Do you know your onions? Can you sort the plums from the pears? In other words if fruit and vegetables is your bag then maybe you should consider owning a greengrocer's.
Buying a readymade greengrocery business means you can jump straight into the market with the all important client base you'll need to get started. And if that wasn't enough you'll also be helping keep the nation with it's five portions of fruit and vegetables a day - how much more incentive do you need?
The market
In 2000 alone, the UK fresh fruit and vegetable market was worth £7.41 billion. And despite claims that we are neglecting fresh produce for processed alternatives, the former still accounts for 61.6% of the value of all fruit and vegetable sales.
Fruit has been the biggest growth market with more people using fruit as an alternative to snack foods, attempting to implement healthier eating patterns. Bananas and apples are the best loved. In the same way, fresh green vegetables are gaining in popularity - although to a larger extent led by pre-packed salads, which doesn't help the greengrocery market.
Predictions for the market over the next few years are more of the same: fresh vegetable consumption overall in decline, but increased fruit sales. More fruit-based snacks and a wider range of exotic fruits, along with campaign to encourage fruit consumption will help to maintain this growth.
The greengrocer's is generally thought of as an old fashioned business but this doesn't seem to have diminished its appeal.
Business agent Everett Mason and Furby, reports sales of greengrocer's are ever popular and rising. This area still has an image - not without substance - of attracting an older clientele, but customers are also very loyal, especially if you provide a good and friendly service.
There is a general perception among the general buying public that a greengrocer's will provide better service and quality than a supermarket. This may bring you a new customer from time to time but to retain that person, you will also need to be convenient.
Everyone knows that a supermarket tends to provide a cheaper and handier service than a much small shop. Ironically, though, if a greengrocery is placed opposite a supermarket it is more likely to thrive. To the customer, because both shops are so close, it's practically the same as doing a one-stop shop - and they're taking advantage of the best parts of both.
