Retail Community Pty Ltd ("Retail Community", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of our members, subscribers, directory submitters and event attendees in accordance with applicable Australian privacy legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) where applicable.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information.
1. Information We Collect
Depending on how you engage with Retail Community, we may collect:
- Contact Details: Name, email address, mobile phone number and location (suburb, state, country).
- Professional Details: Company name, job title, job level, seniority, retailer/brand/solution provider classification and LinkedIn profile URL.
- Community & Application Information: Information submitted during membership requests, including interest areas and WhatsApp group selections.
- Directory Submissions: Business names, service descriptions, public business URLs and private submitter administrative contact details.
- Event Information: Event registrations, attendance records, dietary requirements and attendee feedback.
- Visual Media: Photographs and video recordings captured at Retail Community events.
- Biometric Information (Conditional & Optional): If an optional facial-recognition photo-matching tool is provided at an event to help attendees locate their event photos, biometric templates are processed solely with your prior, explicit, separate opt-in consent. Participation is strictly voluntary and never required for ordinary event attendance. The purpose, provider, data handling and retention arrangements must be disclosed before you opt in; this does not mean facial recognition is currently offered at every event.
- Website Usage Data: IP addresses, browser types, analytics and page interaction data, including information collected using cookies where used.
- Communications: Messages, enquiries, requests and correspondence you send us.
2. How We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information directly from you when you:
- Complete our sign-up or membership application forms;
- Request entry into our WhatsApp community groups;
- Submit an event, service provider listing or partner enquiry;
- Register for or attend a Retail Community dinner, function or event;
- Communicate with us via email, WhatsApp or on-site forms.
3. Why We Collect and Use Your Information
We collect and use your personal information to:
- Review eligibility and administer entry into our WhatsApp groups;
- Deliver community announcements, industry news and updates;
- Send promotional and marketing communications (including sponsored partner messages) where you have consented;
- Coordinate and manage event invitations, RSVPs and attendance;
- Publish and manage verified directory listings;
- Prevent spam, maintain community safety and enforce our Community Guidelines;
- Improve our services and respond to enquiries;
- Contact businesses about relevant community activities, advertising, sponsorship and commercial opportunities, subject to applicable law;
- Comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.
4. Partners, Sponsors and Data Sharing
We maintain a strict distinction between general mailing list subscribers and specific event attendees:
- General Subscribers: We do not sell, rent, trade or disclose our general subscriber database to third-party sponsors for their independent marketing. Retail Community sends sponsored messages directly to you on behalf of verified partners.
- Event Attendees: Specified attendee details may be shared with designated event sponsors where disclosed in the registration process and event-specific terms, with appropriate consent and where legally permitted. The data categories, recipients and purposes vary by event and must be explained during registration. Agreement to general website terms is not blanket permission for event data sharing.
- Directory Contacts: Business and event listings may be public. Contact information collected strictly for directory administration is kept private and not displayed publicly. We may use it for listing administration and relevant community, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, subject to applicable law.
5. Third-Party Service Providers
We utilise trusted external cloud and service providers to operate our platform, including:
- Meta / WhatsApp: For community messaging groups;
- Dotdigital: For email marketing, automated journeys and sign-up surveys;
- Hosting & Infrastructure: Secure cloud hosting, database and storage services;
- Event Ticketing & Forms: Dedicated registration and survey platforms.
Service providers may process personal information on our behalf, including overseas where applicable. Overseas processing locations and disclosure arrangements depend on the services used. We take reasonable steps required by applicable law to protect information and can provide information about the relevant arrangements on request. Third-party platforms also have their own privacy policies.
6. Marketing and Unsubscribing
In compliance with the Spam Act 2003 (Cth):
- You may opt out of receiving marketing and promotional emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email.
- Opting out of promotional emails does not automatically remove you from WhatsApp chat groups. You can exit any WhatsApp group independently at any time.
7. Storage, Security and Retention
We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards, including access controls restricting private information to authorised personnel. No electronic system or transmission can be guaranteed completely secure. We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or to satisfy statutory obligations.
8. Access, Correction and Contacting Us
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you or request that corrections be made if it is inaccurate or out of date.
For access requests, corrections or privacy-related complaints, please contact: Privacy Officer Retail Community Pty Ltd Email: dean@retailcommunity.com.au
You may also request deletion where applicable. We may need to verify your identity before responding. Access, correction and deletion requests are subject to applicable legal exceptions and retention requirements. We will acknowledge privacy complaints and take reasonable steps to investigate and respond.
If you are unsatisfied with our response to a complaint, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.
9. Cookies and Analytics
Where cookies or analytics technologies are used, they may support website operation, security and understanding website usage. You can manage cookies through your browser settings; disabling them may affect functionality.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as our activities or legal obligations change. The current version and last-updated date appear on this page, and material changes will be communicated where appropriate.