The Five Most Profitable Direct Sales Companies in the World

When it comes to direct sales, people usually rest on two extreme ends of the spectrum — they either love it, or they hate it. The truth is that for the right type of personality conjoined with a consistent drive, direct sales can be a very lucrative experience. For the purpose of elucidation, direct sales is the act of marketing and selling services and products directly through consumers, as opposed to using the retail model.

These types of sales are normally facilitated through one-to-one demonstrations, party plans, and personal contact systems, including the internet. There are some companies that have been around for years and will likely be here indefinitely, such as Amway, Avon, and Mary Kay, just to name a few.

For individuals who are looking to work from home or return to school, direct sales provide an opportunity to earn revenue on a very flexible schedule. If you are considering direct sales as a primary form of income or as a secondary income, here are the top five direct sales organizations in the world.

5. Tupperware – Annual Revenue: $2.28 Billion

Who has not heard of the Tupperware Brand? Tupperware is a multinational direct sales organization headquartered in the U.S. The brand was founded by Earl Tupper in 1946. Like I said, there are companies that have extreme longevity, which speaks to the viability of this particular model. Over the years, the brand has expanded its reach to more than 100 countries around the globe. The company has now expanded its brand impact as well, with new brands being added to the inventory, including NatureCAre, Fuller, Nutrimetics, Nuvo, Avroy Shlain, and BeautiControl.

4. Mary Kay – Annual Revenue: $3.70 Billion

I have two sisters who sell Mary Kay, so I have seen the operation up close and personal. Again, for the right person who is driven, this is a great opportunity for a person to generate substantial revenue. While Mary Kay is heavily slanted toward females, there is still an opportunity for males to make money in the market. The company was founded by Mary Kay Ash in 1963, and it is the seller of cosmetics primarily — using a dual-level marketing model. Distributors for Mary Kay can earn money by selling cosmetic products as well as earn through the sales generated by those whom they directly recruit into the market.

3. Herbalife – Annual Revenue: $4.47 Billion

With the entire world learning the importance of proper nutrition and holistic health, Herbalife has experienced a resurgence in relevance in the direct sales community. This is another American-based company with international reach and influence. The company focuses on the development, marketing, and sale of all types of nutritional supplements, including sports nutrition, weight management, and personal care products. It was founded by Mark R. Hughes.

2. Avon – Annual Revenue: $6.16 Billion

Remember when I said that some of this direct marketing companies had been around forever? Avon is, by far, the oldest. The company was founded in 1886 and lauded as an avenue to allow women to earn a living while remaining in the home, which was quite common during those times. This company rose to prominence solely based on the opportunities it created for women. It is also the blueprint used by many direct marketing companies in business today. Originally launched as the California Perfume Company by founder, David Hall McConnell, the company would eventually change its name to Avon, and the rest is History.

1. Amway – Annual Revenue: 9.5 Billion

This company almost needs no introduction. I would guess that if you are over the age of 25 you have probably been pitched by an Amway salesperson. Amway is the ultimate juggernaut when it comes to direct sales. It uses a multi-level marketing model to promote its goods and generate income for its members. While multi-level marketing has developed a bad reputation, Amway has kept right on moving.

The company was founded by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos in 1959, and it is currently generating close to $10 billion in annual revenue. While the other direct marketing organizations on this list focus on a particular industry, Amway sells almost anything you can imagine. No matter what your personal interests and passions are, there is likely something in the Amway inventory that will grab your attention.