Meghan Markle receives major blow from Netflix as it won’t stock her products in new shop
Meghan Markle has reportedly suffered a significant setback in her business ventures as Netflix has decided not to stock her lifestyle brand products in its highly anticipated new retail destination.
The Duchess of Sussex’s “As Ever” products, despite being backed by the streaming giant, will notably be absent from the shelves when Netflix House opens its doors in Dallas, Texas, on December 11, 2024.
The omission has raised eyebrows across the entertainment and business sectors, particularly given the close relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Netflix. The couple signed a lucrative multi-year deal with the platform reportedly worth upwards of $100 million in 2020, following their departure from senior royal duties.
Netflix House: A New Retail Experience
Netflix House represents the streaming service’s ambitious foray into physical retail and experiential entertainment. The Dallas location, set to launch next month, will offer visitors an immersive journey into the world of Netflix’s most popular shows and films.
According to company announcements, guests can expect interactive experiences, themed games, and specially curated food and beverages inspired by hit series including “Stranger Things,” “Squid Game,” “Bridgerton,” and “Wednesday.”
The 100,000-square-foot venue will feature rotating installations that allow fans to step directly into the worlds of their favorite Netflix content. From the Upside Down of “Stranger Things” to the deadly games arena of “Squid Game,” the experiential center promises to blur the lines between streaming content and real-world engagement.
Josh Simon, Netflix’s Vice President of Consumer Products, previously stated: “We’ve launched more than 50 experiences in 25 cities, and Netflix House represents the next generation of our distinctive offerings. The venues will bring our beloved stories to life in new, ever-changing, and unexpected ways.”
The Meghan Markle Connection
Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand has been one of her primary business focuses since stepping back from royal duties. The Duchess has been developing “As Ever,” a lifestyle venture that reportedly encompasses products ranging from home goods to wellness items.
The brand has been positioned to reflect Meghan’s personal aesthetic and values, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and accessible luxury.
What makes the Netflix House exclusion particularly striking is that Netflix has been a financial backer of Meghan’s business endeavors.
Through their Archewell Productions company, Harry and Meghan have maintained a working relationship with the streaming platform, producing content including the controversial documentary series “Harry & Meghan” and the Duchess’s recent lifestyle show.
Industry insiders suggest that the decision not to feature As Ever products in Netflix House could signal a strategic shift in how the streaming giant approaches its relationship with the Sussexes. While Netflix continues to work with the couple on content creation, the retail aspect appears to be a separate consideration entirely.
What Will Be Sold at Netflix House?
According to official announcements, Netflix House will primarily feature merchandise directly tied to the platform’s original programming. Visitors can expect to purchase:
- Apparel featuring popular show logos and characters
- Limited-edition collectibles from hit series
- Home décor items inspired by Netflix productions
- Exclusive merchandise not available elsewhere
- Themed accessories and gift items
The retail strategy appears focused on capitalizing on the immediate recognition and fandom surrounding Netflix’s biggest shows. Products will be carefully curated to match the immersive experiences offered throughout the venue, creating a cohesive brand experience that extends from viewing to purchasing.
Marian Lee, Netflix’s Chief Marketing Officer, explained the concept: “At Netflix House, you can enjoy regularly updated immersive experiences, indulge in retail therapy, and get a taste—literally—of your favorite Netflix series and films through unique food and drink offerings.”
The Business Implications
The exclusion of Meghan’s products from Netflix House carries several potential implications for both parties. For the Duchess, it represents a missed opportunity to leverage Netflix’s massive audience and reach.
The streaming platform boasts over 247 million subscribers globally, and Netflix House is expected to attract significant foot traffic from both tourists and locals in the Dallas area.
Retail experts suggest that placement in such a high-profile venue could have provided invaluable exposure for the As Ever brand, particularly among the demographic most likely to consume both Netflix content and lifestyle products. The decision not to include these items may indicate that Netflix is drawing clear boundaries between its content partnerships and its retail strategy.
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For Netflix, the move suggests a focus on maintaining brand coherence in its physical retail spaces. By limiting merchandise to directly related content, the company ensures that every product reinforces the Netflix brand and its programming, rather than serving as a platform for external brands, even those with connections to Netflix content creators.
The Archewell-Netflix Partnership
Despite this retail setback, the production partnership between Archewell Productions and Netflix continues. The couple’s documentary series “Harry & Meghan,” which premiered in December 2022, became one of Netflix’s biggest documentary debuts, drawing 81.55 million viewing hours in its first four days.
Meghan’s upcoming lifestyle series, which has been in development, represents another significant project under the Netflix deal. The show is expected to align with the As Ever brand’s ethos, focusing on cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship. However, the production has reportedly faced delays and creative challenges.
Sources close to the situation suggest that while Netflix remains committed to the content agreement with the Sussexes, the streaming giant is becoming more selective about which projects receive the green light. The company has increasingly emphasized data-driven decision-making and return on investment across all its ventures.
Industry Reaction and Expert Analysis
Media analysts have weighed in on the significance of Netflix’s decision. Sarah Vine, a prominent British columnist, noted: “This sends a clear message about the separation between celebrity endorsements and strategic retail planning. Netflix is building a brand experience, not a celebrity marketplace.”
Brand strategist Emma Thompson (not the actress) explained: “Netflix House is about creating an ecosystem where everything connects back to the content. Including external lifestyle brands, even those with Netflix connections, could dilute that message and confuse consumers about what Netflix House actually represents.”
The decision also reflects broader trends in celebrity brand partnerships. Companies are increasingly cautious about attaching their retail strategies to individual personalities, particularly those who generate significant media attention and controversy.
The Sussexes, despite their popularity in certain demographics, remain polarizing figures, especially in the UK market.
Meghan’s Broader Business Challenges
This setback comes amid a series of challenges for Meghan’s business ventures. Her podcast “Archetypes,” which was produced under a separate deal with Spotify, ended after one season when Spotify and Archewell Audio mutually agreed to part ways in 2023.
The split came after Spotify executives reportedly expressed frustration with the production output relative to the reported $20 million deal.
The Duchess has also faced delays in launching various aspects of her lifestyle brand. Trademark applications for “As Ever” revealed ambitious plans spanning numerous product categories, but the actual product rollout has been slower than initially anticipated.
Industry observers suggest that building a successful lifestyle brand requires consistent presence and engagement, areas where Meghan’s other commitments may create challenges.
The Future of Netflix House
As Netflix prepares to open its Dallas location, plans are already underway for a second venue in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, slated to open in 2025. The company views these physical locations as crucial touchpoints for deepening customer engagement and expanding revenue streams beyond subscription fees.
The success of Netflix House could influence how other streaming platforms approach physical retail and experiential marketing.
Disney has long understood the value of theme parks and retail experiences, but Netflix’s approach represents a new model specifically designed for the streaming age—flexible, rotating content that can be updated as shows come and go in popularity.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix Co-CEO, has emphasized the importance of creating “moments” for subscribers: “We’re always looking for new ways to delight our members and bring them closer to the stories they love. Netflix House is the next step in our evolution as an entertainment brand.”
What This Means for the Sussexes
For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Netflix House decision may serve as a reminder that their celebrity status, while valuable, doesn’t automatically translate into retail success or unlimited support from their business partners.
The couple has consistently emphasized their desire for financial independence since leaving royal duties, but achieving that goal requires navigating the complex world of entertainment and consumer products.
The Duchess has spoken publicly about the challenges of building businesses while facing intense media scrutiny. In various interviews, she has discussed the difficulty of launching ventures when every decision is analyzed and criticized.
However, business experts note that all entrepreneurs face challenges, and success ultimately depends on product quality, market fit, and execution rather than media coverage.
Looking Ahead
As Netflix House prepares to welcome its first visitors, the absence of Meghan Markle’s products will likely fuel ongoing speculation about the nature of the Sussexes’ relationship with Netflix.
While the content partnership appears to remain intact, this retail decision suggests that Netflix is carefully managing its brand extensions and maintaining clear boundaries between different aspects of its business.
For Meghan, the focus will likely shift to alternative retail channels for the As Ever brand. E-commerce platforms, selective retail partnerships, and direct-to-consumer strategies remain viable options for reaching her target audience.
The Duchess has a dedicated following, particularly among progressive American consumers, who may actively seek out her products regardless of their availability at Netflix House.
The situation also highlights the evolving nature of celebrity business ventures in the streaming era. Traditional rules about brand partnerships and celebrity endorsements are being rewritten as companies prioritize data, coherence, and strategic fit over star power alone.
Conclusion
The decision by Netflix not to stock Meghan Markle’s As Ever products in its new Dallas retail destination represents a significant business setback for the Duchess, but it may not signal the end of her lifestyle brand ambitions or her partnership with the streaming giant.
Instead, it reflects the complex realities of modern celebrity business ventures and the increasingly sophisticated approach companies take to brand management and retail strategy.
As Netflix House opens its doors next month, it will offer fans an unprecedented opportunity to engage with their favorite shows in physical space.
Whether the absence of the Duchess’s products will be noticed by visitors remains to be seen, but for industry watchers, it serves as an important case study in the separation between content creation partnerships and retail strategies.
For Meghan Markle, the challenge now is to demonstrate that her lifestyle brand can succeed on its own merits, building a loyal customer base through quality products and effective marketing, regardless of whether those products appear in Netflix’s physical locations.
SOURCES AND CITATIONS:
- Netflix official press releases regarding Netflix House openings
- Previous reporting on the Sussex-Netflix partnership deal
- Industry publications covering streaming platform retail strategies
- Public trademark filings for “As Ever” brand
- Netflix viewership data for Sussex-produced content
INTERNAL LINKING OPPORTUNITIES:
- Related articles about Netflix House expansion plans
- Previous coverage of Meghan Markle’s business ventures
- Royal family business ventures and commercial activities
- Celebrity lifestyle brands and their success rates
- Streaming platform experiential marketing strategies