Price Of Lettuce

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28872, 17 April 1959, Page 6

Price Of Lettuce

Sir,—Good-quality lettuce have not been as cheap as 2s to 4s a case since the summer seasonal flush, and a recent survey of prices shows that good lettuce are bringing up to 12s a case plus 6d charge (returnable at 4d) with an average of 7s to 8s a case, and retailing at 6d to Is each. Allowing for waste and the fact that not always 12 out of every dozen realise top price, the gross margin is not high. “X’s” 10 years’ experience will give him a knowledge of overhead costs sufficient to realise that gross profit is not net profit. His reference to the Apple and Pear Board is amusing because this year’s average payout to growers will be approximately 13s whilst Jonathans are costing us 26s a case on market floors with other varieties up to 30s—quite a useful gross margin. By arrangement with the board retailers operate on a 40 per cent, gross margin. However, given an unfettered marketing system whereby no monopoly dictates our policy we will guarantee to give the public cheaper apples.—Yours, etc., K.E.S. April 16, 1959. Sir, —“X” surely knows that what a retailer makes or loses on a case of lettuces depends on how many of them are sold to an unpredictable public. Topped cases, slimy contents and dunged or superphosphated containers are other losing factors for retailers, whose other working expenses greatly exceed the zero allowed by “X” in arriving at 200 per cent, profit. The Apple and Pear Board would be a reasonable gift to one whom a democracy reasons as “X” does or does not.—Yours, etc., NEGLECTED FACTORS A TO X. April 16, 1959.