Coupon 101: Loss Leaders

We did some great shops today and I even ran into a good friend at Kroger that participated in the Avery Cubs Coupon Club through our PTA. She was working the deals and I showed her a loss leader that I found in the meat department. I realized that loss leaders would be a great topic for a Coupon 101.

Wikipedia: A loss leader or leader[1] is a product sold at a low price (at cost or below cost)[2] to stimulate other profitable sales. It is a kind of sales promotion, in other words marketing concentrating on a pricing strategy. A loss leader is often a popular article. Sometimes leader is now used as a related term and means any popular article, in other words one sold at a normal price.[3]

Where does that work for you? If you know your prices and you realize you are looking at a loss leader then stock up! Usually, I like loss leaders in the meat department but you will also find them throughout the grocery store. There is also another reason for a loss leader and that's a store stocking up on let's say chicken breasts and they aren't selling like they predicted. Lowering the price will drive more shoppers to purchase the item before the expiration dates.

Like the definition said above, I went to a Farmer's Market and Kroger today. Both had asparagus for next to nothing! There's an abundance since it's a spring vegetable but the stores also want you to love this time of year aka Spring and fresh asparagus so when they raise prices later- you are willing to pay more. The other deal we found tonight were pork loins great for throwing on the grill. We stocked up on several to throw in the freezer for grilling later on this spring/summer.

Loss leaders are always a reason to scan the store and all the departments for unexpected deals. You have to know your prices and how you can take advantage when you come across low prices to move product!