#direct selling #WFDSA #2024 Sales

Direct Selling Industry Resilience in 2024

The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) has recently released their annual STATS report, revealing that the global direct selling sector has shown notable stability in 2024. Polling across 55 markets, the report states that the industry’s total retail sales reached $164 billion, marking a modest increase of $675 million over pre-pandemic figures. This consistent performance comes amid a backdrop of global economic shifts, encouraging both established and emerging markets.

Key Highlights from the STATS Report

According to the report, about 45% of the markets surveyed indicated growth, further testament to the industry’s resilience. Notably, the number of independent representatives has seen a slight rise, now totaling approximately 104.3 million, with a remarkable 72.1% of these being women. This data underscores the crucial role of direct selling in empowering entrepreneurial opportunities, especially for women.

Roger Barnett, Chairman of the WFDSA and CEO of Shaklee Corporation, emphasized the significance of this industry, stating, "We represent an industry that creates opportunities for over 100 million entrepreneurs around the world, positively impacting their families and communities."

On a regional basis, the Asia-Pacific area maintained its position as the largest contributor to market share, buoyed by progress in developing markets such as Malaysia. In contrast, the Americas shone brightly, showcasing the highest growth in 2024. Interestingly, the number of countries classified as