The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word IMPORTER
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
I
M
P
O
R
T
E
R
More clues leading to the result IMPORTER
- I’m one who carries for international trader
- Introduction by hotel employee for one with business abroad?
- Troublemaker backed old- fashioned businessman
- A kind of merchant is how Cole introduced himself
- Businessperson of significance starts to expect results
- I am getting stout as a businessman
- One married a stout businessman
- Declaration of doorman, one bringing in goods
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "A kind of merchant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a kind of merchant = importer.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does IMPORTER mean?
IMPORTER noun- One who, or that which, imports: especially a person or company importing goods into a country.