Retail workers promoting ‘As Ever’ may not afford the products they sell
Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand As Ever is enjoying brisk sales, with her
£20.68 orange blossom honey selling out within minutes. But behind the buzz,
concerns are growing over whether the very people promoting her products at
upcoming Netflix retail locations can afford them.
According to The Mail, employees at Netflix House stores in Philadelphia and
Dallas are expected to earn approximately £15 per hour. Yet many of Meghan’s
products are priced above that hourly wage.
For example, As Ever wine bundles range from £72 for three bottles to £240 for
twelve—excluding the additional £14 for shipping and taxes. Other items
include crepe mix priced at £10.34 and herbal teas at £11.08 per pack, making
them relatively costly for hourly retail staff.
Netflix’s physical stores are set to spotlight Meghan’s product line as part
of a broader branding push. Despite the controversy, CEO Ted Sarandos has
voiced confidence in the Duchess of Sussex, stating that her “cultural
influence is underestimated” and was a key reason behind the streaming giant’s
partnership.
Since stepping back from royal duties, Meghan has rebranded herself as a
lifestyle tastemaker through her docuseries With Love, Meghan and the As Ever
line. While some admire her entrepreneurial spirit, others see a disconnect
between her luxury branding and the working conditions of those tasked with
promoting it.
The second season of With Love, Meghan is expected to premiere this autumn,
just as her multi-year deal with Netflix nears its end.
