Avon manufactures and sells cosmetics primarily to women using a sales force consisting of part-time sales representatives offering the products through in-home sales parties. Sales representatives host parties in their homes where they demonstrate the products and then take orders. Many customers also submit telephone or online orders to the sales representative or directly to the company. Other customers prefer to order by mail. Avon recently began to offer its products through retail stores where customers can drop off orders for sales representatives and take delivery of products.

The sales representatives are paid on a commission basis.

Discuss the factors that are currently affecting Avon’s business.