Scope of Direct Selling in India
The direct selling business model is nowadays becoming one of the fastest-growing industries and business innovations in the world. It offers a new business opportunity with an innovative business model. It is usually highly leveraged to sell products directly to their purchasers without moving through the usual physical or retail stores. The paper at hand looks at the size and opportunity of direct selling in India. It holds that it benefits many, especially the demography, and the future is very positive.
Direct selling is growing in India. As per the Indian Direct Selling Association, the industry has roped in a market size of Rs 16,776 crore in FY 2019/20, growing at 12% per annum. Growth has come through medium awareness, growth in the middle level of people, and, lately, digital technologies.
Major Growth Drivers
Increased Awareness of Direct Selling Products: Due to the factors about consumers becoming aware of quality assurance and personalized service by direct sellers, demands for a direct selling product are increasing.
Digital Transformation
The digital technology variation has transformed the direct selling sector. Online platforms, working on social media, and digital advertisement tools have been made available to which direct sales are supposed to be carried out.
Government support
The positive ground for growth in this industry is based on the benefits of schemes developed by the Indian government to inculcate an entrepreneurial spirit and the creation of self-employment. Regulatory frames have been laid for the fair practices and protection of the interests of the consumers and the sellers.
Direct selling opens doors for employment for such groups as women, youth, etc. It gives one flexible and all-inclusive staffing, where one can establish entrepreneurship and gain financial independence.
Direct selling further offers students the opportunity to earn an additional income for meeting their educational expenses, thus making them economically independent. It inculcates critical skills, including communication and negotiation, that help develop time management skills.
Networking Direct selling creates more social networking, which may be of much help during the careers after schooling.
For the Empowerment of Housewives
Direct selling empowers the homemakers; it provides such a platform to them to contribute financially towards the household.
Flexible Work Hours
Housewives can plan their direct selling activities in a way that does not cause much interference in their regular household routines, thereby keeping a balance in work-life.
Home-Based Business
Housewives can run a business from home because of direct selling and need not go through the daily commuting.
For Job Person
More Income: Direct selling provides a scope of earning extra money with no undue effort from their primary job.
Skill Development: The skill learned through direct sale becomes helpful in improving the career of their primary jobs.
Flexible Hours Direct selling allows job holders to have the liberty to work when they are accessible without imposing rigidity on their primary responsibility.
Supplementary earning for retired people
Retired people are financially stable through direct selling as they have some means of earning.
Social interactions People doing direct selling can always have a better social life generally and stay active to connect with society.
Skill Utilization: In-direct selling affords a platform for utilizing skills by retired people and working toward their use, which keeps their minds active.
Actual Potential of Direct Selling in India Market Expansion: With the nearing adaptation of digital technology and growing acceptance of direct selling as a business, the market for direct selling in India is bound to expand further. The horizon will broaden as more and more people from each walk of life become part of this direct selling network.
Innovation in products and services is one of the standard practices among direct-selling firms. New categories of products, varied categories of products coupled with enhanced customer service, steer the growth curve of this industry.
Better Training and Support All of the training and support given to direct sellers are directed at making them successful in the business. It is targeted at learning skills and knowledge that would make them thrive in the company of direct selling.
A Strong Regulatory Framework Developing an excellent regulatory framework would further strengthen the Direct Selling industry in India. Provisions of correct guidelines and legislation will protect the interests of both the consumers and the sellers and, at the same time, introduce fair practice and build trust in the industry.
Conclusion
Direct selling has the apt potential in India, and its industry’s scope in the country is tremendous. With a changing market and government policies and the constant dawning of a new era of digital technologies growing at a staggering rate, the future of direct selling in India is at the cusp of a critical phase of growth. It benefits students, homemakers, and working and retired persons and eventually leads them to complete financial independence and self-support, with higher self-esteem. Going forward, direct selling has been the most essential ingredient of the new look of the Indian economy, driving entrepreneurship and creating employment for millions.
