关店数创新高！无印良品在中国市场不灵了？

Core Viewpoint - MUJI is experiencing a store closure trend in China, attributed to operational adjustments and increased competition from local brands offering better price-performance ratios [1][2][3]. Group 1: Store Closures and Operational Adjustments - MUJI announced the closure of its store in Beijing's Shimao Gong 3 Mall, effective August 31, 2025, citing operational efficiency as the reason for the closure [1]. - The company maintains that it plans to open approximately 40 new stores annually, having opened 15 stores since March 1, 2025 [1]. - The closure of the Shimao Gong 3 store is not an isolated incident, as another store in Beijing's Guorui City also closed earlier in the year [1]. Group 2: Market Competition and Consumer Sentiment - The rise of local brands such as Miniso and Netease Yanxuan has intensified competition, with these brands offering similar products at significantly lower prices, often 1/3 to 1/2 of MUJI's prices [2][3]. - Consumer dissatisfaction with MUJI's pricing and perceived quality has been growing, with complaints about high prices not matching product quality [6][7]. - A notable example includes a consumer comparison where a similar scented machine costs 59 yuan from a local brand versus MUJI's price of 258 yuan [7]. Group 3: Legal Challenges and Brand Identity - MUJI has been embroiled in a long-standing trademark dispute with Beijing Cotton Field Textile Co., which has further complicated its brand identity in China [4][5]. - The Supreme People's Court upheld Beijing Cotton Field's ownership of the "MUJI" trademark for home textiles, which has led to brand confusion and diminished MUJI's unique market position [5]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Industry experts suggest that MUJI may need to adapt its business model to focus on price competitiveness and faster fulfillment to survive in the evolving retail landscape [8]. - The company may face further store closures if it does not adjust its pricing strategy and operational model to better compete with local alternatives [8].