US Direct Selling Grew By 5.5% to $34.47 Billion

 

The American Direct Selling Association (DSA) today at its 2015 Annual Meeting released new data indicating that retail sales volume among U.S. direct selling companies grew 5.5% between 2013 and 2014 to $34.47 billion.  Individuals involved in direct selling increased 8.3% during the same period, surpassing over 18 million (18.2 million) Americans for the first time.

Direct selling is alive and well in communities across America and continues to grow at a solid pace, because millions of Americans want employment opportunities that work the way they want to, saidJoseph N. Mariano, DSA's President.  That's why direct selling remains attractive to so many people — young parents, caregivers, military spouses, veterans, students, retirees and others — who appreciate opportunities to build a business on their own terms.

The new data was released in conjunction with DSA's 2015 Top 20 — leading companies based on 2014 United States net sales.  The companies are:

AdvoCare International, LP	Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
Ambit Energy	Nu Skin Enterprises
Amway	Rodan + Fields
Arbonne International, LLC	Scentsy, Inc.
Herbalife	Shaklee Corporation
Isagenix International	Stream Energy
LegalShield	Take Shape for Life, Inc.-Medifast
LifeVantage Corporation	Team Beachbody
Mary Kay Inc.	Thirty-One Gifts
Melaleuca, Inc.	USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

 

Mariano continued, I want to congratulate each member of this year's Top 20 not only for their track record of success but also for their devotion to customers and to DSA.  Working together, we continue to ensure that ethical business practices and customer satisfaction are priorities in the marketplace.

Between 2007 and 2014, wellness products have steadily gained in popularity and now represent the largest major product group within the direct selling channel, according to the data, rising from 21.4% (2007) of total retail sales to 30.1% (2014).

As more people understand and pursue the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, it's not surprising that wellness products continue to lead the direct selling channel, said Mariano.

The data also indicate steady growth in the services category, which rose from 19.2% of direct sales in the United States in 2010 to 23.1% in 2014.  

The results, from DSA's 2015 Growth & Outlook Report: U.S. Direct Selling in 2014, are based on responses from 108 direct selling companies and other sources, tabulated by economic consulting firm Nathan Associates.

Nearly any product and service can be marketed through the direct selling channel, including clothing, housewares, insurance, energy, wellness goods and jewelry.

An infographic explaining the survey results is available here; a video is available here.

About DSA

The Direct Selling Association (DSA) is the national trade association for companies that market products and services directly to consumers through an independent, entrepreneurial sales force.  More than 18 million Americans are involved in direct selling in every state, Congressional district and community in the United States.  In 2014, direct selling contributed more than $34 billion to the U.S. economy.  For more information, please visit www.dsa.org.