I would not be surprised if immediately after Christmas we were to see the first signs of Easter in the shops. Promotional slots seem to be getting earlier and earlier, and already the drive towards December 25 is beginning to make itself felt.

Next week, in the meantime, is Halloween, which has become a major event covering confectionery, children’s clothes and, of course, pumpkins. Fruit seems to have taken a backseat, even though bobbing for apples is still part of the event.

Full marks therefore to Lidl, which this week is stocking fun-sized apples in a special polybag for Halloween, advertised in its weekly bargain newsletter.

Then, of course, there are pumpkins. Up to now I always thought that sizes on these tended to be more random, but Marks & Spencer has made its operation more sophisticated, defining three categories. A standard pumpkin of 12-16cm is 99p, a medium size measures 17-23cm and costs £1.99 and the giant at 24-27cm is priced at £3.90. And the sell-by date is November 6, so obviously there is also a market for Guy Fawkes Night.

As the weather gets colder there is an expectation that more winter veg will make its way on to the consumer’s plate. Tesco has a 1kg seasonal vegetable presentation at £1.28, which is a variation on the traditional stewpack.

The product which has been catching my attention for some time is the pepper, in all its various shapes, colours and tastes. Now it seems more descriptions are creeping into the labelling. Morrisons has a selection grown in the Netherlands under its Best range called Dolce Lino, at £1.69. Tesco has a UK-grown orange variety called Sweet Bites at 99p for 140g, while continuing the trend for closer identification as to where the crop is grown, Hertfordshire features on a pack of 40-60mm red Ramiro peppers, priced at £1.

Lettuce is also being described in various ways, although I have never come across the term “soft and mellow”, which was applied to British curly leaf grown in West Sussex, costing 79p each in Sainsbury’s.

Growing salad continues to make headway, and is now appearing in Lidl in a mixed pack for 99p. The product is also identified as being excellent for stir fries.

At this time of the year citrus really comes into its own, with retailers already showing signs of bargain basement offers. Tesco, for example, has Argentinean oranges (62-67mm) in packs of six for 99p, sold under its Market Value range. What I felt was also significant is that the pack carries a ribbon heralding it as a “Discount Price”.

At the other end of the scale, and following on my recent report from East Malling Research on novel crops, Morrisons is already halfway there with US-grown aguta, or to simplify it for the consumer Baby kiwifruit, at £1.99 for 125g. What a sensible idea to encourage customers to buy something that is still relatively new.

Topics