Meghan Markle pulled into wage row over Netflix store jobs featuring her products

Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand As Ever is back in the spotlight, but this time, not without controversy.

The Duchess of Sussex has been drawn into a debate about wages after it was revealed that her As Ever products will be featured in two upcoming Netflix House retail locations, while some staff working at these stores may earn less per hour than the cost of the items they’re selling.

Netflix is preparing to open its new retail experiences in two major US malls: the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia and the Galleria in Dallas. 

These “Netflix House” stores will offer fans merchandise from popular shows, interactive experiences, and themed dining, and now, select items from Meghan’s lifestyle brand.

The As Ever line, launched in April, includes artisanal jams, $9, teas, $11, crepe and cookie mixes, $14, honey, $27, and rosé wine priced at $28. 

Many of these products sold out within minutes during their initial launch, and the Netflix partnership will give fans another opportunity to purchase them in person.

But concerns are brewing over staff wages. Netflix’s job listings for “crew members” at the new stores indicate pay starting at $20 per hour. 

That’s less than the cost of several As Ever items, prompting criticism over compensation and labor practices in connection with the duchess’s branded products.

Although Meghan is not directly involved in staffing or operations of the Netflix House locations, her close brand affiliation with the streaming giant has pulled her into the discussion. 

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