Streetselling

Streetselling is the sale of goods or services in public streets and other open spaces, typically by vendors who operate without a fixed storefront. It encompasses temporary stalls, pushcarts, mobile carts, and sidewalk kiosks and is a common feature of urban informal economies around the world.

Vendors offer a broad range of products, including prepared foods, fruits and vegetables, drinks, clothing, accessories, toys, and household goods, as well as basic services such as shoe shining or mobile repairs. Operations can be strictly casual or organized into recurring weekly street markets or daily lanes.

Streetselling provides livelihoods for many people, including migrants and low-income workers, and can improve access to affordable goods and services. It also contributes to urban vitality and street life. At the same time, it commonly operates outside formal regulatory protections, exposing vendors to legal uncertainty, penalties, weather exposure, and health or safety risks.

Regulation of streetselling varies widely by jurisdiction. Many cities require licenses or permits, designate specific vending zones, or set rules on where and when vendors can operate. Some governments offer formalization programs, training, infrastructure (such as stalls or electricity), and microfinance, while others pursue stricter enforcement or fines.

Recent trends include the use of mobile payments and simple digital tools, as well as urban planning approaches that integrate street vending into public space design. The overall impact of streetselling depends on local policy, market demand, and enforcement practices, reflecting tensions between vendor livelihoods and urban order.