BEIJING, Feb.1 -- Movie lovers may still remember the Avon lady in "Edward Scissorhands" who discovered the protagonist Edward while selling cosmetics.

    Armed with a suitcase of face powder and concealer, the character was eager to sell products to her neighbors through personal demonstrations after a little gossip.

    Consumers in China may soon also be receiving such visits by salespeople as the government reopened the direct sales market after a seven-year ban.

    Companies with the approval of authorities are moving to recruit sales representatives and train them to sell products by making face-to-face contact with people in their homes or offices.

    Amway (China) Co Ltd will begin to recruit direct-salespeople and start training this month. The US-based firm received its license in December and was among the latest batch of companies approved by the Ministry of Commerce to conduct door-to-door sales on the mainland.

    "China's reopening of direct sales is fantastic news for us," said Audie Wong, president of Amway (China) Co Ltd.

    "The company is preparing training programs to make sure our prospective salespeople follow the new regulations."

    Amway said direct sales will make up a major part of its revenue, but it still plans to expand its network of stores across the country. The nutritional products and cosmetics maker runs 188 outlets across China.

    Wong, however, declined to disclose the target number of its direct salespeople, nor would he offer a sales forecast for this year.

    Amway has been joined by other overseas-funded direct-sales companies anxious to penetrate the market.