peddler

A peddler is a person who travels from place to place selling goods directly to customers, often by going door to door or by setting up in streets or markets. Peddlers typically carry wares on their person, in a pack, cart, or small vehicle, and offer a range of inexpensive or everyday items rather than expensive merchandise sold through fixed stores.

The term is often used interchangeably with pedlar or hawker, though regional usage varies. Peddling is characterized by itinerant selling and direct, face-to-face sales practices, as opposed to operating a fixed shop. In many historical contexts, peddlers filled gaps in distribution, bringing goods to rural or underserved urban areas.

Historically, peddlers have played a prominent role in commerce across many cultures. They commonly sold household goods, fabrics, tools, toys, medicines, and other small wares. Some peddlers specialized in particular categories or operated as itinerant merchants who moved on a regular circuit. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, patent medicines and other commonly advertised items were frequently distributed by peddlers.

Regulation of peddling varies by jurisdiction. Many places require a license or permit, business registration, and adherence to rules designed to protect consumers, prevent fraud, and ensure safety. Restrictions may cover hours, locations, product types, and disclosure requirements. In some regions peddling has been restricted or regulated more tightly to balance access to goods with concerns about competition, nuisance, or public health.

Today, peddling persists in some regions and informal economies, particularly where formal retail access is limited. The term is also used metaphorically to describe the direct, persuasive distribution of ideas or other items.