Privacy Policy

Who we are

Mercata provides a South African retail platform for independent retailers. For privacy enquiries relating to this website, contact us via the contact form or email at info@mercata.co.za. We are based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

What personal information we collect

• When you contact us, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, business name, and the content of your message.
• If you accept optional cookies, third-party services may collect technical information such as pages visited, device type, browser, approximate location, and referral source.
• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Why we use your information

• To respond to enquiries and provide information about Mercata.
• To operate, secure, and improve this website.
• With your consent, to measure website traffic (Google Analytics) and marketing performance (Meta Pixel).
• To comply with applicable law.

Cookies and similar technologies

• Essential cookies and local storage may be used for basic site operation, including remembering your cookie choices.
• Optional analytics cookies are only loaded if you consent to Analytics.
• Optional marketing cookies are only loaded if you consent to Marketing.
• You can change or withdraw consent at any time using Cookie settings in the site footer.

Third-party processors

• Depending on your consent and how you interact with the site, data may be processed by:
• Google Analytics (Google Ireland Limited) for website analytics.
• Meta Platforms (Meta Pixel) for advertising measurement.
• Formspree or similar form providers when you submit the contact form.
• These providers may process data outside South Africa. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers.

How long we keep information

• Contact enquiries are kept only as long as needed to respond and maintain a reasonable business record, unless a longer period is required by law.
• Analytics and marketing providers apply their own retention periods. You can limit future collection by withdrawing cookie consent.

Your rights under POPIA

• You may request access to personal information we hold about you.
• You may ask us to correct or delete information where appropriate.
• You may object to processing or withdraw consent for optional cookies at any time.
• You may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) if you believe your information has been handled improperly.

Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information. No online transmission or storage is completely secure, so please avoid sending sensitive information you do not need to share.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date.