MUJI

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MUJI store in Paris
MUJI store in Paris

Ryohin Keikaku Co.,Ltd. (株式会社良品計画 Kabushiki-gaisha Ryōhin Keikaku?) (TYO: 7453 ), or MUJI (無印良品 Mujirushi Ryōhin?) is a Japanese retail company which sells a wide variety of household goods. MUJI is distinguished by its design minimalism, emphasis on recycling, avoidance of waste in production and packaging, and no-logo policy. Products range from pens, notebooks, and clothing for men and women to food items and major kitchen appliances. Its primary business includes Café MUJI, Meal MUJI, MUJI Campsite, florist and home furnishing; the company has recently taken steps into housing construction.

In addition to its large and small retail outlets in Japan, MUJI has 3 factory outlets at Osaka, Gotenba and Fukuoka. International retail outlets can be found in the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Spain, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and the United States (in the Museum of Modern Art Design Store). According to the company website, the store chain has 285 stores in Japan, employing around 3400 employees.

The name MUJI is derived from the first part of Mujirushi Ryōhin, translated as No Brand Quality Goods on MUJI's European website [1].

Although the company styles itself as a brandless brand, some of its most popular designs are by well known and established product designers. For example, the "Wall Mounted CD player" is designed by Naoto Fukasawa of Plus Minus Zero, the "2nd Phone", MUJI playing cards and dominos are designed by Sam Hecht of Industrial Facility and a teapot/crockery set designed by the Azumis.

The protagonist of William Gibson's 2003 novel Pattern Recognition, being allergic to brands and corporate logos, wears clothing from MUJI.

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