We knew Lululemon had something up their luon for this April Fools, but we didn’t think it would be this cruel. Remember just last week when they baited us to prepare our bare bottoms for internet shopping greatness, with a real date, April 1st! The lollieville squealed with joy. Then last night they taunted us again in excited anticipation for the glorious grand opening just 12 short hours away (launch 3am PST!). With clothes stripped, save for the tiny foldin’ key cuff to hold the precious credit card, little lululemmings across the land set their alarm clocks for the middle of the night so that they could be first in line to behold internet greatness.
But alas, how their little lemon hearts must have been crushed to see it was all just a joke. Yellow with sickness to find only a hackneyed 90s era web page decked out in bells and whistles and the message that they would have to wait 2 more weeks to add 200 items to their virtual carts.
Yes, it’s a sad day in April Fools Day history. Lemonade for your sorrows.
I think the Lululemon “April Fools” e-commerce site was just one more example of the brand’s spiral into distasteful, tacky marketing tactics and messages.
They used to be a brand that reflected an optimistic attitude toward life (albeit often preachy). And while humor has always been a part of their strategy it was never crude or offensive (as in the post election ad, “Ohmbama with an offensive illustration of our new president-elect. And these guys are Canadian to boot!). The store windows with the pants down to the mannequins ankles holding signs that said “No more bush” was a new low.
I think LLA has gotten too big for its “Groove”pants and thinks consumers will embrace any irreverent message they offer up.
Their product is not so great that I would be willing to associate myself with a brand that represents themselves in such a way.
There are several fantastic new brands with performance and styles that beat LLA and also a brand message/image to which I can better relate.
I thought the content of the fake site was especially mean-spirited, with its repeated visual and verbal jabs at the less-than-taut customer who buys Lulu just for hanging out and looking cute in. I’d imagine that’s a sizable amount of their customer base!
Throwing up an unflattering photo of three college-girl butts in your product, and then implying that they’re too fat/lazy/dumb to wear your brand, is tacky and unwise. Why alienate a demographic with enough disposable income and interest in trends to buy your stuff?
Their products are terrible and their displays are offensive. They must assume that everyone who takes yoga is as left-wing, “progressive”, and liberal as they are. Most of us who can afford your ridiculously overpriced clothing work jobs and pay TAXES and actually don’t agree with Obama and his policies.