From the January/February issue of DSN magazine. Here’s what we think you (and your field) should be reading, listening to and utilizing in order to stay engaged, informed and one step ahead.

Effective March 11, 2024, the US Department of Labor’s Final Rule, called the Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, is expected to create further limitations for millions of entrepreneurs classified as independent contractors.

Scout & Cellar, known for its clean-crafted wine, announced its entrance into the non-alcoholic wine category with its Epic Pursuit Alcohol-Removed Red Blend Wine. Made from seven ingredients, this new lightly fizzy blend wine is made form 88% Zinfandel and 12% Petite Sirah and is bottled in a lighter-weight glass with a sustainable cork to provide a lower carbon footprint.

The Body Shop announced it will be shuttering its direct selling operations in the UK and Australia. As these were the only two active markets for The Body Shop At Home, this announcement effectively signals the end to The Body Shop At Home’s operations. 

IPSY, a membership company that gives customers access to beauty brands and creators through a beauty subscription service, announced the launch of Icon Box by Gwen Stefani. This new collection features Gwen Stefani’s GXVE Beauty and a selection of products from a few of her favorite brands, like Charlotte Tilbury and Drunk Elephant.

This month, Le-Vel debuted its latest innovation in providing nutrition and wellness products to its customers with MYFRESH Meals, a meal delivery service. These convenient “heat and eat” options emphasize the company’s commitment to nutrition with fresh, never frozen, farm-to-table meals made with locally sourced ingredients and without sugar, hormones or preservatives.

LiveGood, a direct selling company launched just 13 months ago, has already reached the milestone of one million members. Focused on helping people through advanced nutritional supplementation made with results-driven ingredients, LiveGood operates as a membership-based program and differentiates itself through a lower-cost pricing strategy that prioritizes direct membership sales and affiliate marketing.

Plexus Worldwide, through its initiative Strong in Pink, doubled its Nourish One donation to Feeding America and made a matching donation to Cancer Support Community Arizona, as well as affiliate organizations around the world. These donations will be used to support people impacted by breast cancer. 

The Amway China Leadership Seminar welcomed 10,000 attendees to its five-day event in New Zealand that included gala dinners, leadership sessions, cocktail receptions and excursions in Auckland and Queenstown.

2024 will be a milestone year for many direct selling companies! Congratulations and thank you for so many years of excellence and innovation in the channel—we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next!

The direct selling industry, known for its adaptability, is gearing up for transformative changes in 2024. The traditional face of direct selling is changing. Embracing innovation and agility is becoming crucial as companies respond to evolving consumer behaviors and technological advancements. Corporate executives need to stay ahead of these shifts to drive growth and retain a competitive edge.

MONAT, through its philanthropic organization MONAT Gratitude Foundation, focused on contributing acts of kindness and charitable giving in celebration of its eighth annual Gratitude Week. More than 5,000 MONAT volunteers served in 1,200 cities and eight countries in an effort to be of service to those in need.