Lululemon Athletica inc. (LULU)’s Next Challenge

Numbers don’t lie of course, and Luluemon’s sales continue to grow at a fast pace, as the company adds stores in the U.S. and slowly expands abroad. But Beauchesne’s complaints serve as a reminder that the retailer is facing growing pains, and even an identity crisis as it seems to have come to a crossroads in more ways than one. With competition from well-heeled rivals including The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) and NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE), Lululemon Athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU)can’t afford to slip up, or it may lose its most valuable customer set. Its next chief executive will need to have the gifts to satisfy its core customers and drive the returns that have delighted Wall Street.

Look for someone with an apparel industry pedigree and the ability to manage international growth. If not, this highflier may be getting taken to the mat.

The article Lululemon’s Next Challenge originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Jeremy Bowman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends lululemon athletica (NASDAQ:LULU).

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