A recent consumer attitudes study conducted by Ipsos for the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) shows a “sharp rise in consumer trust and interest in direct selling.” According to the study’s results, positive consumer perceptions of the direct selling channel have improved 21% since 2019, with four out of five US consumers reporting a neutral to favorable opinion of purchasing from a direct seller.

The Direct Selling Association (DSA) announced the results of the 2025 Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) Direct Selling Growth & Outlook Survey. According to the data, US retail sales in the channel reached $34.7 billion in 2024, with 34.3 million preferred customers and discount buyers.

In its 2024 Economic Impact Report, the Direct Selling Education Foundation reported the combined annual industry impact of direct selling activity on the US economy in 2022. The study was conducted by Professor Robert A Peterson, John T. Stuart III Centennial Chair in Business Administration at the McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin.

The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) sponsored a conference at Emory University where academics, state and federal regulatory officials, consumer protection advocates and industry representatives discussed how to build and sustain trust in the marketplace, particularly in regard to the direct selling industry.

The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) held its conference, “Building Trust in the Marketplace,” at Emory University, welcoming professors from more than two dozen academic institutions. In attendance were representatives from Auburn University, Northwestern, Northeastern, University of North Carolina (Greensboro), University of Colorado (Colorado Springs), and Rutgers Business School.  DSEF Academic Fellows presented at the […]

The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) announced it has awarded Allison Crick, a University of South Florida student, the 2021 grant from the organization’s Sales Doctoral Student Grant Program. Crick will work with Dr. Nathan Hartmann, Assistant Professor at the university’s School of Marketing and Innovation. “On behalf of all of us at DSEF, I’d […]

Joseph N. Mariano, president and CEO of the Direct Selling Association (DSA), shared the following on the recent loss of direct selling legend Bob Brouse. With deep sadness, I write to report the loss of a direct selling industry and association leader, a recipient of the first DSEF Circle of Honor in 1988, and the 1995 […]

The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) has announced its 2020 Sales Doctoral Student Grant Program recipients. Molly Ahearne from the University of Georgia and Scott Hachey from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa were each awarded grants that will help Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited doctoral granting institutions build, recruit and retain […]

Strouds Linens recently announced that Charles L. Orr has joined the Executive Committee in anticipation of the 2020 launch of the company’s social selling bedding brand, SOMNVIE. “I’ve had the good fortune of knowing Charlie for more than a decade as we collaborated in industry meetings,” said founder and CEO Jeff Stroud. “In looking to […]

In conjunction with its annual meeting, the U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA), announced top honors to the industry’s standout companies at its 2019 DSA Awards gala in Austin, Texas. In addition, the Direct Selling Education Foundation(DSEF) announced three new inductees to its prestigious Circle of Honor. DSA Awards DSA Awards recognize the outstanding programs DSA […]

MONAT® Global Canada, a multinational distributor of hair care products, was awarded the Direct Sellers Association (DSA) of Canada’s Making a Difference Award as well as the Code of Ethics Certificate for conducting ethical business. MONAT Canada Vice President and General Manager Jackie McClements received the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) Circle of Distinction Award. MONAT® Global was honored with DSA’s […]

Tributes continue to pour in for Rich DeVos, the Amway co-founder and direct selling legend who died last Thursday at the age of 92. The U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA) issued a statement on his passing of DeVos, who was a DSA Hall of Fame Member, DSEF Circle of Honor Recipient and former DSA and DSEF Board […]