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. 

Equity Bottom-Up

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd / Equity Bottom-Up

Isetan-Mitsukoshi presents itself as one of the stronger department store businesses but its fractious boardroom battles and u-turns over store closures in the last five years have suggested a company in turmoil – as recent results indicate. The department store continues to talk big on digital solutions but it has an inherent problem: over-dependence on just three flagship stores.

Isetan-Mitsukoshi presents itself as one of the stronger department store businesses but its fractious boardroom battles and u-turns over store closures in the last five years have suggested a company in turmoil – as recent results indicate. The department store continues to talk big on digital solutions but it has an inherent problem: over-dependence on just three flagship stores.

Isetan-Mitsukoshi: Big Losses but Some Plans for the Future

Japan’s big apparel firms have suffered even more than the apparel sector overall and as reported before will have closed over 3,000 stores by the end of this year.World, which leads the sector, plans to go even further than previously expected, with a major overhaul of its business while others are seeking new solutions, such as showrooming stores, to stem losses from piling inventory.

Japan’s big apparel firms have suffered even more than the apparel sector overall and as reported before will have closed over 3,000 stores by the end of this year.World, which leads the sector, plans to go even further than previously expected, with a major overhaul of its business while others are seeking new solutions, such as showrooming stores, to stem losses from piling inventory.

World Resets as Losses Mount for Apparel Firms

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Last year the Japanese fashion market contracted below ¥16 trillion for the first time in more than a decade and this year is proving much, much worse.In the last big crises – the 2008 financial shock and 2011 triple disasters – demand also fell dramatically and then recovered. But this time is different: as well as a fall in demand, the Covid-19 crisis has also led to a marked fall in supply.But there is some good news. Above all, Japanese are not travelling either at home or abroad and they are also eating out less.In the seven months to July, the average working household had cumulatively saved a net ¥1.25 million, more than 11 months in both 2018 and 2019 and more than an entire year before 2018.Suddenly wallets are full, which could mean more money to spend on treats – good news for luxury but also any brand or retailing offering something fun to divert from the all bleak news.While the short-term outlook remains dark, the medium-term should see both a return to a more stable trading environment and something of a splurge too as people express their relief that it’s all over.The following is a complete review of the Japanese apparel/fashion sector including rankings of the top 100 retailers by sales, top by profit, sales growth, and store openings/closures.This insight is labelled bullish because the Japanese apparel/fashion sector will rebound from the current crisis although the long-term outlook for this sector is stagnant stability rather than significant growth. However, within this, there are significant growth stocks as detailed below.

Last year the Japanese fashion market contracted below ¥16 trillion for the first time in more than a decade and this year is proving much, much worse.In the last big crises – the 2008 financial shock and 2011 triple disasters – demand also fell dramatically and then recovered. But this time is different: as well as a fall in demand, the Covid-19 crisis has also led to a marked fall in supply.But there is some good news. Above all, Japanese are not travelling either at home or abroad and they are also eating out less.In the seven months to July, the average working household had cumulatively saved a net ¥1.25 million, more than 11 months in both 2018 and 2019 and more than an entire year before 2018.Suddenly wallets are full, which could mean more money to spend on treats – good news for luxury but also any brand or retailing offering something fun to divert from the all bleak news.While the short-term outlook remains dark, the medium-term should see both a return to a more stable trading environment and something of a splurge too as people express their relief that it’s all over.The following is a complete review of the Japanese apparel/fashion sector including rankings of the top 100 retailers by sales, top by profit, sales growth, and store openings/closures.This insight is labelled bullish because the Japanese apparel/fashion sector will rebound from the current crisis although the long-term outlook for this sector is stagnant stability rather than significant growth. However, within this, there are significant growth stocks as detailed below.

Japan Fashion Retailing Complete Review 2019-20: Pain Now but a Recovery Is Certain

The big five apparel firms will have closed 3,100 stores by the end of this year so <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sanyo-shokai-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12308:1" rel="noopener">Sanyo Shokai (8011 JP)'s</a> announcement that it will close ‘just’ 160 looks relatively positive.Unfortunately, the ex-Burberry licensee continues to leak red ink with little sign of respite. More stores and brands will have to close.

The big five apparel firms will have closed 3,100 stores by the end of this year so Sanyo Shokai (8011 JP)'s announcement that it will close ‘just’ 160 looks relatively positive.Unfortunately, the ex-Burberry licensee continues to leak red ink with little sign of respite. More stores and brands will have to close.

Big Apparel in Trouble: Sanyo Shokai to Close 160 Stores

Mitsubishi Shoji Fashion, part of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP),</a> is one of the biggest “OEM” fashion manufacturers in Japan and backer of many of Japan’s top retailers like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> from their earliest days through years of unprecedented growth.The venerable supplier has now decided to become a retailer itself – with a difference.It has just launched a clothing chain where the shops are entirely stocked with samples and all orders are made online, a format that is likely to become pervasive in Japan.If so, there will be a dramatic impact on operating margins for retailers as showrooming stores like this can operate in much smaller spaces with far fewer staff.

Mitsubishi Shoji Fashion, part of Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP), is one of the biggest “OEM” fashion manufacturers in Japan and backer of many of Japan’s top retailers like Fast Retailing (9983 JP) from their earliest days through years of unprecedented growth.The venerable supplier has now decided to become a retailer itself – with a difference.It has just launched a clothing chain where the shops are entirely stocked with samples and all orders are made online, a format that is likely to become pervasive in Japan.If so, there will be a dramatic impact on operating margins for retailers as showrooming stores like this can operate in much smaller spaces with far fewer staff.

Mitsubishi, Backer of Uniqlo and Adastria, Launches Own Chain

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.

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Onward Holdings (8016 JP)

Isetan-Mitsukoshi: Big Losses but Some Plans for the Future

Japanese department store sales are in fallout but Isetan-Mitsukoshi looks worse off than most despite investors thinking otherwise. Its dependence...

Michael Causton

World Resets as Losses Mount for Apparel Firms

World and the other major apparel groups are shrinking fast during the current crisis but their decline has been a long time coming and will...

Michael Causton

Japan Fashion Retailing Complete Review 2019-20: Pain Now but a Recovery Is Certain

The following is a complete, in-depth review of the Japanese apparel/fashion sector covering key trends, rankings of the top 100 by sales and top...

Michael Causton

Big Apparel in Trouble: Sanyo Shokai to Close 160 Stores

All Japan's big apparel firms are in trouble but none more so than Sanyo Shokai. It will close 160 stores this year but that is not enough.

Michael Causton

Mitsubishi, Backer of Uniqlo and Adastria, Launches Own Chain

Showrooming stores offer fashion retailers the chance to slash store sizes and staff numbers while making their shops relevant again – Mitsubishi,...

Michael Causton

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