Retailer burst into tears (9)
I believe the answer is:
stationer
'retailer' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'burst into tears' is the wordplay.
'burst' is an anagram indicator.
'into'+'tears'='intotears'
'intotears' with letters rearranged gives 'STATIONER'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stationer that I've seen before include "I supply rulers: for example" , "Writing-materials shop" , "Poster" , "source of writing materials" , "bookseller" .)