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Greengrocer

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In front of a greengrocer's shop in Gourock, Scotland
greengrocer's shop in Buenos Aires.

A greengrocer or fruiterer is a retail trader in fruit and vegetables; that is, in green groceries.[1] Greengrocer is primarily a British and Australian term, and greengrocers' shops were once common in suburbs, towns and villages. They have been affected by the dominant rise of supermarkets, but many can be found managing small shops or stores in towns and cities and in some villages. Greengrocers can also be found in street markets and malls, or managing produce departments at supermarkets. Such traders typically handle the entire business of buying, selling, and book-keeping themselves.

The greengrocers' apostrophe

Because of its frequent misuse on greengrocers' signs, such as for apple's, orange's or banana's, an unnecessary apostrophe used to form a plural is known as a greengrocers' apostrophe.

Interior of a greengrocer's shop in Stroud, Gloucestershire

References

  1. ^ Driscoll, Michael (May 2003). A Child's Introduction Poetry. 151 West 19th Street New York, NY 10011: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. p. 12. ISBN 1-57912-282-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: location (link)