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>After the accelerated transition to digital channels during Covid, the fashion sector had a calmer year in 2022 although GTVs still grew around 10%. </li>
<li>Most retailers spent the time investing in more seamless and coherent omnichannel models, and in making the best use of stores and staff in online promotions.</li>
<li>This shift to omnichannel is also leading to changing merchandising, including pre-selling inventory, while others are turning their online stores into malls. </li>
</ul>


After the accelerated transition to digital channels during Covid, the fashion sector had a calmer year in 2022 although GTVs still grew around 10%. 
Most retailers spent the time investing in more seamless and coherent omnichannel models, and in making the best use of stores and staff in online promotions.
This shift to omnichannel is also leading to changing merchandising, including pre-selling inventory, while others are turning their online stores into malls. 


Japan's Fashion E-Commerce Evolving into Dynamic and Seamless Omnichannel, Winners Will Take All

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Descente has improved profitability since being taken over by Itochu three years ago but much of the growth has come from overseas. </li>
<li>The Descente brand remains weak in Japan but Itochu has plans to rebuild the eponymous label by splitting it into two while creating several new brands.</li>
<li>The plans should help recover momentum in Japan and drive further expansion in China and even into Europe and the US.</li>
</ul>


Descente has improved profitability since being taken over by Itochu three years ago but much of the growth has come from overseas. 
The Descente brand remains weak in Japan but Itochu has plans to rebuild the eponymous label by splitting it into two while creating several new brands.
The plans should help recover momentum in Japan and drive further expansion in China and even into Europe and the US.


<ul>
<li>After decades of industrial, urban focus, city-dwelling Japanese first began a tentative reengagement with nature through hiking two decades ago. </li>
<li>This has evolved into more extended trips that began to include camping and visits to wilder areas.</li>
<li>These excursions are still a bit forbidding for many, so camping and outdoor activities in a park managed by a trusted brand have strong appeal, providing new revenue for brands.</li>
</ul>


After decades of industrial, urban focus, city-dwelling Japanese first began a tentative reengagement with nature through hiking two decades ago. 
This has evolved into more extended trips that began to include camping and visits to wilder areas.
These excursions are still a bit forbidding for many, so camping and outdoor activities in a park managed by a trusted brand have strong appeal, providing new revenue for brands.


Branded Camping from Goldwin and Snow Peak

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/goldwin-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:410:1" rel="noopener">Goldwin Inc (8111 JP)</a> has risen to hold a leading share in outdoor wear retailing on the back of the success of The North Face.</li>
<li>It has developed considerable retail and marketing skills in the process and is now applying these to its own brand with hopes of going global.</li>
<li>Demand for new forms of sports and outdoor brand remain strong in Japan and globally and Goldwin's mix of technical fabrics and quality could give it an edge.</li>
</ul>



Goldwin Inc (8111 JP) has risen to hold a leading share in outdoor wear retailing on the back of the success of The North Face.
It has developed considerable retail and marketing skills in the process and is now applying these to its own brand with hopes of going global.
Demand for new forms of sports and outdoor brand remain strong in Japan and globally and Goldwin's mix of technical fabrics and quality could give it an edge.


<ul>
<li>Descente Ltd (8114 JP)  is about the same size as Goldwin but has traditionally depended for half of its sales on South Korea.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> acquired control in a fraught battle with management, in order to reduce this dependence. As a result, Descente managed a return to the black in 1H202.</li>
<li>It has ambitious plans to create a set of brands strong both at home and abroad by copying much of Goldwin’s playbook, particularly its investment in retail and online.</li>
</ul>


Descente Ltd (8114 JP)  is about the same size as Goldwin but has traditionally depended for half of its sales on South Korea.

Itochu Corp (8001 JP) acquired control in a fraught battle with management, in order to reduce this dependence. As a result, Descente managed a return to the black in 1H202.
It has ambitious plans to create a set of brands strong both at home and abroad by copying much of Goldwin’s playbook, particularly its investment in retail and online.


Japan

WACOAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION manufactures women's underwear.  The Company also manufactures outerwear, sports, and children's wear.  Wacoal has direct-sales network and overseas operations in Southeast Asia, the US, and Europe.

DESCENTE, LTD. manufactures athletic clothing including golf wear and ski wear. The Company also manufactures tennis shoes, skies, and sports bags.

SEIKO HOLDINGS CORPORATION (Hattori Seiko) designs, manufactures, and sells electronic devices, watches and clocks in Japan and overseas. The Company also sells jewelry, ophthalmic lenses, golf clubs and computer peripherals.

SEIREN CO., LTD. is a dyeing processor of filament fibers.  The Company also produces silk, synthetic fibers, and textile products used in household interior and apparel.  Seiren manufactures industrial materials including automobile interiors such as seats, air bags, and ceiling.

The Japan Wool Textile Co., Ltd. (Nikke Group) manufactures and sells woolen textiles for school uniforms, fashion and business attire, and a variety of other apparel and non-apparel goods. The Company also produces woven materials, thread and yarn for weaving and knitting, fire-resistant clothing for firefighters, and non-wool related products. Nikke operates in Japan.

ONWARD HOLDINGS CO., LTD. manufactures men's ready-made suits, women's, and children's wear.  The Company has its own brands, Onward and KUMIKYOKU. Onward also manufactures sports goods, books, stationery, cosmetics, art decoration.

Gunze Ltd manufactures underwear, socks, outerwear, and other textile. The Company also manufactures functional materials such as plastic films, electronic materials, engineering plastics, printing machinery.  Gunze operates real estate.

KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD. mainly manufactures and sells yarns and woven fabrics made from cotton and synthetic textiles.  The Company also produces polyurethane foams, synthetic woods, inorganic building materials, adhesives, and specialty plastics.  Kurabo also has operations in information system, electronic appliances, biochemical products. and real estate leasing.

TSI Holdings Company Ltd. manufactures men's and women's clothing, and retails women's clothing.  The Company produces and sells coats, dresses, suits, sweaters, shirts, skirts, and pants.

Yondoshi Holdings Inc. is a wholesaler primarily of practical clothing. The Company operates direct sales stores through subsidiaries.  F&A AQUA also wholesales men's and women's apparel.

Bata India Limited manufactures a wide range of leather, rubber/canvas and plastic footwear products.  The Company also manufactures sports apparel and leather accessories.  Bata India sells its products through its chain of company owned retail stores in India, as well as to businesses in the USA, United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

Carter's, Inc. markets baby and young children's apparel in the United States. The Company's brands are sold to national department stores, chain and specialty stores, discount retailers, and its own retail stores.

Swan Energy Ltd., through a subsidiary, explores for or procures natural gas and liquefied natural gas for Gujarat.  The Company also develops the gas grid in Gujarat and distributes natural gas.

Relaxo Footwears Ltd. is the marketing company for Relaxo Group.  The Group manufactures Hawai and lightweight chappals.

KPR Mill Limited manufactures apparel products. The Company's products include carded and combed cotton and knitted fabrics.

Welspun India Limited is a home textile manufacturer with a global distribution network.

Under Armour, Inc. develops, markets, and distributes branded performance products for men, women, and youth. The Company designs and sells a broad offering of apparel and accessories made of synthetic microfibers.

Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets athletic, athletic style leisure, and casual and outdoor footwear.

Makalot Industrial Co., Ltd. manufactures garments, including underwear, sleepwear, skirts, dresses, shirts, pants, shorts, etc.  The Company exports its products mostly to the United States.

Trident Ltd. produces textiles, paper, yarn, and chemicals.  The Company manufactures towels; printing paper from wheat straw; weaving and hosiery yarns; and sulphuric acid.

GOLDWIN INC. manufactures and markets sportswear for skiing, snowboarding, soccer, tennis, swimming, and other outdoor activities.

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Goldwin Inc (8111 JP)

Japan's Fashion E-Commerce Evolving into Dynamic and Seamless Omnichannel, Winners Will Take All

Japan's fashion e-commerce sector offers major growth stories among both online malls and physical retailers making a successful transition to...

Michael Causton

Descente Puts on Some Pace

Japanese outdoor brands are on a roll. Descente, now part of the Itochu empire, is rebuilding its brand at home and overseas, with significant...

Michael Causton

Branded Camping from Goldwin and Snow Peak

Branded camping and outdoor leisure in Japan is big business and will provide new revenue streams for the leaders, Goldwin and Snow Peak, over the...

Michael Causton

Goldwin Expecting Record Sales

Goldwin is a Japanese sports/outdoor success story but much of this success has relied on a foreign brand, The North Face. Goldwin now wants to...

Michael Causton

Descente: The Next Goldwin?

Japan's outdoor/sports market remains one of the few consistent growth categories in consumer markets. Goldwin was the most visible success story...

Michael Causton

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