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Lululemon CEO hire from Nike fails to impress investors, shares sink
Investors questioned the hire because O'Neill lacks public-company CEO experience and Lululemon is trying to reverse market-share losses.
On Thursday, Lululemon Athletica Inc. named former Nike executive Heidi O'Neill as chief executive officer, with shares falling about 12 per cent in morning trading.
The appointment concludes a months-long search marked by pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, while founder Chip Wilson continues to advocate for a board overhaul.
BTIG analyst Janine Stichter stated, "We do not expect the market to receive this appointment positively," citing O'Neill's tenure at Nike overlapping with challenges mirroring Lululemon's struggles.
O'Neill, who joins in September, faces an immediate mandate to stem market share losses and refresh the brand as product lead times have ballooned to about 24 months.
Analysts remain cautious, noting it is "too early to say whether she's the right fit," as investors await O'Neill's strategy for the product reset and brand repositioning.