loss leader
noun
: something (such as merchandise) sold at a loss in order to draw customers
loss-leader
ˈlȯs-ˈlē-dər 
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Sure, the Halloween 3 version 2.0 flick only cost around $20 million while Nope cost $69 million, but money is money, and at worst Nope will end up being an idealistic theatrical loss leader. 
Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 Many are prepared to operate the delivery service as a loss leader to be a marketing exercise for their restaurant, but as the percentage of deliveries creeps up the economics get wonky. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Retail has essentially become a loss leader for its growing and incredibly lucrative advertising business. Steve Dennis, Forbes, 2 June 2022 Instead of creating revenue directly, the game serves as something of a loss leader for the Times' Games subscription—a bundle that includes full access to its popular crosswords and other daily puzzles like Spelling Bee and Vertex. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 The exception is the 168-hp, 220-mile standard-range SE RWD loss leader that's priced at $41,195 and won't be available for some months. Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 22 Apr. 2022 Focus on advertising the one thing everybody needs to win as a loss leader strategy. Yec, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Manischewitz, the biggest matzo manufacturer in the country, raised prices on its kosher-for-Passover matzo by 10 percent to 15 percent this year, according to grocers, which means the loss on that loss leader just went up by double digits. Noah Sheidlower, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2022 To grow his nascent web business in the 1990s, Bezos needed a loss leader. Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, 17 Mar. 2022 See More
Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 Many are prepared to operate the delivery service as a loss leader to be a marketing exercise for their restaurant, but as the percentage of deliveries creeps up the economics get wonky. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Retail has essentially become a loss leader for its growing and incredibly lucrative advertising business. Steve Dennis, Forbes, 2 June 2022 Instead of creating revenue directly, the game serves as something of a loss leader for the Times' Games subscription—a bundle that includes full access to its popular crosswords and other daily puzzles like Spelling Bee and Vertex. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 The exception is the 168-hp, 220-mile standard-range SE RWD loss leader that's priced at $41,195 and won't be available for some months. Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 22 Apr. 2022 Focus on advertising the one thing everybody needs to win as a loss leader strategy. Yec, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Manischewitz, the biggest matzo manufacturer in the country, raised prices on its kosher-for-Passover matzo by 10 percent to 15 percent this year, according to grocers, which means the loss on that loss leader just went up by double digits. Noah Sheidlower, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2022 To grow his nascent web business in the 1990s, Bezos needed a loss leader. Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, 17 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1917, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
loss leader
noun
loss lead·er
: something (as merchandise) sold at a loss in order to draw customers