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

<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>, one of Japan’s best performing retailers, plans to increase the pace of growth, with up to 200 new stores in the next three years.The furniture chain will also invest around ¥200 billion in logistics to support the expansion, as well as rapidly grow its fashion chain, N+. The latter has been dismissed as a gimmick by some analysts but we think the project has serious potential. Nitori is clearly a world class retailer. While Nitori achieved gross margins of 56% last year and operating margins of 16.7%, Fast Retailing had a gross margin (based on 2019 numbers i.e. a more normal year) of 48.9% and operating margin of 11%. Inditex (for the year ending January 2019) had a gross margin of 56.7% and operating margins equal to Nitori.Nitori has also just concluded its takeover of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimachu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5235:1" rel="noopener">Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP)</a> with lots of promise for synergies.With people forced to stay at home in 2020, the nesting instinct took hold and Nitori had a particularly good year. If all goes well, FY2020 will not only be its 34th consecutive year of record results, but also see the fastest profit growth so far.

Nitori Holdings (9843 JP), one of Japan’s best performing retailers, plans to increase the pace of growth, with up to 200 new stores in the next three years.The furniture chain will also invest around ¥200 billion in logistics to support the expansion, as well as rapidly grow its fashion chain, N+. The latter has been dismissed as a gimmick by some analysts but we think the project has serious potential. Nitori is clearly a world class retailer. While Nitori achieved gross margins of 56% last year and operating margins of 16.7%, Fast Retailing had a gross margin (based on 2019 numbers i.e. a more normal year) of 48.9% and operating margin of 11%. Inditex (for the year ending January 2019) had a gross margin of 56.7% and operating margins equal to Nitori.Nitori has also just concluded its takeover of Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP) with lots of promise for synergies.With people forced to stay at home in 2020, the nesting instinct took hold and Nitori had a particularly good year. If all goes well, FY2020 will not only be its 34th consecutive year of record results, but also see the fastest profit growth so far.

Nitori: A New Pace of Expansion in Home and Now Apparel

Major eyewear retailer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meganesuper-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14070:1" rel="noopener">Meganesuper (3318 JP)</a>, has announced it is switching from physical stores to mobile shops mounted on trucks. By the end of 2023, Megane Super wants 110 trucks in service across the country.
Supermarkets and others are also trying this idea with growing success but this is the first case of an eyewear company and, we think, the first where the retailer says it no longer expects to open physical stores.
Initial results suggest the trucks work very well, with far lower set-up and operating costs, but with sales equivalent to some of the chain’s best immobile shops, potentially resulting in a significant uptick in operating margins.

Major eyewear retailer Meganesuper (3318 JP), has announced it is switching from physical stores to mobile shops mounted on trucks. By the end of 2023, Megane Super wants 110 trucks in service across the country.
Supermarkets and others are also trying this idea with growing success but this is the first case of an eyewear company and, we think, the first where the retailer says it no longer expects to open physical stores.
Initial results suggest the trucks work very well, with far lower set-up and operating costs, but with sales equivalent to some of the chain’s best immobile shops, potentially resulting in a significant uptick in operating margins.

Megane Super: Shops on Wheels Are the Future

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

Muji’s US bankruptcy and poor trading in Europe, along with weaker sales at home, led to <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>’s first revenue decline in a decade and the first loss in 19 years. Growth in Asia and the promise of significant growth in the food category – an idea we are very bullish about – suggest hope for a rebound next year.

Muji’s US bankruptcy and poor trading in Europe, along with weaker sales at home, led to Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)’s first revenue decline in a decade and the first loss in 19 years. Growth in Asia and the promise of significant growth in the food category – an idea we are very bullish about – suggest hope for a rebound next year.

The convenience store sector (CVS) is Japan’s most successful retail format and one that has now enjoyed almost 50 years of growth. So the sudden and unprecedented sales declines in 2020, caused by so many people staying away from city centres during the pandemic, are an entirely new test for the sector.Temporary blips aside, this leading position is likely to endure a little longer. Even with e-commerce growing faster and likely to over take CVS as the biggest channel by 2025, CVS will take on a prominent role in the fulfilment model used by many e-commerce companies.In the CVS sector itself, Familymart's delisting and new role spearheading Itochu's retail interests will cause ructions in a sector that has reached saturation and where increased competition will force more change and differentiation.The following is an in-depth review of the state of play in Japan's convenience store sector following the absorption of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/familymart-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:320:1" rel="noopener">FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP)</a> by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a>. The review includes:<ul>
<li>Full rankings of all convenience stores including sales, stores, market share, key metrics like sales per store per day etc.</li>
<li>Analysis of the current and future prospects of the big three and the outlook for the smaller players – as much targets for the big three than anything else.</li>
<li>Details on e-commerce initiatives (or the lack of them), store coverage, diversification strategies etc.</li>
<li>Updates on the pressure points of the labour shortage and franchisee rebellions.</li>
</ul>This insight provides a complete review of the sector and a clear picture of where convenience stores are headed in the next three years.

The convenience store sector (CVS) is Japan’s most successful retail format and one that has now enjoyed almost 50 years of growth. So the sudden and unprecedented sales declines in 2020, caused by so many people staying away from city centres during the pandemic, are an entirely new test for the sector.Temporary blips aside, this leading position is likely to endure a little longer. Even with e-commerce growing faster and likely to over take CVS as the biggest channel by 2025, CVS will take on a prominent role in the fulfilment model used by many e-commerce companies.In the CVS sector itself, Familymart's delisting and new role spearheading Itochu's retail interests will cause ructions in a sector that has reached saturation and where increased competition will force more change and differentiation.The following is an in-depth review of the state of play in Japan's convenience store sector following the absorption of FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP) by Itochu Corp (8001 JP). The review includes:
Full rankings of all convenience stores including sales, stores, market share, key metrics like sales per store per day etc.
Analysis of the current and future prospects of the big three and the outlook for the smaller players – as much targets for the big three than anything else.
Details on e-commerce initiatives (or the lack of them), store coverage, diversification strategies etc.
Updates on the pressure points of the labour shortage and franchisee rebellions.
This insight provides a complete review of the sector and a clear picture of where convenience stores are headed in the next three years.

Convenience Stores: Diversification and a Fight for Share as Familymart Delists

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)

Nitori: A New Pace of Expansion in Home and Now Apparel

Nitori is about to accelerate expansion in its core market while absorbing Shimachu and likely expanding that. It is also about to build out its...

Michael Causton

Megane Super: Shops on Wheels Are the Future

All retailers are investing in online and closing stores but in Japan, combining online with mobile shops in trucks allows customers to try before...

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

Muji Leaks Red After Tough Summer

Ryohin Keikaku (Muji) had a tough six months from March but its plans to grow food sales from around 6% to 30% of sales along with expansion in...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Nitori: A New Pace of Expansion in Home and Now Apparel

Nitori is about to accelerate expansion in its core market while absorbing Shimachu and likely expanding that. It is also about to build out its...

Michael Causton

Megane Super: Shops on Wheels Are the Future

All retailers are investing in online and closing stores but in Japan, combining online with mobile shops in trucks allows customers to try before...

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

Muji Leaks Red After Tough Summer

Ryohin Keikaku (Muji) had a tough six months from March but its plans to grow food sales from around 6% to 30% of sales along with expansion in...

Michael Causton

Convenience Stores: Diversification and a Fight for Share as Familymart Delists

If you are looking for a full in-depth review and analysis of Japan's convenience stores sector and how things will shape up now that Familymart is...

Michael Causton