Lululemon's sheer yoga pants blunder could have blown the door wide open for competition.
The brand is facing a "tsunami of competition," according to John Zoldis, senior vice president at Buckingham Research Group.
Recalling 17 percent of its yoga pants comes at a dangerous time for the retailer.
Some of the brands on the horizon have greater financial reach and brand value than Lululemon. Others have the boutique appeal that women fell in love with before Lululemon's rapid expansion.
All are growing rapidly and very real competition for the retailer.
Athleta
Athleta, which is owned by Gap, has been rapidly expanding its store base. Like Lululemon, Athleta puts emphasis on community and in-store events.
There were even rumors that Athleta was poaching yoga instructors from Lululemon. Athleta could be Lululemon's greatest threat because it has the resources to expand quickly and offer similar clothing at lower prices.
Zella
Zella is Nordstrom's in-house yoga brand. The brand caused a stir with yoga fans in 2009 after it was revealed that Nordstrom had poached one of Lululemon's top designers.
Zella has the same elite client base as Lululemon, and has received rave reviews among yoga fans. Unlike Lululemon, the brand comes in plus and kid-sizes.
Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein's yoga brand is carried in major department stores like Macy's.
Its aesthetic is so similar that Lululemon sued the brand for allegedly copying its "Astro" yoga pants. The companies settled out of court.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider