Lululemon Asks Consumers To Swap Their Dupes in Exchange for Loyalty — Retail Bum

Regardless of inflation, consumers have always had a soft spot for dupes, fakes, alternatives, and/or private labels, and it is something that brands and retailers have had to acknowledge and accept. Lululemon is no exception, but the brand is approaching this problem in a way that works to its advantage.

The #dupe trend, which involves offering a more affordable version of a premium product rather than a fake one, has provided brands with clever ways to capitalize on it. For instance, the Dyson Airwrap has inspired brands such as Shark to benefit from this trend, as consumers view Shark’s Flexstyle as a less expensive but comparable alternative to Dyson’s $600 product.

But here’s what Lululemon is up to.

Last weekend, athleisure powerhouse Lululemon held a dupe swap event at the Century City Mall in Los Angeles to entice dupe enthusiasts and encourage them to exchange their knock-off items for a pair of the coveted black Align High Rise Pant 25″.

Since its release in 2015, the Align Pants have achieved cult status among Lululemon customers. According to fans, the authentic version is lightweight and boasts a buttery-soft feel. However, the Align Pants are also one of the most commonly duped products on TikTok.