Merchant

Merchants function as professional traders, dealingcommodities thatdo not produce themselves.

Merchants can be categorised into two types: -

1. A wholesale merchant operates inchain between producerretail merchant. Some wholesale merchants only organisemovementgoods rather than movegoods themselves.
2. A retail merchant sells commoditiesconsumers (including businesses), commonly known as retailers. A shopowner isretail merchant.

A merchant class characterises many pre-modern societies. Its status can range from high (even achieving titles like thatmerchant prince or nabob)low (notesoiling capabilities"mere" trade).

See also: commerce, mercantilism, distribution