how to have several shops that sahre one product database?

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by the way i have nearly the same needs :

I have a list of 2000 produts  and 20 shops around the country that are selling some of these products , i would like them to have for each of them different shipping and payement method, and different layout , so each shop would have their own database but would share the products and manufacturers tables and image directory   .

maybe with some more work in the code i could in a new table that would allow some configuration for each shop like payement method activated, shippind activated, categories of products activated, css choice , i could use the same directory for all the php files and the same database with some adding of merchant_id ...

im pretty sure some people had or have the same need , so maybe you can give me advices or directions ...

I saw many post about virtual mall , but doesnt seemes to work the same way i need .