"Just like other European retailers, our partners have also developed direct procurement relations and are using markets less and less."
Relations with seed companies are evolving as "we hold the exclusive rights to some products, like for example seedless table grapes. Something like that also happened for melons and tomatoes. Rather than choosing seeds or renting the land, we prefer a closer partnership with producers."
As regards "specialities", the companies says it tends to prefer local products rather than exotic ones.
Product innovation
"Selex is open to the introduction of new fresh-cut products like fresh fruit salads, mixed salads and ready-to-eat dishes, although fruit is more difficult to manage as it is more delicate. Produce that is not fresh can in fact create negative feedback."
"The same goes for ready-to-eat fruit (i.e. perfectly ripe). Management is difficult, as overripe products create difficulties for displays. On the other hand though, unripe fruit is difficult to sell too. That is why we try to balance the supplies and try to offer the best quality possible."
Bananas and "flyer" products
"The price war involving UK and Dutch bananas is a given. The price of bananas usually works as an indicator, just like that of oranges or peaches do during other seasons."
Selex does not have ripening centres and, in addition to bananas of its own brand, it also sells another brand like Chiquita or F.lli Orsero.
The Selex Fruit and Vegetables department
Selex dedicated a whole range to organic produce (packed-unwashed and fresh-cut) called Natura Chiama Selex. The produce comes from organic controlled chains and are grown by selected producers.
"Introducing a private brand means that traceability and high-quality are guaranteed. This is how we differentiate or department, in addition to the way we display produce, which is always placed in Ifco crates or similar."
"There are 5-6 varieties of apples and 4-5 varieties of tomatoes in our average store, and there are even some products that are available the whole year. We usually prefer to sell only seasonal products, but sometimes we satisfy the requests of our consumers, so they can find peppers and courgettes in winter and kiwis and oranges from South Africa."
Sometimes the preference for Italian produce is emphasized by stating the region of origin. "High-quality, a wide assortment and specialities make us unique, without forgetting that value for money is the real prerequisite to compete and satisfy consumers."