World Federation of Direct Selling Associations reports record-setting 2015 retail sales of USD 183.7 billion

On June 3, 2016, the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) announced year-end 2015 figures, which set a record. THANKS to all local DSAs, their member companies, members of the Global Research Subcommittee, and to outside third party vendor Nathan Associates for devoted support of the annual data gathering process.
Following are highlights of the announcement:

• In 2015, global direct sales increased 7.7% … from US$170.6 billion in 2014 to $183.7 billion in 2015, a new global record.
• The global growth was driven by increases in all regions. As well, 80% of countries around the world showed increases in both sales and seller numbers.

• Not only was there year-over-year growth, but the direct selling channel has shown sustained growth with a 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% (2012-2015).
• The story of sustained growth over time is one that can be told in all regions:
  • Asia-Pacific, which accounts for 46% of global direct sales, shows a 3-year CAGR of 10.6% for the period from 2012 to 2015.
  • Americas, accounting for 34% of global sales, shows a 3-year CAGR of 4.8%.
  • Europe, with 19% of global sales, has a CAGR of 4.3%,
  • And Africa-Middle East, at about 1% of global sales, has a CAGR of 3.2%.
• Sales were generated by the world’s 103 million Direct Sellers, another record. These are the career-minded entrepreneurs who build their own businesses marketing the products/services of a Direct Selling company, as well as the part-time micro-entrepreneurs who earn extra income by doing so. This sales force of independent Direct Sellers was up 4.4% year-over-year.
• Accounting for 80% of global sales are the world’s Top 10 direct selling markets: United States, China, Korea, Germany, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, France, Malaysia, United Kingdom.

Direct Selling shows success in both advanced and developing economies: Of the Top 10 markets, 6 are Advanced economies and 4 are Developing economies, according to the International Monetary Fund.