Cheap items don't allow profits (8)
I believe the answer is:
bargains
'cheap items' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'don't allow profits' is the wordplay.
'don't allow' becomes 'bar'.
'profits' becomes 'gains' ('gain' can be a synonym of 'profit').
'bar'+'gains'='BARGAINS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bargains that I've seen before include "Special offers" , "They're cheap at the price, as in sales" , "Advantageous purchases" , "Haggles over price" , "Goods procured cheaply at sale" .)