1. What this policy covers
This policy explains how Pet Stop Direct Limited uses cookies and other “storage and access technologies” on www.petstopdirect.co.uk. These can include cookies, local storage, pixels, scripts, tags and similar technologies that store information on, or access information from, a user’s device.
2. Our approach
- Strictly necessary technologies may be used where they are genuinely required to provide a service the customer has requested, such as keeping items in the basket, maintaining login or security sessions, processing checkout, preventing fraud or remembering privacy preferences.
- Pet Stop will use a consent-first approach for non-essential analytics, advertising and external-media technologies. This is deliberately simpler for customers and easier to administer consistently than relying on narrower exceptions for optional tracking technologies.
- Google Analytics will be placed in an Analytics category and will remain off by default until the visitor gives Analytics consent. GA4 event-level retention will be set to 14 months.
- Google Ads conversion, remarketing or other advertising technologies will be placed in an Advertising category and will remain off by default until the visitor gives Advertising consent.
- Google Maps and any future YouTube, social-feed or similar third-party embeds should use a consent-controlled or click-to-load approach where they would otherwise set or access non-essential technologies. They should be grouped under a clear Functional / External Media category where appropriate.
3. Cookie controls
The site must provide clear controls that allow visitors to Accept all non-essential technologies, Reject non-essential technologies, or Manage preferences by category. Rejecting non-essential technologies must not prevent customers from browsing products, using the basket or completing checkout.
Strictly necessary functionality remains available regardless of the visitor’s optional choices. Visitors must be able to reopen the privacy/cookie controls and change or withdraw their preferences later.
4. Cookie and technology categories
| Category | Examples on a WooCommerce site | Default approach | Final launch action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Basket/cart/session, checkout security, login/session, fraud/security, cookie-preference record | Enabled where genuinely necessary | List exact cookie names and durations after staging audit |
| Statistical analytics | Google Analytics and other optional website-usage measurement | Off by default. Pet Stop will require Analytics consent before Google Analytics loads. | Confirm exact cookies/storage after staging audit; GA4 event-level retention set to 14 months |
| Appearance/functionality | Google Maps and future optional embedded media or functionality that accesses non-essential device storage | Off by default where consent is required; use click-to-load / consent-controlled activation | Audit the actual technologies used on staging |
| Marketing/advertising | Meta Pixel, Google Ads conversion/remarketing, cross-site identifiers, behavioural profiling | Off by default. Consent required before activation. | Do not load until consent |
| Embedded third-party content | YouTube/video embeds, social widgets, maps | Use click-to-load or consent-controlled loading where non-essential technologies would otherwise load | Audit each embed/service |
5. Provisional cookie register – replace with the exact staging audit before launch
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration | Consent / exception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce cart/session cookie | Pet Stop / WooCommerce | Remember basket/session state | Strictly necessary | Session or platform-defined | Strictly necessary exception |
| Login/session cookie | Pet Stop / WordPress | Keep signed-in users authenticated | Strictly necessary | Session / limited | Strictly necessary exception |
| Cookie preference record | Pet Stop / consent manager | Remember privacy choices | Strictly necessary | Set a proportionate duration | Strictly necessary or consent-mechanism basis |
| Google Analytics – exact cookies to confirm after staging audit | Measure website usage, performance and customer journeys | Analytics | GA4 event-level retention: 14 months; exact cookie/storage durations to confirm after staging audit | Analytics consent required before loading under Pet Stop’s chosen setup | |
| Google Ads – exact cookies/pixels to confirm after staging audit | Advertising measurement and, if enabled, remarketing | Marketing | TO CONFIRM after staging audit | Advertising consent required before loading | |
| Google Maps – exact technologies to confirm after staging audit | Display the Pet Stop shop location/map | Functionality / embedded content | TO CONFIRM after staging audit | Use consent-controlled or click-to-load approach where non-essential storage/access occurs |
6. Browser controls
Users can also manage cookies through their browser/device settings, although blocking strictly necessary technologies may affect website functionality. The website’s own privacy controls should be the primary, easy way to manage consent and objections.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when the site’s technology changes or when legal/regulatory guidance changes. The current version will be published on the website with its effective date.
Draft effective date: 2 October 2026.