Exhibit 99.1

                             [On Company Letterhead]


                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                           Contact: Martin L. Weissman


           MARKET AMERICA INC. BOARD RECEIVES MANAGEMENT BUYOUT OFFER
           ----------------------------------------------------------


Greensboro, NC (17 October, 2001)


          Market America Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MARK) announced today that it
had received a proposal from its President and Chief Executive Officer, James H.
Ridinger and his wife, Senior Vice President, Loren Ridinger. Mr. Ridinger holds
approximately 77% of Market America's common stock.

          Under the terms of the proposal, an entity which would hold the
management group's stock would be merged with and into Market America, with
Market America as the surviving corporation. All outstanding shares of Market
America not already held by such management group will be acquired for a cash
price of $8.00 per share.

          The merger is subject to approval of holders of a majority of the
shares of Market America stock not held by the management group. A shareholders'
meeting to consider the transaction will be scheduled after the necessary proxy
materials are prepared.

          Market America is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina. The
Company markets a wide range of consumer-oriented products and services through
a network of over 80,000 Independent Distributors and UnFranchise(R) Owners in
the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Bahamas, with planned
expansion into Australia and New Zealand. Its product lines currently include
health and nutrition, personal and home care products, customized cosmetics and
more.