Direct Sales

Direct sales is a U.S. method of selling consumer products person-to-person. It differs from retail sales in that direct selling occurs away from a retail space. This type of marketing allows sales to be completed [Page 400]in numerous ways; for example, selling products door to door. In the United States, the most popular method of direct selling is through the home product demonstration party. The “party plan,” as it is called, is completed by a sales consultant or an independent distributor for the parent company. In this way, direct sales relies on those with entrepreneurial thinking to thrive.

In the late 19th century, the New Thought Movement sparked positive thinking through writings about the power of thoughts on the human condition. This movement coincided with ...