The high inflation of recent years makes most grocery prices feel painful. However, a few iconic products have famously resisted price hikes for decades. These items are known as “loss leaders.” Stores sell them at or below cost to get you in the door. They are betting you will buy other, high-profit items while you are there. These products are a deliberate throwback to an older era of pricing. Their value feels like a flashback to a simpler time.
1. Costco’s $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo
This is the most famous loss leader in the world. Costco has been selling its hot dog and soda combo for just $1.50 since the 1980s. The company’s founder famously told the current CEO he would be fired if he raised the price. The combo is a core part of the brand’s identity. It builds immense customer loyalty that is worth far more than the money they lose on the sale.
2. Costco’s $4.99 Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s other legendary deal is its $4.99 rotisserie chicken. The price has remained the same for over a decade. The company sells over 100 million of these chickens every year. They lose millions of dollars on the chickens themselves. However, they place the chicken station at the very back of the store. This forces you to walk past all their other, high-margin products to get it.
3. Aldi’s Milk Prices
Aldi has built its business on a ruthless, low-price strategy. The company often uses a gallon of milk as its key weapon in local price wars. Aldi will intentionally sell its milk for significantly less than any other competitor in the area. This low price is designed to anchor the store in your mind as the cheapest place to shop. It gets you in the door for your staple items.
4. The Price of a Whole Banana at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is famous for selling its bananas individually. For many years, the price for a single banana was just 19 cents. Although the price has recently increased to 23 cents in some locations, it remains an incredible bargain. It is a classic example of a store using a single, staple item as a symbol of its commitment to value. This builds huge trust with its customers.
The Power of the Permanent Deal
These “flashback prices” are more than just a good deal. They are a powerful and very smart marketing strategy. In an era of high inflation and constantly changing prices, these items offer a rare sense of stability and trust. The small amount of money a store loses on these products is a tiny price to pay. It is a worthy investment, given the massive customer loyalty they earn in return.
Have you taken advantage of any of these famous loss leaders? What other grocery items do you think have a surprisingly stable, old-fashioned price? Let us know!
What to Read Next
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- The Egg & Meat Supply Crisis: Why Prices Went Up, and How to Shop Around Smartly
- Shrinkflation Isn’t A Hoax — Grocery Items Are Smaller, Same Price, and You’re Paying More Anyway
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