What is direct selling?

Some 15.2 million people in the United States are involved in direct selling, with total sales at $29.6 billion in the US and $114 billion worldwide, according to the Direct Selling Association, a Washington, DC-based trade group of firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services. Cosmetics, health items, and wellness products are among those that tend to do well, says Doris Wood, chairman of the Irvine. California-based Multilevel Marketing International Association, a professional organization of direct sales companies and distributors.

Amy M. Robinson, DSA's vice president of communications says direct selling should not be confused with other business conducted outside of a fixed retail location, such as telemarketing, shopping mall kiosks, or work-from-home ventures such as envelop stuffing. Direct selling is primarily done one-on-one, at product demonstrations, or home shopping parties—the most widely recognized sales method where friends and family gather for a few hours to learn about and sample the product. Read more here.