Meet Monica. While the pineapple market is dominated by the mega names, it is more unusual to meet if not necessarily a newcomer, one that is less visible. The red, white and blue branded label is attached to Costa Rican arrivals in Budgens, with medium-sized fruit priced at £1.
And on the back of the label there are not only instructions on preparation but directions for how to find the offices of Exportaciones Nortenas SA.
The store was also offering what it calls a ‘mega deal’, with any two packs of tomatoes, nectarines, plums, white mushrooms or Hazeldene salad for £2.
Costa Rica also has a reputation beyond tropical fruit, and Asda is using it as a source for casava at £1.47/kg and chayotes at £2.10 for the same weight.
Spreading the word is also evident in The Co-operative, where illuminated signs proclaim it has more Fairtrade branches than anyone else.
What caught my eye was the English celery bunches carrying the label “Re:fresh Winner Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year”.
It is also promoting a Perfect Potatoes Cook Book worth £8.99 with the purchase of two promotional packs. Those on the shelf were UK-grown 750g Charlotte and 2kg of Maris Piper potatoes.
Meanwhile, Waitrose Limited Edition salad leaves include some more unusual ingredients. Peppery Garden Salad at £1.79/80g has nasturtium leaves alongside tender pea tops and green butterhead, while for the same price there is another variation featuring sorrel and red orach, although you get 5g less.
Marketing men may not be as entranced with BOGOFs as they once were, but have come up with other ideas reflecting value. Sainsbury’s has combined Spanish grape packs by overwrapping two punnets with a combined weight of 750g for £2.70.
The largest, holding Crimson and Autumn Royal, proclaims half (250g) - namely the latter - free, while the smaller is Sugarone.
No comments yet