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)

Japan’s retail and distribution sector has long been seen as fragmented, even to the point of being accused of inefficiency. On the surface, concentration levels do remain low, but scratch that surface and a very different picture emerges.
By format and by category sector, larger companies are taking increasing share and, over the past five years, this trend has accelerated.
Now, given the pressures of Covid, there is ample opportunity for stronger players to gain ground by buying out weaker ones, while some mid-level companies are joining together, hoping to become a fish too big to swallow.
Business tie-ups are also increasing in number, particularly as physical retailers seek to bring in and learn skills necessary to succeed in e-commerce and to build omnichannel models.
The following is a detailed review of how concentration has increased along with a map of who own who in retailing today.
There is a strong possibility that we could see some really big deals, even ones that span format and geographical borders, as many mid-sized retailers recognise that independent survival is getting hard. Acquirers will use the current environment to diversify into new areas, expand volumes and market share, or simply acquire more retail property for long-term development.

Japan’s retail and distribution sector has long been seen as fragmented, even to the point of being accused of inefficiency. On the surface, concentration levels do remain low, but scratch that surface and a very different picture emerges.
By format and by category sector, larger companies are taking increasing share and, over the past five years, this trend has accelerated.
Now, given the pressures of Covid, there is ample opportunity for stronger players to gain ground by buying out weaker ones, while some mid-level companies are joining together, hoping to become a fish too big to swallow.
Business tie-ups are also increasing in number, particularly as physical retailers seek to bring in and learn skills necessary to succeed in e-commerce and to build omnichannel models.
The following is a detailed review of how concentration has increased along with a map of who own who in retailing today.
There is a strong possibility that we could see some really big deals, even ones that span format and geographical borders, as many mid-sized retailers recognise that independent survival is getting hard. Acquirers will use the current environment to diversify into new areas, expand volumes and market share, or simply acquire more retail property for long-term development.

Who Owns Who: Concentration Levels Accelerate in Japan Retail, with More M&A to Come

Latest News from the World’s Leading Innovators

Granite Bay Capital

An innovation focussed investment company

Granite Bay Capital is an innovation focussed investment company with a deep focus on the companies at the leading edge of innovation across major themes such as AI, ubiquitous computing, sustainability, automation and longevity.

Headline Developments: Another week, another major cyber attack!  Last Friday, a global ransomware attack hit up to 1,500 companies in what is believed to be the biggest supply chain attack to date.  In the attack, American software company Kaseya was compromised, opening a door for hackers to spread ransomware to managed service providers that use it’s technology, and in turn their clients.

Headline Developments: Another week, another major cyber attack!  Last Friday, a global ransomware attack hit up to 1,500 companies in what is believed to be the biggest supply chain attack to date.  In the attack, American software company Kaseya was compromised, opening a door for hackers to spread ransomware to managed service providers that use it’s technology, and in turn their clients.

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zomato-media-pvt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28820:1" rel="noopener">Zomato (ZOM IN)</a> is a leading food delivery platform in India. Zomato has two core business-to-customer (B2C) offerings which are Food delivery and Dining-out. It also has a business-to-business (B2B) offering called Hyperpure and Zomato Pro, the customer loyalty program which encompasses both food delivery and dining-out. Zomato’s key shareholders are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/info-edge-india-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14461:1" rel="noopener">Info Edge India (INFOE IN)</a> (18.55% of outstanding shares), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uber-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:430:1" rel="noopener">Uber (UBER US)</a> (9.1%) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a>.  Zomato is expected to launch its IPO on 19 July to raise up to Rs93.75 billion ($1.3 billion) with a primary/secondary split of 96%/4%, according to press reports. The selling shareholder is Info Edge. <div class="content-highlight">Zomato will be a landmark IPO in India as it the first large new economy technology platform to list. The food delivery market in India is attractive to the large addressable opportunity. While <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amazon-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:409:1" rel="noopener">Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)</a> entered the market last year, the food delivery market in India is effectively a duopoly between Zomato and Swiggy. Zomato claims to be larger but the key differentiator will be execution to drive growth with positive unit economics. On this front, Zomato has demonstrated a commendable track record. Overall, we think that Zomato's fundamentals are attractive. </div>

Zomato (ZOM IN) is a leading food delivery platform in India. Zomato has two core business-to-customer (B2C) offerings which are Food delivery and Dining-out. It also has a business-to-business (B2B) offering called Hyperpure and Zomato Pro, the customer loyalty program which encompasses both food delivery and dining-out. Zomato’s key shareholders are Info Edge India (INFOE IN) (18.55% of outstanding shares), Uber (UBER US) (9.1%) and Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK).  Zomato is expected to launch its IPO on 19 July to raise up to Rs93.75 billion ($1.3 billion) with a primary/secondary split of 96%/4%, according to press reports. The selling shareholder is Info Edge. Zomato will be a landmark IPO in India as it the first large new economy technology platform to list. The food delivery market in India is attractive to the large addressable opportunity. While Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US) entered the market last year, the food delivery market in India is effectively a duopoly between Zomato and Swiggy. Zomato claims to be larger but the key differentiator will be execution to drive growth with positive unit economics. On this front, Zomato has demonstrated a commendable track record. Overall, we think that Zomato's fundamentals are attractive. 

Zomato IPO Initiation: Emerging Appetites

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy, Urbem (HK) Limited

Steven Chen

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>My long-time audience may have learned my lack of interest in the internet sector when it comes to equity investing;</li>
<li>But <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kaspi-kz-jsc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33382:1" rel="noopener">Kaspi.KZ JSC (KSPI LI)</a> can be an exception thanks to its superior quality;</li>
<li>The valuation of the share does not seem cheap but is by no means unfair given the rapidly-developing addressable market, multi-cylinder growth engine, sustainable competitive advantage, and owner-leadership.</li>
</ul>


My long-time audience may have learned my lack of interest in the internet sector when it comes to equity investing;
But Kaspi.KZ JSC (KSPI LI) can be an exception thanks to its superior quality;
The valuation of the share does not seem cheap but is by no means unfair given the rapidly-developing addressable market, multi-cylinder growth engine, sustainable competitive advantage, and owner-leadership.


TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

Intel has more product delays, Coursera's chief competitor is acquired. IBM's email doesn't work and Redhat chief departs. Amazon tries to form a rebel alliance.<div class="content-highlight">Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.  </div>

Intel has more product delays, Coursera's chief competitor is acquired. IBM's email doesn't work and Redhat chief departs. Amazon tries to form a rebel alliance.Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.  

TMT Weekly: 4 Things That Stood Out the Week of 7/2/​2021

United States

Amazon.com, Inc. is an online retailer that offers a wide range of products. The Company's products include books, music, videotapes, computers, electronics, home and garden, and numerous other products.  Amazon offers personalized shopping services, Web-based credit card payment, and direct shipping to customers.

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Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)

Who Owns Who: Concentration Levels Accelerate in Japan Retail, with More M&A to Come

Japanese retail is in the process of extensive concentration and market consolidation through M&A, organic expansion and tie-ups. Numerous...

Michael Causton

Weekly Innovation Review (WIRE) #39

Headline Developments: Another week, another major cyber attack! Last Friday, a global ransomware attack hit up to 1,500 companies

Granite Bay Capital

Zomato IPO Initiation: Emerging Appetites

Zomato is expected to launch its IPO on 19 July to raise up to Rs93.75 billion ($1.3 billion). Overall, we think that Zomato's fundamentals are...

Arun George

Kaspi.kz - A Superior-Quality Trio

Kaspi.kz is an exceptional "Super App" business winning sustainably in all three verticals where it operates in a rapidly-developing but often...

Steven Chen

TMT Weekly: 4 Things That Stood Out the Week of 7/2/2021

Intel has more product delays, Coursera's chief competitor is acquired. IBM's email doesn't work and Redhat chief departs. Amazon tries to form a...

Aaron Gabin

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Who Owns Who: Concentration Levels Accelerate in Japan Retail, with More M&A to Come

Japanese retail is in the process of extensive concentration and market consolidation through M&A, organic expansion and tie-ups. Numerous...

Michael Causton

Weekly Innovation Review (WIRE) #39

Headline Developments: Another week, another major cyber attack! Last Friday, a global ransomware attack hit up to 1,500 companies

Granite Bay Capital

Zomato IPO Initiation: Emerging Appetites

Zomato is expected to launch its IPO on 19 July to raise up to Rs93.75 billion ($1.3 billion). Overall, we think that Zomato's fundamentals are...

Arun George

Kaspi.kz - A Superior-Quality Trio

Kaspi.kz is an exceptional "Super App" business winning sustainably in all three verticals where it operates in a rapidly-developing but often...

Steven Chen

TMT Weekly: 4 Things That Stood Out the Week of 7/2/​2021

Intel has more product delays, Coursera's chief competitor is acquired. IBM's email doesn't work and Redhat chief departs. Amazon tries to form a...

Aaron Gabin

TMT Weekly: 4 Things That Stood Out the Week of 7/2/2021