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. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>100 Yen shops are expanding more rapidly after several tougher years dealing with the twin problems of labour shortages and higher wages – a particular issue for fixed price retailers.</li>
<li>With more flexible pricing models and high demand for discount retailing, there is optimism again.</li>
<li>Aeon, now the owner of Can Do, plans to double the size of its new acquisition and spread its merchandise across the Aeon empire.</li>
</ul>


100 Yen shops are expanding more rapidly after several tougher years dealing with the twin problems of labour shortages and higher wages – a particular issue for fixed price retailers.
With more flexible pricing models and high demand for discount retailing, there is optimism again.
Aeon, now the owner of Can Do, plans to double the size of its new acquisition and spread its merchandise across the Aeon empire.


Can Do to Double Stores in 5 Years – and Boost Profits Too

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Numerous reports indicate that Seven &amp; I is preparing its Sogo Seibu department store subsidiary for sale. </li>
<li>This follows years of calls from major investors to dispose of underperforming assets at Japan’s second largest retail conglomerate.</li>
<li>Seven &amp; I still has many problems to solve in its domestic business. Ito-Yokado remains the biggest problem but perhaps won't be disposed of while the company's 98-year old founder lives.</li>
</ul>


Numerous reports indicate that Seven &amp; I is preparing its Sogo Seibu department store subsidiary for sale. 
This follows years of calls from major investors to dispose of underperforming assets at Japan’s second largest retail conglomerate.
Seven &amp; I still has many problems to solve in its domestic business. Ito-Yokado remains the biggest problem but perhaps won't be disposed of while the company's 98-year old founder lives.


Seven & I: Selling Sogo Seibu Is Just the Start

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The government has promised consumers price inflation for almost a decade now but the only real result of this policy is that we’ve seen record levels of household saving. </li>
<li>Now, however, supply chain and other issues are quickly beginning to force up prices of basic products and these increases are having a real impact on household budgets.</li>
<li>How long this situation may last is the big question but the focus on price means discount food retailers like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobe-bussan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4701:1" rel="noopener">Kobe Bussan (3038 JP)</a> are likely to boom.</li>
</ul>


The government has promised consumers price inflation for almost a decade now but the only real result of this policy is that we’ve seen record levels of household saving. 
Now, however, supply chain and other issues are quickly beginning to force up prices of basic products and these increases are having a real impact on household budgets.
How long this situation may last is the big question but the focus on price means discount food retailers like Kobe Bussan (3038 JP) are likely to boom.


Japanese Households Focus on Price as Inflation Fears Spike

<ul>
<li>2020-21 was the second year in a row to see a net fall in the number of SCs in Japan. Sales levels also fell to an unprecedented degree.</li>
<li>The good news is that 2021 has been better, with even city centre malls reducing sales falls by 20 points. But the crisis has exacerbated underlying pressures. </li>
<li>A significant clear out of the SC sector is now occurring as more uneconomic properties close.</li>
</ul>


2020-21 was the second year in a row to see a net fall in the number of SCs in Japan. Sales levels also fell to an unprecedented degree.
The good news is that 2021 has been better, with even city centre malls reducing sales falls by 20 points. But the crisis has exacerbated underlying pressures. 
A significant clear out of the SC sector is now occurring as more uneconomic properties close.


Japan Shopping Centres 2020-21 Review: A Shocking Year

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Keiyo announced a large (9.2% of shares out) ToSTNeT-3 buyback for tomorrow morning at JPY 855/share. </li>
<li>Normally this would be an occasion for looking at the significant accretion. </li>
<li>This time there are possible offsets which are less encouraging.</li>
</ul>


Keiyo announced a large (9.2% of shares out) ToSTNeT-3 buyback for tomorrow morning at JPY 855/share. 
Normally this would be an occasion for looking at the significant accretion. 
This time there are possible offsets which are less encouraging.


Very Large Keiyo (8168 JP) Buyback NOT Necessarily Bullish

Japan

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

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.

KOBE BUSSAN CO., LTD. is a supermarket franchise store operator which mainly deals in foods stuffs.  The Company also has direct-run stores.

Yaoko Co., Ltd. operates local supermarkets in the Saitama Prefecture. The Company handles fresh food products, daily-use sundry products, and other various goods in local area.

COSMOS Pharmaceutical Corporation operates drug stores based in Kyushu. The Company sells daily necessities such as drug medicines, foodstuffs, and alcoholic beverages.

SUGI HOLDINGS CO., LTD. operates a chain of drug stores located mainly in Aichi Prefecture.  The Company sells prescription and nonprescription medicine, cosmetics, health foods, and general merchandise.

TSURUHA HOLDINGS INC. is a holding company which manages subsidiaries that operate drug stores in Hokkaido and the Tohoku area.  The Company's product line includes drugs, cosmetics, and household utensils.

SUNDRUG CO., LTD. operates an outlet drug store chain primarily in the Tokyo area.  The Company sells mainly medicines, cosmetics, baby care products, and household utensils.  Sundrug supplies merchandise to franchise stores.  The Company also operates a real estate business.

WELCIA HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. is a holding company established through a merger of Welcia Kanto and Takada Pharmacy.  The Group mainly operates drug chain stores which sell medicines, health foods, cosmetics, nursery items and daily necessity goods.

Kusuri no Aoki Holdings Co., Ltd. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides medicines, cosmetics, health foods, beauty care, and household products. Kusuri no Aoki Holdings serves customers in Japan.

Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores in the Midwest.  The Company's stores, operating under the name Casey's General Store, carry a selection of food, beverages, tobacco products, health and beauty aids, automotive products, and other non-food items, as well as sells gasoline.

CP ALL PCL operates convenience store chains in Thailand and China.  The Company also owns and operates the a department store chain located primarily in Shanghai city and Chonqing city of China.

Jeronimo Martins, SGPS, S.A. is a holding company. The Company, through subsidiaries, distributes food in Portugal, Poland and Colombia. The Company operates supermarkets and cash and carry stores in Portugal as well as retail stores in Poland and Colombia. Jeronimo Martins also manufactures various food products as well as provides services to the restaurant industry.

Carrefour SA operates chains of supermarkets, hypermarkets, discount, cash and carry, and frozen food stores in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

BIM Birlesik Magazalar A.S. operates food and basic consumer goods discount stores in Turkey.  The Company provides an assortment of private label products.

George Weston Limited operates as a super market. The Company processes and distributes food and pharmacy products to grocer wholesalers, warehouses, and independent accounts, as well as provides real estate services. George Weston serves customers in Canada.

Metro Inc. distributes food and pharmaceutical products. The Company operates a network of food stores and drug stores in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. operates as a warehouse club. The Company delivers electronics, furniture, fitness, video games, health, toys, home decor, computers, landscaping, jewelry, and grocery products. BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings serves customers in the United States.

Coles Group Limited owns and operates a chain of supermarkets and department stores. The Company offers apparels, liquor, office supplies, groceries, and household products. Coles Group serves customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

US Foods Holding Corp. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides catering services. US Foods Holding serves healthcare, hospitality, educational, government facilities, and other sectors in the United States.

AEON CO., LTD. operates general merchandise stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout Japan. The Company is also engaged in women's and casual clothing store business, development business of commercial property, and financing service through the subsidiaries.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)

Can Do to Double Stores in 5 Years – and Boost Profits Too

While Seria and Daiso have grown significantly over the last decade, Can Do has barely moved. Now backed by Aeon, Can Do plans to double in size,...

Michael Causton

Seven & I: Selling Sogo Seibu Is Just the Start

Seven & I could be one of Japan's most profitable retailers – in part because one if its parts already is. The problem is the rest of the group but...

Michael Causton

Japanese Households Focus on Price as Inflation Fears Spike

Pressure on household budgets from rising prices – real and perceived – are causing Japanese consumers to focus even further on prices. This will...

Michael Causton

Japan Shopping Centres 2020-21 Review: A Shocking Year

A good window into Japanese retail performance is the performance of shopping malls. This is an in-depth review, including rankings of the best...

Michael Causton

Very Large Keiyo (8168 JP) Buyback NOT Necessarily Bullish

Keiyo announced a large buyback for tomorrow AM. Big accretion is usually bullish but Keiyo is rich to peers, and it is not clear where incremental...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)