WFDSA's members include 55 national Direct Selling Associations (DSAs) and over 20 of the world's leading direct selling companies, forming a global network that spans continents and markets.

Direct selling is a method of marketing and selling products and services directly to consumers outside of traditional retail stores, relying on personal connections, product demonstrations, and one-on-one interactions.

Membership is available to qualifying national Direct Selling Associations and direct selling companies. Visit the Join WFDSA page to learn about Direct Selling Association Membership, CEO Council Membership, the Introductory Member Program, and the Partner Program, or reach out to our membership team via the Contact page.

WFDSA is headquartered at 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, and maintains a worldwide network of member associations and companies.

In 2024, direct selling generated $163.9 billion in global retail sales through 104.3 million independent contractors, according to the WFDSA Global Annual Direct Selling Statistical Data Report.

Mostly everyday consumer goods and services. Wellness and nutrition, cosmetics and personal care, household goods, clothing and accessories, and home care are the largest categories.

Independent sellers are self-employed people who market a company’s products directly to consumers, often part time. They set their own hours, and many start as customers of the products they go on to sell.

WFDSA is a voluntary, non-governmental federation. National Direct Selling Associations are its members, a CEO Council of member company executives sets strategic direction, and standing committees carry the work on advocacy, ethics, regulatory affairs, association services, and governance.

Training comes from the companies sellers represent and typically covers products, selling skills and the ethical standards they are expected to meet. Member associations add protections through their Codes of Ethics, such as cooling-off periods and buy-back policies.

Each country sets its own rules, usually covering consumer rights, sales contracts, earnings claims and the line between legitimate direct selling and illegal pyramid schemes. WFDSA and its member associations work with regulators so those rules protect consumers and sellers alike.

It can, though most people take part part time, to earn supplemental income or to buy products they already use at a discount. Earnings depend on the time and effort invested, and member companies are expected to be clear and realistic about income.

Wellness and nutrition products and cosmetics and personal care lead worldwide, followed by household goods and durables, clothing and accessories, and home care.