This Privacy Policy explains how ConnectWholesale.co.uk (“ConnectWholesale”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) operates as a Data Controller in collecting, processing, storing, and protecting personal and corporate data submitted across our UK wholesale platform.
ConnectWholesale operates as a B2B commercial matchmaking and wholesale introduction service connecting manufacturers, brand owners, and FMCG suppliers with wholesale buyers, retailers, resellers, distributors, symbol group store operators, and cash & carry operators in the United Kingdom.
B2B Commercial Focus
Our platform and services are tailored exclusively for business-to-business (B2B) trade operations. We do not provide services directed to retail consumers or children under 18 years of age.
Depending on how you interact with ConnectWholesale—as a general commercial enquirer, a brand supplier, or a wholesale trade buyer—we collect specific categories of business and contact information:
| Enquiry Route |
Categories of Data Ingested |
Commercial Purpose |
| General Enquiries |
Contact name, corporate email address, business telephone number, company/trading name, and message context. |
Answering business inquiries, evaluating trade proposals, and commercial assistance. |
| Brand Registration |
Company name, contact person, business email, phone, website URL, product categories (FMCG, Confectionery, Drinks, Health & Beauty, Household), wholesale distribution goals, UK stock status, catalogue/margin structure. |
Reviewing brand viability, cataloguing products for buyer presentations, and commercial onboarding. |
| Wholesale Buyer Registration |
Store/business name, buyer contact name, email, phone, business type (Independent Retailer, Multi-Site Chain, Cash & Carry, Symbol Group, Online Reseller), sourcing categories, estimated volume, delivery postcodes. |
Verifying trade credentials, matching buyers with brand suppliers, and dispatching targeted wholesale introductions. |
| Technical & Log Data |
IP address, browser type, device identifiers, referring URL, time zone, and session duration. |
Platform security, abuse prevention, diagnosing server performance, and analytical optimization. |
We collect information through transparent, direct business channels:
- Direct Web Submissions: When you complete our General Enquiry Form, Brand Registration Form, or Wholesale Buyer Registration Form on ConnectWholesale.co.uk.
- Commercial Correspondence: When your commercial representatives communicate with our team via email, telephone, video conference, or trade exhibitions.
- Automated Platform Technologies: When you navigate our website, essential cookies and server logs automatically record technical network diagnostic information.
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018, we process your information exclusively under the following established lawful grounds:
- Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR): To operate an efficient B2B matchmaking service, verify commercial legitimacy of wholesale buyers and suppliers, prevent fraudulent inquiries, and facilitate mutually advantageous trade introductions.
- Contractual & Pre-Contractual Steps (Article 6(1)(b) UK GDPR): To take necessary steps at your request prior to entering into trade terms, onboarding supply partnerships, or arranging product sampling and MOQ allocations.
- Legal Compliance (Article 6(1)(c) UK GDPR): To satisfy UK statutory corporate reporting, accounting, tax compliance, and fraud prevention duties.
- Consent (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR): Where you have explicitly opted in to receive periodic trade newsletters, wholesale category digests, or non-essential analytical cookies.
ConnectWholesale operates with strict commercial confidentiality. We do not operate an open public database of trade buyer records, nor do we sell customer lists.
Authorized Disclosures
- Verified Trade Counterparties: We share relevant corporate contact and sourcing parameters with matched suppliers or buyers solely after evaluating mutual commercial alignment.
- Secure Infrastructure Partners: Trusted technical service providers supporting our platform (including UK-based web hosting, enterprise email gateways, and database management) bound by strict confidentiality agreements.
- Legal & Regulatory Authorities: When required under applicable UK law, court summons, or regulatory enforcement to protect legal rights or investigate fraud.
Our Anti-Spam & Privacy Pledge
ConnectWholesale will NEVER sell, rent, lease, or distribute your personal or commercial contact information to third-party advertising brokers or bulk marketing syndicates.
Our core server infrastructure and operations reside within the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area (EEA). If any technical support or service sub-processor involves data transmission outside the UK/EEA, we ensure adequate protection standards are enforced through UK International Data Transfer Agreements (IDTAs) or European Commission Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).
We deploy robust technical and organizational security measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, loss, manipulation, or disclosure:
- In-Transit Encryption: All web traffic is encrypted using modern 256-bit SSL/TLS protocols.
- Restricted Access Control: Commercial data is restricted strictly to authorized personnel on a verified need-to-know basis.
- Retention Schedule: Commercial enquiry records are retained for the duration of active commercial relationships or for up to six (6) years following the conclusion of trade relations to satisfy UK statutory accounting and limitation statutes. Unsuccessful enquiries are periodically purged.
As a data subject under UK data protection legislation, you possess comprehensive enforceable rights regarding your personal information:
Right of Access
Request confirmation and a copy of all personal data held concerning you (Subject Access Request).
Right to Rectification
Request correction of inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete corporate or personal details.
Right to Erasure
Request deletion of your information where there is no overriding legal reason for retention.
Right to Restrict Processing
Request temporary suspension of processing while data accuracy or legal grounds are contested.
Right to Data Portability
Receive your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
Right to Object
Object at any time to processing based on legitimate interests or direct commercial communications.
ConnectWholesale.co.uk utilizes minimal, necessary cookies to ensure secure navigation, CSRF protection on contact forms, and aggregated performance statistics. You can configure your browser to decline cookies, although certain functional aspects of our form interfaces may be affected. For detailed disclosures, please consult our Cookie Policy.
If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your UK GDPR rights, or submit a formal data enquiry, please connect directly with our compliance team:
