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>Japan has a solid if stagnant footwear market, yet it only has one compelling nationwide footwear retailer.</li>
<li>ABC Mart continues to outperform its smaller rivals, with little competition as its main rivals decline further.</li>
<li>The real competition is coming from brands selling directly to customers via their own stores and online – and low-cost retailers nipping at its heels from below.</li>
</ul>


Japan has a solid if stagnant footwear market, yet it only has one compelling nationwide footwear retailer.
ABC Mart continues to outperform its smaller rivals, with little competition as its main rivals decline further.
The real competition is coming from brands selling directly to customers via their own stores and online – and low-cost retailers nipping at its heels from below.


<ul>
<li>TSI seems to be following a strategy of diversify or die. It is using its vast cash resources to invest in and build new businesses with some success.</li>
<li>But it also has a couple of compelling brands in strong growth sectors, particularly in golf, providing growth of nearly 50% last year in one case.</li>
<li>This isn't enough to sustain overall growth however and more needs to be done to get on to a more secure footing.</li>
</ul>


TSI seems to be following a strategy of diversify or die. It is using its vast cash resources to invest in and build new businesses with some success.
But it also has a couple of compelling brands in strong growth sectors, particularly in golf, providing growth of nearly 50% last year in one case.
This isn't enough to sustain overall growth however and more needs to be done to get on to a more secure footing.


Japan Apparel Diversification: TSI Tries New Markets

Sports chain <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alpen-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17762:1" rel="noopener">Alpen Co Ltd (3028 JP)</a> was one of the retailers to benefit from the pandemic as people looked to create home gyms and get out into nature. Alpen has also seen growing interest in sports like golf, where social distancing is implicit in the game.

Sports chain Alpen Co Ltd (3028 JP) was one of the retailers to benefit from the pandemic as people looked to create home gyms and get out into nature. Alpen has also seen growing interest in sports like golf, where social distancing is implicit in the game.

Event-Driven

The Japanese sports retail market has traditionally been dominated by four big retailers, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alpen-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17762:1" rel="noopener">Alpen Co Ltd (3028 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xebio-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13955:1" rel="noopener">Xebio Holdings (8281 JP)</a>, Mega Sports (owned by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP))</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/himaraya-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5307:1" rel="noopener">Himaraya Co Ltd (7514 JP)</a>. With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)'s</a> financial and supply chain support, Himaraya overtook Mega Sports a few years ago but Himaraya’s sales have since contracted and Mitsubishi gradually reduced its stake while still retaining its core supply role.Mitsubishi will now divest all shares and end its supply relationship too, leaving Himaraya open to takeover.Given that sports/outdoor is one of the few sure growth markets, Himaraya won’t lack for potential suitors.This is a time of transition for the big multi-brand sports retailers. The number of stores increased up to 2018 but last year the total number of stores began to contract for the first time since 1990 with new competitors emerging, including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/workman-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8467:1" rel="noopener">Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP)</a> and Decathlon.

The Japanese sports retail market has traditionally been dominated by four big retailers, Alpen Co Ltd (3028 JP), Xebio Holdings (8281 JP), Mega Sports (owned by Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)) and Himaraya Co Ltd (7514 JP). With Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)'s financial and supply chain support, Himaraya overtook Mega Sports a few years ago but Himaraya’s sales have since contracted and Mitsubishi gradually reduced its stake while still retaining its core supply role.Mitsubishi will now divest all shares and end its supply relationship too, leaving Himaraya open to takeover.Given that sports/outdoor is one of the few sure growth markets, Himaraya won’t lack for potential suitors.This is a time of transition for the big multi-brand sports retailers. The number of stores increased up to 2018 but last year the total number of stores began to contract for the first time since 1990 with new competitors emerging, including Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP) and Decathlon.

Japan Sports Retail in Flux as Mitsubishi Ditches Himaraya

The outdoor market is one of the few really bright spots in the Japanese discretionary consumer economy.For the last five years, it has expanded quickly as consumers buy into the outdoor lifestyle both in the countryside and on the streets of Aoyama in Tokyo.While big names like The North Face continue to benefit, there is a new battle going on at the value end of the market and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/workman-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8467:1" rel="noopener">Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP),</a> the former retailer of workwear, is determined to win it.Workman is a workwear retailer but late last year launched a new format for the consumer called Workman Plus. It will have more than 160 stores open by March next year – and existing franchisees are queueing up to convert their Workman stores thanks to the huge jump in sales densities.

The outdoor market is one of the few really bright spots in the Japanese discretionary consumer economy.For the last five years, it has expanded quickly as consumers buy into the outdoor lifestyle both in the countryside and on the streets of Aoyama in Tokyo.While big names like The North Face continue to benefit, there is a new battle going on at the value end of the market and Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP), the former retailer of workwear, is determined to win it.Workman is a workwear retailer but late last year launched a new format for the consumer called Workman Plus. It will have more than 160 stores open by March next year – and existing franchisees are queueing up to convert their Workman stores thanks to the huge jump in sales densities.

Japanese Step Outside: Outdoor Market Jumps 7.5% as Workman Aims for Leadership

Japan

Alpen Co., Ltd. develops and sells sports products including golf, tennis, marine and baseball products based in Aichi.  The Company also operates ski resorts and golf courses.

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Alpen Co Ltd (3028 JP)

ABC Mart Expands Lead in Footwear

Despite a stagnant market, ABC Mart remains dominant in Japan's footwear industry, although it is now facing competition from direct brand sales...

Michael Causton

Japan Apparel Diversification: TSI Tries New Markets

TSI had a better 2021 than its peers but only thanks to golf. More work is being done and it has some interesting new ventures but growth may not...

Michael Causton

Alpen Aims for Record Sales

Alpen is one of the two big sports retailers and has benefitted from the boom in outdoor activities. This boom is not set to end any time soon so...

Michael Causton

Japan Sports Retail in Flux as Mitsubishi Ditches Himaraya

Mitsubishi will divest its long-standing holding in sports retailer, Himaraya. With the sports retail market in flux, Himaraya is a likely target...

Michael Causton

Japanese Step Outside: Outdoor Market Jumps 7.5% as Workman Aims for Leadership

The outdoor market is one of the few really bright spots in the Japanese discretionary consumer economy.For the last five years, it has expanded...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

ABC Mart Expands Lead in Footwear

​Despite a stagnant market, ABC Mart remains dominant in Japan's footwear industry, although it is now facing competition from direct brand sales...

Michael Causton

Japan Apparel Diversification: TSI Tries New Markets

TSI had a better 2021 than its peers but only thanks to golf. More work is being done and it has some interesting new ventures but growth may not...

Michael Causton

Alpen Aims for Record Sales

Alpen is one of the two big sports retailers and has benefitted from the boom in outdoor activities. This boom is not set to end any time soon so...

Michael Causton

Japan Sports Retail in Flux as Mitsubishi Ditches Himaraya

Mitsubishi will divest its long-standing holding in sports retailer, Himaraya. With the sports retail market in flux, Himaraya is a likely target...

Michael Causton

Japanese Step Outside: Outdoor Market Jumps 7.5% as Workman Aims for Leadership

The outdoor market is one of the few really bright spots in the Japanese discretionary consumer economy.For the last five years, it has expanded...

Michael Causton

Despite a stagnant market, ABC Mart remains dominant in Japan's footwear industry, although it is now facing competition from direct brand sales...