I love the Australian pictures because it’s fun looking for the new items hidden amongst all the items we’ve already seen in stores.

Sunny Lime Stride Jacket looks like the inner logo is a Micro Stripe print (most product notices are calling it Sunny Lime but I just got one that called it Faded Zap)

Scoop Neck Tank in Snorkel Blue/ Microstripe Snorkel Blue and Black and White Happy Heat Tank

Happy Heat Tank I like the tuxedo look of the black and white on this tank.

Looks like a Run: Revitalize Tech (possibly a Personal Best Tech SS) in Passion and light Pink on the upper right.

and in the very top of this picture on the right side you see the Bon Voyage Duffel Bag in a light blue (River Rock?) I remember a product notification in the summer showed the Bon Voyage Duffel in this color but I don’t recall ever seeing it in stores or online.

Push Your Limits Tank Passion/Passion Micro Stripe

Yogi Dance Jacket I like this color combo but prefer the back not to have the contrast shape.

Here is a comparison of an airbrushed picture from Nike on the left and a non airbrushed picture from Lululemon on the Right. I don’t know about you but I hate pictures like the one on the left. It makes me feel bad about myself and like I’m already a lost cause.  The Lululemon picture on the right reminds me that the main goal of an active lifestyle is for health and to feel good about myself.

I get real angry and annoyed when there is a call to airbrush when a blemish is found on the Lululemon models on the website. I feel much more offended by the hyper airbrushed picture that all other athletic brands use then the small blemish that you need to zoom in about 4 times to see on the Lululemon model. The other brands distract us from the actual product they’re selling with an idea of perfection using studio lights, airbrushing and aggressive attitudes that tell me I need to be an aggressive athlete. Lululemon pictures remind me to breath deeply and appreciate the moment. You are where you are at this moment in time and it’s never too late you’re never too old  and you’re never too sick to start from scratch, so lets buy a sports bra and get running.

So please, Lululemon please stick to these types of images that make me love you so. If there is a blemish, just put a bandaid over it but don’t start airbrushing like the other guys. I’m here to buy a sports bra, not perfection.

Were you bothered by this very zoomed in picture of the Speed Shorts from the Lululemon website? I wasn’t, actually I didn’t notice it until I saw a zoomed in picture of it.  I expect athletes wearing athletic clothes to look like athletes and not runway models. If you were hoping to order these they have unfortunately been removed from the website. What are your thoughts? 

*Update! We can all breathe a sigh of relief, the offensive picture has been replaced with a new picture and we can now resume our shopping.

Finally we get to see some great shots of all three Poncho Stripe Scuba Hoodies. I love them all and wish I could bring them home with me.

Coal Poncho Stripe

Multi Poncho Stripe Scuba Hoodie

Wish Blue Poncho Stripe Scuba Hoodie

Here are a few key points I noted from the Q3 phone call of interest to us as consumers. I love getting insight into the direction of my favourite company. You can listen to the call on the Lululemon Investor Site. What do you fellow Lululemon fans think?

-e- comm site up 200% since Q3 last year (wow nelly!).
plans are to expand sales reach through the ecomm site with a new platform wich includes a new inventory sourcing systems (Hooray!) and digital strategy to leverage our social media presence (blogger outreach? Yes please), working on supply chain and tracking fabric manufacturing forcasting dates.

-International growth and sales to customers in Europe:

Not yet being proactive in marketing to Europe. New platform will be better for orders to UK, Japan, Singapore etc. working on local currencies going forward. Hong Kong showroom shows market demand but not ready to turn it into a full store. Small UK presence with one primary wholesale account and working on a few more. Strong interest from Germany, UK, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore (the blog stats certainly show this)

-Sourcing cost pressure is impacting inventory buys (intersting, Swiftly’s? new luon blends?) Just finished summer buys for fabrics and will be buying Q3 product shortly. The power of cozy is winning at lululemon, running luon is doing excellent as well as layering items and outerwear for the run line. Brushed running tights and running accessories. The guest is responding well with the whole layered pieces look.

-Ivivva opening Edmonton and Toronto.

-Quantifying the Oprah Effect:

Very little Oprah effect so far. A little bit of a bump on ecomm with some new visitors, did sell more of the Relaxed Fit Pants and all pants sales were up that week and an equally strong week the next week but that may be attributed to the holiday shopping season. Only knew a few weeks in advance of the show that this was happening so not much time to prepare for it. Although the new webskin was implemented and tested prior to the show. Oprah doesn’t like it when you market off of the show so they honored that relationship by not using it as a marketing opportunity. 

I just read that the LLL TSX had a huge spike today. It’s currently sitting at 65.63 and just yesterday morning it was still at 54-56 range, up $8! from yesterday! This is a result of the release of Q3 earnings this morning which was very good.

Here is a clip from the CBC News article about Lululemon’s Q3 Earnings from this morning. 

Yoga-gear maker Lululemon Athletica Inc. powerlifted its way to a third-quarter profit that beat its own and analysts’ expectations, the company said Thursday. 
The Vancouver-based athletic clothing manufacturer made $25.7 million, or 36 cents a share, for the three months ended Oct. 31, 2010. The company’s income figure represented a rise of more than 80 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier when the company made $14 million, or 20 cents per share.

Better still, Lululemon beat its own earlier profit estimate of between 22 and 24 cents a share for the August-to-October period. In addition, Lululemon’s results outpaced the 25 cents a share that stock analysts believed the company would post.

“Our technical product continues to drive our top-line growth, cementing our position as an innovative athletic wear company with yoga at our core,” said Lululemon chief executive officer Christine Day in a press release.

In fact, the firm saw sales shoot up by more than 50 per cent in the quarter topping out at $175.8 million versus $112.9 million for the same time in 2009.

A portion of the sales gain was due to Lululemon’s opening of four new stores in the period, bringing to 130 stores company-wide. That represented an increase of 20 outlets compared to the beginning of 2010.

In addition, comparing the same stores, Lululemon’s revenue rose 29 per cent in the third quarter versus the August-to-October period a year earlier.Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/12/09/lululemon-earnings-third-quarter.html#ixzz17dFR7YzQ

Image from Stockhouse

* Update: Darn it I caved. I ended up ordering the Black Roses Print Live Simply Crewneck Tee. I think  I would have liked to have gotten the Groovy Run Shorts in Black Roses Print which was only available on the US side. I think I’ll try those on in store when I see them though instead of resorting to friends in the US ordering for me.

So far a few things that momentarily swayed me. What have you purchased today?

Hustle Jacket Plum Shale Stripe (also Coal Shale Stripe) was just uploaded. This is such a beautiful jacket for $148. If your on the fence about getting it I would do it.

Scuba Hoodie Wish Blue Poncho Stripe

Scuba Hoodie SE Plum/Lilac Lulu Jacquard Stripe $138! I was not swayed by this one.

Run Speed Shorts Black Roses Print I really wish they made the Groovy Run Shorts in this print.

Dash Pullover

This is a new Snorkel Blue Stride Jacket from an Australian Product Notice. It looks as though the inner logo is white but it’s actually a microstripe snorkel print. I’m not crazy with the white zipper on this one in the front and on the pockets which is what the Angel Blue Stride from summer had, but as always I may change my mind when I see it in person. I’m waiting to see if a Pique Stride comes out soon and if so I may consider selling my Lolo Stride. I’ve become a fairweather stride lover lately.

I’m determined to not buy anything on tomorrows upload as I’ve blown my winter clothing budget already and have no need or space in my closet for more. However, If I find myself swayed it may be by these lovelies, The Multio Poncho Print Scuba, Wish Poncho Print Scuba or the Black Roses Print Live Simply Crewneck Tee or perhaps maybe a Chai Time Pullover since I love my Wish Blue one so much.  I did pass on all of these in store twice already so I think that means I can happily live without them.

What are you hoping will get uploaded tomorrow?

Reader Poh noticed that the new Inner Awareness Tank (left) is very similar to the Sun Salutation Tank (right) from early summer. I believe the only differences in the two tanks is that the Sun Salutation Tank  is shorter in length, has curved contrast design on it and the ipod pocket in the back and slightly different strap/neckline. Both tanks are made of Luon Light and a have moderate support mesh bra.  If you liked the Sun Salutation Tank from Summer but overlooked it as I did because of the length, the Inner Awareness Tank may be more up your alley.