lululemon(US:LULU) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-13 05:28Core Viewpoint - Lululemon's stock has dropped 46.40% this year, resulting in a market value loss of approximately $25 billion, raising concerns among investors about the company's future [1] Leadership Changes - Calvin McDonald, the CEO for over seven years, will resign effective January 31, 2026, and will serve as a senior advisor until March 31, 2026 [2] - Following the announcement of leadership changes and quarterly performance, Lululemon's stock rose by 10% in after-hours trading [2] Criticism and Response - Founder Chip Wilson criticized the board and McDonald for causing a "loss of cool" for the brand, suggesting a lack of understanding of creative talent and product excellence [5] - McDonald has initiated measures to address sales declines in the U.S. market, including new product launches and shorter production cycles [5] Market Position and Strategy - There is a divergence in target customer focus between Wilson, who aims for products for "super girls," and McDonald, who targets "mindful athletes" [6] - Under McDonald's leadership, Lululemon's annual revenue tripled, with expectations of reaching $11 billion this fiscal year [6] Financial Performance - For Q3 of FY2025, Lululemon reported a 7% increase in net revenue to $2.6 billion, with North American net revenue declining by 2% and international net revenue increasing by 33% [9] - Same-store sales increased by 1% overall, but North America saw a decline of 5% while international markets grew by 18% [9] Inventory and Pricing Strategy - Lululemon's inventory at the end of Q3 was $2 billion, an 11% increase year-over-year, indicating pressure to manage excess stock [9][10] - The company plans to control inventory units below sales levels to mitigate losses and aims to increase full-price sales penetration [9][10] Market Expansion - Lululemon plans to open approximately 15 new stores in North America in 2025, with a significant focus on the Mexican market, and will also expand in China [11]