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Greengrocer

Do you want to become a Greengrocer? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Greengrocers own and run, or manage, shops that sell fruit and vegetables. They sometimes also sell fresh flowers or fish.

• In this job, it is usually necessary to be up in the early hours to travel to the wholesale fruit and vegetable market to choose and buy stock.
• The working day is spent serving customers, weighing and wrapping goods, taking payment and giving change.
• Greengrocers may supply hotels and restaurants with fruit and vegetables, taking regular orders by phone, fax or e-mail, and organising delivery.
• They display goods attractively - and check that all the produce stays fresh.
• Those running their own businesses keep financial records and carry out stocktaking.

Greengrocers work long hours, with early starts. They work mainly indoors.

Earnings usually range from £8,000 to £15,000.

Greengrocers should:

• enjoy dealing with people
• have plenty of stamina
• be able to handle cash and deal with accounts
• be interested in food and cooking so that they can advise customers.

There are greengrocers' shops in villages, towns and cities throughout the UK - currently around 14,000 of them. Most greengrocers are self-employed, with their own premises.

Most greengrocers start in this work as adults, and there is no upper age limit.

There are no minimum qualifications. Experience of dealing with customers and handling cash is useful. A driving licence is usually necessary.

There are opportunities to manage a shop or produce department for a supermarket chain or other fresh food department.

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