3 Things Lululemon Must Fix Before the Stock Can Recover

Core Insights - Lululemon Athletica is facing challenges after years of consistent growth, with recent quarters showing a decline in U.S. demand and increased competition, leading to one of the lowest stock valuations in years [2][13] - The company needs to focus on three key priorities to regain momentum: product discipline, stabilizing U.S. demand, and restoring margin momentum [2][14] Group 1: Product Discipline - Product execution is central to Lululemon's brand identity, but recent inconsistencies have emerged, straying from its proven merchandising strategy [3][4] - Management has acknowledged these issues and plans to increase the share of new styles in assortments from 23% to 35% and shorten design-to-market lead times to reignite demand [5] Group 2: U.S. Demand Stabilization - Lululemon reported a 3% revenue decline on a constant currency basis due to softer traffic and increased price sensitivity among shoppers, which is significant for a brand that previously thrived despite economic fluctuations [7][8] - The company does not require explosive growth but needs to stabilize performance, improve category performance, and enhance store engagement to reassure investors [8][9] Group 3: Margin Momentum - Lululemon has experienced a 1.1% decline in gross margin due to new tariff rules and higher import costs, which are impacting earnings growth [10][11] - To address margin compression, the company must manage inventory tightly, improve sourcing efficiency, and maintain pricing strength while optimizing its cost structure [11][12]