lululemon vs Under Armour

Lululemon Q2 Sales Fall, Store Expansion Slowed

Lululemon reported disappointing Q2 results, with net revenue down 4% to $2.4 billion and a 20% decline in its signature leggings sales. The company reduced its store expansion plans to 35 net new stores for 2026, down from the prior 40, and cut full-year revenue guidance. Gross margin expanded due to tariff refunds, but net income dropped 11%. Incoming CEO Heidi O'Neill, a former Nike executive, will face challenges as the company struggles with declining demand for athleisure. Analysts urge a strategic pause in expansion and a refocus on core products.

• Lululemon's Q2 net revenue fell 4% to $2.4 billion.
• Leggings sales plunged 20% in Q2.
• Store expansion reduced to 35 net new locations for 2026.

Lululemon comms chief exits ahead of new CEO start

Lululemon said Chief Communications Officer Bill Chandler will leave the company on Sept. 4 to "pursue other opportunities," a departure that comes days before incoming CEO Heidi O’Neill joins on Sept. 8. Chandler had spent more than seven years at Lululemon, according to his LinkedIn. The exit follows the earlier departure of Chief AI and Technology Officer Ranju Das and has prompted analyst concern about C-suite turnover; BNP Paribas senior analyst Laurent Vasilescu warned there may be further departures. Lululemon said it has "talented teams and leaders in place" and will continue investing in talent during the transition.

• Lululemon Chief Communications Officer Bill Chandler will leave the company on Sept. 4 to "pursue other opportunities."
• Incoming CEO Heidi O'Neill is scheduled to join Lululemon on Sept. 8.
• Bill Chandler spent more than seven years at Lululemon in various communications roles, according to his LinkedIn.

SeaWheeze Half Marathon and Sunset Festival Returns to Vancouver

lululemon announces the return of the SeaWheeze Half Marathon and Sunset Festival to Vancouver on August 14, 2026.

Under Armour ends Project Rock partnership

Under Armour has ended its decade-long partnership with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s training brand Project Rock, calling the relationship a “natural conclusion.” Project Rock, founded in 2017, will continue to be sold through October as it pursues independent product, storytelling and experience initiatives. The move follows Under Armour’s recent split with Steph Curry and comes amid a broader marketing reset in which the company is rebalancing marketing spend and shifting to new ambassadorships such as François Arnaud and K-pop group BoyNextDoor.

• Under Armour ended its partnership with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Project Rock after roughly a decade.
• Project Rock was founded in 2017 and developed footwear, apparel and accessories through its relationship with Under Armour.
• Under Armour said the partnership reached a “natural conclusion” and will continue to sell Project Rock through October.

Under Armour's 'Rest Less' Social-First Campaign

Mox London developed Under Armour’s 'Rest Less' creative platform after winning the account in a competitive 2025 pitch. The campaign builds a fictional luxury property, Hotel Armouré, around three contracted footballers — Ollie Watkins, Fermín López and Ferran Torres — and positions high-production films as social-first episodes that later ran on TV and in cinemas. Mox integrated hand-picked creators into the storytelling, used an AI-created teaser, and emphasized native social pacing and formats. The campaign was directed by Mackenzie Sheppard, features actor Nick Mohammed as hotel manager Fergus, and involved in-camera branding and detailed production craft. Under Armour framed 'Rest Less' as an off-season extension of its 'Be the Problem' platform and intends to continue investing in sports-born, socially native creative.

• Mox London won the Under Armour account in a competitive pitch in 2025 with the 'Rest Less' strategy.
• The campaign centers on a fictional luxury Hotel Armouré and stars Under Armour-contracted footballers Ollie Watkins, Fermín López and Ferran Torres.
• The work was conceived as social-first (tease, launch, sustain), included an AI-created teaser, and later ran on television and in cinemas.

Under Armour Cuts Revenue Outlook, Keeps Profit Targets

Under Armour reported a 3% year-on-year revenue decline in Q1 of fiscal 2027 to $1.1 billion and has lowered its full-year revenue outlook to a mid-single-digit decline due to weaker demand, particularly in North America and Asia-Pacific. North America revenue fell 9% to $610 million while international revenue rose 5% to $490 million, with EMEA up 12%. Gross margin improved by 5.9 percentage points to 54.1% (partly due to reimbursement of prior duty costs). Operating income was $47 million (adjusted $52 million) and net income was $1 million (adjusted $21 million). Restructuring charges were $6 million in Q1, with cumulative program costs of $266 million and an expected total of about $305 million; the program is to be largely completed by end-December 2026. The company reaffirmed its operating income and adjusted EPS targets and emphasized cost discipline and a premium strategy.

• Under Armour Q1 fiscal 2027 revenue fell 3% year-on-year to $1.1 billion.
• North America revenue declined 9% to $610 million; international revenue increased 5% to $490 million; EMEA grew 12% while Asia-Pacific was down.
• Gross margin rose 5.9 percentage points to 54.1%; operating income was $47 million (adjusted $52 million); net income was $1 million (adjusted $21 million).