Vancouver-based Lululemon Athletica (LULU) has introduced its first sneaker line, a move that enables the clothing retailer to outfit customers from head to toe.
Their first shoe, a women’s sneaker called “Blissfeel,” was introduced during a media event held in New York City and will be available in stores across North America, China and the United Kingdom on March 22 of this year.
Three additional sneakers were revealed during the media event — called “Chargefeel,” “Strongfeel” and “Restfeel” — and will be available in coming months. Special edition and seasonal collections are also planned with a men’s sneaker line planned for a 2023 launch, the company said in a news release.
Lululemon’s entry into the footwear category puts it in competition with several well-heeled sneaker companies, including Nike (NKE) and Adidas (ADDDF)).
Along with incumbent competition, supply-chain bottlenecks and labour shortages have posed challenges for Lululemon and other retailers as global demand for clothing that emphasizes comfort and functionality is on the rise.
Lululemon first announced it was working on developing a shoe line in 2019. The company is known for its popular exercise clothing, notably yoga pants and sweatsuits.
