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greengrocer
The work
Greengrocers own, run or manage shops that sell fruit and vegetables and sometimes other produce, such as fresh flowers or fish. The greengrocer's shop could be: part of a large supermarket; a market stall (see Market Trader profile); part of a franchise chain (see Self Employment Franchisee profile); or an independently owned and run establishment.
Most of the working day is spent serving customers, weighing and wrapping goods, and handling payments, but greengrocers also buy stock at wholesale fruit and vegetable markets.
Greengrocers who run their own business need to deal with the administrative and financial aspects of the business, such as totalling and banking takings at the end of each day, stocktaking and ordering goods, invoicing large customers such as hotels, keeping records for tax purposes and paying staff.
Recruiting and training new staff will also be part of the job for business owners.
Hours and Environment
Greengrocers often work long hours, a 50 hour week is not uncommon. Basic shop hours are usually from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, but some businesses may also have a late night and/or Sunday opening. It may be necessary to be up as early as 2am to travel to wholesale markets to buy stock.
Greengrocers mainly work indoors, and the job may involve a lot of lifting and carrying of stock.
A driving licence and van for picking up and delivering goods are usually necessary.
Skills and Interests
To be a greengrocer you should:
- enjoy dealing with people - both customers and staff
- be able to handle early starts and long days
- be able to handle cash and deal with accounts
- be well organised and methodical, able to keep clear records of business transactions
- have a working knowledge of metric weights.
Entry
There are no minimum qualifications for becoming a greengrocer, but it is useful to be good at maths and have an interest in business and finance. Experience of working with customers, selling and cash handling is useful.
People thinking of becoming greengrocers may take courses available at local colleges and through private training organisations. These might include part-time or short courses in sales or starting a business.
It is sometimes possible to begin by working as a member of staff for an existing greengrocer to gain experience before going on to manage your own shop.
Greengrocers who buy a business need to have a business plan and secure finance.
The Business Link network offers a range of business support and development services, including information about finding and setting up premises, VAT and tax and becoming an employer. In Scotland, Scottish Enterprise offers similar services. See Further Information for details of these organisations.
Young people may be able to enter this line of work through an apprenticeship scheme (see Training).
Training
Depending on the exact nature of the post, you may need to take a basic food hygiene course.
You can work towards NVQ/SVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Retail Operations. These courses are available at colleges throughout the UK and can be studied part-time whilst in employment.
Supermarkets train their fresh produce assistants and departmental managers, both on the job and with in-house training courses, some of which are certificated.
Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland
Opportunities
There are greengrocers’ shops in villages, towns and cities throughout the UK.
Most greengrocers are self-employed, with their own premises, but there may be opportunities to manage a shop or produce department for a supermarket chain or other fresh food department. Greengrocers can also run market stalls (see Market Trader profile) or a shop which is part of a franchise (see Self Employment Franchisee profile).
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Greengrocers usually earn between £10,000 and £20,000 a year.
If you own your own shop you may earn more.
Further information
222-224 Queensferry RoadFederation House
Edinburgh
EH4 2BN
Tel: 0131 343 3300
London
W1A 1AB
Tel: 0800 093 5001
Mallusk
Newtonabbey
Northern Ireland
BT36 4PY
Tel: 028 9084 5830
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