Cookies – what are they?
A “cookie” is a small text file that’s stored on your computer, tablet or phone when you visit a website.
Some cookies are deleted when you close down your browser. These are known as session cookies. Others remain on your device until they expire or you delete them from your cache. These are known as persistent cookies and enable us to remember things about you as a returning visitor.
To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org. Alternatively, you can search the internet for other independent information on cookies.
Cookies – how we use them
If you delete cookies relating to this website we will not remember things about you, including your cookie preferences, and you will be treated as a first-time visitor the next time you visit the site.
We use cookies (and other similar technologies) to:
- Provide products and services that you request and to provide a secure online environment
- Manage our marketing relationships
- Give you a better online experience and track website performance
- Help us make our website more relevant to you
Here we explain a bit more about each of these types and how you can control their use.
Cookies that are essential for us to provide a product or service you have requested and to provide a secure online environment
Without cookies we are unable to provide some products or services that you might request. Other ‘essential’ cookies keep our website secure. Even if you say “No” to cookies on this website we’ll continue to use these ‘essential’ cookies.
Essential cookies are used to:
- deliver interactive services, such as:
- online ordering
- product applications
- web chat
- form filling
- maintain online security and protect against online fraud
- record your preference regarding our use of cookies on your device
Managing our marketing relationships
Our third party marketing partners may set cookies before you reach our site. If you wish to prevent this type of cookie (sometimes known as a ‘third party’ or ‘analytical’ cookie), you may do so through your device’s browser security settings.
You’ll sometimes see our advertising or special offers on other websites. Cookies provided by the other website or advertising network can tell us how effective this is. For example, if you click on one of our advertisements, the website owner might use a cookie to tell us that you came from their site.
Giving you a better online experience and tracking website performance
You’ll still be able to use most of our online services, but some things might not work as you may expect if you do not allow us to store and access these cookies on your device.
- These cookies make our online services easier to use and help us to understand how people use our websites. For example, amongst other things they will:
Make user login faster by remembering you between visits on your personal devices - Simplify online ordering by remembering the last account you used
- Display your information as you like them by remembering which panels you’ve expanded and collapsed or how many items you want to see in a page
- Remember relevant information as you browse from page to page to save you re-entering the same information repeatedly
We also use this type of cookie to understand how visitors use our online services and look for ways to improve them.
Helping us make our website more relevant to you
Enabling us to customise your online experience based upon your individual circumstances, existing product holdings or activities during previous visits to this website. If you disable cookies, we won’t be able to tailor your experience.
These cookies are used to ensure that we present you with product promotions and offers that are relevant to you.