Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Ryohin Keikaku (Muji) slashed its earnings guidance for FY8/22 by 32%</li>
<li>The retailer is facing a number of headwinds, only some of which are industry wide</li>
<li>We remain bearish as Muji lacks the pricing power to push through higher input costs</li>
</ul>


Ryohin Keikaku (Muji) slashed its earnings guidance for FY8/22 by 32%
The retailer is facing a number of headwinds, only some of which are industry wide
We remain bearish as Muji lacks the pricing power to push through higher input costs


Ryohin Keikaku (7453) | Oops Something Went Wrong

<ul>
<li>Muji's historically low valuations are no reason to get excited. We think normalisation is still several quarters out</li>
<li>China growth was the key valuation driver, but Muji faces continued headwinds from sporadic lockdowns and weak foot traffic</li>
<li>Rising costs are new problem for Muji in the domestic market. The company will remain behind the curve on price hikes, leading to weaker margins</li>
</ul>


Muji's historically low valuations are no reason to get excited. We think normalisation is still several quarters out
China growth was the key valuation driver, but Muji faces continued headwinds from sporadic lockdowns and weak foot traffic
Rising costs are new problem for Muji in the domestic market. The company will remain behind the curve on price hikes, leading to weaker margins


Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP) | No Time to Bargain Hunt

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>Japan may have discovered home decoration and DIY later than some markets but it has made up for this with a convert’s enthusiasm. </li>
<li>In the last decade, the market has grown around 50% and a host of brands and retailers have flourished.</li>
<li>These include <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ryohin-keikaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1" rel="noopener">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a> and the home centres like Cainz and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dcm-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13042:1" rel="noopener">DCM Holdings (3050 JP). </a> The long-term outlook remains positive.</li>
</ul>


Japan may have discovered home decoration and DIY later than some markets but it has made up for this with a convert’s enthusiasm. 
In the last decade, the market has grown around 50% and a host of brands and retailers have flourished.
These include Nitori Holdings (9843 JP), Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP) and the home centres like Cainz and DCM Holdings (3050 JP).  The long-term outlook remains positive.


Nitori, Muji Still Benefitting from a Flourishing Japan Home Decor Market

<ul>
<li>Daiso is usually known for standing back and throwing mountains of plastic into cramped stores and selling it all for ¥100 per item. </li>
<li>Daiso has moved on in the past few years and now has new formats that not only sell at higher prices but offer a level of quality that surprises customers.</li>
<li>Its latest chain, Standard Products, targets Muji and Nitori in home categories for anything smaller than a desk and is representative of the growing sophistication and reach of discount retailing.</li>
</ul>


Daiso is usually known for standing back and throwing mountains of plastic into cramped stores and selling it all for ¥100 per item. 
Daiso has moved on in the past few years and now has new formats that not only sell at higher prices but offer a level of quality that surprises customers.
Its latest chain, Standard Products, targets Muji and Nitori in home categories for anything smaller than a desk and is representative of the growing sophistication and reach of discount retailing.


<ul>
<li>Although subscription consumption was already becoming popular before the pandemic, as familiarity with managing monthly payments for products and services have grown, sign up rates have surged since 2020. </li>
<li>The market reached just under ¥1 trillion in 2021, doubling in five years. Estimates suggest that B2C and B2B subscriptions combined will exceed ¥6 trillion in 2023.</li>
<li>As the sector grows more mainstream, more platforms are emerging to facilitate both set up and marketing, and more diverse subscriptions are launching to target specific niches.</li>
</ul>


Although subscription consumption was already becoming popular before the pandemic, as familiarity with managing monthly payments for products and services have grown, sign up rates have surged since 2020. 
The market reached just under ¥1 trillion in 2021, doubling in five years. Estimates suggest that B2C and B2B subscriptions combined will exceed ¥6 trillion in 2023.
As the sector grows more mainstream, more platforms are emerging to facilitate both set up and marketing, and more diverse subscriptions are launching to target specific niches.


Subscription Retailing Goes Mainstream in Japan

Japan

J. FRONT RETAILING CO., Ltd. is a holding company established through the merger of Daimaru and Matsuzakaya.  J. FRONT RETAILING operates department stores and supermarkets. The Company also manages subsidiaries which operate in wholesale businesses.

Takashimaya Company, Limited., founded in Kyoto in 1831, operates department stores.  The Company's main stores are located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Takashimaya also operates department stores in Paris, France, Singapore, China, Australia, and New York, USA.  The Company retails clothing, foods, art objects, sundry goods, and household utensils.  The Company also operates restaurants.

MARUI GROUP CO., LTD. operates department stores which sell clothing, accessories, home appliances, and food stuffs.  The Company also provides consumer loan services.  Marui Group operates in the Tokyo area.

H2O RETAILING CORPORATION founded in Osaka in 1929, operates railway terminal department stores.  The Company's main store is located at Hankyu terminal in Umeda (Osaka) and sells clothing, foods, sundry goods, furniture, and household utensils.  H2O Retailing also operates restaurants and coffee shops.

Mercari, Inc. operates as an electronic commercial company. The Company offers electronic commercial software, operation management, marketing planning, and other marketplace services. Mercari serves customers worldwide.

Seria Co., Ltd. operates 100 yen chain stores nationwide.   The Company also operates franchise business.  Seria's main product line includes household goods and snacks.

IZUMI CO., LTD. operates shopping centers mainly in the Chugoku area, selling food products, clothing, and household utensils.  The Company also operates real estate business and credit card services.

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. is a holding company established through a merger of Mitsukoshi and Isetan. The group operates department stores nationwide, selling clothing, foods, household goods, cosmetics and general merchandise.

FUJI CO., LTD. operates shopping center chain mainly in the Shikoku and the Chugoku regions.  The Company mainly sells foodstuffs, clothing, and sundry goods.  Fuji also operates home entertainment stores, BACH, which sells books, CDs, videos, and video games.  The Company also operates sports fitness centers. The Company provides credit card service.

Kintetsu Department Store Co., Ltd. operates department stores mainly in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and other Kansai prefectures. The Company sells clothing, foods, as well as other household items. Kintetsu Department Store also operates restaurants.

Harvey Norman Holdings Limited is a holding company for companies and trusts in a third party franchise agreement. The franchises operate stores under the name "Harvey Norman Discounts," selling home wares and electrical goods. The Company also provides advisory and advertising to the franchises. In addition, the Company provides consumer finance and has property investments.

Hainan Island Construction Co Ltd.  is a property development company. The Company also operates regional malls and hotels.

Guangzhou Friendship Group Co., Ltd operates supermarkets and department stores in Guangzhou, China.  The Company sells a variety of consumer products, including apparel, food and beverages, electronics, jewelry, cosmetics, and electric appliances.  Guangzhou Friendship also leases real estate properties.

Guangzhou Friendship Group Co, Ltd. (000987 CH)

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. operates a chain of retail stores that offers brand name products at discounted and closeout prices. The Company provides products, including housewares, food, books and stationery, bed and bath, floor coverings, toys, and hardware.

Ollie'S Bargain Outlet Holdings (OLLI US)

Macy's, Inc. operates department stores in the United States.  The Company also operates direct mail catalog and electronic commerce subsidiaries. Macy's retail stores sell a wide range of merchandise, including men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods.

Nordstrom, Inc. is a fashion retailer of apparel, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children.  The Company operates through multiple retail channels, discount stores, boutiques, catalogs, and on the Internet. Nordstrom, Inc. also offers, through a subsidiary, private label card credit and debit cards.

B&M European Value Retail S.A. operates as a general merchandise discount retailer. The Company sells products ranging electronics to home goods.

Canadian Tire Corporation Limited is a family of businesses that includes a retail segment, a financial services division and CT REIT. The Company's retail business provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across its living, playing, fixing, automotive and seasonal categories. Canadian Tire Corporation's  retail products include casual, industrial and active wear.

PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk operates as an e-commerce platform. The Company offers mobility, food delivery, logistics, e-commerce, and financial technology solutions. GoTo Gojek Tokopedia serves customers in Indonesia.

Central Retail Corp Ltd operates general merchandise stores. The Company offers electronics, sports, stationery, home improvement, and office products. Central Retail serves customers in Thailand.

RYOHIN KEIKAKU CO., LTD. is a retailer and wholesaler of Mujirushi Ryohin brand products, which were originally a generic private-brand product.  The Company's product line includes knitwear, food, and household items

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Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)

Ryohin Keikaku (7453) | Oops Something Went Wrong

Ryohin Keikaku may have superficially low valuations. However, sales headwinds in China, and rising costs and lack of pricing power domestically...

Mark Chadwick