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>Growth in the Japanese home interiors and furniture markets is set to continue long-term. </li>
<li>At present, just a handful of brands have any major presence led by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitori-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20386:1" rel="noopener">Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)</a> which continues to expand market share.</li>
<li>With multiple formats, Nitori looks set to continue to dominate but faces competition from unlikely quarters, especially <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamada-denki-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:641:1" rel="noopener">Yamada Denki (9831 JP).</a>
</li>
</ul>


Growth in the Japanese home interiors and furniture markets is set to continue long-term. 
At present, just a handful of brands have any major presence led by Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) which continues to expand market share.
With multiple formats, Nitori looks set to continue to dominate but faces competition from unlikely quarters, especially Yamada Denki (9831 JP).



Interiors Long-Term Growth in Japan a Plus for Nitori

Private Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Although there are some points to iron out, Fortress Investment is in the final stages of negotiation to purchase Sogo Seibu from Seven &amp; I, with Yodobashi Camera as partner. </li>
<li>This is an exciting move for Yodobashi as it should be an excellent choice to leverage Sogo Seibu’s better locations and create more competition for rivals like Bic Camera.</li>
<li>Even so, some stores will no longer have a future under their existing banners and the acquisition will mark the final demise of a 170 year old brand and company.</li>
</ul>


Although there are some points to iron out, Fortress Investment is in the final stages of negotiation to purchase Sogo Seibu from Seven &amp; I, with Yodobashi Camera as partner. 
This is an exciting move for Yodobashi as it should be an excellent choice to leverage Sogo Seibu’s better locations and create more competition for rivals like Bic Camera.
Even so, some stores will no longer have a future under their existing banners and the acquisition will mark the final demise of a 170 year old brand and company.


Yodobashi to Become Top 10 Retailer in Sogo Seibu Deal with Fortress

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Consumer electronics retailers and producers benefited a lot from the pandemic, supplying customers stuck at home with kit for work and play. </li>
<li>The Olympics also encouraged people to update their TVs and entertainment systems.</li>
<li>Now, sales are falling to pre-2020 levels due to saturation. Inflationary pressures also mean more people are turning to second-hand options or simply not replacing old appliances at all.</li>
</ul>


Consumer electronics retailers and producers benefited a lot from the pandemic, supplying customers stuck at home with kit for work and play. 
The Olympics also encouraged people to update their TVs and entertainment systems.
Now, sales are falling to pre-2020 levels due to saturation. Inflationary pressures also mean more people are turning to second-hand options or simply not replacing old appliances at all.


Japan's Consumer Electronics Retailers Face Tough Outlook

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<ul>
<li>Bic Camera is trading close to its 52-week high after rallying on expectations for the reopening of Japanese borders and increased sales from inbound tourists.</li>
<li>We think the market has gotten way ahead itself due to (a) falling real household spending and (b) less than expected impact from inbound</li>
<li>Bic’s high valuation is likely to derate due to rising interest rates.  We see around 30% downside for the stock based on peer multiples</li>
</ul>


Bic Camera is trading close to its 52-week high after rallying on expectations for the reopening of Japanese borders and increased sales from inbound tourists.
We think the market has gotten way ahead itself due to (a) falling real household spending and (b) less than expected impact from inbound
Bic’s high valuation is likely to derate due to rising interest rates.  We see around 30% downside for the stock based on peer multiples


Bic Camera (3048) | Cash-Strapped Consumers

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>As designed, the JPX-Nikkei400 Index is something of a disaster. It aims to be slightly 'smart' vs other cap-weighted indices like TOPIX, but tracking error vs TOPIX is de minimus.</li>
<li>This year, in week 1, the ADD vs DELETE performance is positive. If we sector-hedge the ADDs vs DELETEs, it's doing even better.</li>
<li>This is probably due to relatively low pre-positioning, and cares. Momentum suggests one could be long ADDs vs DELETEs. And there is the perennial trade to watch out for.</li>
</ul>


As designed, the JPX-Nikkei400 Index is something of a disaster. It aims to be slightly 'smart' vs other cap-weighted indices like TOPIX, but tracking error vs TOPIX is de minimus.
This year, in week 1, the ADD vs DELETE performance is positive. If we sector-hedge the ADDs vs DELETEs, it's doing even better.
This is probably due to relatively low pre-positioning, and cares. Momentum suggests one could be long ADDs vs DELETEs. And there is the perennial trade to watch out for.


2022 JPX Nikkei 400 Rebal Update - Going the Right Way

Japan

BIC CAMERA INC. operates electronic retail stores throughout Japan focusing on the Tokyo metropolitan area.  The Company sells audio and video equipments, electrical home appliances and telecommunication equipments.  Bic Camera also runs an Internet shopping site.

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Bic Camera Inc (3048 JP)

Interiors Long-Term Growth in Japan a Plus for Nitori

Japan's interiors consumption has been one of the few categories to grow consistently and will continue to grow steadily as Japanese appetite for...

Michael Causton

Yodobashi to Become Top 10 Retailer in Sogo Seibu Deal with Fortress

The sale of Sogo Seibu won't make much difference to Seven & I but if the sale to Fortress goes ahead will make Yodobashi Camera into one of...

Michael Causton

Japan's Consumer Electronics Retailers Face Tough Outlook

Don't expect much growth from Japan's consumer electronics retailers. With market saturation and waning demand, there is trouble ahead and possibly...

Michael Causton

Bic Camera (3048) | Cash-Strapped Consumers

We remain Bearish on Bic Camera. We fear that the border re-opening is already priced into the stock and that the market has missed the domestic...

Mark Chadwick

2022 JPX Nikkei 400 Rebal Update - Going the Right Way

JPX Nikkei 400 rebalance is going the right way in the 6 trading days so far, and it wasn't done on Day1 (which was lacklustre). It may be under...

Travis Lundy

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