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>The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.</li>
<li>FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. </li>
<li>We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.</li>
</ul>


The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.
FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. 
We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.


Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

Private Capital Markets

FamilyMart Co Ltd / Private Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>In one of many ventures in response to the 2024 logistics problem, Familymart began an experimental collaboration with Coca Cola Bottlers in February, seeking to reduce delivery frequency in Kanagawa.</li>
<li>It is also streamlining its business, selling both its gyms and laundries recently.</li>
<li>While unlisted, its ongoing innovations provide an insight into the wider convenience store sector.</li>
</ul>


In one of many ventures in response to the 2024 logistics problem, Familymart began an experimental collaboration with Coca Cola Bottlers in February, seeking to reduce delivery frequency in Kanagawa.
It is also streamlining its business, selling both its gyms and laundries recently.
While unlisted, its ongoing innovations provide an insight into the wider convenience store sector.


Familymart Ties with Coca Cola on Logistics, Sells Laundromat Business

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> did not dispute the <a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20241119/k10014643321000.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NHK article’s</a> claims that the founding family aims to raise buyout funds by the end of the fiscal year.</li>
<li>Since 13 November, there have been conflicting press reports on the MBO offer price. The NHK article’s implied offer price of JPY3,082 seems the most credible. </li>
<li>The MBO’s aggressive completion timeline pressures <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a> to respond by either overbidding, working with the founding family at the back-end or walking away.</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) did not dispute the NHK article’s claims that the founding family aims to raise buyout funds by the end of the fiscal year.
Since 13 November, there have been conflicting press reports on the MBO offer price. The NHK article’s implied offer price of JPY3,082 seems the most credible. 
The MBO’s aggressive completion timeline pressures Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN) to respond by either overbidding, working with the founding family at the back-end or walking away.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

<ul>
<li>In response to media reports, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> confirmed receiving a non-binding proposal from Junro Ito (founder’s son) and Ito-Kogyo. No terms were disclosed.</li>
<li>Bloomberg suggests an MBO deal worth up to JPY9 trillion (US$58 billion), which implies an offer of JPY3,467.89, a 39.3% premium to the last close price.</li>
<li>The "white knight" MBO undermines <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a>’s offer and is a proxy for the restructuring plan's value. Couche-Tard will likely walk if a binding MBO proposal emerges.</li>
</ul>


In response to media reports, Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) confirmed receiving a non-binding proposal from Junro Ito (founder’s son) and Ito-Kogyo. No terms were disclosed.
Bloomberg suggests an MBO deal worth up to JPY9 trillion (US$58 billion), which implies an offer of JPY3,467.89, a 39.3% premium to the last close price.
The "white knight" MBO undermines Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)’s offer and is a proxy for the restructuring plan's value. Couche-Tard will likely walk if a binding MBO proposal emerges.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The Rumoured MBO Price Underscores the Trapped Value

Nec Networks & System Integr / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Oasis has become a substantial shareholder of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-networks-system-integr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP)</a>, representing 13.2 million shares or an 8.83% ownership ratio. </li>
<li>Oasis has not commented on its intentions, but its stake signifies two possibilities – the start of an activist campaign to secure a bump or a play on appraisal rights.</li>
<li>A bump while possible is not a certainty. NEC is likely to wait to see to if Oasis increases its stake to a level which threatens its offer. </li>
</ul>


Oasis has become a substantial shareholder of Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP), representing 13.2 million shares or an 8.83% ownership ratio. 
Oasis has not commented on its intentions, but its stake signifies two possibilities – the start of an activist campaign to secure a bump or a play on appraisal rights.
A bump while possible is not a certainty. NEC is likely to wait to see to if Oasis increases its stake to a level which threatens its offer. 


NEC Networks & System (1973 JP): Oasis Stake Could Be a Headache for NEC

Japan

FamilyMart Co., Ltd. operates convenience store chains. The Company provides rice balls, hot snacks, stews, beverages, and other products. FamilyMart conducts businesses in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, and other countries and regions.

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FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP)

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Familymart Ties with Coca Cola on Logistics, Sells Laundromat Business

Familymart is collaborating with Coca Cola to reduce delivery frequency in Kanagawa, while also streamlining its business by selling gyms and...

Michael Causton

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

The NHK article increases the credibility of the MBO. The completion time pressures Couche-Tard to respond by either overbidding, working on a...

Arun George

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The Rumoured MBO Price Underscores the Trapped Value

The "white knight" MBO undermines Couche-Tard’s offer and is a proxy for the restructuring plan's value. Couche-Tard will likely walk if a binding...

Arun George

NEC Networks & System (1973 JP): Oasis Stake Could Be a Headache for NEC

A bump while possible is not a certainty. NEC is likely to wait to see to if Oasis increases its stake to a level which threatens its offer.

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Familymart Ties with Coca Cola on Logistics, Sells Laundromat Business

​Familymart is collaborating with Coca Cola to reduce delivery frequency in Kanagawa, while also streamlining its business by selling gyms and...

Michael Causton

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

The NHK article increases the credibility of the MBO. The completion time pressures Couche-Tard to respond by either overbidding, working on a...

Arun George

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The Rumoured MBO Price Underscores the Trapped Value

The "white knight" MBO undermines Couche-Tard’s offer and is a proxy for the restructuring plan's value. Couche-Tard will likely walk if a binding...

Arun George

NEC Networks & System (1973 JP): Oasis Stake Could Be a Headache for NEC

A bump while possible is not a certainty. NEC is likely to wait to see to if Oasis increases its stake to a level which threatens its offer.

Arun George

Familymart is collaborating with Coca Cola to reduce delivery frequency in Kanagawa, while also streamlining its business by selling gyms and...