Fruiterers manage a shop, selling fruit and vegetables. They sometimes sell other items such as flowers or local organic produce.

The Work

You could be:

• going to early morning markets to choose, buy and transport fruit and vegetables
• displaying produce attractively, either loose or in pre-packaged containers
• deciding on prices and marking them on
• serving customers at the checkout, weighing fruit, calculating prices, taking money and wrapping goods
• regularly checking sell-by dates, and throwing away any stock that's past its best, and ensure displays are fully stocked
• advising customers on how to prepare and serve produce
• packing orders for delivery to customers at their homes or to businesses such as hotels or restaurants
• arranging produce to appear attractive on display
• managing stock, keeping accounts and building up business.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).

As of 1 April 2026 the National Minimum Wage is £8.00 an hour for workers under 18, £10.85 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour.

Fresh produce managers in supermarkets can earn from around £18,500 to £24,000 a year.

Conditions

• Shops are usually open 9.00am - 5.30pm, Monday - Saturday.
• If working in a supermarket fresh produce department, you would work different shifts including evenings and weekends.
• You may have to work different shifts covering 24 hours and 7 days a week.
• If you are a shop manager, you will go to the fruit market in the early hours of the morning three or four times per week.
• You have to do a lot of heavy lifting.

Getting In

• You do not need formal qualifications, but some subjects at National 4 or 5 may be useful.
• A Saturday job in a produce shop is useful experience.
• With a little money, you could start by running a part time stall in a market.
• You should be fit enough to carry heavy loads.
• You usually need a driving licence if you are self-employed or working for a smaller independent grocer.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2026

584

1.5 %

RISE

2031

593

  United Kingdom

2026

9802

4 %

RISE

2031

10190

LMI data powered by Lightcast

What Does it Take?

You need:

• a pleasant manner
• good communication skills
• to be reliable and hardworking
• knowledge of the products you are selling
• speed and accuracy in basic maths
• knowledge of food hygiene
• business sense, if running your own shop.

Training

• Training is usually on the job from an experienced member of staff.
• Your employer might arrange part time training for you. There are Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) available in different aspects of retail and customer service.
• Larger employers such as supermarkets will provide their own structured training programme.

Getting On

• Most vacancies are in small shops with an owner-manager.
• There are a few jobs in supermarkets, where you might progress to supervisor or manager.
• The best chance of progression is to raise enough money to open your own stall or shop, or buy into a franchise.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.