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Direct Selling Companies in Canada - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Matthew Buchko Matthew Buchko New York, United States Last Updated: October 2023 NAICS 45439CA

Revenue

$5.0bn

2023

$5.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

12,265

Businesses

11,262

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Direct Selling Companies in Canada industry analysis

Direct selling companies have grown in recent years because of overall economic growth. Rising consumer spending, disposable income levels, consumer confidence and internet connectivity have served to contribute to industry expansion. The spread of COVID-19 benefited direct selling companies as it became easier to connect with consumers and businesses with more leisure time. Revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 3.4% to $5.0 billion through the end of 2023, including growth of 1.8% in 2023 alone when profit will account for 21.0% of revenue.Direct selling companies remain vulnerable to high levels of external competition because of the variety of products they sell. Many direct selling companies are unable to compete directly with alternatives due to their lack of size and scope. In 2023, more than 85.0% of direct selling establishments are operated by nonemployers. Most of these companies don't have the ability to purchase their products in bulk from manufacturers and wholesalers, making it hard to compete with brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce retailers. Many direct selling companies have shielded their market share from pronounced declines through the market exclusivity of their products and value-added services like beauty consultations. The high degree of competition and supply chain issues related to the pandemic have been the primary reasons for a decline in profit.Moving forward, revenue growth is expected to continue at a slower rate as external competition continues to intensify. Fortunately, both consumer spending and per capita disposable income are projected to expand, bolstering demand for many consumer products. Direct selling companies will continue to shift their focus toward higher-end products and value-added services, boosting per sale revenue. Revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.1% to $5.3 billion through the end of 2028.

Trends and Insights

  • Growth has been constrained by growing levels of external competition. In particular, e-commerce retailers and supermarkets have cut into demand for direct sellers.
  • Wellness products have surged in popularity since the spread of COVID-19. Consumers have become increasingly conscious of their health and are more willing to spend on products that they perceive to benefit their health.
  • Direct selling companies tend to locate near consumers. Proximity to nearby markets helps to increase brand recognition and limits the amount of time spent travelling.
  • External competition is the biggest threat to direct selling companies. The growth of e-commerce retailers and the comeback of brick-and-mortar stores will limit growth.

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  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $5.0bn in 2023.

Trends and Insights

Low start-up costs attract entrants

  • Direct selling, also known as multilevel marketing (MLM), has a unique position within the retail sector that is amplified in times of financial downturn.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Direct Selling Companies in Canada
Revenue (2013-2028)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Growing online savvy will benefit revenue

  • The use of online resources to purchase various consumer goods will continue to accelerate in the coming years.

Biggest companies in the Direct Selling Companies in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($m)
2023
Profit ($m)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023
Amway Canada Corporation
108.8
N/A
N/A
Mary Kay Inc.
93.8
N/A
N/A
Avon Canada Inc.
33.8
N/A
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Direct Selling Companies in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Home and family care products, Wellness products and Personal care products. Home and family care products is the largest segment of the Direct Selling Companies in Canada.

Trends and Insights

Consumers turn to competitors for personal care products

  • In 2023, this segment is expected to comprise 25.0% of revenue.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada sell a product or service from person to person, away from a fixed retail location. Retailers in the industry are known as independent consultants, distributors or representatives. Sales are usually made at home parties and workplaces, in street-corner carts or by door-to-door marketing. However, direct sellers of either fuel or food for immediate consumption are excluded from this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Direct selling of clothing and accessoriesDirect selling of wellness productsDirect selling of leisure and educational productsDirect selling of home and family productsDirect selling of other products

Companies

Amway Canada CorporationMary Kay Inc.Avon Canada Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

MULTILEVEL MARKETING (MLM) MASS MERCHANDISERE-COMMERCE RETAILER

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 454390 - Direct Selling Companies in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Growth has been constrained by growing levels of external competition. In particular, e-commerce retailers and supermarkets have cut into demand for direct sellers.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Wellness products have surged in popularity since the spread of COVID-19. Consumers have become increasingly conscious of their health and are more willing to spend on produc...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Direct selling companies tend to locate near consumers. Proximity to nearby markets helps to increase brand recognition and limits the amount of time spent travelling.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

External competition is the biggest threat to direct selling companies. The growth of e-commerce retailers and the comeback of brick-and-mortar stores will limit growth.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major players in this industry. No company is expected to capture more than 5.0% of revenue in 2023.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
  • Overview of Amway Canada Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Mary Kay Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Avon Canada Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Amway Canada Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Mary Kay Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Avon Canada Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Growing e-commerce sales compete with direct sellers. E-commerce solutions offer convenient features that improve the customer experience, resulting in many consumers leverag...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit has been pressured by strong growth in wages. The industry continues to rely heavily on workers for order fulfillment and customer service.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2016-2021)
  • Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Assets (2016-2021)
  • Liabilities (2016-2021)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Average Wage (2013-2028)
  • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
  • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2013-2028)
  • IVA (2013-2028)
  • Establishments (2013-2028)
  • Enterprises (2013-2028)
  • Employment (2013-2028)
  • Exports (2013-2028)
  • Imports (2013-2028)
  • Wages (2013-2028)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada is $5.0bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Direct Selling Companies in Canada industry in 2023?

There are 11,262 businesses in the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2018 and 2023.

Has the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2018 and 2023.

What is the forecast growth of the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Direct Selling Companies market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Direct Selling Companies market in Canada are Amway Canada Corporation, Mary Kay Inc. and Avon Canada Inc.

What does the Direct Selling Companies in Canada include?

Direct selling of clothing and accessories and Direct selling of wellness products are part of the Direct Selling Companies industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Direct Selling Companies in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Amway Canada Corporation.

How competitive is the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Direct Selling Companies industry in Canada.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada

Complementors

  • Vending Machine Operators in Canada
  • Street Vendors in Canada

International industries

  • Direct Selling Companies in the US
  • Jewellery and Watch Wholesaling in Australia

View all industries in Canada

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.