OpTree

With the United States having some major economic problems, and a record number of people losing their jobs, it’s no wonder that some direct sales companies are seeing sales and profit rise as those who need jobs and extra income are flocking to a variety of work-at-home opportunities

One company that is seeing record profits is Amway Global.  The Ada, Michigan based direct sales company says that they will see sales in excess of $8.2 billion dollars in 2008. At a recent ceremony at Helen DeVos Hospital, Co- Founder Rick DeVos made the announcement that the company will see record sales this year.

The $8.2 billion dollar figure is a 15% jump from sales in 2007, and that’s during what many are calling a nation-wide depression. While Amway Global is privately held and therefore does not release profitability figures they will make an official statement in the next week or so in regards to sales numbers.

One major reason for the huge jump in sales is the marketing blitz that the company went on during the last year. Commercials, print ads, and major concert sponsorships have put the brand on the global radar. Just in the last year, Amway has partnered with Tina Turner, John Tesh and soccer superstar Ronaldinho among others in promoting Amway products. Amway has also retired the Quixtar brand used in the U.S. and Canada and promoted the re-invention of Amway Global in those regions through high profile spots on major television networks and in print ads.

It will be interesting in the next few weeks to hear from Amway Global leaders give more detail about sales figures, marketing campaigns and future plans to promote the brand.

Amway is one of the few companies that have been smart enough to up their advertising and marketing spending during an economic downturn. Amway understands the benefit of reaching people during these turbulent times to offer products the people want and educate the people about the opportunity that becoming part of the Amway Global family can provide.

Popularity: 18% [?]

The salmonella scare that has hit the U.S. has finally made its way to the direct sales industry. Amway Global has announced that the company has voluntarily issued a recall of three types of the Nutrilite Energy Bars due to the possibility that they contain peanut paste that has been tainted with salmonella.

Last week, Amway Global recalled three flavors, the vanilla pretzel, peanut butter and chocolate nut roll Energy Bars. The company said that those three flavors possibly contain or have been tainted in some way by the peanut paste that is at the center of the health scare.

The recent salmonella outbreak has been traced by the Food and Drug Administration to the Peanut Corporation of America in Georgia, a vendor that Amway sometimes uses for their products. Robin Luymes, communications manager for Amway said that customers have been notified by letter.

Amway also notified customers that another product sold in the Amway Global catalog, the Austin Toasty Crackers, have been recalled due to contamination as well.

If you have purchased these products through Amway or an Amway Global rep, please either return them to the company or throw them away!! Although no confirmed cases of salmonella have been linked to Amway products, it’s better to be safe!

The products, SKUs, and manufacturing lots are being recalled are:

Vanilla Pretzel Energy Bar, SKU/UPC 10-6529; lot numbers 8219A, 8242A, 8276A and 8304A

Peanut Butter Energy Bar, SKU/UPC 10-6530; lot numbers 8294A and 8340A

Chocolate Nut Roll Energy Bar, SKU/UPC 10-6528; lots numbers 8287A, 8357A and 8246A

Product Intro Kit, SKU/UPC E9745; lot numbers 8275BPS1, 8275BPS2, 8275BPS3, 8275MSN1, 8275MSN2 and 8275MSN3.

The lot numbers appear on both the package and the individual bars.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Amway Global has just launched their newest dietary supplement aimed at kids. The new Nutrilite Kids Multi Tarts ($16.95) are a chewable dietary supplement packed with natural fruit concentrates to help boost kid’s immune system and fight off free radical damage.

Nutrilite is the vitamin and mineral brand of the Amway Company. Nutrilite is the only vitamin brand to grow and harvest plants on their own organic farms. Nutrilite is one of the world’s leading vitamin and nutrient brands.

The new Kids MultiTarts addresses the growing problem in the U.S. and all over the world of unhealthy, malnourished kids who do not get enough vitamins or minerals in a diet that contains large amounts of synthetic chemicals. The chewable supplements contain four all natural fruit concentrates including passion fruit, pineapple, papaya and guava. The vitamins will ensure that kids are receiving all of the vitamins and minerals that they might not receive in their normal diet.

MultiTarts support healthy kids by providing:
- Vitamin C: Helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth, and gums.
- Vitamin A: Maintains healthy eyesight, skin, membranes, and immune function.
- B Vitamins: Supports the body’s metabolic functions.
- Calcium: Helps in the development and protection of bones and teeth.
- Iron: Helps form red blood cells and helps in their proper function.

“We are excited to launch the Nutrilite Kids MultiTarts supplements as part of our children’s line. In a perfect world, kids would eat all their fruits and vegetables, but few people of any age achieve optimal nutrition through diet alone,” says Gary Mougalian, Director - Nutrition for Amway Global. “Nutrilite is here to help fill in those nutritional gaps and a supplement like MultiTarts is ideal for kids because it not only has nutrients they need but also tastes great.”

The MultiTarts supplements come in a few different flavors including Strawberry-Mange, Orange and Grape. All of the supplements are completely natural and contain no artificial flavors or colors. They are also aspartame and lactose free.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Amway Global, formerly known in the United States as Quixtar, has announced that they have just integrated PayPal online onto its website.

The PayPal online payment method allows customers to pay using stored balances, their credit or debit cards and even their bank accounts to pay for items through their individual PayPal accounts. This is not only a more efficient method of payment, but is also more secure as it allows customers to pay without revealing any of their financial information.

Customers can now chose from almost 500 Amway products and services available online including cosmetics, skin care, home care and jewelry products and pay for them via PayPal online.

Amway Global reported sales last year of over $7.2 billion dollars, with availability in over 90 countries and territories around the world.

This latest move by Amway comes at a time when the company is agressively using more traditional marketing means in the US to attract new distributors and customers. In the past few months, the company has begun advertising in major magazines, newspapers and even using TV as a means to attract new attention to its brand and products - something typically not done by Network Marketing companies. The move seems to be paying off as the brand recognition for the company continues to rise.

Popularity: 9% [?]