In it’s recently released its 2004 statistics about the industry, the Direct Selling Association (DSA) reports retail sales in the US reached $29.73 billion, an increase over 2003 sales.

13.6 million Americans work in direct sales. Nearly 80% are women working fewer than 30 hours per week. And despite a growing Internet presence, nearly three-quarters of the sales still take place face-to-face.

Accounting for 30.8% of sales, personal care product sales edged out last year’s top spot group, home and family care products.

Get all the statistics on the DSA’s website.