Shares first place with plenty in reserve (8)
I believe the answer is:
stockist
'place with plenty in reserve' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'shares first' is the wordplay.
'shares' becomes 'stock'.
'first' becomes 'ist'.
'stock'+'ist'='STOCKIST'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stockist that I've seen before include "Retailer of a particular line of goods" , "dealer" , "Shop that carries a particular item" , "Retailer carrying a particular item" .)