The Japanese brand that stands for the elimination of excess in its processing, packaging and materials appears finally poised to expand in the U.S. in a major way. Muji, which roughly translates to “no-brand quality goods” has opened seven outposts in New York and California, and is focused on selling an eclectic range of products (home goods, apparel, stationary and even food) that share the common characteristics of simplicity and sophistication. Muji carries over 7,000 SKUs worldwide although the U.S. stores feature a more edited selection. Muji’s early efforts in the U.S. lacked the subtle refinements in signage and packaging that are now very much in evidence in the newer model stores, but the retailer now operates over 700 stores around the world.

Sticking with our Japanese theme, Uniqlo is a subsidiary of Fast Retailing, one of the largest apparel retailers in the world, operating over 1,500 Uniqlo stores across 16 countries. Uniqlo offers an amazing combination of technical fabrics, low prices and fashionable designs with often spectacular retail stores. Since the chain’s initial debut in SoHo in 2006, it has grown bigger and bolder in the U.S. with a combination of jaw-dropping flagship stores and effective shopping center locations. Bi-coastal today with 42 stores, Uniqlo is anticipated to start in-filling into the rest of the U.S. with planned locations in Seattle, Chicago and Washington, D.C., on the books.

A likely lesser-known retailer to watch is T2, which has taken Australia by storm with colorful and accessible packaged tea stores that aim to create fun and bring more converts into the growing tea category. The chain’s first location in the U.S. opened in SoHo this year. With Starbuck’s purchase of Teavana and David’s Tea’s move south from Canada, the tea category is heating up. T2 is especially interesting because it has a big-time financial backer, having recently been purchased by CPG giant Unilever.

Kit & Ace is a premium technical apparel brand from Canada founded in 2014 with an emphasis on wearable cashmere fabrics targeted at Millennials. The chain also has ambitious expansion plans to open 30 to 50 stores in the U.S. this year alone, with another 100 stores by 2019. There are 18 stores already open in the U.S., spread across the country. So what's Kit & Ace’s “ace” in the hole? Close family ties to Lululemon’s founder Chip Wilson, which provides financing and significant retail expertise. Following in the footsteps of Lululemon’s community-driven stores, Kit & Ace stores project a strong local orientation, and the majority of early and planned stores are located along carefully selected neighborhood streets.