The one poster noted that all the samples would eat into your profits....my LQS has a sample sale once a year and sells them--mostly to non-quilters but I am sure they make their money back because they are tagged for a couple hundred a piece.
Staffing does cost money and we are obviously not discussing a one woman show here.
Yes I am aware there are minimums. I worked in retail when I was younger and run a business now. But that doesn't mean you can't buy through a cooperative or have a class or a sample that highlights the product or run a sale.
Would I move fabric at $0 profit to get it out the door...dang right I would. Because a "dead" bolt setting there is doing me no good and is taking up square footage which is even more expensive--at least in my business.
It is expensive and hard work to own any business, let alone small business retail, but done right you can make it successful. I know I appreciate the creativity of the LQS owners who are doing all of these things.