A merchant is a businessman who trades in commodities that he didn't produce himself, in order to earn a profit. Merchants can be of two types: A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant. Some wholesale merchants only organize the movement of goods rather than move the goods themselves. A retail merchant or retailer, sells commodities to consumers (including businesses). A shop owner is a retail merchant. A merchant class characterizes many pre-modern socie… (More on Merchant)