How often do you buy a new wallet every year?
According to one survey, the most common cycle for replacing a wallet is every 3 to 5 years.
For example, if you replace a 30,000 yen wallet every three years, that's 10,000 yen per year. If you do this for 20 years, the total amount you spend on your wallet will be 200,000 yen.
On the other hand, if you use the same wallet for 20 years, the cost will be only 30,000 yen. That difference is by no means small.
So why do so many people still replace their wallets every few years? We looked into the reasons for this.
Main reasons for changing your wallet
The most common reasons for replacement were:
- Deterioration and damage: Approximately 40%
- Changes in design and fashion: Approximately 25%
- Performance degradation due to frequency of use and age: Approximately 15%
- Dissatisfaction with size and functionality: Approximately 10%
- Image change or mood change: about 5%
- Other (brand change, gift, etc.): Approximately 5%
It's only natural that the functions you want from a wallet change with design trends and lifestyle changes. I think it's nice to choose something new to change your mood.
However, what concerned us were the top two concerns: "deterioration or damage" (number one) and "deterioration in performance" (number three ).
If you combine these two, it's a whopping 55%.
The reality is that more than half of people are forced to replace their wallets because they have broken or become difficult to use.
These are things that can be prevented by how the wallet is made and by taking care of and repairing it after use, so as a maker, it feels a shame to waste them.
The reason why Munekawa wallets are "long-lasting"
We are confident that our customers will be able to use our products for a long time with peace of mind.
There are several reasons for this, all of which are backed by the experience we have accumulated over the years.
1. "Subtractive design" that reduces the number of parts
Munekawa's products have a very simple structure. This is a way to minimize the risk of breakdown. The more stitching and parts there are, the more robust the product will be, but the more joints there are, the more durable it will be. There will be more points that can break.
For this reason, Munekawa strives for a "subtractive design" that minimizes the number of parts as much as possible from the planning stage. A simple structure is not only beautiful to look at, but is also an important element that directly relates to durability and long-term use.
2. Designed with repair in mind
We consider repairs from the planning and design stage of our wallets.
By making the product with a structure that makes it easy to repair, repairs can be carried out smoothly when they become necessary, and the burden on your wallet will be reduced.
Since it is an object, if you use it for a long time, eventually problems will occur. By repairing it and continuing to use it, you will naturally grow attached to it, and we believe that it will become a leather product that you can truly use for a lifetime .
3. The creators themselves become the first users
First, the production staff actually use every product for a certain period of time. How does it fit in your pocket? Are cards easy to take in and out? How does the leather change? Rather than just thinking about it, they test the comfort and durability in daily life to find even the slightest discomfort and make repeated improvements. After making many prototypes, they create a product that they can sell with confidence.
4. Repairs are also carried out directly by the production staff
At Munekawa, the same production staff who make our products will also repair your products.
Because we are familiar with every aspect of the product's structure , we can accurately determine why it broke and how to most effectively reinforce it , and can carry out the optimal repair in a short amount of time. In addition, repairs can also lead to new realizations, such as "Maybe this part can be improved in this way," which can be used to improve the product.
Related article: Why Munekawa values in-house production
True richness brought by "long-term use"
The attention to detail introduced here is just a small part of it. There are many more details to explore.
These individual innovations are by no means special. They are the result of constant improvement, constantly thinking about how to make our products more durable and how to make them last longer while making our products every day and dealing with repair requests from customers.
It is this accumulated experience that allows us to confidently say that Munekawa wallets can be used for a long time.
In order to reduce the 55% of "reasons to replace" in the world, we will continue to aim for products that can be used for a long time and that people will feel attached to and feel enriched by.
