Will Muji, no name brand, catch on in U.S.?

By Nanae Kenmochi

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telecasterplayer at 01:09 AM JST - 3rd May

I don't get it. How is anyone going to notice Muji in Manhattan, one of the most-congested, least accessible places in the U.S. where 90% of the population never goes? And since the furniture and knick-knacks look exactly the same as Ikea, the Container Store or Scandinavian Design, what's the draw?
OssanULTRA at 05:33 AM JST - 3rd May

I've been to the Muji store in Soho Manhattan 3 times. Every time it's been jam packed with people. Meantime, a few blocks up Broadway there's a UNIQLO which is also jam packed but at least has 2 floors. I don't see Muji competing directly had on with a company like IKEA because of sheer amount of inventory the latter carries. On the other hand getting through the cash register at IKEA is a freaking nightmare and I'd never do it if it werent for the meatballs and the funny furniture names.
ToughGuyBanker at 08:28 AM JST - 3rd May

No chance. Some uni kids might like it in New York or San Fran, but that's it. The fact that they opened in New York ("We're so international!!!") instead of somewhere like Texas or New Jersey says a lot. They know nothing about the US market.
ToughGuyBanker at 08:28 AM JST - 3rd May

No chance. Some uni kids might like it in New York or San Fran, but that's it. The fact that they opened in New York ("We're so international!!!") instead of somewhere like Texas or New Jersey says a lot. They know nothing about the US market.
njboy13 at 01:54 PM JST - 3rd May

westurn-IKEA has been in the U.S for quite a while now
njboy13 at 01:55 PM JST - 3rd May

In New Jersey there is no tax on furniture and clothes whereas in New York it is close to 9% so the New Yorkers shop for clothes,etc. in New Jersey!
njboy13 at 02:03 PM JST - 3rd May

sorry furniture is taxable, but food and clothes aren't
unscrejects at 08:45 PM JST - 3rd May

This typical Japan - we saw it in Japan so it definitely can't exist anywhere else in the world. The problem is that most of these things Japan wants to export are taken from outside! Hell, Homer shops in the generic aisle...
Weasel at 10:31 PM JST - 5th May

getting through the cash register at IKEA is a freaking nightmare

Almost half the "fun" as finding a place to park, or navigate your vehicle in the parking lot. Guess this is why they offer that early morning breakfast upstairs at all of their mega stores (prices are cheap...just to make you forget the hassle of shopping)
rjdsr at 02:32 AM JST - 6th May

It's doubtful that Americans can appreciate the subtlety of the design and Japanese principles such as mottainai.
OssanULTRA at 05:04 AM JST - 6th May

Oh you'd be surprised how many of us here think that spending $400 on a desk at Muji instead of $200 at IKEA is mottainai.
Altria at 10:49 AM JST - 6th May

I doubt it, their stuff's pretty dull.
capone at 03:52 PM JST - 6th May

another word for 'japanese aesthetic' is 'BORING'
Ah_so at 05:02 PM JST - 6th May

Muji missed its chance - it moved into Britain half-heartedly over a decade ago, but the stores were too small - a few clothes, a few nick-knacks and prices a bit too expensive.

I shopped a muji in Japan, where the styles suited me and the prices were reasonable, but I was in there a few days ago and the fashions looked a bit drab and over-priced.

If I do not go there for clothes, I am hardly likely to head there for a bit of stationery, am I?
anczelowitz at 03:57 PM JST - 13th May

"Toughguybanker" has absolutely no clue what he's talking about. Muji's foray into US retailing must be done in a major metropolitan city such as New York so as to generate buzz and publicity. Muji then can then move on to opening in San Fran, Chicago, L.A and other metro markets before creating enough national awareness so that they will be able to succeed in the smaller markets.....By the time that happens they will have had adequate time to have resourced closer mfrs. in nearby S.America and their pricing will be substantially lower and more attractive for those smaller markets. As someone who has been in retailing for years, I can assuredly tell you that Muji will indeed find its niche and become a success story in the States; primarily with their clothing basics, home/travel goods, and stationery.