Pampered Chef & Direct Sales in the News

[Becca_in_MD]

I've heard stories on the tv and radio about the increase in the people who are joining direct sales companies these days.

In the July 28 Washington Post, they had an article ("Avon Calling - for More Sales Representatives") with some numbers in it. The direct sales industry struggles with falling consumer demand while recruiting more reps. PC reported a 10% year-over-year increase in new sales consultants in the second quarter, while Mary Kay saw 22% and Avon had 20%. Increased # of consultants has not resulted in increased revenue for the companies. Industry sales were 5.8% lower in 2008 than in 2007. While no company is recession-proof, the newly recruited consultants do add to the businesses' growth potential.

Just thought it was interesting to see some concrete numbers, both on recruiting and sales.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

Oh Becca,

That is definitely good to know! I've mentioned the theory, but stats makes it meaningful. Did you get those stats from the article? Could you email me the article?

Very useful! Thanks for sharing

 

[Admin Greg]

As someone who has been involved in direct sales in the past, I can definitely attest to the increase in people joining these companies. It seems like every other day, I see a new friend on social media announcing that they have joined a direct sales company. And I can understand why - the idea of being your own boss and potentially earning a lot of money can be very appealing. However, I do have some concerns about the sustainability of this trend. As the article mentioned, while the number of consultants is increasing, the overall sales for the industry are declining. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as oversaturation of the market or a decrease in consumer spending. I also worry about the potential for these companies to take advantage of their consultants. From my experience, there can be a lot of pressure to constantly recruit and sell, and the emphasis on earning commissions and bonuses can sometimes overshadow the actual product. It's important for people to do their research and make sure they are joining a reputable company that truly values their consultants.That being said, I do believe that direct sales can be a great opportunity for some people. It can provide flexibility and a source of income, especially for those who may not have the ability to work a traditional 9-5 job. But it's important for individuals to go into it with realistic expectations and not get caught up in the hype. Overall, I think it's interesting to see the concrete numbers behind this trend, but it's also important to approach direct sales with caution and make sure it's the right fit for you before jumping in.