he leader in FMCG retailing seems to have taken a serious fancy to multi-level marketing. It was only last year that Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) went full blast into direct selling with Hindustan Lever Network (HLN). Today, the company claims, HLN has emerged as India�s second largest home and personal care direct selling network (the first being Amway).

HLN has expanded its operation three fold in the last one year, with about 2.5 lakh consultants on its roster now. These consultants service around 1,400 towns and cities, backed by 42 offices across the country. The network plans to launch a series of food and nutritional supplements through 2004, besides expanding its office and consultant base. ... more