Which ancient civilization first developed the concept of 'loss leaders' - deliberately underpricing certain goods to attract customers who would then purchase more profitable items?

While modern retail analytics track every click and purchase, ancient civilizations had their own sophisticated understanding of consumer behavior. From strategic marketplace layouts to psychological pricing techniques, ancient merchants were masters of commerce. This trivia explores how ancient civilizations understood and influenced buying patterns in ways that still resonate with modern retail principles.

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Phoenicians, who would sell basic cloth at cost in their Mediterranean trading posts to entice customers to purchase luxury purple-dyed textiles
Romans, who subsidized grain prices at markets to encourage citizens to spend more time shopping for taxable luxury goods
Chinese merchants of the Han Dynasty, who offered discounted salt to attract customers to their silk and pottery stalls
Egyptian bazaar owners, who provided free samples of basic foods while promoting their higher-margin spices and imported goods