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. 

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Last year saw the consolidation of several supermarket chains in Shikoku and Chugoku by Aeon, creating Japan’s largest supermarket group. </li>
<li>Now, Aeon has now announced that it will expand its existing stake in Inageya, rolling the company into USMH and creating another, even larger food operation and Japan's biggest yet.</li>
<li>Aeon is looking for dominance in Tokyo and may seek more acquisitions but rivals are unlikely to give it a free hand nor say no to acquisitions of their own.</li>
</ul>


Last year saw the consolidation of several supermarket chains in Shikoku and Chugoku by Aeon, creating Japan’s largest supermarket group. 
Now, Aeon has now announced that it will expand its existing stake in Inageya, rolling the company into USMH and creating another, even larger food operation and Japan's biggest yet.
Aeon is looking for dominance in Tokyo and may seek more acquisitions but rivals are unlikely to give it a free hand nor say no to acquisitions of their own.


Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Mercari was expected to announce at some point that it would attempt to transfer to TSE Prime. They have now announced. </li>
<li>This will end up being a BIG TOPIX inclusion in May or June. </li>
<li>And the changes to the TOPIX Free Float Weight Methodology will mean it is bigger than it would have been under the old regime (despite unchanged FFW).</li>
</ul>


Mercari was expected to announce at some point that it would attempt to transfer to TSE Prime. They have now announced. 
This will end up being a BIG TOPIX inclusion in May or June. 
And the changes to the TOPIX Free Float Weight Methodology will mean it is bigger than it would have been under the old regime (despite unchanged FFW).


Mercari (4385) Applying for TSE Prime Means TOPIX Inclusion in 4-5 Months

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The following is an in-depth review of Japanese retail in the last 18 months covering all the main formats and categories, providing a quick way to see an overview of all the key trends and winners and losers in Japanese retailing now and going forward.FY2020 was an anomaly and one that businesses everywhere will want to forget and never repeat. There was more than enough pain among Japan’s top retailers last year, but equally some formats did surprisingly well given the circumstances.For most, work-from-home was the single most important factor in determining a chain’s fortunes. City-centre stores and shopping centres offering mostly discretionary shopping have been hit hard, as have convenience stores.But those chains selling essentials, healthcare, electronics and, most importantly, food, all saw their fortunes improve. The pandemic has also revealed the strong, dynamic players and exposed the weaker ones. Oh, and everyone needs to be online.

The following is an in-depth review of Japanese retail in the last 18 months covering all the main formats and categories, providing a quick way to see an overview of all the key trends and winners and losers in Japanese retailing now and going forward.FY2020 was an anomaly and one that businesses everywhere will want to forget and never repeat. There was more than enough pain among Japan’s top retailers last year, but equally some formats did surprisingly well given the circumstances.For most, work-from-home was the single most important factor in determining a chain’s fortunes. City-centre stores and shopping centres offering mostly discretionary shopping have been hit hard, as have convenience stores.But those chains selling essentials, healthcare, electronics and, most importantly, food, all saw their fortunes improve. The pandemic has also revealed the strong, dynamic players and exposed the weaker ones. Oh, and everyone needs to be online.

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

David Blennerhassett

<ul>
<li>For the month of June 2024, 8 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$6bn.</li>
<li>The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in June was ~52%. The average premium YTD is ~47%. </li>
<li>This compares to the average premium for transactions in 2023 (117 transactions), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) of 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31% respectively.</li>
</ul>


For the month of June 2024, 8 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$6bn.
The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in June was ~52%. The average premium YTD is ~47%. 
This compares to the average premium for transactions in 2023 (117 transactions), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) of 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31% respectively.


(Mostly) Asia M&A, June 2024: Fancl, Capitol Health, Infocom,Jeisys Medical, Nagatanien, Henlius Bio

<ul>
<li>The big merger between Welcia and Tsuruha is part of a wider concentration of market share in the drugstore sector as the leaders take on supermarkets and even convenience stores.</li>
<li>Japan's drugstores have morphed into multiple sub-formats, selling food and other FMCG products in ever higher ratios, creating massive pressure for other sectors. </li>
<li>The net effect is the emergence of a powerful new retail sector that is impacting all other FMCG retail formats and even lifestyle categories like cosmetics.</li>
</ul>


The big merger between Welcia and Tsuruha is part of a wider concentration of market share in the drugstore sector as the leaders take on supermarkets and even convenience stores.
Japan's drugstores have morphed into multiple sub-formats, selling food and other FMCG products in ever higher ratios, creating massive pressure for other sectors. 
The net effect is the emergence of a powerful new retail sector that is impacting all other FMCG retail formats and even lifestyle categories like cosmetics.


Japan Drugstores: More M&A as Sector Attacks Supermarkets and Conbini

Japan

KOBE BUSSAN CO., LTD. is a supermarket franchise store operator which mainly deals in foods stuffs.  The Company also has direct-run stores.

COSMOS Pharmaceutical Corporation operates drug stores based in Kyushu. The Company sells daily necessities such as drug medicines, foodstuffs, and alcoholic beverages.

Yaoko Co., Ltd. operates local supermarkets in the Saitama Prefecture. The Company handles fresh food products, daily-use sundry products, and other various goods in local area.

SUGI HOLDINGS CO., LTD. operates a chain of drug stores located mainly in Aichi Prefecture.  The Company sells prescription and nonprescription medicine, cosmetics, health foods, and general merchandise.

TSURUHA HOLDINGS INC. is a holding company which manages subsidiaries that operate drug stores in Hokkaido and the Tohoku area.  The Company's product line includes drugs, cosmetics, and household utensils.

SUNDRUG CO., LTD. operates an outlet drug store chain primarily in the Tokyo area.  The Company sells mainly medicines, cosmetics, baby care products, and household utensils.  Sundrug supplies merchandise to franchise stores.  The Company also operates a real estate business.

WELCIA HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. is a holding company established through a merger of Welcia Kanto and Takada Pharmacy.  The Group mainly operates drug chain stores which sell medicines, health foods, cosmetics, nursery items and daily necessity goods.

Mitsubishi Shokuhin Co.,Ltd. is a wholesaler of processed food. The Company sells a varietyof groceries including canned products, dried food, frozen food, pet food, beverages, and liquors.

Kusuri no Aoki Holdings Co., Ltd. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides medicines, cosmetics, health foods, beauty care, and household products. Kusuri no Aoki Holdings serves customers in Japan.

LIFE CORPORATION operates a supermarket chain mainly in Kansai and Kanto areas. The Company sells mainly groceries, and also clothing, and household utensils.

Alibaba Health Information Technology Limited is an integrated healthcare information and content service provider. The Company uses product identification, authentication, and tracking system data for its healthcare information.

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk operates a chain of retail supermarkets.

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. operates a chain of retail grocery stores. The Company offers meats, cheese, dairy products, bakery, beer and wine, bulk foods, vitamins, and supplements. Sprouts Farmers Market serves customers throughout the United States.

Colruyt SA retails goods and offers computer and printing services.  The Company retails food and non-food items through Colruyt supermarkets, and Coccinelle, UGA, and Codi Cash supermarkets and cash and carry stores.  It retails toys, baby products, and school supplies through Dreamland stores. Colruyt markets computers and offers programming services.

J Sainsbury plc retails food.  The Company operates Sainsbury supermarkets in the United Kingdom, convenience stores, an Internet-based home delivery service, and Sainsbury Bank.  The Bank offers saving accounts, credit cards, mortgages, insurance products, and consumer loans.

Axfood AB is a food retailer and wholesaler.  The Company owns and operates supermarkets, food discount stores, distribution centers, and warehouses. Axfood owns Hemkop, Willys, Willys Hemma, and Dagab, and supports the Spar, Tempo, and Vivo stores, which are privately owned and operated through franchise agreements, in Sweden.

Cencosud SA is a multi-brand retailer in South America.  The Company operates through a  number of formats, including supermarkets, home improvement stores, shopping  centers and department stores.  Cencosud is headquartered in Chile and has  operations in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

Shoprite Holdings Limited operates as a investment holding company with subsidiaries operating in the supermarket, produce distribution, furniture retailing, and property holding industries.

Empire Company Limited is a diversified company.  The Company's key businesses include food distribution, real estate, and corporate investment activities.

Bid Corporation Limited operates as a foodservice company. The Company focuses on foodservice operations, as well as acquisitive growth opportunities. Bid offers its services worldwide.

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

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Lawson Inc (2651 JP)

Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Aeon will buy a majority stake in Inageya, consolidating its market share in the Tokyo region just as Seven & I has confirmed a focus on the Tokyo...

Michael Causton

Mercari (4385) Applying for TSE Prime Means TOPIX Inclusion in 4-5 Months

Mercari (4385 JP) announced Friday it applied for TSE Prime transfer. I expect a TOPIX inclusion end-May or end-June. The change in FFW method...

Travis Lundy

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

A complete review of the Japanese retail sector in the last 18 months, format by format, category by category, providing key trends and winners &...

Michael Causton

(Mostly) Asia M&A, June 2024: Fancl, Capitol Health, Infocom,Jeisys Medical, Nagatanien, Henlius Bio

For the month of June, 8 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of ~US$6bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

Japan Drugstores: More M&A as Sector Attacks Supermarkets and Conbini

The merger of Welcia and Tsuruha reflects market consolidation in Japan's drugstore sector, with major attacks on supermarkets and even conbinis....

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Aeon will buy a majority stake in Inageya, consolidating its market share in the Tokyo region just as Seven & I has confirmed a focus on the Tokyo...

Michael Causton

Mercari (4385) Applying for TSE Prime Means TOPIX Inclusion in 4-5 Months

Mercari (4385 JP) announced Friday it applied for TSE Prime transfer. I expect a TOPIX inclusion end-May or end-June. The change in FFW method...

Travis Lundy

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

A complete review of the Japanese retail sector in the last 18 months, format by format, category by category, providing key trends and winners &...

Michael Causton

(Mostly) Asia M&A, June 2024: Fancl, Capitol Health, Infocom,Jeisys Medical, Nagatanien, Henlius Bio

For the month of June, 8 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of ~US$6bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

Japan Drugstores: More M&A as Sector Attacks Supermarkets and Conbini

​The merger of Welcia and Tsuruha reflects market consolidation in Japan's drugstore sector, with major attacks on supermarkets and even conbinis....

Michael Causton

The merger of Welcia and Tsuruha reflects market consolidation in Japan's drugstore sector, with major attacks on supermarkets and even conbinis....