The best replacement for direct sales is mlm.

The best alternatives to direct sales are rated as following:
★★★★★  mlm
★★★★  network marketing
★★★★  indirect sales
★★★  channel sales
★★★  distribution
★★  distributors
★★  distributor
★★  retail sales
★★  wholesale
★  pyramid schemes
★  affiliate marketing
★  inside sales
★  multi level marketing
★  telesales
  mlm network marketing
  reseller

Your alternative for direct sales is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about direct sales, one probably shouldn't forget about low start up cost.

Other search terms related to direct sales and their ratings are:
★★★★★ low start up cost
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Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of direct sales in all years. Click on graph for more.
direct sales
mlm
network marketing