the.com/loss leader
the $2 rotisserie chicken that gets you to spend $200 on everything else.
means a product priced below cost specifically to lure customers into the store or platform to buy other, profitable things.
from retail term from early 20th-century grocery economics, formalized as chains realized cheap staples up front could bankroll markups everywhere else in the aisle.
costco chickencostco loses tens of millions on it yearly, on purpose.
gaming consolesoften sold near cost to sell games later.
black fridaydoorbusters exist to flood stores with buyers.
printerscheap printer, brutally priced ink refills.