Muji Shutting Down Its Café in Jewel Changi Airport; Now Left With 2 Cafes

In 2019, Muji opened up its cafe in Jewel Changi to much fanfare.

It has 2-levels and in-house interior designers are available to give you advice on how to make your house even more Instagrammable and comfortable.

Unfortunately, as is usual, Covid-19 has screwed that up.

Muji Shutting Down Its Café in Jewel Changi Airport; Now Left With 2 Cafes

On 23 Oct 2020, Muji told customers via an email that the Café&Meal MUJI outlet at Jewel Changi Airport will be closed permanently from 26 Oct 2020.

Their last day of operation for that particular cafe will be 25 Oct 2020 (Sunday), from 12 to 9pm.

So if you’re a fan of that cafe, this Sunday’s your last chance to dine there before it’s gone forever.

Don’t worry, though, because the Muji retail outlet, which is located in the same space, will still be operating as usual.

Why Jewel Changi?

Previously, when Muji decided to open a cafe outlet at Jewel Changi, the question was, “Why Jewel?”

According to Mr Naoki Kadoike, the managing director of Muji Singapore and Malaysia, Muji sees Jewel as the centre of Southeast Asia, which is the best location for them to showcase the world of Muji.

He predicts that tourists will take up 40% of their consumer base, and Singaporeans 60%.

As for the decision to close down the outlet, it makes equal sense too, seeing how air travel has come to an almost complete stop.

Meaning, human traffic to the store has practically come to a halt since Jewel Changi isn’t exactly the most convenient and accessible location out there.

In Financial Troubles Due To Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t been kind to Muji.

Since it started, they had to file for bankruptcy in the US, although thankfully, for Singapore Muji fans, operations here are unaffected.

Then, they had cited Covid-19 as the reason for that move.

The brand also confirmed that they had “zero income” during the circuit breaker period.

Muji Singapore does not have a standalone online store, and so, according to them, their income during the entire Circuit Breaker period was “zero.”

And to tide them over, they take email orders and sells their products on eCapitamall and Shopee.

The Muji outlet at Marina Square has also closed permanently.

With the closure of the Cafe&Meal MUJI outlet at Jewel Changi, there are only two other outlets left: One at Raffles City and one at Plaza Singapura.