As huge fans of lululemon’s sportswear (especially its Team Canada uniform line!), CCCJ Chair Marc Bolduc, Governor Kayo Ito and others were thrilled to be invited to the opening of lululemon’s flagship store in Harajuku in August. The store had been transformed into a miniature matsuri festival, with yatai stalls providing trendy food from the Harajuku area, including rainbow-coloured cotton candy. 

CCCJ Wellness Committee Chair Joey Wu took the opportunity to ask Stewart Tudor, managing director & country GM, Japan of lululemon, about lululemon’s Canadian roots, trends in wellbeing and his approach to leadership.

lululemon has become one of the most successful athleisure brands in the world. How did the company grow from a small shop in Kitsilano, Vancouver, into a global sportswear giant?

lululemon was born in Vancouver in 1998, with deep roots in yoga and a belief that movement can support the wellbeing of our people and communities across physical, mental and social dimensions.

From the beginning, we listened closely to our guests and local communities to understand how products and experiences could help people feel and perform at their best. As the brand has grown, we have kept that product- and community-led approach at the centre: creating products and experiences that build meaningful connections and unlock greater possibility and wellbeing for all.

That consistency has helped lululemon grow from a local shop in Kitsilano into a global brand, while continuing to stay locally relevant in each market we serve.

Can you tell us a little bit about lululemon’s journey in Japan?

We officially launched in Japan in 2017 with our first store at Ginza Six, and today we have 14 stores across the country (including a new Tamagawa Takashimaya SC Store that opens on Oct. 22). Next year will mark our 10th anniversary in Japan, which is an exciting moment for us.

The new Harajuku global flagship is an important milestone in that journey. It is our largest store in the Asia Pacific and brings together our most comprehensive product assortment, elevated guest services, local art, personalized services such as water bottle engraving and initial embossing on belt bags, and year-round community programming. For us, it represents our long-term commitment to Japan.

Japan has very high expectations around quality, service and attention to detail. How has lululemon adapted to meet these needs?

Those expectations align closely with lululemon’s strengths. Japanese guests value quality, functionality, fit, thoughtful design and service, and we see strong alignment with our approach to creating products that fit our brand vision, “high performance x high style.” Our goal is to design technical products that support guests across both movement and everyday life, with functionality and design working together rather than separately.

We also place great importance on craftsmanship, from developing our own materials to refining fit and details based on guest needs. That attention to product integrity and continuous improvement resonates strongly in Japan, where craftsmanship and detail are deeply valued.

lululemon has built a community around yoga, running, fitness and personal wellbeing, including through run clubs and yoga events in stores. How important is community to the brand’s growth in Japan?

Community is central to lululemon; it is the brand itself. In Japan, our ambassadors, studio partners, running crews and local collaborators help us stay closely connected to the culture, movement trends and evolving needs of our guests. These relationships allow people to experience lululemon in an authentic way beyond a purchase, whether through movement, conversation, education or shared experiences. 

The Harajuku global flagship is designed to bring this to life as a community hub, with run clubs, in-store movement experiences and other programming that connects guests, ambassadors and local partners. For us, our community is one of our most important differentiators and a key part of how we continue to grow in Japan.

Wellness is becoming increasingly relevant to Japanese consumers. At the same time, its still a growing area here. How is lululemon promoting and shaping the wellness movement in Japan?

At lululemon, we see wellbeing as going beyond fitness or exercise alone. It is about supporting physical, mental and social wellbeing, and helping people harmonize mind and body so they can feel and perform at their best. 

Movement is an important foundation because it supports physical health and can also create a sense of joy, confidence and routine in daily life. At the same time, we believe mental wellbeing is just as important, which is why we work with ambassadors, local communities and partners to create experiences around mindfulness, stress care and inner balance.

Community is another essential part of this approach. Wellbeing is not only an individual pursuit; it can also grow through connection with others. In Japan, through mindful movement experiences, including yoga and running, and spaces such as Harajuku, we aim to bring product, education, community and wellbeing together, making movement feel welcoming and accessible while helping more people discover what works for them.

How do you think the wellness landscape will change in the next five years, and what role do you see lululemon playing in that evolution?

We believe wellbeing will become increasingly integrated into everyday life rather than treated as a separate activity. People will look for flexible ways to support both physical and mental wellbeing, and community will become even more important as a source of motivation and connection. 

lululemon can contribute by continuing to innovate products that support many forms of movement while creating inclusive experiences that bring people together. In Japan, our opportunity is to work closely with local communities and partners, listen to evolving needs, and help make movement and wellbeing part of daily life.

You grew up in Japan but also have many years of experience living and working abroad. How has that background shaped your leadership style?

Growing up in Japan and the U.S. and working across different markets has taught me to value both local nuance and a broader perspective. Japan places great importance on quality, detail, trust and consideration for others, while my international experience has encouraged me to be adaptable, curious and comfortable with different viewpoints. As a leader, I try to listen first, create clarity around our shared goals and give teams the space and support to contribute their expertise. The strongest outcomes usually come when global ambition is translated with genuine local understanding.

What is the thing you most want to make happen in the next five years, both professionally and personally?

Professionally, I want lululemon to become a more deeply trusted and locally relevant brand in Japan: one that is known not only for high-performance x high-style products, but also for helping people move, connect and support their wellbeing. I would like us to build that growth thoughtfully, with strong teams and meaningful community relationships. 

Personally, I want to continue making movement and wellbeing a consistent part of my life and to protect time for the people who matter most to me. 

The CCCJ thanks lululemon for sharing how the brand is connecting movement, wellbeing and community, and looks forward to collaborating and supporting its growth in Japan.