Lululemon
Yoga has many definitions, but I’ll use this one from the Merriam-Webster on line dictionary: “a Hindu philosophy that teaches a person to experience inner peace by controlling the body and mind.”
I wonder if Lululemon’s co-founder Chip Wilson practices yoga? He seems to be having trouble controlling his mouth these days and perhaps could benefit from the practice. Just last week, he said that Lululemon pants aren’t for all women. “They just don't work for some women’s bodies,” he said, as his wife looked on, her jaw tight, her forehead furrowed. She probably wanted to tell him to shut up. But he was having none of that. Instead he rambled on.
I suppose his explanation was meant to enlighten us about ongoing problems with the transparent nature of the fabric used to make the Lululemon yoga pant. He provided no new information, and only showed us yet again how proficient he is at dodging responsibility. Don’t think he fooled anyone, though.
When the transparency issue came up several months ago, Lululemon blamed their new manufacturer. Lululemon’s hands were clean. But then you have to ask yourself, wasn’t it Lululemon who made the decision to change manufacturers? And isn’t quality assurance Lululemon’s responsibility? So who dropped the ball? Who chose the new manufacturer? And why? No doubt it was to save a buck.
With Mr. Wilson’s new revelations, it appears he has found someone else to blame for his company’s troubles. His customers. Yes, the very people who have made him successful. Now there’s a sound business decision. His defective pants are our fault, or rather the fault of our derrières and thighs.
Maybe the pants aren’t for everyone. I don’t know. I don’t wear Lululemon mostly because I boycott Canadian companies who find it too easy to outsource manufacturing to far away countries with questionable business and employee health and safety practices, and then don’t bother to provide any oversight. But, I digress. My point is: a customer makes up her own mind about what fits her best and what to buy. And she does so in good faith expecting the money she shells out ($98 plus tax for yoga pants) will be commensurate with high quality.
So how about holding up your end of the bargain, Lululemon? What do you think, Mr. Wilson? Possible? Or not?
Whatever they decide to do, you won’t see me in Lululemon. I can’t support a company that refuses to take responsibility for their actions. And besides I don’t do business with people I don’t respect. This is how I practice my own mind and body well being.
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