Privacy policy

Last updated: June 26, 2025

 

1  – Who we are

Pret Artistry, a sole proprietorship owned and operated by Annè-Marie de Kock (collectively “Pret Artistry”, “we”, “us” or “our”), designs and sells one-of-a-kind handbags through this Shopify-powered online store (the “Services”).

Information Officer (POPIA): Annè-Marie de Kock – pret.artistry@gmail.com.

If this Privacy Policy ever conflicts with our Terms of Service, this Policy prevails for anything relating to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information.

 

2  – What we collect

Category

Examples

Contact details

Name, billing & shipping address, phone, e-mail.

Payment details

Last four digits of card, payment token, transaction reference (full card data is handled only by our PCI-DSS-compliant payment provider).

Account info

Username, password, preferences, wish-lists.

Transaction data

Items viewed, placed in cart, purchased, returned or exchanged.

Device & usage data

IP address, browser, device identifiers, cookies, how you navigate the store.

Communications

E-mails, support messages, product reviews.

 

We collect this information:

  • Directly from you (checkout, account creation, returns requests, e-mails).
  • Automatically via cookies and similar tech when you browse the site.
  • From service providers (e.g. payment gateways, couriers) acting on our behalf.
  • From Shopify analytics and advertising features.

 

3  – How we use your information

  1. Provide & improve the Services – process orders, ship bags, handle returns, remember your preferences and recommend products.
  2. Marketing – send you news or promotions (you can unsubscribe anytime).
  3. Security & fraud prevention – authenticate log-ins, detect suspicious payments.
  4. Customer support – answer questions, resolve problems.
  5. Legal & compliance – keep records, respond to lawful requests, enforce our Terms.

4  – When we share it

We disclose information only as needed for the purposes above:

  • Shopify (store hosting, payments, analytics).
  • Trusted service providers (couriers, payment processors, cloud storage, IT support).
  • Marketing partners – only with your consent or where the law allows you to opt out of targeted ads.
  • Corporate transactions – if we sell or restructure the business.
  • Legal reasons – to comply with a court order or protect rights, safety or property.

We never sell your personal information.

 

5  – Cross-border transfers

The Services run on Shopify’s infrastructure in Canada and the United States. Although Pret Artistry currently sells and ships only within South Africa, your information is processed and stored in those countries—and may be transferred to other jurisdictions where our service providers operate—subject always to section 72 of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Pret Artistry ensures that each foreign recipient is either:

  • bound by a law or corporate rules that provide an adequate level of protection, or
  • bound by a written contract that upholds POPIA’s principles.

 

6  – Security & retention

We use industry-standard safeguards (HTTPS, encryption in transit, access controls). No method is perfect, so please avoid sending sensitive data over unencrypted channels.

We keep personal information only as long as necessary to:

  • maintain your account and complete transactions,
  • comply with tax and legal record-keeping duties, or
  • resolve disputes and enforce agreements.

After that we delete or irreversibly de-identify the data.

 

7  – Your POPIA rights

Subject to verification of identity, you may:

  • Access the personal information we hold about you (POPIA s 23).
  • Correct or update it (s 24).
  • Delete information that is inaccurate, excessive or obtained unlawfully.
  • Object to certain processing, including direct marketing (s 11(3)).
  • Withdraw consent at any time (it won’t affect prior lawful processing).
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (complaints.IR@justice.gov.za).

To exercise any right, e-mail pret.artistry@gmail.com. We respond within the timelines set by POPIA.

 

8  – Children

Our handbags and website are directed to adults. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18 years. Parents may contact us to delete a minor’s information.

 

9  – Third-party links

Our site may link to external websites. We do not control their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing any information.

 

10  – International mechanisms under other laws

We presently market and deliver products only in South Africa. If we expand sales to the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or other regions with data-transfer restrictions, we will rely on approved mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses or an adequacy decision, and we will update this Policy before such expansion takes effect.

 

11  – Changes to this Policy

We may update this notice from time to time. The “Last updated” date changes when we post a new version. Material changes will be highlighted at the top of this page for at least 30 days.

 

12  – Contact us

E-mail: privacy@pretartistry.co.za

Postal: 15 Tulbach Street, Hillcrest, Kimberley 8301, South Africa