View source for Lululemon

{{short description|Multinational athletic apparel retailer}}
{{Promotional|date=April 2024}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = lululemon athletica inc.<!--exact legal name as specified in its charter-->
| logo = Lululemon Athletica logo.svg
| logo_size = 120
| image = Lululemon Grand Opening Miami Worldcenter.jpg
| image_caption = Lululemon store in [[Miami]].
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{unbulleted list|{{NASDAQ|LULU}}|[[Nasdaq-100]] component|[[S&P 500]] component}}
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5500211090}}
| founder = [[Chip Wilson]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list
|Calvin McDonald ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
|Meghan Frank ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])
|Sun Choe ([[Chief Product Officer|CPO]])
|Celeste Burgoyne ([[Executive vice president|EVP]], Americas)
|Isabella Pirzadeh ([[Head Of Design|HOD]])
}}
| industry = [[Clothing industry|Clothing]]<br />Retail
| products = [[Sportswear]]
| revenue = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|10.6&nbsp;billion|link=yes}} (2024)}}<ref name="10-K" />
| operating_income = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|2.51&nbsp;billion}} (2024)}}<ref name="10-K" />
| net_income = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|1.81&nbsp;billion}} (2024)}}<ref name="10-K" />
| assets = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|7.60&nbsp;billion}} (2024)}}<ref name="10-K" />
| equity = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|4.32&nbsp;billion}} (2024)}}<ref name="10-K" />
| num_employees = {{circa|39,000}} (2025)<ref name="10-K" />
| divisions = {{unbulleted list|Lululemon Athletica|OQOQO|Ivivva Athletica}}
| brands = Lab
| homepage = {{URL|https://corporate.lululemon.com/about-us|lululemon.com}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1998}}<!--incorporated 1999-01-12-->
| hq_location = [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, Canada<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/lululemon-athletica | title=Lululemon Athletica &#124; LULU Stock Price, Company Overview & News | website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref>
| locations = 767 (2025)<ref name="10-K" />
| owner = [[Chip Wilson]] (8.4%)<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1397187/000139718723000017/lulu-20230427.htm#i662a516a807046c48f969c08ac1ead22_70 2023 Proxy statement]</ref>
| footnotes = <ref name="10-K">{{Cite web |title=Form 10-K – lululemon athletica inc. |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001397187/000139718725000013/lulu-20250202.htm |date=March 27, 2025 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref>
}}
'''Lululemon''', commonly styled as '''lululemon''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|l|uː|l|u|ˈ|l|ɛ|m|ə|n|audio=en-us-Lululemon.ogg}} {{respell|loo|loo|LEM|ən}}; [[all lowercase]]<ref name="10-K" />), is a Canadian-American <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-25 |title=Olympics outfitter Lululemon accused of greenwashing in France |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/07/25/greenwashing-lululemon-hit-with-legal-complaint-before-olympic-opening-ceremony |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-24 |title=Canadian Brand Lululemon Opens Massive London Flagship - Retail & Leisure International |url=https://www.rli.uk.com/canadian-brand-lululemon-opens-massive-london-flagship/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref> multinational athletic apparel retailer headquartered in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, and incorporated in [[Delaware]], United States, as '''Lululemon Athletica Inc.'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sec.report/Ticker/LULU | title=LULU Stock – Lululemon Athletica Inc. SEC Filings }}</ref> It was founded in 1998 as a retailer of [[yoga pants]] and other [[Yoga as exercise|yoga]] wear, and has expanded to also sell athletic wear, lifestyle apparel, accessories, and [[personal care products]]. The company has 711 stores (as of January 2024) and also sells online.

== Products and services ==
Lululemon sells athletic apparel, including sporting tops, jackets, hoodies, joggers, running shoes, underwear, leggings, and casual wear. The company also offers accessories such as gloves, mittens, hats, shoes, bags, [[yoga mat]]s, and water bottles. Lululemon has developed and trademarked several fabrics designed for different functions, including moisture-wicking and compression.<ref name=":3" />

Lululemon's research and development lab, Whitespace, is housed within its headquarters. Its employees include scientists and physiologists.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ankeny |first1=Matthew |title=The Metaphysical Thought of Lululemon's Athletic R&D |url=https://www.gearpatrol.com/outdoors/a158282/inside-lululemon-r-d-tom-waller/ |website=gearpatrol.com |date=October 2, 2015 |access-date=2 October 2015}}</ref> In 2019, the company introduced a streetwear brand called Lab in select stores.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Segran |first=Elizabeth |date=September 10, 2019 |title=Lululemon's first new brand, 10 years in the making, is here |work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90401249/lululemons-first-fashion-label-ten-years-in-the-making-is-here |access-date=September 13, 2019}}</ref> That year, Lululemon also announced plans to expand its men's clothing business.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhattarai |first=Abha |title=Lululemon sold women on $100 leggings. Now it's coming after men, with $38 boxers |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/24/lululemon-sold-women-leggings-now-its-coming-after-men-with-boxers/ |access-date=April 9, 2021 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In March 2022, Lululemon expanded into footwear.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Lululemon launched its first-ever sneaker, designed specifically for women |url=https://www.today.com/shop/lululemon-shoe-collection-t250808 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}</ref> The initial launch focused on women's footwear, later expanding to include men's styles.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Alex Cyr |date=2022-06-06 |title=Lululemon has launched its first 'women-first' running shoe — but what exactly does that mean? |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/lululemon-has-launched-its-first-women-first-running-shoe-but-what-exactly-does-that-mean/article_4e0c7aea-9db6-5b44-8441-971365d629df.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newcomb |first=Tim |title=Lululemon Expands Women's Footwear With Road-To-Trail Blissfeel Trail Shoe |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2023/05/25/lululemon-expands-womens-footwear-with-road-to-trail-blissfeel-trail-shoe/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

== Marketing ==
{{multiple image
| align             = 
| total_width       = 370
| image1            = LululemonAthleticaPromenade.jpg
| image2            = HK_%E9%87%91%E9%90%98_Admiralty_%E5%A4%AA%E5%8F%A4%E5%BB%A3%E5%A0%B4_Pacific_Place_mall_shop_clothing_Lululemon_Store_July_2021_SS2_02.jpg
| footer            = Two Lululemon stores with their products in exhibition: (left) Promenade; (right) Hong Kong
}}
Originally known for women's yoga apparel, Lululemon has grown by acquiring more male customers and adapting its product and marketing strategies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stankiewicz |first=Kevin |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Lululemon CEO: To really pop our menswear line, more men need to know we actually have one |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/29/lululemons-calvin-mcdonald-menswear-line-will-grow-with-awareness.html |publisher=CNBC}}</ref> The company is said to use "holistic guerrilla marketing" to make customers feel that they are part of a community.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |date=May 2011 |title=LOCO FOR LULU |journal=Canadian Business |volume=84 |pages=28–32 |id={{ProQuest|865046155}}}}</ref> It uses social media including [[Facebook]], Twitter and [[Instagram]] as a main method of marketing the company and its products.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Touchette |first1=Ben |last2=Schanski |first2=Megan |last3=Lee |first3=Seung-Eun |year=2015 |title=Apparel brands' use of Facebook: an exploratory content analysis of branded entertainment |url=https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/bitstreams/b0b3bf79-cdba-4657-9c8c-37ffbe610d4a/download |journal=Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=107–119 |doi=10.1108/JFMM-04-2013-0051|url-access= }}</ref>

The company promoted its branded resale program, Like New, at [[South by Southwest]] in 2025, having started the program nationwide in 2022. The program allows consumers to trade in their clothing for store credit, typically ranging from $5 - $25 per item, and the company then resells the used clothing online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waldow |first=Julia |date=2025-03-24 |title=Lululemon is promoting its resale program with pilates classes and partnerships |url=https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/lululemon-is-promoting-its-resale-program-with-pilates-classes-and-partnerships/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Modern Retail |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
Lululemon was founded in 1998 by [[Chip Wilson]] in [[Vancouver|Vancouver, British Columbia]] with its first standalone store opening in November 2000.<ref name="twsNYT3">Rob Walker, July 21, 2009, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/magazine/26FOB-consumed-t.html "Marketing Pose"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', Retrieved . "...it's no surprise that some yoga devotees have zeroed in on it as an annoying phony-baloney symbol. Elaine Lipson, a writer and editor in Boulder, Colo., who ..."</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last1=Bhasin |first1=Kim Jr. |first2=Gerald |last2=Porter |title=The rise of lululemon: How America became a nation of yoga pants |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-lululemon-yoga-pants-fashion-20181031-story.html |access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref> In 1997, Wilson had been doing yoga and had an idea to make yoga apparel for women using a proprietary skintight fabric he developed to enhance their appearance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Altstedter |first=Ari |title=Lululemon's Founder Is Racing to Cure the Rare Disease Destroying His Muscles |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-10-20/lululemon-founder-chip-wilson-races-to-find-muscular-dystrophy-cure |date=October 20, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |work=Bloomberg Businesweek}}</ref> Wilson deliberately chose a name with multiple '[[L]]'s ({{Langx|ja|ルルレモン|Rururemon}}) to sound Western to Japanese buyers, who [[Perception of English /r/ and /l/ by Japanese speakers|often have difficulty]] pronouncing the letter, and that the name otherwise "means nothing". He later remarked that,
{{blockquote|The reason the Japanese liked [my former skateboard brand 'Homeless'] was because it had an L in it and a Japanese marketing firm wouldn’t come up with a brand name with an L in it. L is not in their vocabulary. It's a tough pronunciation for them. So I thought, next time I have a company, I’ll make a name with three Ls and see if I can get three times the money. It's kind of exotic for them. I was playing with Ls and I came up with Lululemon. It's funny to watch them try to say it.<ref name="BI_2015">{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Jim |date=September 4, 2015 |title=The long, strange history of lululemon: North America's weirdest clothing brand |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-lululemon-2015-9 |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name=financialpost/>}}

The company made its [[initial public offering]] in July 2007, raising $327.6 million by selling 18.2 million shares on the American [[Nasdaq]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Kowitt |first=Beth |last2=Leahey |first2=Colleen |date=29 August 2013 |title=Lululemon: In an uncomfortable position |url=http://fortune.com/2013/08/29/lululemon-in-an-uncomfortable-position/ |access-date=November 1, 2018 |work=Fortune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ball |first=Yvonne |title=lululemon IPO Runs Up 56% |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118559418768781161 |access-date=November 1, 2018}}</ref> [[Christine M. Day|Christine Day]], a former co-president of [[Starbucks]], assumed her role as the company's chief executive officer in 2008.<ref name=":2" /> In December 2010, Lululemon recalled some of the store's reusable bags that were made from [[polypropylene]], based on reports of high levels of lead.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sinnema |first=Jodie |date=December 21, 2010 |title=Lululemon issues recall for shopping bags due to lead risk |work=[[Edmonton Journal]] |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/Lululemon+issues+recall+shopping+bags+lead+risk/4011155/story.html |access-date=May 6, 2015 |quote=People who purchase yoga pants, hoodies or headbands from the more than 100 Lululemon stores in Canada, the U.S. and Australia often save such bags to carry their lunches to work |archive-date=April 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429031513/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Lululemon+issues+recall+shopping+bags+lead+risk/4011155/story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, Lululemon filed a lawsuit against [[Calvin Klein]] and supplier [[G-III Apparel Group]] for infringement of three of its design patents for yoga pants.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Weller |first=Susan Neuberger |date=September 21, 2012 |title=S. 3523: Louboutin, Lululemon, and Fashion Design: Finally Getting Some Respect? |url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/s-3523-louboutin-lululemon-and-fashion-design-finally-getting-some-respect |journal=The National Law Review}}</ref> The case was settled out of court the same year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weller |first=Susan Neuberger |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Lululemon and Calvin Klein Settle Yoga Pants Design Litigation |url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/lululemon-and-calvin-klein-settle-yoga-pants-design-litigation |work=The National Law Review}}</ref> In 2013, the company made its third consecutive appearance on ''Fortune''{{'}}s Fastest-Growing Companies list.<ref name=":2" /> In December 2013, founder [[Chip Wilson]] announced his resignation as chairman, and that the president of [[TOMS Shoes]], Laurent Potdevin, would become CEO.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-10/laurent-potdevin-is-lululemons-new-ceo-dot-founder-dennis-wilson-leaves |title=Lululemon's Founder Exits and a Snowboard Exec Enters |date=December 10, 2013 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |first=Kyle |last=Stock |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220805070005/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-10/laurent-potdevin-is-lululemons-new-ceo-dot-founder-dennis-wilson-leaves |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Calvin McDonald became CEO of Lululemon Athletica.<ref>{{Cite web |title=lululemon athletica inc. Appoints Calvin McDonald Chief Executive Officer |url=https://corporate.lululemon.com/media/press-releases/2018/07-24-2018-085627264 |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=corporate.lululemon.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2014, Lululemon opened its first store in Europe, in [[Covent Garden]], London.<ref>Suzanne Bearne, Drapers."[https://www.drapersonline.com/news/lululemon-limbers-up-to-open-first-uk-store-in-covent-garden lululemon limbers up to open first UK store in Covent Garden]." February 20, 2014. February 4, 2015.</ref> In February 2015, Wilson announced that he was resigning from the board,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 11, 2014 |title=Power shifts at lululemon as Chip Wilson seals deal |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/lululemon-founder-to-sell-half-his-stake-to-private-equity-firm/article19961793/#dashboard/follows/}}</ref><ref>Michael Calia, February 2, 2015, Wall Street Journal, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/lululemon-founder-wilson-quits-board-1422887252 lululemon Founder Wilson Quits Board: Resignation Comes About Six Months After Disagreement Was Settled on Yoga-Apparel Maker’s Strategy]. Retrieved May 6, 2015</ref> and Michael Casey, former lead director of the board, would replace him.<ref>Huffington Post, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/10/chip-wilson-leaving-lululemon_n_4416487.html Chip Wilson Leaving lululemon]</ref> In 2018, Laurent Potdevin resigned as CEO and from the company's board due to misconduct related to a relationship he was having with a then-employee and later contractor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=D'Innocenzio |first=Anne |title=lululemon's CEO resigns over issue of conduct |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-lululemon-ceo-resigns-20180205-story,amp.html |access-date=February 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Christina |last2=Farr |first2=Lauren |last3=Hirsch |first3=Lauren |date=February 6, 2018 |title=lululemon CEO left in part because of relationship with female designer at the company |publisher=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/06/lululemon-ceo-laurent-potdevin-had-inappropriate-employee-relationship.html |access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> In 2013, some customers complained that the clothing was of poor quality, with some items being "too sheer", having holes appear, and falling apart after a few uses.<ref name="twsLATimes4">{{Cite web |date=2013-03-20 |title=What Lululemon's revealing pants say about yoga |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/la-now/story/2013-03-19/what-lululemons-revealing-pants-say-about-yoga |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="twsUSAToday3">Michelle Chapman, AP Business Writer, November 1, 2013, ''USA Today'', [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/01/new-quality-complaints-about-lululemon-pants/3360947/ "New quality complaints about Lululemon pants: Just a few months after company pulled yoga wear from shelves, new quality issues arise"]. Retrieved May 6, 2015, "...New yoga pants ... recent complaints ... still too sheer... pants pilling after a few months of wear – or even just a few uses – and about holes and seams coming apart..."</ref> The same year, Lululemon recalled its black yoga pants that were unintentionally transparent and "too thin";<ref name="twsBBC7">{{Cite news |date=2015-02-13 |title='Yoga pants': Are leggings and other tight trousers indecent? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31447905 |access-date=2024-06-03 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> the recall, which amounted to approximately 17 percent of all women's pants sold in its stores, impacted its [[financial result]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Isidore |first=Chris |date=March 19, 2013 |title=See-through pants problem causes Lululemon recall |work=CNN Money |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/03/19/news/companies/lululemon-pants/index.html?iid=EL}}</ref> The resulting financial loss and damage to the brand led to the forced departure of the company's [[chief product officer]], Sheree Waterson,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lessons Learned from the Lululemon Recall |url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/lessons-learned-lululemon-recall |access-date=April 10, 2013 |website=The National Law Review |publisher=Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> and of its CEO, Christine Day.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Meier |first=Fred |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Stunner: Lululemon CEO Christine Day leaving |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/10/lululemon-ceo-day-quitting/2409289/}}</ref>

From its founding through 2015, Lululemon incorporated concepts from the [[Landmark Forum]] into its leadership and development training.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lieber |first=Chavie |date=January 9, 2014 |title=The Self-Help Movement Behind Lululemon's Eerie Dogma |url=https://www.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625823/landmark-lululemon-feature |access-date=October 7, 2019 |website=Racked}}</ref> According to a company source, seventy per cent of managers are hired internally.<ref name="CNN Money">{{Cite news |title=CEO: How to build trust inside your company |publisher=CNN Money |url=http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/16/lululemon-christine-day/ |url-status=dead |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127090004/http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/16/lululemon-christine-day/ |archive-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref> Store managers are responsible for their store's layout, colour coordination, and community involvement.<ref name="CNN Money" />

Lululemon Athletica became a [[Nasdaq-100]] company on December 24, 2018.<ref>{{Cite press release | title=Annual Changes to the NASDAQ-100 Index | url=https://www.nasdaq.com/about/press-center/annual-changes-nasdaq-100-index-0 | publisher=[[Nasdaq]] | date=December 15, 2018}}</ref> In 2019, Lululemon announced an investment in MIRROR, a home exercise startup that sells interactive fitness mirrors with a camera and speakers for at-home workouts. Capitalizing on a growing trend of people conducting virtual workouts at home instead of going to a gym due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], MIRROR was formally acquired by Lululemon on June 29, 2020, for $500 million and was rebranded as lululemon Studio.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Terlep |first=Sharon |date=June 30, 2020 |title=Lululemon Buys Mirror, an At-Home Fitness Startup, for $500 Million |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lululemon-to-buy-at-home-fitness-company-mirror-for-500-million-11593465981?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos1 |access-date=June 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lululemon set to acquire home fitness startup Mirror for $500M |publisher=[[TechCrunch]] |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/29/lululemon-set-to-acquire-home-fitness-startup-mirror-for-500m/ |access-date=February 15, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lululemon to Buy Mirror, a Fitness Start-Up, for $500 Million |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/business/lululemon-buys-mirror.html |access-date=February 15, 2024 }}</ref> The companies also planned to create new content for the device, starting with [[meditation]] classes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hanbury |first=Mary |title=lululemon just made a bet that the $1,500 interactive workout Mirror is the future of fitness, and it should terrify boutique workout studios |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lululemon-karlie-kloss-invest-mirror-2019-10 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> Following the acquisition, Lululemon recorded a post-tax impairment charge of $442.7{{nbsp}}million related to the acquisition at the end of the 2022 fiscal year.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Clark |first=Evan |date=March 28, 2023 |title=Lululemon Absorbs $442.7M Mirror Charge and Keeps Charging On |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/financial/lulu-1235596594/ |magazine=[[Women's Wear Daily]]}}</ref>

In 2024, Lululemon Athletica Inc. agreed to acquire the operations and retail locations of its franchise partner in Mexico for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-15 |title=Lululemon to acquire Mexico franchisee, retail locations – BNN Bloomberg |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/lululemon-to-acquire-mexico-franchisee-retail-locations-1.2073582 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=BNN}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
In November 2007, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Lululemon made false claims about its Vitasea clothing product; the firm had claimed that the clothing, made from [[seaweed]], provided "[[anti-inflammatory]], [[antibacterial]], hydrating and detoxifying benefits"<ref name="Story NYT 2007">{{Cite news |last=Story |first=Louise |date=November 14, 2007 |title=Seaweed Clothing Has None, Tests Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/business/14seaweed.html |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> but laboratory tests failed to find significant differences in mineral levels between ordinary T-shirt cotton and Vitasea fabric.<ref name="Story NYT 2007" /> Lululemon was subsequently forced to remove all health claims from its seaweed-based products marketed in Canada, following a demand from a Canadian oversight agency, the [[Competition Bureau]] of Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lululemon VitaSea Clothing: Competition Bureau Takes Action to Ensure Unsubstantiated Claims Removed from Lululemon Clothing |url=http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/internet/index.cfm?itemID=2517&lg=e |access-date=November 16, 2007 |publisher=Competition Bureau}}</ref>

Lululemon's founder Chip Wilson has made numerous controversial statements throughout his career.<ref name="financialpost">{{Cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Hollie |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Lululemon founder Chip Wilson's 5 most controversial quotes |url=https://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/lululemon-athletica-chip-wilson-controversy |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=Financial Post |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2013, Wilson stated that the company did not make [[Plus-size clothing|clothes for plus-size women]] because it was too costly.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhasin |first=Kim |date=July 31, 2013 |title=Shunning Plus-Size Shoppers Is Key To Lululemon's Strategy, Insiders Say |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/lululemon-plus-size_n_3675605.html |access-date=April 13, 2014 |work=HuffPost}}</ref> In an effort to explain away excessive [[Pill (textile)|pilling]] in the brand's clothing, he blamed some customers for wearing Lululemon's clothes improperly or for having body shapes inconsistent with the design of the clothing.<ref name="twsBusinessInsider">{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Outrageous Remarks By Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/outrageous-remarks-by-lululemon-founder-chip-wilson-2013-12 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> In an interview for [[Bloomberg Television]] in 2013, he stated that some women's bodies were unsuitable for the brand's clothing.<ref name="twsBusinessInsider" /> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' called the remarks "[[fat shaming]]".<ref name="twsTimeMag">Eliana Dockterman, November 13, 2013, ''Time'' magazine, [https://ideas.time.com/2013/11/13/forget-feminist-outrage-by-shunning-plus-size-customers-lululemon-is-making-a-terrible-business-decision/ "What Lululemon Could Learn From Abercrombie About Fat Shaming: A co-founder of Lululemon said his yoga pants just aren’t built for 'some women's bodies.' That's just a bad business decision"]. Retrieved May 6, 2015, "Clearly the feminist arguments against fat shaming are falling on deaf ears at Lululemon ... torrent of criticism hasn't inspired Wilson to change his tune."</ref> Comments such as these reportedly led to Wilson's resignation as chairman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Eun Kyung |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Lululemon co-founder steps down in wake of 'women's bodies' remark |url=http://www.today.com/money/lululemon-co-founder-steps-down-wake-womens-bodies-remark-2D11721314 |publisher=Today.com}}</ref> In June 2016, Wilson published an [[open letter]] to shareholders stating that the company had "lost its way" and given up [[market share]] to [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and [[Under Armour]], after he was denied the opportunity to speak at the company's annual meetings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maheshwari |first=Sapna |date=June 2016 |title=Lululemon Founder Slams Company, Now That He's Allowed To |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/sapna/lululemon-founder-slams-brand-now-that-hes-allowed-to |access-date=June 3, 2016 |website=[[BuzzFeed]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mau |first=Dhani |date=June 2, 2016 |title=Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson Created a Whole Website to Criticize the Company |url=http://fashionista.com/2016/06/chip-wilson-elevate-lululemon-website |access-date=June 3, 2016 |newspaper=Fashionista}}</ref> Since then, Wilson has used his website "Elevate Lululemon" to criticise the brand and business.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson Created a Whole Website to Criticize the Company |url=http://fashionista.com/2016/06/chip-wilson-elevate-lululemon-website |access-date=February 15, 2017 |newspaper=Fashionista}}</ref>

In 2021, an unnamed company director pushed employees to create an [[All Lives Matter]] campaign to be displayed on its website in response to the murder of [[George Floyd]]. Employees pushed back but were told to create a mock up with the All Lives Matter copy; however, they also created a [[Black Lives Matter]] mock up that was selected instead. The director apologized and subsequently left the company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elan |first=Priya |date=July 2, 2021 |title=Lululemon 'pushed for All Lives Matter' campaign |url=http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/jul/02/lululemon-pushed-for-all-lives-matter-campaign |access-date=July 3, 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hroncich |first1=Caroline |last2=Biron |first2=Bethany |date=July 2, 2021 |title='Privileged white wellness': Lululemon corporate employees speak out on the culture of racial insensitivity |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lululemon-corporate-employees-describe-traumatic-racial-insensitivity-2021-6 |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 26, 2021 |work=Business Insider}}</ref>

In May 2023, it was reported that a Lululemon store in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]] fired two employees for calling the police during a looting,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 28, 2023 |title=Lululemon Fires Atlanta Employees for Calling Police During Robbery |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/lululemon-fires-atlanta-employees-for-calling-police-during-robbery/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=National Review}}</ref> but the company said that they were fired for physically confronting or following the looters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Lululemon employees fired after robbery for breaking policy |url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/lululemon-employees-fired-after-robbery-store-theft-theives/85-6bf57aca-8fba-4ca9-a0a1-4458a572b5b3 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=WXIA-TV}}</ref> The two employees physically approached the looters, and one of them took a video recording of the looting with her smartphone. They then followed the looters out of the store towards the parking lot. The three looters were arrested within days and charged with felony robbery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2023 |title=The three men charged over brazen Lululemon store robbery in Georgia |url=https://georgialawnews.com/the-three-men-have-been-charged-with-brazenly-robbing-a-lululemon-store-in-georgia/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Georgia Law News}}</ref>

In 2025, the company filed a lawsuit alleging Costco infringed on its intellectual property.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lululemon sues Costco for selling alleged dupes of its products |https://globalnews.ca/news/11266573/lululemon-costco-lawsuit/}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Lululemon murder]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
{{Finance links
| name = Lululemon Athletica
| symbol = LULU
| reuters = LULU.O
| bloomberg = LULU:US
| sec_cik = 1397187
| yahoo = LULU
| google = LULU
}}

{{NASDAQ-100}}
{{Vancouver Corporations}}
{{Yoga as exercise}}

{{Sports equipment brands}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lululemon Athletica}}
[[Category:Lululemon Athletica| ]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in British Columbia]]
[[Category:2000s fashion]]
[[Category:2007 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:2010s fashion]]
[[Category:2020s fashion]]
[[Category:Athletic apparel retailers]]
[[Category:Canadian companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Clothing brands of Canada]]
[[Category:Clothing companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Clothing retailers of Canada]]
[[Category:Companies based in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Exercise equipment companies]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Canada]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Sportswear brands]]
[[Category:Underwear brands]]
[[Category:Yoga merchandise]]