How Lululemon benefitted from '3 primary driving factors' that accelerated during COVID

In a new interview with Yahoo Finance anchor Alexis Christoforous, Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald discussed how factors that accelerated during the pandemic, including people buying more athleisure clothing, benefitted the retailer.

Video transcript

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: Undoubtedly, lululemon was a beneficiary of the whole work from home culture, as people really flocked to this athleisure wear. And I'd love to know how people's buying habits have changed for you in particular, since the height of the pandemic, especially now that we have more people going back to the office?

CALVIN MCDONALD: I think there were three primary driving factors that we saw accelerated through the pandemic. I don't believe they are new and I don't think they're going to go away. I think what the pandemic did was accelerate the path that we are already on. And those three are the importance and expectation of what guests have with apparel. So I think of the versatility, the functionality, and quality, of what guests are buying definitely changed.

Two, people are just living a more-- or trying to live a more healthier lifestyle. They're aware of and they're sweating more and they're more conscious of the notion of well-being. Those are important factors. And three, is how they buy, the adoption of online, and willingness to do that.

And all three of those play to the strength of our brand. So I see it as an acceleration of where the guest was already heading. And it puts us in a good position to be able to leverage the strengths and the unique positioning of the brand to satisfy those needs.