Memoirs of Aleisha

In an earlier post on May 8 of this year, the Japanese word of the day was ‘Unibare’ referring to the prevalence of UniQlo clothing which is seen as cheap (but comfortable) clothing.

Well, just the other day in the Australian Financial Review was an extract from The Economist precisely about UniQlo. Whilst Japan is in recession much like the rest of the world, UniQlo has fared well posting net profits unlike many other Japanese companies which have reported losses. Despite the ‘economic crisis’ UniQlo sales have increased as Japanese consumers move from chic to cheap.

Interestingly enough, the founder and boss of UniQlo (a word formed from it’s original name - Unique Clothing Warehouse in the 1980s), Tadashi Yanai, according to Forbes is Japan’s richest person (2009). So someone out there is buying his stuff. He was ranked 6th last year but now takes the top position valued at 6.1 billion US dollars. Yanai wants to make his firm the world’s largest clothing retailer. Quite ambitious plans. I, myself, am a fan of UniQlo.

Another retailer that has fared well during Japan’s recession is Muji (Mujirushi Ryohin), another of my favourite Japanese stores. According to the article, they have about 350 shops in Japan and 100 overseas (none of which are in Australia, I might add). They plan to expand the number of foreign stores over the next two years. Funnily enough, I actually wrote an email to Muji last year asking them to open up a store in Australia, specifically Sydney.
Here is what I wrote to them last year:

        I love Muji Stores. Please open one up in Sydney, Australia.
        I believe that it would be very popular. Many Australians have come across Muji stores in their             travels to America, UK and Japan.
       However there is no Muji store in Australia.
       Many Australians are missing out on Muji products.
       Please open Muji stores in Australia.

Now that I look back on what I wrote to them,  it wasn’t a very compelling email. Kinda lame really. It was simple and straight to the point. I just did for a laugh really to see if I would get a response. I did.
Here was their reply:
 
        Dear Ms. (my name),

       Thank you for your email.
      Please accept our apologies for the delay in replying to you.

      Regarding your inquiry, we think Australia could be a potential market for MUJI; however, we do       not  have any plan to open our stores there including Sydney at this time. We are sorry that we cannot        fulfill your request.

    Thank you again for your interest in MUJI.

    Best regards,

    Customer Relations Office
    Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

I love shopping in Japan - Uniqlo. Muji. Loft. If only I had more yen to spend.