First glances may be suggestive of it being a retail paradise for single females. But closer inspection, plus a touch of trial and error, reveals it has much to offer almost anyone, including the best-value razors of decent quality in likely all of China.
For a foreign man, having a traditional, wet shave in China is a nightmare. And this publication suggests that Gillette and Schick have some serious trademark-infringement problems in the Middle Kingdom. Therefore, steer clear of the big names unless you are a masochist for spots of tissue on your face. And online? Don’t go there.
Miniso to the rescue, specifically their pink women’s razors, for which The Nanjinger suspects a bit more TLC is given during the production process. And at just ¥10 for a pack of five, there is much to love.
Elsewhere, low cost continues to be the Miniso hallmark. Think perfume for as little as ¥29, acne patches for ¥15, iPhone compatible ear buds (wired) for ¥15 (don’t expect Dr. Beats’ sound quality), pairs of toothbrushes for ¥9.9, a box of 40 plasters; again, ¥9.9. We could go on and on with that which can be had therein for ¥9.9.
For readers finding breathing to be a challenge in Nanjing’s heat and humidity, Miniso is selling nasal inhalers in a variety of scents for just ¥9.9. They work too.
And Miniso also happens to be one of the (very) few shops The Nanjinger has come across in China selling those wonderful mini umbrellas, one of the chain’s pricier items at ¥59.
For the uninitiated, Miniso is a Japanese retailer with no actual stores in Japan, an accompanying controversy and, as its website states, “an original intention to enable the young generation to enjoy life through high-quality products and services”. Most of its products are made in China, but no surprise there.
The distinctive shops have become ubiquitous in Chinese cities over the past few years, while more recently, Miniso has put quite a dent in the international market too, with shops in 72 other countries at time of writing, although in many that may only amount to just one store.
Be forewarned that different branches of Miniso stock different selections of products. Don’t blame The Nanjinger if you come home with more hair bands and blind boxes than razors.
