Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand Off To A Rocky Start For This Reason

Meghan Markle is making big moves to build her lifestyle company, and there’s even reports that she means to launch a cooking show. If she does, she’ll join a line of celebrities who have successfully launched cooking shows. Remember Selena Gomez, Chrissy Teigen? Wow, we do love watching celebrities cook, now don’t we?

Major Challenge Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand Faces Revealed By Retail Expert

According to insiders, Meghan spent over a year working on the concept of American Riviera Orchard and now that it’s here, she’s prepared to make it as big as she possibly can.

Recently, the former actress sent the first offerings from the new brand – a hamper of branded james and fresh lemons – to 50 influencers and friends.

Among those she gifted the product are her former “Suits” co-star Abigail Spencer, fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Delfina Blaquier, the wife of Prince Harry’s polo friend Nacho Figueras.

While some describe American Riviera Orchard as more of a side hustle for the Duchess, there’s no doubt she means to set it up as big, or perhaps even bigger, than Gwyneth Paltrow’s “Goop” and even the OG lifestyle influencer Martha Stewart.

While the brand is seeing a massive number of fans on Instagram, over 600’000 and counting, retail expert Neil Saunders revealed it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll translate to big sales.

“The challenge will be coming up with a collection of different products that sit together really well,” Saunders explained to the Financial Times. “The name only carries her so far.”

Meghan Markle’s Brand American Riviera Orchard Will Battle A Highly Competitive Landscape

On top of everything, selling high-end home and kitchenware is a competitive space – I mean, we all love Drew Barrymore’s products don’t we?

While Paltrow’s Goop may be on top now, it took her years to build the unconventional lifestyle business enough to be able to get an investment for it.

Neil, who works for GlobalData Retail, continued: “People think of Gwyneth as being a lifestyle guru, and that’s where the Duchess is going to struggle.”

He added: “She’s going to have to work very hard to build up expertise. The idea that she could be the next Martha Stewart does not at this stage feel plausible.”

But Meghan’s got an ace up her sleeve and is seeking to build the brand by supporting it with a lifestyle show on Netflix.

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