Core Viewpoint - MUJI is experiencing a significant contraction in its retail presence in major urban areas, with multiple store closures indicating struggles with profitability and competition from local brands [6][11][17]. Group 1: Store Closures - MUJI has announced the closure of several stores, including the Beijing Shimao Gong San store, which will cease operations on August 31, 2025 [6][8]. - Other notable closures include stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Jinan, and Suzhou, reflecting a broader trend of retreat from key commercial districts [11][17]. - The company claims these closures are part of a normal adjustment process to improve operational efficiency in response to declining foot traffic in certain areas [17]. Group 2: Pricing and Quality Issues - MUJI's pricing strategy has come under scrutiny, with consumers questioning the high prices of products that are often manufactured in China [18][22][23]. - There have been numerous complaints regarding product quality, with customers reporting issues such as broken luggage handles and defective clothing [36][41][49]. - The company has faced administrative penalties related to product quality, indicating ongoing challenges in maintaining standards [50]. Group 3: Market Competition - Since 2015, MUJI has seen a slowdown in same-store sales growth in China, with negative growth reported in 2018 [52]. - The company has attempted to adjust its strategy by lowering prices and increasing localization efforts, including the establishment of a separate China division [54]. - Despite recent sales growth, the competitive landscape has intensified with the emergence of local brands offering similar products at lower prices, posing a significant challenge to MUJI's market position [57][60]. Group 4: Financial Performance - MUJI's parent company reported a 19.2% increase in sales to 591.09 billion yen (approximately 28.71 billion RMB) for the nine months ending May 31, 2025, with a 30.1% increase in net profit [55]. - The company has opened 414 stores in China, with a notable increase in sales from direct retail and e-commerce channels [55].

Core Viewpoint - MUJI is experiencing a significant contraction in its retail presence in China, with multiple store closures in major cities, attributed to high pricing, quality disputes, and the rise of local competitors [3][4][8]. Group 1: Store Closures - MUJI has announced the closure of several stores, including the Beijing Shimao Gong San store, which will cease operations on August 31, 2025 [5][7]. - Other stores that have closed include locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Jinan, and Changsha, indicating a broader trend of store reductions [8][14]. - The company claims these closures are part of a normal adjustment to improve operational efficiency in response to declining foot traffic in certain shopping districts [14]. Group 2: Pricing and Quality Issues - Consumers have raised concerns about MUJI's pricing, with many questioning why products manufactured in China are priced so high, such as a 32 yuan loofah and a 42 yuan nail clipper [17][20]. - Quality issues have also been reported, with customers sharing negative experiences regarding product durability, such as luggage handles breaking after minimal use [28][30]. - MUJI has faced administrative penalties related to product quality, indicating ongoing challenges in maintaining brand trust [42]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Since 2015, MUJI's same-store sales growth in China has slowed, with negative growth reported in 2018 [44]. - In response to market pressures, MUJI has implemented a series of price reductions over the years, with some products seeing price cuts of up to 50% [45][46]. - The rise of local brands like Miniso and NǒME, which offer similar styles at lower prices, has intensified competition for MUJI in the Chinese market [48].

Core Viewpoint - MUJI is experiencing a significant contraction in its retail presence in China, with multiple store closures in major cities, indicating challenges in maintaining profitability and competitiveness in the market [5][6][8]. Group 1: Store Closures - MUJI has announced the closure of several stores, including the Beijing Shimao Gong San store, which will cease operations on August 31, 2025, and other locations such as Beijing Guorui City and Shanghai Zhengda Lecheng [6][8][14]. - The company has stated that these closures are part of a normal adjustment to improve operational efficiency in response to declining foot traffic in certain shopping districts [14]. - Despite the closures, MUJI plans to continue expanding in China, aiming to open approximately 40 new stores annually, with 15 new openings reported since March 1 [14][41]. Group 2: Pricing and Quality Issues - MUJI faces ongoing criticism regarding its pricing strategy, with consumers questioning the high prices of products that are often manufactured in China [16][20][27]. - Quality concerns have also emerged, with reports of product failures and administrative penalties related to quality issues, which have damaged the brand's reputation [30][37][38]. - The company has attempted to address these issues through a series of price reductions over the years, with some products seeing price cuts of up to 50% [40][41]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Since 2015, MUJI has seen a slowdown in same-store sales growth in China, culminating in negative growth by the second quarter of 2018 [40]. - The rise of local competitors offering similar products at lower prices, such as Miniso and NǒME, has intensified competition and challenged MUJI's market position [41][42]. - Despite recent sales growth, the company acknowledges that it must continue to adapt to rapidly changing consumer demands and preferences in the Chinese market [41][42].

Core Viewpoint - MUJI is experiencing a significant contraction in its retail presence in China, with multiple store closures in major cities, indicating challenges in maintaining profitability and market relevance [4][5][12]. Group 1: Store Closures - MUJI has announced the closure of several stores, including the Beijing Shimao Gong 3 store, which will cease operations on August 31, 2025, and has already closed locations in other cities such as Shanghai and Changsha [6][8]. - The company has stated that these closures are part of a normal adjustment to improve operational efficiency in response to declining foot traffic in certain shopping districts [12]. - Despite the closures, MUJI plans to continue opening approximately 40 new stores annually, having opened 15 new locations since March 1 of the current year [12]. Group 2: Pricing and Quality Issues - MUJI's pricing strategy has come under scrutiny, with consumers questioning the high prices of products that are often manufactured in China, leading to a perception of poor value [16][19][22]. - Quality concerns have also been raised, with customers sharing negative experiences regarding product durability and customer service, which has led to administrative penalties for the company related to product quality issues [30][33]. - The brand's shift from a "plain brand" to a mid-to-high-end positioning in China has not resonated as strongly with consumers in recent years, leading to a decline in sales growth [22][35]. Group 3: Market Competition - Since 2015, MUJI has faced slowing same-store sales growth in China, with the first negative growth recorded in the second quarter of 2018 [35]. - The company has attempted to adapt by implementing price reductions and localizing its product offerings, which has resulted in a notable increase in sales, with a 19.2% year-on-year growth reported for the nine months ending May 31, 2025 [38]. - However, competition from local brands offering similar styles at lower prices, such as Miniso and NǒME, poses a significant challenge to MUJI's market share [39][42].

Core Viewpoint - MUJI is experiencing a significant contraction in its retail presence in China, with multiple store closures in major cities, indicating challenges in maintaining profitability and competitiveness in the market [1][6][10]. Group 1: Store Closures - MUJI has announced the closure of several stores, including the Beijing Shimao Gong San store, which will cease operations on August 31, 2025, and has encouraged customers to visit other locations [2][5]. - Other notable closures include stores in Beijing Guorui City, Ningbo, Shanghai, Jinan, and Changsha, reflecting a broader trend of store reductions across various regions [6][10]. - The company claims that these closures are part of a normal adjustment process to improve operational efficiency in response to declining foot traffic in certain shopping districts [10]. Group 2: Pricing and Quality Issues - MUJI faces ongoing criticism regarding its pricing strategy, with many consumers questioning the high prices of products that are often manufactured in China [15][26]. - Quality concerns have also emerged, with customers reporting issues such as product defects and inadequate customer service, which have led to dissatisfaction and negative perceptions of the brand [30][42]. - The company has been penalized multiple times for quality-related issues, indicating a potential risk to its brand reputation [45][46]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Since 2015, MUJI has seen a slowdown in same-store sales growth in China, with the first negative growth recorded in Q2 2018, suggesting a saturation point in the market [47]. - In response to competitive pressures, MUJI has implemented a series of price reductions over the years, with some products seeing price cuts of up to 50% [49]. - The rise of local competitors offering similar products at lower prices has intensified the competition, challenging MUJI's market position and prompting the need for further strategic adjustments [52][55].