Convenience has gone to a whole new level at British high-end grocer Marks & Spencer with pre-sliced avocados hitting the shelves.

Following on from its recent launch of the giant 'Carla' avocado, weighing in at around one kilo (2.2lbs) and five times larger than the average avocado, Marks & Spencer has launched a pre-slice version of one of the U.K.’s most popular fresh produce items.

The fruit is fully ripened, garnished with parsley and 'ready to go' in pre-packed 80g (2.8oz) pots geared towards the convenience lunch time market. in particular office workers who don’t have the time or inclination to prepare a whole avocado and as a healthy snack for kids’ lunch boxes.

The M&S avocado pots are packaged in a similar way to other prepared salads and meats, where the atmosphere inside the packaging is adjusted to help extend freshness and prevent browning.

"Customers love avocado - but they’re sometimes not the easiest to prepare, so we’ve done the messy bit for them and created a ready sliced, fully ripened option, perfect for adding to sandwiches or as a simple healthy snack," says M&S product developer Erica Molyneaux.

Avocado sales are up 20% at M&S which has been stocking the fruit since 1968 when it was referred to as 'avocado pear' in Britain and often consumed as a dessert and served with custard.

The avocado pots are on sale now at £1.50 (US$2.17).

www.freshfruitportal.com