Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson Blasts Board Over Quality Control Issues, Stock Drops 1.84%

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

LULU-3.32%

ONON-2.04%

Source: Benzinga

Updated: 4d ago

0mins

Source: Benzinga

Quality Control Crisis: Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has criticized the board for declining product quality, particularly citing the operational failure of the ‘Get Low’ line being pulled after just three days, which undermines brand image and consumer trust.
Stock Reaction: Following Wilson's comments, Lululemon's stock dropped 1.84% to $191.07 on Friday afternoon, indicating market concerns over corporate governance and future outlook, which may further erode investor confidence.
Proxy Fight: Wilson has initiated a proxy contest to replace current board members with his own nominees, demonstrating his dissatisfaction with the company's governance and his intent to reshape the brand's direction.
Cultural Decay Allegations: Wilson argues that the current leadership prioritizes corporate bureaucracy and a diluted brand identity over technical excellence and high-performance fabrics, suggesting that this cultural decay could further weaken Lululemon's position in a competitive market.

LULU

$186.39+Infinity%1D

Analyst Views on LULU

Wall Street analysts forecast LULU stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LULU is 207.12 USD with a low forecast of 146.00 USD and a high forecast of 303.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

22 Analyst Rating

1 Buy

21 Hold

0 Sell

Hold

Current: 192.790

Low

146.00

Averages

207.12

High

303.00

Current: 192.790

Low

146.00

Averages

207.12

High

303.00

JPMorgan

Neutral

maintain

$203 -> $209

2026-01-20

Reason

JPMorgan

Price Target

$203 -> $209

AI Analysis

2026-01-20

maintain

Neutral

Reason

JPMorgan raised the firm's price target on Lululemon to $209 from $203 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. After having hosted a meeting with the company's VP of Investor Relations at the ICR Conference, the analyst raised the firm's Q4 EPS estimate and is modeling FY26 EPS of $12.33, compared to the Street at $12.65.

Deutsche Bank

Hold

maintain

$228

2026-01-08

Reason

Deutsche Bank

Price Target

$228

2026-01-08

maintain

Hold

Reason

Deutsche Bank resumed coverage of Lululemon with a Hold rating and $228 price target. The firm resumed coverage of global brands, off-price, and specialty beauty retail. Following a "surprisingly strong" year for retail, Deutsche is entering 2026 with optimism as it anticipates a "volatile but broadly risk-on" macro environment, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm sees solid top-line trends, particularly in the first half of the year, due to easier weather comparisons and a boost in tax refunds.

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Bernstein

Aneesha Sherman

Market Perform

maintain

$190 -> $205

2026-01-06

Reason

Bernstein

Aneesha Sherman

Price Target

$190 -> $205

2026-01-06

maintain

Market Perform

Reason

Bernstein analyst Aneesha Sherman raised the firm's price target on Lululemon to $205 from $190 and keeps a Market Perform rating on the shares. Despite weak macro and consumer sentiment, Discretionary Goods spend held up in 2025, although the sector overall underperformed the market. The firm sees two specific pockets of opportunity into 2026, namely higher-income exposed names, which outperformed in 2025 and should continue to benefit from stronger consumer sentiment and fiscal stimulus; and clearly dislocated Sportswear brands that have derated despite positive revisions and guidance raises, and should benefit from a continued secular behavioral shift towards Sports Footwear in 2026.

Barclays

Adrienne Yih

Equal Weight

maintain

$189 -> $203

2026-01-06

Reason

Barclays

Adrienne Yih

Price Target

$189 -> $203

2026-01-06

maintain

Equal Weight

Reason

Barclays analyst Adrienne Yih raised the firm's price target on Lululemon to $203 from $189 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm is "constructive" on the specialty retail sector into 2026, citing inventory discipline and macro tailwinds from lower interest rates and gas prices. However, stock selection "is critical as demand uncertainty persists," the analyst tells investors in a research note. Barclays adjusted price targets as part of its 2026 outlook.

About LULU

lululemon athletica inc. is a technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories company. The Company organizes its operations into four regional markets: the Americas, China Mainland, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Europe and the Middle East (EMEA). It conducts its business through a number of different channels in each market, including the Company-operated stores, e-commerce, temporary locations, wholesale, outlets, a re-commerce program, and license and supply arrangements. The Company offers a comprehensive line of technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories marketed under the lululemon brand. Its apparel assortment includes items such as shorts, tops, and jackets designed for a healthy lifestyle, including athletic activities such as yoga, running, training, and most other activities. It also offers apparel designed for being on the move and fitness-inspired accessories. It operates stores in the United States, Canada, China Mainland, Australia, South Korea and others.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.