Lululemon operates with a business model that intentionally generates high demand for its products, often releasing items in limited quantities or for a short duration. This strategy, coupled with the immense popularity of certain apparel and accessories, makes securing a desired item a challenge for customers. Because many items sell out quickly upon release, understanding the company’s restock pattern is necessary for shoppers seeking popular colors or styles.
The Primary Online Restock Schedule
The most substantial and predictable inventory update for the Lululemon website occurs once a week, generally on Tuesday afternoons. This weekly event is the primary inventory drop, where new arrivals are introduced and existing popular items are restocked in a variety of sizes and colors. Shoppers looking for the widest selection of current-season apparel should focus on this time.
This update typically begins between 5:00 PM and 6:15 PM Eastern Time, though the exact minute can fluctuate. New products and restocked items are often uploaded to the “What’s New” section of the site, making it the most efficient place to monitor the drop. During peak shopping seasons, such as between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the brand may increase the frequency of these large-scale uploads to twice a week.
Understanding Inventory Drops and Unscheduled Restocks
While the Tuesday event is the main drop, smaller, unscheduled inventory updates occur throughout the week, offering a chance to snag items that sold out quickly. These sporadic restocks are often composed of limited units, sometimes from customer returns or minor internal inventory shifts. These smaller drops are less reliable than the main weekly schedule.
These spontaneous restocks often happen in the middle of the night, typically between 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM Eastern Time. Items posted during these times often display a “few left in stock” notification, indicating minimal inventory. Because these drops are small and unpredictable, they require dedicated, frequent monitoring of the website rather than relying on a fixed schedule.
In-Store Restock Procedures
Inventory management in stores operates on a different rhythm than the online platform, with restock frequency varying by location. Local management, delivery schedules, and the volume of customer returns influence when new stock is placed on the floor. While the online store sees a major drop on Tuesday, most physical stores receive new inventory shipments two to three times a week, often on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Store teams use advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems to track merchandise, meaning inventory data is updated in near real-time. This technology allows staff to quickly locate specific items, whether they are on the sales floor or in the back room. Calling a local store on a mid-week day may offer a better chance of finding a recently restocked item before weekend foot traffic depletes the selection.
Utilizing Inventory Tracking Tools
Customers seeking a specific item can leverage the brand’s digital tools to monitor stock availability in online and local retail channels. The official platforms feature a function allowing users to check inventory at nearby stores. By selecting the desired product, size, and color, shoppers can view an estimate of the item’s availability at physical locations.
The official platforms also offer a “Back in Stock” notification feature, which sends an email alert when an item is replenished online. However, these notifications are often slightly delayed, meaning the item may already be sold out by the time the alert is received. Some dedicated shoppers utilize third-party inventory-tracking websites or browser extensions that constantly scan the Lululemon site for changes, providing a faster alert system for low-stock items.
Strategies for Securing High-Demand Items
The speed of the checkout process is often the determining factor in securing high-demand products like popular accessories or limited-edition colors. Since inventory is low, a delayed checkout can result in the item selling out before the purchase is finalized. Preparing the online account before a restock event can significantly reduce the time required to complete a transaction.
Shoppers should ensure they are logged into their account and have current payment information and shipping addresses saved prior to the drop time. Using an accelerated payment method, such as Apple Pay or a similar service, can shave valuable seconds off the checkout process by bypassing manual data entry. It is also beneficial to check out immediately once the desired item is in the cart, rather than attempting to add multiple items.
Navigating the “We Made Too Much” Section
The “We Made Too Much” (WMTM) section of the website is Lululemon’s clearance category, offering discounted prices on items being phased out. This section operates on its own distinct restock schedule, separate from the primary weekly inventory drop. New markdowns are consistently added to the WMTM page every week, providing a reliable opportunity for discounted purchases.
The most substantial update to the WMTM section typically happens on Thursday mornings, often around 11:00 AM Eastern Time. Shoppers should be aware that items purchased from this category are considered final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged. Checking this section frequently, particularly on Thursdays, is the best method for finding discounted merchandise before the limited stock is purchased.