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>OK Super opened its first store in Kansai in November with a second already due in January and at least one more by the end of 2025</li>
<li>But then it will open 10 stores a year in the region aiming to take the lead in Kansai just as it did in Tokyo/Kanto – bigger even than Aeon.</li>
<li>More than 300 people queued to get into the supermarket and OK’s EDLP strategy is certain to prove a hit with customers in the region. Competitors will be hit hard.</li>
</ul>


OK Super opened its first store in Kansai in November with a second already due in January and at least one more by the end of 2025
But then it will open 10 stores a year in the region aiming to take the lead in Kansai just as it did in Tokyo/Kanto – bigger even than Aeon.
More than 300 people queued to get into the supermarket and OK’s EDLP strategy is certain to prove a hit with customers in the region. Competitors will be hit hard.


OK Super Fast Rollout in Kansai a Threat to Kansai Super and Others

<ul>
<li>Results for FY2022-23 provide a snapshot of winners and losers in Japan's retail sector.</li>
<li>The data shows a big improvement in performance for retailers with sales of ¥250 billion or more and the outlook is positive for most, particularly for profits.</li>
<li>This also means that market concentration is intensifying, particularly in sectors like drugstores but also now in supermarkets. We highlight the winners in each sector.</li>
</ul>


Results for FY2022-23 provide a snapshot of winners and losers in Japan's retail sector.
The data shows a big improvement in performance for retailers with sales of ¥250 billion or more and the outlook is positive for most, particularly for profits.
This also means that market concentration is intensifying, particularly in sectors like drugstores but also now in supermarkets. We highlight the winners in each sector.


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

On 31 August, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kansai-super-market-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15519:1" rel="noopener">Kansai Super Market (9919 JP)</a> and its top shareholder (10.02% of shares out) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h2o-retailing-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17562:1" rel="noopener">H2 O Retailing (8242 JP)</a> (the parent of Hanshin Department Store and related companies) <a href="https://data.swcms.net/file/h2o-retailing/ja/news/auto_20210830491858/pdfFile.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a business merger whereby the H₂O would inject two supermarket businesses it owns - Izumiya and Hankyu Oasis - into a holding company with Kansai Super, receiving shares in a newly enlarged Kansai Super in exchange. H₂O would go from owning 10.66% to owning 58% of Kansai Super, and the 89.34% would own 42% of NEWCO. The merger was short-dated/accelerated, with the EGM to vote on this deal set for a Record Date on 15 September, the EGMs of all the related companies where an EGM was necessary (Kansai Super, Hankyu Oasis, and Izumiya (the latter two foregone conclusions because they are 100%-owned by H₂O) on 29 October, and the merger effective December 1st.The shares popped a bit, then fell back. At first glance, this seemed somewhat opportunistic for H₂O, and it meant that the 89.34% "minority" in Kansai Super would become a real minority without getting paid a premium or provided a chance to exit. Based on the net assets of the companies, it seemed like H₂O was getting a good deal. Based on the OP levels in the past year, it did not seem like H₂O was getting special treatment. A couple of days later, on 3 September, privately-held discount ("every day low price") supermarket chain OK Corp (primarily based in the Kanto area, but which had been aimed at expanding into the Kansai area), which was the second-largest single shareholder of Kansai Super (based originally in Osaka/Kansai) at 7.23%, stepped up and offered a <a href="https://ok-corporation.jp/media/001/202109/20210903_%E3%83%97%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%AA%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a> which said that it would vote against the merger and if the merger were not approved, it would be willing to launch a Tender Offer to buy the shares of Kansai Super at ¥2,250/share (the highest price since listing and nearly vs ¥1,374/share the day before, and more than double the market price of Kansai Super in June when the proposal was made). On 3 Sep OK complained about their treatment, and noted that from the perspective of shareholder interest, their bid should be considered, but OK also had no intention of launching a hostile bid.The shares popped, moving limit up. Then limit up another day, and then the shares traded at JPY 2,200/share in considerable volume before drifting lower.<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/229/527/original/Screenshot+2021-09-13+at+8.10.54+PM.png?1631535065" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="229527"></figure></section>Today the shares fell back 7+% to just below JPY 2,000/share. There is some very long history between the founder of OK and Yuji Kitano the founder of Kansai Super, and they once worked together, with OK seconding employees to Kansai Super to learn the business of fresh grocery sales. Mr Kitano passed away in 2013, and OK Supermarket started buying shares in 2016, getting to just under 5%, then it peaked its head above and by the end of the fiscal year in February, owned 7.23%. Of course, that year in October (2016), Kansai Super entered into a business and capital alliance with H₂O Retailing, and H₂O bought about 10% of the shares out. Fast forward five years and it turns out that OK approached Kansai Super in April 2021, and proposed a capital and business alliance on 9 June, in writing. Kansai Super put this to an Independent Committee which then took its time, setting its first meeting with OK some 11 weeks later on 26 August. The Kansai Super <a href="http://www.kansaisuper.co.jp/upimages/irinfo/irnews_629.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">release</a> (Japanese only) on 31 August suggests there was a "third party tender offer approach" but then doesn't discuss it much while saying that intense discussions and due diligence was afforded to H₂O Retailing in the same timeframe.Five days after the first interview with OK, Kansai Super and H₂O announced their deal. This is a complicated deal and it begs the question of whether shareholder interests matter and how shareholders decide. More discussion below.

On 31 August, Kansai Super Market (9919 JP) and its top shareholder (10.02% of shares out) H2 O Retailing (8242 JP) (the parent of Hanshin Department Store and related companies) announced a business merger whereby the H₂O would inject two supermarket businesses it owns - Izumiya and Hankyu Oasis - into a holding company with Kansai Super, receiving shares in a newly enlarged Kansai Super in exchange. H₂O would go from owning 10.66% to owning 58% of Kansai Super, and the 89.34% would own 42% of NEWCO. The merger was short-dated/accelerated, with the EGM to vote on this deal set for a Record Date on 15 September, the EGMs of all the related companies where an EGM was necessary (Kansai Super, Hankyu Oasis, and Izumiya (the latter two foregone conclusions because they are 100%-owned by H₂O) on 29 October, and the merger effective December 1st.The shares popped a bit, then fell back. At first glance, this seemed somewhat opportunistic for H₂O, and it meant that the 89.34% "minority" in Kansai Super would become a real minority without getting paid a premium or provided a chance to exit. Based on the net assets of the companies, it seemed like H₂O was getting a good deal. Based on the OP levels in the past year, it did not seem like H₂O was getting special treatment. A couple of days later, on 3 September, privately-held discount ("every day low price") supermarket chain OK Corp (primarily based in the Kanto area, but which had been aimed at expanding into the Kansai area), which was the second-largest single shareholder of Kansai Super (based originally in Osaka/Kansai) at 7.23%, stepped up and offered a press release which said that it would vote against the merger and if the merger were not approved, it would be willing to launch a Tender Offer to buy the shares of Kansai Super at ¥2,250/share (the highest price since listing and nearly vs ¥1,374/share the day before, and more than double the market price of Kansai Super in June when the proposal was made). On 3 Sep OK complained about their treatment, and noted that from the perspective of shareholder interest, their bid should be considered, but OK also had no intention of launching a hostile bid.The shares popped, moving limit up. Then limit up another day, and then the shares traded at JPY 2,200/share in considerable volume before drifting lower.Today the shares fell back 7+% to just below JPY 2,000/share. There is some very long history between the founder of OK and Yuji Kitano the founder of Kansai Super, and they once worked together, with OK seconding employees to Kansai Super to learn the business of fresh grocery sales. Mr Kitano passed away in 2013, and OK Supermarket started buying shares in 2016, getting to just under 5%, then it peaked its head above and by the end of the fiscal year in February, owned 7.23%. Of course, that year in October (2016), Kansai Super entered into a business and capital alliance with H₂O Retailing, and H₂O bought about 10% of the shares out. Fast forward five years and it turns out that OK approached Kansai Super in April 2021, and proposed a capital and business alliance on 9 June, in writing. Kansai Super put this to an Independent Committee which then took its time, setting its first meeting with OK some 11 weeks later on 26 August. The Kansai Super release (Japanese only) on 31 August suggests there was a "third party tender offer approach" but then doesn't discuss it much while saying that intense discussions and due diligence was afforded to H₂O Retailing in the same timeframe.Five days after the first interview with OK, Kansai Super and H₂O announced their deal. This is a complicated deal and it begs the question of whether shareholder interests matter and how shareholders decide. More discussion below. 

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

eRESULTS &amp; REVISIONS UPDATE SERIES - After a month's gap, we shall now resume daily coverage of Japan's results, forecasts and revisions announcements as the 420 companies with February, May, August and November year-ends start to report. Initially, we shall cover all companies irrespective of market capitalisation, to highlight the financial impact of COVID-19  on specific Sectors and Peer Groups.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/142/848/original/2020-06-29_05-02-16.png?1593374573" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="142848"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>LEADING INDICATOR LEADS - The Cabinet Office's Leading Indicator of Business Conditions is suggesting that earnings and revisions (as represented above by our Results Score and Forecast/Revision Score) have some significant downside, perhaps closer to the low of 2009. The degree to which the market has already discounted the recovery of 2021 is moot; however, the current level of confidence is about to be put to the test, as was evident from Friday's announcements.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/142/853/original/2020-06-29_05-11-32.png?1593375116" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="142853"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Tokyo Metropolitan Government</div>FAR FROM NORMAL - As a reminder that Tokyo's levels of social activity have yet to recover -passenger numbers on Toei subway lines are still 30% below January levels at peak office-worker commuting times.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/142/854/original/2020-06-29_05-17-39.png?1593375481" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="142854"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>GRAPHIC DETAIL - In an attempt to highlight absolute and relative company-specific trends, we have added some additional graphic material in the DETAIL section below. As always, comments and feedback are welcome.<hr>DAILY STATS14 Quarterly Results<ul>
<li>
Results Score: 12 Negative / 2 Positive</li>
<li>
Average Results Score Change:-5.0</li>
<li>
Average % Change in Revenue: -16% Quarter YoY / -5% Rolling TTM YoY</li>
<li>
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.2ppt</li>
</ul><hr>7 Annual 6 Interim Forecasts Revisions<ul>
<li>
Forecast Revision Score: 6 Positive / 7 Negative</li>
<li>
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.7</li>
</ul>

eRESULTS &amp; REVISIONS UPDATE SERIES - After a month's gap, we shall now resume daily coverage of Japan's results, forecasts and revisions announcements as the 420 companies with February, May, August and November year-ends start to report. Initially, we shall cover all companies irrespective of market capitalisation, to highlight the financial impact of COVID-19  on specific Sectors and Peer Groups.Source • Japan AnalyticsLEADING INDICATOR LEADS - The Cabinet Office's Leading Indicator of Business Conditions is suggesting that earnings and revisions (as represented above by our Results Score and Forecast/Revision Score) have some significant downside, perhaps closer to the low of 2009. The degree to which the market has already discounted the recovery of 2021 is moot; however, the current level of confidence is about to be put to the test, as was evident from Friday's announcements.Source • Tokyo Metropolitan GovernmentFAR FROM NORMAL - As a reminder that Tokyo's levels of social activity have yet to recover -passenger numbers on Toei subway lines are still 30% below January levels at peak office-worker commuting times.Source • Japan AnalyticsGRAPHIC DETAIL - In an attempt to highlight absolute and relative company-specific trends, we have added some additional graphic material in the DETAIL section below. As always, comments and feedback are welcome.DAILY STATS14 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 12 Negative / 2 Positive

Average Results Score Change:-5.0

Average % Change in Revenue: -16% Quarter YoY / -5% Rolling TTM YoY

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.2ppt
7 Annual 6 Interim Forecasts Revisions

Forecast Revision Score: 6 Positive / 7 Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.7


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 26th June

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/647/original/2020-03-31_04-53-29.png?1585598052" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125647"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>MONDAY 30th MARCH - As the Government of Japan and the Governor of Tokyo toy with ending its Swedish-style limited containment protocol, eleven quarterly results and twenty-one companies released initial forecasts or revised previous forecasts. The already-loss-making <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/joyfull-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17505:1" rel="noopener">Joyfull (9942 JP)</a>restaurant chain withdrew its full-year forecasts and is undecided on any dividend payment for the year. In terms of our scoring system, the ratio of positive to negative 'scores' was 6:12, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electric-power-co-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15457:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electric Power (9501 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mochida-pharmaceutical-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3655:1" rel="noopener">Mochida Pharmaceutical (4534 JP)</a>being the largest negative-scoring companies by market cap.  A renewed bout of Yen strength is not helpful, although the collapse in oil prices helped the Utilities Sector; however, TEPCO's downgrade will likely curb that enthusiasm today. Turnover was light as the Value Trade Ratio dropped to 59 bps. As a result, the Bank of Japan's fourth ¥200b intervention represented 6.3% of TOPIX Value Traded, a new record.

Source • Japan AnalyticsMONDAY 30th MARCH - As the Government of Japan and the Governor of Tokyo toy with ending its Swedish-style limited containment protocol, eleven quarterly results and twenty-one companies released initial forecasts or revised previous forecasts. The already-loss-making Joyfull (9942 JP)restaurant chain withdrew its full-year forecasts and is undecided on any dividend payment for the year. In terms of our scoring system, the ratio of positive to negative 'scores' was 6:12, with Tokyo Electric Power (9501 JP) and Mochida Pharmaceutical (4534 JP)being the largest negative-scoring companies by market cap.  A renewed bout of Yen strength is not helpful, although the collapse in oil prices helped the Utilities Sector; however, TEPCO's downgrade will likely curb that enthusiasm today. Turnover was light as the Value Trade Ratio dropped to 59 bps. As a result, the Bank of Japan's fourth ¥200b intervention represented 6.3% of TOPIX Value Traded, a new record.      

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Revisions & Results Update - 30th March

Japan

OKUWA CO., LTD., a member of Nichiryu group, operates a supermarket chain based in Wakayama Prefecture and also in Southern Kinki region.  The Company sells food, household utensils, and clothing.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
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Okuwa Co Ltd (8217 JP)

OK Super Fast Rollout in Kansai a Threat to Kansai Super and Others

OK Super has just begun expanding in Kansai, with plans to open multiple stores each year, drawing in customers with its EDLP strategy. OK Super...

Michael Causton

Japan's Best Performing Retailers

There were strong improvements in both sales and profits for leading retailers last year and the following insight looks at the main winners and...

Michael Causton

The Kansai Super (9919) Conundrum

Kansai Super has Two Suitors - H2O Retailing and Kansai Super have ironed out a deal, and OK Corp objects. This creates a conundrum. But solving it...

Travis Lundy

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 26th June

eRESULTS & REVISIONS UPDATE SERIES - After a month's gap, we shall now resume daily coverage of Japan's results, forecasts and revisions...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Revisions & Results Update - 30th March

MONDAY 30th MARCH - As the Government of Japan and the Governor of Tokyo toy with ending its Swedish-style limited containment protocol, eleven...

Campbell Gunn

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

OK Super Fast Rollout in Kansai a Threat to Kansai Super and Others

​OK Super has just begun expanding in Kansai, with plans to open multiple stores each year, drawing in customers with its EDLP strategy. OK Super...

Michael Causton

Japan's Best Performing Retailers

There were strong improvements in both sales and profits for leading retailers last year and the following insight looks at the main winners and...

Michael Causton

The Kansai Super (9919) Conundrum

Kansai Super has Two Suitors - H2O Retailing and Kansai Super have ironed out a deal, and OK Corp objects. This creates a conundrum. But solving it...

Travis Lundy

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 26th June

eRESULTS & REVISIONS UPDATE SERIES - After a month's gap, we shall now resume daily coverage of Japan's results, forecasts and revisions...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Revisions & Results Update - 30th March

MONDAY 30th MARCH - As the Government of Japan and the Governor of Tokyo toy with ending its Swedish-style limited containment protocol, eleven...

Campbell Gunn

OK Super has just begun expanding in Kansai, with plans to open multiple stores each year, drawing in customers with its EDLP strategy. OK Super...