Famed Japanese stationary, homewares and apparel house, MUJI, are expanding their Australian empire to Sydney, following the immense success of their two initial Melbourne stores
May 21st, 2015
Having garnered a rapidly growing cult status all around the world, MUJI set its sights on the Australian market just two years ago – chosen for its “vast land and comparatively small population” – and are now about to launch store number three. “Our first Sydney store will be the biggest yet,” explains MUJI Australia’s managing director, Hisashi Takeyama. “We will have plenty of space to showcase and express the wonderful world of MUJI.”
The success of the MUJI brand can be attributed to many things: the quality of its products, the minimalist aesthetic, its 30-year traditions and history, but more than anything the celebrity of the brand comes down to their proven approach to market penetration.
Where others might immediately try and blend with the local context, MUJI very cleverly follows a carefully branded template to begin with, so that the brand values are properly established from the start. From here, the company allows the regional flavour to develop and augment the brand organically over time. Takeyama explains: “Of course, one of our goals is localisation in each country. We’re planning for MUJI to be customised here in the future too. But MUJI’s philosophy is the same anywhere in the world and we believe it’s important for customers to understand MUJI first before we modify that image. Therefore we use the same platform globally. After studying and sharing our philosophy, we’ll proceed to the next stage; to further develop MUJI in Australia for the Australian people. We don’t think of MUJI as just a Japanese brand. MUJI was born in Japan over 30 years ago, but we believe our philosophy needs to be shared and developed all over the world.”
In addition, the company’s success is predicated on their emphasis of a strong in-store experience, believing that “in-store is the most important place for MUJI, because we can effectively communicate to our customers face-to-face,” says Takeyama. “This means our biggest promotion platform and communicative tool is in-store. We plan to further develop MUJI through our conversations with our customers. And further in the future, we also hope to hold events and activities to contribute to Australian society.”
Muji
muji.com/au
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Impressions from the Zumtobel Lighting stand at the EuroLuce fair in Milano.
The latest issue of Indesign magazine is hitting the streets, and as our education special, #77 will look into the ‘knowledge economy’ and how today’s student-centred learning models have cannoned us into an era of non-traditional learning environments.
Announced last week, we take a look at some of the key winners from this year’s DIA Designers Australia Awards.
Bidding farewell to mundane and uninspired office spaces, colour has transformed our workplaces into layered and engaging environments. So we sit down with Karina Simpson, Hot Black’s Workplace Lead, to talk about the influence colour has on the workspace landscape through the prism of Herman Miller’s progressive colour philosophy.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Eccentricity and refinement blend at Giant Steps Wines’ new Tasting Room – a picture-perfect place for guests to wine down.
Esteemed international practice OMA has completed AIR in Singapore, a genre-straddling project defined by openness and an emphasis on waste.