Core Viewpoint - A power struggle has erupted at lululemon, initiated by founder Chip Wilson, who has nominated three independent board candidates targeting the current board's strategic decision-making capabilities [5][6][10]. Group 1: Power Struggle and Leadership Changes - Chip Wilson, holding approximately 9% of lululemon's shares, has publicly criticized the management for being overly focused on mainstream tastes and lacking innovation [7][9]. - The situation escalated after the announcement that CEO Calvin McDonald would step down on January 31, 2026, leading to a nearly 10% stock price increase, reflecting investor disappointment with current strategies [11][15]. - Wilson's actions are compounded by the involvement of Elliott Investment Management, a prominent activist fund, which has invested over $1 billion and engaged in corporate governance [10][11]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Dynamics - lululemon has faced significant challenges, including a 12.8% decline in net profit year-over-year and a 2% drop in core market revenue in the Americas [22]. - The company's stock price has fallen over 52% in 2025, resulting in a market capitalization loss exceeding $20 billion, primarily due to declining performance in the North American market [23]. - Despite these challenges, lululemon's revenue in mainland China surged by 46% year-over-year, reaching $465 million in the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, making it the second-largest market after the U.S. [18][17]. Group 3: Strategic Direction and Brand Identity - The conflict between Wilson and the current management reflects a fundamental disagreement over lululemon's growth strategy: whether to maintain a focus on the "super girl" niche or to continue the broad category expansion initiated by McDonald [25][28]. - Wilson argues that the brand's core strength lies in differentiation rather than mass appeal, warning that attempts to please everyone could alienate core customers [28][29]. - The brand's identity has shifted from a niche community brand to a $25 billion apparel giant, with changing market expectations and competitive landscapes [31][32].
250亿美金,lululemon卷入夺权大战
36氪·2026-01-05 09:19