MUJI, short for Mujirushi Ryohin (無印良品), is a Japanese consumer goods store that has gained popularity around the world for its minimalist design approach and its policy not to use highly visible logos. Since it was founded in 1980 in Japan, the brand has become known for its simple yet high-quality products which all come at affordable prices. As of today, it has close to 1,200 stores worldwide, and sells over 7,000 goods covering home and lifestyle so you can find anything ranging from t-shirts and jackets to stationery and storage boxes.
Understanding the MUJI Brand Concept
The brand’s name, which translates to “no-brand quality products,” reflects its commitment to offering its customers everyday essentials without hefty price tags that came hand in hand with conspicious labels. At the time Muji was launched in the bubble years of the 1980s, the Japanese market was becoming excessively brand conscious, so the brand set out to be the perfect alternative for a growing segment of consumers who cared more about simplicity and functionality than status symbols.
To this day, Muji has continued to develop well-designed products at reasonable prices, and its appeal has become universal. Rather than spending money on advertising or marketing, the brand lets the products speak for themselves.
Minimalist Design Approach and Sustainability
At the core of the MUJI design philosophy is its minimalist aesthetic which is characterised by clean lines, netural colours, and avoiding unecessary features. By careful selection of highly durable eco-friendly materials, simplifying packages and eliminating excessive branding, the aim is to reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future. The brand also encourages recycling by implementing recycling initiatives in its stores, allowing customers to return used products and packaging for proper disposal.
Essential Product Categories
When you think of MUJI, three categories come to mind. The first is their popular stationery and office supplies especially their colourful gel ink pen range. When it comes to furniture and everyday lifestyle goods, MUJI has some truly essential items such as their classic storage boxes and aroma diffusers. Finally, there is the iconic apparel and accessories selection, with best sellers including practical yet stylish t-shirts, shoes and trainers.
In the following section we go through the must-check product categories offered in the UK.
Stationery and Office Supplies
Spending time in the stationery section is perhaps one of the biggest draws for many! MUJI fans are really into their pens – there’s something about the clear tubes and wide range of colours available that appeal to all. The other popular item they sell is their sturdy notebooks which are minimalistic coming with plain beige covers. As the sheets are thicker there’s isn’t any worry about ink coming through on the other side.
Aside from this, you can find keyring word cards which come in handy when trying to memorise for tests or learn languages, and then there are boxes to organise things on your desk to make your working or studying environment neater. The stationery is all high-quality, elegant, and inexpensive, so it’s likely one of the items will catch your eye when you visit a store.
Apparel and Accessories
MUJI’s apparel and accessories category truly embodies the brand’s minimalist aesthetic, offering simple yet stylish pieces that prioritise comfort and versatility.
Some of the MUJI clothing essentials include T-shirts, sweaters, and jeans, crafted from high quality natural materials. As MUJI clothes are casually stylish with classic designs, they can be worn at home, when meeting friends, or work situations, and are great for mixing and matching. Additionally, MUJI has accessories like bags, cushioned sandals, and easy to coordinate slip-on trainers.
Furniture and Home Goods
For those looking to enhance their living space, MUJI covers the furniture and home goods category, providing an alternative to budget brands like IKEA or high street stores like John Lewis.
What you can expect are minimalist furniture pieces made from high-quality wood and materials that are designed to seamlessly blend into any interior style. The lifestyle goods are popular especially the aroma diffusers and essential oils with scents ranging from Bergamot to Peppermint. MUJI’s home goods collection also include essentials like bedding with peaceful non-striking colours, and kitchenware that includes plates and bowls for Japanese cuisine and even porcelain tableware designed with traditional patterns from the Edo period.
The Global Reach of MUJI
MUJI stores can now be found all around the world with over 25 stores in Europe including France, Germany, Italy and Spain. MUJI’s commitment to simplicity and functionality truly appeals to its global audience and you can see many MUJI enthusiasts uploading videos checking out MUJI products and stores outside of Japan on Youtube, Instagram and TikTok. Here’s a recent Muji Haul from Zahrasdiaries:
Where are Muji stores located in the UK?
There are currently seven stores in the UK – six of them are in London with the only store outside of the capital located in Birmingham close to New Street station.
For those stores within London, 4 are conveniently located if you are in the centre. The Tottenham Court Road store is the largest but they also have stores in Convent Garden, Carnaby Street and further along Oxford Street. The remaining two stores are located on Kensington High Street and in Islington.
We hope that this article was helpful to understand more about MUJI and what to expect when visiting a store. If you are interested in discovering other Japanese stores in London, we have a page covering Japanese supermarkets and where you can buy the freshest Sashimi in London.
