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>Something remarkable has happened in the department store sector. A year ago, both big city stores and those in the regions were all still well behind sales levels in 2010. </li>
<li>But stores in the largest 10 cities exceeded 2010 sales levels by 2% last year. Emphasising the yawning gap, regional stores extended their losses with sales down 42% on 2010.</li>
<li>The elite have also suddenly started making money. A lot of it. We now have a (very profitable) luxury retail sector and a (poor returning) middle-market general merchandise store sector.</li>
</ul>


Something remarkable has happened in the department store sector. A year ago, both big city stores and those in the regions were all still well behind sales levels in 2010. 
But stores in the largest 10 cities exceeded 2010 sales levels by 2% last year. Emphasising the yawning gap, regional stores extended their losses with sales down 42% on 2010.
The elite have also suddenly started making money. A lot of it. We now have a (very profitable) luxury retail sector and a (poor returning) middle-market general merchandise store sector.


Japanese Department Stores: The Elite Profit Machines

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

<ul>
<li>Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.</li>
<li>Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.</li>
<li>Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.</li>
</ul>


Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.
Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.
Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.


Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

<ul>
<li>Plenty of Ishiba trades to pickup this morning after yesterday's panic.</li>
<li>Defence related saw some initial profit taking after pricing in some gains, but KHI and NEC remain attractive on the long side.</li>
<li>Selective Inbound tourism, domestic revitalization, and China plays should snap back fairly quickly with Ishiba unlikely to upset voters ahead of elections.</li>
</ul>


Plenty of Ishiba trades to pickup this morning after yesterday's panic.
Defence related saw some initial profit taking after pricing in some gains, but KHI and NEC remain attractive on the long side.
Selective Inbound tourism, domestic revitalization, and China plays should snap back fairly quickly with Ishiba unlikely to upset voters ahead of elections.


Japan Morning Connection: Selective Rebound Expected After Yesterday's Panic

<ul>
<li>Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. </li>
<li>Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.</li>
<li>The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.</li>
</ul>


Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. 
Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.
The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.


Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

<ul>
<li>Sony price hikes in Japan to have a mild positive impact. The stock still looks attractive after positives from recent earnings seem to have been lost in the recent volatility.</li>
<li>PPIH continues to look attractive as a continued laggard as the market rotates out of the big retail/inbound winners such as Isetan Mitsukoshi.</li>
<li>7&amp;I clearly showing how anti-takeover they are effectively asking for Govt protection to ward off Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard takeover approach.</li>
</ul>


Sony price hikes in Japan to have a mild positive impact. The stock still looks attractive after positives from recent earnings seem to have been lost in the recent volatility.
PPIH continues to look attractive as a continued laggard as the market rotates out of the big retail/inbound winners such as Isetan Mitsukoshi.
7&amp;I clearly showing how anti-takeover they are effectively asking for Govt protection to ward off Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard takeover approach.


Japan Morning Connection: Sony, PPIH, 7&I

Japan

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. is a holding company established through a merger of Mitsukoshi and Isetan. The group operates department stores nationwide, selling clothing, foods, household goods, cosmetics and general merchandise.

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Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (3099 JP)

Japanese Department Stores: The Elite Profit Machines

Dept. stores in big cities have grown 2% since 2010, but regional are down 42%, a massive gap. The elite luxury sector is thriving, with big...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Morning Connection: Selective Rebound Expected After Yesterday's Panic

Opportunities in Ishiba trades this morning, particularly in defence-related stocks, inbound tourism, domestic revitalization, and China plays.

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Sony, PPIH, 7&I

Sony's stock remains attractive as a long, PPIH is a laggard worth considering, and 7&I seeks government protection against takeover.

Andrew Jackson

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Department Stores: The Elite Profit Machines

​Dept. stores in big cities have grown 2% since 2010, but regional are down 42%, a massive gap. The elite luxury sector is thriving, with big...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

​PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Morning Connection: Selective Rebound Expected After Yesterday's Panic

Opportunities in Ishiba trades this morning, particularly in defence-related stocks, inbound tourism, domestic revitalization, and China plays.

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Sony, PPIH, 7&I

​Sony's stock remains attractive as a long, PPIH is a laggard worth considering, and 7&I seeks government protection against takeover.

Andrew Jackson

Dept. stores in big cities have grown 2% since 2010, but regional are down 42%, a massive gap. The elite luxury sector is thriving, with big...

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Sony's stock remains attractive as a long, PPIH is a laggard worth considering, and 7&I seeks government protection against takeover.