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>The 100 Yen shop model looked in danger when inflation began to bite and labour costs surged but the sector continues to expand</li>
<li>Their fixed price model meant there was little leeway to offset higher costs through higher prices but a survey shows 90% of respondents visited a Daiso store recently.</li>
<li>While Daiso has adapted quickly and looks to have a bright future, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seria-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12989:1" rel="noopener">Seria Co Ltd (2782 JP)</a> refuses to adapt and has seen profits plummet.</li>
</ul>


The 100 Yen shop model looked in danger when inflation began to bite and labour costs surged but the sector continues to expand
Their fixed price model meant there was little leeway to offset higher costs through higher prices but a survey shows 90% of respondents visited a Daiso store recently.
While Daiso has adapted quickly and looks to have a bright future, Seria Co Ltd (2782 JP) refuses to adapt and has seen profits plummet.


100 Yen Shops to Hit ¥1 Trillion This Year but Seria's Model Squeezing Profits

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>After the accelerated transition to digital channels during Covid, the fashion sector had a calmer year in 2022 although GTVs still grew around 10%. </li>
<li>Most retailers spent the time investing in more seamless and coherent omnichannel models, and in making the best use of stores and staff in online promotions.</li>
<li>This shift to omnichannel is also leading to changing merchandising, including pre-selling inventory, while others are turning their online stores into malls. </li>
</ul>


After the accelerated transition to digital channels during Covid, the fashion sector had a calmer year in 2022 although GTVs still grew around 10%. 
Most retailers spent the time investing in more seamless and coherent omnichannel models, and in making the best use of stores and staff in online promotions.
This shift to omnichannel is also leading to changing merchandising, including pre-selling inventory, while others are turning their online stores into malls. 


Japan's Fashion E-Commerce Evolving into Dynamic and Seamless Omnichannel, Winners Will Take All

<ul>
<li>Growth in the Japanese home interiors and furniture markets is set to continue long-term. </li>
<li>At present, just a handful of brands have any major presence led by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitori-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20386:1" rel="noopener">Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)</a> which continues to expand market share.</li>
<li>With multiple formats, Nitori looks set to continue to dominate but faces competition from unlikely quarters, especially <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamada-denki-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:641:1" rel="noopener">Yamada Denki (9831 JP).</a>
</li>
</ul>


Growth in the Japanese home interiors and furniture markets is set to continue long-term. 
At present, just a handful of brands have any major presence led by Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) which continues to expand market share.
With multiple formats, Nitori looks set to continue to dominate but faces competition from unlikely quarters, especially Yamada Denki (9831 JP).



Interiors Long-Term Growth in Japan a Plus for Nitori

<ul>
<li>The apparel/fashion sector made a partial recovery last year but was still down on 2019. 2022 looks a lot brighter with customers now back in stores including even inbound tourists. </li>
<li>The same challenges that the sector faced before Covid remain but there is plenty of room to grow by taking share from the less innovative competitors – i.e. more consolidation.</li>
<li>The sector saw the highest fall in store numbers in its history last year, but there was more investment in creating a compelling omnichannel model suited to Japan’s particular market.</li>
</ul>


The apparel/fashion sector made a partial recovery last year but was still down on 2019. 2022 looks a lot brighter with customers now back in stores including even inbound tourists. 
The same challenges that the sector faced before Covid remain but there is plenty of room to grow by taking share from the less innovative competitors – i.e. more consolidation.
The sector saw the highest fall in store numbers in its history last year, but there was more investment in creating a compelling omnichannel model suited to Japan’s particular market.


Japan's Apparel/Fashion Sector Big Review: Momentum Builds for Full Recovery

<ul>
<li>Muji has been trying to both reduce prices and consumer perception of its price positioning in the past few years, both at home and abroad. </li>
<li>This has been hard but a new ¥500 chain will make it clear that Muji is shifting positioning.</li>
<li>Muji will now even compete with discount and fixed price chains across food, home and clothing and the new price format will be much better suited to markets like China.</li>
</ul>


Muji has been trying to both reduce prices and consumer perception of its price positioning in the past few years, both at home and abroad. 
This has been hard but a new ¥500 chain will make it clear that Muji is shifting positioning.
Muji will now even compete with discount and fixed price chains across food, home and clothing and the new price format will be much better suited to markets like China.


Muji 500: The Missing Key to Plans for 2,000 Stores

Japan

KOMERI CO., LTD. operates a home center chain based in Niigata Prefecture. The Company sells DIY (do-it-yourself) products, building materials, tools, hardware, household utensils, gardening materials, car care goods, and leisure goods.  Komeri also operates business in China.

AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD. retails automobile related products and services mainly through its franchise stores throughout Japan.  The Company's product lines include tires, wheels, engine oils, batteries, car stereos, and both interior and exterior car accessories.  Autobacs Seven also has some stores in the Asian region, such as Taiwan, as well as Europe and the United States.

T-GAIA CORPORATION sells cell-phone units and service contracts in Japan. The Company also offers high-speed internet connection service through sales agencies.

Nojima Corporation operates consumer electronic store chains that specialize in computers and communication products.  The Company also sells entertainment related items such as game software and CDs, and household appliances. The Company operates  and franchises stores in Kanagawa Prefecture.

NEXTAGE Co., Ltd. operates a used automobile business. Its main line of business is retail of used domestic cars but it also sells imported cars and SUV/vans. In addition, the company also operates an automobile maintenace business.

Adastria Co., Ltd. operates a chain of clothing stores in Japan. The Company also operates stores in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea.

NISHIMATSUYA CHAIN Co., Ltd., a specialty retailer, sells mainly clothes for infants and children, and also women and men.  The Company also sells maternity clothes and new born baby goods.

Joyful Honda Co.,Ltd. operates home improvement center business. The company sells products such as hardware, garden, pet products and also household utensil s.

AOKI Holdings Inc. operators a store chain specializing in men's suits. The Company also offers maternity and kids clothing.  Aoki International mainly operates in Tokyo metropolitan area and also operates online shopping.

KOHNAN SHOJI CO., LTD. operates a home improvement center chain, located in Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto.  The Company sells mainly home improvement products such as lumber, hardware, paint and also household utensils.  Kohnan Shoji also sells auto and leisure products.

Shoe Carnival, Inc., a retailer of family footwear, operates primarily in the Midwest, South, and Southeastern regions of the United States. The Company seeks to create a carnival-like atmosphere in each of its stores by decorating with bright lights, colors, and neon signs.

Chico's FAS, Inc. sells private label women's casual clothing and related accessories.  The Company's clothing includes tops, pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses.  Chico's owns and operates stores throughout the United States.

Franchise Group, Inc. is an owner and operator of franchised and franchisable businesses. The Company's business lines include pet supplies plus, american freight, the vitamin shoppe, badcock home furniture, buddy's home furnishings, and sylvan learning. Franchise Group serves customers in the United States and Canada.

The Hour Glass Limited retails and wholesales watches, jewelry and related products through its subsidiaries. The Company also manufactures watches and invests in properties.

PT ACE Hardware Indonesia Tbk retails tools, home improvement products, lawn and garden supplies, plumbing, furniture, sporting goods, and pet supplies.

Hibbett Sports Inc. operates a chain of sporting goods stores in the southeastern United States.  The stores sell athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment.

Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. operates as a pet health and wellness company. The Company provides pet health services, including veterinary care, grooming, and training, as well as offers pet nutrition products and supplies. Petco Health and Wellness serves customers in the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

EEKA Fashion Holdings Limited engages in apparel design and development businesses. The Company produces high-fashion women's apparel products. EEKA Fashion Holdings sells products through domestic department stores and shopping centers.

Nick Scali Limited retails furniture in Australia.  The Company specializes in leather and fabric lounges, dining rooms, bedrooms and occasional furniture. Nick Scali has about nine showrooms located in New South Wales and Queensland.

Groupe FNAC S.A. distributes consumer goods. The Company sells a wide range of books, music, movie discs, video games and consoles, computer products, telephones, home appliances, cameras, electronic  equipment, and travel services.

PAL GROUP Holdings Co., Ltd. operates a chain of casual clothing stores based in Kansai area. The Company manufactures and retails men's and women's casual wear and accessories.  The Company also sells its products on the Internet.

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PAL GROUP Holdings Co., Ltd. (2726 JP)

100 Yen Shops to Hit ¥1 Trillion This Year but Seria's Model Squeezing Profits

Seria has always extracted the highest profits from the 100 Yen sector even as its larger competitor, Daiso, grew faster. Now, with labour and...

Michael Causton

Japan's Fashion E-Commerce Evolving into Dynamic and Seamless Omnichannel, Winners Will Take All

Japan's fashion e-commerce sector offers major growth stories among both online malls and physical retailers making a successful transition to...

Michael Causton

Interiors Long-Term Growth in Japan a Plus for Nitori

Japan's interiors consumption has been one of the few categories to grow consistently and will continue to grow steadily as Japanese appetite for...

Michael Causton

Japan's Apparel/Fashion Sector Big Review: Momentum Builds for Full Recovery

Japan's fashion and apparel sector was severely hit by the pandemic and the loss of tourism. With wallets full, Japanese are now spending again...

Michael Causton

Muji 500: The Missing Key to Plans for 2,000 Stores

Muji has been suffering of late but a new format focusing on prices below ¥500 could solve multiple problems both at home and overseas.

Michael Causton

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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