In the midst of a financial crisis Aussie mums are increasingly turning to direct selling and at-home product parties to supplement their household income.
Direct selling cosmetics company Nutrimetics has signed up 40 per cent more consultants in the past six months, while Tupperware Australia has experienced a 16 per cent growth in the number of demonstrators, bringing the total to 10,000 around the country.
Direct Selling Association of Australia executive director John Holloway said the top motivation to join the industry was additional income, followed by the chance to purchase products cheaply themselves and social activity.
“The industry is counter-cyclical,” Mr Holloway said.
“We have seen an upsurge in people joining the industry in the past six or eight months.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that this is because of the recession and the effect on employment.
“I think there’s a bit of a fear factor out there as well.”
A Nutrimetics spokeswoman said: “It’s interesting to note that Nutrimetics’ last peak period of consultants working for the brand was in the early ’90s – the last time the economy was struggling.”
Logo from Nutrimetics