Cylindrical coffee maker for Muji by London-based design firm Industrial Facility (source: neu black)

The Japanese no-nonsense brand Muji (or Mujirushi Ryohin in full, which roughly translates as no brand, just good product) will soon be opening stores in the US, according to an article in business week entitled 'Zen and the Art of Selling Minimalism'. As I indicated before, I'm fascinated by Muji, because a time when feature-, design-, or brand-driven marketing seems to be the most common, Muji goes in a complete opposite direction. Once you remove the price-tag, no branding elements whatsoever remain, and the products are rather down to earth objects. They're not trying to distinguish themselves on features, most products just offer the basics, though often wrapped up in a clever design. It will be interesting whether the Muji proposition survives in America's marketplace.

Be sure to also check out this slideshow about Muji at the business week website.