A street market is an outdoor market such as traditionally held in a market square or in a market town, and often held only on particular days of the week. Very similar markets, or bazaars, can also be found in large enclosed spaces, instead of on a street.

Some traders travel the length and breadth of a country to attend markets, often travelling during the night or early hours, turning market squares and streets in to vibrant colourful places. At many markets (gaffs) especially the smaller sites each trader arrives (pulls on) to the market at an allotted time and the build up is like clockwork. As one trader has set up and is ready to park another pulls on to build his stall up—all will be ready to open when the public arrive.

As the first real form of retailing, not a great deal has actually changed. Many people have tried their hand at Market trading and some have made vast fortunes, Marks and Spencers, Tesco, New Look all started from a barrow or stall. The life is tough and the hours can be very long but there are certain families who have been involved with the industry,for many generations and usually linked to the same trade or line. Halkets is one of these, based around Stoke on Trent,are famous for selling "pots" (china and pottery) at markets and fairs up and down the country. Benjamin is also another old family name connected with the markets and fairs,these seem to still operate around the London and Oxford areas and are involved with the selling of small leather goods,handbags and lugggage.