Muji enters administration as rescue deal search continue

Muji has officially entered administration as it continues attempts to secure a rescue deal.

The Japanese retailer signalled its intention to make the move at the end of March in a bid to keep its UK stores open.

According to a newly-filed statement with Companies House, EY has been appointed to over see the administration process for Muji.

In a statement on March 28, Muji said its planned entry into administration was “part of a planned strategic restructuring”.

The business also added at the time that its management expected a deal to be completed “shortly”. No deal has yet been announced.

Muji’s has five stores in London – Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Islington, Kensington, Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road – as well as one in Birmingham.

In Europe, it has stores in Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Denmark. It also has franchise stores in Ireland and Poland.

A Muji statement issued last month said: “Muji Europe Holdings (MEH), has announced its intention to appoint administrators.

“This is part of a planned strategic restructuring of the business and Muji’s management expect to conclude a deal shortly.

“For Muji’s colleagues and customers in Europe it is business as usual – all stores and e-commerce will continue to operate as before, and all new and outstanding orders will be fulfilled.”

The accounts for Muji Europe Holdings for the year to August 31, 2022, were supposed to be filed with Companies House by the end of August 2023 but have not been done so.

No accounts for its year to the end of August 2023 have been filed either.

The brand is ultimately owned by Ryohin Keikaku Co which trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

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