I’ve heard unofficial claims for some time, but now it’s confirmed – Amway has exceeded $12 billion in sales for the 2012 IBO fiscal year (September to August). For the same period, Avon reported sales of  $US10.8 billion.

In 2006 Amway’s sales dropped slightly for the first time in many years, settling back to $6.3 billion. In reponse Amway set the ambitious goal to reach $12 billion in sales in 2012, an almost doubling of sales in only 5 years. They have done it.

The Bangkok Post reports that for the first time in more than two decades, all of the top 10 Asia-Pacific markets have experienced growth. In October, Amway North America announced to IBOs they had achieved 33 consecutive months of growth in that market – it’s oldest. Figures for the official 2012 Amway financial year will not be released until February, but it is clear that Amway is now the world’s #1 direct selling company

Congratulations to Amway, Amway employees, and Amway IBO’s around the world!

Update: A reliable source is telling me that the sales figure reported in the Bangkok Post is not accurate. Another reliable source has however confirmed the claim about surpassing Avon.

Update 20120207: Official figures are out and my source was correct, sales were $11.3 billion, not quite reaching $12 billion, and they’ve still beat Avon for #1!