Are you obsessed with Lululemon [1]? Maybe the leggings that somehow miraculously make your butt look glorious? As a company, Lululemon is pretty amazing. We spoke with two former employees of the brand and asked them to spill the secrets — and they had nothing but incredible things to say about the experience and fun facts you should know as a consumer. Check it out.
Its Return Policy Is Pretty Badass
It might be scary dropping $100+ on a pair of leggings, but if you've found your soulmate in pants form, you can rest assured that Lululemon really stands behind its products. What this means is that if anything goes wrong, you can bring your gear in for a replacement or repair. "Lulu will take almost anything back even if it's outside the return and exchange policy window," a source said. "Did the item stretch out? Snag? Maybe it just didn't fit right? No problem! They will take it back and swap it out for something new. They also offer free repairs if it's something irreplaceable." Lululemon also hems everything in store for free — tops and bottoms!
It Loves Random Acts of Kindness
Community is front and center of Lulu's priorities. One of the ways this manifests is with its surprise and delight policy. "Each store is gifted the opportunity to surprise and delight any customer that is in the store for any reason," one source said. "This doesn't happen every day, but when presented with the chance of helping someone going through cancer or someone who conquered a huge goal, they stop at nothing to make sure people know that they are a company with a heart." It's true, too — we've witnessed this first-hand!
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It Hosts Free Yoga in Stores and Free Events in the Community
"Lululemon is all about helping the community," said one source. "[The brand] never charges for any local events that happen in the city. From yoga classes to mastermind groups, they are all about inclusion and bringing together like-minded people." This includes weekly Vinyasa classes and run clubs. You can get in shape for free and make friends in the process, courtesy of Lulu.
Employees Are Treated *Really* Well
Thinking of a career change? Lululemon might be for you. From free fitness classes ("We had a prepaid debit card that we could use at any studio, class, gym, etc., that we wanted") to holiday challenges ("Whoever attended the most workout and yoga classes in one week in December won manicures and clothes") and "staff meetings that are filled with healthy treats, dance parties, and staff shout-outs and rewards," the culture is pretty awesome.
The brand really empowers employees. "Lululemon spends a lot of time developing each individual in the stores and in corporate — it goes right in line with their mission to elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness," said one source. This takes shape in dream and goal workshops, even if the employee's dreams and goals have nothing to do with the Lululemon brand. "Once I found out I got my new job [at a different company], they threw me a party and couldn't have been happier for my success and next step!"
Employees also have the ability to make their own decisions — and they're rewarded for it. "Each store gets the opportunity to operate as its own entity, and every decision is made by the store manager and her/his team," said one source. "No one is told what to do, but coaching is given when faced with the real struggles of owning your own business. I like to think that they are an entrepreneur training camp." Our other source said when they (and their colleague) did a great job, they were both rewarded with tickets to the Wanderlust yoga festival in Aspen, CO.