Who is referred to as a seller of goods or services?

In the context of commerce, a seller of goods or services is commonly referred to as a vendor. A vendor can be an individual or a business entity that sells products or services to consumers or other businesses. This term encompasses a wide range of selling activities, from those who provide handcrafted items at a local market to large companies distributing their products through various channels.

While terms such as merchant, supplier, and retailer can also be associated with selling goods or services, they have specific connotations and applications. A merchant typically implies a person or business engaged in wholesale trade, emphasizing the buying and selling aspect. A supplier is often a broader term that refers to any party that provides goods or services, focusing more on the provision aspect. A retailer generally indicates a business that sells directly to the consumer, often in smaller quantities. Therefore, in this context, the most inclusive and appropriate term for a seller of goods or services is a vendor.