Summary Matrix
| Attribute | Merchant | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Customer | End Shopper (B2C / Direct-to-Consumer) | Merchant Retailer (B2B Wholesale) |
| Store Ownership | Owns & operates the storefront | Supplies products to the storefront |
| Payment Collection | Collects retail payments at checkout | Invoices merchant for wholesale cost |
| Customer Support | Direct buyer support & returns | Warranty backing & manufacturer defect support |
Key Difference
The Merchant is the seller facing the buyer. The Vendor is the supplier behind the scenes producing or wholesaling the goods.
Developer Takeaway
Database Relation: Store vendor as a foreign key reference or structured attribute on the Product model, while merchant defines the tenant organization owning the platform account.