationOptional
Remembers your preferred UK region (e.g., London, Berkshire, Yorkshire) and distance sorting filters across your browsing sessions.
