Global direct selling giant Avon Products Inc. has recruited more than 114,000 door-to-door salespeople since acquiring China's first official license for direct sales in March.

Gao Shoukang, president of Avon China, said that by the end of June another 31,000 applicants were undergoing appraisals for the positions.

"The warm response from the employment market signifies the great market potential for Avon's products in China. Ninety percent of Avon's 5,700 outlets in China are servicing direct salespeople," said Gao.

Under China's regulations on direct sales which came into effect in December last year, all certificated direct sales agents should have their personal and sales records registered for public search on the website of the Ministry of Commerce for public search.

With global revenue exceeding US$8 billion a year, Avon forecast earlier this year that direct sales in China would soon exceed its turnover in Japan, making China its biggest market in Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2006)