Many emerging activewear brands find Lululemon’s high minimum order quantities restrictive. Increasingly, they’re exploring flexible alternatives like FuKi Yoga to meet growth needs without overcommitting. This guide explores why and what options exist for brands today.
Lululemon’s manufacturing and licensing model often requires large minimum orders, typically in the thousands.
This presents serious cash flow and inventory risks for young brands, limiting agility and financial flexibility.
| Challenge | Impact on Startup Brands |
|---|---|
| High MOQ | Excess inventory & capital lock-up |
| Limited Flexibility | Hard to iterate designs or test markets |
| Brand Dilution Risk | High volume → less uniqueness |
Footnote: Young brands often need fewer than 500 units to test new designs—a scale Lululemon’s MOQ model doesn’t accommodate.
Several manufacturers now cater specifically to startups:
| Model | MOQ Range | Custom Branding | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM/ODM | 100–500 units | Yes | Small brands testing waters |
| Dropship/on-demand | 1–100 units | Limited | Direct-to-consumer launches |
| Niche activewear labs | 200–1,000 units | Full customization | Custom collections & private label |
Footnote: Flexible MOQ options empower startups to iterate faster, reduce risk, and preserve capital.
FuKi Yoga understands the startup journey. Their features include:
| Feature | FuKi Yoga | Traditional OEM |
|---|---|---|
| MOQ | ~200 units | 500+ units |
| Fabric + Color Choice | Diverse, eco-friendly options | Limited |
| Branding | Fully custom | Often standardized |
| Design Support | In-house team | Minimal or not included |
Footnote: With FuKi Yoga, brands increase boundary-pushing designs and avoid being locked into large, outdated inventory.
| Evaluation Criteria | Why It Matters for Startups |
|---|---|
| MOQ flexibility | Enables testing and pivoting without deep cash investment |
| Premium fabric | Promotes brand perception and customer retention |
| Full branding access | Maintains brand identity from product to packaging |
| Customer support | Expedites design approvals and resolves issues quickly |
Footnote: Choosing the right partner can set your brand’s path—opt for flexibility and support, not just lowest cost.
Brands are moving away from Lululemon’s rigid MOQ structure in favor of flexible, quality-focused partners like FuKi Yoga. If your startup seeks agile production, custom design support, and lower risk, partnering with a specialist activewear manufacturer can offer a smarter path to growth.
For tailored MOQ options and private-label custom wear, FuKi Yoga is ready to partner with ambitious brands. Contact us at FuKi Yoga to get started today!