Lululemon: SWOT Analysis

According to Nicole Fallon of the Business News Daily, a SWOT analysis is an analytical framework that can help any company face its greatest challenges and find its most promising new markets, by identifying the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (2017). It allows for an extensive evaluation of the company’s internal and external resources as well as current and future threats that the company may face. This process can be a great asset in determining and exploring new initiatives, as it helps to identify areas of improvement within the organization while helping with the facilitation and implementation of new business policies. This process is crucial in refreshing the strategies and tactics of any

Lululemon is one of the Canada’s best retailers of technical athletic yoga apparel. Lululemon’s yoga inspired apparel is marketed under the two brand names Lululemon Athletica for more mature women and Ivivva Athletica for younger girls. Lululemon primary target customers are educated and hard working women, who understand the importance of healthy and active lifestyle. Majority of these women are Caucasian who are mainly urban and have higher income, since Lululemon is an expensive brand .Most of their products are design to offer fit, performance and comfort while incorporating both style and function. On another hand, American Apparel

This report has been created with the intent to analyze the athletic apparel industry with a specific focus on Lululemon Athletica, Inc., further refered to as Lululemon. In this report you will find that the strengths and weaknesses of Lululemon’s current strategies and future goals are analyzed and compared to that of its closest competitors. In conclusion to the analysis, recommendations have been made to potentially guide Lululemon Athletica, Inc. in a positive direction in regards to its future endeavors. The following

The SWOT analysis is a great way for companies or organizations to determine their brand and product’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. In order to more effectively determine these areas, separation of internal and external issues within the company or association is crucial.

Lululemon Athletica’s (LULU) competitive advantage hinges on the company’s use of the four management pillars; efficiency, quality, innovation and responsiveness to clients (Tsang et al, 2013). LULU achieves unrivalled efficiency through outsourcing and technological advances. Even though LULU continues to design their merchandises in Canada, the manufacturing is outsourced from countries such as Bangladesh, China and Indonesia. The company has benefited from technological advancements by allowing customers the comfort of buying merchandises online, through the company’s website, which comprises of free shipping straight from the manufacturing plant, and thus saves on shipping costs, time, as well as retail store resources like signage and employees.

SWOT Analysis: A tool for examining a company and its environment. Defines the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats

When examining the potential for a new business or product, a SWOT analysis can help determine the likely risks and rewards. A SWOT analysis is an organized list of a business’s greatest strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Strengths, which are the appearances of the business that give it an advantage over others, and weaknesses, which are features that place the team at a disadvantage, are internal to the company and can be changed over time but not without some work. Opportunities, which are basics that the business could use to enhance its strengths, and threats, which are elements in the environment that could cause concern for the business, are external and they are out there in the market,

Lululemon Athletica produces high quality active wear at a premium price. The business has attracted customers by creating an environment/culture that fitness-oriented customers enjoy and respond to. According to (Beyer, Faifman, Ho, Kezunovic, & Olian), Lululemon understands their customers as well as their target market. Lululemon provides guests with an unrivaled experience, which has created many loyal customers that are quick to tell their friends and family about the company. Employee training and product knowledge is an important element in Lululemon’s strategy because employees are able to provide relatively technical answers to guests’ questions about their products.

Lululemon Athletica Inc. thrived off its 5 key elements in their growth strategy which helped to acquire a stronger revenue base that enabled them to have a differentiated product line,design and culture. Trademarked fabric and technology helped their brand loyalty which enabled them to get products in and off the shelves in a 2 month period. Additionally 95% of its inventory was sold at regular price. This was attainable because of the strategic multi-channel approach used to enhance its market presence

Introduction: This business analysis will define the various problems related to the manufacture of the Luon Pants made by Lululemon Atheltica Inc. The Luon product was pulled because of a higher ration of sheerness, which made the pants. Lululemon Inc. has also been negligent with handling customer service at local retail outlets. A More so, the corporate leadership at Lululemon Inc. has been negligent in acknowledging heavier weight consumers that are not part of the “physically fit” demographic. A systems analysis of these various parts of the Lululemon corporation that need to be resolved to return the company to higher performance quality in pant materials, corporate leadership, and customer service.

Lululemon is a rapidly growing company with a different niche for its products. Its philosophy as well as their business model has allowed them to increase revenue over the past years. The dilemma they faced is how to continue expanding without losing their special niche, grassroots and a nontraditional feel of the brand that sets them apart from their competitors.

The industry that Lululemen operates in is the Women`s Apparel industry which is a mature, large and fragmented market that has highly sensitive to the economic conditions and trends.

Lululemon is a large company, making clothing for athletic activities, not only are they in the women’s athletic range, but they have hit the men’s market and youth range as well. A SWOT analysis will be used to break down Lululemons strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the business. Strengths which Lululemon have achieved include multi-faceted and community-based approach strategy, making customers feel part of a community through marketing strategies like there “ambassador program, social media, in-store community boards and grassroots initiatives” (Lululemon, 2016 Annual Report, 2016, p. 3). Touchpoints which have been a part of this multi-channel include Lululemons websites www.lululemon.co.nz and ivivva.com which is based around female youth active ware. With Lululemon having 12,500 full-time employees worldwide (Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), 2017) with 406 stores (Lululemon, 2016), their large market capital of $8.33 billion (Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), 2017), shows the total value of Lululemons shares of stock. Lululemon having $581.1 million in net revenue, this is an increase of 13% while their gross profit increased by 17% rising to $297.4 million. (Lululemon Athletica Inc. Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results, 2017). This shows a steady increase in profit for Lululemon for 2017 which is a strength for them.

This paper commences by defining the problems that were faced by Lululemon Athletica Inc in 2013. After, the author explores the causes of the issues that the company was experiencing and the effects that they had on Lululemon Athletica Inc. The next step is to look at ways in which the issues could have been addressed both for the short-term and long-term. When all is said and done, the audience will fully appreciate why “Lululemon Athletica Inc should revert to its fundamentals – that is, to concentrate on the needs of the consumer”.

As Zappos faces the challenge of determining next steps in regards to maintaining the existing business unit or to enter a new business venture, the SWOT analysis will provide clarity in the firms Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This is an extremely suitable