The Many Faces of Marketplace

Trading has always been a way to obtain or supplement one's needs and wants. The system that allows trade is called market, and the location where trading transactions are held is called marketplace. The marketplace is labelled in various ways, commonly as bazaar, flea market, and High Street. No matter how it is called, the marketplace refers to the space in which the market operates.

A bazaar is derived from the Persian "bazar" that translates, "the place of prices." It means a permanent merchandising area where goods and services are traded or bartered. It is widely used all over the world; even synonymous to rummage sale in North America, mostly describing charity fundraising activities conducted by churches and clubs. A flea market is a type of bazaar where inexpensive and used items are sold. While bazaar is a permanent marketplace, the flea market is more temporary with venues held at gyms, warehouses, and parking lots, usually during carnivals and concerts. Meanwhile, the High Street is a metonym of the main business street of towns or cities in the United Kingdom where retailing shops are found. The equivalent term is "Main Street"" in the United States, Canada, and Ireland, "Front Street" in Jamaica and North East England, "Fore Street" in Cornwall and Devon, and "Market Street" in South Lancashire. Common shops and establishments are usually found in the High Street.

While there may be a slight difference between the types of marketplace, it helps to know its many faces to determine if it is the proper location to buy or sell specific products and services. For instance, if you want exotic or antique items, the best place to go is a flea market; for the more common stuff, visit the High Street.