Rodan + Fields has announced it is abandoning its MLM business model as of September 1st.

In its place Rodan + Fields will operate what it calls a “simplified business model”, aimed at “unlock[ing] growth and reach[ing] new customers”.

As per a July 15th Rodan + Fields press-release;

Starting September 1, the Company will move away from the multi-level direct selling model to streamline the customer and Consultant experience.

Rodan + Field’s new business model sounds like a single-level affiliate model. Rodan + Fields Consultants that choose to stay on will be charged $9.99 annually to participate.

Rodan + Fields states that under the new non-MLM model, Consultants will “receive increased commissions on customer sales”. This is to be expected with downline commissions being wiped.

Recruitment and commissions Consultants receive through product sales by those they have recruited will no longer be a component of R+F’s model, resulting in a simplified Consultant experience.

In addition to canning its MLM model, Rodan + Fields also announced it had “eliminated approximately 100 roles” in corporate.

The Company is grateful for the contributions of these individuals and is supporting them with the transition.

Rodan + Fields commenced MLM business operations in 2007. The company is headed up by founders Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields.

I can’t speak to Rodan + Fields’ sales performance but website traffic appears to have hovered between 400,000 to 500,000 monthly visits for some time (SimilarWeb). 97% of Rodan + Fields’ website traffic originates from the US.

Earlier this year Rodan + Fields was sued by a Consultant. The proposed class-action seeks to have Rodan + Fields’ Consultants classified as employees rather than independent contractors.

In July 2024 Rodan + Fields and the Consultant agreed to stay the case pending the outcome of arbitration proceedings.

As of BehindMLM’s last July 4th docket check, the outcome of arbitration proceedings remains pending. A Case Management Conference has been scheduled for October 2nd.