Translation guide
A product sold at a loss to attract customers who will then buy other, profitable items. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific business terms or descriptive phrases.
The standard term for a loss leader in retail or marketing contexts.
Literally 'eyeball product', this is the most common term for a featured bargain item used to draw customers, often sold at or below cost.
あのスーパーは卵を目玉商品にしている。
That supermarket uses eggs as a loss leader.
A general term for a sale item, often used for loss leaders in flyers and advertisements.
特売品につられてつい他の物も買ってしまった。
I was drawn in by the loss leader and ended up buying other things too.
Literally 'customer-drawing product', this phrase explicitly describes the purpose of a loss leader.
この安いプリンターは客寄せ商品だ。
This cheap printer is a loss leader.
The direct loanword from English, used in business contexts but less common than native terms.
マーケティング戦略としてロスリーダーを設定する。
Set up a loss leader as a marketing strategy.
When you need to explain the concept rather than use a set term.
A more formal, explanatory phrase meaning 'a product that ignores profitability to attract customers'.
あの店は採算度外視の呼び込み商品で集客している。
That store attracts customers with loss leaders.
Literally 'a customer-gathering product prepared to take a loss', emphasizing the deliberate financial sacrifice.
この価格は赤字覚悟の集客商品です。
This price is for a loss leader.
In casual conversation, you might just say 「安いので客を呼ぶ商品」 (a product that attracts customers with its low price) instead of a technical term.