These Ugly Apples Could Boost Sales and Save the Environment (Watch)

If you could save some money by buying fruit with some visual imperfections, would you? That's the idea behind Walmart's new partnership with a company called “I'm Perfect.”

The company sells apples with blemishes, marks and other imperfections at a discounted rate. This plan seems to be a plus for everyone. It lets farmers sell more of their crops rather than disposing of any imperfect produce. It lets retailers like Walmart offer more options to consumers. And it lets customers save money by buying fruit that may not be pretty, but still tastes the same.

Will customers actually purchase these ugly apples? That remains to be seen. But offering more of a variety to customers usually isn't a bad thing. And giving that option to customers can help keep some of those imperfect apples out of environmentally harmful landfills.

Turn Lemons Into Lemonade

So even if Walmart doesn't constantly sell out of its supply of ugly apples, this could still be a big win. Considering the increasing environmental consciousness of the average consumer, the idea seems like an easy sell. And pairing that environmentally friendly aspect with low prices kind of makes it a no brainer. And let's not forget the brand boost WalMart will get for doing something that's good for the environment.

When it comes to your small business, what partnerships could you forge that could add to the variety of products and services you offer while taking advantage of an existing resource? Here's a hint. Look for the “ugly apples” in your market. Take a look at resources others may not value and turn them into a new opportunity. Turn lemons into lemonade.

Apples Photo via Shutterstock

This article, "These Ugly Apples Could Boost Sales and Save the Environment (Watch)" was first published on Small Business Trends