LOSS LEADER:

Gas-station owners' profits hinge on thirsty customers (Ángel González, 7/30/07, Seattle Times)

Convenience-store owner David Malik earns about as much on a can of Coke as he does on a typical 10-gallon purchase of gas.

Malik's gross profit on gasoline is roughly 3 cents a gallon after paying for supplies and credit-card fees, but he earns 30 cents on the soft drink.