Chinese

The Industry

A dynamic segment of our economy with 1.3 million Canadian workers associated with it, direct sales boasted a vigorous 25% growth in the last two years ? from $1.57 to $1.96 billion ? and sustained a 10% to 20% increase over a decade. As a delivery channel, because direct sales isn¡¯t restricted by a permanent retail outlet, consumers can access hundreds of product choices:

food and nutritional products
cosmetics and skin care products
clothing
candles
jewelry
toys and educational items
telephone and Internet service

... among others

Certainly, while non-store retail is common (catalogues, Internet sales, etc.), direct selling is the only personalized, interactive channel. And, for many who can¡¯t find what they need in local stores, or don¡¯t have Web access ? 26% of direct selling consumers live in rural areas and 13% are over 65 in age ? direct selling brings them goods they might not otherwise find.

Of the 60+ companies in Canada¡¯s robust direct sales industry, more than 2/3 are DSA members, including global firms with household names such as Avon, Mary Kay, Nu Skin, Quixtar, Shaklee, and Canada-based companies like Epicure Selections. The DSA also represents more than 600,000 Independent Sales Contractors (ISCs) whose sales were more than $1.96 billion.

[For a full listing of what DSA member companies have to offer, click here]