I felt a distinct tug at my memory this week when passing the melon section in Asda. Spanish Piel de Sapo is now very much part of the range after being “discovered” by buyers in the 1970s, although the locals had enjoyed the variety for decades.

What was different, however, is that each fruit, priced at £2.80, was emblazoned with the sort of label that used to be commonplace on the wholesale markets. However, at the time, availability was restricted to Honeydew, with top brands including Red Parrot and A1. Another sign, perhaps, that sub-branding is seen to be of value by the retail trade.

A further example is among Marks & Spencer’s Latest Discovery range. Red peppers are usually more simply described by shape but, in this case, they have been elevated to not just being “exclusive” to the retailer, but also “Ace”. Grown in Essex by Sam DiFrancesco and priced at £1.99, the claim to fame is explained as the variety, which has been developed by seedhouse Hazera, is naturally high in vitamins A, C and E.

Sticking with salads, there are few sectors that have experienced such a widening of choice. Waitrose is even stocking strong red watercress at 99p, which at the very least must be a showstopper over the dining table.

But for sheer range, there are few products that can match tomatoes. In fact, it has been argued that there are so many named varieties - on and off the vine - as well as differences of form and colour, that they confuse customers.

Shape and size also come into play, no more so at present than at Tesco, which has already shown a penchant for giant mushrooms. There is now a massive Belgian beef tomato on display, which weighs just over 680g and rang up 99p on the till. And returning to branding, it has also acquired the variety name of Charmue.

With demand for vegetables expected to grow as winter approaches, I note that M&S has come up with a new range of prepared Eat Well Kitchen Veg Pots, covering a range of prices and volumes.

Among the selection, green peas with a bean and vegetable layer and mint butter work out at £1.99 for 265g, while a cauliflower, squash and potato mix is £2.99 for 400g.

Similar to the prepared salad range, there are also new ideas creeping into more bulky traditional 180g mixed veg packs. Asda, under the Watts Farm label among the kale, spinach and red pak choi, includes a brassica called Jagallo Nero, priced like so many lines in the store at present at £1. A lesser-known South African apple called Elegant has the same price ticket, in the Extra Special range.

And finally, full marks to Sainsbury’s for simplifying how customers can make a straightforward choice when it comes to onions. There have been several attempts to quantify taste on the shelf in the past, which have included numbered codes. The latest idea on a very neat Spanish three-bulb netted pack, at £1, says it all.

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