r/business • u/cnn • 7h ago
Lululemon’s incoming CEO has a mountain of problems to fix
https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/08/business/lululemon-earnings-problems-new-ceo?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit•
u/Roid-a-holic_ReX 6h ago
The article is right? Lulu used to be positioned competitively because it was premium compared to its rivals then it was competitive to alo and Vuori because it was highish quality and cheaper than alo and Vuori. Now it’s lower quality but the same price as Alo and Vuori. Why would anyone by lulu now?
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u/Stinkycheese8001 5h ago
Lululemon is its own worst enemy. Their success was built on high quality items that looked great and were worth the price. They seemed to come back from the sheer pants debacle, but have definitely dropped again. I’m still salty over the Swiftly redesign.
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u/chunkyvomitsoup 5h ago
It’s not lower quality than alo or vuori. In terms of material, lulu is still better though their quality has declined of late (as has Alo and vuori). Lulu’s issue is uninspired designs, they’re not competitive on style even though the materials used in their core lines are generally better.
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u/kelskelsea 4h ago
In my experience, their leggings don’t last as long and feel thinner/cheaper than they used too. Pricier or not, the materials don’t feel as expensive.
I’m not a “design” shopper. Literally just black leggings for the most part so that hasn’t bothered me
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u/Roid-a-holic_ReX 5h ago
I mean as a consumer my perception is lower quality. I can’t speak for everyone but I doubt I’m alone.
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u/chunkyvomitsoup 4h ago
I regularly buy from both Alo and Lulu, I think it depends on what you’re actually wearing them for. In terms of actual athletic performance, lulu is still hands down better quality. My Alo stuff pills/wears very quickly in comparison and is generally less comfortable for heavy workouts, though it’s totally fine for just lounge or light workouts and I still buy them for aesthetic alone. Vuori I’ve only tried on in store but even then it feels inferior in both performance or design tbh.
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u/chuckdacuck 4h ago
Lulu still makes high quality clothing and are usually pretty good about taking / returning items if you have issues.
Alo has never made high quality stuff.
Vuori is in Nordstrom rack
I would never buy lulu stock but I don't agree with your statement.
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u/Antique_Western_ 4h ago
Yeah a bunch of parrots commenting on lulu quality don’t actually buy the clothing lol. It’s still high quality just hasnt innovated in years and people don’t need to replace their ABC pants or workout gear because they last
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u/chuckdacuck 4h ago
I always laugh at the people that have such negative sentiment about Lulu and its quality while they have never actually worn Lulu.
I have workout shorts going on 10 years and look pretty close to being new.
I have probably 30-40 pieces and have never had an issue with any of it.
On the other hand my alo sweatpants went to shit after a few washes and they don’t let you leave a review unless you do it when they first send the link to do it.
That being said, I don’t own Lulu stock and probably never will.
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u/jocall56 2h ago
I buy it to use my quarterly AmEx credit 😆
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u/juancuneo 56m ago
And this is exactly the issue. Alo and Vuori are capturing new customers with influencers. And Lululemon is negotiating deals with Amex for boomers. The Kardashians wear Alo. Who wears lululemon online? I think it is the highest quality and looks the best, but their CMO has got to be one of the biggest morons on the planet if their influencer strategy is still DOA.
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u/yeezushchristmas 1h ago
I’d say they stopped trying to compete with Alo on the influencer front. Quality wise Alo is owned by a company that makes Tshirt blanks. Vuori was quality before they scaled and that is getting more hit/miss.
For all their problems Lulu has been consistent in terms of product for the price.
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u/juancuneo 56m ago
10000% it is their failed marketing/non-existent influencer strategy. Same with Nike.
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u/yeezushchristmas 31m ago
Nike shot themselves in the foot by pulling back AND thinking that their boutique limited supply chain would keep them relevant. They didn’t realize that people were over fighting on limited releases when the optics were they never had a chance to get them in the first place. Coupled with charging high prices for mid tier or lower quality. I think Alo is on that track once influencers move on from athleisure
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u/Money-University8717 4h ago
And she comes from NIKE, itself having a mountain of problems to fix. How does the LULU board believe she has the answers?
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u/Ok-Turnip-9035 7h ago
Hmmm all the belly aching and threats about allowing them to employ who they wanted or they wouldn’t build out operations in Canada and they’re still having issues eh …interesting
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u/iconsofpizza 7h ago
Just but Carney in a new marketing campaign. Maybe with Nathan Fielder. Doing some yoga. Like an alternative Larry and Barack.
Shares go 🚀
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u/thehourglasses 6h ago
Fast fashion needs to die and never return.
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u/isnotajellyfish 5h ago
I'm no warrior for the brand, but in my experience they have produced some products that are durable and long lasting, which has been a challenge given the nature of how activewear is used.
There is a lot they could do better though, including the constant "drops" of colors, volume, etc. I do think that starts to veer into fast fashion territory.
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u/RVAforthewin 4h ago
I agree. My Lululemon clothes, and especially my leggings, last years. I still have some leggings that are over a decade old and I’m in the gym 4-5 days/week.
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u/thehourglasses 4h ago
Enjoy your microplastics.
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u/RVAforthewin 3h ago
Okay? You’re acting as if Lulu is the only brand who has microplastics in their clothing.
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u/chuckdacuck 3h ago
He’s a neck beard that plays with swords
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u/thehourglasses 3h ago
No? It’s just the one we are talking about right now. Cope harder.
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u/RVAforthewin 2h ago
It’s out of thin air. Maybe you’re trying to suggest the only reason the leggings last is bc of microplastics? To that I say okay? The remark is just condescending AF.
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u/thehourglasses 1h ago
Being condescending is the point. I have zero respect for people who espouse mindless consumerism at the expense of the environment. Like, if you’re going to support plastic use, at least get behind something that provides a real benefit like medical applications.
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u/RVAforthewin 1h ago
You really are a tough keyboard warrior, huh? You have no clue what you’re talking about. You don’t know me, you don’t know what I am or am not involved in regarding the environment, who I vote for, or my level of education. I made a statement about pants. “Mindless consumerism” = needing quality workout gear so I’m not replacing it every six months. Mkay. Go touch grass.
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u/thehourglasses 1h ago
Humans have operated without synthetic materials for millennia. You don’t need it whatsoever, which is exactly why this is chalked up to mindless consumerism.
Thanks for playing.
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u/thehourglasses 4h ago
Yeah. They use synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels. They deserve to go bankrupt.
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u/chuckdacuck 4h ago
Lulu is not fast fashion so what is your point?
I still wear gym shorts I got 10 years ago because it lasts.
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u/Fuddzter 3h ago
I have LuLu and never paid more than 25% of retail cost. Mainly due to finding them in close out supply/distributors whom have access to them.
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u/chuckdacuck 2h ago
Skeptical because lulu keeps a very tight brand image and from what I know, does not sell to close out companies. Where have you found them?
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u/Fuddzter 2h ago
Usually places where excessive clothing suppliers dump their remains they couldn’t sell or just had to due to closing down. Also people buying up containers of clothing brands and selling them through a third party distributor. Lulu isn’t that special in terms of premium clothing.
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u/thehourglasses 4h ago
It is. Look at the volume and materials. Glad you’re so proud of your synthetic fossil fuel derived garments.
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u/chuckdacuck 3h ago
Thanks, just spent $1k on some new Lulu just for you.
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u/thehourglasses 3h ago edited 3h ago
Hope you learn how to metabolize synthetic fibers when the famines hit 🥰
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u/chuckdacuck 2h ago edited 2h ago
a) I'm rich so whatever, I can figure it out
b) My lulu will last a long time so I'm all set
c) enjoy playing with your plastic swords
d) my French bulldog (of course I have a french bulldog) is named Lulu
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u/thehourglasses 1h ago
A — no, even wheelbarrows of money couldn’t buy bread during Weimar Republic, and that’s just a purely economic example, no ecological collapse needed. Where we are headed, money won’t help you at all; you can’t eat money.
B — but you won’t, so what does it matter other than you being another body contributing to ecological collapse?
C — it’s goofy you think this would bug me; who has hobbies they are ashamed of?
D — it’s unsurprising someone so ignorant would have a dog breed that’s tantamount to animal cruelty. Par for the course, really.
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u/kelskelsea 4h ago
Lululemon’s quality has dropped significantly while still being one of the more expensive activewear brands. I have leggings from target that are 1/5 of the price that have lasted longer. Not quite as comfortable but $25 vs $125.
Nike also has this problem so not sure I trust the Nike exec to right the ship.
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u/unstereotyped 4h ago
I’m loving all the Lulus I’ve bought from the thrift. But would never buy it at overpriced MSRP.
At the end of the day, it’s polyester. Doesn’t matter what shape or cut or trim it comes in, it will degrade over time.
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u/psychonautvoyager 3h ago
Lulu could start by fixing their men’s shirt cuts. They are cut for short fat men.
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u/Codex_Absurdum 7h ago
In this situation, every great CEO would start with an anticipated bonus to cheer himself up /s