Without doubt, autumn has arrived - and there are in-store pointers, apart from the displays of cauldrons and broomsticks, reminding customers that Hallowe'en is drawing near, writes David Shapley.

I refer to more long lasting and traditional lines that come into season at this point in the calendar, such as Brussel sprouts for example.

Once again it seems as if the M&S copywriters are excelling themselves. The labels on the 300g nets (89p) proclaim the product is handpicked. That may not mean much to the customer, although as a cub reporter I remember a grower in Evesham - where incidentally this crop is harvested - saying handpicking sprouts was the worst job in horticulture. There’s nothing like a hard frost to ensure that you are soaked from the feet up, and simultaneously drenched from the neck down while bending over the stalks, he mused.

I assumed mechanisation had come to the sprout job’s rescue. But looking at the small print - M&S proudly says it is the only retailer to guarantee the old traditions are kept alive. I hope everyone is making a premium.

There is evidently still a lot of life left in salads, and I note that Sainsbury’s elevates the Guernsey crop into its Taste the Difference range, with a 250g punnet of toms at £1.69.

How times have changed. It is easy to forget that the Guernsey Tom was a national brand until the 1980s. Today, things are more sophisticated even though the industry only occupies a niche position. Exclusive Pink Blush, though, is a far cry from Pinks and Whites and Blues.

While mushrooms are by definition a fungi, for most people they are a vegetable, and there are plenty of them. However, in the same Sainsbury’s store it seems there is still room for the exotic with China providing a shiitaki offer, although there seems to be plenty grown nearer the UK.

Priced at £1.35p for 120g, the label is obviously aimed at foodies, and also introduces a concept where freshness is not everything. “Firm and meaty Chinese mushrooms specially grown in traditional bamboo structures and - partially dried - to intensify their rich woody flavour,” it proclaims.

At this time of year there is no missing English apples. Sainsbury’s has Union Jack inners on display trays which really shout out the patriotic message, plus point-of-sale material.

I must admit however that I was a bit confused when under the Best of Season range in the store I visited, Charles Ross was rubbing shoulders with Dutch Jonagold, and Golden Delicious and Gala from France. I guess there must have been a glitch in the merchandising effort.

Just preferring Cox, or Pink Lady or Braeburn, however, may no longer be enough for tomorrow's shoppers. I was intrigued by the Tesco Finest Lambourne tray-pack, priced at £1.49, which carried information showing that fruit has been glycaemic index tested.

Trying to put a modern-day spin on the old ‘An Apple a Day’ adage perhaps? Or just genuinely taking an interest in the well-being of the consumer.

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