lululemon Hits 100th Store Milestone in EMEA with Warsaw Debut

Event summary

  • lululemon will open its 100th store in EMEA on March 13, 2026 in Warsaw, Poland through a franchise partnership with Arion Retail Group.
  • The brand plans to enter six new markets in 2026, including Hungary, Romania, Greece, India, and Austria.
  • lululemon now operates across 19 markets in EMEA, with 13 locations in London alone.
  • The company combines company- and franchise-operated stores in its international expansion strategy.

The big picture

lululemon's 100th store milestone in EMEA underscores its aggressive international growth strategy, leveraging franchise partnerships to scale quickly. The move reflects broader industry trends of premium athleisure brands expanding into emerging markets to drive revenue growth. With a presence in over 30 markets globally, lululemon is positioning itself as a formidable player in the technical athletic apparel space, competing with the likes of Nike and Adidas in key regions.

What we're watching

Franchise Model
How lululemon's mix of company- and franchise-operated stores will impact profitability and brand consistency across EMEA.
Market Penetration
Whether the rapid expansion into new markets like Poland and India can sustain growth without diluting brand equity.
Competitive Positioning
The pace at which lululemon can differentiate itself in saturated European markets against established and emerging athleisure brands.