This is sad about Lululemon

[wildfloweragain]

shopping.yahoo.com/news/lululemon-workers-larger-sizes-relegated-145600719.html


Lululemon treats larger sizes differently, often stocking them in the back of the store, according to former employees.

"Most of the merchandise was presented out on the floor, hung on the walls, or folded neatly in cabinets for all the world to see," Kim Bhasin at The Huffington Post writes of a store in Philadelphia. "But the largest sizes -- the 10s and the 12s -- were relegated to a separate area at the back of the store, left clumped and unfolded under a table."

Lululemon also didn't restock the sizes frequently, employees told Bhasin. Sizes larger than 12 aren't offered at all.

Shunning larger sizes is a key part of Lululemon's strategy, according to Bhasin.

"Far from an accident, the exiling of larger clothing by Lululemon is a central piece of the company's strategy to market its brand as the look of choice for the stylishly fitness-conscious," he says.

The company didn't comment for the story.

Lululemon's competitors, like Athleta, are offering larger sizes in order to get an edge. More than half of the apparel-purchasing population in America is now plus-sized.

Lululemon angered some customers last month after suggesting that those complaining about see-through pants should try a larger size.


More From Business Insider

Lululemon Says That Customers Complaining About See-Through Pants Are Just Buying The Wrong Size

[Susie]

I don't really think it's sad. Stupid maybe, but not sad. It's a calculated risk that the company took, much like Abercrombie. They thought their image and association with thin, fit people would drive profits more than sales of clothing to a wide range of sizes. Maybe they made a shrewd decision, maybe it was ill-conceived, but either way they made their bed and can lie in it. In the meantime, everybody (regardless of size) can buy their workout clothes from a purveyor that sells styles and sizes that fit their needs. It's not like LLL is the last word in workout clothes; there are plenty out there!

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm not a fan of LLL for many reasons. I'll stick with my Athleta love.

[clseale]

I don't know, they don't really go extreme in the other direction either. There are a few items they sell there in which the smallest I can get is a size 4. I'm sure plenty of really tiny people are sized out there as well.

ETA: Our store definitely displays all sizes. I went in the other day, and the smallest I could find in a lot of items was a size 8. There were plenty of them hanging around. 

[Brit]

Aug 1, 2013 9:53:04 GMT -5 clseale said:

I don't know, they don't really go extreme in the other direction either. There are a few items they sell there in which the smallest I can get is a size 4. I'm sure plenty of really tiny people are sized out there as well.

ETA: Our store definitely displays all sizes. I went in the other day, and the smallest I could find in a lot of items was a size 8. There were plenty of them hanging around. 

All of this.  And what Susie said.

Like Abercrombie, they are probably making some people upset, but it is definitely a calculated risk that they are taking. There are many stores that only sell certain sizes, I really don't see what the big deal is.

[Stingyshark]

The outlet doesn't do this. There are all sizes on the racks. I've gotten everything from a size 4 in shorts to size 10 in pants from the same store.

[grk2012]

The stores I've been to (and it's plenty...lol or , I don't know which) always have a range of sizes. And they're usually out of mine. My local store is so small there *is* no back room. People will always find something to gripe about. It's not the only workout wear in the world. Actually, when I was 30lb heavier, I wouldn't consider LLL stuff since it was my goal to lose weight/inches, and then I'd have been annoyed that I had $98 workout pants that were too big.

[naldridge]

I don't know about this either. I worked at a LRS for awhile and we mostly sizes/products in sizes that could turn over quickly, especially since more people try them on and there was potential of them fading near the windows.

[gummybear]

Aug 3, 2013 0:06:32 GMT -5 naldridge said:

I don't know about this either. I worked at a LRS for awhile and we mostly sizes/products in sizes that could turn over quickly, especially since more people try them on and there was potential of them fading near the windows.

This is where I am. I know at stores like ATL I have trouble getting things because the smallest sizes they carry (hello, vanity sizing) sell out quickly. I asked about it and they said they only get 2 or 3 of the 0s etc vs. dozens of the bigger sizes. I would guess the majority of the LLL customers are somewhere between a 4-10, hence they want those sizes out and readily available and convenient. My stores also stocks and displays all sizes so I am not sure how much stock I put in this random ex-employee's accusation.

As for not making above a 12, well, that is their marketing strategy. They are choosing to market to a specific group, and eliminating a large portion of the population. That is their choice. There are plenty of other stores that market to sized-focused groups. I don't think they should be shamed for it. They are the ones who can/will lose out on that portion of the market. They seem to be doing just fine though. Athleta (whose pants are nicer, IMO) chooses to make plus-sized clothing and all indications is their brand is rising while LLL is falling. So time will tell. Live by the sword and die by the sword. 

[TEM325]

Yeah, I am a size 8 and I've routinely seen size 10-12 around on the shelves. I get size 10 in jackets/hoodies sometimes when I want them to have more of a roomy fit because I have a 34E chest and size 8 is just too small sometimes! My biggest complaint of LLL overall is their lack of shelf-bra free tops. Whenever they have tanks (besides the racerback) without shelf bras, I snag lots of them!

The thing that makes this different for me than Abercrombie is the CEO of Ab said that he thought that skinny attractive people were the "cool kids" and that's who he wants his store to cater to....I don't think LLL is saying that here. I think *they think* they are catering to the appropriate demand/audience. I would wager if they came out with some larger sizes, they would, in fact, sell those sizes.

[naldridge]

Aug 3, 2013 7:39:47 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Live by the sword and die by the sword. 

I know this is debatable and really reaching into a broader topic altogether BUT there are stores that cater specifically to plus-sized people (or other specific populations) and thy certainly do not receive any ostracizing over it. As a company, any retail store has the right to chose what they want to sell and to whom.

[Deleted]

Aug 3, 2013 20:01:05 GMT -5 naldridge said:

Aug 3, 2013 7:39:47 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Live by the sword and die by the sword. 

I know this is debatable and really reaching into a broader topic altogether BUT there are stores that cater specifically to plus-sized people (or other specific populations) and thy certainly do not receive any ostracizing over it. As a company, any retail store has the right to chose what they want to sell and to whom.

But they do that to fill a gap in the market, not to make some sort of exclusive statement. 

Also, have you ever shopped at a plus sized store? They kind of suck. The quality is usually not that great. I have seriously never heard someone say, "Gee, I LOVE the clothes at Lane Bryant. I just wish they made sizes small enough to fit me." LOL. 

[wildfloweragain]

I'm a size 10 and while I don't even have a lululemon store in my area, the "look of choice" comment irritated me, if it's true. There are some fit girls I've seen bigger than I am, and I don't consider 10-12 an embarrassment to a brand.

[gummybear]

Aug 3, 2013 20:01:05 GMT -5 naldridge said:

Aug 3, 2013 7:39:47 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Live by the sword and die by the sword. 

I know this is debatable and really reaching into a broader topic altogether BUT there are stores that cater specifically to plus-sized people (or other specific populations) and thy certainly do not receive any ostracizing over it. As a company, any retail store has the right to chose what they want to sell and to whom.

I do agree with you completely. I guess my point was, I can respect their decision to only provide clothing in certain sizes (not respect respect, but whatever, you know, not get angry about it), BUT if this is truly their niche, it could be their downfall. Athleta is becoming bigger and bigger, more well-liked and respected, more affordable, and is more inclusive. As their profit margins increase and LLL decreases, which it most likely will because it's just so trendy right now, I would probably respect them less if all of a sudden they came out with "LLL Woman" or whatever to compete with Athleta for a segment of the population they had once scorned. But that is speculation. They may not ever do that.

[Deleted]

I'd really like to know who the 'former employee' is because my bet is that he is disgruntled and left on bad terms.

I wear a size 10 in LLL and have never had a problem getting what I wanted in my size.

[foundmylazybum]

Not every brand has to be inclusive and not every brand is.

Look at luxury brands.


You think Chanel is marketing towards the middle class?


They aren't.

[rugbywife]

I have also NEVER seen a mannequin in ANY store that wasn't wearing a small...in fact at one store this week the mannequin was wearing a small and the dress was pinned back, ridiculous.

All the lulus here have a 'cubby' system for most things (shorts, pants, crops, hoodies)...they are all labelled by size. I could see maybe the tops and bras being stocked differently but whenever I can't find my size I just figure they have sold out...they have new styles every 2 weeks so if you don't get what you want quickly, it is often gone, which sucks.

[foundmylazybum]

Aug 4, 2013 11:12:47 GMT -5 rugbywife said:

I'm liking your ticker.

[rugbywife]

Aug 4, 2013 11:14:28 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Aug 4, 2013 11:12:47 GMT -5 rugbywife said:

I'm liking your ticker.

thanks