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

<ul>
<li>Most of Onward’s current customers are in their 40s and older but the purchase of casual clothing retailer, Wego, increases its exposure to people in their teens and 20s. </li>
<li>It will accelerate development of new omnichannel brands to match as part of plans to grow sales by 50% in the next six years and more than double operating profits.</li>
<li>Onward itself has been transformed by a switch to omnichannel and after years of slashing stores and sales now looks set to become a growth business again.</li>
</ul>


Most of Onward’s current customers are in their 40s and older but the purchase of casual clothing retailer, Wego, increases its exposure to people in their teens and 20s. 
It will accelerate development of new omnichannel brands to match as part of plans to grow sales by 50% in the next six years and more than double operating profits.
Onward itself has been transformed by a switch to omnichannel and after years of slashing stores and sales now looks set to become a growth business again.


<ul>
<li>Until recently, Onward Holdings looked set for a gradual decline into insignificance like its main channel of regional department stores. </li>
<li>But Onward has instead become an exemplar of how to make omnichannel retailing work, with growing sales across both online and a burgeoning new store network.</li>
<li>Like some other old apparel firms, Onward is showing that there is significant upside top and bottom line growth in premium apparel markets.</li>
</ul>


Until recently, Onward Holdings looked set for a gradual decline into insignificance like its main channel of regional department stores. 
But Onward has instead become an exemplar of how to make omnichannel retailing work, with growing sales across both online and a burgeoning new store network.
Like some other old apparel firms, Onward is showing that there is significant upside top and bottom line growth in premium apparel markets.


Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.</li>
<li>FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. </li>
<li>We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.</li>
</ul>


The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.
FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. 
We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.


Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Small cap Japanese manufacturer and purveyor of apparel <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daidoh-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18256:1" rel="noopener">Daidoh Ltd (3205 JP)</a> has consistently been a target for value investors. In late 2022, Strategic Capital went over 5%.</li>
<li>They have bought more, and as of end-March, they declared 24.85% of TSO (28% of voting rights), but they have 33%. They made proposals for the AGM. They won one. </li>
<li>Now Murakami-san has bought in, going over 5%. This gets interesting. Together they have 39.4% as of last week, and probably more now. That should get them 50+% next AGM/EGM.</li>
</ul>


Small cap Japanese manufacturer and purveyor of apparel Daidoh Ltd (3205 JP) has consistently been a target for value investors. In late 2022, Strategic Capital went over 5%.
They have bought more, and as of end-March, they declared 24.85% of TSO (28% of voting rights), but they have 33%. They made proposals for the AGM. They won one. 
Now Murakami-san has bought in, going over 5%. This gets interesting. Together they have 39.4% as of last week, and probably more now. That should get them 50+% next AGM/EGM.


JAPAN ACTIVISM: Strategic Capital Target Daido (3205) Now A Murakami Target Too

<ul>
<li>TSI Holdings has long had a lot of cash and securities but a dearth of income. It's still that way.</li>
<li>Earnings were pretty good, but forecasts disappointing. The MTP is much more aggressive. </li>
<li>The company has an EV/Revenue of 0.03x and EV/EBITDA of 0.5x. THEN it has a lot more interesting stuff hidden away. This could double or more in two years.</li>
</ul>


TSI Holdings has long had a lot of cash and securities but a dearth of income. It's still that way.
Earnings were pretty good, but forecasts disappointing. The MTP is much more aggressive. 
The company has an EV/Revenue of 0.03x and EV/EBITDA of 0.5x. THEN it has a lot more interesting stuff hidden away. This could double or more in two years.


TSI Holdings (3608) - That Old Gem - Lots of Visible Cash, and Lots More Invisible Cash

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)

Onward Goes Young with Wego

Onward's acquisition of Wego aims to attract younger customers, drive sales growth (50% forecast), and transform into a thriving omnichannel...

Michael Causton

Onward to Omnichannel

Onward Holdings defies decline by successfully implementing omnichannel retailing, showcasing growth in online sales and new store network....

Michael Causton

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

JAPAN ACTIVISM: Strategic Capital Target Daido (3205) Now A Murakami Target Too

Daidoh was targeted by activist Strategic Capital for 18mos. They bought to 32% and this past AGM "won" small. Murakami-san has joined the fight...

Travis Lundy

TSI Holdings (3608) - That Old Gem - Lots of Visible Cash, and Lots More Invisible Cash

TSI Holdings is a long-time value name. It has a bigger portfolio, still has low ROE high CF, and LOTS of financial assets. At 0.03x EV/rev +...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Onward Goes Young with Wego

​Onward's acquisition of Wego aims to attract younger customers, drive sales growth (50% forecast), and transform into a thriving omnichannel...

Michael Causton

Onward to Omnichannel

​Onward Holdings defies decline by successfully implementing omnichannel retailing, showcasing growth in online sales and new store network....

Michael Causton

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

JAPAN ACTIVISM: Strategic Capital Target Daido (3205) Now A Murakami Target Too

Daidoh was targeted by activist Strategic Capital for 18mos. They bought to 32% and this past AGM "won" small. Murakami-san has joined the fight...

Travis Lundy

TSI Holdings (3608) - That Old Gem - Lots of Visible Cash, and Lots More Invisible Cash

TSI Holdings is a long-time value name. It has a bigger portfolio, still has low ROE high CF, and LOTS of financial assets. At 0.03x EV/rev +...

Travis Lundy

Onward's acquisition of Wego aims to attract younger customers, drive sales growth (50% forecast), and transform into a thriving omnichannel...

Onward Holdings defies decline by successfully implementing omnichannel retailing, showcasing growth in online sales and new store network....