The United States Direct Selling Association (DSA) released the topline results of its Annual Growth & Outlook Survey, which shows U.S. direct sales totaled $29.87 billion in 2011, a 4.6 percent year-over-year increase from $28.56 billion in 2010.
“There is good news coming from the direct selling segment,” said DSA President Joseph Mariano. “Despite the economic climate, direct selling continues to be a source of income and support for independent consultants across the U.S.”
The U.S. direct selling market grew faster than the overall U.S. economy, which grew 3.9 percent as measured by gross domestic product (GDP). Nearly half of U.S. direct selling companies experienced sales growth and another 14 percent remained flat. Smaller direct selling companies (those with annual retail sales under $3 million) fared best with 66.7 percent showing growth, and an average retail sales increase of about 30 percent.
“Growing a small business when the economy is struggling is a tall order,” said Mariano. “As an industry that celebrates entrepreneurship, the achievements made in 2011, particularly by small direct selling companies, is remarkable.”
DSA released the findings of its 2011 Growth & Outlook Survey during a joint announcement with the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations at the DSA Annual Meeting in Grapevine, Texas.
View the release: http://www.dsa.org/press/press_releases/?fa=view&docID=5007
View the fact sheet: http://www.dsa.org/research/industry-statistics/11gofactsheet.pdf
