Amway co-founder Rich DeVos says direct-sales giant had record sales in 2008 - West Michigan Business News – MLive.com

Amway co-founder Rich DeVos says direct-sales giant had record sales in 2008 - West Michigan Business News – MLive.com: "Amway co-founder Rich DeVos says direct-sales giant had record sales in 2008
by The Grand Rapids Press
Friday January 30, 2009, 11:54 AM

Update: Marketing blitz pays off with record 2008 for direct-sales giant Amway
Rich DeVos

ADA TOWNSHIP -- Direct-selling giant Amway Global had a record $8.2 billion in sales in 2008, co-founder Rich DeVos told The Press this morning after a topping-off ceremony at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

The figure represents a 15 percent increase from the $7.1 billion in sales reported for 2007. The privately held company, which doesn't release profitability figures, expects to make an official statement regarding its sales next week, a spokeswoman said.

The improved sales came during a year when Amway launched a marketing spree reintroducing the brand to many consumers through partnerships with Tina Turner, John Tesh, soccer star Ronaldinho and others.

The company also retired the Quixtar brand, which it had been using for online sales in the United States and Canada.

E-mail the author of this story: localnews@grpress.com"