Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>After stellar growth in 2020, the e-commerce market grew much slower in 2021 but still outpaced all other channels and set the second highest increase in four years.</li>
<li>At this rate, by 2025 e-commerce should become the largest retail channel, overtaking chain stores.</li>
<li>Japan’s easy access to retail stores means shops aren’t about to disappear anytime soon and Japan will become a model for omnichannel retailing with stores still playing a key role.</li>
</ul>


After stellar growth in 2020, the e-commerce market grew much slower in 2021 but still outpaced all other channels and set the second highest increase in four years.
At this rate, by 2025 e-commerce should become the largest retail channel, overtaking chain stores.
Japan’s easy access to retail stores means shops aren’t about to disappear anytime soon and Japan will become a model for omnichannel retailing with stores still playing a key role.


Japanese E-Commerce Big Review: Still Taking Market Share as Omnichannel Becomes the Norm

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Having reached a 30 year high of 4% in December 2022, which is two times the BOJ’s target, Japanese companies are finding it hard to absorb cost inflation.</li>
<li>This macro environment presents an opportunity to appreciate the few Japanese Food and Beverages companies that have managed to maintain average pricing growth even in a deflationary environment.</li>
<li>With a lasting pricing-power and a relatively inelastic demand than competitors, we think <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yakult-honsha-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17153:1" rel="noopener">Yakult Honsha (2267 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissin-foods-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12548:1" rel="noopener">Nissin Foods Holdings (2897 JP)</a> are in a great position to outperform competition. </li>
</ul>


Having reached a 30 year high of 4% in December 2022, which is two times the BOJ’s target, Japanese companies are finding it hard to absorb cost inflation.
This macro environment presents an opportunity to appreciate the few Japanese Food and Beverages companies that have managed to maintain average pricing growth even in a deflationary environment.
With a lasting pricing-power and a relatively inelastic demand than competitors, we think Yakult Honsha (2267 JP) and Nissin Foods Holdings (2897 JP) are in a great position to outperform competition. 


Japan Consumer Staples Sector : Inflation Looks a Blessing in Disguise for Those with Pricing Power

<ul>
<li>The convenience store sector was one of the worst hit by a downturn in sales during the early pandemic, but all three major chains have implemented changes and improvements. </li>
<li>Results for the first three quarters of FY2022 show that the big companies are almost all trading above 2019 levels already.</li>
<li>While top line growth at home will be increasingly hard to come by in a saturated sector, innovations will help boost same-store sales a little and profit a bit more.</li>
</ul>


The convenience store sector was one of the worst hit by a downturn in sales during the early pandemic, but all three major chains have implemented changes and improvements. 
Results for the first three quarters of FY2022 show that the big companies are almost all trading above 2019 levels already.
While top line growth at home will be increasingly hard to come by in a saturated sector, innovations will help boost same-store sales a little and profit a bit more.


Japanese Convenience Stores: Back with a Plan but Muted Growth Ahead

<ul>
<li>Inflation remains the biggest headwind but most retail formats will see growth in 2023 with e-commerce expected to become the largest channel in the next 18 months.</li>
<li>Supermarkets are ripe for consolidation as new competitors emerge from the discount sector and online while convenience stores will consolidate further in a saturated sector.</li>
<li>Department stores will rebound further but only the leading firms will survive in a contracting sector.</li>
</ul>


Inflation remains the biggest headwind but most retail formats will see growth in 2023 with e-commerce expected to become the largest channel in the next 18 months.
Supermarkets are ripe for consolidation as new competitors emerge from the discount sector and online while convenience stores will consolidate further in a saturated sector.
Department stores will rebound further but only the leading firms will survive in a contracting sector.


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Be long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kawasaki-kisen-kaisha-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3548:1" rel="noopener">Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP)</a> vs MOL and NYK. The shares are cheap on a forward basis. KLine is reducing the Real World Float, causing further potential squeeze.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sabana-industrial-real-estate-investment-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:911:1" rel="noopener">Sabana Industrial REIT (SSREIT SP)</a>'s Partial Offer at 0.88x book is not overwhelming, but it is also not a control stake. It is probably priced near-right.</li>
<li>IF <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/osstem-implant-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1450:1" rel="noopener">Osstem (048260 KS)</a>'s price were to go higher, it is conceivable there could be a bump, but don't bet on it as long as the stock trades &lt;KRW 190,000. </li>
</ul>


Be long Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP) vs MOL and NYK. The shares are cheap on a forward basis. KLine is reducing the Real World Float, causing further potential squeeze.

Sabana Industrial REIT (SSREIT SP)'s Partial Offer at 0.88x book is not overwhelming, but it is also not a control stake. It is probably priced near-right.
IF Osstem (048260 KS)'s price were to go higher, it is conceivable there could be a bump, but don't bet on it as long as the stock trades &lt;KRW 190,000. 


Last Week in SPACE: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Osstem, Fujitsu General, Adani Enterprises

Japan

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company which was established through the merger of Ito-Yokado Co., Seven Eleven Japan Co., and Denny's Japan. The Company plans, manages, and operates mainly convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores.

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Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP)

Japan Consumer Staples Sector : Inflation Looks a Blessing in Disguise for Those with Pricing Power

This inflationary environment presents an opportunity to appreciate the few Japanese Food and Beverages companies that have managed to maintain...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Japanese Convenience Stores: Back with a Plan but Muted Growth Ahead

Japan's convenience store have rebounded strongly since the pandemic. Although the long-term outlook for growth is muted due to saturation,...

Michael Causton

Outlook for Japanese Retail in 2023

Most Japanese retailers can look forward to a good year in 2023 but there will be challenges for formats like supermarkets where consolidation is...

Michael Causton

Last Week in SPACE: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Osstem, Fujitsu General, Adani Enterprises

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese E-Commerce Big Review: Still Taking Market Share as Omnichannel Becomes the Norm

Japanese e-commerce continues to take more share from other retail channels but Japan is developing a sophisticated omnichannel model where stores...

Michael Causton

Japan Consumer Staples Sector : Inflation Looks a Blessing in Disguise for Those with Pricing Power

This inflationary environment presents an opportunity to appreciate the few Japanese Food and Beverages companies that have managed to maintain...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Japanese Convenience Stores: Back with a Plan but Muted Growth Ahead

Japan's convenience store have rebounded strongly since the pandemic. Although the long-term outlook for growth is muted due to saturation,...

Michael Causton

Outlook for Japanese Retail in 2023

Most Japanese retailers can look forward to a good year in 2023 but there will be challenges for formats like supermarkets where consolidation is...

Michael Causton

Last Week in SPACE: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Osstem, Fujitsu General, Adani Enterprises

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett