Descriptive terms are the name of the game in retailing, with fresh produce offering numerous opportunities. Following on from the recent TV programme complaining that customers get confused over the best value, it might be time to call into question the term “giant”, which is appearing more regularly.

While it has been applied to arrivals as diverse as mushrooms and oranges, pineapples have also taken on the mantle. At Tesco Costa Rican pineapples at £2.50 each weigh around 2kg, while its Large equivalent is £1.95 and tips the scale at just over 1.5kg.

The term “new” is also open to interpretation. Red seedless peppers have been around for some time at other retailers, but have just been introduced at Sainsbury’s. Grown in Israel, the variety is former Fruit Logistica innovation winner Angello.

Yet another speciality on the citrus market has appeared with the arrival of Brownie oranges at Asda for £1.80/kg. Claimed to be sweeter than any orange, it is one of the many clones from the international Navel and heralds from Spain.

Giving customers advice also seems to be all the rage, and has become more topical because of the food waste agenda. On its Mexican blackberry punnets at £2 for 150g, there is the statement, plain to see on a green and white sticker, that “berries can be kept in the fridge to reduce waste”.

Mix and match is now commonplace with many veg packs, with Tesco providing green and yellow speciality beans from Egypt and Guatemala at £1.50 or as part of an offer at two for £2.50.

There have been speciality new potatoes for a long time, with the French setting great store with Ratte, which have been shipped in limited quantities to the UK. Now, Waitrose is providing a Lincolnshire-grown crop at £1.69 for 500g. —