Muji

From the outside of Muji I think its quite hard to work out what kind of shop it actually is… the clothes in the window give the impression of a fashion retailer but you can clearly see office supplies inside the door. Confused I ventured inside to have a look around.
The place is a home and fashion retailer stocking stationary, homeware, bedding and clothing. All of the items in the shop are very well designed and have a very crisp vibe. I like the attention to detail in the shop with the very minimalistic approach to the layout making everything very easy to look at at and make your way around.
On a personal note there was a cuckoo clock I saw while inside the shop that I think now has my name on… it was really special. Ill think twice before going in for a look around again it could be an expensive habit!

I first discovered Muji at college, I saw a teacher had a bag from them; not a fancy bag — the standard paper shopping bag. There’s something about Muji’s simplistic approach to everything that attracted me enough to google it and find out what it was, fast forward a train journey and about 5 years ago I walked into this store (nearest one) and had a good look around.
Street level is umbrellas, travel items like suitcases and mainly stationary and toiletries. Basement level is furniture, clothing and kitchen crockery and utensils.
There are some really useful items there and some which I have to be honest are a load of twaddle. It’s not cheap either really, I tiny bottle for you to decant some other toiletries to take abroad is £1.24.
Some things I’ve bought there have lasted a really long time, others such as my long suffering alarm clock got ‘drawed with batteries removed’ a month ago because it’s just not loud enough and is a bit of a pain to set.
They do have some fantastic ideas, what I like to call ‘emergency t shirt’ it’s a t-​shirt (I know) compressed and shrink wrapped into a really small cube. People will look at you with pleading eyes asking if you’ve ever heard of ironing clothes whilst you wear it but it’s handy to have as a spare while you go away.

What to say about Muji? to start with: it smells good. Yes, I know it’s because the aroma diffuser that can be find everywhere in the shop, but it smells nice anyway.
I heard of Muji before but I just visited there after popping there with a friend. i loved this so much. Actually, after my first visit I went there to buy her birthday present. It‘s a quite cool shopping to find present for friends that just moved out or if they are about to travel somewhere as well.
And I pretty much want everything they sell there. EVERYTHING. Even the origami papers that I don‘t need because I don’t do origamis anyway!
So every time I am on New Street, which is pretty much every week, I have to stop there to check their office and home accessories. The concept of «no brand quality goods» really works for me. All items are so practical to use or handle.
Now that I am about to travel to Brazil, I had shopping quite a lot at Muji. I love their travel bottles and cases. So practical.
I am glad e have a Muji right in the city centre. It‘s a nice place to indicate as well for those who just moved to Birmingham. Especially for students. They are going to find a world of items that will certainly make their life easier.
I just wish they had more options of bentos. This way, I would start my collection and have excuse to buy a new one addition anytime.

I LOVE this place! Full of lots of lovely items for the home and useful items for while you are away on your travels.
I have always found the sales assistants to be attentive and willing to help.
Whether it be a coloured pen, travel hairdryer or scented candle that you need there are lots of handy items for sale here.
A lovely little store that I love to mooch around.

Muji can easily be seen from the ramp as you leave New Street station. Head past Jane Norman (on the corner) and head up towards Centenary and Muji is located on the right hand side. It’s a strange old shop, originating from Japan, their mission statement to develop new simple products at reasonable prices by making the best use of materials while considering environmental issues.
They sell stationary, bedding, furniture, and clothes. The stuff they produce is very basic and simple, well made but I find that it’s rather expensive. (The last time I looked, dressing gowns were £40). I do have a brother who hates labels and likes simple clothes that are enviromentally friendly so for christmas presents it is always worth a look.