What are the GDPR requirements for abandonment emails?

As an e-commerce store owner, navigating the complex world of GDPR compliance feels like walking through a legal minefield. I've been running targeted abandonment email campaigns to recover lost sales, but recently, I've become increasingly worried about potential legal risks. Every time someone leaves an item in their cart, I want to send a follow-up email – but am I accidentally violating data protection regulations? The stakes are high: non-compliance could mean hefty fines that could devastate my small business. I've heard horror stories of companies being penalized thousands of euros for seemingly minor infractions. My marketing team keeps pushing for more aggressive cart recovery strategies, but I'm hesitant. I need a clear, actionable framework that lets me communicate with potential customers effectively while staying 100% compliant. It's not just about avoiding penalties – it's about building trust with my customers and showing them I respect their data privacy. The complexity is overwhelming: consent, legitimate interest, data storage, opt-out mechanisms – there's so much to consider. I'm looking for a comprehensive guide that breaks down GDPR requirements for abandonment emails in plain, practical language that I can actually implement.