Podcast
Welcome to The Backroom, a window into what goes on behind the scenes as the Retail Dive team covers the stories and trends reshaping retail. You can check out all our podcast episodes (past and present) here and listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Spotify.
There have been plenty of CEO announcements in the world of retail this year, but few have had the same visceral reaction as Lululemon’s choice to appoint Heidi O’Neill to the top spot.
Though she doesn’t start the role officially until September, negative opinions about her ability to improve the business have been prolific, though some analysts think the reaction is overblown. At the same time, the athletics brand is facing a board battle with founder Chip Wilson, who wants more change within the company’s leadership.
All the drama is culminating ahead of Lululemon’s annual shareholder meeting in June. But the brand’s issues, from a product and reputation perspective, aren’t new. For the latest episode of The Backroom, the team breaks down the chaos ensuing at Lululemon.
Resource links:
- Is Heidi O’Neill exactly what Lululemon needs?
- Lululemon claps back at Chip Wilson after spurned settlement offer
- Lululemon’s ‘downward spiral’ — and how the brand plans to break out of it
Editor’s note: This episode was produced and edited by Caroline Jansen.
