What is a merchant?

Merchants are individuals or businesses that buy and sell goods or services, typically for profit. They act as intermediaries between producers and consumers, sourcing products and making them available to customers through various channels like physical stores, online platforms, or marketplaces. Merchants can specialize in different types of products, and their responsibilities often include inventory management, pricing, marketing, and customer service. In modern commerce, the term 'merchant' is also used to describe sellers on e-commerce platforms.