Muji India set to make history

Muji India  is about to become the first Japanese retailer to open stores in the nation.

One is planned for Mumbai, the commercial capital, and another in Bangalore, the hub of the IT industry.

This follows the forming of a joint venture by Muji owner Ryohin Keikaku, Tokyo, with Reliance Brands, based in Mumbai.

Ryohin Keikaku is also the first-ever Japanese retailer to receive individual approval for a direct investment from the Indian government’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

Its first venture will be the Muji Palladium. Opening in 2009, Mumbai’s Palladium is one of India’s largest shopping centres, attracting more than 24 million visitors every year. It has luxury retail brands, restaurants and a food court, and is next to a five-star hotel and cinema complex. The Muji India store, scheduled to open in August, will cover about 207 sqm.

Muji’s second outlet will be in the VR Mall next to Phoenix Market City, which has fashion stores as well as a cinema complex and restaurants. Covering about 485 sqm, the Muji store is scheduled to open in September.