What to Know Before Buying Lululemon Stock

Core Viewpoint - Lululemon Athletica has faced significant challenges in 2023, with a year-to-date stock decline of 57%, but there are signs that the worst may be over as the company implements strategic changes and finds growth in international markets [1][2][3]. Group 1: Company Performance - Lululemon's stock has dropped sharply this year, making it one of the worst performers in the S&P 500 [1]. - Comparable sales in North America fell by 4% in the second quarter, with revenue growth in the region only at 1% [2]. - The company acknowledged its own execution failures, including stale product offerings and inventory issues, which contributed to weaker sales [3]. Group 2: Strategic Changes - CEO Calvin McDonald has recognized the challenges and stated that the company will speed up its go-to-market process, aiming to increase the percentage of new styles from 23% to 35% by next spring [5][6]. - Improvements in fast-track design capabilities are expected to reduce lead times for some products, with impacts anticipated starting early next year [7]. Group 3: International Growth - Despite struggles in North America, Lululemon's international segment saw comparable sales rise by 15%, with revenue up 22%, particularly strong in China where comparable sales jumped 17% [8][9]. - The company opened five new stores in China in the second quarter and plans to continue expanding in the region, which is seen as a significant growth opportunity [9]. Group 4: Valuation - Following the stock sell-off, Lululemon's price-to-earnings ratio has dropped to 11.3, the lowest since its IPO, indicating a potential buying opportunity for investors [10][11]. - Despite recent struggles, Lululemon remains a growth company, continuing to open new stores and benefiting from the athleisure category's growth [11][12].