An Economic Commentary on One Verse

We say in Eishes Chayil (at the end of Mishlei):

סדין עשתה ותמכר וחגור נתנה לכנעני

(The last word, “kena’ani” means merchant.)

Why does the Balabusta (or: Eishes Chayil) sell robes from home to customers herself wholesale, while giving the belts to a salesman for retail?

The marginal cost for distribution is higher for bulkier items, such as robes than for belts.

And there is a side point here about womanly modesty: she doesn’t travel around herself.

There’s another angle on this over here.