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DSA Independent Contractor Practicum Kicks Off “Year of the Independent Contractor”

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Photo: Department of Labor Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Labor, Nicholas C. Geale, presenting at the DSA Independent Contractor Practicum on how the Administration and Department of Labor are positively positioning independent contractors in the marketplace.

On Thursday, July 26, 2018, the Direct Selling Association convened its Independent Contractor Practicum to discuss pathways to protecting the direct selling industry’s most important asset— its salesforce.

Department of Labor Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Labor Nicholas C. Geale was among the leaders meeting with direct selling industry executives to explore how the Administration and Department of Labor are positively positioning independent contractors in the marketplace.

“We are committed to leading the discussion on how to address developments with independent contractor law in this economy by hosting events like the Independent Contractor Practicum and bringing the discussion to Washington. Direct selling is poised to be the retail channel of choice for U.S. consumers and it is important we are diligent in preserving America’s Original Entrepreneurs and the industry,” said Joseph N. Mariano, president and chief executive officer of the Direct Selling Association.

The Practicum agenda included updates on recent legal developments for independent contractor status, implications for independent contractors resulting from the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the association’s legislative initiatives. The event also focused on contract development, as well as recognizing social media trends that could affect independent contractor status.

The full Independent Contractor Practicum agenda and speaker information can be viewed here.

Tupperware Announces Executive Changes

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Tupperware Brands yesterday announced changes to its executive leadership team.

“As Tupperware Brands turns a new page in its iconic history, we do so with a Global Growth Strategy and Purpose that is clear and focused,” said Tricia Stitzel, president and chief executive officer. “To execute our strategy and fulfill our purpose of enriching lives on a global scale, we are pleased to announce the new leadership team selected to take the organization into the next wave of growth. The new team balances continuity in certain key positions while elevating next generation leaders to deliver on our revitalization plan.”

Effective July 1, 2018, the company named Stein Ove Fenne as group president, Tupperware Europe, Africa & Middle East, succeeding Simon Hemus, vice chairman, who will retire from the company December 31, 2018, as previously announced. Fenne most recently served as senior vice president and president, Tupperware U.S. & Canada since 2012.

Taking over the U.S. & Canada business from Fenne is Jim Bellonzi, who most recently served as senior vice president, Business Transformation.

Effective August 1, 2018, the company named Asha Gupta as executive vice president and chief strategy and marketing officer. Gupta has served as group president, Asia Pacific, since January 2014.

Also effective August 1, 2018, the company named Justin Hewett as group president, Asia Pacific. Hewett has served as area vice president with portfolio responsibility in the company’s Europe, Africa and Middle group since July 2014.

Tupperware Brands Q2 Net Sales Down 7%

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Orlando, Fla.-based Tupperware Brands today reported its financial result for the second quarter of 2018. Net sales were $535.4 million, down 7 percent (4% local currency), including a 2-point impact from the 2017 closure of Beauticontrol and the combination of the NaturCare and Tupperware businesses in Japan.

Emerging markets, accounting for 71 percent of sales, were down 5 percent (even in local currency).

The operating units with the most significant local currency sales growth in the second quarter were China, Fuller Mexico, Tupperware Mexico and Tupperware South Africa. The significant decreases were in Brazil, India and Indonesia. Established market sales decreased 10 percent (13% local currency), including a 6-point negative impact from the Beauticontrol closure and combination of units in Japan. The local currency sales decreases were most significant in France and Tupperware Australia and New Zealand.

Regional Sales

The company reported segment sales as follows:

  • Europe: sales were down 2 percent (4% local currency)
  • Asia Pacific: sales were down 2 percent (4% local currency)
  • North America: sales were down 4 percent (1% local currency), including a negative 7-point local currency impact from Beauticontrol wind-down
  • South America: sales were down 23 percent (7% local currency)

For the full year, sales are expected to be down about 4 percent in dollars in Europe; down 4 to 5 percent in Asia Pacific; down 2 to 3 percent in dollars in North America; and down by a mid-teen percentage in dollars in South America.

To view the full Tupperware Q2 2018 report, click here.

USANA Q2 Sales Up 17% Over 2017

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Salt Lake City, Utah-based USANA Health Sciences yesterday announced financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Net sales were $301.5 million, compared with $257.1 million in the prior-year period, a 17.3 percent increase year-over-year.

Celavive, the company’s new skincare line, contributed approximately $7 million in incremental sales for the quarter. In markets where Celavive has launched, skin and personal care products accounted for 9.5 percent of overall sales in the second quarter of 2018, versus 5.7 percent a year ago. The company’s total number of active customers increased 5.3 percent year-over-year to 597,000.

“Our operating results for the second quarter exceeded our expectations and reflect the momentum we are seeing in most of our regions,” said CEO Kevin Guest. “This momentum helped us generate the highest quarterly revenue and earnings per share in the company’s history.”

Regional Sales

Net sales in the Asia Pacific region increased by 21.2 percent to $241.6 million for the second quarter of 2018. Within Asia Pacific, net sales increased 22.8 percent in Greater China; increased 36.1 percent in North Asia; and increased 12.5 percent in the Southeast Asia Pacific region.

Net sales in the Americas and Europe region for the second quarter of 2018 increased by 3.7 percent to $59.9 million, and active Customers in this region declined 4.8 percent.

USANA is updating its outlook for 2018 to consolidated net sales between $1.17 and $1.20 billion; previously it was between $1.13 and $1.17 billion.

To view the full USANA Q2 2018 report, click here.

ARIIX Reports Record Q1 and Q2 Growth

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ARIIX, the Bountiful, Utah-based direct seller, recently reported 41 percent revenue growth for the first half of 2018 over the previous year.

The company generated more revenue in the first two quarters of 2018 than the annual revenues of its first five years in business.

“What’s exciting is that in just under three years, we have essentially doubled our business,” said Mark Wilson, ARIIX president and founder.

The company’s revenue is outpacing internal estimates for its year-end goal, with the revenue of several weeks in the first and second quarters exceeding $5 million. From the last quarter of 2017 to the first quarter of 2018, ARIIX experienced a 21 percent increase in revenue. From the first quarter to the second quarter of 2018, ARIIX experienced a 16 percent increase.

Melanie McGuire Joins SeneGence as Vice President of Global Events

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SeneGence International® recently announced that Melanie McGuire has joined the company as vice president of Global Events.

She will be responsible for overseeing the strategy, execution and success of the company’s annual events in more than 10 countries.

“Melanie’s extensive event expertise is a huge asset to our executive team, and we are grateful to have her on board,” said Joni Rogers-Kante, CEO, SeneGence. “As SeneGence continues to grow our presence globally, a skilled individual with significant experience on an international scale is crucial.”

McGuire has nearly 20 years of event experience spanning countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.  Most recently, she was director of global event operations and global engagement at the Society of Exploration Geophysicists in Tulsa, Okla., where she managed the global event operations teams in the U.S., Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Beijing, China. Prior to that, she served as senior event operations manager at Pennwell Corporation and director of facility and event services at Oral Roberts University.

Plexus’ Nourish One Initiative Reaches 2 Million Meal Donations in Just 42 Days

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Photo: 2 Million Meals Donated to Feeding America with Plexus leaders Alec Clark, Janice Jackson, Christopher Pair

Plexus Worldwide, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based wellness company focused on health and happiness, recently announced that donations from its new Nourish One™ initiative will help to provide over 2 million meals to children and families in need.

The meals will be provided through Feeding America, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger through a network of food banks.

June 2018 Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Ambassadors and Plexus team members pack 6,500 meals for hungry families.

The partnership between Plexus and Feeding America was announced in early June, when the company made an initial $100,000 donation. Plexus, through its philanthropic organization Plexus Charities, makes a donation to Feeding America for every serving of Plexus Lean purchased. Each bag of Plexus Lean generates a monetary donation equivalent to 14 meals through Feeding America’s local partner food banks.

“Feeding America is excited for this new partnership and grateful for Plexus’ commitment to helping children and families in need,” said Nancy Curby, senior vice president, Corporate Partnerships, at Feeding America. “For Plexus to hit the 2 million meal milestone so quickly is amazing, but what makes us even more excited is knowing that Plexus and Plexus Ambassadors are eager to find ways to keep giving back in their own communities.”

Alec Clark, president and founder of Plexus added, “As a company we believe in helping our Ambassadors and employees build a legacy not only for families, but for their communities. Hunger and food insecurity is a real concern for thousands of families.  These first 2 million meals are just the beginning to growing our partnership with Feeding America to have a real impact within this often-unnoticed community need.”

Avon to Launch Exclusive Fragrance Collaboration with Fashion Designer Kenzo Takada

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London-based Avon Products, Inc. recently announced the upcoming launch of Avon Life Colour, its second fragrance collaboration with world-famous designer Kenzo Takada.

It builds on the success of Avon Life, the first fragrance Avon created with the acclaimed designer in 2016, which broke the company’s sales records by recording the highest ever sales for a fragrance in the first quarter after its launch.

The new fragrance will be available in late 2018. Avon is backing the fragrance with extensive marketing, including advertising, innovative digital engagement and an activation with Kenzo Takada during Paris Fashion Week.

“We’re incredibly excited about the potential of this new fragrance and the opportunities that it will bring to Avon and our Representatives around the world,” said Jonathan Myers, executive vice president and COO at Avon. “This launch reinforces our fast-beauty strategy and furthers our commitment to democratize beauty: making sure our customers all over the world have access to the latest beauty trends, innovations and quality products at accessible prices.”

“It’s not easy to find good partners like Avon,” said Takada. “This company is wonderful, full of great young talent, dealing with a business in a complex and competitive environment, looking to offer great products at an affordable price. It follows what I initially did in fashion, trying to democratize great products.”

MONAT Global Launches New Hydrating System

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MONAT® Global, a multinational manufacturer and distributor of hair care products, recently introduced a new Advanced Hydrating System infused with REJUVENIQE S™, a next-generation, super-activated oil that delivers enhanced hydration to the hair and scalp.

“We understand that the first line of defense against dry, lifeless hair is a powerful, natural moisturizer,” said Stuart MacMillan, president of MONAT. “Our new Advanced Hydrating System infused with REJUVENIQE S offers the best ingredients for maximum hydration without silicon or mineral oils, which weigh hair down and are ultimately damaging to the hair follicle.”

The first two products in the new collection are MONAT’s Double Action Hydrating Serum and Heavenly Hydrating Masque.

All MONAT formulations use ingredients, in concentrations, that the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), the FDA, Health Canada and the European Commission consider “safe for their intended cosmetic purpose.”

Rick Redford Named ARIIX North America General Manager

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Bountiful, Utah-based ARIIX recently announced that industry veteran Rick Redford has joined the executive team as general manager of North America.

Redford has more than 20 years of experience in the direct selling industry, including positions in executive management and sales and marketing. In his new role, he will focus on strategy for the sales organization as well as relationship building with top leaders in North America and throughout the world.

“Rick’s history proves that he has effectively grown sales in every market he has had the opportunity to influence,” said Mark Wilson, ARIIX founder and president. “His approach has been successful all around the world, including markets such as the U.S., Canada, Asia-Pacific and Europe. We’re thrilled to have Rick join our team and witness how he’ll contribute toward the growth of our North American market.”

Scentsy Teams with Disney for Fragrance Collection

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International fragrance and home décor company Scentsy today announced that it is teaming up with Disney to create a variety of fragrance products and scented plush toys featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Hundred Acre Wood, Disney Princess and Disney•PixarFinding Nemo.

The collaboration, which will allow more than 100,000 Independent Scentsy Consultants across 11 countries to sell the Disney Collection, was unveiled at the Scentsy Family Reunion, the Meridian, Idaho-based company’s annual convention.

“We’ve worked very closely with the Disney product design team to deliver an incredible lineup of characters with signature fragrances that fit within the imaginative storytelling of the Disney brand,” said Heidi Thompson, Scentsy president and co-owner. “We couldn’t be more excited for Scentsy to align with Disney, one of the world’s best, family-oriented brands. We know Scentsy Consultants and customers around the world will be thrilled.”

Several special-edition products will launch throughout the end of July and beginning of August, with the full Disney Collection available for purchase through Independent Scentsy Consultants starting Sept. 1, 2018.

“We couldn’t find a brand that better matches our aspirations and values,” said Orville Thompson, Scentsy co-owner and CEO. “’Family-friendly, industry-leading, creative, artistic, to warm, enliven and inspire’ are words from Scentsy’s mission statement, but these words could be used to describe the standards Disney has set for the world. Where Disney creates powerful memories through parks and entertainment, our products will help people remember and re-live those experiences through fragrance.”

Isagenix International Prepares to Enter South Korea

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Isagenix International recently announced plans to expand to South Korea, the direct selling industry’s third largest market. The Gilbert, Ariz.-based company, which has already received its MAC&CO membership and direct selling license for Korea, is preparing to start operations there in October.

“Korea is a terrific market that has interested us for quite some time, and we are eager to officially begin building a leading direct selling business in this outstanding market,” said Isagenix CEO Travis Ogden. “We expect a strong response as the Korean people learn how our scientifically backed solutions and world-class business opportunity can help them improve their nutrition, health, and overall wellness and prosperity.”

Hyunsoo “Steve” Kim, Isagenix regional general manager, South Korea, is leading the company’s efforts in Korea. Kim most recently served as vice president of Asia for a major direct selling company, where he led that company’s successful launch in Korea, beginning in 2012. Under his direction, that company achieved over US$400 million in cumulative sales in its first five years of operation and has been recognized among the top 10 direct selling companies in Korea for the past three years.

Isagenix was founded in 2002 and is currently in 17 markets internationally. In 2017, it achieved $958 million in sales.