Cookie Policy
VM & Retail Experience Design Distance Learning Course
Last Updated: 12th April 2026
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 This Cookie Policy explains how the Shop & Display Equipment Association ("SDEA", "we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website www.learnvm.co.uk.1
.2 This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
1.3 By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this policy.
2. WHAT ARE COOKIES?
2.1 Definition: Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website.
2.2 Purpose: Cookies help websites recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferences and settings.
2.3 Common Uses: Cookies enable websites to:
Remember your login status
Store your preferences
Analyze how you use the site
Improve user experience
Provide personalized content
2.4 Not Harmful: Cookies cannot harm your device or files. They are simply data files that improve your browsing experience.
3. WHY WE USE COOKIES
We use cookies to:Provide Essential Functionality:Enable core website features
Process course enrollment
Maintain security
Remember your login status
Improve Performance:Understand how visitors use our website, Identify technical issues, Optimize page loading times
Enhance overall site performance
Enhance Your Experience:Remember your preferences
Customize content based on your interests
Provide relevant information
Make navigation easier
Analyze Usage:Track which pages are visited most
Understand user behavior patterns
Improve our Course and services
Measure marketing effectiveness
4. TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
What they do: These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. Without them, you cannot use basic features.
Examples:Session cookies (keep you logged in)Security cookies (protect against fraud)Form submission cookies (process enrollment)Load balancing cookies (distribute traffic)
Can you disable them? No. These cookies are required for the website to work. Disabling them will prevent you from using the site.Duration: Most are session cookies (deleted when you close your browser). Some may persist for up to 24 hours.
4.2 Performance Cookies
What they do: These cookies collect information about how you use our website, such as which pages you visit and any errors you encounter.
Examples:Analytics cookies (track page views, time on site)Error tracking cookies (identify technical issues)Speed testing cookies (measure page load times)
Can you disable them? Yes. You can opt out through our cookie consent banner or browser settings.
Information collected:
Pages visited
Time spent on each page
Links clicked
Error messages
Browser type and version
Duration: Typically 2 years.
Third parties: We use Google Analytics. See Section 6 for details.
4.3 Functional Cookies
What they do: These cookies remember your choices and preferences to provide a more personalized experience.
Examples:Language preference cookiesFont size settingsRegion/location preferencesPreviously viewed content
Can you disable them? Yes, but this may affect your experience (e.g., you'll need to re-enter preferences on each visit).
Duration: Typically 1 year.
4.4 Marketing/Targeting Cookies (if applicable)
What they do: These cookies track your browsing activity to show you relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness.
Examples:Advertising cookiesSocial media cookiesRemarketing cookies
Can you disable them? Yes. You can opt out through our cookie consent banner or browser settings.
Duration: Typically 1-2 years.
Third parties: [List any advertising platforms used, e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Pixel]
Note: We currently do not use marketing/targeting cookies, but may introduce them in the future with your consent.
5. FIRST-PARTY VS THIRD-PARTY COOKIES
5.1 First-Party Cookies
What they are: Cookies set directly by www.learnvm.co.uk when you visit our website.
Purpose:Essential site functionalityRemember your preferencesImprove your experience
Control: We have full control over these cookies.
5.2 Third-Party Cookies
What they are: Cookies set by external services we use (e.g., Google Analytics, Stripe).
Purpose:
Payment processing
Website analytics
Performance monitoring
Control: These cookies are governed by the third party's privacy policy.
Third parties we use:Stripe (payment processing) - https://stripe.com/cookies-policy
Google Analytics (website analytics) - https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies
6. SPECIFIC COOKIES WE USE
6.1 Essential CookiesCookie Name Purpose Duration Type session_id Maintains your session Session First-party XSRF-TOKEN Security (prevents cross-site attacks) Session First-party cookie_consent Remembers your cookie preferences 1 year First-party6.2 Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics)Cookie Name Purpose Duration Type _ga Distinguishes unique users 2 years Third-party _gid Distinguishes unique users 24 hours Third-party _gat Throttles request rate 1 minute Third-party
What Google Analytics tracks:Pages you visit, Time spent on site, How you arrived at our site, Device and browser information, General location (city/region level)
What Google Analytics does NOT track:Your name or personal identityYour exact locationPasswords or sensitive information
Opt out of Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout6.3 Payment Cookies (Stripe)Cookie Name Purpose Duration Type __stripe_mid Fraud prevention 1 year Third-party __stripe_sid Fraud prevention 30 minutes Third-party Note: Stripe uses these cookies to process payments securely and prevent fraud. They are essential for enrollment.
7. HOW TO MANAGE COOKIESYou have several options to control or delete cookies:
7.1 Our Cookie Consent Banner. When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner where you can: Accept all cookies, Reject non-essential cookies, Customize your preferences. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer.
7.2 Browser SettingsMost browsers allow you to: View cookies stored on your deviceDelete some or all cookies Block cookies from specific websites Block all cookies Delete cookies when you close the browser
How to access cookie settings in popular browsers:
Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site dataF
irefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
Brave: Settings → Shields → Cookies and other site data7.3 Mobile Devices
iPhone/iPad (Safari): Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies
Android (Chrome): Chrome app → Settings → Site Settings → Cookies7.4 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools
Google Analytics Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Your Online Choices (EU): https://www.youronlinechoices.com/
Network Advertising Initiative: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
8. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DISABLE COOKIES?
8.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
If disabled: You will not be able to enroll in the Course. Payment processing will not work. Some pages may not load correctly. Security features may not function.
8.2 Performance Cookies
If disabled: Website will still function normally. We cannot improve the site based on usage data. You may experience slower loading times
8.3 Functional Cookies
If disabled:Website will still function. You'll need to re-enter preferences on each visit. Personalized features will not work
8.4 Marketing Cookies
If disabled:Website will still function normally. You may see less relevant advertisements elsewhere online
9. OTHER TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
9.1 Web Beacons (Pixel Tags)
What they are: Tiny invisible images embedded in web pages or emails.
What they do:Track whether you opened an emailMonitor page visitsCount users
How we use them: We may use web beacons in emails to see if you've opened course materials or notifications.9.2 Local Storage
What it is: Similar to cookies but can store more data and doesn't expire automatically.
How we use it: We may use local storage to:Remember your preferences, cache data for faster loading, and store non-sensitive information
How to clear it: Use your browser's "Clear browsing data" or "Clear site data" option.9.3 Session Storage
What it is: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser.
How we use it: To store temporary data during your session (e.g., form inputs, navigation state).
10. COOKIES AND GDPR
10.1 Your Rights. Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:Know what cookies we use. Give or withdraw consent. Control cookie settings. Access data collected via cookies
10.2 Our Responsibilities
We ensure:
Transparency: Clear information about cookies
Consent: Asking permission before setting non-essential cookies
Control: Giving you options to manage cookies
Purpose limitation: Only using cookies for stated purposes
10.3 Consent
How we obtain consent:Cookie consent banner on first visit. Separate options for different cookie types. Easy-to-use preference controls
Withdrawing consent: You can withdraw consent at any time through:Cookie settings in our website footer. Browser settings. Contacting us directly
11. UPDATES TO THIS COOKIE POLICY
11.1 We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:Changes to cookies we use. New technologies. Legal requirements. Service improvements
11.2 We will notify you of significant changes by:Updating the "Last Updated" date. Posting a notice on our website. Asking for renewed consent if required
11.3 We recommend reviewing this policy periodically.
12. QUESTIONS AND CONTACT
If you have questions about cookies or this policy, contact us:
Email: enquiries@sdea.co.uk
Telephone: 01883 348911
Post: Shop & Display Equipment Association, 24 Croydon Road, Caterham CR3 6YR
Website: www.learnvm.co.uk
For data protection queries, see our Privacy Policy at www.learnvm.co.uk/privacy-policy.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Learn more about cookies:
All About Cookies: www.allaboutcookies.orgICO (UK): https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/
Manage your privacy:
Your Online Choices: www.youronlinechoices.com
Google Privacy Controls: https://safety.google/privacy/privacy-controls/
Browser cookie guides:
Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
Safari: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-sfri11471/mac
Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies-63947406-40ac-c3b8-57b9-2a946a29ae0914.
SUMMARY
What you need to know:✓ We use cookies to make our website work and improve your experience
✓ Some cookies are essential and cannot be disabled
✓ You can control non-essential cookies through our consent banner
✓ You can change your cookie preferences at any time
✓ Disabling cookies may affect website functionality
✓ We use Google Analytics to understand how you use our site
✓ We do not sell data collected via cookies
✓ You can contact us with any questions
Cookie categories we use:✓ Strictly Necessary (Required)
✓ Performance/Analytics (Optional)
✓ Functional (Optional)
✗ Marketing/Advertising (Not currently used)End of Cookie Policy
By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy.