So the wind doesn’t blow it off your head, of course. Today: retail lessons courtesy of business proprietors and salespeople at the Houston Rodeo.

From massive burgers to turkey legs, chocolate-covered strawberries and a half a pineapple stuffed with fried shrimp and Fruity Pebbles.

Today: economic lessons from the people responsible for serving Texas-sized food portions to nearly 2.5 million rodeo attendees.

We call ourselves “Marketplace,” so part of our job is exploring how marketplaces work, in all their forms. Let’s visit five markets, all in the near-orbit of this program’s world headquarters in Los Angeles.

As in many marketplaces, getting a great deal at a farmers market is often the fruit of forming relationships with the vendors.

Once a week, wholesale fishing operations in San Pedro open their doors to the general public. But you’ll need to get there early.

Even the pros have trouble with certain pieces of jewelry. But there’s at least one reliable way to verify what you’re buying.

For florists and other small businesses shopping a wholesale flower market, building relationships among vendors is key.

Bring cash. Don’t be afraid to haggle. Oh, and stay hydrated. It can get hot out there.