Does Meghan Markle have what it takes to move product at the stores Netflix is about to debut at two of the biggest malls in America?!
That’s the question on everybody’s mind right now (well, that and whatever the hell is happening between Meghan and Donald Trump…). The streaming giant is prepping to open two brick-and-mortar stores at Pennsylvania’s King of Prussia Mall and Texas’ Dallas Galleria in the coming weeks.
Related: Meghan & Harry Kiss During PDA-Filled Invictus Games Appearance Amid Divorce Rumors!
According to a report published by DailyMail.com on Monday, the Duchess of Sussex is all set to finally launch her (very, very) long-awaited line of jams, tea, coffee, and more from American Riviera Orchard in THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS! Whoa!!!
Feels like we’ve been waiting FOREVER for these things to show up, ya know?! But now, they’re right around the corner! And not only that, but they will be for sale in the aforementioned stores currently being set up by the streaming giant. Called Netflix House, these physical stores are debuting in the two malls for now, with plans for Netflix to eventually open other franchises in malls and shopping centers nationwide.
The report quoted a source who explained:
“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.”
An interesting move by Netflix, that’s for sure. We mean, there are Disney stores, right? So why not? But won’t most folks go there for toys and t-shirts?
Well, the streaming service hopes not! They’ll carry her American Riviera Orchard products in those stores right from the start, per the DM report. Specifically, the Netflix House stores are going to contain a cafe in which they’ll sell the actress’ strawberry jam and some other ARO products.
And not only that, but the source said the ARO product launch will also coincide nicely with her super-delayed Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, that’ll hit the streaming service on March 4. The show had been set to debut in January, but the devastating LA wildfires pushed those plans back. Now, an insider speaking to DM reports that her Netflix series is indeed being edited “to include Meghan’s philanthropic work around the fires.” You know — that “philanthropic work” which got her absolutely excoriated in the media by actual fire victims.
Womp womp!
Per that same insider, the combination of store launch and streaming release is an incredibly critical career moment for Prince Harry‘s wife. The source explained why with three little words of caution:
“This is make or break for Meghan. Her new show is rolling out the same time as the Netflix stores open.”
Make. Or. Break.
And just to drop a little bit of shade in there for good measure, the insider took a dig at Meghan’s oft-maligned business skills up to this point:
“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.”
Ouch!
That’s not really fair, though, is it? We mean, this Netflix store sounds like a gift shop, like the type of place for people with money to burn… and they’re opening it in an economy where the price of eggs is skyrocketing. Are folks really going to blame her if this doesn’t work? You know it!
BTW, even though Meghan’s Netflix show hasn’t (quite) hit the airwaves yet, and her products still are awaiting their in-store debut, that same source is ALREADY telling DM that they believe her and Harry’s 5-year, $100-million Netflix deal won’t be renewed when it expires later in 2025. The insider reasoned:
“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.”
Oof. Tough times ahead for the mom of two — especially if these ARO products aren’t a hit, and/or her streaming series ultimately gets panned by fans.
As for Netflix? Sounds like they can succeed with her… OR without her. The source explained:
“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.”
To hear this source tell it, it sure sounds like the jam is seriously about to hit the fan for the Suits alum, y’all. If things go badly, that is. If things go well — both in the brick-and-mortar space and with her streaming series — maybe she could re-launch her career into another stratosphere!
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