Public Perception of Direct Selling
DIRECT SELLING ASSOCIATION
29 Floral St. London WC2E 9DP
Tel: 020 7497 1234 Fax: 020 7497 3144
E-mail: info@dsa.org.uk
Website: www.dsa.org.uk
The Direct Selling Association Limited.
Registered office as above. Registered in England Number 851537
Member of FEDSA Federation of European Direct Selling Associations
Member of WFDSA World Federation of Direct Selling Associations
Direct Selling briefing on world wide channel of distribution October 2005
The business method
· Direct selling is a channel of retail distribution is which, through personal explanation and demonstration by direct sellers, orders for goods and services are obtained in face to face contact with consumers - away from normal retail business premises and normally in the homes of consumers;
· Direct sellers are predominantly self employed and work part time. They obtain customer orders, place orders with their company and, a little later, deliver the goods and collect payment from their customers;
· Although direct selling pre-dates all other distribution channels, it first became the basis of organised business in the mid-19th century in the US;
· Although direct selling companies/organisations ( DSOs ) may use a wide range of marketing methods, the key difference between direct selling and direct marketing is that, in direct selling, orders are primarily obtained in face to face manner;
· Face to face sales are most commonly made on a person-to-person basis, but the method also embraces party sales', where direct sellers make demonstrations to groups of consumers in the home of one of them;
· The products sold by DSOs cover a wide range of personal and household goods. With the exception of fresh foods, large items of furniture and white goods, the range is similar to that sold through department stores;
· The growing range of direct sold services includes utilities, telecoms and financial services - where the opportunity for personal explanation has proved
29 Floral St. London WC2E 9DP
Tel: 020 7497 1234 Fax: 020 7497 3144
E-mail: info@dsa.org.uk
Website: www.dsa.org.uk
The Direct Selling Association Limited.
Registered office as above. Registered in England Number 851537
Member of FEDSA Federation of European Direct Selling Associations
Member of WFDSA World Federation of Direct Selling Associations
Direct Selling briefing on world wide channel of distribution October 2005
The business method
· Direct selling is a channel of retail distribution is which, through personal explanation and demonstration by direct sellers, orders for goods and services are obtained in face to face contact with consumers - away from normal retail business premises and normally in the homes of consumers;
· Direct sellers are predominantly self employed and work part time. They obtain customer orders, place orders with their company and, a little later, deliver the goods and collect payment from their customers;
· Although direct selling pre-dates all other distribution channels, it first became the basis of organised business in the mid-19th century in the US;
· Although direct selling companies/organisations ( DSOs ) may use a wide range of marketing methods, the key difference between direct selling and direct marketing is that, in direct selling, orders are primarily obtained in face to face manner;
· Face to face sales are most commonly made on a person-to-person basis, but the method also embraces party sales', where direct sellers make demonstrations to groups of consumers in the home of one of them;
· The products sold by DSOs cover a wide range of personal and household goods. With the exception of fresh foods, large items of furniture and white goods, the range is similar to that sold through department stores;
· The growing range of direct sold services includes utilities, telecoms and financial services - where the opportunity for personal explanation has proved