Why was it difficult for the new European merchants to set up business in 17th and 18th century?

Why was it difficult for the new European merchants to set up business

1.	Why was it difficult for the new European merchants to set up business in 17th and 18th century?
Answer» This was because the urban trade groups and guilds were very powerful.This was a group of producers who regulated prices,labour,trained craftspeople and also regulated competition.They prevented coming of new people into trade.Also the rulers gave some trade groups monopoly rights to trade in specific products.Thus it was difficult for merchants to set up business in towns so they turned to villages.