Regulate selling for faster growth: Icrier

According to her,the direct selling sector should be positioned neither as retail nor wholesale segment and can be classified as an 8220;alternative channel8221;. Direct selling generally refers to sale of products or services on a person-to-person basis rather than from fixed locations.

8220;It should be positioned as an alternative channel of distribution in line with global experiences,8221; she said.

Icrier has been commissioned by the Indian Direct Selling Association IDSA to prepare a socioeconomic impact report of the direct selling industry in the country. The IDSA is an autonomous,self-regulatory body for direct selling sector and acts as an interface between the industry and policy-making bodies of the government.

The economic think-tank today held consultations with stakeholders as part of preparing the report,which is expected to be released in the next few months. 8220;The findings from the report will bring to light the potential of this industry to the masses and overall economy,8221; IDSA secretary general Chavi Hemanth said.

Citing a report from global consultancy Ernst amp; Young,she said the domestic direct selling market,excluding insurance business,was about Rs 3,330 crore in 2008-09.