Muji could be planning UK HQ exit over Brexit

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 5, 2018

The owner of Muji is said to be considering moving its London headquarters out of the UK ahead of Britain’s exit from the European Union. Germany could potentially become the brand’s European base, according to reports.

Japan’s Ryohin Keikaku, which sells minimalist clothing and home accessories under the Muji brand, is worried about Brexit and the potential risk of Britain becoming a tax heaven, a person close to the matter told Bloomberg.

Under Japanese rules, subsidiaries paying less than 20% tax in other countries are subject to taxes in Japan. The measure is designed to prevent companies from using tax heavens, resulting in taxes being higher than otherwise.

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It remains unclear what would happen to the retailer’s 12 UK stores and roughly 50 staff if it decided to relocate.

“As a company we’re reviewing the risks from Brexit and always considering all available options,” a spokeswoman for Muji told Bloomberg. “We have not made a decision on moving our office since no new location has been decided on.”

London has been the home of Muji’s European headquarters since 2007, but the city’s history with the brand goes back to 1991, when it opened its first overseas standalone store in Liberty.