Comments on: Can MUJI Make It in the US? http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/ Your Guide to Design and Pop Culture in Tokyo Mon, 12 Jul 2010 03:14:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jim http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-119131 Jim Tue, 06 May 2008 05:28:49 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-119131 I love MUJI, but I think 30 to 40 stores is too ambitious. Al makes a good point about Crate and Barrel and Ikea being competitors, but I think even more who the competitors would be in the U.S. is Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Actually there's hardly a crossover at all in style with them even though it may be the same demographic that they are competing for. So, will the true competition actually be somewhere between a university bookstore and a museum shop... with a tad bit of Design Within Reach and Club Monaco from Canada? I love MUJI, but I think 30 to 40 stores is too ambitious. Al makes a good point about Crate and Barrel and Ikea being competitors, but I think even more who the competitors would be in the U.S. is Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Actually there’s hardly a crossover at all in style with them even though it may be the same demographic that they are competing for. So, will the true competition actually be somewhere between a university bookstore and a museum shop… with a tad bit of Design Within Reach and Club Monaco from Canada?

]]> By: Al http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-118938 Al Mon, 05 May 2008 03:41:12 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-118938 In the end it was about time Muji opened in the U.S. having crossed the globe. If they didn't open now it would definitely be harder and more expensive in the future when competitors start selling the Muji lifestyle. At the same time the Japan market is saturated and the population trend is shifting towards an older population. In the end it was about time Muji opened in the U.S. having crossed the globe. If they didn’t open now it would definitely be harder and more expensive in the future when competitors start selling the Muji lifestyle. At the same time the Japan market is saturated and the population trend is shifting towards an older population.

]]> By: Al http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-118934 Al Mon, 05 May 2008 03:36:32 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-118934 Another thing about Muji is their Muji Xmas campaigns are getting stale and they need to change the music. :) In some of the Tokyo stores there's not much selection Another thing about Muji is their Muji Xmas campaigns are getting stale and they need to change the music. :) In some of the Tokyo stores there’s not much selection

]]> By: Al http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-118933 Al Mon, 05 May 2008 03:33:35 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-118933 Muji can make it in the U.S. only in certain parts of the country ...in urban areas and that is what they should focus on. If they spread too far wide then they will run into problems that's why I worry when they sell they want to target the general market, there are many established companies already (Crate and Barrel, Ikea, etc...) Bape just opened a branch in LA so they did their homework and know the kind of market they'are aiming for. There's definitely room for growth in the U.S. for Muji if they open selectively. Muji can make it in the U.S. only in certain parts of the country …in urban areas and that is what they should focus on. If they spread too far wide then they will run into problems that’s why I worry when they sell they want to target the general market, there are many established companies already (Crate and Barrel, Ikea, etc…) Bape just opened a branch in LA so they did their homework and know the kind of market they’are aiming for. There’s definitely room for growth in the U.S. for Muji if they open selectively.

]]> By: James http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-118802 James Sun, 04 May 2008 12:21:17 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-118802 Its no way a budget brand in the UK, its more the place to go if you want simple/basic and quality and don't mind paying a bit for it. They do have the odd cheap item though like £10 wok sets but then a lot of £5/7 for a single bowl Its no way a budget brand in the UK, its more the place to go if you want simple/basic and quality and don’t mind paying a bit for it.

They do have the odd cheap item though like £10 wok sets but then a lot of £5/7 for a single bowl

]]> By: Patrick http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-118733 Patrick Sun, 04 May 2008 01:49:58 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-118733 Muji's prices seem to be higher overseas, so it might not fall so much in the "budget" category as it does here. Muji’s prices seem to be higher overseas, so it might not fall so much in the “budget” category as it does here.

]]> By: Jean Snow http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-118657 Jean Snow Sat, 03 May 2008 14:38:43 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-118657 I find it hard to comment on this, because I've been away from North America for so long that I often think that I don't really have a good feel for what people like, want, etc. Pretty much everyone that I meet who visits Tokyo seems to love MUJI though, so you'd think it could do well. But I think what you say makes sense, it can be successful in the big cities, but I don't think the average American will care for MUJI over Walmart, especially since I'm guessing MUJI goods aren't as cheap in the US (here, MUJI is seen as a budget store, with a good sense of design). I find it hard to comment on this, because I’ve been away from North America for so long that I often think that I don’t really have a good feel for what people like, want, etc. Pretty much everyone that I meet who visits Tokyo seems to love MUJI though, so you’d think it could do well. But I think what you say makes sense, it can be successful in the big cities, but I don’t think the average American will care for MUJI over Walmart, especially since I’m guessing MUJI goods aren’t as cheap in the US (here, MUJI is seen as a budget store, with a good sense of design).

]]> By: Japan F http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-118640 Japan F Sat, 03 May 2008 12:14:28 +0000 http://jeansnow.net/2008/05/03/can-muji-make-it-in-the-us/#comment-118640 No commentary on what you think will happen with Muji in North America? Something tells me they'll do ok in the urban areas where Japan is cool with upper middle class hipsters. Not sure how much anyone outside of urban areas cares about a "no brand brand". It might sound a little pretentious (and expensive) to many average U.S. consumers. No commentary on what you think will happen with Muji in North America?

Something tells me they’ll do ok in the urban areas where Japan is cool with upper middle class hipsters. Not sure how much anyone outside of urban areas cares about a “no brand brand”. It might sound a little pretentious (and expensive) to many average U.S. consumers.

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