loss leader
noun
1.
a popular article that is sold at a very low price or at a loss for the purpose of attracting customers to a retail store.
Compare
leader
(def 4).
Origin
1920-25
Related forms
loss-leading,
adjective
Examples from the web for
loss leader
In fact the reactor is the
loss leader
for companies that make fuel rods.
See how support for corn based ethanol has dropped once people finally did the math and figured out it was a
loss leader
.
It can be a
loss leader
, but let's focus on the low hanging fruit.
But grocers will only advertise if the product is a
loss leader
, a low-cost item that brings in customers.
Now, historically the refining industry in this country has been a
loss leader
.
We believe that audit fees have been artificially low because audit work has been used as a
loss leader
to obtain consulting work.
Clearly, this was a
loss leader
for the post office.
And then they often use film as a
loss leader
to attract consumers into their stores.
British Dictionary definitions for
loss leader
loss leader
noun
1.
an article offered below cost in the hope that customers attracted by it will buy other goods