Just when you thought Meghan Markle had exhausted all avenues for personal reinvention, she surprises us with yet another business endeavor.
This time, it’s a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard, which has been more elusive than sightings of Bigfoot.
Launched with considerable buzz a year ago, the brand has yet to produce a single product.
But don’t worry, the wait is almost over!
Reports indicate that her long-awaited jam will soon hit the shelves, though not in a chic boutique or stylish online store.
Instead, it will debut at Netflix’s own retail space.
Yes, you read that right.
Meghan’s Honey and Olive Oil will make its retail debut in two major malls: King of Prussia in Philadelphia and the Dallas Galleria.
It’s an intriguing setting that raises eyebrows—what screams luxury more than a pop-up jam stand situated next to Netflix merchandise from popular shows like “Squid Game”?
This curious juxtaposition begs the question of how Meghan’s brand is positioning itself in the market.
Previously, Meghan attempted to carve out a niche with a socially conscious podcast that fizzled after just one season and a Netflix deal that now seems tenuous at best.
This time around, she’s placing her bets on strawberry jam—a product that feels decidedly humble compared to the grand narratives she once embraced.
Interestingly, reports reveal that American Riviera Orchard doesn’t even have a trademark yet, prompting speculation about a potential rebranding.
Could we see names like Scam Jam or Sweaty Strawberry in the future?
The brand is reportedly shifting to a theme of “With Love,” which opens up possibilities for products like With Love Jam or With Love Dog Biscuits.
However, this isn’t about exclusive, handcrafted offerings that conjure images of Meghan stirring strawberries in a copper pot on her picturesque California estate.
The reality may be far less glamorous; some suggest she might be buying generic, mass-produced jam in bulk, rebranding it, and marketing it as something bespoke—a well-worn tactic in the branding world.
Even King Charles, who has gardens at Highgrove House, sells jams and honey from his estate to fund charitable causes.
In contrast, Meghan seems to cultivate only PR crises at her Montecito mansion.
The irony of her current business move is hard to ignore.
Once, she mingled with A-list royalty; now she’s trying to sell jam in a mall, competing not just with artisanal products but also with cheese logs and gourmet popcorn kiosks.
Who even shops at malls anymore?
They’ve become hangouts for teenagers avoiding their parents, seniors getting their daily exercise, and those desperately seeking Auntie Anne’s pretzels.
This hardly seems like the glamorous empire-building move her PR team may be portraying.
Instead, it resembles a level of desperation typically seen on QVC, lacking a genuine audience.
The context surrounding this venture adds another layer of complexity.
Meghan’s five-year, $100 million Netflix deal is nearing its end, with insiders suggesting it may not be renewed.
To maintain relevance in Hollywood, she needs to prove she can sell something—anything.
Netflix is providing her with a kiosk as a strategic test.
If her With Love brand fails to gain traction, it’s likely Netflix will cut ties quietly, moving on without fanfare.
On the off chance that a few jars do sell—perhaps thanks to Harry’s bulk purchases to keep up appearances—Meghan might earn a small cut of the profits.
However, it’s crucial to remember that Netflix would retain the lion’s share of any significant profits generated.
This arrangement places Meghan in a precarious position, balancing between celebrity and businesswoman.
If history serves as a guide, Meghan’s product trajectory might follow a familiar pattern: initial excitement, glowing press coverage, and then the sobering reality that no one is actually buying the overpriced goods.
Those $30 jars of jam could soon find themselves on clearance at TJ Maxx for just $2.99, eventually landing in dollar stores or food banks.
It’s a disheartening fate for any product, especially one launched with such high hopes.
So, is this the breakthrough Meghan has been waiting for, or just another overhyped flop destined for obscurity?
The ambitious narrative surrounding her brand may struggle to hold up against market realities.
As we watch those jars inevitably hit the clearance aisle, it raises broader questions about the sustainability of celebrity brands in today’s ever-changing landscape.
Will Meghan’s venture into artisanal jam be remembered as a bold attempt at reinvention, or simply a footnote in her ongoing saga?
Only time will tell, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how this story unfolds.
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