• In 2009, 16.1 million people were involved in direct selling, compared to 15.8 million in 2010, 15.6 million in 2011, 15.9 million in 2012, 16.8 million in 2013, and 18.2 million in 2014. The increase was 8.3% from 2013 to 2014.
• In 2014, 74.4% of company distributors were women, and 25.6% were men. In 2013 that number was 74.2% for women, 25.8% for men, and in 2012, 76.6% were women and 23.4% were men.
• U.S. retail sales were $34.47 billion in 2014, $32.67 in 2013, and $31.63 in 2012.
• In 2014, 71.5% of direct sales were person-to-person, 22.4% were party plan, and 6.1% were other. Compared to 2013 when 70.2% were person-to-person and 22.5% were party plan.
• 30% of sales in 2014 were in the wellness product group. Personal care was around 15%. Services were around 22%.
• The highest sales by region goes to the South, were 37.4% of goods and services were sold. The West sold 24.3%. And, the Midwest came in third at 20.5%

The MLM industry held consistent and increasing growth from 2013 to 2014. I bet you’re thinking, “Geez! Where’s my piece of that pie!”

*Information sourced from www.dsa.org.

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The March 2013 issue of Direct Selling News reported early globally figures leading up to the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations’ (WFDSA) General Annual Statistical Survey (being released in June). The WFDSA’s represents more than 60 Direct Selling Associations around the world.

The Direct Selling Association took a look at global numbers in the billions from 2011 and compiled a cover story-worthy list of detailed direct selling data. Readers should reference the Direct Selling News website for a detailed explanation of how these data were collected. Direct Selling News states that the importance of the WFDSA’s statistical information will help direct selling companies determine their plans for international expansion, help get the word out about direct selling (MLM, network marketing and party plan) companies, and will help to have an economic impact in the countries that they influence, especially in countries where they demonstrate the greatest financial impact.

Here we’ve summarized a list of eight relevant (and interesting) direct selling statics about the United States and from around the globe, paraphrased from Direct Selling News:

1)      In 2011, the direct sales industry equated to $153.7 billion dollars in worldwide sales.

2)      Direct selling is best represented by 22 major countries, which reflect 90 percent of direct selling retail sales.

3)      The top five countries benefiting the most from direct selling revenues are (in order of highest achievement) the United States, Japan, China, Korea, and Brazil. These countries alone make up over 60 percent of annual direct sales, globally.

4)      The United States is the number one market for direct selling, equating to $29.9 billion and, and has held 20 percent market share for two years running.

5)      Roughly, “15.6 million direct sellers grew U.S. market sales 4.6 percent and generated $29.9 billion.”

6)      78 percent of direct sellers are women.

7)      96 percent of all compensation plans are multilevel.

8)      Products are of great importance in direct selling. The leading product lines include, “…wellness (24 percent), household goods and durable (20 percent), cosmetics and personal care (18 percent), and clothing and accessories (12 percent).” The remaining 26 percent range anywhere from fuel additives to water filtration systems.

The Direct Selling News article titled “Direct Selling’s Billion Dollar Markets” can be found at http://directsellingnews.com/index.php/view/direct_sellings_billion_dollar_markets6#.UXnru8rLvdQ

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And, as always, visit MLMLegal.com, the best MLM resource on the web. The next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference will be here before you know it! On May 16^th and 17^th, 2013 we are hosting the MLM Conference for the 25^th year! This is now our 64^th annual conference (held almost consistently three times per year over the last 24 years). All executives/owners of MLM, direct selling, network marking, and party plan companies are welcome to attend. This is the original MLM Startup Conference, hosted and perfected by direct selling industry expert, MLM Attorney Jeff Babener. Call 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162 to register. (Can’t make this event? Keep an eye out for our October and February conferences as well.)

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