What are cookies?

Cookies are information packets sent by web servers to web browsers, and stored by the web browsers. The information is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. This enables a web server to identify and track web browsers. There are two main kinds of cookies: session cookies and persistent cookies. Session cookies are deleted from your computer when you close your browser, whereas persistent cookies remain stored on your computer until deleted, or until they reach their expiry date.

Cookies can be classified as ‘first party’ or ‘third party’.

First party cookies: these are cookies placed on your device by our website domain.

Third party cookies: these are cookies placed on your device by third party website domains.

COOKIES USED ON OUR WEBSITE

Throughout our website we use the following cookies:

NameTypeFirst or third partySession or persistentUsage
__cf_bm Non-essential Third party Session This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the website, in order to make valid reports on the use of the web site.
hex (32) Non-essential First party Session Used to manage server calls to the website's backend systems.
page Non-essential (analytical) First party Persistent Used in context with the shopping cart functionality. Remembers any wish-list products and visitor credentials  when checking out.
_ga Non-essential (functional) First party Persistent (2 years) Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.
_ga_# Non-essential (analytical) First party Persistent (2 years) Google Analytics cookie used to distinguish users on a website to generate statistical information about their use of the website
vuid Non-essential Third party Persistent (2 years) Collects data on the user's visits to the website, such as which pages have been read.

HOW TO REFUSE COOKIES

Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies.

In Internet Explorer, you can refuse all cookies by clicking “Tools”, “Internet Options”, “Privacy”, and selecting “Block all cookies” using the sliding selector.

In Firefox, you can adjust your cookies settings by clicking “Tools”, “Options” and “Privacy”.

Blocking cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of some websites.