About the Direct Selling Industry

The Growing Industry of Direct Sales   
 
Did you know that more than 13.6 million people participated in direct selling in 2004 in the United States alone?  Direct selling is a rapidly growing industry:  U.S. sales totaled $29.7 billion in 2004, up from $24.5 billion just five years earlier, with more than 74 percent of the American public having purchased goods or services through direct selling. Worldwide sales are also strong with more than $99 billion in sales.

Direct Sales Builds Opportunity for Women

An estimated 13.6 million people are involved in direct selling in the U.S., and more than 54 million worldwide. People from literally all walks of life, of all ages, are successful in direct sales. About 73 percent of those working in direct sales are women, ten percent are African American, six percent are Latino and three percent are Asian, Native American or other. Many people start part-time, and later leave their other careers when direct selling becomes more lucrative. The vast majority are independent business people - they are micro-entrepreneurs whose purpose is to sell the product and/or services of the company they voluntarily choose to represent - not employees of the company. Approximately 90 percent of all direct sellers operate their businesses part-time.

More People Purchase Through Direct Sales than Television and Online Shopping Combined!

According to recent surveys, 55 percent of Americans have purchased goods or services through direct sales. That's more than the number who have purchased through television shopping and on-line computer services combined.

Information provided by the Direct Selling Association