Direct 2014
Channel: FICCI India
Date: 2015-01-13

A video montage prepared by Zee Business for Direct 2014 a FICCI event on the Direct Selling industry of India

The direct selling industry has the potential to provide self-employment to 18 million Indians. 

FICCI-KPMG report on the direct selling industry in India, released by Shri. Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, indicates that with the right policy stimulus, direct selling industry might well reach its potential of INR 64,500 crores, a nine-fold increase in twelve years. Minister Paswan released this report along with Keshav Desiraju, Secretary Consumer Affairs, Sidharth Birla - President of FICCI, Kurush Grant ED of ITC, as well as other industry representatives. 

According to the report, direct selling is one of the fastest growing non-store retail formats in India, recording double digit growth of more than 20% over the past five years. In the year 2012-13 it has been estimated to contribute taxes of INR 1,000 crore to the exchequer. Besides, the industry also has a significant impact on socio-economic parameters because of its nature. In less than two decades, since it took-off in India, it has provided self-employment opportunities to more than 50 lac people in India as direct sellers. Nearly 60%of these direct sellers are women, thus empowering them with additional income and transferable skills. The industry also generates direct employment through manufacturers and other service providers involved throughout the value chain of the industry. The industry has led to technology percolation and enhancement of many SMEs by association with international companies. Also, many direct selling companies have been in the forefront by actively contributing towards social activities.