Lululemon Names New Chief AI and Technology Officer to Accelerate Product Innovation
Lululemon is making a strategic move to boost product development speed and innovation by appointing Ranju Das as its first chief AI and technology officer. The new role starts September 2 and marks a shift in leadership as Chief Information Officer Julie Averill prepares to leave the company next month after eight years.
Leadership Change Focused on AI and Technology
Das will lead Lululemon’s AI and technology strategies, reporting directly to CEO Calvin McDonald. While the company didn’t highlight AI during its recent earnings call, this appointment signals a clear intent to integrate AI into its product innovation process. McDonald said the goal is to improve agility, reduce time to market, and deliver a more personalized experience for customers.
“Ranju’s experience with large-scale AI and technology initiatives makes him the right leader to advance our tech organization,” McDonald added.
Why AI Matters for Product Development
Retailers are increasingly leveraging AI to speed up production and innovation cycles. Walmart recently shared how AI helped reduce its fashion production timeline by up to 18 weeks. Target has also cut its go-to-market time from seven months down to eight weeks. Lululemon aims to follow a similar path, using AI to make product decisions faster and increase responsiveness to market trends.
Ranju Das’s Background
Das brings a strong background in AI and technology leadership. Before joining Lululemon, he founded Swan AI Studios, a healthcare AI startup. He also served as CEO of OptumLabs, United Health Group’s R&D division, and held senior tech roles at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This blend of startup agility and corporate tech leadership positions him well to drive Lululemon’s AI ambitions.
Julie Averill Reflects on Her Tenure
As Averill prepares to exit, she highlighted the company’s growth during her time as CIO. When she joined in 2017, Lululemon was a $2 billion company. Under her leadership, it scaled to $10.6 billion. Averill emphasized that sustainable transformation is achieved through people, supported by technology and a lasting culture.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Lululemon faces challenges including tariffs and flat sales in the Americas, where comps dropped 2% year over year. The company’s Q1 revenue grew 7% to $2.4 billion, driven largely by international markets. Analysts have pointed to delays in product rollout and a shift away from the brand’s core performance yoga offerings as areas of concern.
In June, Lululemon laid off around 150 corporate employees to increase agility and invest more in growth initiatives. The creation of the chief AI and technology officer role fits into this broader effort to improve operational speed and innovation.
What Product Development Professionals Should Watch
- AI is becoming a key tool to accelerate product cycles and personalize offerings.
- Leadership roles focused solely on AI and technology are emerging to drive these changes.
- Understanding how AI can reduce time to market is critical for staying competitive.
- Alignment between technology and business strategy is essential for successful innovation.
For those interested in applying AI in product development, exploring specialized AI courses can provide practical skills to support these transformations. Check out Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses for up-to-date learning paths.
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