Middlemen are agents who play the role of an intermediary in a distribution or transaction chain that facilitates interaction between parties. They include wholesalers, retailers, agents, and brokers.

For those who may be confused about a hawker being a middleman, remember a hawker does the same thing a retailer does, - sells to the final consumer. The difference between a hawker and a retailer is in the mode of conducting business. While a retailer may have a kiosk, shop, or store where their goods are sold, a hawker moves from one place to another to sell different products.