We’ve been expecting jars of jam, tea, coffee, wallpaper, pet shampoo and much else besides.
Meghan Markle announced her lifestyle product line, American Riviera Orchard, a year ago with much excitement. However, the products have not been available for purchase yet.
Exclusive information from the Daily Mail reveals that the Duchess of Sussex is set to introduce her brand in the coming weeks. The products will be launched in physical stores owned by Netflix, one of her employers.
And, say sources, the success or failure of her products in the Netflix House superstores will ‘make or break’ Meghan’s entrepreneurial ambitions.
The initial American Riviera Orchard outlets will debut in early March at two prominent shopping destinations: the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia and the Dallas Galleria.
The duchess will offer a range of products under American Riviera Orchard brand and, according to a Netflix source, will include jam, honey, and olive oil.
First unveiled amid great fanfare one year ago, Meghan Markle’s range of lifestyle products – sold under the beguiling name of American Riviera Orchard – has so far failed to appear. (Meghan is pictured on her Netflix show).
The duchess will offer a range of products under American Riviera Orchard brand and, according to a Netflix source, will include jam, honey, and olive oil.
The timing might well be significant as her delayed Netflix lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan’ begins streaming on March 4.
‘This is make or break for Meghan,’ said the source.
‘Her new show is rolling out the same time as the Netflix stores open.
‘The Netflix stores will offer products and merchandise from all their biggest shows like Squid Game and Stranger Things.
‘This is a big move for Netflix. The first stores are in repurposed department stores inside two of America’s largest malls.
‘They will contain an onsite cafe so Meghan’s products like her strawberry jam will be featured on the menu too.
‘This will determine the future for Meghan as a businesswoman. Let’s face it, she hasn’t been that successful so far.’
The duchess had a significant setback when her $20 million Spotify podcast series was cancelled with Spotify executive Bill Simmons describing Meghan and husband Prince Harry as ‘grifters.’
The couple’s $100 million five-year Netflix deal expires later this year and insiders believe it will not be renewed.
The source said: ‘If Meghan’s show is a massive hit and she sells tons of products off the back of it then maybe Netflix will reconsider but at this stage it’s all about them supporting her show and then quietly letting the contract run its course.’
The streaming giant hopes to eventually open Netflix House stores coast-to-coast.
On their website they say: ‘Netflix House is a year-round home for fans to live the stories they love. Enjoy rotating immersive experiences, exclusive merchandise, food, drinks and much more.’
Meghan’s new lifestyle show was originally set to air in January but, according to Netflix, was pushed back because of the devastating LA wildfires.
The couple’s $100 million five-year Netflix deal expires later this year and insiders believe it will not be renewed. (Harry and Meghan are pictured here at the 2024 ESPY Awards).
The duchess will offer a range of products under American Riviera Orchard brand and, according to a Netflix source, will include jam, honey, and olive oil.
It is understood the show is being edited ‘to include Meghan’s philanthropic work around the fires’ which included visiting victims in Altadena, California.
This week she bragged about how she scored scored Billie Eilish merchandise for one 15-year-old girl who lost her family home.
The source added: ‘Netflix is expanding and growing all the time and Netflix House is a natural progression. Meghan’s products will be in there alongside shirts and merchandise from some of the biggest shows on the planet.
‘It’s a bigger deal for her than it is for Netflix. If her show doesn’t take off, then her merchandise will be quietly taken off the shelves and replaced with products associated with a more popular show.
‘Netflix has a huge arsenal of shows to draw on so this venture into bricks and mortar retailing makes sense.
‘Eventually they are hoping to open stores internationally.’
Meghan ‘soft launched’ her American Rivera Orchard brand on Instagram last year and sent hand-labeled samples of her strawberry jam to friends including actress Mindy Kaling, model Chrissy Teigen and Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner.
Sources who have seen ‘With Love, Meghan’ told the Mail this week that it is a ‘how to’ guide to entertaining which offers ‘inspiration and ideas’ rather than recipes.
The source said: ‘There is no point at which Meghan says ‘take 200 grams of flour’ or anything like that.
‘It’s a very magical and beautiful guide to hosting and entertaining rather than a how-to cookery show. It’s about inspiration – more like, ‘Why not try and make this kind of pasta or this kind of dessert’. Harry isn’t in it.
‘It’s all her, and all about her. It’s very watchable.’
Netflix said the show ‘blends practical how-to-s and candid conversation with friends, new and old’.
Meghan’s new lifestyle show was originally set to air in January but, according to Netflix, was pushed back because of the devastating LA wildfires. (Harry and Meghan are pictured here meeting with first responders and victims of the Eaton Fire).
Meghan ‘soft launched’ her American Rivera Orchard brand on Instagram last year and sent hand-labeled samples of her strawberry jam to friends including actress Mindy Kaling, model Chrissy Teigen (pictured) and Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner.
It added: ‘Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected.
‘She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.’
Guests featured in the eight-part series include Argentine socialite Delfina Blaquier, who is married to Harry’s best friend, polo player Nacho Figueras, Tracy Robbins – whose husband Brian runs Paramount studios – and Meghan’s former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer.
A source said: ‘The people featured are mostly close friends.
‘The big question now is whether Meghan can appeal to Netflix’s global audience.
‘If she can, then the sky is the limit as far as her products go. Netflix hopes to expand the stores around the world which would be huge for Meghan’s brand.
‘This could make her a global entrepreneur or, if it fails, then it’s hard to see where she goes from here.’
