Colin Bannell, a shopkeeper in Stock, Essex, is enjoying a boom in trade thanks to the current political climate. Six months after his store opened, he’s seen a wave of more shoppers. These kinds of customers are especially exciting when you consider their appetite for exotic fruits that have exploded in fame on TikTok. Among the unusual attractions at Bannell’s shop are Japanese melons, which are sold for a staggering £115 apiece.
This explosive trend of exotic fruits going viral on social media is fascinating enough to capture the attention of BBC reporter Zoie O’Brien. She took a field trip to Bannell’s store, too, to connect with normal shoppers to see if they’re really that interested in these rare fruits featured on TikTok. The public response has been off the charts, in an overwhelmingly positive way. Consumers are clamoring to sample the fruits that are exploding all over TikTok.
The cast of characters shopping at Bannell’s shop is just as varied as it is illustrious. From supplying Premier League footballers to the silver screen, his exotic fruits have captured the interest and imagination of many. There’s a ton of new high-profile support behind these fruits. Through their enthusiasm, luxury and uniqueness is revealed to be the main draw of these spaces.
The Japanese melons, £115 each, are one of the shop’s hottest sellers. Their high price point does not deter shoppers. Rather, that appears to make them more mystique-laden and desirable. Bannell’s shop has turned into a pilgrimage for people eager to get their first taste of these elite fruits.