MUJI is on the verge of opening its first store in the United States. The Japanese retailer, whose original name meant “No Brand Quality Goods”, is opening up a 2,000 square foot location on Broadway. Since we visited last week, the store has taken the protective covering off and stocked its shelves. This store reminds me of Ikea/Uniqlo. You can find basically anything from a bed to a dress for reasonable prices.
If you’re wondering, here’s a very small price comparison between MUJI SoHo prices and the MUJI store at MoMA. Pen/Pencil: $3.50 at MUJI, $4 at MoMA ($3.20 for members); Acrylic Pots: $3.25 at MUJI, $3.50 at MoMA ($2.80 for members). Verdict (based on this small sample) – if they carry the product at MoMA, it’s going to be more expensive unless you’re a member. Of course, the MoMA store doesn’t have nearly as many MUJI items.
MOMA had this to say about Muji….
“Their guiding principle is flexibility-allowing consumers to select and purchase what they need and want-without waste and without forcing them to buy components with no relevance to their lives.”
MUJI SoHo is located at 455 Broadway
