In the UK, the state has a conflicted relationship with mobile vending. On the one hand it is controversial to restrict commerce in a free society; on the other, there is an increasing aversion to being called to the door, or offered goods in the street. Technically you are would be required to have a "Pedlar's certificate", but there is a right to obtain one unless you are known to be of "bad character". "pedlar" is a very old word today hardly used except in the phrase 'drug pedlar'; and you cannot obtain such a certificate except by application at a police station, a rule unchanged since 1870. There are only a few thousand people with this licence and most street sellers probably don't have one (this does not include sellers at a fixed "pitch", who need a different (and more expensive and scarce) licence from the local council).
It's just a function of the times. Prior to the internet, and growing up in a place were mass media was strong. Peddlers were welcomed, it was how most people got introduced to new products/goods. They would travel, instead of door to door, it was mostly block to block. Announce their presence and everyone would come out and listen and watch them demonstrate the product. They were entertainment in mass transit. Often they were not just salesmen, but comics, they really good one who could sell would not just sell, but elicit enough laughter from the crowd to close the deal.
ajb · · focus · HN ↗
stronglikedan · · focus · HN ↗
The UK is far from a free society, so, problem solved!
segmondy · · focus · HN ↗