Retail Partner Program

Mittsu works with a small number of specialist retail partners able to present authentic Japanese tiles in a considered showroom environment.

The program is designed for retailers working with architects, interior designers and design-led residential clients who value material quality, surface depth and Japanese ceramic craftsmanship.

Who the program suits

Mittsu retail partners are usually design-led showrooms with an existing relationship with architects, interior designers, contractors or private clients working on higher quality interiors.

The strongest partners are comfortable presenting tiles as architectural materials rather than commodity finishes.

• Architectural tile and surface showrooms
• Interior design focused retailers
• Bathroom and kitchen showrooms with specification-led clients
• Retailers working with hospitality, residential and commercial projects

Partnership approach

Mittsu works on a focused, project-led basis rather than through high-volume distribution.

Retail partners have direct access to senior support from Mittsu, with detailed knowledge of Japanese manufacturers, product characteristics, lead times and installation considerations.

This direct support helps retailers answer questions accurately and guide clients through material selection, sample evaluation and project supply.

Why the collection is different

Mittsu tiles are made in Japan by specialist manufacturers. Many are produced using high-temperature firing, natural glazes and controlled variation rather than printed surface effects.

The result is a collection defined by surface depth, glaze movement and material character.

This difference is explained in more detail on Why Japanese Tiles Cost More.

Specialist Japanese production

Many collections are produced in Japan’s established ceramic regions, including Tajimi in Gifu Prefecture.

Natural glaze variation

Tone, texture and surface depth are developed during firing, not simply printed onto the tile.

Limited and focused supply

Some collections are stocked locally, while others are made to order or subject to manufacturer minimum quantities.

Signature collections

Yuki Border and Kaji Border form the core of the local stock program and are widely used across architectural interiors.

Yuki Border

Yuki Border is a narrow Japanese porcelain tile with a refined linear format and natural glaze variation. It is particularly suited to bathrooms, kitchens, hospitality interiors and residential feature walls.

Kaji Border

Kaji Border has a longer format, creating rhythm and texture across larger wall surfaces. It is often used in restaurants, retail interiors, feature walls and residential bathrooms.

See how these materials are used in completed interiors on our Projects page.

Supply model

Mittsu supplies retail partners through several routes depending on stock availability, order size and manufacturer requirements.

• Project supply from warehouse stock, Japanese stock or made-to-order production
• Retail stock pallet orders for showroom or inventory stock
• Made-to-order production for selected specialist collections
• Direct project delivery where goods are invoiced to the retailer and delivered to site

Certain made-to-order collections have minimum order quantities. These are stated in trade documentation and discussed during quotation where relevant.

Retail display starter pack

The Retail Display Starter Pack is designed to help partners present the collection properly within their showroom.

A substantial installed display allows clients to understand scale, glaze variation and surface behaviour more effectively than a loose sample alone.

The starter pack includes approximately 10 m² of tiles, allowing a complete architectural installation using one of Mittsu’s signature collections.

Full details of the display starter pack are included in the Retail Partner Program document.

Quotations and orders

Quotation requests should include the product SKU and required quantity.

Tiles are supplied by full box. Box coverage varies by product, and quantities requested in square metres are rounded up to the nearest full box.

For loose tiles not mounted on sheets, final installed coverage may vary depending on joint width.

Production and delivery

Japanese tiles are produced using kiln-fired ceramic processes, which may create natural variation between production batches.

This variation is part of the material character and is explained further on our Batch Variation page.

Lead times are provided in good faith based on stock position, production schedules and shipping conditions at the time of quotation.

Become a retail partner

Mittsu works with a limited number of specialist retail partners who can present the collection appropriately and support designers seeking authentic Japanese tiles.

The Retail Partner Program document provides full details of the partnership structure, display starter pack and supply options.